A news and information service for Filipino seafarers sponsored by the All Japan Seamen's Union, International Mariners Management Association of Japan and Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc.
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January 1, 2026
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Japan to double security assistance in FY 2026
JAPAN, January 1 ------ Japan plans to more than double funding for its security equipment aid to like-minded countries in fiscal year 2026, in view of China's increasingly assertive actions in the East and South China Seas. The government will allocate about 18.1 billion yen in its initial budget proposal for the next fiscal year from April to be adopted at a cabinet meeting.
The outlay for the official security assistance program for 10 countries is 2.2 times that for the program covering eight nations in the initial budget for the current year through March 2026. When launching the OSA initiative in April 2023 to create a "desirable security environment for Japan," the government provided equipment chiefly for vigilance and surveillance purposes, such as patrol boats to four countries for free. But it has since added ceasefire-monitoring gears, vessels to support underwater operations and heavy machinery for disaster response and is going to launch an infrastructure development project by the end of fiscal 2025. "We intend to strengthen security cooperation by meeting broader demand," a Foreign Ministry official said.
The ministry specifically plans to focus on drones, hoping that actively providing domestically developed drones for both civilian and military purposes through the program helps expand overseas business opportunities for Japanese companies. It has already inked deals with Sri Lanka and Tonga to supply unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and disaster response purposes and is working with the trade ministry to promote such equipment to other countries.
Looking ahead, the government is considering developing the equipment aid into technical assistance in coordination with the United States and Australia. "The initiative will help build ties with foreign militaries amid an unstable international environment," a government official said. "Japan is aiming to contribute to regional stability."
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Israel becomes first country to formally recognize Somaliland as independent state
January 1 ------ Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state - a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia's longstanding opposition to secession.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel. Netanyahu said the declaration "is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump."
The 2020 accords were brokered by US President Donald Trump's first administration and included Israel formalizing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later. Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Somaliland's president signed a joint declaration of mutual recognition, the Israeli statement said.
Abdullahi said in a statement that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, calling it a step toward regional and global peace. He said Somaliland was committed to building partnerships, boosting mutual prosperity and promoting stability across the Middle East and Africa. But Somalia's government condemned Israel's move as an "unlawful step" and a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty, rejecting any recognition of Somaliland, according to a statement from the prime minister's office. "The federal government affirms its determination to pursue all necessary diplomatic, political, and legal measures, in accordance with international law, to defend its sovereignty, unity, and internationally recognized borders," the statement said.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in an X post said that Netanyahu's recognition of the territory was "illegal aggression" and "contrary to established legal and diplomatic rules." The European Union also urged respect for Somalia's unity and called for "meaningful dialogue" between Mogadishu and Somaliland to resolve longstanding differences. Egypt said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Turkey and Djibouti to discuss what they described as dangerous developments in the Horn of Africa following Israel's announcement.
The ministers condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland, reaffirmed their full support for Somalia's unity and territorial integrity, and warned that recognizing breakaway regions posed a threat to international peace and security, Egypt's foreign ministry said. The African Union also rejected any recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to Somalia's unity and territorial integrity and warning that such moves risked undermining peace and stability across the continent, the AU Commission chair said.
The Nigerian government in a statement on X said it "strongly condemns" any actions that seek to undermine Somalia's constitutional order and urged other nations to "desist" from recognizing any part of Somalia's territory as independent. Somaliland has enjoyed effective autonomy - and relative peace and stability - since 1991 when Somalia descended into civil war, but the breakaway region has failed to receive recognition from any other country. Over the years, Somalia has rallied international actors against any country recognizing Somaliland.
The former British protectorate hopes that recognition by Israel will encourage other nations to follow suit, increasing its diplomatic heft and access to international markets. In March, Somalia and Somaliland denied receiving any proposal from the United States or Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, with Mogadishu saying it categorically rejected any such move.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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MARITIME NEWS
Feast or Famine
January 1 ------ Marine salvage is arguably the most unique subsector of the maritime industry. It's a sector with a modus operandi that seems to be based on a series of enigmas. First and probably most obvious is that salvors operate in conditions and circumstances that often defy the conventional norms of good marine practices.
Second is the fact that the financial structure is different from almost any other. Salvors face an inconsistent revenue stream yet require a steady amount of operating capital. Oftentimes, salvors must give a lump-sum, "no cure no pay" proposal. Although a lump-sum contract is not unique, many prudent accountants would consider it a financially suicidal approach to business. The other unique feature of marine salvage is the necessity for highly skilled laborers, yet there's no formalized trade school or recognized certification for salvors.
MARITIME NECESSITY
Marine salvage includes a combination of spill response and marine firefighting with vessel-lightering and wreck-removal. Though salvage response is often an afterthought for most shipowners, every commercial vessel over 400 tons is required to have an approved Vessel Response Plan – a plan describing how to contact and activate an approved salvor capable of spill response, firefighting and servicing damaged vessels. Salvors are a maritime necessity. They have a unique set of skills, even if not recognized in the same way as licensed mariners.
World-class salvors like Smit International, Resolve Marine, Donjon Marine and engineering firm PCCI understand and accept the unorthodox nature of marine salvage and have cracked the code for excelling in the "feast or famine" nature of this niche industry. Their formula is to leverage salvage skills to fill service voids within the maritime industry by providing other services like ship repair, marine towing, dredging and marine construction.
Marine salvage includes a combination of spill response and marine firefighting with vessel-lightering and wreck removal. Though salvage response is often an afterthought for most shipowners, every commercial vessel over 400 tons is required to have an approved Vessel Response Plan – a plan describing how to contact and activate an approved salvor capable of spill response, firefighting and servicing damaged vessels. This helps balance an inconsistent revenue stream and keeps the skills of both management and deck plate-level salvors sharp and proficient.
