January 2026

Senate launches inquiry into Romualdez-Discaya Makati house deal

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The Philippine Senate will investigate allegations that Representative Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st District purchased a Makati City house and lot through top flood control contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya. The probe will examine property records, financial flows, and government project contracts to determine compliance with procurement, ethics, and anti-corruption rules. Lawmakers plan to call witnesses, review official documents, and coordinate with regulatory agencies to establish the timeline, participants, and structure of the alleged transaction and to identify any legal or administrative violations.

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Razon sues Barzaga for cyber libel

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Businessman Enrique Razon Jr. files a cyber libel complaint against suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office over a January 9 Facebook post alleging bribery of National Unity Party lawmakers to support former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Razon’s camp calls the claims false and defamatory, while Barzaga stands by his statements in new Facebook posts and a video, vowing to present evidence in Congress and in court. The prosecutor’s office will now evaluate the complaint under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

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‘Princess Hours’ turns 20: Notable moments from the beloved K-drama

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South Korean drama “Princess Hours” marked its 20th anniversary on Jan. 11, 2026, with fans, media, and broadcasters revisiting the 2006 series that helped expand the Korean Wave. The article reports how the show’s enemies-to-lovers royal romance, adapted from the manhwa “Goong,” raised the profiles of stars Yoon Eun-hye, Ju Ji-hoon, Song Ji-hyo, and Kim Jeong-hoon, influenced later K-dramas, and remained visible through global syndication, streaming, and anniversary re-airings.

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Toni Gonzaga says she, Paul Soriano not the couple in blind item

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Actress-host Toni Gonzaga on Jan. 13, 2026, denied that she and her husband, director Paul Soriano, are the “power couple” in a viral blind item about a marriage allegedly in trouble. Gonzaga addressed the rumor during a TikTok live for a collagen supplement after viewers flooded the comments with questions about their relationship. She urged followers not to focus on “nonsense” and dismissed the speculation, while Soriano has not issued a separate statement. Clips of the livestream and her denial later circulated across social media platforms.

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Beauty Gonzalez praises Ellen Adarna’s strength after Derek Ramsay split

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Beauty Gonzalez expressed pride in Ellen Adarna’s strength in handling her separation from estranged husband Derek Ramsay during an ambush interview at a press conference for Gonzalez’s new drama series in Quezon City on Jan. 8, 2024. Gonzalez described Adarna as “sexy and beautiful” and said she admired her resilience and composure amid public scrutiny. She shared that she stayed in close contact with Adarna, offering emotional support while respecting her friend’s privacy. Gonzalez answered questions about Adarna before shifting focus back to promoting her upcoming television project.

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Becky Armstrong is the new Nanno in ‘Girl from Nowhere: The Reset’

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Netflix Thailand confirmed on January 14, 2026, that Thai-British actress Becky Armstrong will take over the role of Nanno in “Girl from Nowhere: The Reset,” the latest installment of the hit Thai thriller series. The streamer revealed her casting through an official poster on its social media platforms, showing Armstrong in a bloodstained school uniform and teasing a new “empire” and a “new kid.” The announcement emphasized themes of karma and retribution but did not include a release date, plot details, or additional casting information.

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University of North Texas expands free tuition to more Texas families

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The University of North Texas in Denton will launch a free tuition program for eligible Texas families starting in the fall 2026 semester, according to a university press release. The initiative will cover tuition for qualifying Texas resident undergraduates who meet income and other requirements that the university will define in upcoming guidelines. The program will use federal, state, and institutional aid to remove tuition costs for eligible students while other expenses may still apply.

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HHA, Mayor Whitmire to provide updates on $146M affordable housing project paused amid contaminated soil concerns

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Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the Houston Housing Authority will give their first public update on The Pointe at Bayou Bend, a $146 million, nearly 400-unit affordable housing complex in Houston, after construction and move-ins were halted over contaminated soil and elevated lead findings. Federal agencies, including the FBI, EPA, and HUD, collected soil samples in October 2024 following concerns linked to the site’s past use as a trash incinerator and petroleum storage area. The mayor and HHA will hold a news conference and site tour at 800 Middle Street to discuss the project’s status, environmental testing, and next steps.

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High-achiever visas spur pay-to-play credential schemes

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Growing interest in the U.S. EB-1A “extraordinary ability” visa is driving a market for vanity awards, ghostwritten research papers and profile-building services. USCIS is reviewing petitions more closely and investigating possible fraud linked to purchased credentials. This report explains how the credential marketplace operates around EB-1A applications, the types of services being sold to prospective immigrants and how U.S. immigration authorities are responding with increased scrutiny and enforcement measures.

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