When borrowings increase, we are having difficulties in financing our programs,” he pointed out. So, we really need to increase (tax) collection to decrease the deficit,” he warned. “Cigarette smuggling is really run by syndicates. In rice smuggling the farmers are being hit, but there is no devastation on the health of the people,” he noted. But running after smugglers should go beyond political party lines.
DepEd tackles learners’ declining proficiencyThis file photo shows a facade of the Department of Education. MANILA, Philippines — Student proficiency was among topics tackled during the executive committee meeting presided over by Education Secretary Sonny Angara on the recent findings that Filipino learners’ proficiency rates decline sharply from Grade 3 to Grade 12. EDCOM 2 noted that in 2024, only 30.52 percent of Grade 3 learners were considered “proficient” or “highly proficient.”This means that approximately 70 percent of the learners continued to struggle with foundational skills at Grade 3. However, EDCOM 2 cited large learning gains among Grade 2 students following recent curriculum reforms implemented by the DepEd. Under the amended policy, learners progress based on demonstrated mastery rather than age or length of participation the DepEd said.
Marcos to TOYM awardees: Integrity, compassion are keyMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday called on the awardees of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) 2025 to continue leading with integrity and to use their capabilities to render service and build a better future. In a speech read by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Marcos said the TOYM awardees have proven that leadership “demands a deep sense of purpose” as he lauded them for sharing their purpose and talents with fellow Filipinos. “Through your work and, more importantly, the impact you have created, I am confident that the Philippines is in good hands. In you, we see an emboldened generation that is guided by purpose and committed to service,” the President said. “To our awardees, continue to lead with integrity and act with compassion in your respective fields.
BPO workers air grievances; labor violations slammedDuring the committee hearing on Jan. 21, BPO workers present raised concerns over the lack of benefits and various violations of their labor rights by the companies they work for. During the committee hearing on Jan. 21, BPO workers present raised concerns over the lack of benefits and various violations of their labor rights by the companies they work for. In addition, BPO workers expressed distrust in the Department of Labor and Employment, claiming that the agency tends to side with management. 1493, or the BPO Workers’ Welfare and Protection Act, until it becomes law. The proposed measure seeks to ensure job security, overtime pay, leave pay and other mandatory benefits for BPO workers.
Community journalist convicted of terror financingTACLOBAN CITY , Philippines — A regional trial court yesterday convicted community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and co-accused Mariel Domequil of terror financing, but acquitted them for illegal possession of firearms and explosives for lack of strong evidence and inconsistencies of witnesses during trial. Cumpio, 26, is the first Filipina journalist to be prosecuted under terror financing laws, which defense lawyer Julianne Agpalo said have become the government’s “weapon of choice” for silencing dissent. Cumpio and Domequil were immediately brought back to the facility where they have been detained since their arrest in February 2020. “Keeping her detained or convicting her would be unfair to our colleague and send a worrying message to journalists, media workers and everyone in the country,” she said. At the time of her arrest, Cumpio was the executive director of alternative media outfit Eastern Vista and was a radio broadcaster covering community issues.
The reason: secretary general Cheloy Garafil was not around to receive the complaints because she is in Taiwan for an event. “It is not our fault that your secretary general is absent. “For us, that impeachment complaint is deemed filed. Because we delivered it to the Office of the Secretary General,” Colmenares said. “We do not see any reason for them not to receive the impeachment complaint.
‘Depressed’ Zaldy Co wants to come homeMANILA, Philippines — Former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co is reportedly depressed with his situation and wants to return to the country from Portugal, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. “He seems to have depression, he reportedly wants to return but it is nothing we can expound on,” Remulla said over radio dzBB. The DILG chief has also shared his plans to travel to Portugal to meet with Co’s liaison for surrender, a Filipino priest. The government is exploring other options to compel Co, a central player in the flood control mess, to come out of hiding. Citing information from their operatives in Portugal, Remulla said Co has kept himself out of the public eye.
