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MARCOS LAUNCHES NEW MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Angara admits DepEd’s computer system crashed
By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday launched a new meritbased scholarship program and a series of education initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher education and technical training, particularly for top-performing students and low and middle-income families. In a message delivered by his son, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the Next page
By Rolando Ng III
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 343 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2026 •
PBBM begins review of anti-dynasty bill Senate panel to start hearing on priority measure next week By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
T
HE Marcos administration has started to review provisions for a proposed anti-dynasty bill, a key reform which the President last month said should be prioritized by Congress.
“This is now being studied, and if a good framework can be developed regarding this, it can be suggested for the Anti-Dynasty Bill," Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said. She said the provisions were discussed during the President’s meeting with Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and other officials at the Palace Tuesday. “Among the provisions discussed were the levels of the ban – the degree of familial relationships;
the types of relationship considered whether consanguinity or affinity; the positions to be covered whether local, national or both; and the scope of the timing of prohibition whether it will be simultaneous or successive,” Castro said. Castro said no timeline has been set for the completion of the proposed framework, noting that discussions on the measure are still at an early stage. The Senate, for its part, will start its hearing on anti-dynasty bills next week, Senator JV Ejercito said. Next page
DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara admitted that the agency's computer system at its central office "crashed" during this year's Computer-Based National Career Assessment Examination (CB-NCAE). In a text message, he said the large number of students taking the computer-based test was the reason for its malfunction. "The system crashed because of the volume or number of takers, so they had to reset for some venues," Next page
FUEL PRICES TO GO HIGHER NEXT WEEK NEWS/ A3
STRATBASE GROUP LAUNCHES BOOK NEWS/ A3
US ARMADA HEADS FOR THE GULF WORLD / A6
China summons PH envoy over PCG spox, Xi images By Katrina Manubay and Rex Espiritu CHINA has summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz to lodge what it described as a “serious protest” over remarks and
social media posts by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela on maritime issues, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said. In a statement dated January 22, the embassy said the head of the Chinese Next page
DINAGYANG IN ILOILO. Catholic devotees join the fluvial parade and procession of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu at Muelle Loney, Iloilo City yesterday as part of the Feast of Sto. Niño and the 2026 Dinagyang Festival. Norman Cruz
2 Pinoy sailors die, 15 saved by CCG off Scarborough By Katrina Manubay and Rex Espiritu TWO Filipino seafarers were reported dead while 15 others were rescued by China Coast Guard ships after a Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel carrying iron ore capsized near Scarborough Shoal, the Chinese Embassy
RESCUE. China Coast Guard rescue at least 15 Filipino crew members of a Singaporebased cargo vessel which sank off Scarborough shoal past midnight yesterday. China Embassy
NCR ‘kasambahays‘ to get P800 raise By Vito Barcelo DOMESTIC workers, or kasambahay, in Metro Manila will receive an P800 increase in their monthly minimum wage starting next month, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced. Under Wage Order No. NCRDW-06 approved by the Regional
Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board–National Capital Region, the minimum monthly pay of domestic workers in the region will rise from P7,000 to P7,800. The adjustment will take effect on Feb. 7, or 15 days after the publication of the wage order. In an advisory issued Thursday, Next page
in Manila said Friday. In an update, the embassy said that as of 12:30 p.m., 17 of the 21 Filipino crew of the M/V Devon Bay had been rescued, including the fatalities. Search and rescue operations continued for the missing. “Fourteen are in stable condition, two have been confirmed dead, and
one remains under emergency medical treatment,” it said. “Rescue efforts are currently underway in full swing, and China’s maritime authorities are organizing additional rescue teams to rush to the accident site.” The vessel was en route from
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Jonvic raising Atong’s bounty if he gets pissed By Vince Lopez DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said yesterday that he may opt to increase the reward money offered for information leading to the arrest of gaming tycoon and fugitive, Mr. Charlie "Atong" Tiu Hay Ang. "Malapit na, kung ako mapikon talagang dadagdagan ko na yan eh. (Soon, if I get pissed, 'I'll add to that)," Next page
FROSTY SIGHT. Farmer PJ Haight shares photos of vegetables, flowers and other plants covered in frost or ‘andap’ in Paoay, Sayangan in Atok, Benguet. Temperatures continue to drop in the highland areas in Atok, which caused the formation of frost on a large portion of vegetable farms and grassland. PIA Benguet