Palace optimistic Congress can deliver ‘clean’ national budget on time

December 17, 2025 | 9:07 pm

PBBM Marcos — PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the 2025 Galing Pook Awards, which recognized 10 outstanding barangay initiatives, at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace. — PPA POOL/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

MALACAÑANG said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is still confident Congress can deliver a “clean” 2026 national budget in time, following recommendations that a reenacted budget may be necessary.

“Senator Ping Lacson’s suggestion is good, but the President’s clear preference is to avoid having a reenacted budget,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino on Wednesday.

“It is still December — only Dec. 17 — and the President believes there is still enough time to study the budget thoroughly.”

Ms. Castro maintained the President is opposed to the use of a reenacted budget in early 2026, which Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. suggested amid questions over P5 billion worth of farm-to-market projects.

This is on top of an impasse over the P45-billion cut to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget, with senators firm on keeping the billions of pesos it cut, while congressmen warned that failing to restore funding could lead to economic losses.

This has prompted the bicameral conference committee to cancel deliberations of the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on Monday. It resumed late on Tuesday, tackling other agencies, while it tabled talks on the DPWH budget.

“My position is — better a reenacted budget in January or even in the entire first quarter of 2026 than an unchecked, corruption-conducive and worse, graft-ridden GAA (General Appropriations Act),” he said, according to a statement on Tuesday.

“Most of my colleagues, at least in the majority bloc share the same sentiment.”

Lawmakers are racing to reconcile its budget differences before the Dec. 22 deadline, in time for the President’s signing before the yearend.

Failure to do so would force the government to operate under a reenacted budget, which would mirror the previous year’s spending plan and limit funding for new programs and projects.

Hansley A. Juliano, political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, cautioned that a blanket approach could stall key initiatives.

While a reenacted budget could safeguard taxpayer funds, Mr. Juliano said it also “risks cutting the legs off” of ongoing projects.

He recommended limiting any reenacted budget exclusively to the Public Works department’s allocations and ensuring unconstitutional provisions remain severable.

“Considering we are just dealing with the credibility of DPWH projects, it would not be fair to implicate all other government offices who have established credibility,” Mr. Juliano said via Facebook Messenger.

“If there is a budget to be reenacted, limit it only to the part of the DPWH. Severability of unconstitutional parts of the law should still be considered for this highlighting the need to balance fiscal prudence with continuity in public works projects.”

Marcos tells new PNP generals to exercise restraint, uphold public trust 

December 17, 2025 | 9:07 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. urged newly promoted Philippine National Police (PNP) generals to exercise restraint and uphold public trust as he presided over the oath taking of 50 star-ranked officers at Malacañang on Wednesday.

Speaking to six newly appointed police major generals and 44 brigadier generals, Mr. Marcos said the promotions carried higher expectations and broader authority, placing greater responsibility on senior officers to lead with judgment and consistency in enforcing the law.

He said leadership at their level would be measured by how they balance firmness with respect for citizens’ rights and dignity.

“I ask you to continue to improve yourselves — personally, professionally, institutionally. Do not be complacent,” he said. “Be firm, be fair, be decisive while remaining fully respectful to the rights and dignity of every single Filipino.”

Mr. Marcos said the police force faces increasingly complex challenges, including social divisions, political tensions and digital threats that can spill beyond physical spaces and trigger disorder.

In such an environment, he said, Filipinos rely on the police as their most immediate line of protection, underscoring the need for professionalism and public confidence in law enforcement.

The President reiterated his administration’s support for the PNP, citing reforms aimed at boosting capacity and morale.

He pointed to Executive Order No. 107, issued earlier this month, which updated the base pay schedule for military and uniformed personnel.

The pay hike will be rolled out in three tranches starting January next year, with further adjustments in 2027 and 2028. He also announced an increase in the daily subsistence allowance to P350.

With the holiday season approaching, he called on the police to maintain a visible presence on roads, transport hubs and public spaces as more Filipinos travel and gather.

He said public service does not pause during celebrations and urged officers to ensure public safety so communities can celebrate the season with peace and unity. — Chloe Mari. A Hufana

Local transactions to peak Dec. 23

December 17, 2025 | 9:05 pm

HOLIDAY spending in the Philippines will likely post a steady increase this year, with card payments expected to peak two days before Christmas, data from Visa Philippines showed.

Josh Bosiños, director and head of data science for the Philippines and Cambodia at Visa, said they project the volume of payments from holiday spending to grow around 8% more this year.

