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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 24 - No. 51 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o A m e r i ca n C o m mu n i t y N e ws pa p e r
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
December 19-25, 2025
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Unprogrammed funds restored as bicameral DATELINE USA Tax refunds in 2026 reflect panel adopts House version of 2026 budget post-pandemic rules; no from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
$2,000 payment authorized Here’s what taxpayers should expect from tax refunds arriving in 2026, including the status of the proposed $2,000 payment discussed by President Trump
by AJPress
MANILA — The bicameral conference committee reconciling the House of Representatives and Senate versions of the 2026 national budget restored unprogrammed appropriations to more than P243 billion, largely adopting the House version despite earlier assurances from senators that the amount would be significantly reduced.
The House-approved version of the proposed P6.7-trillion General Appropriations Act set unprogrammed appropriations at P243.22 billion. In contrast, the Senate version passed earlier cut the amount to P174.55 billion, trimming P68.66 billion in what senators described as an effort to curb discretionary spending and tighten fiscal controls. Following closed-door deliberations, the bicameral conference committee reconciled the differing
Bicam restores OVP budget to P889 million, undoing House cut over Sara’s snub
Tax refunds issued in 2026 will reflect a federal tax system that has largely returned to its pre-pandemic baseline. Inflation indexing remains in place, but the emergency credits and stimulus-driven provisions that shaped refunds earlier in the decade are no longer part of current law. The result is a filing season defined by normalization rather than relief, with refund outcomes driven primarily by withholding accuracy and long-standing statutory provisions. Emergency tax provisions have expired All federal tax measures enacted under COVID-19 emergency legislation have sunu PAGE 4
by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
States sue to block Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee
A coalition of 20 U.S. states, led by California, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, arguing the policy exceeds executive authority, violates federal law, and threatens access to skilled workers across key sectors of the economy. The lawsuit was filed on December 12, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta serving as lead plaintiff and coordinating the multistate legal challenge. Administration orders unprecedented increase in visa filing costs The case challenges a presidential proclamation issued September 19, 2025, directing the Department of Homeland Security to implement a six-figure fee for employers filing initial H-1B visa petitions. Historically, total H-1B filing fees — including statutory assessments and fraud prevention charges — have ranged from apu PAGE 2
versions by restoring the House figure, effectively reversing the Senate’s reduction. Unprogrammed appropriations are budgetary items included in the national spending plan without specific project allocations at the time of enactment. Under existing budget laws and Department of Budget and Management rules, these funds may only be released if certain conditions are met, such u PAGE 2
TRADITION STARTS. Hundreds attend the first Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) of 2025 at St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders in Commonwealth, Quezon City on Tuesday (Dec. 16). Also known as Misa de Gallo or Dawn Masses, the nine-day novena dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary may also start Dec. 15 as Anticipated Mass. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
MANILA — The bicameral conference committee restored the Office of the Vice President’s proposed P889 million budget for 2026, reversing a House-approved cut imposed after Vice President Sara Duterte declined to personally defend her office’s spending during plenary deliberations. The amount approved by the bicam panel late Tuesday, December 17, matches the figure in the National Expenditure Program for 2026 and scraps the P733 million version passed earlier by the House of Representatives. The House cut of about P156 million was explicitly linked to Duterte’s repeated refusal to face lawmakers during budget deliberations, which supporters—including opposition figure Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal party-list) said was meant to enforce accountability rather than cripple the office. Duterte initially skipped the House's first two committee-level hearings of the OVP's budget. She eventually appeared in September, but she was not quesu PAGE 2
Former DPWH undersecretary Catalina Cabral declared dead after being found near Kennon Road Cabral, a former senior public works official who resigned amid reviews of flood-control projects, was found near Kennon Road in Benguet. Police said the case remains under investigation as the Ombudsman ordered the preservation of her electronic devices by AJPress BAGUIO CITY — Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was declared dead early Friday after authorities found her near
the Bued River, several meters below Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, police said. According to Benguet police, Cabral was discovered late Thursday evening in Barangay Camp 4, approximately 20 to 30 meters u PAGE 4
Alex Eala wins SEA Games tennis Customs begins delivery of gold, ends long drought for PH 130,000 stranded balikbayan Bondi attack investigation focuses on Islamic State ideology boxes after Marcos order and suspects’ travel to Mindanao
An aerial view of Bondi Beach in Sydney, where Australian authorities are investigating a deadly December 14 attack classified as terrorism. Photo courtesy of Nick Ang / Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0)
by AJPress
NONTHABURI, Thailand — Filipino tennis player Alexandra “Alex” Eala captured the women’s singles gold medalat the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, defeating Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in straight sets, 6–1, 6–2, in the final held at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, just outside Bangkok. The victory marked the Philippines’ first women’s singles tennis gold at the SEA Games in 26 years, ending a drought that dated back to 1999.
Alex Eala File photo from Facebook/@AlexEala
u PAGE 3
by AJPress
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday, December 18, 2025, began the inspection and delivery of around 130,000 unclaimed balikbayan boxes that had been left unattended at customs facilities, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the shipments reach overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) families before Christmas. The distribution effort was led by BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno at a customs facility
in the Port Area, Manila, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Presidential directive triggers release President Marcos earlier ordered the BOC to move forward with the release of abandoned balikbayan boxes that had remained uncleared for extended periods, citing the need to prevent further hardship for OFW families, particularly during the holiday season. Government officials have said
by AJPress
SYDNEY, Australia — Australian authorities investigating the mass shooting at a Jewish community gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach said evidence gathered so far indicates the two suspects were motivated by Islamic State ideology and had traveled to the Philippines weeks before the attack, according to official statements and immigration records confirmed by Philippine authorities. The December 14 attack killed 15 people and wounded dozens, making it one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings in decades. New South Wales Police have classified the incident as terrorism based on the nature of the target and evidence recovered during u PAGE 2 u PAGE 3
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december 19-25, 2025 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Unprogrammed funds restored as... PAGE 1 as the availability of excess revenues, additional borrowings, or foreign grants. The size and role of unprogrammed appropriations have long been a recurring issue in Philippine budget debates. Critics argue that large unprogrammed funds reduce transparency and allow spending decisions to be made after the budget has been approved by Congress. Budget reform advocates have repeatedly called for stricter limits or the removal of such items from the national budget.
Supporters, including some members of the House leadership, have countered that unprogrammed appropriations provide fiscal flexibility, allowing the government to respond to unforeseen needs or to finance projects that depend on revenue performance later in the fiscal year. They note that releases remain subject to legal conditions and executive certification. The bicameral committee’s action comes after weeks of public debate over the structure of the 2026 budget, particularly provisions governing discretionary
funds. Senators who had earlier pushed for deeper cuts to unprogrammed appropriations said their intent was to align spending more closely with confirmed revenues. With the bicameral process completed, the reconciled budget measure is expected to be ratified by both the House and the Senate before being transmitted to the President for approval. Once signed into law, the 2026 national budget is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, barring a veto or further legislative action. n
Bicam restores OVP budget to P889 million... PAGE 1 tioned about her office's budget as lawmakers chose to extend the controversial "parliamentary courtesy" reserved for the country's top officials. De Lima, who moved for the reduction during plenary debates in October, expressed frustration at the time over Duterte’s absence, which she said was “an insult” to Congress and a rejection of her duty to explain how her office uses public funds. The lawmaker had pointed out that Duterte chose to attend the Senate's plenary deliberations of her office's budget even as she was not required to do so. The House majority adopted de Lima’s amendment, keeping the OVP budget at P733 million, roughly its 2025 level. As it turns out, however, this decision would not survive the bicameral process. By restoring the P889 mil-
FIRST BATCH. Passengers bound for the provinces troop to a bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday (Dec. 18, 2025). Some wanted to avoid the holiday rush and filed for vacation leaves or sought permission to work remotely. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
States sue to block Trump administration’s...
