Banks told to align retail payments with global standardsBusinesses are expected to benefit from the implementation of ISO 20022, as this promotes more accurate invoice reconciliation and smoother cross-border integration. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is now requiring all retail payment systems in the country to adopt ISO 20022, a global standard designed to make domestic and cross-border retail payments more seamless, efficient and secure. The BSP issued Circular 1223 to harmonize local retail payment systems with international standards set by the Bank for International Settlements–Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures. With the issuance of the circular, all industry players are now required to consistently apply the global standard in their retail payment operations. The circular also aligns with the G20’s objectives to improve the affordability, speed and transparency of remittances as well as domestic and cross-border retail payments.

A humanoid robot Tiangong by Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics Co, moves an orange as a demonstration at its company, during an organised media tour to Beijing Robotics Industrial Park, in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, China May 16, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

Thailand and Cambodia halt fierce border conflict with second ceasefireCambodia's Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand's Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit pose with documents during a special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting at a border checkpoint, in Chanthaburi province, Thailand, December 27, 2025. Agence Kampuchea Press/Handout via REUTERS

SLEX, STAR toll rates set to increase starting Jan. 1, 2026Motorists enter and exit the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) through the Nichols toll gate in Pasay City on Dec. 27, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Motorists traveling on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway will see higher toll fees starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced Friday, December 26. The toll hikes cover both Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles across key sections of SLEX and STAR Tollway. For SLEX, the new toll rates are as follows:Alabang to CalambaClass 1 – P126 (up P10)Class 2 – P253 (up P21)Class 3 – P379 (up P31)Calamba to Sto. TomasClass 1 – P34 (up P3)Class 2 – P68 (up P5)Class 3 – P102 (up P8)Meanwhile, STAR Tollway users will also face increases:Sto.

Filipino tech pioneer Dado Banatao dies at 79ALBAY, Philippines — Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, one of the most influential Filipino engineers in Silicon Valley and a pioneer in microchip and computer technology, passed away on December 25 in Stanford, California. Banatao’s family confirmed that he died due to "complications from a neurological disorder that developed later in his life." Born in Iguig, Cagayan, Banatao rose from humble beginnings as the son of a rice farmer and a housekeeper. He established the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev), a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, mentorship and training programs to young Filipinos pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He also received numerous honors, including the Pamana ng Filipino Award in 1997, the Asian Leadership Award in 1993 and the Ramon V. del Rosario Award in 2018.

Attention, commuters: Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Line 2 will offer free rides on Tuesday, Dec. 30, in commemoration of Rizal Day. In commemoration of Jose Rizal's heroism and martyrdom, MRT-3 and LRT-2 will treat commuters to free rides during peak hours from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and in the afternoon to early evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.For LRT-2 commuters, note that the first trip from Recto to Antipolo Station departs at 5:00 a.m. The last trip leaves Antipolo Station at 10:00 p.m., while the final trip from Recto Station departs at 10:30 p.m.To celebrate the holiday season, the Department of Transportation offered 12 days of free train rides on the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 lines. Rizal Day has been declared a regular holiday by Malacañang. The day commemorates the death anniversary of the national hero, who was executed at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) after voicing his dissent against corruption and injustices under the Spanish colonial rule.

The Toll Regulatory Board has approved a toll rate adjustment for SLEX and STAR Tollway effective January 1, 2026. This increase is intended to fund ongoing maintenance and infrastructure improvements across the expressway. For the Alabang-Calamba stretch, rates are now P126, P253, and P379 for Classes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Additionally, you no longer need to have multiple RFID accounts for different tollways with the newly introduced unified RFID system. This is a true Filipino spirit—one of unity, bayanihan and pakikipagkapwa."

The Department of Justice has dismissed the perjury charges filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada against former Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Brice Hernandez due to a lack of evidence. Estrada filed a perjury complaint against Hernandez in October, accusing the latter of making false statements under oath and deliberately making up lies to harm his name and reputation. This came after Hernandez named Estrada and Joel Villanueva as senators who were involved in a kickback scheme in the anomalous flood control projects. The prosecutor said the Supreme Court requires the complainant to prove both that the statement was false and that the defendant knew it was untrue. It added that “these contradictory statements alone are insufficient to establish perjury without independent, corroborative evidence of which specific statement was deliberately false."

