Ex-DPWH exec Bernardo vows to restitute P1 billion in flood kickbacksMANILA, Philippines — As part of the agreement for him to be placed under the government’s witness protection program (WPP), former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has committed to restitute P1 billion to the government, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said yesterday. Fadullon confirmed the amount, which he said will be returned “over a period of time,” during an interview with “Storycon” on One News. Bernardo was among the four people who signed a memorandum of agreement with the government for them to become state witnesses in some cases related to flood control anomalies. Fadullon said the other three have also committed to restitute money to the government, although he was not able to provide the exact figures. As to the decision not to include former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza in the WPP, Fadullon expressed belief that they already have enough evidence to secure convictions.

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Friday it has filed a diplomatic protest against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela over a social media post that included cartoonish images of President Xi Jinping. Tarriela and an embassy official had been trading barbs since last week over issues concerning the disputed South China Sea. Tarriela's Facebook post on Wednesday included a photo of him giving a speech, with a background featuring a compilation of comical images of Xi under the banner "Why China remains to be bully?" On Friday, the embassy slammed the post for "attacking and smearing Chinese leaders" in a statement it released. The embassy expressed "strong indignation" to the presidential palace, foreign affairs department and coast guard demanding an explanation for Tarriela's "malicious provocations".

At its center are Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (portrayed by Connor Storrie), two elite hockey players whose professional rivalry doubles as emotional cover. There’s no narrative hand-holding, because the series trusts viewers to read bodies and pauses as fluently as words. Heated Rivalry turned Hudson Williams (left) and Connor Storrie from complete unknowns into overnight stars—proof that one show and the right kind of chemistry can change a career in an instant. Desire in Heated Rivalry isn’t framed as discovery or sudden liberation; it’s framed as endurance. Williams and Storrie were largely unknown before the show circulated online, which allowed audiences to meet the characters without preexisting expectations.

181,130 influenza-like illnesses logged last yearDOH data showed that the figure, recorded as of Dec. 27, indicated an increase of one percent compared to the 179,948 infections reported during the same period in 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Up to 181,131 cases of influenza-like illnesses were recorded nationwide last year, according to the Department of Health. The data also showed that there were 71 fatalities from influenza-like illnesses last year. Common symptoms of influenza-like illnesses include fever, cough, sore throat, colds, body aches and headaches. Health experts advised Filipinos to have themselves vaccinated with anti-flu vaccines as a protection against influenza-like illnesses.

One answer began in 2016 when two intrepid champions of penal reform launched the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) in Davao City. Susan Cariaga established the first CEBB program in the Philippines, which I believe is also the first in Asia. I declared that education has given PDLs more than just a degree – it has also bestowed respect and dignity. The PDLs may have been deprived of liberty, but we must not deprive them of the right to education. Indeed, education behind bars can help lower prison population, enhance community safety, turn incarceration into opportunity and permanently transform lives.

Alcaraz issues warningSpain's Carlos Alcaraz gestures during a practice session in Melbourne on January 15, 2026, ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament starting on January 18. MANILA, Philippines — Carlos Alcaraz warned Friday that he was “hungry” to break his Australian Open title drought and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, calling it his primary target in 2026. The Melbourne Park crown is the only one of the four majors that Alcaraz has never won, his best performance the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025. The 22-year-old Alcaraz, who begins his title assault against Australia’s 79th-ranked Adam Walton, said he could not wait to get going. “I’m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here.

PCG officer shot dead in SibugayGlennick Ytang (in picture), the station commander of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Zamboanga Sibugay, was gunned down, Jan. 15, 2026. ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was killed in an attack by an unidentified assailant in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday night. Lt./JG Glennick Ytang, chief of the PCG station in Ipil had just stepped out of a coffee shop and was walking toward his car in Barangay Veterans Village when the assailant shot him several times. The PCG condoled with the family of Ytang and thanked him for his service. The PCG said it is coordinating with the police for a thorough investigation into the incident and speedy delivery of justice.

Davao water utility seeking rate hikeMANILA, Philippines — The Davao City Water District (DCWD) is seeking another increase of up to 30 percent in the water charges to sustain the city’s projected water demand in the next five to 10 years. Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod, spokesperson for the DCWD, said the utility has asked the Local Water Utilities Administration for an adjustment and has complied with the requirements including the conduct of a public hearing. Although the city’s water supply is sufficient for the current demand, the rate adjustment is intended to adequately provide for the city’s anticipated growth. “Davao City is enjoying a climate-resilient water service, with abundant available water supply from both ground and surface water sources,” Duhaylungsod said. However, she said there is a need to develop new sources to meet projected demand.

