THE DEPARTMENT of Finance (DoF) said it will target as part of its anti-corruption efforts major contractors who pay bribes to secure government projects.

“Do not bully anyone. Just because you’re in power doesn’t mean you have the right to insult others... the bully who uses power to belittle others is the most cowardly and most insecure person of all.” (Translation from Filipino mine)

My list of top energy-related news that transpired this year, five global and five national.

THE dictionaries have decided on their 2018 words of the year. Oxford picked “toxic.” Merriam-Webster went for “justice.” Collins chose “single-use.” I’d zero in on “misgovernment.” Surely, 2018 saw a staggering number of countries woefully misruled by the worst crop of world leaders in recent memory.

FILIPINO WORLD BOXING champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes caps off what has been a busy 2018 with another title fight on New Year’s Eve in Macau, China. It is a contest that carries much significance in further solidifying his standing as one of the sport’s best, a local boxing analyst said.

KAWHI LEONARD posted a game-high 30 points and added eight rebounds as the Toronto Raptors snapped the host Miami Heat’s five-game win streak with a 106-104 victory on Wednesday night.

ALWAYS WANTED to play for the Magnolia franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association, forward Robbie Herndon shared that to win a title with the team makes it all the more special.

LOCAL EQUITIES recovered on Thursday amid a stellar performance from Wall Street overnight.

SENATE MAJORITY Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri appealed to Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon to consider reconvening the Bicameral Conference Committee for the Road Board abolition bill.

LABOR Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on Thursday said it is still “possible” to go back to the peace table with communist groups next year despite the administration’s shift towards localized talks.

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recommended to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the narrowing down of lane width along EDSA to give way to an additional one as part of its traffic solution scheme.

ECONOMIC MANAGERS will discuss in a meeting next month of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) ways to mitigate the economic impact of a partially reenacted budget and the public works ban ahead of the May 13, 2019 midterm elections, the chairman of the interagency body said on Wednesday.