TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Thursday, 8 January 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 08 January 2026, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.

1.    Marcos to visit UAE; sign free trade, defense deals

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/08/marcos-to-visit-uae-sign-free-trade-defense-deals

2. Marcos to PhilHealth: Impose waiver for interest of unpaid contributions

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972078/marcos-to-philhealth-impose-waiver-for-interest-of-unpaid-contributions/story/

3. Erice, de Lima asks Supreme Court to nullify unprogrammed funds in 2026 budget

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/01/08/erice-de-lima-asks-supreme-court-to-nullify-unprogrammed-funds-in-2026-budget

4. Marcos inaugurates Camalaniugan Bridge, opens new link between Aparri and Camalaniugan

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/08/marcos-inaugurates-camalaniugan-bridge-opens-new-link-between-aparri-and-camalaniugan

5. FEAST OF BLACK NAZARENE:

-DOH warns of stampede risk during Traslacion; PNP, MMDA stress maximum tolerance, readiness

-PNP: Security measures in place for Traslacion 2026

-DPWH: Manila bridges safe for Traslacion

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314688909/doh-warns-of-stampede-risk-during-traslacion-pnp-mmda-stress-maximum-tolerance-readiness.html

6. BIR files tax evasion complaint vs Wawao Builders owner

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972085/bir-files-tax-evasion-complaint-vs-wawao-builders/story/

7. Philippines debt mounts to new all-time high of P17.65 trillion

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/01/08/2499430/philippines-debt-mounts-new-all-time-high-p1765-trillion

8. DA creates farm-to-market roads transparency portal; DPWH may still build farm-to-market roads

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972083/da-creates-farm-to-market-roads-transparency-portal/story/

9. Teacher's death sparks calls for DepEd classroom policy review, teacher welfare reforms

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/08/teachers-death-sparks-calls-for-deped-classroom-policy-review-teacher-welfare-reforms’

10. New lava dome forms as Mayon Volcano ejects pyroclastic flows

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/01/08/2499598/new-lava-dome-forms-mayon-volcano-ejects-pyroclastic-flows

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit