What the new year promises to the Philippines?

The Year of the Horse may be more problematic than the Year of the Snake.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez

But if our political leaders can pass a truly honest budget, reform the financial systems, pass the anti-dynasty law, return the stolen PhilHealth fund and restore the peoples' confidence in government, then, our economy may gallop into greater heights in 2026.But if the current political and socioeconomic situation remains, then our national life is expected to follow a downward trajectory.

The refiling of the impeachment charges against the vice president, which may take place either tomorrow or the next few days, shall trigger a recurrence of the heated political push and pull between the forces of the Palace and loyalists to the Marcoses on one hand, and the Duterte diehards from Mindanao and DDS allies in Luzon and the Visayas on the other.

The following important political events shall shape the Philippine political milieu in 2026; first, the refiling of the impeachment complaints against the VP; second, the Rodrigo Duterte trial at The Hague; third, the exacerbation of the flood-control hullabaloo complicated further by the controversial death of Usec Catalina Cabral; and fourth, the heightening of the Imee-Bongbong feud.