Here鈥檚 a quick roundup of today鈥檚 top stories:
The world鈥檚 largest coast guard vessel, China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901, is maintaining its presence off Zambales province in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite Manila鈥檚 calls for Beijing to withdraw the ship as the incoming US secretary of state urged China to 鈥渟top messing around鈥� with the Philippines.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the WPS, said on Wednesday night that the BRP Gabriela Silang has been constantly challenging the presence of the Chinese ship.
Senator Marco Rubio, US President-elect Donald Trump鈥檚 pick to lead the State Department, said China should 鈥渟top messing around鈥� with the Philippines and Taiwan, noting that its 鈥渄eeply destabilizing鈥� actions in the region are compelling the US to 鈥渃ounteract.鈥�
During his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Thursday (Manila time), Jan. 16, Rubio discouraged Beijing from carrying out 鈥渁nything rash or irrational鈥� when it comes to the Philippines or Taiwan if it is serious about stabilizing US-China relations.
Marcos wants ample budget for key DepEd projects amid cuts
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged substantial allocations for key programs of the Department of Education (DepEd), which warned that cuts in its 2025 budget could worsen teacher shortage in the country.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that Marcos met with DepEd officials in Malaca帽ang on Thursday and noted budget reductions in various education projects, although the sector is one of his administration鈥檚 top priorities.
NCRPO logs 23.73% drop in crime under new chief
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported a 23 percent decrease in crime in more than one month.
According to data from the Metro Manila police, from Nov. 23, 2024 to Jan. 15, 2025, it seized P153 million worth of illegal drugs.