January 3-9, 2026 Volume 37 - No. 1 • 1 Section – 14 Pages
611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203 Tel: (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 313-8600 • info@asianjournalinc.com
What 2025 set in motion as the United DATELINE USA Minimum wage increases States and the Philippines welcome 2026 from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
take effect in key states as new year begins
Millions of workers across several large U.S. states are starting the new year under higher statutory minimum wages, as scheduled increases approved in prior years took effect on January 1. The changes underscore the growing role of state and local governments in setting wage floors, as the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. California California’s statewide minimum wage rose to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026, applying to all employers regardless of size. The rate serves as the baseline across the state. In many California cities and counties, however, local minimum wages exceed the statewide floor and must be paid instead. In addition, certain industries are governed by sector-specific wage laws, including a $20 per hour minimum for covered fast-food
by AJPress
remain bound by politics, crisis, and consequence. As 2025 gave way to a new calendar year, In Washington, policy shifts, court battles, and events on both sides of the Pacific underscored social flashpoints reshaped national debates; in how closely the United States and the Philippines the Philippines, arrests, disasters, and renewed
The United States in 2025: A year of policy reset, enforcement shifts, and mounting climate strain WASHINGTON — The United enforcement shifts, and escalating States closed 2025 amid a conver- climate pressures, a year shaped less gence of political realignment, policy u PAGE 2
Philippines 2025: Accountability, disaster, and power reshape a pivotal year MANILA — The Philippines ended 2025 confronting a series of events that tested its political institutions, le-
u PAGE 2
by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
Missed retirement withdrawals are triggering costly tax penalties for some seniors
u PAGE 4
gal frameworks, and capacity for public accountability. From an unprec-
Lacson to Marcos: Don’t waver against corruption
u PAGE 4
Each year, U.S. retirees risk significant tax penalties not by withdrawing too much from their retirement accounts, but by withdrawing too little. Required minimum distributions, commonly known as RMDs, are mandatory withdrawals from most tax-deferred retirement plans, and failure to comply can quietly erode savings accumulated over decades. The obligation applies regardless of whether the omission was intentional. Federal tax rules place responsibility squarely on the account holder, even when accounts are managed by financial institutions or advisers. A rule intended to defer taxes, not avoid them RMDs apply to traditional individual retirement accounts, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and most employer-sponsored plans such as 401(k)s. Roth IRAs are exempt during the
accountability struggles tested institutions and public trust. Together, the year’s defining moments set forces in motion that will continue to be addressed and ultimately define 2026 and beyond.
NEW YEAR BONDING. Families and groups of friends spend New Year’s Day at Rizal Park in Manila on Thursday, January 1. Rizal Park is a usual destination for people taking advantage of the holiday to have a picnic or a simple get-together with their loved ones. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
MANILA — As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. faces slipping public trust amid corruption controversies, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said national leaders must be prepared to confront growing public anger over the misuse of public funds. Lacson made the remarks as multiple reputable survey firms showed waning popularity for Marcos, a trend Malacañang has attributed to the administration’s efforts to make difficult decisions against corruption. Lacson, a presidential candidate in the 2025 elections, said he hoped Marcos would remain firm in pursuing accountability. “I hope the president will not waver in his remaining years in office. I thought the momentum was already on his side with his famous ‘Mahiya naman kayo!’ SONA (State of the Nation Address) remark. Unfor-
u PAGE 2
Pulse Asia: Marcos, Duterte trust ratings fall as corruption woes drag on by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
MANILA — The trust ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte both declined in December, according to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia. In a report released on Tuesday, December 30, the trust ratings of both Marcos and Duterte declined by two points, with the vice president still holding the higher trust score. Marcos scored a net trust rating of 32,
down from his score in September of 34. Meanwhile, Duterte held a trust score of 56 in September, which declined to 54. In terms of performance, Duterte still had a high performance rating of 56 compared to Marcos’ 34—both had a one-point increase from their respective September ratings. Marcos scored the highest in his bailiwick of Luzon for both his trust and performance ratings. Duterte held the strongest ratings in Visayas and Mindanao.
u PAGE 2
IN REMEMBRANCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the commemoration of the 129th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at Rizal Park in Manila on Tuesday (Dec. 30, 2025). The First Family also led a gift giving activity at the park’s Open Auditorium. Contributed photo
What’s taking gov’t so long to US urges China to halt military verify Leviste’s ‘Cabral files’? pressure on Taiwan after drills Rizal Day: Marcos urges by Dominique Nicole Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — Nearly two weeks have passed since Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) went public with the alleged “Cabral files,” yet appropriate agencies seem to be taking their time verifying their authenticity. In a radio interview on Friday, January 2, human rights advocate and lawyer Erin Tañada questioned why the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been slow in cross-checking the list of projects Leviste claims is in the copy given to him, despite having offi-
u PAGE 4
by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA — The United States has called on China to back off from conducting any more military drills around Taiwan and engage in dialogue instead, following Beijing's live-fire exercises around the self-ruled island that concluded earlier this week. Washington said in a statement on Thursday, January 1, that China's drills around Taiwan increased tensions unnecessarily in the region. The Philippines, particularly the Department of National Former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral Defense, earlier joined other Photo courtesy of DPWH countries, including Japan and
Australia, in condemning the exercises. The DND in particular had described Beijing's drills as a "heightened scale of coercion" that affected the entire Indo-Pacific region. “China's military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily,” Thomas Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, said in a statement. “We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.” China declared it had “successfully completed” military
integrity, Sara cites freedom from ‘disunity and evil’ by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte touted the legacy of national hero Jose Rizal in separate Rizal Day messages on Tuesday, December 30, urging Filipinos — and public officials — to uphold integrity amid repeated calls for accountability from leaders. Marcos said Rizal’s life and martyrdom offered guidance at a u PAGE 3
time when Filipinos are pressing their leaders for “integrity and accountability,” saying the commemoration is a reminder of the standards expected of those in power. “Today, as Filipinos demand integrity and accountability from its leaders, we look up to his life to provide us with guidance and strength,” Marcos said. He called on Filipinos to live by values he attributed to Rizal, including “respect for truth,” the u PAGE 4