Stocks fall as investors pocket gainsThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slipped by 0.42 percent or 26.89 points to end the session at 6,437.78. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market kicked off the week on a sour note as investors opted to pocket recent gains. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slipped by 0.42 percent or 26.89 points to end the session at 6,437.78. “Profit taking persisted as investors continued to lock in gains. Market sentiment remained cautious, with the index still trading at overbought levels,” Limlingan said.

More forceful reforms in line at SEC – LimMANILA, Philippines — Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Francis Lim is assuring investors of a steady business environment in the Philippines alongside a more forceful enforcement action to restore their confidence. “That is the logic behind our reforms,” the SEC chair said. In less than a year since Lim was appointed as chairperson of the SEC, the commission has strengthened service standards through a “deemed approved” policy. Lim said the SEC has also acted on a basic principle that cost should not be a barrier to doing business. For public offerings, Lim said the SEC is applying a 45-day strict review period for registration statements, with turnaround time now averaging around 35 to 40 days.

Voter registrants hit 1.3 millionHundreds queued at the satellite voters’ registration site inside a mall in Quezon City on August 10, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Voter registrants for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) have reached over 1.35 million, the Commission on Elections said. Comelec data showed that 1,356,410 voter applicants were recorded from Oct. 20, 2025 to Jan. 18, 2026. Two other regions with low number of voter applicants are Mimaropa with 41,405 and Western Visayas with 44,693. The nationwide voter registration for the 2026 BSKE will run until May 18.

Rocket debris warning up anew(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 29, 2021, a Long March 5B rocket, carrying China's Tianhe space station core module, lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China's Hainan province. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued a debris warning after China launched another rocket yesterday afternoon. The Long March 12 rocket took off at the Hainan International Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at 3:48 p.m. Details of the rocket drop zones were disclosed through a notice to airmen, warning of an aerospace flight activity, PhilSA said. Copies of a pre-launch report were disseminated in relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the rocket launch.

Revilla surrenders at Camp CrameFormer senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. arrives at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headquarters in Camp Crame on Monday evening after a warrant was issued against him over malversation and falsification charges tied to an anomalous flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Monday evening voluntarily surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at its headquarters in Camp Crame. Pulma said the Third Division issued the actual arrest warrant as well as the HDO shortly after promulgation of the resolution. He said copies of the arrest warrant were already transmitted to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies for immediate implementation. The Fourth Division has yet to issue any resolution, arrest warrant or HDO as of last night.

Marcos impeachment backer among alleged ‘cong-tractors’MANILA, Philippines — The lawmaker who endorsed the very first impeachment complaint against President Marcos is one of eight “cong-tractors” against whom the Independent Commission for Infrastructure has sought charges in relation to the flood control scam. The referral stems from their involvement with contracting firms that secured DPWH contracts while holding a seat in Congress. Among the targeted “cong-tractors” is Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay of Pusong Pinoy Party-list, who has been in the House since 2022 and is part of the minority bloc. JVN bagged two contracts in 2021 worth P24.75 million and one in 2022 worth P49 million, based on the joint referral. The group described ICI’s inaction as a “sin of omission” that ignored claims of Marcos’ accountability for large-scale corruption.

This is especially troubling when allegations involve malversation of public funds, an offense that strikes directly at the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust. What the public reasonably expects is decisive, timely action consistent with existing law and procedure. Under our legal system, the filing of a criminal complaint does not require proof beyond reasonable doubt. For the “big fish,” the wheels turn so slowly that the case often expires from exhaustion, distraction or political realignment. Resolve and file within 30 days the corresponding criminal complaint with the Sandiganbayan or RTC, which will issue the corresponding warrant of arrest for the non-bailable crime.

A long goodbyeA diplomat’s life is a series of “Hello” and “Goodbye.” They assume a post in a foreign country, usually for a tour of duty of three years, maybe four. An inventory of departing diplomats yielded quite a long list, and since embassy row is a tight-knit community, their social calendars will be full of send-off parties – not to mention National Day receptions – for the next months. I also talked golf with Teres Dabao who, with my niece the golf coach, won a club championship a few years back. Our mindful host prepared two desserts that were the guests of honor’s favorites – lemon cake for MaryKay and tiramisu for Aubrey. Those though were just the proverbial icing on the cake of an evening that was not a good-bye but a till-we-meet-again.

