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Philippine Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday rejected reports branding Mindanao a “terror hotspot” in connection with the Bondi, Australia tragedy, saying intelligence did not support claims of terrorist training in the region. Citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Galvez said the Philippines had dismantled terrorist networks and advanced the Bangsamoro peace process, which he credited for transforming Mindanao. He urged international media to avoid unverified reporting that could stigmatize communities and undermine peace gains.

Philippine authorities are preparing to continue the investigation into alleged insertions and kickbacks in flood control projects despite the death of former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said investigators could summon Cabral’s former staff, scrutinize DPWH records, and coordinate with oversight and law enforcement agencies. A newly formed legal team will study civil, administrative, and asset recovery actions against involved individuals and entities.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday said the arrest of Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya marks a “good start” in efforts to hold alleged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) corruption figures accountable. In a Facebook video, Sotto detailed how construction firms linked to the Discaya family, including companies named after their children, reportedly secured billions of pesos in DPWH contracts. He cited Anti-Money Laundering Council findings on large fund inflows to bank accounts tied to several Discaya-related firms and urged the public to stay vigilant as investigations proceed.

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.

An anti-corruption group filed a P1-billion class suit in a Quezon City court against former speaker Martin Romualdez, ex-congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas to seek compensation for Novaliches flood victims, as Malabon City lodged a separate complaint over alleged unauthorized works on government land. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered tighter police security for Christmas, De La Salle University reclaimed the UAAP men’s basketball crown, and Philippine athletes delivered multiple gold medals in triathlon and muay at the SEA Games. BSP data showed banks trimming real estate exposure amid rising non-performing loans.

The House–Senate bicameral conference committee in the Philippines agreed to allocate P51.6 billion to the Medical Assistance for Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program in the proposed 2026 national budget, after initial Senate cuts raised concerns that more than one million poor patients could lose access to medical aid. Lawmakers said MAIFIP assures payment to public and private hospitals for emergency care of indigent patients and complements PhilHealth by covering gaps in insurance benefits, supporting the implementation of the Universal Health Care Program.

The Department of Justice announced that former DPWH-NCR regional director Engineer Gerard Opulencia returned P40 million as part of a pledged P150 million linked to alleged flood control project kickbacks. DOJ OIC Fredderick Vida said the money turnover, witnessed by Treasury officials, will undergo verification by Land Bank. Opulencia, provisionally under the Witness Protection Program, provided testimony deemed material by prosecutors in an ongoing probe involving projects in Bulacan and related transactions. He faces a pending preliminary investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman while DOJ continues to review financial records and witness statements.

The Bureau of Immigration has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passport of mining executive Joseph Sy and has initiated deportation proceedings against him over alleged identity falsification. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the bureau requested verification of Sy’s passport records, placed him on the immigration lookout list, and coordinated with law enforcement agencies to gather supporting documents and testimonies. The DFA will decide on the passport cancellation request, while the BI Board of Commissioners will hear the deportation case and evaluate evidence from both the bureau and Sy.

The Department of Health (DOH) announces a plan to expand its zero-balance billing program to local government unit (LGU) hospitals across the Philippines, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients. The DOH will coordinate with LGUs, align the program with PhilHealth and other health financing mechanisms, and issue detailed guidelines on eligibility, coverage and billing procedures. The agency will phase in implementation based on hospital readiness and available resources and will monitor compliance and impact through reporting and audits.