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Congress ratifies 2026 budget But Palace sticking to Jan. 5 signing to allow thorough review By Ram Superable and Maricel V. Cruz

ONGRESS ratified yesterday the proposed P6.793trillion national budget for 2026, but the government will still operate under a reenacted budget for the first week of the new year with the Palace sticking to its timeline of signing the spending measure into law by January 5.

At the House of Representatives, lawmakers ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill via viva voce in under a minute – with some registering “no” votes such as ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Mamayang Liberal Rep.

By Pot Chavez, Maricel Cruz and Katrina Manubay

VOL. XXXIX • NO. 318 • 3 SECTIONS 18 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2025

THE Office of the Ombudsman and Malacanang raised concerns over the so-called “Cabral files” now in the possession of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, noting that the documents may have been manipulated and remain subject to verification. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman approached Leviste after he claimed to have received a complete list from Cabral but he “did not present the entire set of files he claimed to possess, even when asked to do so.” Clavano said this happened when Cabral was still alive and was already represented by a lawyer in the investigation into anomalous flood control projects. “Congressman Leviste presented only limited portions of the list, responsive, in fairness, to specific inquiries,” he said. “We reiterate that the shared objective of all concerned institutions and even individuals should be very clear at this point. We need to establish

MOST Filipinos are thankful for good health this holiday season as in previous years, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) even as the latest PAHAYAG survey indicated widespread pessimism amid persistent corruption scandals, declining trust in top national leaders, and fragile business and investor confidence. The SWS poll conducted on Nov, 24-30, showed 45 percent of respondents saying they were thankful for good health during this Christmas and New Year. The research included an openended question where respondents could provide up to two answers regarding what they were thankful for. Around 29 percent of the respondents said they were thankful for the family, while another 28 percent were grateful just to be alive.

Cabral slipped, not pushed— PNP experts

MARTYR HERO. Workers clean

‘The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal’ monument by National Artist for Architecture, Ildedonso Paez Santos, inside the Rizal Park in Manila yesterday in preparation for today’s commemoration of the 129th death anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal. Norman Cruz

By Vince Lopez

Park, Manila - Museo ni Rizal in Calamba City, Laguna - Museo ni Rizal in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte - local Rizal monuments across the

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) crime investigators have expressed confidence that there was no foul play in the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral. PNP Forensic Group officer-incharge Col. Pierre Paul Carpio said scientific examinations, including a 3D scan, of the crime scene showed that Cabral could not have been pushed into the ravine along Kennon Road leading to Baguio City. Carpio theorized that Cabral could have slid into the ravine to a point only 0.2 meters away from the base of the cliff and 16.9 meters in height

PH commemorates today 129th martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal THE Philippines marks today the 129th anniversary of the martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal that sparked the 1986 Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. This year’s commemoration carries the theme: “Rizal: Sa Pagbangon ng mga

Ombudsman, Palace flag Leviste’s files

RATIFIED. Senate President Tito Sotto, left photo, signs the Bicameral Conference Committee report presented to him by the Senate Bicam members led by Sen. Win Gatchalian. At right, Speaker Bodjie Dy and House Appropriations Committee Chair Mikaela Suansing present the approved report to House members.

‘Pinoys glad for good health, but sad over corruption’

Leila de Lima, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Rep. Harold Duterte and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab. Ungab, in a Facebook post, noted “serious procedural and substantive

Mamamayan, Aral at Diwa Mo ang Tunay na Gabay,” the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) said. The following programs and activities will be conducted in various parts of the country, the NHCP said, 4:00 a.m.

Retracing of Rizal’s footsteps from Fort Santiago, Intramuros to Rizal Park Luneta (Manila) 7:00 a.m. Simultaneous Flag Raising and Wreath-Laying Ceremonies at the: - Rizal national monument, Rizal

Excessive use of devices weaken families—CBCP By Vito Barcelo THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) warned that excessive use of digital devices, such as cellphones, is weakening Filipino families. CBCP president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa

said constant phone and gadget use has replaced meaningful conversation at home, even during meals meant to strengthen family relationships. “Families no longer talk to one another,” Garcera said in Filipino during Mass at the Parish of the Holy Family Next page

AFP welcomes proposed US $2.5b military aid By Rex Espiritu THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday welcomed the passage of a United States Senate bill au-

thorizing up to $2.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines, saying the measure supports efforts to strengthen the country’s defense posture and mili-

tary readiness. AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told Manila Standard that the military views developments that bolster Next page

FILM ICON. French actress Brigitte Bardot inaugurates the ‘100 photos of Brigitte Bardot’ exhibition in Paris on December 6, 1971. Bardot died at 91on December 28, 2025. Story on C3. AFP