News & Stories

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has placed all units on heightened alert nationwide ahead of the start of “Simbang Gabi“ on Dec. 16. Mi

llio

ns of Catholic faithful are expected to attend dawn and evening Masses leading up to Christmas. Under

the Ligtas Paskuhan 2025 strategy, more than 70,000 police personnel will be deployed

MANILA, Philippines — The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (Cenpeg) has called on the Marcos administration to pursue criminal charges against officials who were involved in the 2024 transfer of P60 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (P

hilHealth) to the national treasury. “W

e expect our legal institutions dedicated to the public interest to

MANILA, Philippines — The first family remains in a festive mood for the holidays, amid a politically turbulent year and its controversies hounding some of its members. Pr

esident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was joined by first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their three sons, Sandro, Simon and Vinny, for their annual Christmas photo shoot in Malacañang. “Ch

ristmas

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Marc Douglas Cagas IV will remain as vice governor of Davao del Sur after the Supreme Court en banc issued a status quo ante order on a petition that questioned the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision that disqualified him from last May’s elections and annulled his proclamation as the second-highest elected

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A group of Cordillera technocrats backed the planned P75-billion block subsidy for the proposed Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC), saying the amount was not only justified but would pose no strain to government coffers. Th

e fiscal forecast made by the consultancy group Nadunop Interdisciplinary Research and Development on Social Sciences

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in San Jose de Buenavista in Antique issued a temporary environmental protection order (Tepo) against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its contractor, halting the construction of an esplanade and seawall in the capital town. Sa

n Jose RTC Branch 11 Presiding Judge Jojo

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has been reminded by senators that it is he whom they trust—and not district officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—as discussions on whether it would be wise to put back part of the agency’s funds continue. During S

unday’s bicameral conference committee hearing on

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HISTORIC.

The Philippine women's football team celebrates on December 14, 2025, after reaching the final of the Southeast Asian Games.

CHONBURI, Thailand – For the first time in Southeast Asian Games history, the Philippines will play in the final of women’s football. The

Filipinas accomplished the breakthrough feat after outlasting host Thailand, winning 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in a nail-biting semifinal clash at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium here on Sunday, December 14. Jael

Marie Guy, Alessandrea Carpio, Sara Eggesvik, and Hali Long converted in succession in the penalty shootout while two Thais misfired as the Philippines arranged a title duel with defending champion Vietnam. On t

he brink of getting eliminated as they trailed 0-1 with five minutes left in regulation, the Filipinas caught a lucky break when Thailand got called for a hand ball, resulting in a penalty kick for Guy. Guy

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MIDRANGE MASTER.

UP guard Gerry Abadiano pulls up from mid-range against the La Salle defense in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball finals Game 2.

MANILA, Philippines – In this day and age of prolific three-pointers in modern basketball, Gerry Abadiano stubbornly went against the flow. A

graduating star of the UP men’s basketball team, the calm and collected veteran gunner utilized the mid-range shot to incredible effect as the Fighting Maroons pulled off a UAAP Season 88 finals Game 2 escape of rival La Salle, 66-63, on Sunday, December 14, to force a winner-take-all Game 3. Abad

iano torched the nets for 17 points, 6 coming off contested mid-rangers in the final 2:31 of regulation, and did enough damage to help UP force a decider on Wednesday, December 17, at the Araneta Coliseum. Alre

ady a mid-range sniper since his title-winning high school days with the NU Bullpups, the 24-year-old standout said his confidence simply comes from experience from years of UAAP playoff games. “I d

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LAST-MINUTE APPEAL.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon appeals to the bicameral conference committee to restore his agency's slashed budget on Sunday, December 14.

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon made a last-minute appeal to the bicameral conference committee (bicam) to restore nearly P54 billion deducted from his department’s budget due to the reduction in Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD). Dizo

n made the appeal before the bicam through a surprise appearance on the second day of the budget deliberations on Sunday, December 14. Acco

rding to Dizon, the P54 billion across-the-board cut made on 10,000 DPWH projects will result in underfunded projects that can no longer be implemented. Dizo

n explained that the DPWH has ordered the reduction in prices of key construction materials such as asphalt, concrete, steel, and gravel through an updated CMPD. Howe

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It is an exciting moment for Philippine tennis, with so much energy and hope revolving around one incredible girl who has taken the tennis world by storm.

In this episode, we discover that the story of Alex Eala is shaped not only by blood, but by bond — a journey shaped by family, discipline, gratitude, and heart. Sh

ow host Pató Gregorio sits down with “the girl from the Philippines” – a description well-attached to Alex as she plays in the WTA Tour. She share

s untold stories from her childhood and reflects on how her career propelled this year, all while being a proud Filipino. Her fathe

r Mike also joins the conversation, providing insights into what it is like to raise someone like Alex: the thought process behind the decision-making, the inside jokes, and the way their family rallies behind the Alex Eala brand. Homestret

ch aims to tell the stories of people who inspire us with their struggles and triumphs, and the places that help define our spirit as a nation. Watch on

Sunday, December 14, at 8 pm on Rappler’s YouTube channel. – Rappler.com

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LEGEND.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in action for the Philippines in the women's 58kg division in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

CHONBURI, Thailand – Weightlifting heroine Hidilyn Diaz offered an apology as she missed her shot at a medal in her Southeast Asian Games comeback. Th

e Philippines’ first Olympic champion finished fourth in the women’s 58kg class with a total of 200kg at the Chonburi Sports School here on Sunday, December 14. Seeing

action in the regional showdown after missing the 2023 Cambodia edition, Diaz cleared 90kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk but she failed in her bid to add to her personal five-medal SEA Games haul, which includes a pair of golds. Thaila

nd’s Suratwadee Yodsarn dominated the competition with a 224kg total, while Indonesia’s Natasya Beteyob (218kg) and Vietnam’s Thi Tam Quang (215kg) bagged silver and bronze, respectively. Diaz said sh