SMIT INTERNATIONAL
Netherlands-based Smit International is one of the world's premier salvage firms. What began as a towing company in the mid-1800s has grown into an industry leader that is now part of Boskalis and also operates a joint venture with Donjon Marine. Under the Boskalis umbrella, customers of Smit have access to services that include heavy lift, open ocean marine towing and spill response in addition to dredging and subsea capabilities that include saturation diving and ROVs.
Smit has response centers in Rotterdam, Houston, Cape Town and Singapore. On any given day, Smit's teams will be engaged in multiple projects. This past year has seen a steady volume of business with a notable case being the response to the container ship MSC Elsa 3, which is currently sitting in 165 feet of water off the southern coast of India. Smit sent a saturation dive team to work around the clock to remove fuel from the sunken vessel.
DONJON MARINE
Founded in 1964 by J. Arnold Witte to provide salvage and other related services, Donjon has expanded to include towing, dredging and spill response as well as ship repair and recycling. Donjon CEO and second-generation salvor, John Witte, Jr., is no stranger to the obstacles facing the marine salvage industry. As current President of the International Salvage Union and former head of the American Salvage Association, he knows that it takes tactical expertise at the deck-plate level and prowess at the macro level to thrive in this industry. Recent high-profile responses for Donjon include the Francis Scott Key (FSK) allision in Baltimore in 2024 as well as the mid-air collision over the Potomac River in Washington between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter in January of 2025. In both cases, the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving played a central role.
One could argue that the secret to Donjon's success is that they have leveraged partnerships and optimized skills and lessons learned in salvage to provide other related services. A notable example is the recent news that Donjon has been awarded an $8.2 million contract to perform the maintenance dredging for the Bronx River Navigation Project. Donjon's success has resulted in some very exciting news. As of September 2025, Miami-based investment firm Tallvine Partners acquired Donjon Marine. The details have not been released, but what is known is that John Witte, Jr., will remain CEO and Donjon will continue to operate under the Donjon Marine brand. Tallvine Partners and Donjon appear to be in sync on Donjon's current strategy, so it's reasonable to expect more expansion in the near future.
RESOLVE MARINE
2025 has seen Resolve Marine working on a variety of projects from traditional salvage and wreck-removal to more niche response work in the offshore renewable energy and aerospace sectors. "We've also seen an increased trend of cases involving distressed cargo including lithium-ion battery-related fires, collapsed containers and hazardous material response," notes Director of Projects Sam Adams. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Resolve has been plenty busy with salvage yet seems to innately know that top-notch salvors do more than just salvage. For Resolve, this means ship repair facilities, marine services, ship's husbandry diving, light marine construction and even operating the Resolve Training Academy. Capitalizing on its vast level of in-house experience, expanding into the marine service market seems part of a natural progression. The Resolve team looks beyond simply serving its immediate customers. It views expansion as a great opportunity to enhance the skill sets of its team and improve asset utilization between salvage projects. Downtime of capital assets can be financially destructive for a marine business.
The Resolve Training Academy offers a partial solution to another problem that's plaguing all of the maritime industry. That problem is lack of skilled labor. Resolve Training Academy offers USCG-approved STCW courses, shipboard firefighting and even boasts a damage control wet trainer, designed to simulate flooding emergencies on a ship. Courses are open to everyone, not just Resolve employees, with obvious benefits for the entire industry as well as a mechanism for keeping salvors' skills sharp.
A notable example of how this is working is a wreck-removal in which the Resolve team converted a standard 300x100-foot barge into a semi-submersible. Using a salvor's heart and a spirit of ingenuity, with nothing more than standard maritime and hardware store equipment, the salvage team ballasted the converted semi-submersible barge beneath the wreck, then refloated both the barge and wreck vessel. It was a huge win operationally, but more importantly it illustrated how Resolve's in-house resources of marine towing, spill response and even a damage-control training school enable salvors to confidently think outside conventional maritime norms.
"The maritime industry has entered a new era of complexity," says Adams. "We find ourselves navigating more dangerous and intricate cargoes. Vessels are being powered by alternative fuels that bring unfamiliar risks, and new domains are emerging in the maritime arena like renewable energy, all of which demand a more robust emergency management response posture. In this environment, owners, insurers and regulators expect more than just a technical solution. They require clear communication, full transparency and dependable support."
PCCI – ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
If salvors feel overlooked at times, then engineering firms that support salvors must feel absolutely invisible. Alexandria, Virginia-based PCCI is an engineering firm that likes to solve marine-based problems, and for over three decades it's been working with the same U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command as Donjon. In fact, PCCI provided the underwater digital imaging and engineering planning that became the strategic catalyst for salvors during the FSK Bridge salvage response. Founded in 1981 with the primary purpose of providing environmental services for the U.S. government, today its services include ocean engineering, marine construction and customization of hyperbaric facilities. Its customer base has expanded well beyond the U.S. Navy and now includes international government agencies, energy producers, mining companies, hospitals and medical facilities. It's an engineering think tank to support marine operations, and that's what it excels at.
"Traditional brute-force methods have given way to more sophisticated, multidisciplinary engineering solutions," says Matt Schubert, PCCI's Chief Naval Architect/Engineer. "Larger vessels, stricter environmental regulations and the complexity of modern port infrastructure demand advanced engineering foresight and precision." It's a perspective that should be well-received by maritime stakeholders. The FSK response is a case in point of how salvage operations can be most effective when salvors and engineers work together. Salvors that work with PCCI gain "engineering solutions born out of real-world experience," adds Schubert.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Indian Register of Shipping Reflects on Strategic Progress and 2026 Outlook
January 1 ------ Indian Register of Shipping has reported a strong year across defense, merchant marine, digital innovation and research during 2025, reinforcing its position as a key technical partner for governments, shipowners and shipyards at a time of accelerating change for the maritime sector.
