SC: 48.96% passed 2025 bar exams

January 7, 2026 | 9:14 pm

PHILIPPINE bar passers for the 2025 examinations were officially released on Wednesday by the Supreme Court (SC), with 5,594 successful examinees out of 11,420 takers, or a 48.96% passing rate.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, said during the release of the results in Manila, that the Supreme Court played a supportive role in the process with the passers and hopefuls.

“I wanted to make the examinees feel that the Supreme Court and I were always with them. We’re not foes; we’re not here to judge them. We’re here to support them,” she told a press briefing, explaining that the bar is designed to test knowledge fairly and not to intimidate.

The exams, which were held on Sept. 7, 10, and 14, 2025, were conducted simultaneously in 14 testing centers across the country.

Law school performance this year showed notable achievements, according to the SC.

Ateneo de Manila University recorded the highest passing percentage among schools with more than 100 examinees, followed by the University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas.

For schools with 51 to 100 examinees, Ateneo de Davao University achieved a perfect 100% passing rate, while West Visayas State University led schools with 11 to 50 examinees.

North Eastern Mindanao State University topped schools with 1 to 10 examinees, also achieving a 100% passing rate.

The 2025 bar examinations were topped by Jhenroniel Rhey T. Sanchez of the University of the Philippines, who earned an overall rating of 92.70%.

Other top passers include Spinel Albert Allauigan Declaro (University of Santo Tomas-Manila, 92.46%), Alaiza Agatep Adviento (University of Santo Tomas-Manila, 91.91%), Angelica De Castro Mitra (De La Salle-Lipa, 91.69%), Marc Angelo Galvez Santos (University of Santo Tomas-Manila, 91.59%), Jeowy Loyloy Ompad (University of San Jose-Recoletos, 91.25%), Enrico Gabriel Reyes Paguia (Ateneo de Manila University, 91.25%), Johann Raphael Silapan Gata (University of Santo Tomas-Manila, 90.90%), Marie Shantelle Atienza Sarmiento (University of the Philippines, 90.88%), Richmond Bulan Lucas (University of La Salette, 90.45%).

Complete details, including the full list of passers, topnotchers, and law school rankings, are available on the Supreme Court’s official website.

The oath-taking ceremony and the signing of the roll of attorneys for the new lawyers are both scheduled on Feb. 6, 2026. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

PhilHealth to use AI against fraud

January 7, 2026 | 9:10 pm

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will implement artificial intelligence (AI) in strengthening its fraud control measures, its chief said on Wednesday, following a state think tank’s recommendation for an overhaul.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin M. Mercado said the state health insurer has already tightened “gates” this year through pre-authorization and pre-validation measures designed to stop questionable claims before payments are made.

“This year, we put in place many ‘gates,’ such as pre-authorization and pre-validation, to prevent problems,” he told a Palace briefing in Filipino.

“It is better to preemptively screen what will be covered rather than allowing care to be delivered first — especially after we have already paid and only then try to recover the funds.”

The approach marks a move away from post-payment recovery, which he said is more costly and difficult once care has been delivered and reimbursed.

Mr. Mercado was responding to a recent Philippine Institute for Development Studies report that called for an overhaul of PhilHealth’s fraud control framework, including a shift to proactive monitoring and an expanded definition of fraud under the global budget system.

He noted the study drew on data from previous years and said reforms have since accelerated.

Within the current quarter, PhilHealth will pilot AI-enabled pre-validation of electronic claims, Mr. Mercado said.

The system is designed to flag inconsistencies by checking whether diagnoses align with laboratory tests submitted, allowing the insurer to block potentially ineligible claims at the point of filing.

Beyond technology, PhilHealth is also ramping up patient-facing measures to address information gaps that can enable abuse.

Mr. Mercado said the agency will roll out hospital posters detailing members’ rights and benefits, including zero-balance billing and coverage under Z benefit packages at accredited facilities, to ensure patients know when they should not be charged. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Tom Brady, college teammate lead Raiders’ search for coach

January 7, 2026 | 9:07 pm

If ever there was a doubt that Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders in name only, principal stakeholder Mark Davis set the record straight in kickstarting the search for the franchise’s 15^th coach since the turn of the century.

