News

Metro Manila, Philippines – The De La Salle University Green Archers regained the UAAP title with a dramatic 80-72 win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in Game 3 of the Season 88 men’s basketball finals on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The Green Archers became the second No. 4 seed in the Final Four era to capture the title.  La Salle exacted revenge on the Fighting Maroons after losing the crown to the Diliman-based squad in three games last season. With the victory, the Green Archers proved to be one of the most successful collegiate teams in the country with 11 UAAP championships.

Metro Manila, Philippines – It’s settled.  Funding for the controversial Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program now stands at ₱63.9 billion, following a huge hike pushed by members of the House of Representatives in the bicameral conference committee finalizing the 2026 national budget.  The executive branch initially proposed ₱27.028 billion for AICS under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress in August. The House of Representatives increased the amount to ₱59 billion in the version it approved in October, while the Senate earlier this month approved ₱34.5 billion. Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno criticized the cuts made by the Senate to AICS and other social assistance programs. However, Senate finance committee chair Win Gatchalian said senators merely followed the funding levels requested by government agencies. During the third bicam meeting late Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Senate contingent approved…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has rejected claims labeling the country as a training hotspot for Islamic State-linked groups, with Malacañang saying there is no evidence linking the country to the recent mass shooting in Sydney, Australia. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Wednesday, Dec. 17, the National Security Council (NSC) has not confirmed claims that the father-son suspects in the Dec. 14 Bondi Beach shooting were trained in the country. “The president strongly rejects the sweeping statement and the misleading characterization of the Philippines as the ISIS training hotspot,” Castro said during a press briefing. Castro said the NSC described reports labeling the Philippines as an ISIS hotspot as misleading, noting that there is no validated information linking the suspects to any form of terrorist training in the country. “Philippine authorities, in coordination with international partners, continue to verify all available information but no evidence has…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not accept what some lawmakers describe as a “lesser evil” budget option, including the temporary use of a reenacted budget, as Congress rushes to finalize the proposed 2026 national budget, Malacañang said Wednesday, Dec. 17. The Palace remarks were in response to Senator Panfilo Lacson who said it would be better to have a reenacted budget in January or even the entire first quarter than approve what he called an “unchecked, corruption-conducive and graft-ridden” General Appropriations Bill. Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president appreciates Lacson’s concerns but is opposed to a reenacted budget. “Maganda po ang suhestiyon ni Senator Ping Lacson pero ang nais po talaga ng Pangulo ay hindi magkaroon ng reenacted budget,” she said in a Palace press briefing.[Translation: Senator Ping Lacson’s suggestion is good, but what the president really wants is for there to be no…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The first phase of the delayed rehabilitation of Metro Manila’s main highway – Epifanio de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) – will begin on Christmas eve with a shorter work schedule.  In a press briefing on Wednesday, Dec. 17, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon presented the new plan that will be completed in eight months instead of the original two years. He said the first phase will focus on Roxas Blvd. in Pasay City to Orense in Makati City from Dec. 24 to the end of April, but may extend until May 31. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will select areas for road reblocking.  “Base sa assessment ng ating mga engineers, hindi na ang buong EDSA ang kailangan i-reblock, bungkalin, wasakin. May portion lang talaga,” he said.  [Translation: Based on our engineers’ assessment, it’s not necessary to reblock, dig up, or redo the entire…