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US to continue oil blockade vs. V’zuela — Rubio
Trump eyes G’land, sees Cuba’s fall, warns Colombia
By Alena Mae S. Flores US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said Washington would continue to enforce an existing “oil quarantine” against Venezuela.
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 325 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026 •
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PBBM vetoes P92.5b unprogrammed funds
‘26 budget pork-free, bars politicians from ‘ayuda’ distribution
PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s calls that Greenland should become part of the United States was met with international condemnation Monday as the autonomous Danish territory’s prime minister putting his foot down on the issue.
PH airs concern over V’zuela dev’ts NEWS / A3 Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly said he wants to annex, given its strategic location in the Arctic. While aboard Air Force One enroute to Washington, Trump reiterated his proposal. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he said in response to a reporter’s question. Next page
By Charles Dantes, Thony Rose Lesaca, Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz and Vito Barcelo
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law this year’s P6.793 trillion national budget, vetoing almost P92.5 billion in unprogrammed funds while putting tighter controls on public spending, including barring politicians from distributing cash and other forms of “ayuda.” "With the National Budget 2026, your government's direction is clear, it will be more prudent and more responsible in spending the people's funds," the President on Monday said, adding that unprogrammed appropriations will not be treated as "blank checks." “Let me be clear: the Unprogrammed Appropriations are not blank Next page
A NEW BEGINNING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presents the signed copy of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace yesterday. The national budget, enacted as Republic Act No. 12314, amounts to Php6.793 trillion. Revoli Cortez
DBCC cuts growth target to 5-6% Poquiz held on inciting sedition amid headwinds By Charles Dantes THE country is expected to post solid growth in the medium term even as economic managers lowered targets amid global and domestic headwinds, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. Balisacan said the Development Budget Coordination Committee now expects gross domestic product to expand 5 percent to 6 percent this year, lower than the previously set 6 to 7 percent. "The reason for the scaling down of growth rose from the realities we have seen, both globally and domestically," Balisacan said during a Palace briefing yesterday, citing recent assessments from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Next page
ARRESTED. Retired Major
General Romeo V. Poquiz is handcuffed after being arrested yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in connection with the rebellion and sedition charges filed against him before a Quezon City court. Atty. Ferdinand Topacio
raps, freed after posting P48k bail
By Pot Chavez and Rex Espiritu Retired Philippine Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on charges of inciting to sedition but was later released after posting bail. Poquiz posted bail of P48,000 as set by the court and was subsequently freed. He has a standing arrest warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 on December 5, 2025, for inciting to sedition. The case stemmed from his earlier call for the armed forces to rise against the government during anti-corruption rallies in November last year. Poquiz’s lawyers criticized the police over the arrest, but police officials
said due process was observed in the implementation of the warrant. ‘‘The case was investigated and pieces of evidence were referred and forwarded to the prosecution, and the court found probable cause. This was a result of the work of the prosecution service and now he will be tried. That’s the process; there’s nothing personal,’’ a police official said. Poquiz said the police force should follow due process and enforce the law without fear or favor. He underwent booking procedures at Camp Crame after his arrest and was presented before the court that issued the warrant. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said the arrest of the retired officer was carried out through lawful means, reflecting the Next page
Eala, Jovic trump Williams, Svitolina in Auckland event By Peter Atencio
VICTORIOUS. Rising stars Alex Eala and American Iva Jovic
congratulate each other after beating tennis veterans Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina, 7-6 (7), 6-1, in the doubles opening round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. WTA
THE PHILIPPINES' Alex Eala began the new year just as she ended the last —with a significant victory. Fresh off her gold-medal clinching win at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, Eala carried that winning momentum to the center court in the opening round of the women’s doubles action at the 2026 ASB Classic of the ASB Tennis Center in Auckland, New Zealand, where she and doubles' partner Iva Jovic pulled off Next page
DOJ confirms new plunder charges filed vs. Co, unnamed co-accused By Pot Chavez THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday confirmed that former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co is facing a plunder complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). In an interview with justice reporters, Justice Department spokesperson Attorney Polo Martinez said the DOJ received one additional plunder case against Co.
However, Martinez declined to identify the specific flood control project involved so as not to preempt the panel of prosecutors. While no counsel appeared for the former lawmaker, Martinez clarified that the proceedings would not be suspended. ‘‘We are working with a timeline here. Any respondent, whether they appear or not, we will proceed in accordance with the timeline under the rules,’’ he said. Next page