TRUMP: VENEZUELA’S MADURO CAPTURED IN ‘LARGE-SCALE’ US STRIKE WEST Palm Beach—President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “largescale strike” on the South American country. Trump’s stunning announcement follows months of steadily mounting US military and economic pressure on leftist leader Maduro and his country’s oil-export-dependent economy. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said on Truth Social. “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.” In a brief phone interview with The New York Times, Trump hailed the “brilliant” operation. “A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” the paper quoted Trump as Turn on A4 saying.
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MILITARY STRIKE. Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. President Donald Trump said US forces have captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro (inset) after a largescale strike on the South American country. AFP
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Corruption in judiciary severe—Ombudsman
Calls out Sandiganbayan for being ‘very good at acquitting’
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ORRUPTION in the judiciary is also “severe,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said, noting that the problem plagues not just the executive and legislative branches of government.
“Don’t think corruption happens just in the executive or legislative branches. (Corruption in the judiciary) is severe,” he said in an interview on dzRH yesterday. “Watch the judges. Watch the justices. We should all watch them,” he added. Remulla said the Sandiganbayan, in particular, was “very good at acquitting,” citing the fertilizer fund scam case where former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante was cleared of
plunder charges. “All the reasons to acquit, the Sandiganyan has them all,” he said. He also cited the pork barrel scam cases where several accused were also acquitted. “The PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) cases – those were sure-ball cases. Don’t say the Ombudsman was weak in presenting evidence,” he said. Turn on A4
‘Anti-corruption efforts key to restoring biz, investor trust’ By Katrina Manubay FORMER Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor and GlobalSource Partners analyst Diwa Guinigundo said economic growth may keep slowing down without concrete reforms to address corruption and governance concerns. “Unless the government is able to resolve the issue of corruption and bad governance, it will be very difficult to restore the trust of investors and businesses in our country,” he said in an interview on dzBB. “So, we can expect that this year, the economy will continue to slow down, which will impact growth, employment and the improvement of our livelihoods in the Philippines,” Guinigundo added. Earlier, think-tank Stratbase Group said the majority of Filipinos view corruption as having an impact on the economy, in particular on rising prices and weaker services. Turn on A4
Leviste softens stance: P2-m ‘bonus’ normal By Maricel Cruz UNUSUAL OBJECT. The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday reports the recovery of a possible rocket debris bearing Chinese flag markings found floating in the vicinity waters off Barangay Suang Bunah in Sulu. The Coast Guard Station Western Sulu is coordinating with the concerned barangay for the transfer of the recovered debris’ custody to the PCG for proper handling and disposition. PCG photo
PhilHealth eyes rate hike for public safety violators DOST seeks By Joel E. Zurbano
BLESSING. A young Catholic devotee reacts as they are showered with holy water during the blessing of Jesus the Nazarene replicas at Quiapo in Manila on January 3, 2026. AFP
THE government is considering the possibility of increasing PhilHealth premium contributions for individuals who violate public safety laws. This initiative specifically targets parents of minors who have sustained injuries related to firecrackers, as well as drivers who demonstrate undisciplined behavior on the roads during the holiday season, Department of Health spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in a dzBB radio interview. He said the proposed new policy is designed to enhance public safety while promoting compliance among public safety law offenders. “We will study it, particularly considering if
to end ‘Filipino time’
By Ratziel San Juan THE concept of “Filipino time,” where locals arrive at either personal or professional occasions past the time agreed upon, is so 2000-and-late. This is according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST ), which wants to leave behind the toxic behavior in 2025 since it’s no longer giving.
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BATANGAS Rep. Leandro Leviste appeared to have softened his stance on the alleged P2 million“bonus”he alleged was received by some House members, saying it was not necessarily wrong. Leviste made the clarification after several of his colleagues berated him for insinuating the “bonus” was in exchange for signing the 2026 budget when it was in fact meant for operating expenses. “I did not say the funding will only be released if you vote for the budget. It just so happened the release was made around the time we were voting on the budget,” he said in an interview on dzMM yesterday. “I am not saying this is wrong. From the very start, I never said it should be removed. It should only be made public,” Leviste added. Several solons have called out Leviste for his Christmas bonus claim. “First and foremost, there is a clear pattern of lies, falsities, and inaccuracies coming from Congressman Leviste, and this is yet another example of that,” Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said. Ridon said the funds in question are part of the House of Representatives’ Turn on A4
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