Manila Standard - 2026 February 19 - Thursday

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229

4th impeach rap filed vs. VP for graft, corruption

By Maricel V. Cruz and Katrina Manubay

A FOURTH impeachment complaint

was filed Wednesday evening against Vice President Sara Duterte before the House of Representatives, hours after she announced her decision to run for president in the 2028 elections.

Lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera submitted the complaint to the office of House Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil. Cabrera accused Duterte of culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. endorsed the complaint.

In a statement, Duterte’s spokesman Michael Poa said: “The successive filing of complaints does not, by mere repetition, transform allegations into truth.” Meanwhile, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor said the impeachment complaints against Duterte will be referred to the House justice committee to determine their

VP Sara says to run for president in 2028

By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu

THE Marcos administration pushes ahead with plans to expand infrastructure in the Kalayaan Island Group

‘Ramadan encourages devotion to duty, service’

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his greetings to Muslims in the Philippines and around the world as they prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan, urging reflection, discipline, and compassion. In a message dated Tuesday, Mr. Marcos described Ramadan as a time for prayer and renewal, inviting the faithful to cultivate humility and cour-

(KIG) amid continuing regional tensions in the West Philippine Sea WPS), Malacañang said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) clarified the role of official

“Let every trial be a reminder of self-emptying that fills your

Philippine maps and nautical charts in depicting and protecting the country’s maritime jurisdiction in the WPS.

In a related development, Senator Rodante Marcoleta and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice An-

By Katrina Manubay, Ram Superable, Pot Chavez, Maricel Cruz and Charles Dantes

VICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said she will run for president in 2028 – a move that was met by jeers and cheers from allies and critics alike, and a terse “good luck” from Malacañang.

Duterte, who was impeached last year only to see the country’s Supreme Court throw the case out over procedural issues, made the announcement days before her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, begins a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court in The Hague over crimes against humanity

By Katrina Manubay

By Peter Atencio

FRESH off another career-defining victory, rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala is bracing for a high-stakes rematch against Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea at the prestigious WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Currently ranked No. 47 in the world but holding a career-high live ranking of No. 38, the 20-year-old Eala is riding the momentum of her stunning 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) upset of world No. 9 Jasmine Paolini—her third career victory over a Top

tonio Carpio agreed to push through with their anticipated debate regarding issues concerning the WPS. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro

LENTEN REMINDER. Catholics line up to be marked by a priest with ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday at St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders in

COURTESY CALL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes delegates led by PHILJEC Chairman Alfred V. Ty and JPECC Chairman Masumi Kakinoki during a courtesy call held yesterday at Malacañang Palace. PCO

• Padilla touts all-girl team of Sara-Imee

IN THE RUNNING. Vice President Sara Duterte announces her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections during

press conference yesterday at her o ce in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. Norman Cruz

A2 NEWS

Senate to act only when ICC issues warrants

By Ram Superable and Pot Chavez

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday the Senate will only decide its course of action when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants against Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

“The question first is, is there an arrest? Before we hold a caucus, is there even one? I’ll cross the bridge

allegedly committed as part of a brutal crackdown on drugs.

“I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation,” the 47-year-old Vice President said.

“I am Sara Duterte. I will run for president of the Philippines,” she added.

The opposition, Senator Risa Hontiveros said, remains on track in its timeline to name a standard-bearer for the 2028 presidential elections despite Duterte’s early declaration.

“We have been together for several years and regularly talk, even before this recent important development. We have continued to align and agree on the criteria or standards we are looking for in our group, and that has not changed,” Hontiveros said.

She said the opposition is focused on unifying to select its candidates by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

“That is the task that we have set ourselves,” Hontiveros added.

This early, Senator Robin Padilla floated an “all-girl” team up of Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos for the 2028 polls.

sufficiency in form and substance.

when I get there,” Sotto said, confirming that no caucus has been scheduled and that the Senate has re-

“Imee is my VP. I am pushing for Sara-Imee. It is time for Filipinos to feel girl power,” Padilla said. Senator Marcos, for her part, expressed readiness to team up with Duterte.

“Sara is my forever running mate. Whether it is running, crawling, bending, standing up or sitting down, I will not leave her ever,” she added.

Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of corruption in her brief speech, saying he had failed to live up to his word during their shortlived alliance that saw them storm to a landslide victory in the 2022 presidential election.

The Palace shrugged off Duterte’s latest tirades, Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro said, adding that Mr. Marcos was aware of the Vice President’s announcement.

“All he said was ‘good luck.’ That’s all,” Castro said.

Castro called Duterte’s early declaration of candidacy for 2028 was a political move focused on the next election rather than on governance.

“A politician whose concern is the next election – the concern is for a personal interest, not the people,” she said.

He said the administration has not

Defensor said getting one-third vote from the House to endorse the complaints automatically to the Senate appears unlikely, so the raps will go through the longer route.

“As of today, I cannot see getting one-third endorsement from the members of the House of Representatives. But I can tell you right now that this will reach the committee on justice,” Defensor said in an interview. He said the House remains within the constitutional timetable in processing the first three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte – two filed on Feb. 2 and a third on Feb. 9.

“No referral is going to happen yet and it has to be included first in the Order of Business. The Committee on Rules has to wait for it to be included in the Order of Business before we can refer it to the Committee on Justice,” Defensor said.

Rody...

From A1

the observance encourages devotion to duty and service guided by mercy, justice, and faith.

He expressed hope that the sacrifices and reflections during Ramadan would strengthen the faithful to embody love for humanity, especially for the less advantaged.

Citing the example of Muhammad, he noted the Prophet’s steadfast commitment to faith and service to others.

“May your sacrifices, reflections, and encounters strengthen you to embody His boundless love for humanity, especially for the least among our brethren,” Mr. Marcos said, assuring Muslim communities of his prayers and goodwill.

The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation, has a significant Muslim population, particularly in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, thousands of Filipinos flocked to churches to observe Ash Wednesday, with Catholic priests and nuns marking their foreheads with a cross of ashes. At the Baclaran and Quiapo churches in Metro Manila, some devotees lined up before dawn to receive the ash cross, which signals the start of Lent.

The Philippines is overwhelmingly Catholic, with about 80 percent of its population adhering to the faith. The country is known for its annual reenactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In his homily during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Arzobispado de Manila chapel in Intramuros, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula reminded the faithful that Lent is rooted in hope rather than despair.

ceived no official notice from the ICC. Sotto’s statement came after the ICC Office of the Prosecutor named Go and dela Rosa as alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case involving former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the minority bloc is drafting a resolution asserting that any ICC arrest warrant against Filipinos must first pass through Philippine courts, warning

started talks yet on possible alliances for the 2028 polls amid Duterte’s presidential bid.

Michael Henry Yusingco, senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said Duterte’s campaign announcement was a “big risk.”

“Conventional thinking would say she has the best chance of winning. Survey numbers are in her favor,” he said, while adding her father’s physical absence might discourage supporters.

Cleve Arguelles, president of Manila-based WR Numero Research, suggested Duterte’s public declaration could be more about keeping allies in line at a time of political uncertainty.

“By projecting an inevitable 2028 run, she raises the perceived cost of defection — reminding politicians in Congress that her faction could still return to power,” he said.

The announcement was aimed at drawing “a clear line among those who are with her or against her, given the ICC and the impeachment (cases),” said Jean Franco, political science professor at the University of the Philippines.

Members of the Makabayan bloc said Duterte’s early announcement was part of her “desperate attempt” to shield

“Right now, we are only up to that point, and we have to wait for the action of the Speaker’s office,” he added. Under Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution, impeachment complaints must be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days from filing and referred to the appropriate committee within three session days thereafter.

Defensor said the reckoning is based on session days, not calendar days.

“As long as we follow the decision [of the Supreme Court] that the counting of the days would be session days in terms of being a calendar day, we are still within the timetable…If we are going to include all the three complaints, [the deadline] will be March 2,” Defensor said.

The first complaint, filed by members of the Makabayan Coalition, alleges betrayal of public trust over the supposed abuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, submission of allegedly fabricated reports to the Commission on Audit, and refusal to recognize congressional oversight.

not recognize the jurisdiction of the Hague-based tribunal.

“I am old, tired, and frail. I wish for this court to respect my peace inside the cell it has placed me,” the former president wrote, according to a News 5 report.

Duterte said he understood the consequences of waiving his right to appear in the Feb. 23-27 hearings as explained by his legal team headed by Kaufman.

“I trust him (Kaufman) and his team to challenge the sufficiency of the Prosecution’s evidence on my behalf. I do not wish to follow these pro-

MDT covers armed attacks against their armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels—including coast guards—anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.

“Appropriation in Fiscal Year 2026 of an additional $144 million for the Department of War to invest in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, with a bilateral commitment to focus on EDCA site infrastructure development,” the statement read.

“Recognizing the importance of energy security to national security, both sides endorsed growing and deepening cooperation on energy supply, resilience, and critical infrastructure,” the statement added.

The joint declaration emphasized that the appropriation will continue to preposition humanitarian relief supplies at key EDCA sites for

against automatically enforcing a foreign order without domestic judicial review.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the government’s response must prioritize the Constitution, citing provisions granting lawmakers immunity from arrest for offenses punishable by not more than six years in prison while Congress is in session. He stressed that the Supreme Court would have the final say. “We are complying

herself from accountability amid serious allegations of corruption, among other offenses.

The coalition of party-list lawmakers Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Renee Louise Co (Kabataan), and Sarah Jane Elago (Gabriela) accused Duterte of trying to control the political narrative in her favor, portraying herself as a victim of political persecution to evade charges of graft, misuse of confidential funds, and betrayal of public trust.

“Vice President Duterte’s premature declaration—more than two years before the 2028 elections—is not about serving the Filipino people. It is about framing the impeachment proceedings as purely political harassment rather than what they truly are: a constitutional process to hold an impeachable official accountable for grave offenses,” the lawmakers said.

“By announcing her presidential bid now, Vice President Duterte is attempting to weaponize her candidacy as a shield against accountability. She wants Filipinos to believe that any investigation into her conduct is simply an attack by political enemies trying to prevent her from becoming president.”

The second complaint, filed by civil society groups led by Francis Joseph Aquino Dee, lists five articles of impeachment, including constitutional violations, graft and corruption, bribery and unexplained wealth, gross abuse of power, and tolerating extrajudicial killings.

The third complaint, filed by priests, nuns and lawyers, accuses Duterte of misusing about P612 million in confidential funds and corrupting Department of Education officials. It also revives allegations that Duterte threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“As you have seen with the previous impeachments, we have been fair and we have been very objective about it and we will continue to do the same when it comes to the Vice President’s impeachment complaints,” Defensor said.

The daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives last year only to see the country’s Supreme Court throw the case out over procedural issues.

ceedings from outside the courtroom through the use of communications technology,” he said.

The detained former president went on to reiterate his denial of allegations against him. Duterte is facing charges as an “indirect co-perpetrator for the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019,” according to the ICC.

He was arrested by virtue of a warrant served by the ICC through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) on March 11, 2025. He made his initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber 1 three days later.

His confirmation of charges hearing was previously scheduled on Sep-

Philippine civilian disaster response authorities and support coordination of military assistance for civilian-led disaster operations.

The amount was an improvement over the previous Biden administration’s $129 million promise to construct warehouses, barracks, and other military-grade facilities in the nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) locations across the Philippines. Washington also promised to continue and increase the deployment of cutting-edge missile and unmanned systems to the Philippines.

The statement added that both countries committed to enhancing the Philippines’ capacity in 2026 with joint capabilities to monitor and respond to maritime challenges and illegal activities such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Philippine and U.S. officials discussed their long-standing partnership aimed at regional peace and security cooperation.

with the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land,” Lacson said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, however, said senators may be arrested if the alleged crime carries a penalty of more than six years and the Senate is not in session. She called for an urgent caucus to discuss procedures, stressing that “the highest consideration is accountability,” particularly in cases involving extrajudicial killings and crimes against humanity.

said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to personally inspect conditions in the KIG and identify priority infrastructure needs.

She also said the President instructed officials to propose the construction of a port and an airway to improve access, logistics, and safety in the area.

The renewed focus on KIG came as tensions persisted between the Philippines and China over competing claims in the Spratly Islands, where China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels have been reportedly operating near Philippines-held territories.

Manila has accused Beijing of aggressive maneuvers and harassment of Filipino vessels in the area, but China denied the allegations.

Castro said the government views infrastructure development not only as a means to improve the lives of residents and stationed personnel, but also as a way to reinforce Philippine sovereignty in the WPS.

Lawmakers have called for increased government support for the KIG, citing the need for better transport links, shelter ports and air facilities to sustain communities and government operations in the remote islands.

Castro said funding for key projects was already in place this year, including the proposed shelter port on Lawak Island and the airport on Pagasa Island, the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Spratlys.

“To my knowledge, there was funding for the area in 2025,” Castro said, noting that Dizon had told his department would review implementation to ensure the projects meet the President’s instructions for the KIG.

The KIG is the only area in the disputed Spratly chain with an established Filipino civilian population.

tember 23 last year, but his defense team appealed for its indefinite adjournment, claiming that Duterte was unfit to stand trial.

This was later denied by the chamber, which found that the former president is fit to take part in the hearings. But Duterte said he was never interested in it: “I do not wish to attend legal proceedings that I will forget in minutes… I wish for this Court to respect my peace.”

In his letter, the politician from Davao City maintained that he is not guilty of the allegations against him.

“I am proud of my legacy and of my service to my countrymen around the world. Let no one doubt my love for and loyalty to the Filipino nation,” he said.

Both sides emphasized their shared goal to counter international crime, the flow of narcotics, and instability caused by illegal immigration, while also upholding freedom of expression and human rights.

Economically, they recognized that security and resilience are key to national security, reaffirming the importance of strengthening mutually beneficial economic ties, especially through commercial diplomacy.

The U.S. pledged a $1.5 million USD through the Department of State’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program to build an SMR control room simulator in the Philippines, ensuring nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation standards are met.

“Recognizing the importance of energy security to national security, both sides endorsed growing and deepening cooperation on energy supply, resilience, and critical infrastructure,” the statement added.

The Marcos administration has repeatedly said it will pursue infrastructure development and diplomatic protests while avoiding armed conflict, maintaining that improved facilities are essential to sustaining the country’s lawful presence in the contested waters.

