Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Monday, January 19, 2026.
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READ: Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan returns to Philippines
FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan has returned to the Philippines after traveling to the United States, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Bonoan arrived Sunday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on a China Airlines flight from Taipei, Taiwan. Bonoan went through “the standard procedure for arriving international passengers,” Viado said. The bureau immediately informed the Department of Justice (DOJ) about Bonoan’s arrival, he said.
READ: Tropical Storm Ada leaves two dead in Bicol
AT least two persons died as Tropical Storm Ada hit the Bicol Region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday. The NDRRMC said a 22-year-old male and a 19-year-old female were killed when a landslide demolished their house in Barangay Bariis, Matnog, Sorsogon, on Saturday. In Albay, flooding hit the towns of Libon, Polangui, Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Tiwi, Jovellar and Malinao. In the island province of Catanduanes, several towns were flooded, and landslides were reported. In Caramoran town, floodwaters swept away graves in a cemetery. Lahar — streams of mud and rock fragments loosened by the storm — flowed down the slopes of Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, authorities reported. Over 5,000 people were stranded in Matnog port as sea travel was halted by the Philippine Coast Guard.
READ: Alex Eala debuts at Australian Open: A new chapter for Filipino tennis
FILIPINO tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala makes her main draw debut at the Australian Open (AO) in Melbourne on Monday. Since breaking into the top 100 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings in March last year after a stellar run at the Miami Open, Eala gained a direct entry in the year’s first Grand Slam event after not getting past the first round of the qualifying stages from 2023 to 2025. World No. 49 Eala sees action in the round of 128 at 9:40 a.m., taking on No. 100 Alycia Parks of the United States at Melbourne Park Court 6.
BUSINESS: Reforms welcomed by business groups
BUSINESS groups welcomed reform initiatives announced by Cabinet officials last Friday, saying this would help strengthen governance and boost industry and overall economic growth. Among the concerns addressed during the “Big Bold Reforms” event were changes to the way the tax bureau conducts audits and continued payments to companies that participated in an automotive industry development program, funding for which was vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in this year’s national budget. Finance Secretary Frederick Go said a “funding solution” had been found for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, which lost its P4.32-billion allocation, and also said that the Bureau of Internal Revenue would be digitizing its audit system after all audit operations were halted in November following complaints of abuse.
SPORTS: Asean Para Games-bound athletes to get bonus
THE Filipino para athletes and coaches at the 2026 Asean Para Games will each receive a P6,000 bonus from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). The Asean Para Games will run from Jan. 20 to 26 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. Philippine contingent Deputy Chef de Mission Francis “Kiko” Diaz posted a video of PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio who announced the said bonus for the athletes and coaches. Under Republic Act 10699 or the Expanded National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act, para athletes who win medals at the Asean Para Games will also receive cash incentives from the government. The gold medalists will get P150,000 as the silver medalists take P75,000 and the bronze medalists will claim P30,000. The Philippines are to be represented by 216 athletes in the weeklong Para Games.
READ: Editorial & Opinion
Rigoberto Tiglao, Fr. Ranhilio C. Aquino and Francisco Tatad are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao said that Antipolo Representative Ronaldo Puno shouldn’t act like a Mafia underboss, allegedly threatening to expel fellow Representative Kiko Barzaga in relation to the latter’s accusations against business tycoon Enrique Razon. Fr. Aquino talked about the current trouble protesters face in Iran. Tatad, meanwhile, wonders if there is anyone in the world who can stop US President Donald Trump.
Today’s editorial said that the High Seas Treaty is a pathway to saving the oceans.
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