Palace: Marcos surprised by Revilla allegations; allies not exemptMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was surprised that former senator Bong Revilla, the man he endorsed for a senatorial race in 2025, was arrested in relation to the flood control corruption scam. Revilla was part of Marcos’ presidential slate in the 2025 midterms, despite the fact that Revilla was heavily implicated in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. “Una pa lang pong nabanggit ang pangalang senator Bong Revilla doon pa lang po nag-react na po ang pangulo. Siyempre nagulat po siya dahil kaalyado nga niya po, pero sabi nga niya po makailang ulit sabihin niya kahit nga po kaalyado kung kailangang imbestigahan dapat imbestigahan,” Castro said in a press briefing. (Even when former senator Bong Revilla’s name was first mentioned, the president already reacted.

Australia set to pass tougher gun control laws in response to Bondi mass shootingA visitor places a pebble at a memorial site in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Piper

Paramilitary police officers stand guard in front of the headquarters of the People's Bank of China, the central bank (PBOC), in Beijing, China September 30, 2022.

China says it never pursued trade surplus, vows to expand importsChina's Vice-Premier He Lifeng delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2026.

Bulacan flood projects worth P325 million flagged for irregularitiesThe photo of the Commission on Audit's office in Quezon CIty taken on Aug. 17, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has formally submitted four Fraud Audit Reports (FARs) to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), uncovering widespread irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan valued at over P325 million. The audited projects were awarded to private contractors Wawao Builders and Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading. Furthermore, the fraud audit reports highlighted critical missing documentation, noting the absence of essential records such as as-built plans, detailed cost estimates, geotechnical data, and comprehensive reports on completed work. Hagonoy Project (P77.2 million)Contractor: Wawao BuildersIrregularities: Despite being declared 100% complete, no structure exists at the designated site.

'Another Vitaly case': Estonian vlogger to be deported after harassing FilipinosA scene from one of the vlogs of content creator Siim Roosipuu, who runs a YouTube channel titled "Pro Life Traveler." MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has arrested and is set to deport an Estonian vlogger who was harassing Filipinos. “This is another Vitaly case — different person, same behavior,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said. “A foreign vlogger comes here, disrespects Filipinos, violates our laws and thinks he can hide behind a camera and a social media following. He added that the situation reflects the controversial expulsion of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, pointing to a persistent trend of foreign creators taking advantage of Philippine hospitality to produce provocative material for social media.

Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP This photo taken on September 1, 2025 shows the letters AI (artificial intelligence) flashing from a laptop screen (R) next to the logo of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, displayed over its mobile application in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany.

Jake Ejercito clarifies photo with Rodrigo Duterte standeeJake Ejercito joined the 2016 throwback photo trend and posted his selfie with the standee of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Manila, Philippines — While most 2016 throwback photos drew nostalgia, actor Jake Ejercito's elicited mixed reactions because of his selfie with the standee of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Jake joined the social media trend where users posted their photos from 10 years ago. Two of the photos showed Jake with a standee of Duterte. RELATED: What Jake Ejercito learned about fatherhood from Erap

Palace: Can’t get a Japan visa? Explore the Philippines firstMANILA, Philippines — Filipino travelers who are having trouble acquiring a Japanese visa might want to try local tourism first, suggested the Palace on Tuesday, January 20. Travel agencies in the Philippines have stated that it has been difficult to secure a Japanese visa, with appointment slots only opening in April. While travelers are waiting for their Japanese visas, however, they could explore the Philippines first, Castro said. (Perhaps it is better for our citizens to explore the Philippines first.

UK mulls Australia-style ban on social media for childrenBritish Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall gestures as she speaks on stage at Britain's Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool, Britain, September 29, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Canada's Carney aims to lead new global trading order less reliant on USCanada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the media at Ritan Park, during the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017, in Beijing, China, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Philippines growth outlook dimsIMF lowers 2025-2027 forecastsMANILA, Philippines — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its economic growth projections for the Philippines, citing weaker near-term momentum, lingering spillovers and slower capital accumulation, based on its latest World Economic Outlook update. “The downward revision in GDP growth projections for 2026 and 2027 reflects the carryover impact from a downward revision in the IMF’s growth forecast for 2025 and a slower pace of capital accumulation,” it said. The multilateral lender explained that the weaker outlook in the outer years is closely tied to developments last year, with growth losing more momentum than previously anticipated. The Philippine economy grew by just four percent in the third quarter of 2025, slower than the previous quarter’s 5.5 percent expansion and the 5.2 growth posted in the third quarter of 2024. On the upside, accelerated implementation of structural and governance reforms can boost foreign direct investments, increase fiscal multipliers and boost potential growth,” it added.

Chinese rocket seen above Palawan, debris to fall near TubbatahaSmoke trail of suspected Long March 12 rocket, as captured by the Philippine Navy's Western Naval Command, Jan. 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — China's Long March 12 rocket crossed Palawan airspace Monday afternoon, January 19, with debris projected to fall within waters near Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, no injuries, property damage, or debris impact on land had been reported, according to a Western Naval Command press release. The naval command monitored the event alongside the Western Command, Tactical Operations Wing-West, Philippine Coast Guard, provincial and city disaster offices, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group. Debris risksUnburned rocket debris is designed to be discarded as rockets enter outer space.

House Speaker Bojie Dy says impeach rap vs Marcos lacks meritMANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Bojie Dy sees no logical basis to support the impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., saying it lacks merit. "Wala tayong nakikitang batayan na magbibigay-katwiran sa isinampang impeachment complaint laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr.," the speaker said. However, he recognized that the House is constitutionally bound to consider the impeachment complaint responsibly, ensuring it is not exploited for political purposes that could only sow more division. Other House lawmakers also voiced concern and initial disagreement with the impeachment complaint, including Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District) and Rep. Miro Quimbo (Marikina, 2nd District). Without claiming that Congress will not prioritize the complaint, Dy said lawmakers will be focused on passing legislation addressing the country’s social and economic challenges once it resumes its session on January 26.

Twelve were in intensive care after the accident near Adamuz in the province of Cordoba, about 360 km (223 miles) south of Madrid, according to emergency services. Experts say a faulty rail joint might be key to determining the cause of the crash. The Iryo train lost a wheel that has not yet been located. The Iryo train, a Frecciarossa 1000, was under four years old and the railway line near Adamuz was renovated last May, Puente said. Spain opened up the network to private competition in 2020 in a bid to offer low-cost alternatives to Renfe's Ave trains.