Open, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4. Despite the challenge, Eala expressed excitement at facing the experienced Romanian, who is playing her farewell season and plans to retire at the end of the year.

“She’d been doing really well recently. I know she won a tournament just a couple weeks ago, I think. She’s a very experienced player. Physically very fit. I’m really excited,” Eala said during her post-match press conference.

Cirstea has been in impressive form, carrying a seven-match winning streak and recently defeating Emma Raducanu to capture the Transylvania Open title. She also advanced strongly in Dubai with a straight-sets win over Linda Noskova, proving her determination to end her career on a high note.

Meanwhile, Eala’s victory over Paolini further cemented her growing reputation as one of the tour’s most dangerous young players. She dictated play with aggressive counterpunching and composure under pressure, marking her third Top 10 breakthrough following previous wins over no. 5 Madison Keys and no. 2 Iga Swiatek during her landmark semifinal run in Miami last year.

“As the Miami anniversary comes up, I would be coming up on one year of full, really full just WTA tournaments. So I think that comes with a lot of learnings, as well, a lot of maturity,” she said.

5 Filipinos held as prisoners in Ukraine–DFA

By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay

THE Department of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) on Wednesday said five Filipinos who allegedly served as mercenaries for Russia are now being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, adding that the government is in talks with Ukrainian authorities regarding their status.

In a chance interview with reporters, DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona explained that repatriating them is “complicated” because the Philippines is not a party to the conflict in Ukraine.

She noted that their return depends on agreements bet ween Russia and Ukraine.

“We are requesting their assistance for our fellow Filipinos. If you listen to one of the interviews, this is a complicated process because the Philippines is not a party to the conflict, so the return and repatriation of prisoners of war would depend on the agreement of the parties in conflict,” she said.

“Even access to the prisoners of war is governed by international law and the policies of the detaining state. It is not a straightforward repatriation,” she added.

This statement follows the DFA’s confirmation on Tuesday that five other Filipinos who served as mercenaries for Russia are also being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.

Escalona did not disclose further details but said five Filipinos are seeking assistance from the department.

She clarified that these five are separate from the two previously reported Filipinos who served as mercenaries, one of whom has died.

“We cannot share the details because of the request of the family. Five families approached us for assistance,” Escalona said.

Palay farmgate prices rise in Feb, says PSA

By Othel V. Campos

RETAIL prices of regular milled rice increased in early February, while farmgate prices of palay also posted gains at the start of the year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

PSA data indicated that at the national level, the average retail price of regular milled rice reached P45.54 per kilogram during the first phase of February 2026, covering February 1 to 5. The figure was higher than the P43.76 per kilogram recorded in the second phase of January 2026 and the P43.14 per kilogram in the first phase of January 2026. Despite the month-on-month increase, the February price remained lower than year-ago levels. Regular milled rice averaged P47.19 per kilogram in the second phase of February 2025 and P47.77 per kilogram in the first phase of February 2025.

Meanwhile, separate PSA data showed that the national average farmgate price of dry palay reached P20.10 per kilogram in January 2026, reflecting an increase from P18.01 per kilogram in December 2025. However, the January 2026 level was slightly lower than the P20.72 per kilogram recorded in January 2025. The January 2026 farmgate price remains preliminary.

AI, cyber threats could wipe out jobs—Aquino

By Ram Superable

ARTIFICIAL intelli-

gence (AI) and cybersecurity threats pose growing risks to the country’s information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector, potentially leading to significant job losses, Senator Bam Aquino warned on Wednesday during a Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing on the state of the IT-BPM industry.

Aquino, who chairs the panel, said there is an urgent need for stronger coordination between government agencies and the private sector to

address rapid technological shifts affecting the industry.

“This industry employs about 1.9 million Filipinos and contributes 8.2 percent of our nation’s GDP. In 2025, the industry achieved historic revenue of more than $40 billion. The IT-BPM sector is a pillar of our economy. It has long served as a pillar of our economy, and we intend to sustain it,” he said.

With the industry’s position at risk due to fast-moving innovations, the lawmaker filed Senate Resolution No. 253 to review the sector’s transformation and challenges and to strengthen its ability to withstand emerging threats.

During the hearing, Jarmie Bateson, managing director of cloud accounting firm Nimbl, reported a sharp decline in the company’s Cebu workforce.

Bateson said the firm’s headcount dropped from more than 300 employees at its peak to fewer than 100—cur-

rently around 67 or 68 workers—after losing clients amid declining demand for traditional outsourcing services as AI-driven automation increased.

He said the company’s revenue fell by about 70 percent and that most affected employees were entry-level workers, many of whom were primary income earners for their families.

Celeste Ilagan, chief operating officer of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, said other structural challenges could affect the industry’s projected expansion to 2.5 million employees and $59 billion in revenue by 2028.

She cited continuing concerns over the ease of doing business at the local level, inconsistent regulatory requirements for employees, rising operational costs, labor-related policies of the Department of Labor and Employment, increasing cybercrimes committed by certain industry actors, and a shortage of qualified talent.

Full alert status for Trillion Peso March

By Vince Lopez

THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday, February 18, said it will be on full alert to maintain peace and security ahead of the upcoming Trillion Peso March set on February 21, although no threats have been monitored.

“As for threats, we are not monitoring any threats, but we are continuing to coordinate with our other intelligence agencies to ensure that we are always prepared in case there are eventualities. We will raise the alert level to full alert status by February 21, Saturday, 5 p.m.,” NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“We continue to coordinate with our

other intelligence agencies to make sure we are always prepared in case of eventualities,” she added.

The planned gatherings will feature prayer and indignation rallies on February 22 and 25, with an expected turnout of 50,000 participants.

To further strengthen coordination, the NCRPO will hold a coordination conference in line with the processing of permits and the finalization of operational plans with event organizers.

“There were those who applied in Quezon City, but the only permit approved for those who forwarded their requests was the Trillion Peso March Movement, where they were allowed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on February 25. They were given up to a maximum of 20,000 attendees,”

IN BRIEF

DOTr relieves SAICT head over EDSA incident TRANSPORTATION Secretary Giovanni Lopez has relieved the head of the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) following an incident involving an ambulance on the EDSA busway last Monday. Reports said the SAICT official flagged the ambulance during operations because it was transporting a patient for a medical checkup and not an emergency. The vehicle was later allowed to proceed. Lopez clarified that all on-duty ambulances are permitted to use the busway, regardless of a patient’s medical condition. Under existing DOTr policy issued in November 2023, ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles on duty may use the lane. Darwin G. Amojelar

PNP launches crackdown on AI child exploitation

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday intensified efforts to combat the online exploitation of children, focusing on threats posed by emerging technologies.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he has directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate cases involving the use of artificial intelligence in harassing and exploiting minors. He said police would coordinate with other government agencies to prevent harm to children online. “We are committed to protecting our children from online dangers. By working hand in hand with other government agencies, we aim to stop these abuses before they reach our youth,” Nartatez said. Child rights advocates have raised alarm over a surge in technology-enabled abuse targeting Filipino children, including manipulated sexual images, deepfake content, and impersonation scams that are difficult to detect.

Vince Lopez

PTFOMS, NBI sign pact on media killing probes

THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) and the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen investigations into attacks and killings of journalists. The pact formalizes closer coordination, including real-time information sharing, joint case build-up, and the integration of NBI forensic and investigative resources with the task force’s oversight functions. NBI Acting Director Lito Magno cited Republic Act No. 10867, which grants the agency jurisdiction over media-related killings.

“The NBI remains proactive, firm, and committed in its mandate to protect press freedom and uphold justice for members of the media,” Magno said. Charles Dantes

HISTORICAL MARKET. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, led by Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr., unveils the historical marker ‘Marking’s Guerilla’ on February 16 in Morong, Rizal.

LIKHANG MATEO. Mallgoers view artworks as veteran and emerging visual artists of San Mateo open ‘Likhang Mateo: A Homegrown Visual Art Exhibit‘ at a mall activity area in San Mateo, Rizal, in celebration of National Arts Month led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts under the theme ‘Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting.‘ Manny Palmero

Biazon

castigates Maynilad over sloppy services

RESIDENTS in several barangays in Muntinlupa City experienced intermittent water supply cut-off over the past few days, giving rise to mounting public frustration and complaints.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon addressed the issue in a live Facebook broadcast together with public information office chief Mimi Gonzales and some officials of franchise holder the Maynilad Water Services.

“To be honest, I am not satisfied with the answers. What our countrymen are asking for is clear and reliable scheduling during water interruptions—people know when the water will be out and when it will be back, so that each family can prepare,” Biazon said in Filipino.

He requested full documentation of Maynilad’s emergency response during the recent interruptions, including the number of water tankers deployed and a clear deployment plan for future incidents, emphasizing the need for concrete, reliable measures.

“We also asked for a complete report on how many water tankers they sent during the previous interruption so that we can validate their deployment. This includes a clear deployment plan for future incidents. As I said, what we need is a concrete solution, a proper process, and reliable steps,” he added.

The Maynilad executives explained the cause of the interruptions as “constraints in water supply.”

Greg Antonio, head of Maynilad’s water production for the South sector, said the company operates three water treatment plants in Muntinlupa; two in Barangay Putatan and one in Barangay Poblacion which draw raw water from Laguna Lake.

IN BRIEF

Amok kills 3, injures 2 inside military camp

PINUKPUK, Kalinga—Three militiamen died while two others were injured after a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAGU) member ran amok inside a military camp at barangay Apatan, this town Tuesday night. Prompt police response prevented the suspect from escaping.

The identities of the fatalities were withheld pending notification of their families.

“This is a very sad and unexpected incident that impact not only on the ranks, but also the community that we serve. The victims were also Filipino who had a single goal: to secure the peace and security of the community,” the Army’s 103rd Infantry Battalion said in a statement in Filipino. Dexter A. See

Cagayan council okays gerrymandering reso

TUGUGARAO City—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has unanimously expressed strong support for a proposal to reconfigure the province into five legislative districts to address the growing population and enhance the congressional representation of every Cagayano.

The board, led by Vice Gov. Manuel Mamba, ratified the resolution supporting Gov. Edgar Aglipay’s initiative to create two more legislative districts in the province.

According to councilor Romeo Garcia, the creation of additional legislative districts is crucial for more efficient governance and to better serve the people of Cagayan.

While the 1987 Constitution grants Congress the power to create districts, the provincial council asserted its right to voice its position on an issue that directly impacts Cagayanos.

Jessica M. Bacud

4 more bodies retrieved, raising Kerstin toll to 62

DIVERS have recovered four more bodies from the sunken passenger ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in the waters off Basilan Island as underwater search and retrieval operations continue, authorities said.

Technical divers from the Philippine Coast Guard found the remains of two males and two females inside the Deck B air-conditioned accommodation area of the vessel.

The victims have yet to be formally identified, pending confirmation from their families through personal effects such as clothing and jewelry. With the latest recovery, the death toll from the January 26 maritime mishap has risen to 62. Rex Espiritu

Blackout mars start of Ramadan in Cotabato City, BARMM areas

By Nash B. Maulana

COTABATO City has been plunged into darkness since Tuesday afternoon, adversely affecting communication lines, commerce, and transport in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

A total blackout occurred unannounced in the entire service area of the Aboitiz-owned Cotabato Light and Power company in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Cotabato City and parts of BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA) in the First District of Cotabato province.

The utility firm had issued a statement, saying the problem was traced to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) which owns and maintains power transmission lines throughout the country.

Religious leaders and local scientists assembled on Tuesday for the lunar ob-

servation to determine if the moon was visible to establish the first day of Ramadhan.

Mufti Abdulraof Guialani declared the first fasting date for Filipino Muslims will be on Thursday.

Guialani and his teams of professional volunteers in the moon sighting were unable to establish that the “hilal” or crescent moon had appeared and was visible by the naked eyes.

The sudden power cut-off caused a massive blackout that is feared to continue through the wee hours of Thursday, the first day of fasting, or even beyond.

Residents have trooped to the city’s biggest shopping center, the KCC Mall and other malls and places that have sustained power supply for customers. But some people have complained of losing mobile phone signals due to dwindling power supply on communication towers. Gas stations have been closed since Tuesday, but residents were still hopeful the NGCP could make good on its promises to be able to restore power supply within the day.

The public transport system has been completely paralyzed.

On Tuesday, the power firm’s official announcement was that the restoration works would be over by 5p.m. At about 8p.m., a new announcement said it would be restored by 3:30 a.m. Wednesday—and on Wednesday, it said the restoration efforts would be completed by 12nn, the 24th hour of the blackout.

The most recent announcement gave no exact time when the company would be able to restore power.

Mayor’s nephew dies in ambush weeks after uncle survives attack

By Rex Espiritu

HAVING failed to get Mayor Akmad Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, gunmen staged a broad daylight ambush in Datu Saudi Ampatuan on Tuesday that left a nephew of the mayor dead and two others wounded. Mayor Ampatuan himself survived a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Shariff Aguak on Jan. 25. Meanwhile, the Army pledged assistance to police investigations the twin cases.

“As to the part of the Philippine Army, we are always ready to support the PNP if needed,” Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala told Manila Standard on Wednesday.

Police said the attack occurred around 11 a.m. Tuesday along a national highway when gunmen aboard a white minivan

without license plates tailed and opened fire on a black Nissan Livina traveling from Cotabato City toward Shariff Aguak. Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, identified the fatality as Datu Morsid Ampatuan, also known as “Gara,” a resident of Shariff Aguak and nephew of Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. Gara Ampatuan was driving the vehicle at the time of the ambush.

Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, Morsid managed to drive toward Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, near an Army checkpoint, before being rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Injured in the attack were Yasser Ampatuan, 49, the mayor’s brother, and Lemon Bangen, 36, a resident of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan. Both are being treated at the Bangsamoro Regional Medical Center.

By Pot Chavez

THE Supreme Court (SC) looks forward to enhanced digital capability as it received sophisticated equipment donated by Netherlands to strengthen prosecution of cybercrimes in the country.

SC Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the donation reflected a shared international commitment to confront cybercrimes, especially offenses that harm children and exploit the vulnerable.

“As international studies have observed, technology has expanded not only the reach of criminal activity, but also its scale, speed, and sophistication. These developments demand more than reactive adjustments; they call for structural reform,” he said.

It forms part of the judiciary’s broader institutional reform agenda under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 20222-2027 (SPJI), which aims to ensure that the Philippine Judiciary remains effective, credible, and resilient amid rapidly evolving technological realities.

In partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Netherlands provided the equipment that will benefit 30 cybercrime courts that handle cases of online child sexual abuse, unlawful data access and interference, and sophisticated financial or crypto-enabled crimes often linked to organized crime. Meanwhile, an intensive training program on the Guidelines for Cybercrime Investigation and Prosecution was also held to reinforce the principles of chain of custody, authenticity, reliability, and due process.

For her part, Ambassador Maria Alfonsa Magdalena Geraedts emphasized that justice in the digital age is a collective endeavor, noting their shared determination “to ensure that digital progress serves people, not criminals.”

PEACE,

OPINION

Looking for the ‘One’

(continued)

AFTER throwing away the impeachment cases filed against the president, the House will now consume itself with “take two” against the vice president.

Any right-thinking person would know that the impeachment case filed against BbM was an “inoculation”, taking advantage of the one-year constitutional ban. With the flood control scandal unabated, and the appropriations acts signed by the president into law the funding source for such criminal greed, BbM defenders want to ensure that the flak does not reach Malacanang doorsteps.

Leandro Leviste’s shocking revelations coming from Adrian Bersamin, as told to Egay Erice and the Makabayan group, is getting super close to those doorsteps.

The next step, Egay proposed, is for Ping Lacson to call Adrian Bersamin and perhaps the former ES cum CJ to testify before his Blue Ribbon Committee, but Lacson is not biting. He calls it triple hearsay, unless Bersamin goes public under oath.

So why not call Bersamin to the Senate and find out, given Lacson’s “eagle eyes”? Meanwhile, in the lower House, Inday Sara’s lawyers should mount a credible defense. The “conditional” assassination threats made at the height of anger are the easiest to explain. Mary Grace Piattos and her funny-named company should be explained.

Start with the definition of confidential funds and compare how military and police officials protect the identity of their “assets” with funny names as well.

Take note that Adrian Bersamin’s confession states that 500 million of the Alyansa senatorial kitty came from the president’s confidential funds. Public funds for partisan political expenditures?

The 315 elected “representatives” of the people could overturn the electoral or Constitutionally assigned mandate of a public official, with the Senate given the power to convict or acquit. Conviction is not based on a preponderance of direct or circumstantial evidence, and acquittal is not a function of reasonable doubt.

The real battle is in managing public perception, no different from a Pontius Pilate asking the mob how he should sentence Jesus Christ. The senators will listen to the winds of public opinion.

Piattos et al in the HoR’s inquisition of 2024 and refusal to explain affected Inday’s numbers, but the cabal of BbM-LAM-FMR and their co-conspirators pushed their luck too far when they decided to “kidnap” Sara’s father and deliver him to the arms of the ICC in the dead of night. The emotional wellspring arising from that naked denial of a beloved president rights, regardless of the “legal” contortions from the DOJ mitigated the results of the demolition job on Inday Sara, and its first manifestation was in the mid-term elections when the administration’s powerhouse Senate ticket was “rejected.”

Except for Erwin Tulfo and Benhur Abalos, none of the Alyansa’s senatorial slate

can be classified as true-blue BbM loyalists.

The Alyansa survivors won because they were household names to begin with, plus help from Romeo Bernardo’s fount of flood control funds.

All the king’s men were unable to kill Inday Sara, and the polls now show that she has emerged stronger in the bar of public esteem.

Those who wish her political death will have to try their darndest to resurrect the demolition job that backfired.

Impeachment is now in the hands of legislators who will face another election in 2028.

The polls now show that Sara has emerged stronger in the bar of public esteem

Is the “kill” instinct still fervid?

Will Malacanang release billions to grease the palms of legislators sufficiently for them to overlook the potential disadvantage of having to face a hostile presidency by June 30, 2028?

Vince Dizon will not be a fund provider unlike Bonoan cum Bernardo just to satisfy Malacanang. Neither will Gardiola, Co or Yap and the whole cabal cough up billions to “kill” Inday Sara.

Assuming Malacanang succeeds in getting 105 collaborators in the HoR to impeach, will 16 senators convict her?

Even if two or three senators are jailed, and even if one or two joins the former president in Den Haag, 16 votes are still required.

How will re-electionists in 2028 from the majority bloc vote? JV Ejercito and Mark Villar will likely vote for acquittal.

Those who will likely vote for conviction will be Risa, Kiko, Erwin, perhaps even Lacson and Sotto, not even sure about Raffy Tulfo, Lito Lapid, and Bam Aquino.

This writer sees the following votes to acquit coming from: Robinhood, Imee, Marcoleta, the Villar siblings, the Cayetano siblings, the Ejercito-Estradas, Chiz, Joel, Bong Go and Bato, plus Loren, Win Gatchalian, Migs Zubiri too.

Sixteen versus a certain three to convict, and five who may either abstain or vote also to convict.

Which is why the certified Duterte haters are saying 2026 is their “now or never” year. ***

Erratum

Paragraph 12 of my column last Monday...should have read... I classify nearby provinces with multiethnic origins in Rizal, Cavite, half of Laguna, half of Bulacan as Mega-Manila, among the biggest provinces by voting population. That is around 15 million votes (...replacing 15 percent... with...”15 million votes.”)

Baguio gas pump prices

BAGUIO’s gas pump prices are probably the most expensive in the country in relation to its source, the port of San Fernando which is only 60 kilometers away.

Prices are almost nine pesos higher than in La Union and this is not only scandalous but is so opportunistic that it must be stopped. It is one of the reasons why everything in the city cost a lot higher than elsewhere. Why the local government as well as the national government cannot seem to do anything about it is a big mystery considering that there are available tools that the two can take to correct the situation if there is a will.

For instance, the Baguio local government could deal with them with business permits while the national government could question them for charging unreasonable and exorbitant prices.

The trouble is the Department of Energy which is supposed to be there to protect public interest like fairness in business practices seems to be protecting the interest of the oil companies and fuel retailers more by acting like the mouthpiece of these oil companies.

The Regional Officer of the DOE, for instance, in an attempt to give a reason why prices of gas are so high in the city gave a harebrain reason, saying it was because of the high prices of land in the city. What a joke. Now, the DOE has added real estate to its expertise as well. Obviously, that particular official has

never heard or is completely ignorant of transport economics to explain how to compute for transportation costs when bringing oil products from San Fernando to Baguio.

The public would want to know why retail gas prices in Baguio is almost nine pesos higher than in La Union

It is also a mystery why up till now, the national government has not seen it necessary to establish a Bureau of Transport Economic under the DOTr to take care of transportation research.

Yes, the volatility of gas prices are due to many factors like geopolitical tensions which can contribute to the upsurge of transport costs but there are also other elements at play to be fair to the riding public and the transport operators and drivers.

The way it is currently done here, however, is very arbitrary.

The LTFRB can simply agree or disagree to a ball park figure that transport groups are demanding like P1.00 per unit of distance in almost all cases.

The LTFRB cannot seem to figure out

A dangerous precedent in Comelec voting machines

PUBLIC trust in automated elections rests on a simple premise: that voting machines count ballots accurately and that established safeguards function exactly as designed.

That trust is now being tested.

Questions surrounding the automated count in the 2025 vice mayoral race in Rosales, Pangasinan have drawn national attention following a ruling by the RTC of Pangasinan, Branch 53, which overturned the results initially produced by an Automated Counting Machine.

The decision has transformed what might have remained a localized electoral contest into a broader institutional concern.

When a court ruling calls into question the handling or validation of machine-generated results, the issue ceases to be about individual candidates. It becomes a matter of systemic credibility, one that demands immediate and transparent action from the Commission on Elections.

The Philippines has relied on automated elections to eliminate “dagdagbawas,” reduce human intervention, and accelerate canvassing.

Following the 2025 polls, Chairman George Garcia publicly declared that the automated elections achieved a 99.99 percent success rate, an assertion meant to reinforce confidence in the integrity of the technology.

The ruling of the RTC of Pangasinan inevitably casts a shadow over that assurance.

If an ACM result can be judicially reversed because of discrepancies uncovered through manual review, then the safeguards embedded in the automated process must be examined closely. Were digital ballot images fully utilized? Were audit logs and verification protocols properly applied?

Democracy depends not only on ballots cast but on certainty that each vote is counted as intended

Automation was adopted precisely to strengthen public trust. Voting machines are equipped with encrypted ballot images, secure transmission features, and audit mechanisms designed to preserve voter intent. These tools exist not to replace transparency but to enhance it.

If discrepancies can surface in one municipality, the concern naturally extends nationwide. Election machines are deployed under standardized procedures. A vulner-

ability exposed in one locality raises legitimate questions about systemic risk elsewhere. Elections are national exercises; confidence cannot be compartmentalized by province.

The Comelec must therefore act decisively. Silence or general reassurances will not suffice. The Commission should provide a detailed, transparent explanation of the Pangasinan case, including how machine safeguards were applied and why the court reached its conclusions.

If procedural weaknesses are identified, corrective measures must be immediate and public.

Pending appeals related to the case should also be resolved with urgency. The longer doubts linger, the more corrosive speculation becomes. Elections derive legitimacy not only from technical accuracy but from public confidence in the institutions that administer them.

The RTC ruling is more than a local development. It is a stress test of the automated election system itself. Chairman Garcia’s guarantee now carries even greater weight. Such a claim must be supported by demonstrable transparency and verifiable evidence. Ultimately, democracy depends not only on ballots cast but on certainty that each vote is counted as intended. If that certainty weakens, even in a single town, the ripple effects are national. How the Comelec responds today will shape public trust not only in the 2025 results, but in the credibility of the 2028 elections and beyond.

Junk to high-tech: India bets one-waste for critical minerals

KARNAL, India – Hundreds of discarded batteries rattle along a conveyor belt into a crusher in a remote plant in northern India, fuelling a multi-billion-dollar industry that is bolstering the country’s geopolitical ambitions.

India is cashing in on the growing “e-waste” sector -- pulling critical minerals like lithium and cobalt, which are needed to make everything from smartphones to fighter jets and electric cars, from everyday electronics.

Global jitters about China’s dominance as a critical minerals producer has kicked New Delhi into action, ramping up extraction of the materials that are essential for its drive to become an artificial intelligence hub.

With demand expected to soar and domestic mining unlikely to deliver meaningful output for at least a decade, the country is turning to an often overlooked source -- the swelling mountains of electronic waste.

Dead batteries yield lithium, cobalt and nickel; LED screens contain germanium; circuit boards hold platinum and palladium; hard disks store rare earths -- e waste has long been described as a “gold mine” for critical minerals.

India generated nearly 1.5 million tonnes of e waste last year, according to official data -- enough to fill 200,000 garbage trucks -- though experts believe the real figure is likely to be twice as much.

At Exigo Recycling’s sprawling plant in Haryana state, a machine churns the batteries from e-scooters into a jet-black powder.

The material is then leached into a wine red liquid, filtered, evaporated and finally transformed into a fine white powder -- lithium.

“White gold,” said the facility’s lead scientist, watching the final product collect in trays.

Backyard workshops

Industry estimates suggest “urban mining” — the recovery of minerals

the exact amount to add to any increase in fares due to gas price increases in a scientific way and simply agree to the round figures demanded by transport groups.

An agency in transport economics, however, can equip the DOTr with scientific data to use every time there is a petition for an increase in fare and not rely on the harebrain analysis of ignorant DOE officials.

Yes, the DOE is not authorized to determine pump prices of fuel but it should stop being the mouthpiece of oil companies because the optics is not good in the eyes of the public. Explaining the fluctuations of fuel prices is more the responsibility of the oil compa-

from e waste — could be worth up to $6 billion annually.

While insufficient to meet India’s projected demand, analysts say it could help absorb import shocks and strengthen supply chains.

Most e waste, however, is still dismantled in informal backyard workshops that extract easily saleable metals such as copper and aluminium, leaving critical minerals untapped.

—“—

Global jitters about China’s dominance as a critical minerals producer has kicked New Delhi into action

India’s formal recycling capacity remains limited compared to China and the European Union, both of which have invested heavily in advanced recovery technologies and traceability systems.

India has a “100 percent import dependency” for key critical minerals including lithium, cobalt and nickel, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

Seeking to close the gap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government approved a $170 million program last year to boost formal recycling of critical minerals.

The program builds on Extended Producer Responsibility rules, which require manufacturers to collect and channel e waste to government-registered recyclers.

“EPR has acted as a primary catalyst in terms of bringing scale to the recycling industry,” said Raman Singh, managing director at Exigo Recycling, one of the few Indian facilities able to extract lithium.

Other analysts agree the rules have

nies. They should explain the reasons for the irrational price difference of gas pump prices of Baguio and La Union. We, the public, would all want to know why retail gas prices in Baguio, a major tourist destination for both local and foreign tourists, is almost nine pesos higher than in La Union. Is this an issue of gas retailers in the city taking advantage by charging exorbitant prices per liter or the oil companies charging more?

The DOE can certainly investigate this anomalous situation and find out why. One does not have to be Einstein to figure

redirected more waste into the formal sector.

“Before EPR was fully implemented, 99 percent of e-waste was being recycled in the informal sector,” said Nitin Gupta of Attero Recycling, which says it can recover at least 22 critical minerals.

“About 60 percent has now moved to formal.”

Government data suggests an even higher shift, though critics say the figures are inflated due to poor tracking of total e waste generation.

More than 80 percent of India’s ewaste is still processed informally, according to a United Nations Development Program note in October. Rife with hazards Indian government-backed think tank NITI Aayog warned that organized recycling lagged behind both policy targets and the rapid growth in waste volumes.

Informal recycling is rife with hazards -- open burning, acid baths and unprotected dismantling expose workers to toxic fumes and contaminate soil and water.

A bulk of India’s e waste still flowed through informal channels, leading to “loss of critical minerals”, said Sandip Chatterjee, senior adviser at Sustainable Electronics Recycling International.

“India’s informal sector remains the backbone of waste collection and sorting,” he told AFP.

In Seelampuri, a low income Delhi neighborhood home to one of India’s largest informal e waste hubs, narrow alleys spill over with tangled cables and broken devices.