In merchant marine, IRS recorded broader engagement in international projects. It completed its first new construction project for Penguin Shipyard in Singapore, delivered its first Korean owner Korean-built vessel through IRS Korea, and continued to attract major global operators. Vessels from CMA CGM and Maersk were classed during 2025, reflecting confidence in the organization’s technical expertise and responsiveness. IRS also expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a new office in Saudi Arabia to support growing regional activity. Since January 2025, 115 vessels of various sizes and applications have been delivered under its class in India and abroad.
In the defense sector, IRS supported major national programs as the Indian Navy advanced its fleet modernization plans. The organization completed the single classing of the Navy’s Fleet Support Ships, a first for the country, and contributed to the delivery and commissioning of Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes, Survey Vessel Large and Diving Support Vessels. A further milestone was achieved through its supervision of the refit of submarine INS Sindhukirti. This marked the first time a classification society in India had overseen an EKM class submarine refit and demonstrated growing capability in managing high-complexity naval platforms.
Digital transformation remained a central focus for the organization. IRS advanced the deployment of virtual twin technology to support life cycle assessment and 3D classification processes and continued to build capability in predictive analysis and remote-ready solutions. It also played a visible role in shaping discussion around the long-term potential of nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping. IRS also participated in a specialist roundtable during London International Shipping Week which examined how nuclear energy may influence deep sea decarbonization strategies and how safety frameworks will need to evolve to support future feasibility studies.
IRS strengthened its involvement in the development of inland waterway infrastructure through a collaborative feasibility study with Rhenus Logistics India. The organization also supported knowledge sharing within the ship recycling sector by hosting a seminar on safe and sustainable recycling practices in Bhavnagar.
Research and development continued to underpin much of the organization’s technical progress. IRS advanced work in AI-driven FEML automation, computational fluid dynamics for rotor sail efficiency and full-scale powering prediction. Its research output was published in leading international journals. Additional initiatives included hydrogen fuel risk analysis, IMDG training and an underwater welding skills program delivered with IIT Guwahati. IRS also developed Indian Coast Guard vetted oil spill contingency plans for major ports, provided structural analysis for naval platforms and contributed to IMO and IACS projects that will shape future global safety standards.
Reflecting on the year, Mr. Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS, said: “Our work in 2025 demonstrates the trust placed in IRS across defense and commercial shipping and highlights the importance of rigorous, future-ready technical assurance. The maritime industry is entering a period defined by complex regulation, emerging technologies and major shifts in fuel strategy. We are strengthening our capability and broadening our research partnerships, while continuing to support national and international clients with the highest standards of safety and technical integrity. This will remain our priority as the industry prepares for the next phase of transformation.”
Looking ahead to 2026, IRS expects continued growth in demand for advanced technical assurance across both defense and commercial shipping. The organization anticipates increased activity in naval projects as multi-role vessels become more complex and require enhanced lifecycle support. Shipowners are expected to accelerate their adoption of digital classification tools as virtual twin technologies begin to influence survey planning and asset management. Alternative fuel readiness is forecast to increase, particularly in hydrogen, biofuels and methanol, while long-term research into nuclear propulsion is expected to gain momentum as owners explore pathways for deep sea decarbonization beyond 2030. Inland waterway development is likely to progress as governments seek more sustainable domestic transport options.
With a strong foundation built during 2025, IRS enters the new year focused on innovation, safety and expanded industry collaboration as it supports clients through evolving regulatory expectations and rapid technological advancement.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Poetry in Motion
January 1 ------ Shipyards are key pieces of the global maritime infrastructure. From newbuilds to refits to scheduled maintenance, every single ship on the sea needs to return home periodically for a little rest and recovery – not to mention needed repairs, realignment, a fresh coat of paint and so on. Shipyards come in all sizes and shapes and can be found anywhere that the land meets the sea. But no matter the size, location or specialty, there's one constant you'll find at every single yard on earth: Cranes.
Nothing gets done without cranes. Equipment needs transferring; supplies need loading, and sometimes even ships themselves need lifting. Besides dock space, the next most flaunted feature that shipyards tout is their crane capacity. They're the single most important tool needed to get the job done. Crane technology has steadily advanced over the years with better operating systems, environmentally friendly designs and innovative solutions. Here are a few of my favorites.
FROM SKYSCRAPERS TO SHIPYARDS
Tower cranes are a familiar sight in the city. You see them at every construction site. They're quickly installed at the side of the road during highway construction, on bridges, and high in the sky on top of skyscrapers. But they haven't been a fixture widely seen in shipyards – until now. Founded in Spain in 1962, Comansa tower cranes have worked on all kinds of projects around the world: bridges, skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, dams, ports, stadiums and power plants, to name a few.
The company has been operating in North America since 2002 from offices in Pineville, North Carolina. Its specialty is producing large-scale tower cranes for big civil projects. This skillset is also a great option for shipyards needing assist cranes. Tower cranes don't require a road network, take up very little space and have an impressive working capacity, hook height and swing radius that are perfectly suited to shipyard work – all at a reasonable cost.
The company recently provided Vigor Shipyard in Seattle, Washington with two of its LCL-560 luffing jib-tower cranes. These are fitted with Comansa's level luffing system, which maintains load height during boom luffing (raising and lowering), and the EFFI Plus system that controls the electrically driven motors. This slows the hoisting speed when bearing a load but increases wire speed when unloaded on the downcycle. The overall cycle time is the same as traditional large motors but saves on power consumption.
Another innovation is Comansa's Crane Mate system. This digital platform allows crane monitoring, tele-diagnosis and fleet management in support of the preventive maintenance program. Thanks to this cutting-edge communications technology, clients can receive in real time technical information, location, alerts and data related to the productivity and maintenance of the crane. Tower cranes require minimal space versus crawler or mobile cranes. Pair this with the cost savings and all-electric motors for limited maintenance, and the advantage to shipyards becomes clear.
