Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Friday, January 22, 2026.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer—your Trusted Building Partner.
READ: House rejects 2 more impeachment complaints vs Marcos
TWO more impeachment cases were filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives on Thursday, but the Office of the House Secretary General refused to accept the complaints. The earlier complaint was filed by militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairman Renato Reyes, former Bayan Muna representatives Teodoro Casino and Neri Colmenares, former Gabriela Party-list representative Liza Maza and former ACT Teachers Party-list representative France Castro. It was endorsed by the Makabayan Bloc, led by current ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co. However, the complaint was not received at the Office of the Secretary General as its chief, Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, was out of the country to receive an award from the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under House rules, any impeachment complaint should be submitted first to the secretary-general’s office before it can be transmitted to the Office of the Speaker.
READ: 'Don't be too excited,' Marcos tells critics after hospital stay for observation
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told his detractors to not be “too excited” after he was admitted overnight at St. Luke’s for medical observation due to diverticulitis. Malacañang earlier in the day disclosed that the chief executive was placed under medical observation overnight after experiencing “discomfort.” He was advised to rest and be further monitored but that his condition remains stable. The president assured the public that there is nothing to worry about and that he would try to “take it easy” even though it is nearly impossible for him to do.
READ: Estrada, Revilla facing 2-3 plunder cases, state prosecutor says
THE Office of the Prosecutor General on Thursday revealed that two or three plunder cases would be filed against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and detained ex-senator Bong Revilla in connection with the flood control project scandal. At a Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said that more flood control cases would be filed against officials of the 1st Bulacan District Engineering Office next week. Fadullon said his office would issue subpoenas against Estrada and Revilla in the plunder cases for violation of Republic Act 7080, or the Anti-Plunder Law, within the week. He, however, declined to cite the exact amounts of public funds that Estrada and Revilla are accused of amassing. The prosecutor general and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who was also at the forum, appealed to the public for understanding and patience, and urged people to trust the process as they continue to gather more evidence against those involved and other names to be divulged in the near future. Fadullon said his office, which is under the Department of Justice, has been working closely with the Office of the Ombudsman, Independent Commission for Infrastructure, and the Department of Public Works and Highways in its bid to complete the investigation without delay and ensure the filing of cases against those involved. Both Dizon and Fadullon said they understood the sentiment of the public to see swift results in the ongoing flood control probe but they could not simply do it in haste as they want airtight cases to ensure conviction of those implicated in the scandal.
READ: Zaldy Co cooped up in Lisbon, rarely leaves home, Remulla says
FUGITIVE former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co remains at large in Portugal, where authorities believe he is staying inside a gated community in Lisbon, Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Thursday, even as the Philippine government intensified efforts to freeze and seize his assets at home. In a radio interview, Remulla said Philippine authorities are “pretty certain” Co is in Lisbon based on ongoing surveillance, but arresting him has been difficult because he rarely leaves his residence, and the area is inaccessible to operatives.
READ: Atong Ang may already be in Cambodia, Remulla says
GOVERNMENT officials said they believed that business tycoon-turned-fugitive Charlie “Atong” Ang is still in the Philippines, but acknowledged Thursday that they received intelligence reports that he may have already escaped to Cambodia through backdoor routes. The information that Ang may be in Cambodia came from whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan. Remulla pointed out, however, that this “raw information” was subject for verification. Still, Remulla said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Philippine National Police has moved to cancel Ang’s passport.
BUSINESS: 2026 revenue goals cut
REVENUE collection targets for this year have been lowered following downward revision to economic growth assumptions. Data obtained by reporters on Thursday showed that the government was now targeting revenues of P4.824 trillion for this year, down from P4.983 trillion previously. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is tasked to collect P3.431 trillion, lower than the P3.579 trillion set in the 2026 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) target was also lowered to P1.003 trillion from P1.013 trillion. Non-tax revenues were set at P349.9 billion, higher than the previous program of P249.1 billion. Both agencies failed to hit the revenue collection targets last year. The BIR collected only P3.105 trillion in 2025, falling short of the P3.232-trillion goal but still higher than the P2.83 trillion recorded in 2024.
SPORTS: PSC chair unveils refurbished Rizal Memorial Sports Complex ahead of WTA 125 hosting
THE Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) has undergone a major overhaul and is ready to host the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open, the first ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 event to be held in the Philippines, from Jan. 26 to 31. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio unveiled the fully revamped Rizal Memorial Tennis Center and its new media room on Thursday afternoon, personally leading the press on a tour of the modernized complex.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao talks about Chinese socialism, while Tatad discusses how to save a territory like Greenland.
Today’s editorial looks into self-governance in Muslim Mindanao. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.