Brady, approved for a minority stake in the Raiders by the NFL last season, was at the team facility to coordinate with the front office as Las Vegas charts a course for 2026. The first step was firing Pete Carroll, who finished 3-14 in his lone season, the league’s worst record.

“Moving forward, general manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach,” Davis said on Monday in a brief statement.

But the message was loud and clear: Brady is driving the decisions in Las Vegas, a franchise with a cumulative 21-47 record since the end of the 2021 season.

Private and public consternation from NFL owners arose when the league signed off on Brady’s ownership with the Raiders while also having access to assistant coaches and players during game-week production meetings for his other job as game analyst for Fox Sports.

Brady also holds sway in the next massive decision awaiting the Raiders: how to invest the No. 1 overall draft pick. Brady has been highly complimentary of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner for the undefeated Hoosiers who is currently the betting favorite to be the top pick in April.

The Raiders haven’t had the No. 1 draft pick since 2007. They drafted LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was a bust under then-head coach Lane Kiffin.

Davis didn’t have to introduce Spytek and Brady, who were college teammates at Michigan. Spytek, previously assistant general manager with the Buccaneers, was also instrumental in bringing Brady to Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2020.

“We see football similar,” Spytek said. “We don’t see it the same. We have plenty of discussions and disagreements, and I’m not afraid to tell him that. I think that’s kind of why he likes me. But I do believe that we see things similar. We’ve both had a lot of success seeing it that way, and I think we know what we’re after, and it’s up to us now to go find it.”

The Raiders’ head coaches (including interim coaches) since 2000: Pete Carroll (2025), Antonio Pierce (2023-24), Josh McDaniels (2022-23), Rich Bisaccia (2021), Jon Gruden (2018-21, 1998-2001), Jack Del Rio (2015-17), Tony Sparano (2014), Dennis Allen (2012-14), Hue Jackson (2011), Tom Cable (2008-10), Lane Kiffin (2007-08), Art Shell (2006), Norv Turner (2004-05) and Bill Callahan (2001-02). — Reuters

Bill gives MSME more supply chain access

January 7, 2026 | 9:07 pm

Public market-shopper — Stalls selling school uniforms are seen at Quiapo Market in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

A BILL establishing a supply chain program to expand Philippine enterprise participation and help them scale the value chain was filed at the House of Representatives last month.

House Bill No. 6599 aims to support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by helping them scale the value chain through incentives offered to larger firms that integrate MSMEs into their supply chains.

“This program seeks to increase the number of MSMEs who can serve as suppliers to firms in priority industrial clusters,” Parañaque Rep. Brian Raymund S. Yamsuan, who authored the measure, said in the bill’s explanatory note.

He said the measure seeks to give MSMEs the chance to join the supply chains of larger domestic and international firms as smaller businesses have long struggled with access to markets, leaving them confined to low-value segments and short-term contracts that hinder growth.

A 2025 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey showed that smaller businesses grappled with access to financing, ability to compete with other firms and labor retention.

The bill seeks to create a government fund to provide financing for MSMEs to help them scale, including grants to cover up to half the cost of acquiring new machinery, technology and personnel training to meet supply chain needs.

MSMEs must be tapped by larger businesses to qualify for the grants, which could also see big firms provide their own resources to help modernize the operations of smaller businesses.

“The endorsing ‘anchor firm’ shall contribute at least 25% of the total project cost, which may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions such as technical supervision, training, equipment loans, or technology licensing,” the measure said.

The proposal seeks to incentivize large firms to integrate MSMEs into their supply chains and support technology transfer and skills development, offering a tax deduction equal to 150% of training and technology transfer costs for companies that have onboarded smaller businesses for at least two years.

The Trade department is mandated to develop a “digital matchmaking platform” that will allow large firms to identify small businesses capable of meeting their supply chain needs.