LIFT AND TRAVEL
Space is often at a premium in shipyards – especially those that primarily service the pleasure boat market. Since its inception in 1954, Marine Travelift has been known for its innovative boat-handling equipment, designing the very first mobile boat hoist in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin back in the 1940s.
Not long after, in the 1950s, Marine Travelift was officially established and has remained an industry leader for the past 70+ years. The company has had many firsts along the way including the first open-end boat lift design for faster handling of sailboats' masts, marina forklifts and breaking the record for largest capacity boat hoist multiple times. In 2022, it introduced a revolutionary variable-width option, available on both the BFMII and C-Series Mobile Boat Hoist machines. The variable-width option helps shipyards save space by stowing vessels more tightly together, enabling them to work on more vessels at the same time. The hydraulically actuated system allows the travel lift's uprights to better conform to the width of the boat being moved rather than requiring a one-size-fits-all approach.
The first Marine Travelift model with the variable width option was a 75BFMII with a 75-metric ton lifting capacity. Delivered to the Marine Group Boat Works in San Jose del Cabo, California, this model offers nine feet of width variability and can seamlessly expand and retract under full load in 60 seconds. "The variable-width option provides the ability to handle a wider variety of hulls and without any major infrastructure changes," explains Kurt Minten, Executive Vice President. "With the ability to vary the boat hoist's width, you can not only lift wide vessels such as catamarans but narrower mono-hulls as well without exceeding recommended sling angles."
A second exciting development was the introduction of a fully electric series of lifts. Fitting a 700-volt, battery-powered system on the 50BFMII boat hoist, which carries a 50-metric ton lift capacity, the power consumption was optimized to ensure the Electric Series meets or exceeds the performance of the standard engine machine. A full charge can be delivered in eight hours with the recommended 30kW high-speed smart charger, and yards can expect to lift anywhere from 10 to 14 vessels a day on a full charge. The Electric Series option is available in all capacity hoists offered. Where possible, going to a boat hoist rather than a drydock allows providers to work on more vessels at once and doesn't create the same delays a drydock might when waiting on parts needed for repairs. This gives yard and marina owners more versatility and allows them to more efficiently move vessels in and out of work areas.
MOVING MORE THAN SHIPS
If you've ever seen an impossibly large structure on top of a platform fitted with dozens of rubber wheels being moved over land, chances are you've seen Cimolai in action. Cimolai Heavy Lift provides the design and execution for the transport and lifting of "exceptional structures in weight and size." This is accomplished by using self-propelled modular transporters or SPMTs.
These hydraulically operated SPMTs are essentially a steel platform fitted with a number of double wheels riding on top of a hydraulic suspension system and powered by a hydraulic power pack on the end. The wheels are able to rotate, which allows the trailer to crab-walk, spin in circles and quickly adjust in any direction. When a weight is loaded on top, the hydraulic suspension serves to keep the platform level, even as the trailer moves across uneven ground. This keeps the load stable, which is critical when moving huge and heavy structures.
The real magic, however, is when you link multiple SPMTs together. The size of the structure to be moved is only limited by the size of the platform available to place it on and the weight-bearing capacity of the wheels. More SPMTs means more wheels and a bigger working surface. When linked, both length-wise and width-wise, all of the wheels respond to the same single operator's inputs. The result is a single unit customized to exactly meet the space requirements of the lift, providing a load capacity of up to 9,500 tons. (Note that the author has participated in many SPMT-powered operations, and they never fail to impress.)
SPACE-SAVING SOLUTIONS
In a world that demands increased efficiencies, space and agility are core considerations, and the need for equipment that is powerful, precise and space-conscious continues to increase. Cranes and heavy-lift technologies are no longer just about brute strength. They're about efficiency, flexibility and sustainability. Whether through the towering reach of Comansa cranes, the adaptability of Marine Travelift hoists or the modular versatility of Cimolai SPMTs, modern solutions are enabling shipyards to handle more complex projects in tighter spaces with reduced environmental impact. The future of shipyard operations will depend on adopting these innovations to remain competitive and deliver the reliability the maritime industry requires.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
SSS sets another round of pension increase this 2026
January 1 ------ THE leadership of the Social Security System (SSS) announced that it has set various programs up for implementation in 2026 primarily aimed at benefiting its millions of members nationwide. “We look forward to 2026 where we continue implementing existing programs while developing new ones and strengthening member servicing as well as expanding footprint of SSS nationwide and abroad,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro said.
By September next year, de Claro said, the agency will carry out the second to the last tranche of the Pension Reform Program for another round of pension increase. “Also available for 2026 is the Emergency Loan Program up to Dec. 9, 2026 or until the calamity declaration is lifted,” he said.
Following the approval of its guidelines, the micro loan program will also be implemented early in 2026. “With guidance from Finance Secretary Frederick Go, SSS is looking to implement this micro loan program through partner institutions very soon as a safer and affordable option to borrow cash for short-term needs with 15- to 90-day tenor and interest rate of 8 percent per annum or 0.67percent per month,” he said.
De Claro added that the agency will open Foreign Representative Offices in Madrid, San Francisco, and Macau, and establish 10 new local branches, next year. The pension fund will hire about 1,800 personnel to boost manpower resources in the frontlines. “This recruitment effort aims to address gaps in service delivery and handling of requests for assistance and various complaints,” de Claro said.
Other programs being explored by SSS in 2026 include potential partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program, special programs for gig economy workers, and contribution subsidy program for 2,000 Overseas Filipino Workers through P28.8-M commitment from Double Dragon Corporation.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Marcos Jr. expected to sign 2026 budget this month
MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ There will be no fresh national budget in the first few days of 2026 as President Marcos is expected to sign the proposed P6.793-trillion outlay for next year in the first week of January, possibly on Jan. 5.