But there is a new world order emerging and the Philippines is rapidly repositioning for a more advantageous place in it. An investment of this scale may be seen as a vote of confidence in the Philippines’ power and fiber backbone. But Filipino negotiators have managed to leverage the latest standards in digital trade to leapfrog the older trade frameworks. The Philippine government designated the digital industries sector as a “high priority” concern. We have committed “Green Lanes” to expedite and automate permits for strategic investments in digital industries.

A diplomat’s farewellOne afternoon late last year, just before the holiday hustle and bustle, I sat in the drawing room of the US Ambassador’s Residence in Makati waiting for Ambassador MaryKay Carlson. But, as she narrated in her farewell speech last Jan. 16 – as her three-and-a-half-year posting in the Philippines came to an end – preparing for her assignment here took more than experience and diplomatic skills. To her surprise, she was advised to select a song she would be willing to sing in public. “In the Philippines, contacts become colleagues; colleagues become friends and friends become family,” she said. “To me, that’s diplomacy: building relationships of trust born of mutual respect to achieve common objectives based on shared values.

Dy calls for results-driven, people-centered ASEANMANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III yesterday called for what he intends as “results-driven, people-centered” regional legislation, as the House of Representatives launched Manila’s presidency of the 47th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). “Our guiding theme is clear: parliaments securing a peaceful, prosperous and people-centered ASEAN. Dy said the Philippines’ AIPA agenda is aligned with President Marcos’ commitment, as ASEAN chairman, to deepen dialogue and enhance cooperation on regional security and economic integration in a people-centered manner. Dy said these principles extend beyond national borders, stressing that trust across ASEAN grows when laws are clear and resources are directed where they matter most. “This is how parliaments secure peace, support prosperity and keep people at the center of policy – principles that will guide our AIPA presidency,” he said.

Lawyer files impeachment complaint vs MarcosAtty. De Jesus also raised the issue of Marcos’ alleged drug dependence, as repeatedly declared by Duterte and by his own sister Sen. Imee Marcos. “Even before the rumors about a possible impeachment complaint against the President surfaced, we already said that the President respects the Constitution and due process,” she said. Reps. Joel Chua and Jonathan Keith Flores also vowed to adhere to normal processes in dealing with the impeachment complaint. Meanwhile, Rep. Edgar Erice disclosed yesterday that De Jesus was First Lady Liza Marcos’ lawyer in her disbarment case against a fellow lawyer in 2024.

Fuel prices climb up to P2 per literA gas station attendant fills up cars at a station in Paco, Manila on January 12, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Motorists are facing another round of fuel price increases today, with diesel and kerosene rising for the third straight week this year. In separate advisories, Jetti, Seaoil, Petron, PTT Philippines and Caltex announced a per-liter price hike of P1 for gasoline, P2 for diesel and P1.50 for kerosene. The latest adjustments bring the year-to-date net increase for gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices to P1.20, P2.40 and P1.90 per liter, respectively. Also exerting upward pressure on prices were the drone attacks on two Western-operated oil tankers in the Black Sea, which further heightened concerns over potential supply disruptions.

Bong Revilla surrenders at Camp Crame after arrest warrantMANILA, Philippines — Former senator Bong Revilla surrendered to the Philippine National Police on Monday evening, January 19, following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him. Revilla arrived at Camp Crame in Quezon City shortly after 9 p.m., accompanied by acting PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. In an interview with reporters, Nartatez said Revilla voluntarily surrendered and would undergo standard booking and medical procedures. Earlier in the day, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a warrant of arrest against Revilla for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, an offense that is non-bailable. This marks the second time Revilla has been detained in connection with corruption allegations.

Alex Eala bowed out of the 2026 Australian Open women's singles after United States' Alycia Parks edged her out with a 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 win. 49, blazed through the first set with a triple break against the 25-year-old American player, the world's no. Parks bounced back in the second set, forcing a deciding third set, in which the American player had the upper hand. Eala first appeared in the Australian Open in 2023 and got eliminated early in the qualifiers. The Filipina is also scheduled to appear in the first-ever Philippine Women's Open later in January as a wildcard.