Stocks rebound as tariff concerns easeThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped by 1.08 percent or 68.50 points, closing yesterday’s session at 6,398.60. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped by 1.08 percent or 68.50 points, closing yesterday’s session at 6,398.60. ICTSI kept its streak going as the session’s top traded stock, advancing by 0.80 percent to P630 per share. RL Commercial REIT followed with a 2.35-percent drop to P7.90, while Jollibee climbed by 1.37 percent to P207. Shares of SPNEC, which announced a rebranding as MGEN Renewable Energy Holdings, surged by 15.04 percent to P1.30 per share.
Stranger thingsNo, this is not about the popular Netflix series which I have not gotten around to watching. However, after watching with a mixture of fascination and disbelief the more than hour-long rambling speech of the US President at Davos, I could not help but acknowledge that the whole world has been living in a “Stranger Things” scenario, minus perhaps the sci-fi elements but complete with all the strange things we are seeing and hearing from the leader of a once respected global power. In the past, we ourselves were among those countries whose leader was called a dictator. Unfortunately, as noted by economists of AMRO, the Philippines is not benefiting from the shifting global structure in terms of investments. For this year, AMRO now projects growth to reach 5.3 percent, down from its previous projection of growth in 2026 of 5.5 percent.
Wasting a crisisBSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said it right. “Last year’s crisis can be the jolt we need to pursue the bold reforms we want.”The Governor said reforms are essential to restoring investor confidence and sustaining strong economic growth. My colleagues at the Foundation for Economic Freedom have long believed that we should never waste a good crisis as an opportunity to introduce reforms. But our politicians are resistant to such reforms that reduce or eliminate their ability to steal from the government with impunity. But in the context of a sub-zero trust rating for BBM, words are no longer enough.
LTFRB: 90% of PUV operators consolidatedMANILA, Philippines — Nearly 90 percent of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators have consolidated under the Public Transport Modernization Program or PTMP, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board reported yesterday. LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the agency is returning five-year franchises to consolidated transport groups. Unconsolidated PUV operators are still allowed to operate on certain routes under existing department orders while their consolidation is pending, the LTFRB said. Based on the report of LTFRB regional offices, Mendoza said almost 90 percent of PUV operators have consolidated. Meanwhile, the LTFRB is also exploring GPS-based improvements to enhance service for commuters, by providing more accurate predictions of jeepney arrival and departure times.
Sinners, a Segregation-era vampire thriller starring Michael B. Jordan, stormed into the awards race with the most Academy Award nominations of any film this year, landing a record 16 nods. Winners of the gold Oscar statuettes will be chosen by the roughly 10,000 actors, producers, directors, and film craftspeople who make up the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Walt Disney's DIS.N ABC will broadcast the awards, and comedian Conan O'Brien will host for the second straight year. Here are the nominees for the 2026 Oscars. Train Dreams, Train DreamsBest SoundF1FrankensteinOne Battle After AnotherSinnersSirâtTrain DreamsBest Visual Effects
Davao still Philippines' most traffic-clogged city — indexMotorists endure heavy traffic at the Matina Pangi and Matina Aplaya areas in Davao City on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Davao City has once again topped the list of the Philippines’ most traffic-congested cities in 2025, ranking 12th globally and fourth in Asia. Worldwide, the city with the highest traffic congestion is Mexico City, Mexico, with a congestion level of 75.9%. Meanwhile, Manila ranked as the second most traffic congested city in the Philippines, with 57% average congestion. The 14th edition of the TomTom Traffic Index included traffic data in more than 500 cities across 62 countries.
MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive gaming tycoon Atong Ang is possibly in Cambodia, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Magcocoordinate na ang ating PNP (Philippine National Police) para makakuha ng more solid information,” he said. (The PNP is now coordinating to gather more solid information.) Wala pang nagpapakita ng solid proof na nandon siya,” Remulla said. Despite his surrender of firearms, the DILG chief said that Ang is still considered “armed and dangerous.”“But despite the surrender of his firearms, we still consider him armed and dangerous.
While there’s no single magic day to book, travel experts agree that starting your search at the right time can help you snag better deals. "For passengers looking for very low fares such as PISO fare, it should be six to nine months in advance," he said. "For typical domestic trips, it’s ideal to start looking for flights at least one to three months in advance," she said. Magno said that in both situations, the ideal approach is to still book around six months in advance. "If it's a really cheap fare, like PISO fare plus taxes, then they should usually book right away as it will be gone in an hour or so.
