House appropriations chair and Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing denies Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste’s claim that each member of the Philippine House of Representatives received a P2-million Christmas bonus, saying there is “no truth” to the allegation and that no such bonus passed through the official appropriations process.
The Texas Department of Transportation has launched a statewide holiday campaign to reduce drunk driving in Texas. The initiative increases public awareness and enforcement during Christmas and New Year’s, focusing on the legal and safety consequences of driving while intoxicated. The campaign uses media outreach, law enforcement partnerships and community programs to address alcohol-related crashes across urban and rural areas in Texas.
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson will complete her tour in Manila in January 2026, the US Embassy confirmed, amid reports of wider ambassadorial changes. Carlson, who has served in the Philippines since July 2022 after more than 40 years in the US State Department, will leave at the normal end of her posting. Former Florida businessman Lee Lipton, appointed by President Donald Trump as the next US ambassador to the Philippines, awaits confirmation by the US Senate. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez welcomed Lipton’s nomination. The transition at the US mission comes as Australia, the European Union, Israel, the United Kingdom, and China also install new ambassadors in Manila following the completion of previous envoys’ tours of duty.
The Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan Houston (PNAMH) hosted its 2025 Christmas party on December 13 at Pinoy Gourmet, featuring a holiday pajama theme, raffle games, a “Best Pajama” contest and sponsor-supported activities that brought members and guests together to highlight the group’s “One PNAMH, One Family” spirit and its plans for continued service in 2026.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones outlined her focus on affordability in a televised “Inside Texas Politics” interview, describing how rising housing and living costs, possible cuts to social programs, and statewide economic trends shape the city’s planning for 2026, including budget decisions, housing strategy, and partnerships with community and business leaders.
“Call Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio, led the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box office on opening day with an estimated P49 million, according to producers and MMDA-linked sources. The Jun Robles Lana-directed film widened its lead on the second day with about P29 million more, as “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” and “UnMarry” followed in second and third place. All eight MMFF entries reportedly earned a combined P98 million on opening day, with proceeds benefiting key Philippine film industry institutions.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Texas will implement a set of new laws that expand inventory tax exemptions for businesses, require most county jails to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, streamline evictions of squatters, mandate age checks and parental consent for app store users, and establish a statewide framework for regulating artificial intelligence and deep‑fake content.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines announced that it will start early preparations for the 2028 national and local elections, using the timeline of the 2025 polls as its primary guide. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body will review and assess the 2025 electoral calendar, including voter registration, filing of candidacies, campaign periods, and procurement activities, to identify measures for replication or adjustment in 2028.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has obtained new “very substantial” dashcam footage in the probe into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. Investigators have added the video to the official evidence file and will subject it to forensic and technical analysis to verify authenticity, identify people and vehicles, and establish a detailed timeline of events.
Filipino actress Solenn Heussaff returns to the big screen after years away from film work, taking on a new project that focuses on a realistic portrayal of marriage. She discusses her initial nervousness on set, her preparation for the role and her collaboration with the director, co-actors and production team. The film emphasizes everyday challenges between spouses, including communication, conflict and reconciliation, using dialogue-driven scenes and domestic settings.