Windows26: February 2025

Hi, reader.

Happy first day of February! This week, we covered the intensifying debate over the 2025 budget, with President Marcos dismissing allegations of blank allocations as a destabilization attempt. Plus, the latest senatorial survey, a major shift in voting technology, and the passing of Philippine cinema legend Gloria Romero.

This is your Weekend Roundup, your weekly fix for everything you need to catch up.

BUDGET SAGA

Destabilization?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed the petition questioning the 2025 national budget before the Supreme Court as part of alleged efforts to destabilize his administration. Although saying he was confident that the government has a strong case to counter the petition for certiorari and prohibition against the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Marcos warned that there was no Plan B if the Supreme Court strikes it down as unconstitutional, stating they would "shut down everything."

Marcos reiterated that there are no missing items in the signed GAA, saying he had read all 4,057 pages last December before signing it. "Because I reviewed it, analyzed it, and yes—in parts, vetoed it. And so, for those of you, and up to now, I cannot find those damned blank items," he said.

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo has clarified that the blanks in the bicameral conference committee report on the 2025 national budget were only for the final computation of the amendments.

But for Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, the presence of blank items in the bicameral conference committee's version of the then-proposed budget for 2025 is tantamount to a crime.

FROM THE NEWS DESK

Editors' Picks

Back to chasing dreams, Carlos Yulo 'not afraid to make mistakes'

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Jannik Sinner says clear mind over doping saga helped him win

Jannik Sinner said being clear in his mind that he was innocent of doping helped him play the sort of tennis that won him another Grand Slam on Sunday.

Suspek sa pagpanaw ng lolang siniliban patay na rin dahil sa toilet brush

Base sa report, namatay ang suspek sa loob mismo ng kulungan dahil sa impeksyon sa kanyang lalamunan.

Ria, Zanjoe pinabinyagan na ang anak, star-studded ang ninong at ninang

Nabinyagan na sa simbahan si Baby Sabino, ang anak ng celebrity couple na sina Ria Atayde at Zanjoe Marudo.

INQFOCUS

Sex education

A lot of young people still don't have a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality that while teenage pregnancies have decreased, a lot of 10 to 14-year olds are becoming batang ina, according to the University of the Philippines Population Institute.

INQFOCUS

Miru System

As the 2025 midterm elections approach, a major change is on the horizon for the country's election system. The Commission on Elections has decided to move away from the traditional Vote-Counting Machines that have been in use since 2010.

ON MY RADAR

Must-reads