DOJ: Contractor Sally Santos remits P20M tied to flood control projects

Is Christmas Eve now a federal holiday? Trump’s order explained

3,000 Filipino workers abroad face legal issues, 24 on death row

Marcos taps ex-PNP chief Torre to lead MMDA

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre 3rd as the new general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Malacañang confirmed on Friday. Torre, who previously served as the 31st PNP chief, replaces Procopio Lipana as MMDA general manager in Metro Manila, Philippines. The Office of the President announced the leadership change and identified Torre as the official designated to assume the MMDA post.

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Vice Ganda, Ion Perez plan to become parents via surrogacy

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Vice Ganda said he and his partner Ion Perez are considering becoming parents through surrogacy, a plan that could require him to take a temporary leave from hosting ABS-CBN’s noontime show “It’s Showtime.” He explained on-air that they remain in the planning stage, weighing the timing, legal and medical preparations, and the impact on his professional commitments. He added that they want to be fully present and hands-on if they proceed, and that no final decision or timeline has been set for the surrogacy process or a potential work break.

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ICC finds Duterte capable of facing trial, victims call for speed

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Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court has received medical expert reports finding former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte fit to participate in proceedings over alleged crimes against humanity. The Office of Public Counsel for Victims reported that court-appointed doctors saw no medical barrier to Duterte’s meaningful participation in a confirmation of charges hearing. Victims’ counsel urged judges to promptly set a hearing date, citing the right to an expeditious trial. The prosecution must now respond to the findings before the chamber, led by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, issues a final ruling on Duterte’s fitness and schedules the next steps in the case.

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Alcantara returns P71 million tied to flood control scam

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Former DPWH Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara on Friday turned over P71 million to the Department of Justice in Manila as restitution for his role in an alleged flood control scam involving public works funds. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and DOJ prosecutors received the amount as part of efforts to recover allegedly misused government money from flood control projects in Bulacan. The DOJ said it would use the restitution as evidence in its ongoing investigation and possible filing of charges against other officials and private contractors linked to the case.

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Paxtons agree to lift seal on divorce records after press challenge

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Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his wife Angela Paxton agreed to unseal records in their Texas divorce case after eight media organizations filed a legal challenge seeking public access to the sealed documents. The court received the parties’ agreement and prepared to determine which records would become publicly available, while the media coalition awaited a ruling on the scope of unsealing and any remaining sealed portions of the file.

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Ricky Davao’s last film on Maguindanao massacre heads to Rotterdam festival

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A Filipino animated docu-drama about the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, featuring the late actor Ricky Davao in his final movie role, will have its world premiere at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Producers and festival organizers confirm that the film will depict events before and after the massacre through a combination of animation and documentary techniques, with details on the official title, full cast, and exact screening schedule to follow closer to the 2026 festival dates.

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Richard Gomez under fire for allegedly hitting fencing official at SEA Games 2025

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Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma filed a complaint against Representative Richard Gomez during the 2025 SEA Games, alleging Gomez hit him amid a dispute over the replacement of a national fencing athlete. Event organizers and relevant authorities received the complaint and began reviewing reports and witness accounts to determine what occurred and whether competition or disciplinary rules were violated. The investigation remained ongoing, and no formal charges or official findings had been announced as officials examined the incident under SEA Games and national sports regulations.

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De Brito leaves Alas Pilipinas, wishes team the best

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Coach Jorge Souza De Brito has stepped down as head coach of the Alas Pilipinas women’s national volleyball team after a four-year tenure that ended with a fourth-place finish at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. Program officials confirmed his departure and said the national squad would soon begin the search for a new head coach while retaining its current training pool. De Brito expressed gratitude to players, staff, and supporters and extended well wishes to the Philippine volleyball program. The national federation plans a performance review of the recent SEA Games campaign to guide future preparations.

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