“The new companies just keep enough for certification, but the rest still comes to us,” said Shabbir Khan, a local trader. “Business has increased... not gone down.” Even the junk that eventually reaches formal recyclers often passes through informal hands first, Chatterjee said. AFP

out that it will not cost about nine pesos to transport a liter of gas from the Port of San Fernando to Baguio. For a start, the government could simply check the freight cost of transporting the fuel then compare Baguio gas pump prices with other places that have the same distance from the port of San Fernando. Will it cost more for instance to transport 5,000 liters of gasoline to Baguio and Rosario, La Union whose distances from the Port of San Fernando are more or less the same? From there, it should be easy to determine a reasonable pump price which should be the main criteria – not arbitrary and scandalous pricing.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Towns resist Trump plans to jail immigrants

ROXBURY, New jersey – Residents in a leafy, conservative New Jersey suburb have erupted in protest against plans to convert a vast warehouse into an immigration detention center as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.

A surge in immigration arrests is driving demand for more holding facilities, and officials are eyeing vacant logistics hubs across the United States despite concerns from rights groups they are not fit for the purpose.

“This is a warehouse. It’s designed to house packages and goods, not human beings,” William Angus, 55, who is leading the protests against the plans for the town of Roxbury, told AFP in front of a large white building.

Covering almost 500,000 square feet, the unit has several loading docks designed for trucks and sits next to another functioning warehouse.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has already bought or rented at least eight such facilities, from Texas to Pennsylvania, that it will convert into detention hubs.

But the agency conducting the US immigration crackdown has backed away from some locations after public opposition.

Hoping to deter ICE from coming to their town, around 500 people in Roxbury

-- a low-crime suburb which voted for Trump in 2024 -- lined a sidewalk this week, waving signs that read, “Not a jail town” and “ICE out our neighborhood.”

Some referenced the killings by federal agents of two US protesters in the northern city of Minneapolis in January, which stirred outrage nationwide.

Opinion polls suggest that ICE’s ag-

gressive tactics mean it is losing support among Americans.

“I don’t want any inhumane concentration camps in my country, let alone right here in New Jersey,” said Heidi, a 50-year-old nurse who declined to share her last name due to privacy concerns.

There are signs the protests are gaining momentum.

The town council, made up of elected officials from Trump’s Republican party, has passed a largely symbolic resolution opposing a possible ICE facility in Roxbury, which lies about 40 miles west of New York city.

Many drivers honked or waved to show support for the rally. But not everyone was in favor. A handful heckled “Go home” and “Trump, baby” as they passed.

And at a Walmart supermarket near the protest, some voiced their support for the proposed ICE facility.

“I think there’s an opportunity to clean up this area in New Jersey. There’s a lot of people that probably are illegally here,” retired factory manager Gordon Taylor, 71, said.

Since Trump began his second presidential term in January 2025, the number of US immigration detention facilities almost doubled from 114 to 218 by late November, according to the American Immigration Council, which documented at least 30 detainee deaths in ICE jails last year. AFP

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Ukraine war talks to resume in Geneva with no sign of progress to halt fighting

GENEVA – Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were to resume a second round of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Wednesday, though neither side signaled they were any closer to ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

The talks are the latest diplomatic bid to halt the fighting which has killed hundreds of thousands, forced millions to flee and decimated much of eastern and southern Ukraine.

cluded,” the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address he was ready “to move quickly towards a worthy agreement to end the war”, but questioned whether Russia was serious about peace.

“What do they want?” he added, accusing them of prioritizing missile strikes over “real diplomacy”.

IN BRIEF

ON THE APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC) NUMBERED ECC-CAR-1811-0006

ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 28, 2019 TO KIANGAN MINI HYDRO CORPORATION FOR THE KIANGAN MINI HYDRO POWER PROJECT LOCATED IN BARANGAYS BOKIAWAN, DALIGAN, AND MUNGAYANG, MUNICIPALITY OF KIANGAN, AND BARANGAY CUDOG, MUNICIPALITY OF LAGAWE, BOTH IN THE PROVINCE OF IFUGAO

OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC) NUMBERED ECC-CAR-1811-0006 ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 28, 2019 TO KIANGAN MINI HYDRO CORPORATION FOR THE KIANGAN MINI HYDRO POWER PROJECT LOCATED IN BARANGAYS BOKIAWAN, DALIGAN, AND MUNGAYANG, MUNICIPALITY OF KIANGAN, AND BARANGAY CUDOG, MUNICIPALITY OF LAGAWE, BOTH IN THE PROVINCE OF IFUGAO

The United States has been pushing for an end to the nearly four-year war, but has failed to broker a compromise between Moscow and Kyiv on the key issue of territory.

Two previous rounds of negotiation between the two sides in Abu Dhabi failed to yield a breakthrough.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022, with the ensuing conflict resulting in a tidal wave of destruction that has left entire cities in ruins.

For the Geneva talks, the Kremlin reinstated nationalist hawk and former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky as its lead negotiator.

Notice is hereby given to interested and concerned parties who wish to participate in the Public Hearing Activity that is scheduled on: DATE TIME VENUE March 5, 2026 (Thursday) 8:00 am (Registration starts at 7:00 am) Kiangan Youth Hostel, Poblacion Kiangan, Ifugao

The latest talks “were very tense”, a source close to the Russian delegation told AFP.

“They lasted six hours. They have now con-

Notice is hereby given to interested and concerned parties who wish to participate in the Public Hearing Activity that is scheduled on:

DATE TIME VENUE

This Public Hearing is being conducted in

March 5, 2026 (Thursday) 8:00 am (Registration starts at 7:00 am) Kiangan Youth Hostel, Poblacion Kiangan, Ifugao

This Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the Environmental Performance Report and Management Plan (EPRMP) for the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) amendment application of the aforementioned project.

The Public Hearing is a formal process that is initiated, planned and conducted by the EMB-CAR that is designed to promote dialogue or communication between and among the project proponent, the EMB-CAR, relevant agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders for the purpose of exchanging information and views on the environmental impacts assessment, management and monitoring for proposed projects as part of the review of the ECC amendment application.

Ukrainian national security secretary Rustem Umerov was leading Kyiv’s side and said negotiations would continue Wednesday. AFP

CHILLING MESSAGE. Relatives hold portraits of (right to left) Ahmed Kamel (29), Adel Hamed (37), and Mohamed Abdelsamad (32), believed missing in the Mediterranean sea while making the journey to Europe through Libya, during an interview at the Abdallah Aziza village near the town of Minya al-Qamh Egypt’s central Nile delta province of Sharqiya on Jan. 21, 2026. More than 17,000 Egyptians reached Europe via the Mediterranean last year, while 1,328 people of all nationalities died or disappeared on the world’s deadliest migration route, according to Frontex and the UN. AFP

is hereby given that

of the late SPOUSES HILARIO P. COLASITO and NORMA B. COLASITO who died intestate on May 25, 2009 and December 10, 2015 respectively was extrajudicially settled among their heirs dated December 28, 2016 registered in the Notarial Register of Atty. Erwin C. Macalino. Notary Public for Makati City as Doc. No. 233; Page No. 39; Book No. 06 Series of 2015

Polish bishop becomes first to face trial for cover-up

WARSAW – In a landmark case for the deeply Catholic country, a Polish bishop was scheduled to go on trial Wednesday for allegedly covering up acts of pedophilia committed by priests in his diocese.

This is the first case in which a high-ranking church hierarchy has faced criminal charges for failing to inform authorities of church abuse by clergy.

This is a spectacular case, and, in Polish realities, essentially unprecedented,” Artur Nowak, a lawyer, publicist, and writer who appeared in a watershed documentary about sexual abuse in the Catholic church in Poland, told AFP.

According to prosecutors, Tarnow bishop Andrzej Jez was aware of two cases of priests abusing underage altar boys.

One of the priests in the southern Polish city, Stanislaw P. -- whose last name has been withheld due to Polish privacy laws -- is believed to have abused 95 children, and committed sexual crimes against 77. It was one of the largest cases of sexual abuse reported in the Catholic church in Poland -- with incidents going as far back as the 1980s, in every parish where P. had served. Neither clergyman was charged -- the former’s victims were not able to precisely determine when the abuse took place, while the second priest, Fr. Tomasz K., claimed poor health, and the case was dropped.

Stanislaw P., however, was ultimately stripped of his priesthood by the church. AFP

“The Late Show,” which often features an opening monologue that takes aim at the Republican president. The announcement came after CBS’s parent company Paramount reached a $16 million settlement with Trump over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with his 2024 election rival Kamala Harris. Colbert said on Tuesday CBS pulled his interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico from the broadcast the night over fears of violating the equal time rule -- which Colbert argued has never applied to talk shows. He referenced guidance from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr seeking to eliminate a perceived exemption to the rule for talk shows. AFP

TOKYO – Mainland Chinese visitors to Japan tumbled 60.7 percent in January year-on-year, figures showed Wednesday, in the continued fallout from the countries’ diplomatic spat.

“Last year, the lunar new year began in late January, but this year it fell in midFebruary,” the Japan National Tourism Organization said as it published the data.

“Additionally, the Chinese government issued a warning advising against travel to Japan. Factors such as reduced flight frequencies also contributed to the number of foreign visitors to

Bangladesh PM names Cabinet after victory DHAKA – Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has named a former commerce minister to steer the country’s troubled economy and kept the defence portfolio for himself as he formed his first cabinet. Rahman was sworn into office on Tuesday after a landslide election victory, taking over from the interim administration that had led the country of 170 million people since a deadly 2024 uprising that toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina. The 50-member cabinet announced in a gazette notification issued late Tuesday includes Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury,

‘NOT A JAIL TOWN.’ People protest against the planned project of converting a warehouse into a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Roxbury, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Manila time. Activists say the Department of Homeland Security is considering converting this industrial warehouse into an ICE detention center which faces the opposition of the local community. AFP

Cantada powers NU past her former team Adamson

SAM Cantada powered defending champion National University past her former school Adamson University, 25-23, 2519, 28-26, securing the Lady Bulldogs’ second consecutive win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Wednesday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Fresh off her 21-point debut against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses last Sunday, Cantada—who played two seasons for the Lady Baby Falcons before transferring to NU—had the upper hand against former teammates Shaina Nitura, Abby Segui, and Fhei Sagaysay in their first collegiate meeting, giving the ‘three-peat’-seeking Lady Bulldogs a strong 2-0 start.

Tiger Cubs, Jr Warriors stay alive

“Wala naman na emotions. Okay na rin talaga kami, okay na. Hindi na para isali pa, game is game lang. Labas na ‘yung mga ganyan,” Cantada said. She finished with 16 points—12 of which came in the first two sets— on 13 attacks, two aces, and one block, alongside nine excellent receptions and five excellent digs.

The 18-year-old outside spiker from Dasmariñas, Cavite joined forces with opposite spiker Arah Panique and setter Abe Pono in the sweep, helping NU take an early lead in the eight-team field with back-to-back wins over two formidable contenders: the Lady Fal-

cons and the Golden Tigresses. “Siyempre, I am very proud of them and happy, even though nahirapan kami. I think it’s one way for us to learn more and we have to gel more because we’re not new to this, but we have to gel pa more since this is kind of a new team. We just have to stay humble and continue,” NU head coach Regine Diego said. In a tightly contested third set, the Lady Falcons clawed back from an early 12-15 deficit. Back-to-back hits by Nigerian spiker Frances Mordi, along with an Eloi Dote block on Cantada, gave Ad-

amson a set point at 24-23. However, Cantada, the Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball MVP, extended play with a down-the-line attack before two crucial errors—a Dote service fault and a Nitura attack that sailed wide—gave NU match point at 2726. The Lady Bulldogs sealed their second straight win with a service ace by Alexa Mata, ending the thrilling match in one hour and 31 minutes. NU established a 2-0 set advantage as Cantada converted a down-the-line kill in the second set, followed by back-to-back Panique points—an off-

the-block hit and a block on Nitura— to finish off the 25-19 triumph. Panique tallied 12 points on eight attacks and four blocks, adding four excellent digs, while Vange Alinsug contributed six points, nine excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions. Chamy Maaya added six points on four attacks, one block, and one ace, while Mata also scored six points on six attacks, two blocks, and one ace. Pono dished out 14 excellent sets alongside three points and two excellent digs, while Shaira Jardio provided 11 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.

Guimaras gears up for 5150 Triathlon showdown

THE global 5150 Triathlon Series makes its debut in Guimaras on March 8, bringing Olympic-distance racing to the scenic shores of Playa de Paraiso in San Lorenzo, while kicking off another busy season for elite athletes, rising endurance racers and future stars.

The 5150 Guimaras, featuring 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run, starts in the clear waters off Playa de Paraiso where athletes will dive into calm, blue waters before mounting their bikes to traverse rolling countryside and the Guimaras Circumferential Road. The route offers stunning coastal views and passes local landmarks like the Guimaras Museum, blending athletic challenge with glimpses of the island’s rich heritage.

By the time runners reach the final stretch near the Provincial Capitol Grounds, the race becomes as much a test of resilience as it is a journey of discovery. But the racing weekend in the country’s mango capital isn’t only for seasoned triathletes.

The Sunrise Sprint, a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run race, offers first-timers and recreational athletes an approachable entry into endurance sport. Set in a welcoming environment, the race lets newcomers experience the thrill of competition while surrounded by the island’s quiet yet confident energy.

Organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., the exclusive Philippine licensee of the IRONMAN brand since 2009 and headed by president and managing director Princess Galura, the organization has steadily expanded the country’s endurance sports map, bring-

JAN Cadee Dagoon continued her blazing run on the national junior circuit, delivering another commanding performance at the Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao National Junior Tennis Championships at the GenSan City and Camp Lira courts Monday. Fresh off a string of victories in Luzon, the rising Olongapo City standout stamped her class with a pair of dominant wins in the girls’ singles division. She overwhelmed doubles partner Francine Wong, 6-2, 6-0, to capture the 16-and-U crown, then secured the 18-and-U title after homegrown bet Brheighanna Buban retired with Dagoon ahead, 1-0. The victories mirrored her recent romps in the MAC’s Crank Kit and Zopiya Morales tournaments, underscoring her strong bid for valuable ranking points and solidifying her place among the country’s brightest young stars.

Dagoon capped her stellar campaign by teaming up with Wong to subdue Buban and Precious Lara, 8-5, in the 18-and-U doubles finals, emerging as the lone triple

ing world-class events to destinations like Subic Bay, Cebu, Bohol, Davao and Samal Island.

Registration is ongoing. For more details, visit www.ironman.com/races/5150-guimaras or www. facebook.com/5150Guimaras, and join the conversation using the official hashtags #5150Guimaras and #5150IslandsPhilippines.