The Marcos administration had wanted the appropriations bill signed into law by year-end to avoid reenacting the 2025 budget, a situation seen to hamper the implementation of vital projects and stall economic growth. However, an amendment to the legislative calendar moved the ratification of the 2026 appropriations measure to Dec. 29, only two days before the end of the year.
On Tuesday, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto told The STAR that it may take a week to go over the budget “with a fine-tooth comb.” “First week of January,” Recto said in a text message to reporters yesterday when asked about the schedule of the signing of next year’s outlay. Recto previously said a reenacted budget for a week would not affect government operations. “It will be better for everyone that Malacañang review the budget carefully,” the executive secretary said.
According to Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez, Marcos is mobilizing a team that will immediately review the amounts and provisions agreed upon in the bicameral conference committee as well as the amendments made from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the executive branch to Congress. He said the review would ensure that taxpayers’ money would be put to good use.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address in July, Marcos vowed to veto a budget bill not fully aligned with the NEP even if the government ends up operating under a reenacted outlay. Last year, Marcos vetoed P194 billion worth of items in the 2025 budget, saying they are not attuned with the priorities of his administration. He had removed more than 180 public works projects and 15 unprogrammed appropriations from this year’s outlay, citing the need to ensure that the country’s limited resources are in line with the government’s priorities and development targets.
According to Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian, delaying the signing of the national budget until Jan. 5, 2026 would ensure the executive has enough time to thoroughly review the proposed outlay. Gatchalian noted that submitting the budget to Malacañang on Dec. 29 would leave the executive with limited time to examine the more than 4,000 pages of the enrolled copies before the end of the year. “The prudent course of action is to move the signing to Jan. 5 to ensure that every provision is thoroughly reviewed,” he told reporters.
Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto the national budget after its submission. Meanwhile, Gatchalian on Monday urged continued public and institutional vigilance over government projects, stressing that efforts to curb corruption should extend beyond the approval of the national budget and into its actual implementation. “We have reconciled the numbers, but vigilance must continue from budgeting to implementation if we are to purge corruption from the bureaucracy,” he said following the approval of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget. At the same time, Sen. Francis Pangilinan yesterday welcomed the inclusion of a P1-billion budget in the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s 2026 outlay for biosecurity enforcement program to prevent smuggling and contain animal diseases.
Source: philstar.com
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P20 per kilo rice extended to lower middle class
MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ The government is set to expand the availability of the P20 per kilo rice to an estimated 15.6 million lower middle class households by January. The sector would be added to the current beneficiaries of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program of the Department of Agriculture, which includes the elderly, single parents, persons with disability, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage earners and transport workers, National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson told radio dzBB yesterday.
An inter-agency committee would determine qualified households based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Social Security System, as well as data on enrolment in public schools from the Department of Education, Lacson explained. He said qualified households may also be required to register in the centralized masterlist of the cheaper rice program.
Presently, the P20 per kilo rice is available in all 82 provinces in the country through around 450 “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” centers set up in select NFA warehouses and local government units. With an estimated 2.2 million to 2.9 million bags of milled rice currently available, the expanded P20 per kilo rice program would be able to distribute a million bags monthly, Lacson said. He pointed out the NFA plans to speed up the bidding for service providers to mill new supply of rice to replenish the stock used for the expanded program.
Source: philstar.com
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Providers urged to shift to EMR systems as eKonsulta ends July 2026
MANILA, January 1 ------ The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) called on Monday accredited healthcare providers to prepare for the decommissioning of the eKonsulta platform by July 1, 2026.
In a letter addressed to partner providers, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado said the agency is implementing key reforms to ensure a more efficient outpatient and primary care services. Mercado said clinics and facilities must adopt compatible electronic medical record (EMR) systems capable of real-time data submission, noting these systems will serve as the backbone of seamless care coordination and timely reimbursements. “Real-time data submission is critical for an improved health delivery system. I urge you to prepare your facilities with compatible EMR systems,” he said.
The shift forms part of PhilHealth’s effort to redesign the Konsulta package into the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) program, which aims to strengthen promotive and preventive care and align service delivery with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act of 2019. The transition to YAKAP will introduce more predictable payment mechanisms and integrate quality measures that support comprehensive outpatient benefits, it said.
The integration of EMR systems is expected to minimize delays in claims processing and improve accuracy in reporting and documentation. Mercado reassured providers that while the transition may pose initial challenges, the reforms are designed to benefit both patients and healthcare facilities in the long term. “We recognize that meaningful change cannot happen overnight, but these improvements will enhance patient experience and support provider operations,” he said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Reinforcing PH Navy's missile capabilities amid WPS tensions
MANILA, January 1 ------ With the commissioning of the two Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigates last year, the Philippine Navy (PN) has effectively reinforced its missile capability — a significant upgrade in the face of lingering tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
For 2025, the PN has doubled the number of its missile-armed major surface combatants from two to four, with the addition of BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06) and BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07). BRP Miguel Malvar, the PN's most advanced frigate, was officially commissioned on May 20 during the Navy's 127th anniversary. Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had described its arrival as "a critical step toward developing a self-reliant and credible defense posture."
BRP Diego Silang, on the other hand, officially entered active service on Dec. 2 — a key development that "sends a clear message that the Philippines will continue to invest in programs that strengthen maritime domain awareness, enhance deterrence, and improve our ability to uphold the rule of law," according to DND Undersecretary Salvador Melchor Mison Jr. during the commissioning. With the addition of these two warships, the country's first two guided-missile frigates, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), got their much-needed reinforcement as they go about their mission in patrolling and protecting the country's vast maritime domains, including the WPS.
