2 Indians nabbed for Las Piñas robberyThis photo shows a picture of a hand in handcuffs. MANILA, Philippines — Two Indian nationals were arrested by police following a robbery in Las Piñas City on Friday. Probers said the suspects, aged 27 and 33, robbed a fellow Indian national of a cell phone worth P73,000 and P10,000 in cash in front of the victim’s house. Recovered from the suspects were the stolen cell phone, a motorcycle, helmets and a red jacket allegedly used in the crime. The suspects were identified by the victim and were brought to the Las Piñas police station for inquest proceedings.

ERC proposes P8/kWh cap for WTE auctionIn its proposal, the ERC factored in costs from at least three developers, along with other technical and economic considerations, to determine the preliminary green energy auction reserve (GEAR) price. MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has set an initial ceiling price of P8.0167 per kiloWatt-hour for the upcoming waste-to-energy (WTE) auction this year. To facilitate the auction, the ERC is inviting comments from all interested parties on the preliminary GEAR price until Jan. 30. Accordingly, GEA-6, which will cover both biomass and WTE projects, is scheduled for the second quarter, although further details remain under wraps. Beyond boosting power supply, the government is positioning WTE projects as a strategic solution to the country’s persistent flooding challenges.

Why green energy is way harder than it looksRecently, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a sweeping crackdown, terminating more than 160 renewable energy (RE) service contracts tied to projects that failed to materialize over the past two years. Notes on the beatMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the sun, wind and bold clean energy targets. Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a sweeping crackdown, terminating more than 160 renewable energy (RE) service contracts tied to projects that failed to materialize over the past two years. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the DOE consistently reached out to Solar Philippines regarding its contracts, but the company failed to respond. Among all RE projects, solar is considered the fastest to develop, with some installations completing in less than a year depending on their type and scale.

New precast plants to boost Megawide’s orders to P80 billionMegawide chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra said the company plans to build new precast plants to hike its capacity. Megawide chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra said the company plans to build new precast plants to hike its capacity. “Most likely, we will have a big expansion of our capex maybe by the end of the year because we will expand our precast capacity. Megawide expanded its precast production capacity with the opening of a second precast plant in Taytay, Rizal in late 2022 which is capable of producing over 35,000 cubic meters of precast annually. “If this comes in, (Pag-IBIG’s) P10 billion, easily, we’re looking at P70 billion to P80 billion of our order book.

Senate Blue Ribbon resumes flood control probe todayMANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee is set to resume hearings today into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, with lawmakers expected to press deeper into claims that flawed data submissions and possible cover-ups distorted government assessments of so-called “ghost” projects. While former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan has already arrived in Manila yesterday, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon chairman Panfilo Lacson has yet to confirm whether the embattled former official would attend the hearing. In an interview with radio dzBB, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Bonoan also has“a lot to explain” amid allegations of massive kickbacks tied to flood control projects, as bared by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. He recalled how Bernardo’s testimony before the Blue Ribbon committee last year pointed to alleged dealings involving Bonoan and the late former undersecretary Cathy Cabral amounting to about P15 billion, or roughly P5 billion a year in supposed commissions. In the meantime, he said, continued Blue Ribbon hearings remain important, especially as other investigative bodies undergo transitions.

Zubiri files bill to reset BARMM pollsMANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has filed a bill seeking to reset the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s first parliamentary elections to March 30, citing the long-delayed exercise of the region’s right to elect its own leaders. Zubiri filed Senate Bill 1587, which proposes to amend Article XVI, Section 13 of Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Under the measure, officials elected in the 2026 polls would assume office at noon of April 30 following the election. The bill also provides that subsequent BARMM elections be synchronized with the 2028 national and local polls and every three years thereafter.