Former NCT member Taeil has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison after he was found guilty of sexual assault. South Korea's Supreme Court on Friday finalized a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Taeil and his associates, Lee and Hong, after dismissing their appeal in a special quasi-rape case. The charges came from the incident in June 2024 when Taeil and his accomplices sexually assaulted an intoxicated foreign woman in Lee's residence while she was unconscious. Taeil debuted with NCT in April 2016 and was part of sub-units NCT U and NCT 127. In October 2024, SM Entertainment terminated its contract with Taeil amid sexual assault allegations.

If you ever found yourself craving a bowl of Mak's Noodle, there's no need to travel—it's now open in SM Megamall. What began as a stall in Hong Kong has grown into an international staple, with the Philippines joining China and Thailand as the latest destination for its celebrated Cantonese dishes. Known for a broth that the Michelin Guide describes as deeply flavorful, the restaurant has brought its wonton noodles to the Philippines. Its signature wonton noodles feature translucent, paper-thin skins that reveal firm prawns, paired with springy duck egg noodles.

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste hit back at Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon after the official said he had not authenticated any documents belonging to the late Catalina Cabral, now in Leviste’s possession. "Nasaan na ang Vince Dizon ng September—na tumawag kay USec Cabral para ipabigay sa akin ang mga files 'in the spirit of transparency'?" Dizon added that Cabral called him in September, saying that Leviste had been "forcibly" retrieving the files containing the budget allocations per district. "Nagpilit siyang kumuha ng mga files at ginamit pa niya ‘yung computer ng isang staff. Cabral ay nagpilit siyang i-use sa kaniyang flash drive galing doon sa computer ng isang staff ni Usec.

Ombudsman: ICI referrals part of ‘natural flow’ as Fajardo resignsThe Independent Commission for Infrastructure, made up of Rogelio Singson, Rossana Fajardo and chairman Andres Reyes, start looking into anomalies in flood control and other infrastructure projects at the DPWH main office in Manila yesterday. ALBAY, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman described the transmission of referrals from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as part of a “natural flow,” following the resignation of Commissioner Rossana Fajardo, effective Dec. 31, 2025. "Now, with a new Ombudsman ready to take on the task, the ICI was quick to relay their referrals for further fact-finding and/or preliminary investigation," Clavano said. "The exposure is high especially for those who head the commission,” Clavano said, calling it “noble” for private individuals to take on such a daunting task at a pivotal moment in the country’s history. "It is only a matter of time before we see more cases filed in court - many upon the recommendation of the ICI," Clavano said.

A drone explodes during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 23, 2025.

Small family, small farm for food securityTuro Tolentino and Andrea Alforte and their home in Cainta were victims of Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, while Turo was still employed at a call center. Inspired by the success of the Costales farm in Majayjay, Laguna, Turo rolled up his sleeves to take an intensive course in organic farm production from the successful couple in Majayjay. I learned he even has microscopes to check on the microbes present in his compost, as sign of readiness for use at the organic farm. Artfarm Sustainable Solutions, established in 2011, is now a certified organic farm and also recently became recognized as a Slow Food Farm by Slow Food International, one of the few in the country. As a Slow Food Farm (which my own ECHOfarms has applied for), they produce good, clean and fair food while protecting the environment and encouraging biodiversity.

5 dead, 23 injured in Camarines Sur bus crashMANILA, Philippines — Five people died and 23 others were injured after a passenger bus fell into a ravine in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur yesterday. Bernie Undecimo, Del Gallego town police chief, said a DLTB bus from Cubao, Quezon City plunged into the ravine 10 meters deep along Andaya Highway in Barangay Magais I at 3:25 a.m. “According to the observation of some passengers, the driver was either sleepy or had a heart attack, and the bus swerved and plunged into the ravine,” Undecimo told dzBB in Filipino. The alternate driver told investigators that he and the driver had swapped posts upon reaching Tabogo town in Camarines Norte before proceeding to their destination in Gubat, Sorsogon. At least 15 people, including the driver and alternate driver, were seriously injured and brought to a hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon for treatment.