Month: December 2025
Lamitan City Employees to Receive ₱55,000 Year-End Bonus — a Rare Move in BARMM
LAMITAN CITY, Philippines – The local government of Lamitan has set aside a hefty ₱55,000 in Yuletide bonuses for each of its more than 500 employees — a move described as unusual across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). BARMM officials and members of the 80-seat regional parliament confirmed on Tuesday, December 9,
FDA Probes Possible Vaccine-Linked Deaths in Adults, Amid Scrutiny Over Child Fatalities
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its probe into whether coronavirus vaccines may be linked to deaths among adults, following internal claims that at least 10 children “died after and because of” receiving COVID-19 shots — a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts. Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the
EXPLAINER: Why Unemployment Rate Rose to 5 Percent in October 2025
The latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows a sharp rise in unemployment: 2.54 million Filipinos had no jobs or livelihoods in October 2025, pushing the unemployment rate to 5%. This is not only higher than September’s 3.8% but also worse than the 1.97 million jobless in October 2024. What
Top Brands Roll Out Big Discounts for 12.12 Tech Deals
Major tech brands in the Philippines are slashing prices as the much-anticipated 12.12 sale kicks off, offering holiday shoppers a wide range of deals—from vlogging cameras and drones to Apple products, smartphones, and laptops. Published ahead of the sale rush, a curated list from PhilSTAR L!fe highlights some of the biggest bargains consumers can expect
Why Marcos Jr. Is Suddenly Pushing Reformist Bills—Including the Anti-Dynasty Measure
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent directive for Congress to fast-track four reformist measures—among them the long-delayed anti-political dynasty bill—marks one of the most striking pivots of his administration. The move signals a calculated shift rather than a change of heart for a leader whose political base is intertwined with family name and legacy. Several forces
FACT CHECK: Claimed Endorsement of Medicine/Supplement by Bangsamoro Health Minister
A video circulating online shows Bangsamoro Health Minister Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. endorsing a specific medicine or health supplement. Our rating: FAKE What the Claim Is The circulating video features an image or footage of Dr. Sinolinding, Jr., with an audio voice-over promoting and endorsing a specific drug or health product. The video aims
Army kills Dawlah Islamiya ‘emir’ in Maguindanao del Sur clash
COTABATO CITY — Soldiers killed the alleged top leader of the now-defunct Dawlah Islamiya in a brief clash in Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, on Sunday, December 7, ending the manhunt for a bomb expert tagged in at least 37 high-profile criminal cases across Central Mindanao. Local officials in Shariff Aguak and members
OPINION: Why an Anti-Dynasty Law Is Now a Democratic Emergency
Nearly four decades after the 1987 Constitution warned against political dynasties, Congress still hasn’t passed the one law that would make that warning real. In that vacuum, political families didn’t just survive — they flourished. Today, they dominate nearly every corner of the Philippine political map. Passing an anti-dynasty law isn’t just reform for reform’s
Winter Without the Visa Drama? Yes, It’s Possible for Filipinos
Winter feels like a myth for many of us who’ve lived our entire lives sweating through December. We see it on Netflix, scroll past it on Instagram, and sometimes wonder if snow really crunches the way it does in movies. But here’s the plot twist: you don’t actually need a Schengen visa or a 6
Lhey Marie Manginsay named PH flag bearer for 2025 Asian Youth Para Games
MANILA — Young para table-tennis standout Lhey Marie Manginsay will carry the national flag for the Philippines at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Manginsay — hailing from Zamboanga Sibugay — was tapped to lead the Filipino contingent into the parade of nations on December
PSA: Pilots, Tech Professionals Still Top Highest-Paid Jobs in PH
MANILA, Philippines – If you’re aiming for one of the country’s highest-paid jobs, the latest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that aviation and high-skilled tech occupations continue to dominate the wage ladder in 2024. The PSA’s 2024 Occupational Wages Survey found that the average Filipino full-time worker earns ₱21,544 per month. B
Basilan Eyes Mixed Solar-Hydrogen Plant to End Years of Unstable Power
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — Basilan may soon take a major step away from its decades-long dependence on unreliable diesel power as Lamitan City explores the possibility of hosting a mixed solar-hydrogen power plant that could cut electricity costs by half. Lamitan City Mayor Roderick H. Furigay met on Wednesday, December 3, with representatives of French hydrogen