As endurance sports continue to grow in the Phil-

ippines, smaller island provinces are stepping forward, offering something distinct from city circuits and resort hubs – intimacy, community, and terrain that tells a story with every climb and curve.

Following Guimaras, triathlon action moves to Mindanao for the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao on March 22, preceded by the Gwapa Dabawenya Run on March 20 and IronKids Aquathlon on March 21.

Vanz Abecia, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, to clinch the 18-and-U trophy in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by the city mayor. The event served as the kickoff leg of a five-stop Mindanao swing. The circuit heads next to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, before moving to Matalam, Cotabato; Digos City; and Tagum City. The PPS-PEPP circuit features 60 junior tournaments and 12 Open events this season. For details and registration, contact tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. In the 14-and-U division, second-seeded Wong of Cagayan de Oro redeemed herself with a hard-earned 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over top seed Justine Gumbao in the girls’ final. AJ Rabino thrilled the home crowd by topping Yuan Torrente, 6-2, 7-5, to claim the boys’ title. Earlier, Rabino stunned top seed Kresthan Belacas, 7-6(4), 6-4, in the quarterfinals before routing Joaquin Dacyon, 6-1, 6-2, to set up his title clash with Torrente. In the 12-and-U category, Daneea Sinsuat of Davao City crushed top seed Abby Joy Castigador, 6-1, 6-1, to seize the girls’ crown, while Torrente turned back Dacyon, 6-4, 6-3, to rule the boys’ division.

UNIVERSITY of the East and University of Santo Tomas created a logjam for fourth place in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament after separate victories on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The Junior Warriors dispatched winless University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 94-61, while defending champions Tiger Cubs escaped with a 75-73 win over the Adamson University Baby Falcons.

With the wins by UST and UE, combined with Adamson’s loss, all three teams now share identical 4-6 records. De La Salle-Zobel, currently 4-5, was still set to face Ateneo High School as of publishing.

“We really needed this win para buhay pa ‘yung Final Four na pangarap namin, but I was not happy with the way we played, especially in the fourth quarter. If we want to make it to the Final Four, we need to play better,” said third-year Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Inigo, whose team has won three of its last five games.

“We already lost two games in the second round. Painful games, but we’re still positive. Hindi pa naman kami out of the woods, so right now, we want to keep on improving,” lamented third-year Junior Warriors’ head coach Karl Santos as UE is looking to make it to the Final Four for the first time under his watch. Though it was a wire-to-wire victory for the Tiger Cubs—who led by as much as 13 points—they struggled down the stretch. The trio of Jarl Artango, Mac Jenodia, and Fran Flores rallied the Baby Falcons late, with Flores knocking down a triple with 12 seconds left to cut the lead to 75-73. Adamson managed a defensive stop afterward but could not get a shot off before time expired.

Alcaraz battles into 2nd round of Qatar Open

DOHA—Carlos

Alcaraz made a triumphant return to action following his Australian Open success as he beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the first round in Doha on Tuesday.

Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with his victory in Melbourne, saw off the 30th-ranked Rinderknech in two closely contested sets.

“It was really difficult. Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round,” said Alcaraz.

“I’m happy with the level. I’m happy that I got through difficult moments in the match. I’m happy that I stayed calm and positive, and played great tennis.” The world number one will face another Frenchman in round two, 60thranked Valentin Royer. Alcaraz took the first set after breaking in the fifth game but faced dogged resistance from Rinderknech, who brought up his first break points of the match with the top seed serving to force a tie-break in the second set. The Spaniard saved both and then closed out victory in the tie-break, ripping a forehand down the line on match point.

Alcaraz’s chief rival Jannik Sinner is on the other side of the draw. No player other than Alcaraz or Sinner has won a tour-level title at an event featuring both of them since Andrey Rublev lifted the trophy in Madrid in May 2024.

Rublev booked his place in the second round with a straight-forward 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dutchman Jesper De Jong.

Alcaraz, who lost in the quarterfinals on his Qatar Open debut a year ago, could face one of three former champions in the draw, Karen Khachanov, in the last eight if he gets past Royer on Wednesday. Seventh seed Khachanov needed three sets to overcome Japanese lucky loser

Rising star Dagoon dazzles in Mayor Pacquiao juniors tennis

Shintaro Mochizuki, while Stefanos Tsitsipas downed Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui to line up a meeting with 2023 winner Daniil Medvedev.

Dagoon’s singles feat with a double-title romp. The Midsayap, Cotabato native scored a 1-0 (ret.) win over Aljaven Lumambas in the 16-and-U finals, then rallied past

The defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs rejoice after beating the Adamson Lady Falcons.

Jan Cadee Dagoon (second from left) shares the MVP honors with Krelz Gecosala (second from right) as they dominate the Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao netfest in Gen. Santos City. With them are GenSan City Tennis Club board member Atty. Jun Lagare (left) and GSCTC president Marlon Aquino.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Tiger won’t rule out Masters

LOS ANGELES—Tiger Woods says he has no timetable for a return to golf, but the 15-time major champion hasn’t ruled out the 2026 Masters even as he ponders the over-50s Champions Tour. Woods, who turned 50 on December 30, underwent disc replacement surgery in October, the latest in a series of operations and injuries that have kept him sidelined since the 2024 British Open.

“It’s just one of those things where it’s each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing,” Woods said Tuesday at The Riviera Country Club, where he hosts this week’s PGA Tour Genesis Invitational.

“I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again,” Woods said, adding that he has progressed from chipping and putting practice to hitting full shots.

“I’m able to,” he said. “Not well every day, but I can hit them.”

Despite the uncertainty, Woods said when asked that the Masters, April 9-12 at Augusta National, was not “off the table.”

Woods has won five Masters titles, the most recent an epic 2019 victory that ended his 11-year major championship drought.

He suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash but returned at the 2022 Masters and finished 47th.

The veteran superstar had a back operation in September 2024 and was rehabilitating from that setback when he announced in March of 2025 that he had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Woods said the Achilles injury was no longer an issue, but the disc replacement —on top of multiple back surgeries over the years—was proving challenging to come back from. AFP

Chameleons, High Speed Hitters battle underdogs

A COVETED semifinal incentive should further sharpen the focus of Nxled and PLDT as they seek to extend their unbeaten runs against struggling rivals Thursday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan.

The Chameleons headline the 6:30 p.m. duel against the Galeries Tower Highrisers, seeking a fourth straight victory and control of the solo lead in the single-round preliminaries.

At 4 p.m., the PLDT High Speed Hitters square off with the Akari Chargers, determined to sustain their surge after back-to-back statement wins.

Nxled appears to be hitting peak form at the right time.

Built around the core of four-time champion Petro Gazz, the Chameleons have steadily jelled into one of the most balanced and explosive squads in the tournament. Their emphatic sweep of erstwhile unbeaten Cignal Super Spikers underscored not just their firepower, but their system efficiency and defensive discipline.

Coach Ettore Guidetti is expected to maximize his deep rotation anew, knowing that a sweep of the prelims would mean an outright semifinal berth – a crucial advantage that avoids the uncertainty of crossover battles.

“We just know every single game, we have a big target on our back,” said Guidetti.

PH faces elite field in 1st American Cup campaign

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippines is set to make its historic debut in the 2026 American Cup, scheduled on March 7 at Lee’s Family Forum in suburban Las Vegas.

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion confirmed the country’s participation, marking the first time Filipino gymnasts will compete in the prestigious international meet.

“They have never asked the Philippines to join here before. Now, we will see how we will do here,” said Carrion, expressing optimism as the country prepares to test itself against some of the world’s top gymnasts.

Carrion spoke to the Manila Standard during the 2025 Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel, where her protege Carlos Yulo received his second straight Athlete of the Year award, which he shared with Filipina tennis superstar Alexandra Eala. Carrior herself was honored as her national sports association was feted with the NSA of the Year award.

The Philippines will be the eighth

and final nation to confirm its participation, joining powerhouse delegations from Brazil, China, and Spain, among others.

Leading Team Philippines is Haylee Garcia, a member of the country’s squad at the 2025 World Championships. She will be joined by former Brigham Young University standout Chiara Andrew and rising gymnast Llya Escoses, who was previously scheduled to compete at the 2025 Senior Asian Championships in Jecheon, South Korea.

On the men’s side, six-time US NCAA medalist Zachary Nunez and 2025 Junior Asian Championships team member Evan Aliwalas will carry the Philippine colors.

Batangas, San Juan join leaders; Caloocan

BATANGAS and San Juan notched contrasting wins on Tuesday to join the pacesetters in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Pasay Astrodome.

The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters battered the Gensan Warriors, 100-80, while the San Juan Knights bested the Ilagan Isabela Warriors, 85-82, to raise their records to 3-0 in the two-group, 18-team event preceding the MPBL Eighth Season.

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo subdued Pasay, 71-63, in the nightcap to rise to 2-1 and remain in strong contention for a playoff spot in Group A, right behind San Juan and Quezon Province (3-0).

Powered by acquisitions Jhan Nermal and Ino Comboy, Batangas dominated the boards, 44-22, and led by as far as 72-47 in catching up with Abra Solid North (3-0) in Group A.

Nermal chalked 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists to clinch best player honors over Comboy with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Other key players for Batangas, the MPBL inaugural titlist in 2018, were returnees Jeckster Apinan with 12 points and 9 rebounds and Ced Ablaza with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and recruit Kraniel Viloria with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Gensan, which absorbed its second straight loss, got

DUBAI— Coco Gauff bounced back from her shock early exit in Doha last week with a comfortable victory over Anna Kalinskaya in Dubai on Tuesday, while Elena Rybakina opened her campaign with a dominant win.

The American, who lost to lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her opening match in Qatar, made no such mistake against Kalinskaya, easing through the second-round tie 6-4, 6-4.

Gauff will face Belgian Elise Mertens in the last 16 of the WTA 1000 event.

The two-time Grand Slam champion created headlines earlier this week for comments about anti-immigration policies in the United States, saying: “I don’t think people should be dying in the streets for just existing.”

Gauff struggled at times in Dubai, serving 12 double-faults, but broke Russian Kalinskaya’s serve six times to emerge victorious from a scrappy encounter.

“It wasn’t the prettiest one, but it was enough for today,” said Gauff, seeded third.

18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists from Nelo Santos, 10 points and 3 rebounds from DJ Howe, and 9 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists from James Versoza.

Caloocan held Pasay to just three points in the last five minutes to rebound from a 66-59 loss to San Juan on February 14.

Eric Camson led Caloocan with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Rommel Calahat with 11 points and 6 rebounds, Kean Baclaan with 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Anotonio Bonsubre with 8 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Pasay Voyagers, who fell to 1-1, got 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals from prized rookie Steve Nash Enriquez and 11 points plus 3 rebounds from Cyril Gonzales.

Trailing, 78-80, the Knights, behind Garry Abadiano and Michael Calisaan, outscored the Cowboys, 7-2, in the homestretch.

Abadiano posted 14 points and 2 rebounds, Calisaan 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, while Orlan Wamar also delivered with 11 points and 7 assists.

The Cowboys drew 16 points from Donald Gumaru, 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists from Delos Santos, 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds from Joseph Gabayni, and 11 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks from Arth Dela Cruz.

The competition features a formidable field, with Brazil fielding a strong men’s lineup that includes 2025 Senior South American Championships parallel bars silver medalist Diogo Paes, along with Vitaliy Guimaraes and Diogo Soares. China will also send a powerful contingent, with Li Hongyan, Xie Chenyi, and Zhang Yangyu competing in the men’s division, while Ke Qinqin, Tian Zhuofan, and Zhang Qingying will represent the women’s side. Spain, meanwhile, will showcase its Olympic-caliber roster, led by Nicolau Mir and Joel Plata in the men’s division, alongside Alba Petisco and Marina Escudero in the women’s competition.

PSA Athlete of the Year Carlos Yulo (center) is joined at the PSA Awards Night by (from left) PSA president Francis Ochoa of the Inquirer, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, GAP chief Cynthia Carrion (holding Yulo’s Grit and Glory Award from MILO) and an ArenaPlus representative.

Eric Camson strikes for Caloocan Batang Kankaloo.

US’ Coco Gauff serves against Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto during their women’s

LAND TITLES.

World Bank division

director Zafer Mustafaoglu and the World Bank team meet with farmers who shared powerful stories of transformation, hope and dignity in General Santos City. About 314,805 farmers across the Philippines now hold their own land titles thanks to the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project. Source: World Bank’s Facebook page

DA orders probe on machinery, fertilizer procurement

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture Secre-

tary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered a broad investigation Wednesday into alleged irregularities in the procurement and distribution of subsidized farm inputs and machinery, responding to farmer complaints despite a routine review earlier this year that found no issues.

The probe targets reported delays in fertilizer deliveries and the distribution of machinery under the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), which manages billions of pesos annually under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

DA officials found engaged in unscrupulous acts will be dealt with, while suppliers failing to meet obligations could face penalties or blacklisting, Tiul Laurel said.

“We invite these farmers’ groups and other organizations to help us ferret out the corrupt within our midst,” he said. Federation of Free Farmers chairman

Leonardo Montemayor and MAGSASAKA Party-List president Argel Joseph Cabatbat welcomed the probe, but warned of long-standing systemic issues.

The groups alleged that funding decisions were influenced by a small group of senior DA officials and political backers, with project specifications favoring selected suppliers and some bidders allegedly paying commissions.

According to the groups, problems include substandard seeds, incorrect fertilizer grades, poorly performing machinery with weak after-sales support, idle rice mills, overpricing and delayed deliveries. They cautioned that lowerlevel DA personnel could be made scapegoats if systemic issues go unaddressed.

The DA said it would test inorganic fertilizers for efficacy and pilot a new procurement system allowing farmers to buy products directly using an e-wallet linked to their Intervention Monitoring Card. Full implementation is planned for next year.