PAGE 1
Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House appropriations committee’s deliberations of the Office of the Vice President’s proposed 2026 budget, Sept. 16, 2025. Philstar.com photo
lion allocation late Tuesday, the bicam panel set aside the House-imposed penalty and adopted the executive’s original 2026 budget proposal for the OVP. The bicameral conference committee reconciles differing versions of the proposed national
budget passed separately by the House and the Senate. Its report, once ratified by both chambers, becomes the basis of the final General Appropriations Act. A statement from the OVP was not immediately available. This article will be updated with their response. n
Customs begins delivery of 130,000 stranded... PAGE 1 the shipments were left unattended after required charges and processing steps were not completed, resulting in months-long delays. The President directed customs authorities to prioritize their release and delivery rather than allow the boxes to remain in storage. Inspection and distribution underway Customs officials conducted inspections of the boxes prior to release, in line with standard pro-
cedures, before dispatching them for delivery to their intended recipients nationwide. Authorities have not released a detailed schedule or regional breakdown for the deliveries but said the operation is intended to ensure that as many boxes as possible reach families before Christmas. A long-standing concern for OFWs Balikbayan boxes are a widely used means for Filipinos working abroad to send personal goods
and gifts to relatives in the Philippines, especially during the Christmas season. Delays in sea-cargo deliveries have been a recurring issue, with past complaints from OFWs focusing on processing bottlenecks, unpaid fees, and coordination gaps between foreign freight forwarders and local handlers. Officials have characterized the current effort as a remedial measure focused on returning personal property to families rather than assigning blame. n
proximately $960 to $7,595, depending on employer size and petition type. No prior administration has imposed a six-figure fee tied to a single visa petition. Congress created the H-1B program to meet specialized labor needs The H-1B visa program, established under the Immigration Act of 1990, allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent expertise. H-1B workers are commonly employed in technology, healthcare, higher education, scientific research, and public education — sectors that states say already face persistent labor shortages. States argue fee exceeds authority delegated by federal law In their complaint, the states argue that federal law limits visa fees to amounts reasonably related to the cost of administering immigration programs. They contend the $100,000 charge functions as a policy barrier rather than an administrative fee and therefore exceeds authority granted by Congress. The lawsuit also alleges vi-
olations of the Administrative Procedure Act, asserting the fee was imposed without required notice-and-comment rulemaking. Public employers warn of impact on education and healthcare The states argue the fee would disproportionately affect public schools, state universities, teaching hospitals, and nonprofit institutions, which rely on H-1B professionals but lack the financial capacity to absorb six-figure petition costs. According to the complaint, the policy could worsen shortages in healthcare, special education, and research positions, particularly in underserved communities. Twenty-state coalition joins challenge in federal court Joining California in the lawsuit are Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The states argue that the nationwide scope of the policy justifies multistate action and reflects broad economic and
workforce implications across regions. Administration defends fee as immigration reform measure The Trump administration has defended the fee as a lawful reform intended to deter misuse of the H-1B program and encourage employers to prioritize domestic hiring. Federal officials maintain the Department of Homeland Security acted within its delegated authority. Parallel lawsuits filed by business groups The states’ lawsuit follows separate legal challenges filed by business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, raising similar objections regarding statutory authority and administrative procedure. Court to decide whether fee can take effect The federal court will determine whether to temporarily block the fee while litigation proceeds. No hearing date has yet been announced. Until a ruling is issued, employers, universities, and healthcare systems nationwide remain uncertain whether the new fee will take effect. (AJPress)
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Judgment changes may precede Alex Eala wins SEA Games tennis gold... memory loss in early Alzheimer’s, health agencies say PAGE 1
Health officials say impaired decision-making and poor judgment can appear before memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, underscoring the need to distinguish isolated mistakes from persistent patterns that affect daily life by AJPress Alzheimer’s disease is commonly associated with memory failure, the missed appointment, the forgotten name, the familiar story retold. Yet federal health agencies and medical experts increasingly emphasize that the earliest signs of the disease may be less visible and more easily dismissed. In some people, the first noticeable change is not forgetfulness but a shift in judgment, a departure from long-standing habits of reasoning, risk assessment, or decision-making. Public health authorities now routinely include impaired judgment among the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The guidance reflects a growing recognition that cognitive decline does not unfold in a single sequence and that memory loss, while central, is not always the first symptom to emerge. How health agencies describe judgment impairment Judgment, in clinical terms, refers to the ability to evaluate situations, anticipate consequences, and make decisions that align with personal history and social norms. The National Institute on Aging identifies poor judgment as a potential early indicator of Alzheimer’s, noting that changes in reasoning and decision-making can precede more obvious memory problems. The Alzheimer’s Association similarly lists impaired judgment and decision-making among its early warning signs. It points to behaviors such as unusual financial decisions, difficulty managing money, or choices that diverge sharply from an individual’s established values and patterns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines dementia as a condition that
affects memory, thinking, and decision-making in ways that interfere with daily life. Judgment, the agency notes, is among the cognitive functions that may be affected, sometimes early in the disease process. Why decision-making can change before memory Neurologists stress that Alzheimer’s disease does not damage the brain uniformly or all at once. While memory-related regions are often affected, the disease can also disrupt neural networks responsible for planning, self-monitoring, and risk evaluation. As a result, some individuals first experience difficulty weighing consequences, recognizing unsafe choices, or managing complex decisions, even as their ability to recall names or events appears largely intact. These changes are often subtle and may be more apparent to family members or colleagues than to the individual experiencing them. The difference between ordinary mistakes and warning signs Health agencies caution against conflating everyday lapses with signs of dementia. Poor judgment can occur in anyone facing stress, fatigue, illness, grief, or financial pressure. An impulsive purchase or a single ill-considered decision is not, by itself, evidence of cognitive disease. Clinicians instead look for patterns that suggest decline rather than circumstance. These include repeated decisions that are out of character, a progressive worsening over time, or consequences that affect safety, finances, employment, or personal relationships. When judgment changes occur alongside other cognitive or behavioral shifts, medical evaluation becomes more appropriate. The CDC notes that dementia
symptoms vary widely, reinforcing the importance of context and trajectory rather than isolated incidents. What evaluation typically includes When concerns arise, health agencies recommend professional assessment rather than self-diagnosis. A clinical evaluation often involves a review of medical history, medications, sleep habits, and mental health, along with brief cognitive testing. Clinicians also assess for reversible contributors such as depression, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, sleep disorders, or medication side effects, all of which can impair judgment. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine cognitive screening for adults without symptoms, citing insufficient evidence. It draws a clear distinction, however, between population screening and evaluation prompted by observed changes or concerns raised by patients, families, or clinicians. Why early recognition matters Although Alzheimer’s disease remains incurable, early recognition can provide tangible benefits. It allows individuals and families to identify treatable conditions, plan for future care, address financial and legal matters, and access support services sooner. It can also reduce uncertainty by clarifying whether observed changes stem from neurodegenerative disease or other medical causes. Health officials emphasize that Alzheimer’s is not defined by a single symptom. Changes in judgment are one possible early signal, not a diagnosis. The central message, they say, is vigilance without alarm, recognizing when shifts in behavior reflect the pressures of daily life and when they may warrant professional attention. n
Eala, one of Southeast Asia’s highest-ranked players on the global professional circuit, controlled the match from the outset. She broke serve early in the opening set and maintained consistent pressure through the baseline exchanges, limiting unforced errors and dictating pace throughout the contest. The final concluded in just over an hour, with the Filipino player closing out the second set without facing serious resistance. With the win, Eala became only the third Filipina to claim SEA Games women’s singles gold, joining Pia Tamayo, who won in 1981, and Maricris Fernandez, who last delivered the title for the Philippines in 1999. The gold medal is Eala’s first SEA Games championship, improving on her previous appearances in the regional meet, where she had earned bronze medals in earlier editions. Her performance in Thailand capped a strong tournament run in which she advanced through the draw without dropping a set. Eala’s SEA Games success comes amid a breakthrough year on the international tour. In 2025, she reached a career-high Wom-
Alex Eala’s victory marked the Philippines’ first women’s singles tennis gold at the SEA Games in 26 years, ending a drought that dated back to 1999. Photo from Instagram/@alex.eala
en’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles ranking inside the world’s top 50, becoming the highest-ranked Filipino player in the modern era of professional tennis. While SEA Games results do not carry WTA ranking points, the tournament remains a significant benchmark for national programs in Southeast Asia. Beyond the singles event, Eala also competed in other tennis disciplines during the Games, contributing to the Philippines’
overall medal count, including a bronze medal in mixed doubles. The SEA Games, held from December 9 to 20, brought together athletes from across Southeast Asia in one of the region’s largest multi-sport events. For the Philippine delegation, Eala’s gold medal was among the standout results in the tennis competition and a rare return to the top step of the podium in a discipline where the country has seen limited success in recent decades. n
Bondi attack investigation focuses on... PAGE 1 the investigation. One suspect, a 50-year-old man, was shot and killed by police at the scene. His 24-yearold son remains hospitalized under police guard. Authorities have not announced formal charges as of publication. Investigators cite ideological indicators recovered at the scene Australian counterterrorism officials said investigators recovered two homemade flags associated with the Islamic State militant group from a vehicle linked to the suspects, along with improvised explosive devices that were not detonated. Police said these findings informed their assessment that the attack was ideologically motivated. Officials emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that conclusions could evolve as forensic analysis and intelligence reviews continue. Australian media, citing law enforcement and security sources, reported that the younger suspect had previously come
to the attention of Australia’s domestic intelligence agency in 2019 in connection with extremist associations, though he was not assessed at the time as posing an imminent threat. Philippine immigration records confirm pre-attack travel to Mindanao Philippine Bureau of Immigration officials confirmed that the two men entered the Philippines on November 1, arriving from Sydney and transiting through Manila before traveling to Davao City on the southern island of Mindanao. Immigration records show they departed the country on November 28, returning to Australia. According to Philippine authorities, the father traveled using an Indian passport, while the son traveled on an Australian passport. Officials said both entered and exited the country through regular immigration channels. Purpose of the Philippines trip remains under review Security officials in both Australia and the Philippines said they are still determining the
purpose of the suspects’ visit to Mindanao. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the men met with extremist groups, underwent training, or traveled beyond Davao City during their stay. Philippine military and law enforcement agencies said they are coordinating with immigration officials and foreign counterparts as part of standard information-sharing procedures related to transnational terrorism investigations. Regional extremist history provides context, not attribution Mindanao has experienced periodic militant activity over the past decade, including the 2017 siege of Marawi by Islamic State-aligned groups. Philippine forces regained control of the city after months of fighting. Officials cautioned that the suspects’ presence in the region does not, by itself, establish contact with militant organizations, and that historical context should not be conflated with specific allegations absent evidence. n
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december 19-25, 2025 • ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USA
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Former DPWH undersecretary Catalina...
BEMEDALLED. Senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III pose for a photo with Filipina Olympic swimmer Kayla Sanchez (2nd row, 6th from left) on Wednesday (Dec. 17, 2025). The Senate adopted Resolution 205 commending Sanchez for her eight-medal haul in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Recto: PH dev’t should not be dictated by political whims by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net
MANILA — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the Marcos administration is committed to implementing Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, noting that development should not be controlled by political whims but by data, direction, and discipline. In his speech during the 90th Anniversary of Socio-Economic Planning on Wednesday, Recto emphasized the importance of having a long-term plan that extends beyond administrations. “We chose to believe that our development should not be dictated by political whims but by data, direction, and discipline,” he said. Ambisyon Natin 2040, initiated by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (Depdev), formerly the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), is a national plan to transform the country into a prosperous and predominantly middle-class society by 2040. The Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, meanwhile, aims to boost economic growth, create more jobs, and reduce poverty through major economic and social reforms. “Together, they are our bibles in planning — one tells us where we are going, the other tells us how we get there, regardless of who is in office or what crisis we face,” he said. “And crises, as history has
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto Inquirer.net file photo
shown, are inevitable. And our country’s challenges are complex. They are generational. They cannot be solved by a six-year plan, or a three-year term, or a midnight executive order. That is why long-term, inclusive, and resilient planning is necessary because without it, we would not be sailing the ship of state, we would be simply drifting,” Recto also said. He also reiterated the government’s goal to reduce the poverty rate to single digits by the end of Marcos’ term. “A decade ago, poverty incidence stood at 23.5 percent. Today, through inclusive growth strategies — even amid a pandemic and repeated global shocks — we have reduced it to 15.5 percent. By 2028, we are determined to bring poverty down to single-digit levels,” Recto said. Moreover, he cited the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Ga-
za war, the Israel-Iran war, and trade wars, in stressing the importance of planning for the future. “Each crisis was different in form, but identical in consequence. It reminded us of the same truth: countries without plans react. But countries with plans recover, adapt, and emerge stronger,” he said. Recto, who also served as NEDA secretary from 2008 to 2009, also hailed the role that Depdev plays in the economic growth of the Philippines. He described the agency as “the nerve center of reason” and the “scoreboard keeper” for the government’s priority targets when it comes to growth. “It is the chief exponent of Philippine progress and champion of the ordinary Filipino. It is the nerve center of reason in the noise of populism. It is the scoreboard keeper of what truly matters: jobs created, investments drawn in, classrooms and roads built, and Filipinos lifted out of poverty,” he said. “While others obsess over political surveys, we pore over household surveys. While others post status updates, we update development indicators,” he also said. Recto further said, “Because the true state of the nation is written not in rhetoric, but in economic conditions felt by Filipino families every day — in the price of rice and food, in the availability of decent jobs, and in achieving a bright future.”