According to the PN, Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigates are heavier armed and more capable than the Jose Rizal-class frigates — 3,200 gross tons compared to 2,600. While it is equipped with similar weapons systems like the 76mm Oto Melara main gun, C-Star surface-to-surface missiles, and Blue Shark anti-submarine torpedoes like its predecessors, the Miguel Malvar class boasts a bigger C-Star loadout, having eight missile tubes compared to the Jose Rizal class's four.
Miguel Malvar guided-missile frigates are also the first PN ships to be equipped with a vertical launch system (VLS) — an advanced system for storing and firing missiles aboard naval vessels — capable of firing surface-to-air missiles that can neutralize air threats.
The VLS system mounted in the BRP Miguel Malvar has 16 tubes and is optimized for surface-to-air engagements. Aside from these, the brand-new guided missile frigates are also armed with 35mm Aselsan close-in weapons systems and four .50 caliber heavy machine guns. Such modern capabilities, according to PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent, "will allow us greater and longer operational reach as we continue to perform our mandate of securing our seas." And like the Jose Rizal class, the Miguel Malvar guided-missile frigates are also equipped with sensors, surveillance systems and weapons platforms that allow them for multi-combat operations, meaning it can track and engage surface, sub-surface, and air threats.
In a recent interview with the Philippine News Agency, PN spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the naval service is seeing more modernization milestones in 2026. "Looking ahead, the PN anticipates significant milestones in its modernization journey," she said, as she reaffirmed the PN's "unwavering commitment" to fulfilling its mandate while pursuing its modernization efforts. "By 2026, the PN expects the delivery of the third Tarlac class landing dock platform, along with offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) that are expected to further enhance maritime security efforts and extend the Navy’s operational reach," Martinez added.
She, however, noted that the PN's modernization program extends beyond the acquisition of modern warfare platforms. "While the procurement of advanced ships, aircraft, weapons systems, and C-4ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance) capabilities remains a priority, equal emphasis is placed on the essential enablers that allow these capabilities to be fully realized," Martinez said.
These include capacity enhancement through training, the continued development of bases and support facilities, improvements in sustainment, and force restructuring to meet evolving operational requirements. Aside from this, Martinez said the PN is actively exploring opportunities to strengthen its self-reliant defense posture. Martinez said these reinforce the PN’s vision of becoming a "modern, multi-domain, and self-reliant navy, and a credible partner in contributing to regional peace, stability, and development." The PN's modernization program is guided by the Philippine Navy Strategic Sail Plan 2040, which serves as its overarching organizational development strategy.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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AFP sees more robust modernization in 2026
MANILA, January 1 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expecting a more robust modernization in 2026. "The AFP is expecting a critical year ahead for our modernization program. We are entering a phase where several long-lead projects will begin to bear fruit, especially those aligned with archipelagic defense, cybersecurity and maritime domain awareness," Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a recent interview.
For 2026, Padilla said the AFP is anticipating the continued delivery of platforms and systems that strengthen its ability to protect territorial integrity, improve interoperability with allies and partners, and ensure that the country can monitor and respond across all domains -- land, sea, air and cyberspace. "We are looking forward to enhanced air surveillance and coastal defense capabilities, additional maritime assets for deterrence and patrols, and the expansion of command-and-control, communications, and cyber defense infrastructure," she said. “These form part of a long-term strategy to build a force that is credible, resilient and responsive to emerging threats.”
Highlights of the military's modernization highlights for 2025 include the delivery and commissioning of the two brand-new Miguel Malvar-class guided missile frigates, signing of the contract of the 12 additional light jet fighters, and delivery and commissioning of 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. Padilla said the AFP remains committed to a modernization program that is transparent, accountable, and anchored on its mandate to secure the nation. "We assure the public that every peso invested translates to stronger defenses, better protection for our people, and a more capable Armed Forces -- matatag, makabago, at handang ipagtanggol ang ating bansa," she said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Comelec preparing for 2028 polls
MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ To ensure that the 2028 elections will be successful, the Commission on Elections said it will engage in early preparations. Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said they will use as guide the timeline they adopted for the 2025 elections. “Right after the May 2022 elections, the Comelec immediately started preparing what will be needed in the next elections. So, three years before the 2025 elections, we already started,” Laudiangco said in a televised public briefing.
He added, “That is the Comelec’s plan for the 2028 elections. So next year, we will start early, just like in 2022.” Laudiangco said part of their plan is the holding of a vendor’s fair, wherein technology providers from all over the world are invited to participate. “We will take a look at new technologies being promoted worldwide that can be used in the elections,” he said.
At the same time, the Comelec said it is studying how to upgrade technology to be adopted in the registration process. “We are considering facial recognition, iris scanning… Another is that before, fingerprinting would require four fingers. Now we plan to get (fingerprints of) the ten fingers,” Laudiangco said. He said these measures aim to clean the voters’ list. “Next is not to give flying voters a chance or those voting on behalf of those already dead. You will not succeed since the Comelec’s list is organized,” the official added. “We will make sure that the list we will release come 2028 is accurate, clean and pictures of every voter are attached so there will be no room for the cheaters and impostors come election time,” Laudiangco said.
Source: philstar.com
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Traslacion preparations on track – CBCP
MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ Preparations for the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9 are on schedule, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said. “We prepared as early as August and we have timelines. Our programs are being followed properly and our final coordination and instructions to government agencies are still ongoing, especially to the police,” CBCP Commission on Public Affairs executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano told radio dzMM. “So, generally, everything is fine so far,” he added, noting that the route of the Traslacion is still the same.
He said that the entrance for the devotees will be along Plaza Miranda and Carriedo Street. “The coordination is still ongoing and we will continue to discuss so that our Traslacion of Nazareno in 2026 will be holy and safe,” Secillano said about security preparations. Meanwhile, devotees are expected to start to gather during the first Friday mass on Jan. 2. “We expect that many people will attend the first Friday mass on Jan. 2 so our standard blessing and replica blessings will be done the following day, which is Saturday,” Secillano said.