Open for business, closed to mediaThis one is for Ripley’s Believe It or Not. I texted the above to Finance Secretary Frederick Go, a former business reporter in his teenage days, and a property mogul by the time he joined the BBM government. Like during the post-forum presscon, a newsman wondered why achieving a five percent GDP growth rate is very good, given global standards. The World Bank’s January 2026 World Economic Forecasts reports East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) possibly posted 4.6 percent economic or GDP growth in 2025. Says DOF Secretary Go, the chief of BBM’s economic team: “We will host leaders, ministers, CEOs, investors, innovators, and media from across the region and beyond.

Chinese embassy complains of PCG ‘smear’ campaignThe embassy said it has lodged complaints before the Office of the President and other government agencies over “publicly posted images on social media attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese embassy in Manila, after trading accusations and arguments with the spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard on social media over the past weeks, is now accusing PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela of smearing China. The embassy said it has lodged complaints before the Office of the President and other government agencies over “publicly posted images on social media attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”“This constitutes a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line. China expresses strong indignation and strongly deplores this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Malacañang Palace, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Coast Guard,” its statement read. “By pressuring our own government over my personal and professional expressions as the PCG spox on the WPS, the Chinese Embassy is engaging in precisely the interference it is obliged to avoid. This is not legitimate diplomacy; it is an effort to intimidate and suppress truthful reporting on matters of Philippine sovereignty,” Tarriela declared in his statement.

Another arrest warrant out vs Atong Ang, 20 othersCharlie ‘Atong’ Ang, accompanied by his legal team, arrives at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office on July 23 this year to file criminal charges against whistleblower Julie Patidongan and Alan Bantiles for allegedly making false accusations. MANILA, Philippines — Another arrest warrant has been issued against gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, and 20 other people, for a non-bailable case of kidnapping with homicide in connection with the disappearance of over 100 cockfight aficionados or sabungeros. All 17 of Ang’s co-accused in the cases before the Santa Cruz RTC were already arrested as of Wednesday. As of yesterday, only the RTC of San Pablo has yet to issue any arrest order against the accused. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the agency is offering a P10-million reward to anyone who can offer information that can lead to Ang’s arrest.

DOE to blacklist failed RE contractorsSpeaking on One News’ “Storycon” last Thursday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the move aims to block “flippers” or investors who secure contracts just to sell them quickly for a profit. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is moving to tighten renewable power contract rules and bar noncompliant firms following the termination of 163 deals, including those linked to Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. The DOE chief also flagged the risk of a power shortfall this summer as a result of the projects failing to deliver on their commitments. Given this, the DOE is pursuing penalties and considering filing civil, criminal or administrative cases against the developers behind the terminated contracts. Garin, however, said the crackdown on idle projects began as early as 2024, when the DOE had already terminated 15 of SPPPHI’s contracts.

Stocks tumble as investors cash inThe bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 0.35 percent or 22.86 points to close the week at 6,464.67. MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks tumbled as investors pocketed gains following a sharp increase the previous day. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 0.35 percent or 22.86 points to close the week at 6,464.67. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Thursday that cash remittances posted a 3.6-percent increase to $2.91 billion in November from $2.81 billion in the same month in 2024. Trading stayed active as total value turnover reached P7.25 billion, almost unchanged from the previous day’s P7.30 billion.

RFM eyes sustained sales, profit growth this year“We remain optimistic about sustaining sales and income growth in 2026, driven by new products, resilient consumer demand, easing inflation and stable commodity prices,” RFM president and CEO Joey Concepcion said. MANILA, Philippines — Food and beverage company RFM Corp. anticipates sustained sales and income growth this year, with its brands and institutional segments, including ice cream, expected to continue performing strongly. “We remain optimistic about sustaining sales and income growth in 2026, driven by new products, resilient consumer demand, easing inflation and stable commodity prices,” RFM president and CEO Joey Concepcion said. He said that aside from new investments in ice cream, RFM is also allocating funds for production upgrades in Selecta Milk to enhance efficiency and yield. It also operates a joint venture in the country’s leading ice cream business selling Selecta, Magnum and Cornetto ice cream.

Del Monte Foods selects bidders for asset sale transactionsDel Monte Foods said it has negotiated asset purchase agreements with three parties for substantially all of its assets and business operations as going-concern businesses. MANILA, Philippines — Del Monte Foods Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Singapore and Philippine-listed Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL), has chosen three bidders for the sale of business assets in its court-supervised auction process. Del Monte Foods said it has negotiated asset purchase agreements with three parties for substantially all of its assets and business operations as going-concern businesses. “This outcome represents a successful result in our sale process and demonstrates the enduring value of Del Monte Foods’ brands and operations. The sale transactions are subject to the approval of the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey and customary closing conditions.