PAGE 1 below the roadway. A municipal health officer pronounced her dead at 12:03 a.m. Friday, police said. Authorities said the incident remains under investigation. Discovery and official pronouncement Police said rescuers located Cabral near the riverbank after a search was initiated following a report that she could not be located. She was described by authorities as unconscious and unresponsive when found. Her death was confirmed at the scene by a municipal doctor, police said. Account provided by police Based on the initial police account, Cabral had been traveling along Kennon Road on Thursday afternoon with a driver when she asked to stop in the Maramal area of Camp 4 at around 3 p.m. She reportedly requested that the driver leave and return later. Police said the driver returned to the area at approximately 5 p.m. but was unable to locate her. At around 7 p.m., the driver sought assistance from authorities. Retrieval and investigative response Search and retrieval operations were conducted by personnel from the Tuba Municipal Police Station, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, with support from scene-of-the-crime operatives. Police initially described the incident as an alleged fall, pending further investigation and forensic examination. Ombudsman issues preservation order Following the recovery, the Of-
Former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral
fice of the Ombudsman instructed local authorities to secure and preserve Cabral’s electronic devices, including her mobile phone, according to Ombudsman spokesperson Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano. The devices are to remain in police custody and be turned over to investigators at the appropriate time, Clavano said. The Ombudsman did not provide details on the scope or purpose of the directive. Relevance to ongoing DPWH matters Cabral’s name surfaced publicly in 2025 during congressional and administrative scrutiny of flood-control projects implemented under the Department of Public Works and Highways, according to official hearing records and prior reporting. Lawmakers questioned aspects of project planning, budgeting, and implementation. Cabral, who previously oversaw planning and public-private partnership functions at DPWH, resigned from her post in September as those reviews were underway.
Philstar.com file photo
At the time of her resignation, no court had issued a finding of liability against Cabral. Proceedings referenced by legislators and oversight bodies were described as fact-finding in nature, and officials said reviews were ongoing. Authorities have not stated that Cabral’s death is connected to any DPWH-related investigations, complaints, or hearings. Career background Cabral was a licensed civil engineer and a career official of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Government records show she served as DPWH undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership and as an alternate member of the National Irrigation Administration Board of Directors. She was appointed to the undersecretary position in 2014 and was cited in official profiles as the first female rank-and-file DPWH employee to rise to that level. Investigation ongoing Police said the investigation remains ongoing and declined to provide further details pending additional findings. n
Tax refunds in 2026 reflect post-pandemic... PAGE 1 set. There will be no stimulus-related credits, no retroactive rebate claims, and no temporary expansions of refundable credits. The Recovery Rebate Credit, which allowed taxpayers to claim missed stimulus payments in prior years, is no longer available. Expanded versions of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit enacted earlier in the decade have also lapsed. Federal tax agencies have warned taxpayers against online claims suggesting additional stimulus-linked refunds remain accessible. Inflation indexing continues, with limited impact Under existing law, the IRS will continue to adjust tax brackets, the standard deduction, and income thresholds for certain credits to account for inflation. These annual adjustments are intended to prevent inflation from increasing effective tax rates in real terms. While they may modestly reduce taxable income for some filers, they are not designed to produce large increases in refund amounts. Final inflation-adjusted figures affecting 2026 refunds are expected to be announced ahead of the filing season.
Withholding accuracy becomes decisive With temporary credits no longer available, refund outcomes will depend more directly on payroll withholding during the year. Taxpayers whose withholding closely matched their tax liability may see smaller refunds or none at all. Those who under-withheld may owe additional taxes. Larger refunds, where they occur, generally reflect over-withholding rather than new tax benefits. The IRS continues to advise taxpayers to review Form W-4 settings following major life changes such as job transitions, marital status changes, or the addition of dependents. Child Tax Credit remains unchanged Absent legislative action, the Child Tax Credit remains capped at up to $2,000 per qualifying child, with partial refundability and income-based phaseouts. Although proposals to expand the credit have circulated in Congress, no permanent changes affecting refunds issued in 2026 have been enacted. The status of the $2,000 payment discussed by President Trump President Donald Trump has repeatedly referenced a poten-
tial $2,000 payment, often described as a “tariff dividend” funded by revenue from import tariffs. As of now, no such payment has been authorized by Congress or implemented by the IRS. There is no statute, appropriation, eligibility framework, or payment schedule directing the Treasury or IRS to issue a $2,000 refund or rebate in 2025 or 2026. Treasury officials and independent budget analysts have characterized the proposal as a policy idea rather than an enacted program. Any such payment would require new legislation approved by Congress and signed into law. Until that occurs, the proposal does not affect tax refunds or filing outcomes. A return to predictable refund patterns Refunds issued in 2026 will reflect a tax system no longer shaped by crisis-era interventions. Inflation adjustments may offer limited relief, but the unusually large refunds seen earlier in the decade were tied to temporary programs that have expired. For most taxpayers, refunds will be smaller, more predictable, and more closely aligned with withholding decisions made throughout the year. (AJPress)
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Opinion
december 19-25, 2025 • ASIAN JOURNAL
Features
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When oversight has no teeth: Why the ICI must give way to a permanent institution The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, or ICI, was created in response to mounting public concern over alleged irregularities in flood control spending. The issue cuts across administrations, agencies, and contractor networks. The commission was assembled quickly, staffed with respected figures, and tasked with examining a system that channels billions of pesos in public funds. As the commission nears the end of its work, a central lesson has become unavoidable. The ICI was never designed to match the scale or permanence of the problem it was asked to confront. This is not a judgment on the integrity or competence of its members. It is a judgment on institutional design. A recurring pattern in Philippine governance Philippine political history is marked by investigative bodies formed in moments of crisis. These commissions often perform valuable fact finding, but they share predictable limitations. They are temporary, dependent on voluntary cooperation, and constrained by the absence of coercive powers. The pattern is well established. The Agrava Board, formed in the aftermath of the 1983 assassination of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was intended to establish the truth behind a national trauma that shook public confidence in the state. It produced a detailed factual record and identified those believed responsible, but it operated under severe political constraints that limited how its findings were enforced.
The Melo Commission, created in 2006 to investigate a wave of extrajudicial killings, sought to document abuses and recommend institutional reforms. While it succeeded in laying out patterns and concerns, it lacked subpoena power, allowing key witnesses to decline participation and leaving its recommendations dependent on follow through by other institutions. The Truth Commission, established in 2010 to investigate allegations of large scale corruption in the previous administration, was intended to provide a comprehensive accounting of past abuses. It never began its work. The Supreme Court struck it down, ruling that an executive created commission could not perform functions that required a clear statutory and constitutional foundation. Together, these experiences point to a consistent conclusion. Commissions formed to respond to national crises can clarify facts, but without legal authority and permanence, they struggle to translate truth into accountability. The ICI followed this lineage. Created by administrative action, it had no subpoena authority, no power to compel testimony, and no guarantee of continui-
Editorial
babe’s eye view Babe Romualdez
Metro Manila traffic: Time to make a drastic move like Indonesia
national capital and financial/ commercial center remains to be Kuala Lumpur, but the office of the prime minister, the judiciary and most federal ministries are located in Putrajaya. South Korea, on the other hand, has moved much of its government offices to Sejong City to ease pressure on Seoul that is beset by overcrowding. President Lee Jae-myung has vowed to make Sejong the “de facto political capital” to balance regional development, saying this is necessary for the country’s sustainable growth – with plans to build a second presidential office and a branch of the National Assembly. One example that deserves serious reflection is Indonesia. Faced with chronic congestion, pollution, overpopulation and the very real threat of parts of Jakarta sinking at an alarming rate because of land subsidence (primarily due to over-extraction of groundwater), former Indonesian president Joko Widodo in 2019 made a bold and controversial decision to relocate the capital. The planned new capital city, Nusantara, is located in u PAGE 7
ManilaTimes.net photo
ty. Its work depended on cooperation from the very institutions under scrutiny. The resignation of former public works secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson made this limitation unmistakable. Experience and technical expertise could not substitute for legal authority. The U.S. parallel: when oversight is built for re-
Demand and supply Boo Chanco
Anyone who has lived in, worked in or even briefly visited Metro Manila knows that traffic is no longer a nuisance – it has become a national crisis! A short drive that should only take 20 minutes can now stretch into an hour or more. As a consequence, meetings are missed, productivity is lost, tempers flare and precious family time quietly disappears. In fact, a character in Dan Brown’s 2013 novel “Inferno” described that the “six-hour traffic jams” was like running through the “gates of hell.” Traffic has become so embedded in daily life that Filipinos create memes and make jokes about “carmageddon.” But beneath the humor lies a harsh truth: the cost to the country is enormous. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has long warned about the economic cost of traffic, estimating it to reach around P4.5 billion per day by 2035 if no significant intervention is made. For decades, authorities have tried to solve Metro Manila’s nightmarish traffic problem with familiar remedies – flyovers, road widening, number coding
schemes, new traffic czars and endless feasibility studies. Yet every new road seems to fill up almost as soon as it opens. The reason is simple – traffic in Metro Manila is not just an infrastructure problem. It is the visible symptom of a much deeper issue: over-centralization. Nearly everything flows into the metropolis: government power, business headquarters, economic opportunity, education, health care, media and political influence. Millions come not because they want to endure traffic, but because opportunity is concentrated here. As long as Manila remains the gravitational center of the nation, congestion will remain a fact of life. In the past, other countries have moved their capital due to congestion, overpopulation, over-centralization or simply to maximize the economic potential of underdeveloped areas, such as Brazil that moved its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia. Others have also deemed it strategic to relocate their administrative capitals because of overcrowding. An example is Malaysia, whose
Virtual Reality
Market Suicide by the dynasties Flea of Ideas
Tony Lopez How do you tell the clans that control 70 percent of Congress to go kill themselves? And how do you tell the families that control 80 percent of all local governments to go drown themselves in the rivers unprotected by ghost flood control projects? Answer: Ask them to endorse a genuine anti-dynasty bill. An anti-dynasty bill has been filed by two of the Philippines’ long entrenched dynasts – Rep. Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte and Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela. The Marcos is a 100-year-old dynasty, beginning with the election in 1925 of Mariano Marcos as congressman of the second district of Ilocos Norte. Mariano was the father of Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, father of the incumbent President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., who is the father of Congressman Sandro Marcos. FM is the longest serving president,
20 years, including 14 years under martial rule. Speaker Dy comes from a 61-year-old dynasty, from 1964, with Faustino Ng Dy Sr., a mestizo son of a Chinese immigrant from Guimba, Nueva Ecija. An ambulant trader, Dy Sr. settled in Isabela and nurtured the province’s most powerful political dynasty, serving as mayor of Cauayan, Isabela from 1964 to 1971 and governor of Isabela from 1971 until 1986 and from 1988 to 1992. He was the longest serving Isabela governor, 19 years Dy Sr. married twice – to Erlinda Sanchez and Natividad de Guzman. Erlinda produced three children – Faustino Jr., Napoleon and Bill. Natividad produced four sons who became politicians – Faustino III (the current Speaker), Benjamin, Caesar and Victor. Speaker Dy has been in politics for 42 years, undefeated. The patriarch Faustino Ng Dy Sr. had a reputation for being brave and was said to been engaged in gunfights with thugs. Ferdinand Sr. was a UP marksman and at 18, was accused of having assassinated Julio Nalundasan, the political rival of Maria-