“That’s huge,” he told reporters on the sidelines of Visa Philippines’ Christmas Spend Trends launch on Wednesday. “Because we’re talking here about the percent of growth increase, not the actual growth… We cannot disclose the actual growth, but the percent of growth increase is already in that number.”

Based on Visa Consulting and Analytics data, local transactions will likely hit the highest on Dec. 23, as Filipinos usually join the holiday rush in malls and commercial districts.

“Christmas brings people together, and our data underscores the holidays’ enduring sociocultural and economic significance to the country,” Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro said in a statement. “For Visa, it’s important that we enable these personal journeys and experiences through payments that are fast, seamless, and secure, so that Filipinos and tourists alike can have meaningful celebrations anywhere across the country and abroad.”

Locally, Visa saw that holiday spending was also high in areas outside of Metro Manila, including the cities of Cebu, Angeles and Davao.

Meanwhile, overseas spending is projected to pick up post-Christmas and peak on Dec. 29, indicating “continued leisure and travel-related purchases during overseas vacations.”

“Tourists and returning overseas Filipinos drive higher local transactions using foreign-issued cards,” Visa said.

In terms of payment volume in dollars, the United States emerged as the top country source, followed by Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Visa also noted that tourists from the US, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong spend most on lodging, while Taiwanese and Japanese tourists typically splurge on entertainment.

On the other hand, visitors from India spend more on education and the government, while those from Canada and the US prioritize food and groceries.

“As holiday spending continues to shape consumer trends, Visa remains committed to enabling secure, seamless, and innovative payment experiences for Filipinos and travelers alike,” Visa said. “These insights highlight how payments power connections during the most festive time of the year.” — Katherine K. Chan

Discaya case sent to Cebu RTC

December 17, 2025 | 9:05 pm

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday confirmed the transfer of the malversation and graft cases filed against contractor Cezarah “Sarah” C. Discaya from Davao Occidental to the Visayas region.

“The two criminal complaints against DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) engineers of Davao Occidental and Sarah Discaya were transferred to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lapu-Lapu City,” SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting told reporters via Viber group chat.

She said the transfer to Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, was carried out in accordance with the Court’s guidelines, which provide that corruption-related cases arising from government infrastructure projects should be referred to the nearest designated anti-graft court in the closest judicial region.

Justice spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said the move was initiated by the courts following the Office of the Court Administrator’s (OCA) designation of special courts to hear cases linked to alleged flood control anomalies.

The development follows the Supreme Court en banc’s designation last month of 26 Regional Trial Courts as special anti-graft courts under Republic Act No. 10660, which expanded the jurisdiction of trial courts to include cases involving anti-graft laws.

Under the guidelines, the OCA is mandated to monitor the filing of corruption-related cases.

Ms. Discaya and eight other Public Works officials are charged in connection with an alleged P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental awarded in 2022, which investigators said was declared completed and paid despite the absence of actual construction. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

EDSA Busway now accepts GCash

December 17, 2025 | 9:04 pm

edsa bus carousel — Commuters line up at the Main Avenue station of the EDSA bus carousel in Quezon City, July 18, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has rolled out cashless fare payments for the EDSA Busway as part of its push to modernize public transport transactions.

“The implementation of cashless payment for EDSA carousel is part of our project to modernize the transport system,” Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said in a media release on Wednesday.

The Transportation department said that online payments through e-wallet platform GCash and QR payment will now be accepted at EDSA carousel system.

“This is going to be convenient to commuters. It is very fast, we pay the exact fare and the payment will go directly to the operator,” said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan.

Data provided by the Transportation department showed that the EDSA Busway served more than 63 million passengers alone in 2024, or about 177,000 commuters daily.

The EDSA Busway, a dedicated bus lane along Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, is seen as a crucial step towards a progressive public transportation system with 23 stations operating round-the-clock.

Mr. Lopez said that the agency is working on modernizing the country’s transport system by implementing digital payment options in line with the automatic fare collection system of the government.

“We want to modernize all our transportation systems, while at the same time improving the passenger’s overall experience,” he said.

Earlier this year, the DoTr also launched cashless turnstiles for train lines allowing passengers to pay via GCash QR codes, debit and credit cards and NFC-enabled phones. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

DBM releases guidelines on one-time incentive grant

December 17, 2025 | 9:04 pm

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the guidelines on the one-time Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) this year for government employees.

