manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229
PH urges peaceful solution to US, Venezuela crisis By Katrina Manubay, Rio N. Araja, and Ram Superable THE Philippine government urged all parties involved to seek a peaceful solution to the United States’ incursion into Venezuela, even while some Filipino lawmakers expressed opposition to the Trump administration’s aggressive foreign policy. In a statement yesterday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution, urging concerned parties to settle disputes amicably and to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of the conflict. “The Philippines urges concerned parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and to exercise restraint to prevent escalation of conflict,” she added.
Next page
NO CLASSES IN SOME SAMAR, LEYTE AREAS DUE TO RAINS, FLOODS NEWS/ A2
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 324 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026 •
Attack on Venezuela stirring up oil prices DOE says US incursion to trigger oil price surge By Alena Mae S. Flores
C
ONSUMERS should brace for higher pump prices following the United States' attack and capture of President Nicolas Maduro on oil-rich Venezuela, the Department of Energy (DOE) said yesterday. Rino Abad, director of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, said reports indicate that Venezuelan export activities will temporarily come to a halt amid the leadership vacuum created by Maduro's arrest on charges of narco-terrorism. "The affected volume is estimated between one million and two million barrels per day lost to global supply. The most likely effect is to increase prices," he explained. He, however, did not speculate on the extent to which this supply reduction would impact world crude prices. Moreover, Abad pointed out that Venezuela supplies only one percent of global demand, which may limit the severity of the disruption. He also assured that the DOE can implement mitigating measures for price spikes, including fuel subsidies and discount promotions for the transport sector. Next page
ATTACK AND GRAB. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press
following US military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026 where he announced the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. At right is a screengrab taken from the X account of Rapid Response 47, the official White House rapid response account, shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (C) escorted by DEA agents inside the headquarters of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in lower Manhattan, New York. AFP
PBBM to sign 2026 budget today—Palace By Katrina Manubay and Rio N. Araja PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the ₱6.793-trillion 2026 national budget on Monday, Jan. 5, following a comprehensive review of the spending measure during the holiday break as confirmed by the Palace. Meanwhile, Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said he would elevate the supposed unprogrammed funds in the 2026 national budget to the Supreme Next page
16-year old Pinoy found injured in Swiss Alps fire SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Filipino national Kean Kaizer Talingdan has been found and his identity has been officially confirmed, days after he was reported missing following a deadly fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a ski resort town in Switzerland. The Philippine Embassy in Berne has been coordinating with Swiss authorities on possible assistance to Filipinos affected by the fire, according to a report by ABSNext page CBN.
US allies, foes alarmed by ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro THE US military operation that led to the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sparked international alarm, with allies and foes of Washington and Caracas expressing disquiet. President Donald Trump said that the United States would "run" Venezuela and tap its huge oil reserves, and posted a picture of Maduro in custody on a US naval ship wearing a blindfold and handcuffs. Maduro and his wife were being taken to New York to face narcotics and terrorism charges. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply alarmed" by the US strikes, with his spokesman quoting him as saying it could "constitute a dangerous precedent." Countries such as Russia and Iran, which had longstanding ties with Maduro's government, were quick to
condemn the operation but their alarm was also shared by Washington's allies including France and the EU. Russia demanded the US leadership "reconsider its position and release the legally elected president of the sovereign country and his wife." China expressed shock and strongly condemned the US's "blatant use of force against a sovereign state and its action against its president." Iran, which Trump bombed last year, said it "strongly condemns the US military attack on Venezuela and a flagrant violation of the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity." Mexico, which Trump has also threatened with military force over drug trafficking, strongly condemned the US military action in Venezuela, saying it "seriously jeopardises regional stability." Next page
PNP stages dry run to ensure security for Traslacion rites By Vince Lopez and Itchie Cabayan THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said they have successfully transitioned from securing the just-concluded Christmas and New Year holidays to focusing on this year's Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan, 9 to ensure it remains safe, peaceful and orderly. Meanwhile, Manila Police Dis-
trict spokesman Maj. Philip Ines said apart from policemen, personnel from various government agencies will also be deployed to ensure security of the event, especially the throng of devotees PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said they have increased deployment and intelligence-monitoring for the upcoming religious festivity. Next page
TRASLACION READY. Hundreds of policemen, top photo, gather at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila for a dry run in preparation for the annual Traslacion or the Feast of Jesus Nazareno on January 9, 2026. Photo below shows a man drying up shirts with the image of Jesus Nazareno to be sold to the millions of devotees expected to take part in the Traslacion. Norman Cruz