Henry Alcantara won’t recant flood control statements — lawyerMANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:00 p.m.) — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara said he will stand by his earlier statements on the anomalous flood control projects. Lawyer Emil Karlo Joven, legal counsel for Alcantara, in a statement denied claims that Alcantara had recanted testimonies previously given before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Alcantara is not recanting his prior statements,” he added. Alcantara arrived at the Department of Justice on Tuesday, January 13, for the continuation of the preliminary investigation on the flood control projects in Bulacan. However, when asked if he would recant his statement, he did not answer.

DILG seeks to axe 20 BFP officials over 'bid-rigging,' corruptionMembers of the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) conduct a send-off deployment on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at Quirino Grandstand, in preparation for the upcoming New Year celebration. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government recommended the dismissal of 20 senior officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection over alleged corruption, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Remulla said the department is also preparing to file complaints against the 20 officials involved, adding that both the dismissals and the filing of cases could be implemented as early as next week. How does the alleged corruption work? He said the alleged corruption scheme involves BFP inspectors compelling business owners to buy fire safety equipment from preferred suppliers at inflated prices, with threats of withholding permits for noncompliance.

Travel tax reform pushed anew at Senate amid rising airport feesPassengers crowd Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 as Filipinos rush to catch flights while others arrive in Manila ahead of the Christmas celebration. MANILA, Philippines — A measure to remove the travel tax on economy class passengers has been pushed at Senate, arguing that it adds an undue financial burden on ordinary Filipinos. “This legislative measure seeks to exempt economy class passengers from the payment of travel tax.”Under current rules, the full travel tax amounts to about P1,620 for economy class travelers and P2,700 for first-class passengers. Another travel tax reform measure filed in 2025 sought to abolish the levy altogether. While supporters of reform argue that reducing barriers like the travel tax could ease the overall burden on Filipino travelers.

Donald Trump versus the Federal Reserve - what you need to knowFILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speak during a tour of the Federal Reserve Board building, which is currently undergoing renovations, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo/File Photo

What the Philippines should stand for as we welcome ASEANWhen the Philippines hosts ASEAN, it is not just an exercise in diplomacy. As ASEAN gathers, the Philippines should be proud of one thing above all else. We have engineers working in the most advanced technology companies in the world. Other ASEAN countries moved earlier and more decisively. As we host ASEAN, let us present a Philippines that believes in its innovators.

Man City drop points in chase of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd also draw

DA OKs export of 100,000 MT raw sugar to USIn a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to ship out raw sugar to the US has been approved. In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to ship out raw sugar to the US has been approved. The country’s raw sugar stocks are up by three-fourths on an annual basis to 430,713 MT from 245,892 MT, SRA data showed. “Since the new administration entered, our raw sugar production has been increasing, and we have activated the US exports. Each participating entity that buys four kilos of raw sugar will be allowed to export a kilo of raw sugar to the US.

COA flags AFP’s unauthorized bank accounts, unliquidated cash advancesMANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) over its unauthorized maintenance of six bank accounts with a total balance of P72.86 million and unliquidated cash advances amounting to P201.86 million as of end of 2024. The AFP GHQ Central Office was also flagged for P201.86 million in unliquidated cash advances, 82.36 percent of which, or P166.25 million, was classified as past due as they remained outstanding for up to 43 years. Verification by the audit team revealed that the six bank accounts were retained despite a lack of legal basis or authorization from the Permanent Committee Board. The PSC, meanwhile, said it has completed the necessary steps for the closure of the two bank accounts under its name. As for the P201.86 million in unliquidated cash advances, the COA said, “Considering the period over which they remained unliquidated, these cash advances have most likely been expended and as such, misstated the affected asset and expense accounts.”

PDEA: Beware of mescalineThe PDEA said mescaline poses serious health risks to people since it is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday warned the public about mescaline, a prohibited dangerous drug found in the cactus species Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as peyote. The PDEA said mescaline poses serious health risks to people since it is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Only Lophophora williamsii, which contains mescaline, is prohibited by law. The PDEA said laboratory analysis is required to determine whether a suspected Lophophora specimen contains mescaline, a psychedelic hallucinogen.

EDSA busway ridership hits over 66 million in 2025Public utility buses pass through the EDSA Bus Lane at the Santolan Station in Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — Commuters looking for a faster way to traverse EDSA rode carousel buses in 2025, increasing the busway ridership to a new high of nearly 67 million. Based on records from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the EDSA busway ridership jumped by six percent to 66.67 million last year from 63.02 million in 2024. During the Christmas season, the EDSA busway posted 6.53 million ridership in December alone. The DOTr recently awarded a P251.06-million contract to build new busway stations on EDSA to Tacloban-based company Unimasters Conglomeration Inc.

Leading amid disruption: Key takeaways from KPMG’s 11th CEO outlookThe 11th edition of the KPMG CEO Outlook, a survey conducted with 1,350 CEOs globally between Aug. 5 and Sept. 10, 2025, provides unique insights into the mindsets, strategies and planning tactics of business leaders across key markets and industry sectors. Globally, 79 percent of CEOs remain confident in their organizations’ growth prospects. Philippine leaders appear deeply committed to talent transformation, ensuring their workforce remains competitive and future-ready. As investment decisions increasingly converge around talent, technology and workforce readiness, the challenge for organizations will be execution. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.

Stocks surge on rate cut hopesThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index surged by 1.13 percent or 71.82 points to cap off yesterday’s session at 6,419.96. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market soared past the 6,400 mark, buoyed by expectations of an upcoming rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index surged by 1.13 percent or 71.82 points to cap off yesterday’s session at 6,419.96. Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital said the market’s strong performance was supported by sustained buying momentum throughout the session. “Market sentiment further improved following Nomura’s forecast that the BSP could possibly deliver 25 bps rate cuts in both February and April.

Investors waiting for arrest of big fishStock market investors, like the rest of us, are waiting for the arrest of big players in this whole flood control corruption scandal. This is what I gathered from a recent press chat with Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president and CEO Ramon Monzon. How about all the other key players mentioned? Unfortunately, this is not the results that stock market investors and foreign fund managers want to see. As for the PSE, Monzon is optimistic that there will be a sustained increase in capital-raising activities this year.

Marcos won’t oppose new impeach bid vs VP SaraMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will not oppose attempts to file another impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, a reversal of his earlier stance against it. Pressed whether Marcos would not stop the filing of another impeachment complaint against Duterte, Castro replied: “He (Marcos) will respect the process. The Vice President has denied all allegations and has challenged the legality of her impeachment before the Supreme Court. Any subsequent impeachment complaint against her may only be filed starting Feb. 6 this year. Castro advised Duterte’s allies who are seeking to impeach Marcos to help their “idol” answer the allegations against her.

Meralco rates down this month; fuel prices up todayA lineman works on an electric post along Road 10 in Tondo, Manila yesterday. Meralco announced that electricity rates will decrease by P0.16 per kilowatt-hour in the January 2026 billing period. MANILA, Philippines — Meralco is cutting power rates by P0.1637 per kilowatt-hour this month, bringing down its overall rate to P12.9508 per kWh from December’s P13.1145 per kWh. Major oil companies, meanwhile, are set to hike fuel prices today amid recent geopolitical developments, with diesel going up by P0.20 per liter and gasoline and kerosene by P0.30 per liter. For the cut in power rates, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga pointed to lower transmission and generation charges despite upward pressures on certain cost components.