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Gatchalian rejects ‘Cabral list’
Joins other lawmakers, Palace in challenging Leviste’s claims By Ram Superable
S
ENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian added his voice in rejecting claims of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste that all senators and congressmen, both district and partylist, made insertions in the 2025 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Gatchalian was the third lawmaker to date to challenge Leviste’s statement, which the Batangas solon said was
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 314 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2025
based on the so-called “Cabral list” that was supposedly given to him by the late Next page
AFP hits China smear drive vs. PH fishermen
US bill vs. dual citizens a long shot—Cuisia
By Rex Espiritu
By Katrina Manubay
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines has rejected what it described as a misleading and deceptive portrayal by Beijing-based outlet China Daily that casts Filipino fishermen as aggressors in the West Philippine Sea. “These narratives are inconsistent with verified information from Philippine maritime authorities and misrepresent the circumstances involving unarmed civilian fishing vessels in the WPS,” the Philippine military said. In a statement, the AFP also called out Chinese media for suggesting that the reported injuries sustained by Filipinos during China’s water cannon attack on Philippine boats in Escoda Shoal last December 12 were fabricated. “Filipino fishing boats operating near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal were conducting lawful livelihood activities when they were subjected to highpressure water cannon use, dangerous blocking maneuvers, and other hazardous actions by China Coast
FORMER Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. has downplayed the threat posed by a new US Senate bill that seeks to outlaw dual citizenship, stating that its chances of passing are “very slim.” Cuisia described the proposed “Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025,” introduced by Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, as both politically weak and likely unconstitutional. “I think it’s very unlikely that this bill will pass because it lacks support. No other Republican or Democratic senator has backed the bill. Even if he attempts to bring it up for discussion
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FESTIVE CHRISTMAS DAY. Over 30,00 people trooped to Rizal Park on Thursday, December 25, 2025, to spend Christmas Day with their families and loved ones. Luisito Santos / DZBB
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DOH: Holiday heart attack, stroke on the rise; Firecracker injuries down By Katrina Manubay and Ram Superable THE Department of Health reported an increase in acute non-communicable disease (NCD) complications dur-
ing the holiday season, with two deaths recorded based on its monitoring data. In the latest surveillance report covering December 21 to 24, records showed that one death was due to an acute stroke, while the other was at-
tributed to acute coronary syndrome. The DOH noted that older adults aged 60 to 69 recorded the highest number of cases among the monitored conditions, with acute stroke accounting for 15 of the 45 reported cases in
this age group. Acute coronary syndrome also registered 14 of the 25 cases in the same demographic. Among children aged 0 to 9 years, Next page
Pope laments No more typhoons until New Year, ‘open wounds’ but ‘amihan’ may bring light rains of war in first Xmas homily By Rio N. Araja
NO MOR E tropical depression is expected to enter the Philippines in the remaining days of 2025, according to the Philippine Atmospheric,
draw Wednesday night. In an advisory yesterday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
VATICAN City, Holy See—Pope Leo XIV condemned the “senselessness” of war and the “open wounds” it leaves behind, as he delivered his first Christmas message on Thursday after a year marked by conflict but also hopes for peace in Gaza and Ukraine. In Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years as the occupied West Bank city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza. Pope Leo, who was elected in May after the death of his predecessor Pope Francis, spoke of Gaza during a mass in St Peter’s basilica, saying:
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THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. Pope Leo XIV carries the statue of the Baby Jesus at the end of the Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on December 24, 2025. AFP
Xmas luck: Tarlac bettor bags P13.8-m Mega Lotto jackpot CHRISTMAS will be merrier for a lone bettor from Tarlac province who won the P13.8 million Mega Lotto 6/45 jackpot during the Christmas Eve
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. However, several parts of the country are forecast to experience light rains to thunderstorms due to Next page
NO MORE HOLIDAY RUSH. Traffic remains unusually light along Commonwealth Avenue on Christmas Day as motorists take advantage of the holiday break, with only a handful of private vehicles, buses, and motorcycles plying one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares—reflecting the seasonal slowdown in urban movement. Edd Castro