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Organizers of the Miss Cebu pageant have confirmed that the prestigious annual competition will not be held in 2026 due to organizational and timing constraints, but are planning for its return in 2027. Philip Rodriguez, chairman of the Miss Cebu pageant, confirmed the decision citing limited preparation time following the delayed convening of a new city commission as the primary reason for the one-year hiatus. “There’s no Miss Cebu 2026 […]

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday night served arrest warrants against businesswoman Sarah Discaya in connection with a P96.5-million flood control project in Davao Occidental that authorities said was never implemented. According to the NBI, two arrest warrants were issued against Discaya. One warrant is for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Philippine Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which carries a recommended bail of P90,000. The […]

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was declared dead after she was found at the foot of a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet late Thursday night, police said. Authorities reported that Cabral was discovered near the Bued River, an estimated 20 to 30 meters below the highway in Barangay Camp 4, Tuba. Rescuers found her unconscious and unresponsive at around 8 p.m. […]

The bicameral conference committee reconciling the Senate and House versions of the proposed 2026 national budget has restored the allocation for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to P889 million, reverting to the amount originally proposed by Malacañang in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). The decision was reached during a committee meeting that extended late into Tuesday night, as lawmakers worked to resolve differences between the two chambers’ versions […]

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has directed the prosecution and the legal counsel representing victims of the Philippine drug war to submit additional arguments on the issue of jurisdiction in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte. In a six-page order dated December 16, the Appeals Chamber instructed the Office of the Prosecutor, through the deputy prosecutor, and the Office of Public Counsel […]

A citywide moratorium on upland and watershed development is being pushed at the Cebu City Council following the deadly impact of Typhoon Tino, which left 33 people dead and renewed concerns over flooding, landslides, and environmental degradation linked to unchecked construction in mountain areas. During the regular session of the City Council on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, Councilor Joel Garganera delivered a privilege speech urging the city’s executive branch to […]

The National Security Council (NSC) has dismissed concerns that the recent stay in the Philippines of the father-and-son gunmen responsible for the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, posed a security threat to the country. In a statement read by Palace press officer Claire Castro during a media briefing, the NSC said there is currently no indication that the two individuals’ visit to the Philippines had security implications. […]

Stranger Shielded 3-Year-Old Girl With Her Body During Bondi Beach Shooting A couple has described the terrifying moments they believed they had lost their three-year-old daughter during the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday night. Wayne and Vanessa Miller were attending a Hanukkah gathering at the popular beach on December 14 when gunfire suddenly erupted, sending crowds scrambling for cover. Amid the chaos, they became separated from […]

Rice prices in Cebu have increased by as much as P500 per sack since August, driven by a combination of supply disruptions, weather-related damage to crops, and heightened demand from bulk buyers, according to industry representatives. The sharp rise in prices has raised concerns among retailers and consumers, particularly low-income households that rely heavily on rice as a staple food. The situation has also highlighted vulnerabilities in the country’s rice […]