no, in 1935. Defending himself, as a brand new lawyer-Bar topnotcher, Marcos was acquitted by the Supreme Court. Eliminating enemies with extreme prejudice is not new nor extraneous when building a political dynasty. The anti-dynasty and the party-list provisions in the 1987 Constitution both were a reaction, by Corazon Aquino and her cohorts, to Marcos Sr.’s long reign. A party-list or multiplicity of parties supposedly was to prevent a duopoly of parties imposed by the Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party of the 1930s until the 1970s. Marcos Sr. completely dominated both the LP and NP. There is a third constitutional provision to prevent the rise of dynasties – term limits. Only one term, of six years, for president. Senators are limited to two consecutive terms. Congressmen and local officials are limited to three consecutive terms of three years each. All three provisions – anti-dynasty, party-list and term limits – produced the opposite, nefariu PAGE 7
“How can a supposedly Christian country,” a taipan asked me, “allow its culture to be so permeated by corruption?” The taipan sounded dismayed and worried about how foreign investors look at us. The taipan then said we are fake Christians, that’s our problem. He blames our Christian churches for their failure to properly teach the basic tenets of the Christian faith. Look at something basic, he said… sin. The God we claim to worship hates sin. Psalm 5:4 says “O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.” Sin caused Adam and Eve to be thrown out of Eden and suffer the consequence of death. Yet, the taipan said, we do not take sin seriously. We don’t think hell is real. A UP sociologist, Prince Kennex Aldama, writing in the Inquirer observed: “Ours is a nation of faith yet also a nation haunted by dishonesty, patronage and moral compromise. Every Sunday, millions of Filipinos attend Mass, pray for grace and seek divine guidance. Yet on Monday, the same society tolerates deception, favoritism and abuses of
Joel Ruiz Butuyan How will President Marcos deal with the push and pull of angry political forces as we enter a new year? First, there is an enraged citizenry demanding the prompt prosecution of public officials involved in massive corruption. Second, there is the throng of disgruntled lawmakers who will threaten the President’s grip on power if they are stripped of their shady privileges. Third, there are the wrathful pro-Duterte supporters who are constantly looking for ways to oust the President. The first group is the enraged citizenry—consisting of the Catholic Church, civil society organizations, student groups, left-leaning alliances, and business associations—who are showing impatience with what they perceive to be a dragging investigation and prosecution of those involved in outrageous corruption in flood control and other public works projects. They are furiously de-
sistance, not cooperation The Philippines is not alone in grappling with these dilemmas. Democratic systems that succeed at large scale investigations do so because they ground oversight in law, continuity, and independence, not expediency. u PAGE 7
Pinoy Christianity and corruption power as if they were part of ordinary life.” If we took our Christianity seriously, we should know sin leads to death (spiritual and physical) (Romans 6:23) and separation from God (Isaiah 59:2). Good for us, God offers forgiveness and restoration through confession (1 John 1:9). The taipan asked me, is public repentance enough? The taipan pointed out the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who repented and promised Jesus he would pay back four times the amount he had cheated people (Luke 19:1-10). So, the taipan said, it is not enough for the corrupt who stole from the national treasury to say they are sorry. They must return what they stole. Everything. Up to the last centavo. The Bible teaches us that the consequences of sin are severe. Unforgiven sin results in eternal punishment in the “lake of fire,” described as the second death (Revelation). These corrupt officials may escape accountability under our corrupt justice system but will not escape God’s justice. God holds people accountable. Look at Zaldy Co, he pointed
out. His punishment starts here on earth. With all that money, he can’t sleep in peace, he and his family will be constantly on the run and under surveillance. That’s not a life. Aldama also observed that for us Filipinos, “faith marks one part of a community but not necessarily a participant in moral transformation. It provides symbols and rituals yet sometimes lacks the power to reshape social structures. “The result is a kind of cultural Christianity that thrives in devotion but falters in discipline, a faith strong in sentiment but weak in consequence.” Aldama further explains that: “Here lies the heart of the sociological problem. Corruption survives not simply through the powerful but through the consent of the ordinary. It is sustained by a culture that confuses kindness with tolerance and faith with resignation. “Christianity was meant to redeem this weakness. The gospel offers not only personal salvation but also a vision of social renewal. “Christ preached compassion, yes, but also courage. His call was to justice, honesty and love that transforms. Yet Filipino Christianity has often settled for comfort over u PAGE 7
The opposing political forces in 2026 manding a permanent stop to lawmakers’ pork barrel allocations in infrastructure projects and an end to the necessity of legislators’ endorsements for the people’s access to free health care. They are also demanding full transparency and public access to budget deliberations and public bidding processes in public works projects. This first group of enraged citizenry has two subgroups, though, with one subgroup not hesitating to call for accountability all the way to the President, while the other subgroup wants to temporarily suspend judgment on the president because doing otherwise will unwittingly help Vice President Sara Duterte become president in 2028, which to them will be even more disastrous for our country. The second group, consisting of disgruntled lawmakers, is threatening to oust House Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos if their pork barrel allocations in next year’s budget are not granted, accord-
ing to Sen. Panfilo Lacson. This is notwithstanding the fact that the president’s draft national budget for 2026 still incorporates pork barrel funds for public works projects and still maintains the need for public officials’ endorsements for access to free health care, albeit apparently at decreased levels. This group of disgruntled lawmakers will foreseeably threaten to withhold support for any attempt by the ruling government to impeach VP Sara in 2026, unless their pork barrel allocations and other questionable privileges are maintained. With regard to the third group consisting of pro-Duterte forces, they’re equally voicing angry protests against the corruption scandal in public works projects. Their difference with the first group is that they selectively protest against officials identified with the Marcos administration, but they’re eerily silent on officials identified with the Duterte camp, even if they equally have their u PAGE 7
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Metro Manila traffic: Time to make...
PAGE 6 East Kalimantan in the island of Borneo – far from the overcrowded streets of Jakarta. This was the result of long-term planning and strategic thinking, recognizing that Jakarta was carrying too much of Indonesia’s political and administrative weight. By moving the seat of government, Indonesia aims to decongest its old capital, spread development more evenly across the archipelago and build a modern, purpose-designed administrative city from the ground up. However, Indonesians are seriously divided, with critics pointing out the environmental impact and the cost of the relocation, with funding gaps from private investors adding to the challenge. Just recently, President Prabowo downgraded Nusantara from national capital to political capital. In the Philippines, there has been a clamor to decentralize Manila and gradually relocate certain government agencies to Clark, Subic or other emerging hubs that could serve as administrative centers. With today’s technology, many government functions no longer require everyone to be
physically present in one city. The pandemic showed us that workfrom-anywhere arrangements are not only possible – they can be effective as well as efficient. Metro Manila today is not just congested – it is overstretched. Roads, public transport, housing, drainage and utilities are all under constant strain. Every typhoon exposes the fragility of a megacity carrying far more than it was ever designed to handle. Decentralization would also encourage private investment to follow. Businesses tend to locate near government, infrastructure and skilled labor. If opportunities are spread more evenly across the country, fewer Filipinos would feel compelled to crowd into Metro Manila just to earn a decent living. This is not a call for dramatic overnight change. It is a call for long-term vision. Traffic cannot be solved by number coding schemes or traffic enforcers alone, nor by flyovers and road projects that treat symptoms rather than causes. Without addressing over-centralization, every solution will eventually fail under the weight of new vehicles, new
Opinion & Features
migrants and new demands. Moving a capital is expensive, complex and politically sensitive. But looking beyond the immediate price tag, we should ask a bigger question: what is the long-term cost of doing nothing? Perhaps the issue is not whether to abandon Metro Manila, but whether we continue to insist that everything must remain here. Some friends also pointed out that the real question for us is not whether we should move the capital, but to see if we are brave enough to finally admit that relying on half-measures and shortterm fixes (like telling mall owners to refrain from holding mall-wide sales on weekdays) – is no longer an option. If traffic reflects how a city works, then Metro Manila’s gridlock is telling us something important. It’s time to make the move. (Philstar.com) ***
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Pinoy Christianity and corruption PAGE 6 conviction. “We pray for a better nation without confronting the injustices that make it worse. We admire the humility of Christ while ignoring His boldness to challenge hypocrisy. Faith becomes a refuge from the world rather than a force to renew it.” Bullseye! Indeed, I am not convinced that our bishops and other Christian religious leaders understand true Christianity. Remember the bishops who accepted SUVs from then President GMA? The Discayas said they have contributed to the Church. A Church in Romblon was built through the contributions of the Discayas and Co. The local bishop said that’s OK because they received the money before the corruption scandal broke out. The stolen money was clean before it was nabuking? Recently, a parish in Bulacan returned a Nissan Navara given by ex-DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara after the corruption scandal broke out. Our corrupt officials think that they can buy forgiveness from their
PAGE 6
sins by sharing their loot with the Church. And some priests and bishops happily accept. Then we have this politician from a supposedly “born again” Christian group always in the news involving corruption cases. Remember Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and inner spiritual decay. The taipan feels strongly about the failure of Pinoy Christian leaders to strongly warn against sin and the reality of hell. The taipan is concerned about the country’s future. Perhaps, if Filipinos can practice true Christianity, not Sunday Christianity, the renewal that can save our country’s future is within reach. Mr. Aldama’s conclusion is apt: “Corruption is not destiny. It is culture, and culture can change. But such change requires more than outrage. It requires conscience. The gospel reminds us that transformation begins in the heart but must never end there… “Only when faith becomes action and conviction becomes culture will the Philippines finally reconcile its Christianity with its integrity.” Abolish congress My column last Monday with
a tongue-in-cheek suggestion of abolishing Congress was based on a post in the website of PIDS, the government economic think tank. The folks at PIDS wrote to say that none of their studies advocated abolishing Congress. They were just reprinting a previously published item that mentioned them in connection with the rising cost of corruption. Well, there was no disclaimer so the article reposted in the PIDS website’s news section seemed like theirs. I assumed that PIDS technocrats are a cut above the usual government technocrats in calling out issues the way they really are. I understand their concern. Congress can abolish PIDS by denying it a budget. That would be a loss to good policy making in this country. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Boo Chanco’s email address is bchanco@gmail. com. Follow him on X @boochanco
Suicide by the dynasties
ous, deleterious effect – the rise of dynasties and their long reigns. Today, dynasties cannot be eliminated, except by – suicide. House Bill 6771, the Anti-Dynasty Bill of Sandro and Bojie Dy, says “spouses, siblings and relatives within the fourth civil degree of affinity or consanguinity of a duly elected public officer are disqualified from simultaneously holding identified elective public positions.” All other anti-dynasty bills ban only second-degree relatives. And they make distinctions between local elective positions and national positions – president, vice president and senator. Other anti-dynasty bills allow the present anomalous setup in the Senate where you have four sets of siblings serving at the same time as senators – Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, Mark and Camille Villar, Raffy and Erwin Tulfo, JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada. The Sandro and Bojie bill will not allow a family-affair Senate. It bans – two elective national positions at the same time by a single family; two local positions at the same time, by the same family, but only at district level; two elective provincial positions at the same time in the same province by the same family. HB6771 is a faithful execution