IN BRIEF

ACMobility launches

reimbursement delays and limited visibility over charging usage, the company said. “Our goal has always been to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem that serves every type of driver. With ChargeFleet, we address a critical gap for corporate fleets and transport groups, providing a professional management platform that supports their electrification journey,” ACMobility head of mobility infrastructure Carla Buencamino said. The integration process allows ACMobility to assign charging credits to a fleet manager who then distributes them to drivers. Personnel can view and utilize these credits through Evro, the partner app of ACMobility. To further support evolving business needs, the company plans to introduce exclusive perks through the app and its mobile charging station, Power on Wheels. Othel V. Campos

ACEN named among Asia-Pacific’s best firms

ACEN Corp. has been named one of AsiaPacific’s Best Companies 2026 by TIME and Statista, joining 500 top-performing organizations recognized for their impact on the regional business landscape. The energy platform of the Ayala Group earned its spot based on a three-pillar evaluation of employee satisfaction, financial performance and sustainability transparency. The ranking utilized comprehensive data including employee surveys, revenue growth metrics, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures.

ACEN was not the only member of the conglomerate to receive the honor. Parent company Ayala Corp. and its subsidiaries Ayala Land Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Globe Telecom were also included in the 2026 list.

The recognition highlights ACEN’s transformation into a global renewable energy platform and its role in accelerating the energy transition. The company remains one of the fastest-growing renewable energy firms in the region, maintaining the Philippines as its core market.

ACEN chief human resources officer JP Orbeta said the acknowledgment reinforces the interconnection between a people-first culture, sustainability, and performance excellence. Alena Mae S. Flores Innovation centers raise P24.3m from IP assets

PHILIPPINE innovation and technology support offices generated P24.3 million from intellectual property assets in 2025, up 19 percent from P20.4 million in 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said Wednesday. The IPOPHL attributed the growth to intensified efforts to market innovations through licensing, spin-offs and direct sales.

“The figures reflect the growing impact of technology transfer and IP commercialization efforts across the ITSOs.

They highlight how research and innovation not only contribute to knowledge and societal benefits, but also generate tangible economic value for institutions and stakeholders,” IPOPHL acting directorgeneral Nathaniel Arevalo said.

Commercial gains coincided with recordhigh IP filings, which reached 3,242 in 2025.

This represents a 43.7-percent increase from the 2,257 filings recorded in 2024.

The network of technology centers, known as ITSOs, accounted for 506 of the 999 resident patent filings, representing 50.7 percent of the total following a 15.3 percent annual rise.

ITSOs also contributed 858 of the 1,800 utility model filings and 454 of the 1,578 industrial design applications. These categories saw growth of 31.8 percent and 31.2 percent, respectively. Othel V. Campos

DOE to auction 10 coal blocks in Semirara

By Alena Mae S. Flores

18 coal blocks

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said Wednesday it will launch a competitive bidding round for 18 coal blocks on Feb. 27, 2026, including areas in Semirara Island, Antique province held by the country’s largest producer.

10 coal blocks

Subject to bidding by DOE Up for bidding in Semirara

50 years

Semirara’s original contract

The pre-determined area (PDA) bid round aims to offer coal reserves with identified mineable potential to support national energy security and the transition agenda. The auction includes 10 blocks on Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique; 3 blocks in Amulung and Iguig, Cagayan; and five blocks across Isabela province.

The move follows a Department of Justice opinion that the DOE cannot extend Coal Operating Contract (COC) No. 5 for Semirara Mining & Power Corp. (SMPC) beyond its July 14, 2027 expiration. The department ruled that the government should instead subject the area to a competitive bid process.

“The government’s priority is to uphold the rule of law while safeguarding our indigenous energy resources,” DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said.

FEDEX EXPANSION. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque meets with FedEx executives to discuss the company’s expansion plans at the Clark Aviation Complex. FedEx provided updates on its Philippine Gateway Expansion project, which aims to enhance cargo handling efficiency and operational capacity to support growing trade volumes. The discussion also explored how the company can contribute to advancing the Philippines’ international trade agenda, including support for new trade agreements and expanded market access. Source: DTI

DPWH wants to expedite Mindanao road projects to foster peace, growth

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is fasttracking a major road development project in conflict-affected regions of Mindanao to improve connectivity and support long-term stability in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAAM) involves the construction of 80.97 kilometers of strategic national roads.

The initiative aims to address low road density in the region while expanding access to markets, jobs and essential services for historically underserved communities.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said these infrastructure developments serve as a foundation for regional security.

NORTHERN Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. said it secured a 30-megawatt power supply agreement with Aboitiz Power Corp. to stabilize electricity costs and enhance reliability across its expanding service area.

The deal followed a successful competitive selection process and will utilize a diversified energy mix to meet the cooperative’s core demand.

Under the terms of the agreement, AboitizPower will provide 10 MW of mid-merit supply through Aboitiz Solar Power Inc. and 20 MW of baseload power from GNPower Mariveles Energy Center.

The partnership is designed to support the local economy as the cooperative’s coverage now includes

“These road projects reinforce stability in conflict-prone areas, driving inclusive growth, enhancing mobility, and expanding economic opportunities for historically underserved communities,” Sadain said. A primary element of the initiative is Sub-Project 2, a 36.73-kilometer alternative to Asian Highway 26. The route passes through Parang, Matanog, Kapatagan and Balabagan, and includes 16 bridges and 1 underpass. Several contract packages for this segment are currently underway.

Work is also progressing on the 7.07-kilometer Parang East Diversion Road, known as Sub-Project 8. Since construction began in June 2025, the segment has reached more than 15 percent completion.

The 17.42-kilometer Sub-Project 9 is moving forward to link AH26 with the Davao–Cotabato Road, the agency said.

the cities of Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos, alongside several neighboring municipalities.

“The steady supply at competitive rates ensures continuous support for local growth and enhanced quality of life as our region evolves, fostering a prosperous future for the businesses and communities we serve,” NONECO board president Nicolas Camara said.

NONECO general manager Wilbe Bilbao said the long-term deal aligns with the cooperative’s commitment to addressing unique power requirements across all its service areas. The cooperative also serves the towns of Manapla, E.B. Magalona, Toboso and Calatrava in addition to

“Any future contract or continuation of operations must strictly comply with constitutional limits and demonstrably protect both the national interest and our host communities,” she said. Under the bidding program, interested applicants have 60 calendar days from the launch date to submit documents.

The deadline for submission is 11 a.m. on the 60th day, with applications set to be opened two hours later. SMPC, which had requested a 13year extension to its current 50-year term, told the Philippine Stock Exchange Wednesday that operations remain “business as usual.” The company said it has not yet received a formal response from the DOE regarding its request for a term adjustment but is preparing for the auction.

Meralco gets US grants for nuclear study

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) through its power generating arm Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) has secured a $2.8-million grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to study the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines.

The technical financial assistance will fund a comprehensive SMR Adoption Study targeted to begin this year. The study aims to evaluate the viability of nuclear energy, identify preferred US-developed technologies and determine potential sites for development to bolster long-term energy security.

The grant serves as a cornerstone for the company’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which seeks to integrate low-carbon nuclear power into the national energy mix.

Under the partnership, Meralco will access American technical expertise to conduct a formal review of SMR options and create a shortlist of designs tailored for the Philippine market.

“Through the good graces of the U.S. government, we are laying the groundwork for responsible integration of nuclear into our overall fuel mix. This grant goes beyond funding— it is a demonstration of support from the United States for our vision, our readiness, and our capabilities to lead the adoption of nuclear energy,” Meralco chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said.

The project is expected to produce a high-level implementation roadmap that assesses commercial, financial and regulatory readiness while outlining milestones for future project development. Alena Mae S. Flores

its primary city hubs. AboitizPower vice president for commercial planning and portfolio management Gerard Roxas said the partnership is built on trust.

“By supplying dependable baseload power and solar energy, we are providing a balanced solution that addresses the dual need for sustainability and reliability,” Roxas said. AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s power generation and distribution investments. The largest owner and operator of renewable energy in the Philippines based on installed capacity said it aims to add 3,700 MW of renewable energy to its portfolio by 2030. Alena Mae S. Flores

PhilWeb minority shareholders snub P2.17 tender offer

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MINORITY shareholders of gaming technology

provider PhilWeb Corp. snubbed an offer by the company’s new controlling group to buy out their shares because of a steep discount.

No shares were tendered during the offering period from Jan. 19 to Feb. 16, according to a filing by PhilWeb with the Philippine Stock Exchange. PhilWeb’s new controlling shareholders, Nexora Holdings Inc. and Velora Holdings Inc., offered to acquire shares held by minority investors after purchasing 829,574,354 common shares—a 57.78 percent stake—from businessman Gregorio Araneta III. The new shareholders offered to acquire the remaining 449,158,170 common shares held by the public at P2.17 per share. However, that price represented a steep discount to the stock’s closing price of P9.98 last Friday.

Aside from the price gap, analysts said minority shareholders did not participate in the tender offer because they are betting on the company’s potential growth under new leadership.

The new shareholders previously hinted at plans to further develop existing digital and land-based gaming platforms.

By the first quarter of 2026, the new owners

plan to establish a dedicated online gaming services team to support the development and management of online entertainment services within its core businesses.

The new shareholders are closely linked to the company; current PhilWeb president and director Edgar Brian Ng also serves as president, chairman, and director of Nexora.

In January, Clark-based casino operator Hann Casino Resort teamed up with PhilWeb to expand regulated online gaming operations in the Philippines. Under the agreement, PhilWeb will provide technical expertise and operational execution for Hann Live Online, the casino’s unified digital gaming platform.

Local

stocks rise, peso stronger on hopes of BSP rate cut

LOCAL stocks rebounded Wednesday on hopes of a possible rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 26.22 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 6,394.77, while the broader allshares index rose 14.76 points, or 0.42 percent, to 3,542.05.

The peso continued to strengthen against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, closing at 57.861 from 57.986 on Monday.

“Investors appeared to position themselves ahead of the BSP policy rate decision tomorrow,” said Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales. “The rebound was driven by selective buying in the key index names and cautious optimism over the central bank’s next move.”

Traders also sought bargains following three consecutive days of declines. Among the sectors, only the industrial index ended in the red,

Disruption in public works is weakening the GDP

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Secretary Vince Dizon is signaling a shift from controversy to corrective action in the infrastructure sector.

After weeks of heightened scrutiny over alleged irregularities in public works projects, the focus is now on restoring transparency, ensuring compliance and protecting the economic value of government spending.

Infrastructure remains a critical driver of the Philippine economy. The government, per the 2026 General Appropriations Act, set an infrastructure spending of about ₱1.3 trillion, or roughly 4.3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Earlier projections were slightly higher at around ₱1.56 trillion (5.1 percent of GDP), but even the current target represents a major commitment to physical connectivity, employment and economic stimulus.

Construction output is projected to grow around 5 percent in real terms in 2026, supporting thousands of jobs and sustaining local supply chains across transport, materials and logistics sectors.

But delays or disruptions in public works not only slow down project completion. They have a ripple effect on the economy. They undermine growth, investor confidence and employment.

Stability, transparency and predictability are critical for both contractors and investors.

A central feature of Dizon’s approach is a digital portal designed to improve monitoring and reporting of projects. While the technology itself is a tool, its broader value lies in ensuring that data is accurate, accessible and tamperresistant.

The need for such systems is evident from recent controversies. Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson raised concerns over “wrong grid coordinates” submitted by the previous DPWH leadership, which complicated verification of certain flood control projects. Some projects labeled as “ghost” works were later confirmed on the ground in Bulacan, having been inspected and validated by both the DPWH and local governments.

These errors highlight the importance of distinguishing between administrative lapses and fraudulent activity. Contractors performing their duties in good faith should not be penalized for misreported data.

Dizon has also taken concrete steps to address incomplete or substandard works. He has ordered the immediate repair of damaged flood control structures and instructed contractors to comply strictly with contract specifications and quality standards.

Encouraging contractors to complete or correct their work promptly, rather than relying on court processes, is a wise move. Litigation is slow, expensive, and can stretch over years, leaving communities at risk and projects unfinished.

—“—

Prolonged project delays could weaken supply chains (and) disrupt economic recovery …

By asking builders to act now, the government ensures faster results, protects vulnerable areas ahead of the rainy season and avoids the bottleneck of long judicial procedures.

Existing contractual safeguards, including warranties, performance bonds, and deadlines for corrective work, allow the government to enforce compliance efficiently while protecting its interests.

Contractors who meet their obligations are being compensated promptly, reinforcing fairness and maintaining sector confidence.

The timing of this directive is critical. The country is entering the rainy season in a few months―and floodprone areas remain vulnerable.

Any delay in completing flood control projects could expose communities to avoidable risks. By urging contractors to finish work now, the government ensures that structures are functional well ahead of the heavy rains. Avoiding litigation also frees resources and attention that might otherwise be tied up in courts, allowing the DPWH to focus on inspection, validation and support of ongoing projects.

Several contractors have already begun remedial actions and acknowledged accountability where appropriate. This cooperation is essential not only to restore credibility in the sector but also to maintain momentum in project execution. The construction industry employs thousands of workers and drives economic activity in many regions.

Prolonged project delays could weaken supply chains, disrupt economic recovery and leave communities exposed to infrastructure gaps. Dizon’s insistence on immediate compliance demonstrates an understanding of both social and economic urgency.

The economic stakes are clear. Transparent monitoring, enforceable contracts and prompt action by contractors create a predictable environment for builders, protect public funds and ensure that infrastructure continues to support communities, particularly those vulnerable to flooding.

By embedding accountability into both process and practice, Dizon is demonstrating that infrastructure policy can be both fair and efficient.

If effectively implemented, these measures will help the sector move beyond controversy, sustain jobs, accelerate project delivery and reinforce the government’s broader economic objectives.

Public works are more than just concrete and steel― they are an engine of growth and accountability is the key to keeping it running.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

down 0.72 percent. The services sector led gainers, increasing by 1.65 percent, followed by property, which advanced 0.92 percent.

Value turnover reached P5.51 billion. Market breadth was positive as gainers edged out losers, 101 to 93, while 63 stocks remained unchanged.

Foreign investors also hunted for bargains, with net inflows amounting to P467.67 million.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. led index gainers, rising 4.8 percent to P14.42. Semirara Mining and Power Corp. slid to a 52-week low, dropping 13.6 percent to P22.55 amid concerns over its expiring coal operating contract for Semirara Island.

