Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, January 4, 2026.
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READ: US bombs Venezuela, captures its president
The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack. Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro’s government immediately accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government called it an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets. It was not immediately clear who was running the country, and Maduro’s whereabouts were not immediately known. Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 a.m.
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READ: Probe Marcos on flood control scandal, Lacson urged
THE leftist Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Saturday called on Sen. Panfilo Lacson to investigate President Marcos over his possible involvement in the flood control bribery scheme and subject former Public Works and Palace officials to “rigorous questioning” when Blue Ribbon Committee hearings resume. The statement comes after Lacson, in a statement on Friday, said that he wants to “step up his campaign” against corruption in 2026, stressing that Filipinos expect no less from their public servants. His statement comes after both the House and the Senate has ratified the 2026 General Appropriations Act on Dec. 29, and is now undergoing review by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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READ: Marcelito Pomoy performs for US President Trump at NYE Party
FILIPINO singer Marcelito Pomoy performed for US President Donald Trump during a New Year’s Eve celebration at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Pomoy was among the performers at the private event hosted by Trump on Wednesday, Dec. 31. He sang the classic ballad “The Prayer” before the president, first lady Melania Trump and invited guests. Following the event, Pomoy shared photos on Instagram showing him posing with Trump, as well as a separate image that included the first lady.
READ: China says overlapping sea claims must be managed
CHINA’S Embassy in Manila on Saturday reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that China and the Philippines have overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea, pushing back against assertions that Chinese activities have violated the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In a statement addressed to Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the embassy said the Philippines is entitled to claim an EEZ based on its main landmasses, including Luzon, Palawan and Mindoro, while China also claims an EEZ derived from what it calls the Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands) and Zhongsha Qundao (a Chinese term for submerged features in the central South China Sea).
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READ: Senate Finance Committee Allots P2.9B for Republic Act 12080 Mental Health Rollout
THE national government has allocated P2.9 billion under the proposed 2026 budget for the rollout of the School-Based Mental Health Program and Learner Wellness Division. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the initiative is in accordance with Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which mandates the development and institutionalization of a comprehensive school-based mental health framework. The School-Based Mental Health Program is designed to systematically address mental health concerns among learners, including early identification, intervention and prevention measures within school settings.
BUSINESS: Pretty busy
FOR Angel Rose Tambal, success has always been brewed with grit, faith and gratitude. Before she became Miss Earth Philippines-Water 2025, she was a young girl from Leyte who learned the value of hard work behind her parents’ small meat shop — a business started with only P600. As the family’s business expanded from a small meat shop to a grocery and later to a waffle venture, Tambal saw firsthand the discipline required to make ends meet. Her family’s Angel’s Waffle business delivered snacks to schools around Tacloban.
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SPORTS: Eala, Venus Williams in potential QF clash at Auckland
FILIPINO tennis player Alex Eala and tennis legend Venus Williams could face off in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic, set to take place from Jan. 5-11 at the ASB Tennis Center in Auckland, New Zealand. According to the tournament draw, Eala and Williams are in the same bracket. Eala will first take on Croatia’s Donna Vekić, while Williams will face fifth seed Magda Linette of Poland in their respective first-round matches. Eala earned a spot in the main draw thanks to her No. 53 WTA ranking, making her the No. 4 seed in the tournament behind top seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, second seed Emma Navarro of the US, and third seed Iva Jovic of the US. Williams, on the other hand, received a wild card entry into the Auckland meet. The Auckland tournament is part of Eala’s preparation for the prestigious Australian Open, which will take place in Melbourne from January 18 to February 1.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today’s front page columnist, where he compares former vice president and Naga City mayor Leni Robredo to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.
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Today’s editorial thinks that “fragmented geopolitics” is fueling the global refugee crisis. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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