Secillano said the mass novenas will start on Dec. 31 and end on Jan. 8. “We hope that when we go to the church, when we attend the mass, there will be a change in our lives. Because no matter how many processions you do, the most important thing is to keep the holy mass. So, to those who will go to the church, we hope to consider the solemnity of our spiritual activities because these activities are spiritual activities. Meaning, we go to the church for our spiritual life,” the CBCP official stressed.
Source: philstar.com
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
BINI reveals which artists they hope to meet at Coachella 2026
January 1 ------ BINI reflected on the success they have achieved so far, as well as how they are navigating their growing fame. In an interview with Toronto's MUCH, the Nation's Girl Group was asked whether they have already adjusted to the attention and success that come with their rising career. "I think we always try every day to make it seem normal with everything happening. But honestly we are just very grateful and blessed that we have many, many blessings and projects, and now we have Coachella coming up so we are just focusing on being grateful," BINI Mikha said.
BINI Jhoanna echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that growth remains the group's priority despite the overwhelming pace of their success. "[It is] still overwhelming but we are still hungry for growth, and I think that is the most important thing," she said. BINI is set to make history as the first Filipino group to perform at Coachella. When asked which artists they hope to meet during the festival, the group named BIGBANG, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE, Laufey, Central Cee, and PinkPantheress.
In a recent interview with KRON4, BINI shared how they reacted upon learning that they would be performing at next year's Coachella. "It was a complete surprise because our management didn't tell us anything about Coachella. It was crazy emotions from us. And there was just one morning when we were just scrolling through our social media like usual and we saw a fan posted about Coachella and we saw our name BINI, so we were surprised and we hugged each other," Stacey recalled. The girls admitted they were initially in disbelief. "At first we thought it was just edited and someone messing with us. We messaged to the group chat and then we asked our management, ‘is this real?’ And our team confirmed. And it hit us — we are really performing at Coachella," Stacey added.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Karmina Constantino on the KC After Hours podcast, Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi relayed that BINI's recent world tour paved the way for the group to be part of Coachella. "Laging ang nasa utak natin, one way to go international is to be invited in big festivals [like] Coachella and Lollapalooza... It was a vision of CLK (Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN's CEO) to hire an international group of consultants who will guide us in terms of how do we bring our artists to the global arena, so we are guided by that. Kasi abroad naman agents eh," he explained.
Through the agents, BINI's world tour was able to catch the attention of international promoters who are behind the music festivals. "Ngayon when we were able to get an agent nadala tayo sa promoters na non-Filipinos. And these promoters, ang vision talaga nun is if we were able to impress the promoters, itong mga promoters na 'to, sila din 'yung magdadala sa atin sa festival. So, we needed to impress our promoters, so that's Live Nation, that's All Things Live," he further explained.
Lauren revealed that BINI's recent world tour was an investment rather than a revenue-making endeavor. "Itong recent world tour, it was an investment. Wala tayong kita diyan. It was really a risk on our end. It was really CLK's vision, Tita Cory (Vidanes) saying, 'Kailangan niyong gawin yan.' Because that's a month of being away from more lucrative opportunities locally. But we took that risk, we went there," he shared.
During the tour, BINI needed to show to the promoters that they could draw crowds to their concerts. "We needed to be able to prove that somehow we have a crowd, we have an audience, and after the world tour, boom... We had big shows kasi in Dubai, in LA, in San Francisco, parang 'yung the important decision makers were impressed that uy there is something in BINI so we got an invitation to be part of [Coachella]," he shared.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Gerald Anderson, Richard Gutierrez to star in action series
MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ Kapamilya actors Gerald Anderson and Richard Gutierrez will team up for an ABS-CBN action series this 2026.
ABS-CBN entertainment reporter MJ Felipe shared on his X account a photo of Gerald and Richard. It's confirmed and official!" MJ captioned the post. "Gerald Anderson and Richard Gutierrez will team up for an action-packed ABS-CBN series slated for 2026. The project will be under FM Reyes and will grind after the holiday break," he added.
Apart from the series, Gerald was also part of the Netflix series "Buybust: The Undesirables" with Anne Curtis. Erik released the first look of the film during the creator-to-creator session at JAFF Creative Asia 2025 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The teaser was released on December 2 on different social media platforms. The director said that the nine-episode series will premiere on Netflix in 2026.
Source: philstar.com
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‘KPop Demon Hunters’ reaches 500 million views on Netflix
January 1 ------ Netflix announced that animated film KPop Demon Hunters has reached 500 million views since it premiered on their platform.
The streaming giant penned a post on social media to express gratitude to those who supported the film. "We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment! THANK YOU so much to everyone who watched (and rewatched) KPOP Demon Hunters. Now, how many of these view are YOU responsible for?" Netflix posted on Instagram.
The animated movie centers on Huntr/x, a K-pop trio juggling their superstar lives with a hidden mission which is battling demons. Their double life takes a dangerous turn when they clash with the Saja Boys, a rival boy group whose members are revealed to be actually demons.
KPop Demon Hunters features an all-star voice cast including Arden Cho, EJAE, Ahn Hyo-seop, Andrew Choi, May Hong, Audrey Nuna, Ji-young Yoo, Rei Ami, Joel Kim Booster, Kevin Woo, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, and Lea Salonga, among others. In an August interview with The Playlist, actress Arden, who is the speaking voice behind the main character Rumi, shared her reaction to the film's success. "It's so interesting because it's sort of like happening as we speak, but I also feel like it just feels so natural and easy because it's easy to talk about a project I love. It's easy to have conversations with people that I feel like you genuinely love the movie, and it just makes people feel good. And I know that's why I became an actor. I became an actor because I love stories. I love storytelling. I want people to feel good, and I want us to escape from the stress and sadness of life and have a moment of joy. I feel so lucky to have been almost re-inspired to want to continue this grind," she stated.
