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
US TO CONTROL V’ZUELA OIL
All systems go for Traslacion; rains possible
WORLD / A6
BABIES FOR SALE CASES RISING VOL. XXXIX • NO. 328 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
NEWS/ A2
PBBM orders PhilHealth amnesty for non-payers
One-time interest waiver covers 2013-2024 missed payments
By Joel Zurbano, Itchie Cabayan, Vince Lopez, Katrina Manubay and Rio Araja IT’S all systems go for today’s Traslacion with logistics and security preparations in place – a stronger “andas” or carriage for the Jesus Nazareno image, some 18,000 police deployed, and all Department of Health hospitals in Metro Manila on Code White. Fr. Robert Arellano, spokesperson for the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, said they expect “there will be fewer” attendees today when the Nazarene is transferred through a procession from the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park to the Quiapo Church. Last year’s Nazareno celebration drew 8.1 million devotees. Next page
By Charles Dantes
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to implement a general amnesty and a onetime interest waiver this year to help employers and selfemployed members settle unpaid contributions. Mr. Marcos said the program is projected to benefit about 300,000 members of the national health insurer. “We know that the three percent paid for PhilHealth is something our fellow Filipinos really feel every month,” he said in a video message posted on his social media accounts yesterday. The amnesty would cover businesses, private employers, and self-employed Filipinos with missed payments from 2013 to 2024. He said the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to ease healthcare costs and challenges faced by Filipinos.
DEVOTION. Thousands of Catholic devotees line up on the eve of the grand procession to participate in the ‘Pahalik’— the touching, wiping and kissing the cross and feet of the image of Jesus Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Norman Cruz
Next page
Mayon seethes further as Kanlaon acts up anew
BRIDGING DISTANCES.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon lead the inauguration of the 2.16-kilometer Camalaniugan Bridge in Cagayan province. The bridge will cut travel time from one hour to only 20 minutes for 6,000 motorists. PCO
By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) on Thursday advised residents to keep their safe distance from Mayon Volcano in Albay province due to huge rocks falling from the volcano’s lava dome. Meanwhile, two more ash eruptions by Kanlaon Volcano that generated grayish plumes rising 900 meters above the crater lasted eight hours and nine
ICC rejects Rody petition related to his release THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected a request by former President Rodrigo Duterte‚’s legal team to appoint an expert who would prepare a report on “risk factors” related to his possible release. In a decision issued Wednesday,
Authorities seize luxury cars of Co By Ram Superable SEVERAL luxury vehicles linked to former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co were seized by authorities in Bonifacio Global City. The Bureau of Customs, on Thursday night, issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention covering the Next page
Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that an additional expert report is “neither appropriate nor necessary” for the court’s upcoming periodic review of Duterte’s detention. The former president’s counsel had asked the court to commission the
report to assess risk factors under Article 58 of the Rome Statute, which governs the necessity of arrest and continued detention. The chamber, presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Next page
minutes on Wednesday, Phivolcs reported. Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said “pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or the so-called ‘uson’ in Bicol appeared to be an avalanche of combined ash, rocks and gas. The emissions could rush down along the volcano’s slopes, he said. Citing the1993 eruption of Mayon which killed 77 people, Bacolcol warned of the extreme Next page
De Lima, Erice file SC suit to declare allocables illegal By Maricel V. Cruz MAMAMAYANG Liberal partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice on Thursday filed before the Supreme Court a joint petition seeking to
declare as unconstitutional the unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget. This as President Marcos vetoed nearly P92.5 billion of unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 General Next page
Eala thrashes Marcinko to enter quarters By Peter Atencio
PRETTY in pink, Alexandra Eala smothered Croatian Petra Marcinko, 6-0, 6-2, in their second round women’s singles match in the ASB Classic in Auckland, Zealand at the Manuka Doctor Center Court on Thurday morning (Philippine time). This time, the big crowd of fans that showed up wasn’t that loud as they watched the 20-yearold Eala quickly adjust to the breezy conditions and pull off her most emphatic win so far in the young season. “I’m so happy with how I was able to compete and handle the different situations on court,” said the world no. 53 Eala, who was done with Marcinko in 63 minutes -- way faster than when
she outlasted Croatian Donna Vekic in 2 hours and 40 minutes to win her opening match, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Marcinko got into trouble right from the start, as she was unable to counter the Eala’s dominant all-around performance and powerful serves. “I’m happy with how I’m starting, it’s difficult, everyone at this level gives you certain challenges, but again, I’m happy with how I’m playing,” said the fourth-seeded Eala in reaching the quarterfinals. With coach Joan Bosch and the Filipina star’s parents watching, Eala thrived with her mean forehand, which was sharpened further last November, when tennis great Rafa Nadal personally Next page
ON A ROLL. Alexandra Eala smothered Croatian Petra Marcinko, 6-0, 6-2, in their second round women’s singles match in the to barge into the semifinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.