Pope Leo: Appreciate sacrament of baptism, perform charityIn a Facebook post, the Basilica Minore del Sto. MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV extended his greetings for the celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño, expressing hope that the feast would help the Catholic faithful have a greater appreciation and understanding of the sacrament of baptism that made them God’s children. Pope Leo, the first Augustinian head of the Catholic Church, also expressed his greetings to the Augustinian community of the Minor Basilica of Sto. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends warm greetings… together with the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all gathered for the annual Fiesta Señor celebrations,” it said.

‘Discaya’s clearing of Romualdez should end baseless claims’MANILA, Philippines — Repeated insinuations of the alleged involvement of Rep. Martin Romualdez in the flood control controversy should end with the declaration of contractor Curlee Discaya that the former speaker has nothing to do with it. Allegations have surfaced that Discaya acted as a front to Romualdez in the alleged purchase of a high-end real estate property in Makati City. Last week, Discaya flatly denied the allegation, saying he had only seen Romualdez once at a public event and had in fact never spoken to him. He lamented that his name was being used to drag the former speaker into the flood control controversy. He said this would allow the property to be included in the list of assets under review by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Tulfo: Hold DENR accountable for Cebu landfill collapseMembers of the search and rescue team look for people after a landslide at the landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City on January 11, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should be held accountable for the deadly landfill collapse in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said yesterday, citing what he described as a failure of oversight that allowed a building to be constructed in a clearly dangerous area. The senator said the location had long posed a risk of collapse and that the tragedy could have been avoided had authorities acted properly. During his visit, Tulfo also coordinated with government agencies to ensure assistance for affected families. Based on Bureau of Fire Protection records, at least 36 people were killed and 18 others were injured in the landfill collapse, which occurred on Jan. 8.

Palace declares local holidaysMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared special non-working days in several areas in the country to allow residents to fully participate in their respective celebrations. 1131 declared Jan. 22 a special non-working day in Guiguinto, Bulacan to mark the celebration of the Halamanan Festival. 1129 declared Feb. 10 a special non-working day in Bacolor, Pampanga to mark the celebration of Bacolor Day. The Palace also declared Feb. 17 a special non-working day in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay through Proclamation No. 1130 declared Feb. 21 a special non-working day in Marinduque for the celebration of the Araw ng Marinduque.

Protesters wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a rally under the slogans 'hands off Greenland' and 'Greenland for Greenlanders', in front of City Hall in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 17, 2026.

Marcos Jr. vows aviation upgrade as PAL unveils longest aircraftPresident Marcos receives a souvenir from Philippine Airlines president and COO Lucio Tan III during the unveiling of PAL’s first Airbus A350- 1000 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay on Saturday. The unveiling of PAL’s latest aircraft – the first in Southeast Asia and 10th in the world – coincided with the celebration of the flag carrier’s 85th anniversary. “This step complements our efforts to modernize the aviation sector and embrace more sustainable practices for the future,” the President said. Joining the President at the celebration were First Lady Liza Marcos, PAL Holdings Inc. president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III, PAL board adviser Kyle Tan, PAL president Richard Nuttall, PAL executive vice president and chief operating officer Carlos Luis Fernandez, Cabinet officials, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps. The A350-1000 is viewed in the aviation industry as the most cost-efficient aircraft right now for long-range services.

Lawmaker slams Leviste for ‘ghost’ solar projectsMANILA, Philippines — From alleging that lawmakers involved in ghost projects, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste has seemingly found himself in the middle of one. Leviste is currently under fire for his Solar Philippine Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPPHI) company, which he sold after being granted a 25-year franchise by Congress. Leviste, son of incumbent Sen. Loren Legarda, admitted owning SPPPHI during an interview with “On Point” on Bilyonaryo News Channel. Leviste filed a civil libel complaint against Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, accusing her of spreading false claims that he illegally sold the franchise of SPBC. Leviste, however, rejected the claim, saying the projects could not move forward because they were not issued permits to proceed.

Over 100 global legal leaders to gather for HK 2026 legal year opening on Mon

At least 32 killed after crane falls on train in ThailandCars drive next to a collapsed crane that crushed two vehicles during construction of an elevated highway in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, January 15, 2026.