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‘PH among top ASEAN tourism economies in GDP contribution’ By Katrina Manubay and Othel Campos CEBU CITY—The Philippines has emerged as one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ strongest tourism economies, ac-
cording to the 2025 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report presented during the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting. The Philippines ranked first in terms of tourism GDP valued at Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 349 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026 •
PBBM warns officials vs. giving fake reports By Charles Dantes
ASEAN PLUS THREE. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco presides over the 25th meeting of ASEAN tourism ministers and their counterparts from Japan, Korea, and China yesterday in Cebu as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum. DoT
Marcos rejects calls to expel China envoy PH, China officials resume COC talks after year-long hiatus By Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected calls from some lawmakers to declare Chinese ambassador Jing Quan and other embassy officials persona non grata after their recent verbal tussle with Filipino officials over the West Philippine Sea issue. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos’ response was a firm "no" to calls to expel certain Chinese embassy officials. “The President’s response regarding the call to declare an ambassador persona non grata is no,” the Palace official said. Despite recent public exchanges on the WPS issue, senior Filipino and Chinese officials held talks Thursday on the sidelines of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, marking the resumption of talks after more than a
RESUMPTION. Officials from the Philippines and China held discussions Thursday on the sidelines of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the Declaration on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, marking the resumption of talks after more than a year-long hiatus. The Philippines was represented, at right, by Leo M. Herrera-Lim, the Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs, while China was represented, at left, by Hou Yanqi, the Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. DFA
year-long hiatus. In separate statements, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Manila announced that both countries agreed to continue maintaining communication through diplomatic channels.
Tarriela, Padilla back PBBM on China envoy issue By Ram Superable and Rex Espiritu
“They underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic dialogue and continued cooperation across all sectors,” the DFA said. “The two sides had a candid and indepth exchange of views on maritime Next page
SEN. Robin Padilla praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Friday for rejecting calls to declare Chinese officials persona non grata after warning that this could lead to a Chinese invasion of the country. Padilla earlier criticized individuals for provoking China, saying that inflammatory actions could escalate tensions and harm national interests. In a video posted on social media, the opposition senator was seen at sea with several companions singing patriotic songs, including “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” and the Philippine Navy hymn, while urging the public to watch the footage to compare action with rhetoric. Padilla argued that reckless moves could give China a pretext to intensify its actions against the Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has emphasized strict accountability in government, warning officials against corruption and the submission of false or misleading reports on public projects. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro acknowledged that the administration’s intensified campaign against corruption is drawing attention from investors and the public. Courts have already issued multiple arrest warrants related to corruption cases, though only a limited number of individuals have been detained so far. "Nakikita po ng mga investors kung paano po nililinis ng pamahalaan ngayon, kasalukuyang administrasyon, ang ating bansa mula sa korapsyon, sa isyu ng pang-aabuso sa pondo ng bayan," Castro said. (Investors see how the government, the current administration, is cleaning our country from corruption, specifically the issue of abuse of public funds.) Next page
DENR chief’s appointment docs being reviewed By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Friday said it is still reviewing records amid reports that Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla may be on his way out, while assuring the public that no Cabinet-wide reshuffle is underway. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters that the Palace is verifying records following statements raised during a Senate session and will provide updates once details are clarified. "Hinahanap pa po ngayon at inaupdate po ang mga records dito (They are still searching for it now and updating the records here)," Castro said. "Mabibigyan ko po kayo ng update kapag po nakapagbigay na po sa akin ng ano mang detalye patungkol dito (I will provide you with an update once someone has given me any details regarding this)," she added. Castro said the Palace is reviewing records connected to his appointment, noting that this includes reports of a third bypass of his confirmation. She emphasized that any updates would be announced once the review is completed. Next page
Coast Guard eyes Palace respects SC ruling, says it overloading in won’t derail legislative priorities Basilan sinking By Charles Dantes, By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said the roll-on/roll-off vessel M/V Trisha Kirsten 3 may have been overloaded when it sank off Basilan, following an initial assessment. PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the assessment was based on the recovery of 11 bodies on Thursday near the suspected wreck site about 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, which exceeded the number of missing persons declared in the initial passenger manifest submitted by the ship’s crew to the coast guard. The manifest stated that the vessel was carrying 359 individuals when it Next page
Ram Superable, and Maricel V. Cruz MALACANANG on Friday said it will respect the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision upholding its earlier ruling that the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara
Duterte was unconstitutional for violating the Constitution’s one-year ban on impeachment proceedings, and maintained that the ruling would not derail the administration’s legislative priorities. Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday said the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the Next page
Oil prices to rise by P1.50 next week By Alena Mae S. Flores CONSUMERS can expect another oil price hike of as much as P1.50 per liter next week amid elevated geopolitical and military risks in the Middle East that could impact global supply.
Based on the movement of the Mean of Platts Singapore and foreign exchange averages, Jetti Petroleum forecasts that diesel prices may increase by P1.30 to P1.50 per liter, while gasoline may rise by P0.50 to P0.70 per liter. Next page
ON THE BALL. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (center) leads a meeting with some of his Cabinet members including Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, and Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo in this photo released January 30, 2026. Presidential Communications Office