Special purpose taxesMANILA, Philippines — As if the burden of regular taxes on the middle class is not enough, there are also numerous special taxes that overtax the taxpayers. The most visible is the travel tax, a special tax imposed on all Filipinos and long-term foreign residents when they leave the country. Why CHED gets anything from the tourism tax is unexplainable, a product of chop suey policymaking. The problem is, like the toilets of PTA before, not all the supposedly tourist rest areas are really in tourist travel routes. The other notorious special tax is what they call the road users tax.

GDP growth slows to 4.4% in 2025Photo shows the skyline at the Ortigas Business Center in Pasig. Last year’s GDP growth also fell below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent growth target. The fourth quarter 2025 GDP print was also lower than the previous quarter’s 3.9 percent expansion and the 5.3 percent growth in the same quarter in 2024. Industry declined by 0.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 from the previous quarter’s 0.7 percent growth, bringing the sector’s full-year 2025 growth to 1.5 percent. Growth in the services sector also eased to 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, from 5.4 percent in the previous quarter, leading to a full-year 2025 growth of 5.9 percent.

SE Asia carriers adding over 300 jets until 2027MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asia, one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for leisure travel, will receive at least 310 aircraft until 2027 with locals spending more as their economies grow. The industry expects to receive 310 aircraft through 2027, with 121 arriving this year and 189 to be delivered in 2027, showing the region’s immediate requirement for more units. In 2025, Airbus delivered 42 aircraft to Southeast Asian carriers, while Boeing reported 15. Boeing estimates passenger demand in Southeast Asia to expand by an average of seven percent annually through 2044, making it the fastest-growing region along with South Asia. Schulte rests his optimism on the five-percent growth of economies in Southeast Asia yearly, driving travel and tourism higher.

Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan, Myanmar's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hau Khan Sum, Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, East Timor's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung pose for a group photo during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu City, Philippines, January 29, 2026. JAM STA ROSA/Pool via REUTERS

Duterte’s lead counsel stays – SaraVice President Sara Duterte speaks to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during a hearing of the House quad committee, Nov. 14, 2024. This is the elder Duterte's first time facing the panel, while the vice president was there to watch the proceedings. MANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte will not replace lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman despite the defense lawyer’s failure to stop the confirmation of charges hearing against him, Vice President Sara Duterte said. The Vice President cited concerns raised by both detractors and supporters of Duterte on the performance of his legal team. Vice President Duterte said the former president was OK.At the same time, the Vice President thanked the supporters of the former president outside the detention cell.

Marcos lauds Sandro for inhibiting on impeach rapsRep. Sandro Marcos (Ilocos) and his father, President Bongbong Marcos, as photographed in an Instagram post on June 30, 2024. Palace press officer Claire Castro maintained that Marcos would respect the impeachment process. “The problem is straightforward: there is no House member endorser. The absence of an endorser is the main issue.”Adiong said these rules are long established and intended to ensure order and fairness in the impeachment process. Without meeting either requirement, a complaint does not enter the formal House process.

Persona non grata for China diplomats ‘option of last resort’The Chinese embassy has drawn flak for its remarks against Philippine officials who had criticized China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. Some senators have proposed that Chinese embassy officials be declared persona non grata, a declaration that can be made by President Marcos as head of state. When asked about Marcos’ position on declaring Chinese embassy officials persona non grata, Castro said Lazaro’s statement reflected Marcos’ stance on the matter. China claims practically the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, the area within Manila’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. In 2002, ASEAN member countries and China inked the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to address maritime disputes peacefully.

Broader anti-corruption powers eyed for OmbudsmanMANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will recommend broadening the Office of the Ombudsman’s anti-corruption mandate, in its upcoming partial report on the flood control scandal. Speaking to dzMM yesterday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Senate anti-graft panel would recommend a bill that would allow the undermanned ombudsman to deputize private lawyers as prosecutors. “One recommendation is based on the suggestion of former Senate president Franklin Drilon to allow the Ombudsman to deputize private lawyers to help in prosecuting cases, because the Office of the Ombudsman is very undermanned. If we allow it to deputize private lawyers to act as prosecutors by way of legislation, that would be a good measure,” Lacson said. The ombudsman only relies on the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation for help in investigating corruption or enforcing search warrants.