Asian stocks mostly rose Wednesday, while the oil market was cautious after prices dropped in the wake of Tehran’s upbeat response during talks with US officials on Iran’s nuclear program. Tokyo ended up 1.0 percent after Washington announced a first tranche of investments by Japan out of a co-

lossal $550 billion promised by Tokyo in its trade deal with President Donald Trump. Sydney also finished higher but the Lunar New Year holiday period meant that trading floors were shut in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei. West Texas Intermediate was up 0.1 percent at $62.40 per barrel, while Brent also rose 0.1 percent to $67.51 Oil prices had dropped Tuesday as Iran appeared upbeat after talks with US officials. That followed an earlier rise when Trump ramped up threats towards Iran, a large crude producer, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “a new window of opportunity has opened”. “We are hopeful that negotiation will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution,” he said, though he added that “Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself against any threat or act of aggression.”

Jenniffer

Ayala Land Premier books P10.4b in sales for Makati luxury tower

AYALA Land Premier (ALP), the upscale residential brand of Ayala Land Inc., has booked approximately P10.4 billion in sales for its Laurean Residences since the project’s 2025 launch.

The developer recently broke ground on the ultra-luxury residential tower, moving the project into the construction phase as sales momentum continues.

ALP president Mike Jugo said in a statement that the strong take-up reflects confidence in well-located and design-led developments within established central business districts.

“Laurean Residences was envisioned as an urban sanctuary in the heart of Makati. Today, we’re not just breaking ground — we’re opening a bold new chapter in refined urban living,” Jugo said.

The 65-story Laurean Residences is the flagship residential tower within Dela Rosa Gardens, a 1.3-hectare mixed-use estate along Paseo de Roxas and Dela Rosa Street. The district will also host the new headquarters of Bank of the Philippine Islands and a 2,700-square-meter

urban park.

The project is located near key commercial and lifestyle hubs such as Ayala Triangle Gardens, Greenbelt, and One Ayala. It is also linked to Makati’s Emerald Network of elevated walkways.

The company said proximity to offices, retail centers, and open spaces continues to drive interest from buyers seeking long-term residences in prime addresses. Laurean Residences offers 388 units ranging from suites to four-bedroom homes.

ALP said it is seeing demand from professionals and multigenerational families who value location, design quality, and long-term property value.

The P10.4 billion sales performance—representing more than one-third of the project’s P28 billion total sales value—underscores the resilience of the premium residential segment in Makati. With construction now underway, ALP said it expects Laurean Residences to further strengthen its high-end residential portfolio in the city.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Historic Binondo gets new glow with revitalization plan

By Julie Ann Lope

THE government and private sector partners have launched the second phase of a major revitalization project in Binondo to preserve the 432-year-old district’s legacy as the world’s oldest Chinatown.

Building on the restoration of Jones Bridge last year, the new phase expands a specialized lighting program across key streets, cultural landmarks, and commercial corridors to boost tourism and local commerce. The project covers accent and ambient lighting at the La Madre Filipina pillars, MacArthur Bridge and Santa Cruz Church. The upgrades include the district’s four traditional gates and high-tech additions like hologram lighting along Quentin Paredes, Ongpin, and Sabino Padilla streets. A projection-mapping program is also scheduled for the historic Binondo Church.

Tsinoy history essential to PH national fabric, new book says

A NEW book documenting the history and contemporary struggles of the Tsinoy community aims to dismantle stereotypes by framing the ChineseFilipino experience as an inseparable part of the national identity.

The initiative follows the model of the Pasig River Bigyang Buhay Muli program, which uses heritage restoration to drive urban renewal. Organizers aim to increase pedestrian traffic and local spending while strengthening cultural stewardship within the Filipino-Chinese community. The project is funded through voluntary contributions from community leaders and the private sector.

During the phase II launch on Feb. 13, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the initiative is about honoring shared histories and giving the district the attention and respect it deserves.

“These efforts will reinforce the district’s historical role as a center of trade, of faith, and community, and support culture-based tourism and local economic activity,” Marcos said.

The president said the project serves those who live in the district and the many visitors who travel through its streets daily.

“Moreover, it is for every Filipino and for anyone who wishes to gain a better understanding of our culture and our history,” he said.

The city government of Manila and Filipino-Chinese community leaders collaborated on the proposal, which received early support from the President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.

Since its founding in 1594, Binondo has served as a primary archive of Filipino-Chinese commerce and culture, surviving colonial rule and war to remain a central pillar of the nation’s economic life.

Manila celebrates CNY, calls for stronger ties

BINONDO marked the beginning of

the Lunar New Year with a fireworks display and drone show at the Jones Bridge on Feb. 16, 2026 to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, signaling a push for revitalized economic and diplomatic cooperation.

Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) [resident Victor Lim delivered remarks highlighting the horse as a symbol of “strength, hard work and perseverance,” qualities he said are needed for the community to move forward. Lim urged the continued pursuit of programs that uplift lives, support business growth and promote social harmony.

“May our efforts to achieve personal growth align with our collective aspirations for the greater development of our beloved city and country,” Lim said, adding that great things happen when people work hand in hand.

Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan cited the long-standing relationship between the two nations, noting that China has remained the Philippines’ largest trading partner and source of imports for over the past decade.

He confirmed that political dialogues that had paused for over 1 year have resumed, with both sides agreeing on a roadmap to expand cooperation in trade, investments, education and people-to-people

exchange.

“We’re neighbors, and we’re friends. Neighbors and friends should always like each other, help each other, respect each other, and learn from each other,” Jing said, noting that officials are working to stabilize bilateral relations.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso lauded the growing exchanges, particularly in tourism and trade. He predicted that leadership from the new ambassador would result in more flights from China to Cebu, creating more jobs and business opportunities.

Domagoso reported that new business registrations in the city rose 104 percent from Jan. 1 to Feb. 13, 2026, compared with the same period in 2025. He also cited a 13 percent drop in crime in the last quarter along with improved case resolution.

The mayor urged young residents to remember the shared history and contributions of Filipino-Chinese fighters during World War II and early benefactors like Roman Ongpin. He reiterated that Manila remains open to business and assured entrepreneurs of protection from abuse.

“No harm will come to you as long as I’m mayor. But in the same manner, I will not also allow abuse to one another. Just do business, strive, and there is a big market in this city,” Domagoso said. Julie Ann Lope

Book chronicles PH diplomats’ memories of service in China

THE Philippine Embassy in Beijing has launched the book “Intertwined: Personal Stories of Engagement with China,” a commemorative publication marking the 50th anniversary of Philippines–China bilateral relations.

The book compiles anecdotes and recollections from Filipino diplomats and public servants who have served in China, including former ambassadors and officials posted to the embassy in Beijing and the Philippines’ six consulates general across China.

Intertwined covers a range of topics, from political, economic and cultural engagements to consular work, people-to-people exchanges and the launch of the Philippine e-visa in China.

the

and new

discoveries.

Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran executive trustee Carmelea Ang See introduced “Chinese in the Philippines: Problems and Perspectives, Volume 6” during a book talk and panel discussion on Feb. 15, 2026 at the Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros.

The work marks the final installment of a series that began in 1990, focusing on the hybrid cultural identity of the community and modern issues of loyalty often debated in political spheres and on social media.

“The Tsinoy story is not a parallel history or a subset in Philippine history,” Ang See said. “It is a thread woven tightly into the fabric of this nation that if you pull one, it is going to unravel.” Ang See noted that the community faces significant hurdles, including a widening generational gap and cultural friction between established families and new migrants. Language barriers also continue to impact social integration within the Philippines.

Julie

Ann Lope

Philippine Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Jaime FlorCruz described the volume as “a homecoming for those who once served at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the Philippines’ six Consulates General in China.”

He said the book is “a gathering of shared memories, hard-won lessons, and enduring professional bonds.”

In her message, Department of Foreign Affairs

FFCCCII spring gala promotes good governance

By Michael Wong Ho

THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) hosted government officials from across the nation for its Spring Festival Gala on Feb. 7, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to social progress and community service.

FFCCCII president Victor Lim opened the event at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant with a prayer, followed by a cultural performance by students from Kong Hua School.

During his keynote address, Lim said good governance remains the cornerstone of social justice and stability.

“Government leaders, as guardians of public trust, play a key role in enforcing laws, delivering basic services and managing resources transparently and effectively,” Lim said.

He also promoted the organization’s “three treasures” of charity: the donation of schoolrooms to rural

Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said the publication captures not only photographs and recollections but also “the spirit of dedication, resilience, and adaptability that has defined the country’s diplomatic presence in China.”

Reinier Padua, project manager and head of the embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section, said the stories in Intertwined span decades and coincide with different eras of Philippines-China relations, offering personal perspectives on shifting diplomatic priorities and grassroots ties.

One of the diplomats featured is Aprilfleur Galima-Mejia, former consul in Guangzhou who celebrates friendship between the Philippines and China through her painting.

Encouraged by a Chinese art teacher while posted in Guangzhou, April began painting in 2021, later joining Filistilo, a group of Filipino artists in Guangdong.

She participated in collaborative activities at the Guangzhou Library where her early works were exhibited during a Filipino art and tourism event- an initial step in sharing Filipino artistry with the local community.

“Through art, I hope people can meet, understand and celebrate what one another has to offer,” Galima-Mejia said.

Even after leaving China, she continues to foster cultural ties between the two countries through her artwork. Julie Ann Lope

Traditional medicine mission helps 160 patients in Manila

THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) and the China-Philippine Traditional Chinese Medicine Center held a free medical mission on Feb. 8, 2026 to provide traditional healthcare services to local residents. The event, held at the Federation Building, targeted the treatment of chronic illnesses and the promotion of wellness through the theme “Inheriting the Essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Protecting the Health and Well-Being of the People.” The mission was co-organized by the Philippine Qihuang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The gala concluded with a lucky-draw

where five officials each won a schoolroom donated by the federation for their respective constituents.

Galima‑Mejia, former consul in Guangzhou, who celebrates friendship between the Philippines and China through her painting.

Carmelea Ang See launches the final volume of ‘Chinese in the Philippines,’ highlighting

Tsinoy community’s role in Philippine history

17th century archival

FFCCCII officers led by president Victor Lim emphasizes good governance and community service at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, donating schoolrooms to rural municipalities. areas, free medical missions and a volunteer fire brigade. Speakers at the gathering included House minority leader Marcelino Libanan, Romblon Governor Trina Alejandra Que Firmalo-Fabic and Calbayog Mayor Raymond Uy. Senator Imee Marcos was represented by Eliza RomuldezValtos, while Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Audrey Kay Tan-Zubiri also addressed the attendees.

segment

Philippine Alumni Association. Michael Wong Ho

The FFCCCII and China Philippine Traditional Chinese Medicine Center provide free acupuncture and TCM consultations to 160 residents at a medical mission in Manila.

96 Years of BPI: Nurturing legacy, empowering women and youth for a Masaganang Kinabukasan

FOR 96 years, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has quietly shaped the nation’s agricultural foundation — protecting crops, advancing science, and strengthening the hands that feed the Filipino people.

This year, its celebration carries deeper global resonance. Anchored on the theme “Buhayin, Payabungin, Ingatan: Pagkilala sa Kontribusyon ng Kababaihan at Kabataan sa Paghahalaman para sa Masaganang Kinabukasan,” the anniversary aligns with the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) as declared by the United Nations.

The convergence of national commitment and global recognition affirms a powerful truth: women and youth are not peripheral actors in agriculture — they are central to its sustainability, resilience, and transformation.

“Mananatiling mahalaga ang ambag ng BPI sa agham at pananaliksik mula sa makabagong teknolohiya, dekalidad na binhi, hanggang sa mga uri ng halamang tumutugon sa hamon ng climate change,” said DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. The recognition comes as climate change brings stronger typhoons, rising food insecurity, and an aging farming population; thus, there is a need for inclusive solutions to secure the country’s food systems and support a Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.

Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan reminded the nation that the future of agriculture depends on the next generation. “Kung ayaw ng kabataan pumasok sa sektor na ito, sino ang magpapakain sa susunod na henerasyon?”

A Legacy Strengthened by Science and Service

BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban,Ph.D., highlighted the Bureau’s expanding mandate in an increasingly complex agricultural landscape. Under his leadership, BPI intensified production support, strengthened distribution, promoted climate-resilient technologies, and reinforced assistance to communities facing environmental and economic challenges.

Beyond numbers and outputs, BPI remains committed to upholding the integrity of Philippine agriculture through strong regulatory services, credible certification systems, sciencebased plant quarantine operations, and biosecurity measures that protect both local industries and international trade. At 96, BPI continues to serve as both guardian and catalyst— protecting what sustains the nation while cultivating what propels it forward.

Opening Markets,

Expanding Horizons

In a globalized economy, food security goes hand in hand with competitiveness. BPI’s National

Plant Quarantine Services Division and Plant Product Safety Services Division helped expand global access for Philippine agricultural products through compliance with international standards and active market engagement.

The Philippines resumed market access for fresh mangoes to New Zealand and gained new access for fresh mangoes to Mongolia and Italy; fresh Hass avocado, calamansi, and okra to Russia; fresh durian to Egypt; dried and processed cacao, coffee in various forms, and fresh, dried, and dehydrated coconut; fresh jicama to South Korea; and fresh bananas to Uzbekistan. In fact, the Philippines reclaimed its position as the world’s second-largest exporter of bananas and consistently held the second spot for pineapples.

BPI ensures high-quality planting materials and safeguards the nation’s food supply through plant quarantine and certification. By issuing import clearances, phytosanitary certificates, and domestic transport permits, the Bureau prevents pest and disease risks while keeping food moving safely from farm to table.

Science, Innovation, and Climate Resilience

The anniversary highlighted BPI’s advances in research and innovation, including the development and registration of crop varieties with higher yield, pest resistance, and climate adaptability. In collaboration with academic and research institutions, the Bureau ensures that innovations are practical, farmeroriented, and responsive to market and climate demands.

BPI maintains over 1,500 crop accessions and continues varietal improvement for key crops such as cacao, dragon fruit, and mungbean, with recent outputs including the Kulabo 2 mungbean variety, the TARS 31 cacao selection, and the evaluation of multiple dragon fruit and cacao lines. National and Local Governments in Shared Responsibility

A defining moment of the celebration was the presence of Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who emphasised the critical partnership between national agencies and local government units in addressing urban food security.

In Manila, where demand is dense and supply chains are complex, the convergence of national policy and local implementation are essential in securing affordable and accessible food. “Yorme” stressed that food security, is a shared duty.

Knowledge Products and Program Launches

Several initiatives and publications were launched during the celebration, including Manuals on Mango Insect Pests and Diseases and Biocontrol Agents, BPI Button Mushroom Project, Private Seed Testing Accreditation, Ceremonial deposition of the newly NSIC-registered mungbean variety “Kulabo 2” into the PGR Genebank.