of the anti-dynasty provision of the Constitution, Article Il, Section 26, “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” “This constitutional provision embodies…a political system characterized by fairness, equal opportunity and genuine public service,” Sandro and Bojie note. HB 6771 defines “political dynasty” as “the concentration and dominance of elective political power by persons related to one another.” A “political dynasty relationship” is “an existing familial relationship with an incumbent elective public official, such as a spouse, direct ascendant or descendant, sibling or any other person related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half-blood.” Any person with a political dynasty relationship shall not be allowed to hold and occupy public office in any of the following manners: 1. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective national position, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold any elective national position; 2. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for the position of member of the House of Representa-
tives, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold the same position within the same legislative district; 3. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective provincial position, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold any elective position in the same provincial government; 4. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective city or municipal office, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold any elective position in the same city or municipal government. 5. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective barangay office, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold any position in the same barangay. The Sandro-Bojie bill provides no fines nor prison penalties for violations. The penalty is: you are not allowed to run and your votes won’t be counted. Enforcement is up to the Comelec. Disclosure if he/she is a dynast is up to the candidate. (Philstar.com) ***
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com
The opposing political forces... PAGE 6 hands dirtied by corruption. Mr. Marcos will have to navigate his way in the midst of these three opposing political forces as he enters 2026, which is the most crucial year of his presidency. Depending on how he handles and responds to the pressures of the three forces, he will either become a lame duck president or be viewed as a valuable ally in 2027, when our country will already be so absorbed in the choice of his successor. The first group is pushing the President to practice politics based on moral or principled considerations. The lawmakers are pressuring the President to engage in realpolitik, or the practice of politics based on practical considerations. The pro-Duterte forces are forcing the President to engage in a tit for tat of fair and foul means to neutralize each other. The Marcos administration and the pro-Duterte forces are
competing for the allegiance of military and police forces, and they’re engaged in a war of attrition in controlling the narrative in cyberspace. The Marcos and Duterte camps will also be fighting for the support of lawmakers who want to preserve the status quo of political dynasties and the perpetuation of lawmakers’ dubious privileges. But not to be discounted is the fact that Mr. Marcos will continue to wield the formidable powers of the presidency, and the vast resources of government will remain at his disposal to support or counter the pressures of any of the opposing forces. The problem with the first group is that their interest, attention, and fury will wane in the course of time because of disillusionment, apathy, or shifting attention. The first group is also susceptible to splintering into squabbling factions, causing their influence to dwindle. In contrast, disgruntled
lawmakers and pro-Duterte forces will doggedly pursue their agenda unceasingly. There’s also the stark danger that disgruntled lawmakers and pro-Duterte forces will form an unholy alliance in support of their amoral objectives. This is the political landscape that our country faces in the new year. In the end, barring insurmountable pressure from any of the opposing forces, the most compelling considerations that will influence the President’s decisions, and which will inevitably shape our country’s direction until 2028, will be the survival of his presidency and the protection of his family when he surrenders sovereign powers. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail.com
ASIAN JOURNAL • december 19-25, 2025
When oversight has no teeth...
PAGE 6 The United States is instructive. The 9/11 Commission (2002 to 2004) Created by an act of Congress, the commission had full subpoena power, independent investigators, and bipartisan legitimacy. Federal agencies could not refuse cooperation. Its final report reshaped U.S. national security policy and led to the creation of a new intelligence structure. Its authority came from statute, not executive goodwill. The Watergate investigations (1973 to 1974) A Senate Select Committee with subpoena power operated alongside a Special Prosecutor shielded from political interference. When the executive branch attempted to obstruct the probe, the courts intervened to protect investigative independence. The result was accountability, reform, and enduring historical clarity. Permanent oversight committees The U.S. Congress maintains standing committees dedicated to government oversight. These bodies possess continuity, subpoena authority, professional investigative staff, and guaranteed funding. They do not dissolve after a single scandal. Oversight is treated as a core function of governance, not a temporary reaction to crisis. The lesson is universal. Effective oversight requires legal authority, institutional permanence, and pro-
tection from political winds. President Marcos Jr.’s directive: moving beyond the ICI President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has acknowledged this institutional gap. In recent guidance to Congress, he has called for the creation of a permanent oversight body, placing infrastructure accountability among four priority governance issues requiring legislative action. Importantly, the President did not attempt to expand the ICI’s powers by executive order. Instead, he recognized that a body with permanence, subpoena authority, and investigative capacity must be created by law. This approach avoids the legal vulnerabilities that undermined earlier executive created commissions and respects constitutional boundaries. In doing so, Marcos shifted the issue decisively to where it belongs, the legislature. The ICI’s limitations therefore are not the result of executive resistance to accountability. They reflect a deliberate choice to operate within constitutional guardrails while urging Congress to provide a durable solution. The Senate’s test With the President’s directive on record, the responsibility now rests with Congress. Proposals to establish a permanent, legislated oversight institution, including measures to
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create an independent people’s commission with subpoena power, professional investigators, and guaranteed funding, are no longer abstract reform ideas. They are a response to an explicit call from the executive branch. Whether Congress succeeds will depend not on rhetoric but on design. Independence must be real. Powers must be enforceable. Due process must be protected. Continuity must be assured across administrations. A permanent body would allow the state to track procurement patterns over time, examine upstream budgeting and project readiness, and pursue accountability beyond the lifespan of any single controversy. What the ICI ultimately teaches As the ICI concludes its work, its most enduring contribution may be the lesson it leaves behind. The commission demonstrated what committed individuals can accomplish within narrow constraints and, more importantly, what they cannot. It showed that oversight without teeth cannot outlast the problems it seeks to address. President Marcos Jr. has signaled that temporary fixes are no longer sufficient. The question now is whether Congress will act on that signal. Institutions, not intentions, determine accountability. (AJPress)
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Dateline Philippines
december 19-25, 2025 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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Richard Gomez accused of assault by PH fencing president during SEA Games by AJPress BANGKOK, Thailand — Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez has been accused by Rene Peter Paul Gacuma, president of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA), of physical and verbal misconduct during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, according to incident reports and accounts published by multiple Philippine media organizations. Gacuma submitted a written incident report to the Philippine SEA Games delegation’s chef de mission, detailing a confrontation that he said occurred on December 16, 2025, inside the fencing competition venue. In his account, the encounter followed a disagreement related to team lineup decisions in the women’s fencing events. According to Gacuma’s written statement, Gomez allegedly stepped on his foot, squeezed his thumb, and confronted him verbally while questioning the authority behind a roster change involving a national team athlete. Gacuma said the exchange escalated as he attempted to disengage from the discussion. Several media outlets reported that CCTV footage from the venue has been referenced in connection with the incident and that portions of the video have circulated online. No official
Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez
findings based on the video have been publicly released as of publication. Gacuma further stated that he experienced physical distress following the confrontation and later sought medical attention at the venue. In subsequent interviews, he said he would not accept an apology and that he had elevated the matter through official delegation channels. In separate interviews, Gomez acknowledged a heated exchange but disputed key aspects of Gacuma’s account. He said the confrontation stemmed from his objection to the removal of an athlete from competition and framed his actions as advocacy for athlete welfare. Gomez has not admitted to committing
Photo from Facebook/@richardgomezph
physical assault and has said he has not reviewed the video cited in reports. Gomez is a former president of the Philippine Fencing Association and currently serves as a PFA officer. He is also a second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and has represented the Philippines in international fencing competitions for decades, in addition to his role as a legislator. As of publication, no criminal charges or disciplinary sanctions related to the incident have been publicly confirmed by Thai authorities, SEA Games organizers, or the Philippine Olympic Committee. The matter remains based on allegations and written complaints. n
Sarah Discaya finally served warrant, arrested, says NBI by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, December 18 arrested controversial contractor Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya. NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari confirmed Discaya’s arrest to INQUIRER the same day President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that an arrest warrant had finally been issued against the contractor. According to Mallari, Discaya will be detained at the NBI’s custodial facility within the compound of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in Muntinlupa City. “Arrested na (she’s already arrested). Otw (on the way) na sa (she is on her way to the) NBI Detention Facility sa (in) BuCor,” Mallari told INQUIRER through a Viber message.
Contractor Sarah Discaya
The warrant stems from the graft and malversation charges filed against her and nine others by the Office of the Ombudsman for a P96.5-million flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, that was fully
Inquirer.net file photo
paid but never actually built. Discaya then voluntarily surrendered to the ICI on Dec. 9, the same day Marcos first announced that warrants of arrest against her and her co-accused were set to be released. n
SHOW. The University of the Philippines holds its annual lantern parade in Diliman, Quezon City on Wednesday (Dec. 17, 2025). The event showcases the creativity of College of Fine Arts students. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Lucio Co group to acquire Villar-owned PrimeWater in full buyout by AJPress
MANILA — The Villar family has agreed to sell 100 percent of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. to Crystal Bridges Holding Corp., an investment vehicle of the Lucio Co group, transferring full ownership of the water utility company to the retail-led conglomerate. The transaction, disclosed Tuesday, covers PrimeWater’s entire portfolio of water supply, wastewater, septage, and bulk water operations across the Philippines. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the companies did not announce a closing date. PrimeWater was founded and owned by the Villar family, one of the Philippines’ most prominent business families, with interests spanning real estate, retail, and infrastructure. The sale marks the family’s divestment from the water utility sector. PrimeWater’s operations PrimeWater operates water and wastewater systems nationwide, primarily through joint venture agreements with local water districts. Over the past decade, the company has expanded its footprint across provincial and urbanizing areas. Based on figures cited in business reporting, PrimeWater serves more than 1.7 million households and delivers approximately 500 million liters of water per day through partnerships with dozens of local water districts and local government units. These figures are drawn from company disclosures referenced in prior coverage.