DPWH to build P1.8 billion housing for informal settlersMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is preparing to undertake the construction of P1.8 billion worth of resettlement housing for informal settler families in Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon this year. In a Jan. 22 order, regional offices of the DPWH are tasked with overseeing the implementation of the comprehensive and integrated housing program (CIHP) and resettlement program for informal settlers of the National Housing Authority (NHA), whose funding was taken from the General Appropriations Act of 2025. The DPWH’s Metro Manila office will oversee three of seven projects with a P700-million budget, namely the CIHP in San Juan (P300 million), CIHP in Manila (P200 million) and CIHP in Navotas (P200 million). In Central Luzon, the DPWH will supervise the construction of a P300-million multi-purpose building for the resettlement program in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said regional offices should coordinate with the NHA and other concerned agencies for the implementation of construction activities.

I’m running the government – MarcosMANILA, Philippines — As rumors swirl about his health condition, President Marcos has assured the nation that he remains in control of the government and that his administration continues to carry out the tasks it is supposed to do. Luke’s Medical Center strictly upholds patient confidentiality and data privacy. The NBI has started investigation of the fake medical report even before this was referred to the agency. In an advisory dated Jan. 28, St. Luke’s Medical Center said it was aware of the circulation of fake medical test on Marcos and categorically rejected its authenticity. Luke’s Medical Center is aware of medical test results falsely circulating online and on social media claiming to pertain to President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr.

Defense was the key as TNT’s pressure from the backcourt stymied SMB’s halfcourt execution and wreaked havoc on its flow. Right off the bat, SMB committed six turnovers in the first frame and TNT scored 12 turnover points. TNT ended with a huge edge in turnover points, 29-11 and fastbreak points, 22-8. TNT thrived in making the three Ps work – pressure, possessions and pace. Tonight’s tiebreaker could decide which team will eventually seal the deal.

The inaugural Cathay Inter-school Aviation Challenge Cup (CISACC) provides participants with a launchpad into the exciting world of aviation

Government tackling steep domestic airfaresTourism Secretary Christina Frasco (center) joins her counterparts for a family photo at the 29th Meeting of Asean Tourism Ministers in Cebu City yesterday. LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — Amid criticisms of international flights being cheaper than domestic travel, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has called on airline companies and state agencies to be more transparent in setting airfares for local destinations. The Department of Transportation is working to resolve issues on expensive domestic flights, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday. “(Acting Transportation) Secretary Banoy (Giovanni Lopez) is coming up with a solution,” she said. Frasco thanked local and foreign travelers for making the Philippines first in Southeast Asia’s domestic tourism, with 134 million domestic trips made and revenue worth $70 billion, citing a recent study by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

8 Cabinet appointees await CA confirmationMANILA, Philippines — For some time now, the confirmation of eight Cabinet appointees of President Marcos has been up in the air as Congress has yet to scrutinize their qualifications despite the Jan. 26 resumption of session. Zubiri commended Sen. Rodante Marcoleta for pointing out that these Cabinet members remain as ad interim appointees since Malacañang has yet to submit their papers. Ad interim appointees are Cabinet secretaries appointed when Congress is not in session, while those in an “acting capacity” are appointed while Congress is in session, Senate President Tito Sotto III noted. His appointment was always ad interim because his appointment papers were never submitted to the CA,” Sotto said, referring to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s controversial justice chief. ‘Marcos trusts Frasco’Meanwhile, President Marcos continues to trust Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Malacañang said yesterday, amid rumors that she is on her way out of the Cabinet.

US envoy bids farewell to MarcosUS Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on October 17, 2025MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson yesterday bid farewell to President Marcos, marking the end of her tour of duty in the country. In an Instagram post, Marcos thanked Carlson for her service and her contributions to strengthening the Philippines–US alliance. “As she concludes her tenure, we wish her every success and look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the United States,” the President said. The envoy started her term in the Philippines on July 22, 2022 when she presented her credentials to the President. During the farewell call, Marcos conferred on Carlson the Order of Sikatuna, which is given to diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states “who have rendered conspicuous service in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines.”