P248 million recovered so far in flood control messFormer Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) NCR director Gerard Opulencia turned over P40 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ), reportedly linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects. MANILA, Philippines — With the flood control scandal that has gripped the nation in 2025 reaching billions of pesos in scale, the government has so far recovered P248 million from key figures who admitted these were kickbacks from anomalous infrastructure projects. Bernardo was implicated in having given commissions off flood control projects to the camps of Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva , former senator Bong Revilla, former Ako Bicol congressman Zaldy Co and former Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon. He later entered into an agreement to return P150 million in exchange for the full benefits of becoming state witness. Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon had said that among the cases under preliminary investigation were flood control projects awarded to SYMS Construction in the towns of Balagtas and Pandi in Bulacan.

The Crown of LifeGod blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. — James 1:12 nltTwelve-year-old LeeAdianez Rodriguez-Espada was worried that she’d be late for a 5K run (just over 3 miles). At mile four, with the finish line nowhere in sight, she realized that she was in a longer and more difficult race. If they patiently endured testing, God promised a double reward (James 1:4, 12). Second, God would give them the “crown of life”—life in Jesus on earth and the promise of being in His presence in the life to come (v. 12).

Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner has said it is his “dream” for the country to acquire submarines for maritime defense. On Oct. 8 last year, President Marcos signed Republic Act 12024, the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act. Japan, South Korea and, for that matter, even Taiwan need not be told about the importance of a self-reliant defense posture. The South Korean defense industry has become a major employer and export revenue earner, ranking among the world’s top 10 arms suppliers and aiming to be among the four defense powers by 2030. The sooner we get serious about self-reliant defense, the better for us.

One of the “big words” for me in 2025 was Gratitude. Gratitude to God, gratitude for friends, co-laborers, for provisions, most of all for family and answered prayers. But in order to be grateful, one must first be aware of the things to be grateful for. Many people are so busy chasing after a dream that the only thing they see is something that’s not even there. Thank you for being part of my community, for reading my articles and thank you also for your prayers.

Arabic Noli Me Tangere launchedThe project, recently launched at a reception in Baghdad before Iraqi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academe, representatives from cultural heritage groups in Iraq, marks the first time that the Noli Me Tangere is translated to Arabic, a language with over 400 million speakers worldwide. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Iraq has launched a translation project for Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere from its original 19th century Spanish to Arabic, to commemorate 50 years of Philippine-Iraq bilateral relations. The project, recently launched at a reception in Baghdad before Iraqi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academe, representatives from cultural heritage groups in Iraq, marks the first time that the Noli Me Tangere is translated to Arabic, a language with over 400 million speakers worldwide. A manuscript of the translation was turned over to the Iraqi government, represented by Hisham Al-Alawi, the deputy foreign minister for political planning affairs. Copies of the translation are expected to be made available in 2026.

Visitors walk past a Xiaomi logo at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, or Auto China 2024, in Beijing, China, April 25, 2024.

Thai and Cambodian top diplomats meet in China to solidify ceasefireChildren play around a bunker in Surin province on December 10, 2025, during clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border.

Cabral files: 5 Cabinet officials, usecs with allocables in 2025 budget, says LacsonIn this Dec. 23, 2024 photo, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with then-Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, then-Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, then-Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and then-Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to review the proposed 2025 national budget. “At least five Cabinet secretaries and some undersecretaries had allocables and/or non-allocables, according to the documents. Lacson said the documents showed a certain “ES” with P8.3 billion in allocables, while former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan allegedly had allocables amounting to at least P30.5 billion. He added that other Cabinet secretaries were listed with P2 billion each, while the House leadership and some party-list groups were also reflected as having “billions” in allocables. Lacson cautioned, however, that it remains unclear whether the Cabinet officials cited also received allocations from other agency budgets for 2025.

Carnivorous plant discovered in Palawan, but already on brink of extinctionComposite image shows N. megastoma, a newly described critically endangered species endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan, Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — Philippine scientists have confirmed the discovery of a previously unknown species of carnivorous tropical pitcher plant found only on the limestone cliffs of Palawan, a rare scientific milestone that has come with an urgent warning: the species is already critically endangered. The plant, Nepenthes megastoma, was formally described in November in the international journal Phytotaxa following years of fieldwork by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University and an Australian botanical expert. The study classifies N. megastoma as Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines. Alongside Altomonte, scientists studying N. megastoma are Vernaluz Mangussad, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, and Alastair S. Robinson.

Google is rolling out a new feature that lets you change your Gmail address. "The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. If you'd like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com," the page reads, as translated by Google. Then go to Personal info > Google Account email address. Google noted that users must make sure to back up any data before changing their email address.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire on Saturday, the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people. The conflict spread to nearly every border province on both sides, shattering an earlier truce for which US president Donald Trump took credit. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire, calling on both sides to "immediately honor this commitment". Both sides agreed to freeze all troop movements and allow civilians living in border areas to return home as soon as possible, the statement said. They also agreed to cooperate on demining efforts and combatting cybercrime, while Thailand was to return 18 captured Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours.

The tragic news was announced by his brother Vingo Regino, who is also a fellow April Boys member, through a video statement on his Facebook account. Jimmy Regino, member of the OPM group April Boys and brother of the late singer April Boy Regino, has passed away. "Sa lahat po ng mga fans ng April Boys, binabalita ko lang po sa inyo na pumanaw na po 'yung kapatid kong si Jimmy. Kaya pasensya na po, pinapakita ko lang po ang nararamdaman ko. Their older brother, April Boy Regino, was previously a member upon their formation but left the group to pursue a solo career.

The Kapuso actress' mother, Rea Reyes, shared a photo from the intimate ceremony on Dec. 27. Abellana is pictured wearing a gorgeous white gown with a square neckline and a flowing skirt. Meanwhile, her non-showbiz groom, Dr. Reginald Santos, donned a white tuxedo jacket with black trousers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rea Grytz Reyes (@reagreyes)Ahead of their nuptials, Abellana gave a look at her pamper day and bridal shower at the Aivee Clinic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carla Abellana (@carlaangeline)On Dec. 1, Abellana had the internet buzzing when she shared a photo of what appeared to be an engagement ring on her finger.

Calls for permanent infrastructure anti-graft body mountingComposite: Sen. Panfilo Lacson in an undated photo, and officials of the ad hoc Independent People’s Commission Andres Reyes and Rossana Fajardo. MANILA, Philippines — The push for a permanent anti-graft body looking into anomalies in the infrastructure sector heightened following the resignation of Rossana Fajardo, the second of the ad hoc commissioners enlisted to tackle corruption. Proposed Independent People's CommissionLegislation creating an Independent People’s Commission (IPC) has been filed in both chambers of Congress and has been identified as a priority measure by the Marcos administration. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has said the IPC bill may be passed next year, after lawmakers complete work on the 2026 national budget. The push for a permanent anti-corruption body has also drawn support from business groups, which urged Congress to fast-track legislation to strengthen safeguards over public spending and infrastructure projects.

Yau Yiu-wai (R), 73, one of the few remaining umbrella repairmen in Hong Kong, poses with a customer in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po district on December 26, 2025.