MSMEs account for 99.6% of all business establishments and generate 67% of the country’s total employment, BSP data showed. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Neymar extends Santos deal through 2026, eyeing World Cup return

January 7, 2026 | 9:06 pm

SAO PAULO — Neymar has agreed to extend his contract with Santos until the end of 2026, the Brazilian club said on Tuesday, as he maintains hopes of a World Cup call-up despite recent injuries.

The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.

“Santos is my place, I’m at home,” Neymar said in a video published on the Brazilian club’s social media. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing,” he added, referring to Santos’ fans.

Neymar, who has long struggled with injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee last month.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-time World Cup winners since 2023. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in October he must be fully fit to earn a recall.

Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C of the World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. — Reuters

Grizzlies come from behind to edge Spurs, 106-105

January 7, 2026 | 9:05 pm

NBA Results
Results from the NBA games on Wednesday (home team in CAPS)

WASHINGTON    120 Orlando 112
Cleveland     120  INDIANA       116
MEMPHIS       106  San Antonio   105
MINNESOTA     122  Miami         94
LA Lakers     111  NEW ORLEANS   103

Cam Spencer scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and Santi Aldama blocked a potential game-winning shot by De’Aaron Fox with 5.2 seconds remaining to lift the Memphis Grizzlies to a 106-105 victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.

Spencer gave the Grizzlies the lead with 37.3 seconds to go on a baseline jumper. A minute earlier, he had connected on a 3-pointer to trim San Antonio’s lead to 105-104.

Fox, who struggled shooting 4-of-18 from the field, scored seven straight Spurs points, including a floater with 1:39 left, for a 105-101 lead.

Jaren Jackson, Jr. matched Spencer with 21 points and had nine rebounds. Jock Landale contributed 19 points and nine boards and Vince Williams, Jr., returning from a lengthy injury absence, finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Aldama added 10 points and nine boards.

Victor Wembanyama came off the bench to lead the Spurs with 30 points. Julian Champagnie added 23 points and eight rebounds and Stephon Castle had 15 points and eight boards before fouling out with 3:13 to go.

Memphis overcame committing 23 turnovers.

The Grizzlies played without starters Ja Morant, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey. Morant missed his second straight game with a right calf contusion and his 18^th game overall of the team’s 36 contests because of a variety of injuries. Coward sprained his left ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers.

Memphis used a 13-0 run in the opening minutes of the third quarter to grab a 59-57 lead, their first since the opening minutes of the game. A 3-pointer by Jackson gave the Grizzlies an 82-81 advantage entering the final quarter.

Champagnie had 19 first-half points, including 15 in the first quarter that helped the Spurs to a 10-point advantage (31-21) entering the second.

Memphis rallied to tie the game at 37-all in the second quarter behind a 16-6 run to open the period. Williams, who had missed the previous eight games with knee tendinitis, had three 3-pointers during the run. The Spurs recovered behind Champagnie and Castle to push ahead 54-46 at the half.

Memphis shot 39.8% on the night, only slightly better than the Spurs’ 37.3% overall, but the Grizzlies finished with a 61-50 rebounding advantage. — Reuters

BCDA mulls school and community facilities dev’t in Taguig

January 7, 2026 | 9:04 pm

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is looking at the development of school and community facilities in a 1,110-square-meter parcel of land in Taguig.

“BCDA has consistently supported quality education, including initiatives like the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City,” said BCDA President Joshua M. Bingcang in a statement on Wednesday.

“This partnership allows us to extend that commitment to Taguig by helping create accessible and inclusive learning spaces for the community,” he added.

The plan follows a memorandum of agreement the BCDA signed with the Taguig City government, which granted the agency right of use over the property for the development, construction, and operation of facilities that will support public education and community use.

The parcel of land, which is currently under the Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School, was originally earmarked for a sports complex.

Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano said that the new agreement strengthens the city’s education agenda.

“This partnership advances our shared goal of making education a cornerstone of community development and ensuring that public spaces serve the people who need them most,” she added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Luka Doncic and LeBron James score 30 each as Los Angeles Lakers top New Orleans Pelicans

January 7, 2026 | 9:04 pm

Luka Doncic and LeBron James both scored 30 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the host New Orleans Pelicans, 111-103, on Tuesday.