Left to right: Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr., founder of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. and Lucio Co, founder and chair of Puregold Price Club Inc. File photos
Under the agreement, control of these operations will transfer to Crystal Bridges Holding Corp., subject to customary closing conditions. The Villar family The Villar family is led by Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr., a former Senate president and founder of Vista Land & Lifescapes, one of the country’s largest residential real estate developers. His wife, Sen. Cynthia Aguilar Villar, has served multiple terms in Congress, while their son, Mark Aguilar Villar, previously served as secretary of public works and highways and later as a senator. Through their business group, the Villars have built a diversified portfolio that includes residential real estate, retail, lifestyle brands, and infrastructure-related ventures. PrimeWater was established as part of that broader business expansion. The buyer: Lucio Co group The buyer, Lucio Co, is the founder and chair of Puregold
Price Club Inc., one of the Philippines’ largest supermarket chains, and a key investor in S&R Membership Shopping, a warehouse-style retail brand. Through listed affiliates such as Cosco Capital Inc. and The Keepers Holdings Inc., the Lucio Co group has interests in retail, liquor distribution, real estate, banking, and other consumer-focused sectors. The acquisition of PrimeWater represents an expansion of the group’s investments into water utility operations. Ownership transition The companies did not disclose whether PrimeWater’s existing management team would remain in place following the transaction, nor did they outline operational changes. No timetable was provided for regulatory approvals or completion. The deal concludes the Villar family’s ownership of PrimeWater and positions the Lucio Co group as the new owner of one of the country’s largest private-sector water utility operators. n
Ex-DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan misses Dec. 17 return date PH emerging as key market for sustainable finance by Ian Laqui
by Keisha Ta-Asan Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines is emerging as a key growth market for sustainable finance in Asia-Pacific, buoyed by accelerating renewable energy projects and rising demand from data-intensive industries, even as global issuance softened in 2025, according to Dutch financial giant ING. ING’s latest Sustainable Finance Pulse showed global sustainable finance issuance reached $1.231 trillion from January to September, down by 5.2 percent from $1.298 trillion in the same period last year. Despite the moderation, the Asia-Pacific region recorded $345 billion in issuance from January to September, extending a growth streak that began in 2021 and keeping the region on track for another record year. Within this regional momentum, the Philippines has posted measurable gains, supported by policy targets and strong deal flow. ING said year-to-date sustainable finance issuances in the country have exceeded $10 billion, alongside commitments
for around 10.2 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity secured through the government’s Green Energy Auction program. The country is also set to record its first annual decline in coal power generation in nearly two decades, marking a milestone in its energy transition. “The global sustainable finance market’s resilience creates a strong foundation for growth in our Philippine operations,” said Jun Palanca, country manager for ING Philippines. He noted rising client interest across multiple sectors, prompting the bank to expand its local expertise and product offerings. “ING Philippines is committed to being a leading partner for companies driving the country’s energy transition, supporting projects that deliver both environmental impact and commercial value,” Palanca said. The Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Scenario aims to raise the share of renewables in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 40 percent by 2040, targets that ING said are spurring both project development and sustainable finance activity. The data center market in the
Photos show a view of Bonifacio Global City’s skyline in Taguig.
Philippines is also experiencing robust growth. ING said the country is targeting one gigawatt of hyperscale data center capacity by 2026, with government policy encouraging operators to source power directly from renewable energy suppliers through the Green Energy Option Program. Several leading facilities are already transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy operations, aligning digital infrastructure growth with climate objectives. At the regional level, ING noted that sustainable finance has remained resilient despite global headwinds. “Even against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting policy signals, sustainable finance has proven remarkably resilient,” Deepali Bhargava, head of research and chief economist for ING Asia Pacific, said. She added that corporates are pushing ahead with decarbonization while the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers is driving fresh demand for clean energy, keeping sustainable finance central to funding the transition beyond 2025. n
Philstar.com
MANILA — Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has yet to return to the Philippines, despite a commitment made by his legal counsel that he would be back in the country by Dec. 17, 2025. In a statement sent to reporters, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said there is no record of Bonoan’s arrival at any Philippine port of entry as of Thursday, December 18. “Records show that he has not returned to the Philippines to date, despite indicating Dec. 17, 2025 as his return date in his letter, through counsel, on Nov. 10, 2025,” Sandoval said.
Left Philippines amid probe Bonoan, who is the subject of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin over alleged negligence linked to anomalous flood control projects, left the Philippines on November 11 for the United States. He transited through Taiwan before heading to the U.S., reportedly to accompany his wife for a medical procedure. His travel was expected to end by December 17. Bonoan departed amid ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects during his term as Department of Public Works and Highways secretary. The Department of Justice had earlier said that in the absence of a hold departure order, there was no legal restriction on his right to
travel. According to a November 6 report by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Bonoan is accused of “inexcusable negligence tantamount to fraud” for allegedly failing to prevent the misuse of public funds under his watch. The findings relate to an alleged P95 million flood control project in Bulacan. September exit Bonoan resigned from his post on September 1 amid the investigation. He was replaced by former Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon. Philstar.com has reached out to the Department of Justice and the ICI for comment. As of posting time, their spokespersons have yet to respond. n
Romualdez camp says DPWH recommendation not a finding of guilt by Faith Argosino Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) recommendation to file plunder, graft, and direct bribery complaints against former Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged irregularities in flood control projects is merely a “recommendation” and does not constitute a finding or determination of guilt, his camp said. Atty. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson, issued the statement after news of the Nov. 21 recommendation by the DPWH, together with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), resurfaced online following the presentation of the agency’s year-end report by Secretary Vince Dizon earlier Thursday, December 18. “We take note of the DPWH Secretary’s statement. However, it is important to clarify that a DPWH ‘recommendation’ is not a finding, much less a determination of guilt,” Fajardo said. He added that it was “not true” Philstar.com file photo that the ICI had recommended
Department of Public Works and Highways Office in Port Area, Manila
to the Office of the Ombudsman that former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez be charged with plunder or other serious crimes related to flood control projects or the 2025 budget. “In fact, the ICI made it clear in its referral report that it was issued without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez,” Fajardo said. Fajardo was referring to the
Inquirer.net file photo
ICI’s clarification regarding its joint referral with the DPWH. In a separate statement, the commission said it issued the referral without any finding or conclusion of guilt or liability against Romualdez. “We respect due process and will await the Ombudsman’s independent evaluation of the submissions based on evidence, not press conference soundbites,” he said. n
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ASIAN JOURNAL • december 19-25, 2025
9
Jour n al Friday, December 19, 2025
inside >>> L i f e s t y l e • C o n s u m e r G u i d e • C o m m u n i t y • M a r k e t p l a c e
Simbang Gabi: A Filipino tradition of faith and discipline by AJPress
A festive Noche Buena spread of traditional Filipino entrees and Christmas desserts such as bibingka, puto bumbong, and fruit salad – reflecting the Filipino tradition of gathering to mark Christmas.
Noche Buena: the Filipino Christmas table and its traditions by AJPress
The table is already set by the time Christmas arrives. In Filipino homes, Noche Buena unfolds after midnight, after Christmas Eve Mass, after the walk home when streets have gone quiet. Shoes are left by the door. Someone checks the clock. No one announces the hour. Food is placed on the table not for display, but as confirmation that everyone has made it back. Noche Buena, Spanish for “good night,” refers to the traditional Christmas Eve meal shared after midnight on December 24. Rooted in Catholic practice introduced during the Spanish colonial period, it marks the formal beginning of Christmas following the Nativity Mass. Over time, it has become one of the most enduring family rituals in the Philippines and among Filipino communities abroad. A tradition rooted in Catholic practice In Catholic liturgy, Christmas begins at midnight. The meal that follows was originally a practical gathering after Mass, but it evolved into a cultural marker that outlasted strict religious observance. Even households that no longer attend Simbang Gabi or Christmas Eve Mass often continue Noche Buena, treating it as the moment when Christmas officially begins. What distinguishes the tradition is timing. The meal requires waiting. Midnight serves as a
fixed point around which schedules, travel, and preparation must align. In a culture shaped by migration and long work hours, that coordination has become increasingly significant. What is typically served at the table There is no fixed Noche Buena menu. In some households, a whole lechon anchors the table. In others, hamon is sliced thin beside queso de bola, meant to last through the night. Many tables feature rellenong manok, embutido, or morcon, dishes that reflect both Spanish influence and the Filipino preference for food prepared well in advance. Pancit is served for longevity. Lumpia is often finished early in the evening. Rice is present whether it is mentioned or not. Desserts commonly include bibingka and puto bumbong, with fruit salad and other sweets added over time. The menu reflects layered history. Spanish influence introduced the late-night feast and stuffed meat dishes. American presence added hams, packaged desserts, and holiday sweets. Regional cooking retained vinegar, coconut, and smoke. As families moved from provinces to cities, and later across borders, menus adapted to cost, availability, and time. How the tradition has adapted over time Economic shifts, urban living, and migration have reshaped how Noche Buena is prepared and served. Meals may be sim-
pler. Preparation may be spread across several days. In diaspora households, ingredients are substituted and timing adjusted to work schedules. What has not changed is the structure. Families continue to wait for one another before eating. The meal remains anchored to midnight, even when celebrated in different time zones or circumstances. What has remained constant Across generations, several elements have endured. Noche Buena takes place late at night. It is shared rather than staggered. The gathering prioritizes presence over formality. The table serves as a pause at the close of the year rather than a display of excess. For households spread across cities or continents, this pause carries practical meaning. It is one of the few traditions that still requires simultaneous presence rather than convenience. When the night ends Noche Buena does not require interpretation. Plates are cleared. Leftovers are packed. Lights are turned off. By morning, the table returns to its ordinary use. What distinguishes the night is not emotion but coordination. People waited. Schedules aligned. Midnight served as a fixed point everyone agreed to honor. For a few hours each year, the table is not incidental. It is deliberate. Then it recedes, intact, until the next December. That is Noche Buena.