In a budget circular dated Dec. 15, the DBM published guidelines on the grant of SRI for this year worth P20,000 for each qualified government employee, as first issued in an administrative order last week.

The DBM said the one-time SRI will be given to “personnel in recognition of their collective and invaluable contributions to the government’s continuing efforts in pursuing the objectives, commitments, targets, and deliverables” under the government goals.

The guidelines said the grant covers civilian personnel of the national government agencies including state university colleges, and state-run firms, occupying regular, contractual or casual positions.

Recipients also include military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Department of National Defense, and uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Personnel of the Bureau of Corrections under the Department of Justice, the Philippine Coast Guard under the Department of Transportation, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will also be entitled to the incentives. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Marcos tells gov’t agencies to scale back holiday celebrations

December 17, 2025 | 9:04 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. directed national agencies to scale back Christmas and year-end celebrations as part of a renewed push for fiscal discipline and in solidarity with communities still recovering from recent natural disasters.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 110, signed on Dec. 15, all national government agencies and instrumentalities — including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges — are required to observe austerity during the holiday season.

“In light of recent natural disasters and calamities in the country, it is necessary to adopt austerity measures during the Christmas season to ensure greater efficiency in public spending,” it read.

Local government units were encouraged to follow the same guidelines.

The directive instructed agencies to keep Christmas activities “simple and meaningful,” citing the need to prioritize essential programs and services amid ongoing socioeconomic pressures and disaster recovery efforts. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PHL shares inch up as investors pick up bargains

December 17, 2025 | 9:00 pm

PHILIPPINE SHARES inched up again on Wednesday as investors picked up bargains and as the peso’s strength versus the dollar provided some relief.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 0.38% or 23.34 points to end at 6,079.02, while the broader all shares index climbed by 0.2% or 7.19 points to 3,459.45.

“Our local market stood tall against the regional decline, but shed most of its intraday gains last minute, which was driven by the absence of a strong catalyst to bank on,” AP Securities, Inc. said in a market note.

“The Philippine market rose as market players took advantage of bargain prices following [Tuesday’s] decline. The peso’s appreciation against the US dollar also supported the market. Overall, these factors contributed to [Wednesday’s] positive trading session performance,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

On Wednesday, the peso slipped by half a centavo to close at P58.725 versus the greenback from its P58.72 finish on Tuesday, which was a two-week high, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

Meanwhile, global share markets drifted early on Wednesday after a mixed US jobs reading failed to move the needle on the rate outlook there, leaving investors awaiting fresh cues for their next moves, Reuters reported.

While jobs growth rebounded more than expected in November following its biggest drop in nearly five years in October, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest in more than four years. But analysts said there was a lot of noise in the data, which was impacted by the government’s record 43-day shutdown.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.35%, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.28%.

Nasdaq futures and S&P 500 futures eased slightly, while Euro Stoxx 50 futures were down 0.05%. FTSE futures rose 0.1%.

Fed funds futures suggest markets are still pricing in roughly two US rate cuts next year, with the latest labor market reading doing little to shift expectations.

The next key data point for investors will be Thursday’s release of the US November inflation report.

Most sectoral indices closed in the green on Wednesday. Services rose by 0.99% or 23.79 points to 2,408.69; mining and oil increased by 0.57% or 82.20 points to 14,341.21; holding firms went up by 0.88% or 41.45 points to 4,753.68; industrials added 0.34% or 29.47 points to end at 8,697.74; and financials climbed by 0.25% or 5.20 points to 2,041.84. Meanwhile, property slumped by 1.3% or 30.16 points to 2,282.37.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 97 to 88, while 59 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover went down to P5.99 billion on Wednesday with 1.56 billion shares traded from the P7.69 billion with 1.66 billion issues dealt on Tuesday.

Net foreign selling went up to P706.91 million from P399.92 million. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno with Reuters

DLSU reclaims UAAP crown

December 17, 2025 | 8:58 pm

FROM near elimination to rising as the UAAP champion once again.

Fourth-seeded De La Salle University (DLSU) essayed a sweet swan song to an epic run from a near exit, braving in a bloody climb to topple the mighty University of the Philippines (UP) in the sudden-death Game 3, 80-72, and reclaim the throne in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals before 24,339 fans on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The DLSU Green Archers were disarmed by injuries, misfired multiple times, got hit and fell down to their knees bleeding for a Final Four seat in the homestretch but rose from the ashes against every adversity and regained accuracy of their bows and arrows when it mattered most behind a strong finishing kick in the last two minutes to get back at the UP Fighting Maroons in thrilling fashion once again.