Deandre Ayton paired 18 points with 11 rebounds as Los Angeles finished strongly with a 32-17 fourth quarter.

Doncic also had 10 assists while James had eight boards and eight assists for the Lakers, who notched their third straight win.

Trey Murphy III had a career-high 42 points for New Orleans, which frittered away a position of strength to suffer its eighth successive defeat.

Zion Williamson added 15 points and Derik Queen posted 10 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

Doncic had 11 first-quarter points and James had seven as Los Angeles led 29-25 after one.

That advantage increased to 32-25 when Dalton Knecht started the second frame with a trey.

But the Pelicans ramped up their defense, particularly from the perimeter, and largely had the better of the period to edge in front.

Murphy had 11 points for the quarter, which ended with an Yves Missi tip-jam and a tough floater in traffic by Jose Alvarado with three seconds remaining to put New Orleans up 54-51.

Doncic had 16 points at the half but was zero of six from 3-point range. The Lakers were three of 17 from deep in the first 24 minutes.

Murphy exploded for 20 points in the third, combining well with the unselfish Queen, as the Pelicans stretched their lead to 83-74.

James’ steal and windmill dunk slashed the gap to four, before Murphy finished the quarter with a three-point play to make it New Orleans, 86-79, with one to play.

The Lakers reclaimed the lead when they started the fourth frame with a 9-0 spree, James burying two 3-pointers.

Alvarado’s 3-pointer with 3:12 left closed the Pelicans to within four before James hit a pair of reverse layups either side of Doncic’s sealer, a 31-foot bomb to beat the shot clock with two minutes on the clock.

New Orleans had five field goals and seven turnovers in the final period. — Reuters

Dallas Cowboys pull plug on short-lived Matt Eberflus experiment

January 7, 2026 | 9:03 pm

3. yiojvwalbkoezziuxxmo — DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Matt Eberflus is out in Dallas, where the former Bears head coach failed to repair a defense that allowed 30.1 points and 377 yards per game in the 2025 season.

Eberflus, a former linebackers coach with the Cowboys, was trumpeted as a home-run hire by franchise owner Jerry Jones last winter.

With the latest change, the Cowboys are set to hire a new defensive coordinator for the fourth time in four years.

Jones hinted on Sunday night after a loss to the Giants to end the regular season that a full review of the defensive coaching staff was likely.

“I might not couch it as difficult,” Jones said of making another change at defensive coordinator. “It’s certainly something that we have to do. And that is to look at the entire year and look at what our options are, and how to correct it so we’re not here at the same time next year. Now, that’s not uncommon to evaluate at this time of the year — your entire coaching staff. And, obviously, the target is on him because of our statistical, as well as actual play on the defensive side of the ball, but that goes with it.”

Dallas subtracted All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons days before the regular season began and the Cowboys scrambled to field a productive defense most of the year.

Dallas was 30^th in total defense, 32^nd (last) in passing defense at 251.5 yards per game and last in third-down defense, giving up a first down on more than 47% of third-down snaps.

The Cowboys allowed a franchise-record 511 points, a total of 59 offensive touchdowns and 11.9 yards per reception. — Reuters

Capital1 Solar Spikers in full building mode, acquire 8 new players

January 7, 2026 | 9:02 pm

The Capital1 Solar Spikers are in full rebuild mode.

Showing it will not be left out in the rabid free agency war, the Milka and Mandy Romero-owned franchise joined the fray and hauled a whopping eight new players including Jasmine Nabor, Cherry Nunag, Shaya Adorador and Ponggay Gaston, all coming from the defunct Chery Tiggo Crossovers.

The other four picked up by the Solar Spikers were Ezra Madrigal, Francine Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez and Rachel Jorvina.

The new additions are expected to provide the needed help to franchise cornerstones Bella Belen, Leila Cruz and Roma Doromal.

The cabal of new recruits also hiked Capital1’s roster to 19 as, according to insiders, the club still has 11 players still with live contracts like Jorelle Singh, Trisha Genesis, Ypril Tapia, Pia Abbu, Rachel Austero, KC Galdones, Iris Tolenada and Nikka Yandoc.

