Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Thursday said that the verification of the documents previously called the “Cabral files,” now referred to as the “Leviste Files,” is being handled by the Office of the Ombudsman.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged Filipinos to choose the country over personal interests as the nation marked Rizal Day in Manila. In his message, Marcos called on citizens, especially the youth, to use national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s life and martyrdom as a guide for patriotism, truth, and responsible citizenship. He asked the public to embody Rizal’s principles in daily life, pursue just reforms, and stand for integrity and truth to help realize a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday confirmed that its investigators gained only partial access to the so-called “Cabral files” held by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Leviste allowed the team to view selected portions of documents linked to the late DPWH Undersecretary but did not open the full set for inspection. The Ombudsman is evaluating legal steps to secure complete access and to determine the evidentiary value of the materials in ongoing corruption inquiries involving public works projects.
The Palace announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has started a weeklong, thorough review of the ratified 2026 General Appropriations Bill after receiving it on December 29. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the President’s team is scrutinizing all allocations and provisions against the original National Expenditure Program to verify changes and ensure legal, technical, and fiscal integrity. While the 2026 budget undergoes review, the government will operate under a reenacted budget for the first days of 2026, which Recto said will not disrupt services or operations.
The Philippine Congress ratified the P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget after the Senate and House of Representatives approved a harmonized General Appropriations Bill in bicameral conference, sending the measure to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for review and signature into law. The ratified spending plan, which maintains a total outlay of P6.793 trillion, now awaits presidential action before it can take effect as the country’s national budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
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.
Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco on Saturday demanded “non-negotiable” full disclosure of all district and party-list allocations under the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act before the House of Representatives votes on December 29, 2025. He called on the House to post detailed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocations, including specific programs and projects, on the official Congress website. Tiangco cited past transparency issues in party-list funding and said the completion of bicameral deliberations removed any reason to withhold information, stressing that public disclosure is essential for accountability and informed decision-making on the national budget.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the Philippines’ trade deficit narrowed to $3.51 billion in November 2025, down 28.8 percent from a year earlier, as exports grew 21.3 percent to $6.91 billion and imports slipped 2.0 percent to $10.423 billion. Total external trade reached $17.33 billion for the month, while year-to-date trade from January to November rose to $199.99 billion. Electronics remained the country’s top export and import product, and Hong Kong and China led as the Philippines’ main export market and import source, respectively.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday warned Malacañang against quickly dismissing as hearsay allegations that Cabinet officials inserted projects into the proposed national budget, as the Senate continues its deliberations on the government spending bill. Lacson said he received information from credible sources, shared the details with fellow senators, and sought further verification before naming officials allegedly involved. He vowed to present his findings in plenary debates, push for the removal of unjustified items, and coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Dec. 23, told attendees at a Malacañang holiday gathering in Manila that if relatives call them fat during Christmas reunions, they should reply “ikaw din.”