It’s the second title in the last three seasons for La Salle for its 11^th crown overall, becoming only the second No. 4 seed in history to rule the country’s premier collegiate league after the Troy Rosario-National University (NU) squad did it first in 2014 against Far Eastern University.

“It’s the hardest title to win for the past three years,” said coach Topex Robinson in tears as La Salle went up 2-1 in head-to-head title series against UP and master tactician Goldwin Monteverde in what is boiling as the UAAP’s new dynastic rivalry in the years to come.

“All glory to God. Our adversities really strengthened our faith. Sometimes, we ask ourselves if we deserve it but because of our faith, this journey is really worth remembering. We’re grateful and blessed to win another championship.”

Marching on at the frontlines of La Salle’s tough stand was team captain Mike Phillips, hauling down 25 points and 18 rebounds in his final game donning the green jersey as a UAAP champion once more. Mr. Phillips poured 18 of his output in the first half where La Salle set the pace, 32-23, before saving its best for last after UP’s uprising.

Unlike in the previous games though with Jacob Cortez carrying the majority of the scoring load, it took a village for the Green Archers this time around led by Vhoris Marasigan in a sweet vindication after his potential title-clinching trey in the last 3.8 seconds of Game 2 went in and out that dragged the series to a winner-take-all. Mason Amos added 11, Mr. Cortez and Earl Abadam had nine points each while Kean Baclaan chipped in eight points.

Mr. Marasigan scored 10 points, including a personal 5-0 spurt capped by an and-one layup to give La Salle a 71-67 lead in the last 2:15 mark, snatching the momentum from the Fighting Maroons after a booming triple of Rey Remogat for a 67-64 cushion to snap a back-and-forth duel marked by 16 lead changes.

And it became a coronation ride from there on — a far cry imagination a month ago when La Salle was on the brink of a disappointing elimination — as La Salle secured stops one after another while maximizing free throws before JC Macalalag put on the cherry on top with a fastbreak layup from a looseball scramble in the last 31 seconds, 76-69.

Not even a Reyland Torres’ last heave to push UP to within 72-76 in the last 28 seconds mattered as Mr. Amos took care of his freebies to seal the Green Archers’ glory from fighting for dear life way out of the Final Four.

La Salle’s steady finish, even at the jaws of a stinging 63-60 defeat in Game 2, proved as a testament to its character and resilience all season long — amid a 2-3 start, a costly three-game losing skid at the homestretch to stare and the injuries of Mr. Baclaan and Mr. Amos.

That capped its sixth win in the last seven games, unpacking its bags from a near early vacation amid a 6-6 record at fifth place before sweeping the last two do-or-die elims games to catch the last semis bus — including a 78-72 triumph against long-time rival Ateneo in a virtual knockout showdown.

What followed was a rain of arrows on the top-ranked NU Bulldogs’ crib, erasing their twice-to-beat incentive before a 74-70 escape act over the Fighting Maroons in Game 1 of a trilogy that would reach the distance for the third straight year.

And when the smoke cleared in the war that drew over 60,000 fans in three battles, the UAAP title found itself back in Taft — after all and against every odds throughout one of the greatest runs in league history.

Mr. Remogat (21), Francis Nnoruka (16) and Reyland Torres (11) stood their ground but usual aces Gerry Abadiano and Harold Alarcon misfired for seven and six points, respectively, as UP — in five straight finals appearances — bled for a bridesmaid finish for the third time with two titles to show. UP’s first two finals were against the previous UAAP dynasty Ateneo before sharing the throne in the last three seasons with the re-emerging La Salle crew. — John Bryan Ulanday

EJ Obiena beats Thailand’s Patsapong in SEA Games pole vault event via countback

December 17, 2025 | 8:58 pm

CHONBURI — For a change, pole vault star EJ Obiena was made to sweat.

It’s both good and bad as far as the Filipino Olympian is concerned.

“Too close for comfort,” Mr. Obiena said after beating Thai Amsam-ang Patsapong via countback on his way to extending Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for a record fourth time.