Meanwhile, Strong Group Athletics (SGA) caught possibly its biggest free agent fish after netting veteran spiker Mylene Paat to add to its plethora of new acquisitions.

It did not elaborate which SGA teams between Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee Ms. Paat is suiting up. — Joey Villar

Bill seeks reduction of remittance fees

January 7, 2026 | 9:01 pm

A BILL seeking to reduce remittance fees by 50% has been filed in the Senate, a move aimed at protecting overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from excessive charges.

Senate Bill No. 1074, filed by Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, seeks to impose a 50% cut on remittance tax, while allowing banks and financial intermediaries to claim the discounts as tax deductions.

“This is a win-win situation for our OFWs and their families, as well as for banks and remittance centers,” he said in a statement.

The proposed measure also requires banks and financial intermediaries to clearly post peso-equivalent exchange rates in remittance centers to prevent hidden charges.

“The Philippine peso equivalent of the amount as remitted shall be the same amount that shall be received by the beneficiary of the remittance,” the bill states.

It also prohibits the misappropriation of funds, unauthorized deductions, excessive fees, and any increase in remittance charges without prior consultation with concerned government agencies.

The proposed measure imposes a fine ranging from P50,000 to P750,000, up to six years of imprisonment, or other additional sanctions under existing banking laws.

Institutions governed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that deny receipt of remittances may likewise be given fines, penalties, and sanctions.

In cases where the violation is committed by a corporation or partnership, the liability will be imposed on the president, managing director or partner, general

The bill also seeks the creation of a free mandatory financial literacy program for OFWs and their families. — Adrian H. Halili

Eala-Jovic duo eyes semis berth vs tough Maleckova-Zarazua pair

January 7, 2026 | 9:01 pm

1. 609313790_18553882312003324_1253250350489235586_n — FACEBOOK.COM/ASBCLASSIC

Eala faces Croatian Petra Marcinko in singles

A quick final four ticket in her first hurrah this season is up for the taking for Alexandra “Alex” Eala.

Ms. Eala and American partner Iva Jovic shoot for a semifinal spot against the seasoned duo of Czechia’s Jesika Maleckova and Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in the 2026 ASB Classic doubles on Thursday at the ASB Tennis Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.

The quarterfinal action sizzles at 6:30 a.m. (Manila time) as the young guns eye another stunner in their first team-up ever after claiming the scalp of WTA No. 13 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and seven-time major champion Venus Williams of the United States.

It will be a juggling act for Ms. Eala on Thursday, vying in the Round of 16 of the singles play at a still-to-be-determined game time. Ms. Eala essayed a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 comeback win in the Round of 32 against Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic, No. 69, to arrange a duel against another Croatian Petra Marcinko, WTA No. 82, for a seat in the quarterfinals.

Ms. Eala, 20, and Ms. Jovic, 18, scored a 7-6 (9-7), 6-1 romp of the 31-year-old Ms. Svitolina and 45-year-old Ms. Williams in the opening round of the WTA250-level tourney serving as their warm-up for the Australian Open next week.

The 53^rd ranked Mses. Eala and Jovic, No. 35, now face a more grizzled and more decorated tandem with a combined 47 doubles titles under their belt.

The 31-year-old Ms. Maleckova, ranked No. 72 in the WTA doubles, has won 29 titles in both the ITF and WTA circuits while the 28-year-old Ms. Zarazua, No. 84, has 18 crowns to loom as the heavy favorites. Mses. Eala and Jovic, albeit ranked higher in the singles, are only at No. 163 and No. 216 in the doubles division.

The Czech-Mexican tandem proved their mettle in Round 1 by eliminating the top-seeded tandem of Erin Routliffe and Asia Muhammad of the United States, 3-6, 6-2, 12-10.

Waiting in the semifinals is the third-seeded Chinese pair of Yifan Xu, No. 40, and Zhaoxuan Yang, No. 44, after their 6-4, 1-6, 10-5 win over Isabelle Haverlag of the Netherlands and Maia Lumsden of Great Britain. — John Bryan Ulanday