Lav Diaz’s ‘Magellan’ snubbed from Oscars’ International Feature Film shortlist by Hannah Mallorca Inquirer.net
Lav Diaz’s “Magellan” has failed to secure a spot at the shortlist for International Feature Film at the 98th edition of the Oscars, weeks after the film made it to the award giving body’s eligibility list. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the shortlist for 12 categories on Wednesday, December 17, including International Feature Film, Documentary, Animated Short Film, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), and Sound and Visual Effects, to name a few. The entries that made it to the shortlist for Best International Feature Film are: “Belen” (Argentina), “The Secret Agent” (Brazil), “It Was Just an Accident” (France), “Sound of Falling” (Germany), “Homebound” (India), “The President’s Cake” (Iraq), “Kokuho” (Japan), “All That’s Left of You” (Jordan), “Sentimental Value” (Norway), “Palestine 36” (Palestine), “No Other Choice” (South Korea), “Sirat” (Spain), “Late Shift” (Switzerland), “LeftHanded Girl” (Taiwan), and “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia). Baby Ruth Villarama’s documentary, “Food Delivery: Fresh from the Philippine Sea”—which was included in the Oscars eligibility list as well— was also snubbed from the Documentary feature shortlist. According to the Academy, films from 86 countries were eligible for the Best International Feature Film category where members from all branches were invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting. The final nominees, which will be narrowed down to five, will be announced by the Academy on Jan. 22, 2026. Despite failing to advance to the shortlist, “Magellan” was included in Oscars prediction lists of international publications including Variety, Gold Derby, and The New Yorker. The Oscars for Best International Feature Film remains an elusive category for the local industry to
A still from Lav Diaz’s “Magellan.” Photo from Facebook/Black Cap Pictures
break into, as no Filipino movie has ever advanced to the shortlist. The country’s recent submissions included Ramona Diaz’s “And So It Begins” (2024), Carl Joseph Papa’s “The Missing” (2023), Erik Matti’s “On the Job: The Missing 8” (2022), and Brillante Mendoza’s “Mindanao” (2021). In a September 2025 interview, Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) director general Paolo Villaluna said “Magellan” was selected by a sevenmember committee after a “fair, transparent, and objective process.” The FAP is tasked by the AMPAS with selecting the Philippines’ entry to the awards giving body each year. “Magellan,” which made its global premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last May, tells the story of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (played by Mexican actor and filmmaker Gael Garcia Bernal) embarking on a voyage in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. The film is told in Cebuano, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.
Each December, before dawn breaks across the Philippines, church bells begin to ring. They carry through dark streets and quiet neighborhoods, calling people from their homes while the day is still undecided. This is Simbang Gabi, a distinctly Filipino tradition observed from December 16 through December 24, marking the final days of preparation before Christmas. Rooted in the Spanish colonial period, Simbang Gabi developed as a practical accommodation for Filipino farmers who needed to attend Mass before heading to the fields at first light. Over time, the practice evolved into something uniquely its own. What began as necessity became ritual. What was once logistical became devotional. Traditionally held around four o’clock in the morning, Simbang Gabi asks for effort. It requires waking before sunrise nine days in a row and choosing faith over convenience. While many parishes now offer anticipated evening Masses beginning December 15, the early morning vigil remains the heart of the tradition for many Filipinos. Completing all nine Masses is often linked to a panata, a personal vow made in prayer or gratitude. Yet Simbang Gabi is not defined by petitions alone. Its power lies in repetition, in the discipline of showing up without guarantees. Faith here is not a singular moment, but a sustained act.
A parish church illuminated for Simbang Gabi shown alongside vendor stalls offering traditional Filipino holiday fare, bibingka baked in clay pots and puto bumbóng steamed in bamboo, rituals that come together after pre-dawn Masses held from December 16 to 24 in preparation for Christmas.
Inside the church, the atmosphere is subdued and intimate. The light is softer. Voices are quieter. Elderly parishioners sit beside students home for the holidays. Parents bring children still half-asleep. Workers arrive before early shifts. In these predawn hours, distinctions fall away. Everyone comes tired. Everyone stays. When the Mass ends, the tradition continues outside. Vendors sell puto bumbóng and bibingka, rice cakes cooked over charcoal and eaten with butter, sugar, and grated coconut. The scent of smoke lingers in the air. Conversations unfold slowly, warming alongside the food. These moments of shared breakfast are as much a part of Simbang Gabi as the liturgy itself. As Filipinos have migrated, Simbang Gabi has traveled with them. In diaspora parishes across North America, parts of Europe, and several Middle Eastern countries where Catholic worship is permitted under
regulation, Simbang Gabi is adapted to climate, work schedules, and local church guidelines. Snow replaces tropical dawn. Evening Masses stand in for early morning walks. Yet the tradition remains recognizably Filipino in its rhythm and intent. What distinguishes Simbang Gabi from many religious observances is its refusal to be hurried or theatrical. There is no climax until Christmas itself. Meaning is built gradually, through discipline rather than display. There is nothing convenient about waking before dawn nine days in a row. That is precisely the point. Simbang Gabi teaches that faith is less about feeling inspired and more about choosing to be present. By the time Christmas arrives, those who have kept the vigil do not emerge transformed in obvious ways. Instead, they carry a quieter certainty. A reminder that belief, like dawn, arrives slowly, to those willing to rise and meet it.
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december 19-25, 2025 • ASIAN JOURNAL
The Holy Reset: God wants to restore what you lost this year
If you had told me the year would start with LA fires, evacuation alerts, and a business slowdown, I probably would’ve sighed and said, “Well… that’s not exactly the way I planned to kick things off.” It was a rough beginning, and honestly, I wondered how everything was going to play out. But one thing I’ve learned in both faith and finance is that God often uses the moments that shake us to redirect us. When the mortgage market cooled, I had a choice: I could stress, or I could pay attention. And right in the middle of all the uncertainty, God opened a completely different door— one I didn’t see coming. I stepped into another business that allowed me to help people restore not just their financial confidence but even their self-confidence as they cared for their skin. At first, it felt like two very different worlds, but it turns out God is pretty strategic. He was showing me that He can rebuild our lives through multiple streams, not just the one we’re used to. This reminded me of something important: when God restores, He rarely focuses on just one area. His restoration shows up emotionally, financially, spiritually, and sometimes—quite literally—on your face. Some people experience restored opportunities, others restored peace… and sometimes He restores your courage before He restores your income. But however He does it, His restoration is always purposeful. Many people right now feel discouraged about their finances. The market has shifted, rates have climbed, and the future can feel uncertain. But none of that intimidates God.
Health @Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS Billions of people in at least 160 nations around the world will be calling and texting Christmas greetings, and cellphones will be extraordinarily busy during this holiday season. Concerns about radiation from cellphones are rising, and some individuals are using radiation shield gadgets for protection. However, the so-called “radiation shields” for cell phones do not work and are therefore not effective in protecting the user from radiation, according to the FTC in the United States. If anything at all, this shield “lulls” the user to complacency, and thus the user is subjected to a more prolonged radiation exposure because of the false sense of security the unsuspecting consumers will have. While the association between cell phone use and some type of brain tumors is still unclear, it is best to avoid and minimize any type of radiation exposure from any source. To reduce radiation exposure from cell phones, we recommend the use of one of the hands-free devices now commercially available. Can skin ointment be used for the eyes? No, most definitely no. Skin lotions, creams, gel, ointments, and solutions are for topical (external or skin) application only, and are not safe for the eyes. There are specific drops and ointments for the eyes. Never use any other preparation, except those prescribed by healthcare professionals specifically for the eyes, which are always labeled “Ophthalmic” or “For ophthalmic use.” What causes palpitation? Palpitation (pounding heartbeat, harder and faster than normal) could be due to extrinsic causes like ingestion of a stimulant (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolates, some medications, etc.) and/or cigarette smoking, or due to intrinsic causes like coronary or heart valve diseases. The person feels the heart thumping in the chest, which could lead to some degree of discomfort and anxiety. When this happens regularly, in spite of abstinence from the extrinsic causes listed above, prompt medical consultation is recommended. Are body moisturizing lotions safe? Yes, in general, hand and body
He restores through wisdom, practical steps, new ideas, and fresh opportunities. Sometimes restoration looks like rebuilding credit, refinancing at the right moment, or exploring an income stream you never thought of. It doesn’t always come with fireworks; oftentimes it’s a steady shift in the right direction, and suddenly you look back and realize God was rebuilding you all along. As we approach the end of the year, it’s easy to think the clock has run out—that whatever didn’t happen by now won’t happen. But God does not operate on this calendar. He can turn things around in December just as easily as January. I’ve seen last-minute escrow breakthroughs and approvals that made no sense on paper. I’ve watched doors open that were shut for months. My own year, which started in smoke and uncertainty, is closing on a much stronger note than I expected. And that’s the beauty of God’s timing: He restores at the exact moment we think everything is winding down. So if this year felt heavy, unpredictable, or slower than you hoped, don’t count yourself out. Restoration is still possible. In fact, it might already be happening beneath the surface. Ask God what He wants to rebuild in your life, because He is a God who finishes what He starts. Your finances, your confidence, your direction—none of it is beyond His reach. And He’s not done with your story yet. This season may just be your holy reset. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Kathy Current is a financial coach, mortgage advisor, and author of Heal Your Money Wounds God’s Way, where she combines over three decades of financial experience with timeless biblical wisdom. Kathy addresses real-life questions about God and money, helping readers find freedom and purpose in their financial lives.
