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Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to spend both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day without family visits as a result of holiday visitation restrictions imposed by the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he remains under detention in The Hague, Netherlands. According to his daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, the ICC’s visitation rules during the holiday period prevent family members from seeing detainees on major holidays, including Christmas and New […]

Renowned Filipino engineer and technology innovator Diosdado “Dado” Banatao has died at the age of 79, his family confirmed. Banatao passed away on Christmas Day due to complications from a neurological disorder while in Stanford, California, according to a statement released by his family on Friday. “We are mourning his loss, but take comfort from the time spent with him during this Christmas season, and that his fight with this […]

As Cebu prepares to welcome another year, one of its most iconic landmarks is setting the stage for a celebration that blends nostalgia, elegance, and a sweeping view of the city skyline. TOPS, long known as Cebu’s premier mountain destination, has announced its 2026 New Year Grand Countdown Dinner Gala, a special event happening on December 31, 2025, in partnership with BDO. The collaboration marks the first time TOPS and […]

Sixteen families displaced by Typhoon Tino have been relocated to permanent housing at the Bayanihan Village of Pasilong sa Paradise in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, days before Christmas, the city government said. According to the Mandaue City Public Affairs Office, the families formally transferred to their new homes on December 23, 2025, ending weeks of stay in evacuation centers in Barangays Alang-Alang and Umapad. The families lost their houses after […]

About 100 Filipinos who remain trapped in scam hubs in Cambodia are unlikely to be rescued in time to return home for Christmas, as authorities continue to face significant challenges in extracting victims from tightly guarded compounds. Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille Mayo said the rescue operations have been hampered by strict security measures imposed by operators of scam centers, many of which are located in remote or […]

The Philippines is set to host multiple games in the second window of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City named as the venue for a Group B matchup between China and Chinese Taipei on March 1. Based on the schedule published on the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) website, the China–Chinese Taipei game will be played at the MOA Arena, […]

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has raised safety concerns along the planned route of the Sinulog 2026 Grand Parade, citing infrastructure-related hazards that could pose risks to both performers and spectators during one of the city’s largest annual events. On Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, Archival announced the findings following a walk-through inspection conducted last week of the traditional Sinulog parade route. The inspection covered major thoroughfares including N. Bacalso Avenue, […]

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday warned the public against a fake YouTube channel impersonating AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., saying the account was using highly deceptive, artificial intelligence–generated videos intended to mislead viewers. In a statement released Tuesday night, the AFP said the fraudulent channel falsely presented itself as an official platform of the country’s top military official and featured manipulated content […]

A Duterte-allied coalition has filed a plunder and technical malversation complaint against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. over the transfer of P60 billion in excess reserve funds to the national treasury. The 15-page complaint-affidavit was filed on Monday before the Office of the Ombudsman by the Save the Philippines Coalition. The group is seeking the dismissal of Recto and Ledesma […]