Meanwhile in September, in a conversation with Hyo-seop uploaded by Netflix K-Content on YouTube, film director Maggie Kang reflected on the success of the animated film. Maggie admitted that she didn't foresee "that a single movie could gain so much popularity."
The film director also opened up about her apprehensions when she was making the movie. "If you're living outside of Korea and you're Korean there's kind of this, I don't know, identity crisis, you know? There's kind of this fear that you're not a 100 percent Korean and you don't really know where you belong and I kinda felt that making the movie a little bit. Like am I Korean enough to make this movie? I asked myself that," she recalled.
On the key message she wanted to impart through KPop Demon Hunters, she shared: "Everyone has something they don't like about themselves. For Jinu, it was a decision in his past. For Rumi, it was something she couldn't erase. You don't need to embrace them but just acknowledge that they're there. Finding your best self and showing it to others without any shame. The movie is about shame. Recognizing that you have shame but not letting it control your life."
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
SPORTS NEWS
PH athletes expect another busy year this 2026
January 1 ------ Riding the wave of another landmark year, Filipino athletes anchored by world-class standouts such as Alex Eala and Carlos Yulo -- look poised to carry that momentum forward to keep the Philippines firmly in the international spotlight.
Eala, who has been turning heads in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), seeks another impressive season, particularly in the Grand Slams where she hopes to eclipse her historic first-round win at the US Open. Currently ranked No. 53, she is scheduled for a busy first two months by seeing action in the WTA 250 Auckland ASB Classic on Jan. 5, the Australian Open on Jan. 19, and hopefully, the WTA 125 Philippine Open where the country is hosting for the first time on Jan. 26.
Representing the country in the 30th Asian Games in Japan in September also looms, especially after her golden performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this month that ended the country’s 26-year-old gold-medal drought in the women’s singles of the said regional meet. Like Eala, Yulo is also expected to carry the fight in the Asian Games, while also hoping to maintain or surpass his performance at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships slated in Rotterdam, Netherlands in October.
These tournaments also serve as part of his long-term preparations to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Gilas Pilipinas is also scheduled for a tough battle on its own as the Nationals are primed to meet No. 6 Australia and No. 25 New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers from February to March, with upcoming windows also set in July, August and November.
After a challenging participating in the SEA Games, national athletes are setting their sights on respective continental tournaments. But more importantly, they hope to qualify for the Asian Games where they country last won four gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals in 2023 in Hangzhou, China.
Source: mb.com.ph
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NBA, FIBA move closer to launching new European basketball league
January 1 ------ The NBA and FIBA said they will start the process of engaging with teams and owners about joining their planned new league in Europe next month.
As has been expected, the league will offer both permanent spots and “a merit-based pathway” to qualifying on an annual basis through FIBA's Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament, the sides said. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the chance to qualify. “The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top," FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said.
Many details for the new league are yet to be formally finalized, including when it will start play — the working target has been October 2027 — and how many teams will take part in that inaugural season. Among the models that the NBA and FIBA have explored is a 16-team league, with 12 “permanent” spots and the other four available through qualifying.
The sides have been discussing a European league for many years, and no shortage of the NBA's biggest stars right now hail from that continent — such as Denver's Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic and Utah's Lauri Markkanen. About 1 in 6 NBA players are from Europe. Efforts toward starting the new league seemed to begin intensifying around the time of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Earlier this year, Zagklis and Silver sat side-by-side at a New York news conference to announce that the NBA and FIBA were moving forward with the project. Things have moved quickly since, with JPMorgan and the Raine Group being brought on board this summer to advise on certain financial components.
“Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
Current target countries for the NBA-FIBA endeavor are known to include Britain (with the potential host cities there being London and Manchester), France (Paris and Lyon), Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), Italy (Rome and Milan), Germany (Munich and Berlin), Greece (Athens) and Turkey (Istanbul). The NBA has a pair of regular-season games in Europe in mid-January, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic going to Berlin and London for contests.
Source: mb.com.ph
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MMA: Jackie Buntan set to defend kickboxing crown in February
MANILA, January 1 ------ Jackie Buntan will put her ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing crown on the line in February, when she takes on Austria's Stella Hemetsberger in a high-stakes rematch. The Buntan-Hemetsberger bout is part of ONE Fight Night 40, which will take place at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on February 14.
Also set to be in action is Danny Kingad, who will be up against China's Hu Yong in the ONE Championship card. Buntan will settle unfinished business with familiar foe Hemetsberger in the main event. The two first met last September at ONE Fight Night 35, battling for the vacant ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in a five-round war. Hemetsberger dropped the 28-year-old Californian twice in the opening round and weathered Buntan's comeback attempts over the final four frames to claim a unanimous decision victory.
The win made Hemetsberger Austria's first-ever ONE world champion while denying Buntan's bid to become just the third woman to capture titles in both kickboxing and Muay Thai. Now the Boxing Works product gets her chance at revenge, determined to protect her kickboxing crown from the woman who temporarily derailed her two-sport dreams.
Meanwhile, Kingad finally gets his long-awaited showdown with Hu Yong in flyweight MMA action. The two were originally scheduled to clash at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023, but the 30-year-old withdrew due to a foot injury. The Lions Nation MMA stalwart started his ONE career with a brilliant 9-1 run that included wins over current ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu and former World Title challenger Tatsumitsu Wada. However, recent form has been unkind to the Filipino veteran, who dropped back-to-back defeats to Wakamatsu and Adriano Moraes.
Against the heavy-handed Chinese knockout artist, Kingad aims to prove he still belongs among the elite in ONE's stacked flyweight division.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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