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Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of Alvin and Marissa Varsovia
Marissa Varsovia and Alvin Varsovia marked their 25th wedding anniversary with a renewal of vows at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel along Broadway Avenue in New Manila, Quezon City. The ceremony was attended by their children Aldrin Michael Varsovia, Alvin Xavier Varsovia Jr., who is married to Jane LibradillaVarsovia, and Maria Alyssa Varsovia. Principal sponsors included former Bulacan governor and former tourism secretary Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan, architect Edwin Gumila, retired teacher Pilar B. De Mesa of Legarda Elementary School, architect Jecelyn Gumila, and Monina Sagun. The Mass was presided over by Most Reverend Elias L. Ayuban Jr., CMF, JCD, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, who also delivered the homily. Among those present were Philippine Information Agency Director-General Kat de Castro, daughter of former Vice President Noli de Castro, accompanied by her husband Pancho Juanitez,
Alvin Varsovia with Jane Libradilla-Varsovia.
a musician and events project manager. Also seen at the Mass were Brock Polda, Nadine Varsovia, Nicole Varsovia, Daniel Whoville, Rodel Manicat of Security Bank, former diplomat Revimarc Lontok de Mesa and his wife Goldie Burns de Mesa of the Asian Development Bank, Estelita Hufana with her husband Ralph Hufana, Rev. Fr. Paul Vineeth, Rev. Fr. Jinto Choondal, Sudarshan Khadka with Lilian Khadka, Mac Peralta, Emery de Mesa, Atty. Alexandra Khadka, brothers Oyet and Emay Daigdigan, Desiree Tibay Dungo, Philippe Raziel Daigdigan Bolotaolo, Renz Jason Daigdigan, Patrick Daigdigan with his wife Jessica and daughter Cheska, Gloria Daigdigan, Ann Euleah Daigdigan, Tsic de Mesa Leones of Banco de Oro Unibank with her husband Billy Joe Leones, Maroz de Mesa, Carl de Mesa, Paolo Mendoza, musician Rhap-Rhap Daigdigan, Frederick Santos, Linda Puerto Voces, Pinky Voces, and realtor Anita Garcia, who stood out in a light-blue Filipiniana. The reception followed at the historic Miranila Heritage House and Library along Mariposa Street, Barangay Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Quezon City.
Marissa and Alvin Varsovia celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.
*** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina with Alvin Varsovia (left).
PIA Director-General Kat de Castro with her husband Pancho Juanitez.
Cheska Daigdigan.
Pilar B. De Mesa (left) and Desiree Tibay Dungo.
Marissa Varsovia with her husband Alvin Varsovia.
Former Bulacan governor Obet Pagdanganan (left) with Rogelio Constantino Medina.
(From left) Brock Polda, Nadine Varsovia, Nicole Varsovia, and Daniel Whoville.
(From left) Alvin Varsovia, Marissa Varsovia, Pancho Juanitez, and Kat de Castro.
Do cellphone radiation Zsa Zsa Padilla returns Aliw lifetime honor after ceremony protocol dispute shields work? lotions in the market are safe. The frequent use of face, hand, and body lotion (two or more times a day) is recommended because our skin needs moisture to keep it comfortable, healthy, and as young-looking as possible, especially during winter, when heaters are used a lot. Caution: The high-priced ones are not necessarily the best. Experiment to find the one for your complexion. What is cardioversion? Cardioversion, as the term suggests, means converting the heart rhythm from an abnormal one to a so-called normal sinus rhythm, either by your medications or by electrical (shock) “zapping.” The term is most often used to imply electrical cardioversion. This is done when the type of abnormality of the rhythm of the heart is one of the dangerous forms that adversely affects the vital signs of the person or one that could potentially cause cerebral emboli (blood clots from within the heart) traveling to the brain, resulting in stroke. The two paddles (“zappers”), held in each hand of the cardioverting personnel (a physician, a nurse or a medical technician), are applied to the mid-chest of the patient, and the heart is “electrically shocked” to a normal rhythm or to a safer, more benign form of irregularity. In some persons with heart disease, it may not be possible to convert the rhythm to a perfect sinus rhythm. In these cases, the goal is to convert the rhythm to a more acceptable, more benign rhythm. Can trauma to the breasts cause cancer? Repeated trauma to the breast has been implicated as a possible etiology in the formation of cancer of the breast among women. This could be in the form of biting, pinching, squeezing, or rough manual manipulation. The breasts must be handled with care and tenderness. Does diabetes cause blindness? Most definitely, especially among persons whose diabetes is untreated, poorly treated, or simply brittle and hard to treat. The blindness is due to what is termed diabetic retinopathy. A significant number of cases of blindness in the world today are caused by diabetes. Once the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is confirmed, prompt and appropriate therapy should be instituted.
The diabetic should be disciplined enough to religiously follow the prescribed medical regimen if the complications of the disease, like blindness, leg gangrene, etc., are to be prevented. Can hydrogen peroxide be used for gargling? Yes, hydrogen peroxide could be used for gargling, but ask your dentist first since he/she knows your dental condition better and can advise you accordingly. Hydrogen peroxide, together with sodium fluoride and other common ingredients (like triclosan) in tooth pastes, helps prevent tooth decay, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), tartar and plaque formation, and halitosis (bad breath). Hydrogen peroxide is a substance that is incorporated in many toothpaste preparations in the market today. Baking soda is another. And so with extra virgin olive oil (also a healthy drink). In children, the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis effectiveness of toothpastes is still not proven. Does surgery make cancer spread? No, this is a myth. Doing surgery or “opening the patient up” does not cause metastasis (spread) of the cancer. In general, cancer proliferates rapidly to invade surrounding tissues and distant organs. The misconception resulted from the refusal of patients suspected or confirmed to have cancer to be operated on early when first advised, and had delayed the surgery so much that the malignant tumor had already spread beyond help before acceding to have the operation. So, when the surgeons operated on them that late, invariably the cancer had already spread all over. When the patients soon expired, people blamed the surgery for the spread. Today, almost everybody knows that prompt detection and early operation in the treatment of cancer gives the best chance for a cure for the majority of patients with malignancy. Here's wishing you and your loved ones a joyous, sacred Christmas and a new year filled with God’s blessings of good health, love, peace, and prosperity! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Zsa Zsa Padilla says she is returning her Aliw Awards Lifetime Achievement trophy after not being given time to deliver a thank-you speech at the ceremony. Aliw Awards organizers say long-standing program rules were followed by AJPress
MANILA — Veteran singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla has returned the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on her by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc., saying she felt disrespected after not being given time to deliver a thank-you speech during the 38th Aliw Awards ceremony. In statements shared publicly after the event, Padilla said she attended the awards night expecting to briefly acknowledge collaborators and family members who had supported her more than four-decade career in music, film, and television. Instead, she said Lifetime Achievement awardees were called onstage as a group, handed their trophies, and then signaled to step down without being given an opportunity to speak. “Instead of feeling honored, I was left feeling small as I walked off that stage,” Padilla wrote, explaining her decision to return the award. Padilla said she did not prepare a formal speech, planning instead to speak briefly from the heart. She later delivered the remarks she had intended only after a vlogger approached her outside the ballroom and asked for her reaction to the recognition. She described the experience as shocking and deeply disappointing, particularly given the stature of the award. Established in 1976, the Aliw Awards are among the Philippines’ longest-running honors recognizing excellence in live entertainment, particularly concerts, stage performances, and major musical events. Presented annually by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization, the awards focus on achievements in live performance rather than recorded film or television work. The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the foundation’s highest distinctions, conferred on artists whose careers have made a sustained and significant impact on Philippine entertainment. Padilla said the incident prompted her to reflect on how such honors are presented. She urged the foundation to reconsider its protocols for recognizing lifetime honorees, suggesting clearer communication with awardees and the inclusion of short video presentations explaining why recipients are being honored. Director says ceremony followed established rules Following Padilla’s remarks, Frannie Zamora, identified in media reports as the director of the *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally
Singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla. “Instead of feeling honored, I was left feeling small,” the veteran performer said in explaining her decision to return her Aliw Awards Lifetime Achievement honor following a dispute over ceremony protocol. Photo from Zsa Zsa Padilla’s official Facebook page
Aliw Awards ceremony, said organizers adhered to established program procedures. Zamora said that under long-standing practice, Lifetime Achievement Awardees and Hall of Famers are typically not scheduled to deliver speeches during the ceremony. He added that the notification letter sent to Padilla ahead of the event did not indicate that she would be given time to speak onstage. He also said that had Padilla raised the matter during the program, accommodations could have been made, but emphasized that the production team was following time constraints and instructions set by the foundation. Zamora said he understood Padilla’s feelings while noting that the institution operates under rules intended to ensure the orderly flow of the event. As of publication, the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. had not issued a separate formal statement addressing Padilla’s decision to return the award. The episode has prompted broader discussion within the entertainment community about how lifetime honors are conferred and whether existing protocols sufficiently reflect the significance attached to such recognitions.
when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash
Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
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What Are Your Financial Goals for 2026? Here’s How to Stay on Track A
s we approach the end of 2025, you might already be mapping out financial goals for the new year—to save more, spend smarter, or stick to a budget. Whether you make New Year’s resolutions, paste images on a vision board or crunch numbers on a balance sheet, you’re likely already looking to start next year with high hopes and big plans. So as you celebrate the holidays this month and start thinking about stepping into 2026, now is the perfect time to solidify your plans and take steps to help you achieve those goals. Starting early and strong can set the tone for the entire year. We sat down with JPMorganChase, and they offer six dos and don’ts about financial planning and management that can help you achieve a fresh start in 2026 and get closer to reaching your goals. 1. DO create a budget One common financial mistake is not having a budget at all. Remaining in the dark about your spending can limit your ability to save for important goals like a car, a home or your retirement. If you don’t know what you’re spending, there’s a good chance you may be spending too much. 2. DON’T leave your budget up to chance Using guesswork when trying to allocate your monthly budget can lead to overestimating or underestimating how much to allot toward each budgeting category. This may set you up for failure. Taking a month to assess and identify your spending patterns may help to establish a baseline as you’re setting your budget. 3. DO track your spending Get to know your spending by creating a monthly budget tracker. You can then review your spending and track it in a monthly budget worksheet. Over time, you can adjust which budgeting categories to cut back spending on. Expenses can fluctuate month to month, so be prepared to shift gears whenever necessary. 4. DON’T put wants and needs in the same category A common error beginner budgeters can make is mistaking “wants” for “needs.” Needs are essential items like utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, and groceries. These are things you need to live. Wants, on the other hand, are non-essential expenses like dining out or entertainment. It may still be possible to find room in your budget to accommodate a few luxuries, but being honest with yourself about what’s truly necessary may help you avoid this budgeting mishap.
5. DO keep it simple The idea of listing every single expenditure for a month might seem daunting, but you don’t have to go that far. It can be helpful to create a budget that works for you, which includes making it manageable enough to take on in the first place. If you’re just starting out, create just a handful of budgeting categories to help keep things simple. 5. DON’T skip the emergency fund Life is unpredictable and having an emergency fund to pay for unplanned expenses may help you during that time. Without it, you may have to dip into long-term savings or use a credit card if the unexpected arises. Creating an emergency fund doesn’t have to be intimidating. When you’re making your budget, include a monthly line item for emergency fund contributions. This can help build up your reserves over time. Many bank accounts even let you automate these emergency fund deposits. The bottom line Starting the new year with a clear plan can set you up for success, and budgeting is a powerful tool to help you achieve your financial goals. Start tracking your spending now to set up your budget for the year and be aware of common budgeting mistakes. It’s never too early – or too late – to get back on the road to financial freedom. *** For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/ recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content. Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. © 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co.