Mr. Obiena and Mr. Patsapong both cleared 5.70 meters (m) — a new Games standard — then failed at three attempts to break it at 5.75 m. Owing to hitting the best mark on his first try compared to the Thai’s three, the gold went to a relieved Mr. Obiena, even made a friendly banter with Mr. Patsapong at the mat at the end of the contest in acknowledgement of the fight he put up.

“It’s really early in the season. I thought I’d win with 5.65, 5.60. I had blisters going in so it is what it is, I have a job to do. I was hoping he would not push me today but that’s competition,” he said.

“I had my fair share of competing at home and I know that pumps you up. It brings out the best in you if you can handle the pressure, which the guy did. Kudos to him, really, what a fighter! Enjoyed that in some way, hated that it was that close in some way,” he added.

It’s something new for Mr. Obiena, who in previous editions was like a runaway train who only made his last jumps for new personal highs.

Going in, Mr. Obiena said he wasn’t after the 5.65 m he previously set in his three-peat feat in Cambodia two years ago.

“Before the start, I was like, what would it mean for EJ Obiena to win the SEA Games. Looking for some fire, some motivation. There’s no pole vaulter in SEA Games history to win this four times. That was the goal, not the record,” he said.

“So I really was like holding my nerves when that guy was making his attempt (5.75). I’m very happy that I’m able to take home the gold,” he added.

Mr. Obiena is glad to share the stage with Eli Cole, who took the bronze at 5.20 m.

“Nice to see the Philippines back on the podium with two people,” he said.

The member of pole vault’s elite 6-meter club admitted the rising threat in the regional meet.

“The SEA Games is becoming tough in pole vault. I take pride to see that used to be, with 4.80 you win bronze now it’s 5.20 m, and to get second, you need to jump 5.70 m. That’s tough. You win Division 1 in the NCAA with that. It’s a good, respectable mark for our region and I really take pride in that,” he said. — Olmin Leyba

Philippines battles for bronze with Malaysia in SEA Games men’s football

December 17, 2025 | 8:57 pm

CHONBURI — Though falling short of the ultimate prize, the Philippine U22 team is still in line for a piece of history when they vie for the bronze in the 33^rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Thursday with Malaysia at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

The match is set at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. Manila time) in what the Pinoy booters envision as a great ending to a stellar campaign highlighted by a first semifinal appearance since 1991.

The U22s swept their two-game assignments in Group C to end early exits in the last 34 years. But Vietnam pulled the plug on their bid to contend for the gold with a 2-0 verdict last Dec. 15.

After a brief time feeling sad, the Filipinos got right back at it, ready to fight for the podium finish that’s never been done before in the country’s participation in the SEAG.

“My optimism comes from the relationship I’ve been able to build with players. I know the type of people they are, how they cared about the country and how much playing for the Philippines means to each of them,” said coach Garrath McPherson. “Knowing the character of the players, they’ll be ready to get back to work and bring home a medal.”

The country’s best performance ever in men’s football happened in the 1991 edition at home, where the legendary group led by Norman Fegidero finished fourth overall.

That was the only other time the Philippines reached the knockout stages. — Olmin Leyba

Farmers call for 35% rice tariff, demand Balisacan resignation

December 17, 2025 | 8:38 pm

palay-rice-farmer — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

AN AGRICULTURAL coalition renewed calls for the restoration of the 35% rice import tariff and sought the resignation of Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, claiming that his policies have “benefited no one.”

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said in a statement on Tuesday that the reduction of rice import tariffs from 35% to 15% under Executive Order No. 62 caused rice imports to increase, putting pressure on farmgate prices offered to farmers for domestically grown palay (unmilled rice).

At the same time, the low palay prices have not been accompanied by a corresponding decline in retail rice prices.

“Our farmers are losing out, their farmgate prices are below production cost, yet consumers still suffer high prices at the retail level. No one has benefited from the policies pushed by the DEPDev under the leadership of Secretary Balisacan,” SINAG Chairman Rosendo O. So was quoted as saying in a statement, referring to the government’s chief economic planner, who heads the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

According to SINAG, government data and independent analyses show rice tariff cuts have not translated into sustained retail price relief, even as global rice costs stabilized.

SINAG also said record levels of rice imports have contributed to oversupply and further depressed farmgate prices.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the national average palay price rose 16.6% month on month to P16.92 per kilo in November. It remained well below the P20.28 price from a year earlier.

“The government’s reliance on imports and tariff reductions has proven disastrous for the economy, undermining domestic food production while failing to lower prices for poor and vulnerable consumers,” SINAG said in the statement. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel