Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Tuesday, January 13, 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: Trial of Zaldy Co, 15 others begins next week
THE Sandiganbayan will begin the trial of former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co this month, with or without his presence, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday. In a press briefing, Dizon said the trial would start on Jan. 20, and that he was one of those summoned to shed light on the cases against Co — who is hiding abroad — and some officials of his construction company, Sunwest Corp. Co and his 15 co-accused in the alleged anomalous implementation of a P289-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro are now in the derogatory database of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) following the issuance of warrants of arrest and hold departure orders (HDOs) by the Sandiganbayan.
READ: NBI recommends filing cases vs DPWH execs in Davao Region
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) file cases against 12 officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Davao Region over alleged irregularities in flood control projects. In a statement, the NBI said its validation of an investigation initiated by the ICI showed that several flood control projects in the region were either left incomplete or constructed below standard, raising questions on compliance with technical specifications and proper use of public funds. The bureau added that it would also recommend to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the filing of formal criminal charges against the officials involved.
READ: Marcos ready to face charges amid impeachment talk—Palace
MALACAÑANG on Monday assured the public that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will face all charges should an impeachment case against him prosper. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the statement in reaction to earlier reports that some lawmakers are planning to file an impeachment complaint against the chief executive once session at the House of Representatives resumes, as earlier bared by Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice. Among the grounds is Marcos’ supposed betrayal of public trust over the massive corruption tied to anomalous flood control projects and the perceived questionable enactment of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (ACT), which the official outright rejected.
READ: DPWH to focus on rehab, repair of flood control projects, roads, bridges
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will embark on multi-billion-peso maintenance, rehabilitation, repair and completion of all unfinished infrastructure projects nationwide for 2026. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday that top on the DPWH’s priority is the massive rehabilitation and repair of the Maharlika Highway, also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway, which spans 3,379.73 kilometers from Aparri in Northern Luzon to Jolo in Mindanao. Maharlika Highway is a network of roads, expressways, bridges and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
BUSINESS: BSP green financing incentives extended
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has extended regulatory incentives allowing banks to increase lending for green and sustainable projects. The incentives, first introduced in 2023 under BSP Circular 1185, will remain available for another two years starting Jan. 6, 2026, the central bank said on Monday. Banks can continue to exceed the 25-percent single borrower’s limit by up to an additional 15 percent, provided that the excess exposure is for eligible green or sustainable projects.
SPORTS: Eala climbs to new career-best 49th in official WTA rankings
ALEXANDRA “Alex” Eala moved up to a new career-best 49th in the latest official Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on Monday. The Filipino netter topped her previous high by a notch and climbed four notches higher than her last week’s ranking of 53rd. Eala is coming off to a semifinal finish at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, falling to Chinese Wang Xinyu, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, last Saturday.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras and Orlando Mercado are today’s front page columnists. Contreras talks about unprogrammed funds and constitutional rhetoric while Mercado discusses why the world feels like a ‘waste land’ – and what history warns us about.
Today’s editorial is about Cebu City’s garbage problem refuses to go away.
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