Food Within Reach: KADIWA ng Pangulo

Through the KADIWA ng Pangulo, fresh vegetables, fruits, agricultural inputs, and the P20 rice—“Benteng Bigas, Meron Na”— were made accessible to the public, ensuring that agricultural gains translate into tangible relief for consumers.

A Living Institution:

Open Doors, Open Futures

An open house invited stakeholders and guests to explore the breadth of BPI’s work — from plant protection and crop health diagnostics to seed certification,

varietal development, and digital innovations. Agricultural input exhibits participated by members of PSIA, and GAP Certified Farms demonstrated how public and private sectors converge in advancing productivity and sustainability.

The Next Generation

Takes the Stage True to its theme, the anniversary also celebrated youth. A pageant highlighting intelligence, advocacy, and agricultural awareness symbolized the passing of stewardship to a new generation.

The fellowship night, where offices showcased their talents and camaraderie, revealed another strength of the Bureau: its people.

Behind laboratories, greenhouses, field inspections, and policy frameworks stand dedicated are men and women, whose work impacts the nation.

Toward a Century of Greater Purpose

As it approaches its centennial

milestone, BPI stands at a pivotal moment in history. Climate volatility, global market shifts, technological disruption, and urban expansion demand not only resilience but also foresight.

At 96, BPI embraces this responsibility with clarity:

• To strengthen production systems

• To safeguard plant health and ensure food safety

• To expand market opportunity

• To invest in research and innovation

• To empower farmers and inspire youth

The anniversary reaffirmed BPI’s purpose. More than crops, it has cultivated trust, knowledge and national food security.

And as it looks toward its hundredth year, the Bureau remains steadfast — rooted in legacy, guided by science, and committed to securing the nation’s food future for generations to come.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Film figures condemn Berlin Film Festival ‘silence’

Award-winning

actress Tilda Swinton is among the more than 80 industry individuals backing an open letter criticizing the Berlin Film Festival’s approach to Gaza and alleged censorship of pro-Palestinian voices

on Gaza

SAM Verzosa is single but not looking for romance. The businessman spoke about his personal life, following his breakup with Rhian Ramos, during a Chinese New Year celebration at Frontrow headquarters in Quezon City on Tuesday.

MORE than 80 film industry figures including Oscar-winning actors Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton issued a statement on Tuesday slamming the Berlin Film Festival’s “silence” on Gaza.

The signatories to the open letter, sent to AFP , said they were “appalled” by the festival’s “institutional silence” and “dismayed” at its “involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza”.

Their statement came after the Berlinale’s jury president, German director Wim Wenders, answered a question on Gaza last week by saying: “We cannot really enter the field of politics.”

Prominent directors who signed Tuesday’s letter, coordinated by the Film Workers for Palestine collective, include British filmmaker Mike Leigh and the American Adam McKay

The signatories include many artists who have presented work at the Berlin Film Festival. Swinton was herself last year awarded its prestigious Honorary Golden Bear award.

They said they “fervently disagree” with Wenders’s comments, arguing that filmmaking and politics cannot be separated.

“Just as the festival has made clear statements in the past about atrocities carried out against people in Iran and Ukraine, we call on the Berlinale to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to Israel’s genocide,” the letter adds.

The signatories took exception not only to the Berlinale’s stance on Gaza, but also “the German state’s key role in enabling” Israel’s actions.

The festival has been hit by controversy over Gaza several times in recent years. When asked about Germany’s support for Israel at a press conference on Thursday, Wenders said filmmakers had “to stay out of politics”.

“We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians,” he said.

Fellow jury member Ewa Puszczynska said it was a “little bit unfair” to expect the jury to take a direct stance on the issue.

Their comments had already sparked a backlash. Awardwinning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy cancelled a planned appearance at the festival, saying she was “shocked and disgusted” at the jury members’ comments.

On Saturday, the Berlinale put out a statement defending Wenders from the “media storm”, indicating that his remarks had been taken out of context.

Festival director Tricia Tuttle said that artists “are free to exercise their right of free speech in whatever way they choose” and should not “be expected to speak on every political issue raised to them unless they want to”.

In 2024, the festival’s documentary award went to No Other Land , which follows the dispossession of Palestinian communities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. German government officials criticised “one-sided” remarks about Gaza by the directors of that film and others at that year’s awards ceremony.

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliation has left at least 71,000 people dead in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, whose figures the United Nations considers reliable. AFP

SHOWBIZ

Single but not available

Actor Ace Carrera, known for his role in ABS-CBN’s Sins of the Father, attended as well. He has been recognized for his transformation and personal discipline. Rising P-pop group 6ense performed at the event, sharing their journey and connection with the company’s products.

“Marami na ring nangyayari sa buhay, and I think that’s how it should be. Lagi kong sinasabi, dapat may growth, may progress,” Verzosa started.

“As for love life, personally, I don’t think I’m ready to be in a relationship right now. Parang single ka nga pero hindi ka fully available because you’re focused on other priorities. So yes, single, but not available,” Verzosa confirmed.

He added that new projects and opportunities have kept his schedule full, with several more lined up in the pipeline for the year. “Ang daming opportunities na dumarating lately, maraming bagong projects, bagong directions. Busy na rin talaga ang schedule, so right now, focus muna sa mission, sa goals, sa family, sa advocacies, and on things that have a bigger purpose. Love life can wait.”

The 44-year-old Verzosa appeared noticeably leaner when he arrived at the café inside the headquarters, where select members of the entertainment beat were waiting. Asked what keeps him fit and looking vital these days, he credited both discipline and routine.

“I’m a product of our own products, and of course, I’m doing HYROX now. I’ve always been physically active, and I think it’s important that we send the correct message to inspire other people to do the same,” he stated.

Verzosa and co-founder RS Francisco hosted the company’s Chinese New Year celebration, which highlighted work, community, and wellness. Among the attendees was Fred Moser, making his first public appearance since leaving the Pinoy Big Brother house. Moser shared how the company’s products helped him stay energized and resilient during the challenges inside the house.

This year’s celebration was more inclusive, welcoming members of the press and fans alongside company distributors. Guests sampled the company’s health and beauty products and participated in raffles that included fitness vouchers.

“We are doing this every year for Luxxe White, and now, we’re especially happy to include fans of our public faces and friends from the press. Seeing our community grow, both within and beyond the organization, makes this tradition even more meaningful,” Verzosa and Francisco said.

“The celebration this year was a bit scaled down, but the message remained the same: we welcome the new year hopeful for better things to come and to help more people through our outreach and other initiatives,” they added.

Universe Philippines 2026 is introducing its first daily free fan voting system through the Maya app, allowing supporters to cast votes for their preferred candidates throughout the

Maya, the country’s leading digital bank and the pageant’s official voting partner, will enable users to receive free votes each day, making participation more accessible and encouraging sustained engagement. For the first time, fans will also be able to take part in live voting during coronation night, a move organizers say will make the pageant more interactive, secure, and inclusive. Supporters can vote directly through the Maya app. Users who upgrade their accounts gain access to free daily votes, allowing them to stay involved and influence the competition over time.

Public voting will be open for a limited period ahead of coronation night, with

the full schedule to be announced on the pageant’s official social media platforms. Votes submitted through the Maya platform will be included in the selection process alongside judges’ scores, contributing to the announcement of semifinalists on coronation night.

Organizers said the initiative expands access and participation, enabling Filipinos nationwide to engage in the competition through public voting and real-time judging moments.

The partnership reflects the pageant’s push toward greater public involvement, positioning the journey to the crown as a shared national experience shaped by both expert evaluation and fan support.

Sam Verzosa (right) and RS Francisco (left) are joined by Fred Moser (center), who shares how the company’s products helped him during his ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ run

Sam Verzosa says his current priorities lie in work, family, and health

Sam Verzosa (right) and RS Francisco host Frontrow’s Chinese New Year celebration, which expands this year to welcome members of the press and fans alongside distributors

Very Wang Nickie Wang

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

NDM Plus stakes creative ground

By Nickie Wang

STREAMING platform NDM Plus unveiled its official global tagline during the star-studded “Not for Everyone Gala,” positioning the brand as a hub for unconventional storytelling and selective audience appeal.

gala also introduced the platform’s board of advisers,

AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, pledged to reduce virgin plastic in its own-brand packaging by 21 percent by 2030, using 2022 as a baseline, as part of its commitment under the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment 2030. The refreshed target covers product packaging, in-store carrier bags, online parcels, and single-use plastics in warehouses. The company plans to eliminate unnecessary packaging, increase recycled plastic content, expand refill and reuse systems, and promote more recyclable and reusable packaging across its global operations.

Sebastien Pivet, AS Watson’s chief sustainability officer, said reducing plastic waste is “one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time,” adding that the target reflects the company’s 185year legacy of care and its focus on measurable action across all markets. The company is already taking steps in key markets. In China, Watsons removed plastic windows from collagen hand cream gift packs, saving 2.36 tons of plastic, and replaced plastic trays with FSC-certified paper trays, saving an additional 5.26 tons. In Europe, Superdrug redesigned its Naturally Radiant range with fully recyclable cartons containing at least 30 percent recycled plastic. In the Philippines, Watsons is shifting from plastic to paper bags, expanding “Recycle for Rewards” bins for empty bottles, and promoting refill packs and reusable products in

stores and through its app, according to Danilo Chiong, managing director of Watsons Philippines.

“We support this campaign by transitioning our stores from plastic to paper bags and encouraging customers to bring reusable bags. We are also expanding the distribution of our Recycle for Rewards bins, inviting customers to return empty personal care plastic bottles, while promoting our better packaging, refill packs, and reuse products both in- store and via the Watsons app, making sustainable choices easy and accessible for Filipino customers,” said Chiong. As Watson encouraged businesses, industry peers, and suppliers

VIEWERS tuning in to Single’s Inferno may find one contestant strikingly familiar. Choi Mina Sue a South Korean model and beauty queen, first gained international attention after winning Miss Earth 2022, becoming the first Korean titleholder in the pageant’s history.

In the same year as her pageant victory, Mina Sue appeared in campaigns in the Philippines as the face of Ever Organics, a Koreaninspired skincare brand known for its soothing formulations. Among

Her campaign images highlighted a clean, minimalist aesthetic that aligned with the brand’s emphasis on simple skincare. While her Miss Earth win introduced her to global audiences, her visibility in a widely accessible skincare line helped her connect with consumers in everyday settings.

With her appearance on Single’s Inferno drawing renewed attention, viewers are rediscovering Mina Sue not only as a pageant winner and reality show personality, but also as a familiar face associated with a

The platform also recognizes ‘Sang’gre’ stars Glaiza De Castro (left) and Kelvin Miranda at its annual Acting Awards

Actress Angeli Khang graces the star-studded ‘Not for Everyone Gala’

NDM Plus executive vice president Jan Christine (left) and owner and chief executive Nijel de Mesa aim to produce content that shapes thinking and encourages engagement

Celebrities and creators show support for the streamer’s discovery-driven content vision

Yza Diez and Storm Bagatsing; Emotional Cocktail, starring Keylyn Trajano and Laziz Rustamov; and Limerence featuring Kim Rodriguez alongside Eisen Lim Industry figures in attendance included Angeli Khang, Martin Escudero, Robert Seña, Richard Quan, Anthony Ocampo, Jennifer Lee, Erika Davis, and Amira Alawi, along with cast members and creators behind the platform’s upcoming productions.

the event, NDM Plus introduced its annual Acting Awards, which will be held alongside future “Not for Everyone Gala events. Honorees selected by jurors included Glaiza de Castro, JM De Guzman, Pearl Gonzales, Kelvin Miranda, and Heaven Peralejo Platinum subscribers were invited to attend the gala as part of an exclusive

composed of Arci Muñoz, Daiana Menezes, Will Devaughn, Carlo Alvarez, and Jiji Jorge, who were presented as part of a growing creative network supporting the platform’s direction. Executives also announced the addition of several award-winning directors to its roster, expanding its pool of filmmakers

focused on unconventional and thought-provoking narratives. Among the productions introduced were Mainit kung Mainit, starring Krista Miller; Popcorn Prophecy led by Paolo Gumabao and Monina Lawrence; Midnight Cut featuring Marco Aguila, Chin Arima, and Eisen Lim; Anatomy of A Muse with

access perk previously introduced in Singapore, reflecting the platform’s push to strengthen community engagement and subscriber benefits. Organizers framed the event as a statement of intent for a platform aiming to cultivate audiences seeking thoughtful and unconventional storytelling.

Actress Arci Muñoz leads the platform’s board of advisers

C4 LIFE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

IF AGING were a competitive sport, Eric Quizon would be accused of having an unfair advantage.

At 59, the actor and director carries himself with the easy balance of someone who has negotiated a lasting peace with time. Seen up close at a recent event introducing him as a celebrity ambassador for JuanMeds Pharmacy, the inevitable curiosity surfaced: is it skincare, diet, or some elusive fountain tucked somewhere between discipline and good genes? Whatever the formula, it is working. He looks fitter than many men half his age. His answer, however, came without theatrics.

“I walk every single day,” Quizon shared with Manila Standard Life. Walking, he explained, is only the opening note. Interval training provides the rhythm.

“I sprint for about 15 seconds, then walk, then jog, then sprint again. That’s basically intervals. If you want to push yourself further and get better results, intervals really help. Yes, exercise has really become part of my lifestyle.”

There is nothing ornate about the routine. Movement repeated, breath steady, consistency over spectacle.

Quizon noted the habit has begun echoing through his family. What started as a personal commitment has turned into shared time.

“I do share it with them whenever I can. Recently, my brother started doing it weekly, the same interval routine: sprint, walk, jog, sprint. It’s nice because it’s become a kind of regular bonding activity for us. We keep track of the days and encourage each other.” Influence, he admitted, carries its own quiet responsibility.

“Honestly, it makes me feel that I need to step up even more. If people

On

By Nickie Wang

look to you for inspiration, you want to stay consistent. And really, it doesn’t take much — even 20 minutes a day can already do a lot for your body.”

His partnership with JuanMeds, he explained, speaks to something deeper than brand endorsement.

“For me, it’s really about community service. I’ve always valued health awareness. Growing up, I remember

How Eric Quizon def ies aging

moments with my family that made me realize how important health is. So partnering with a brand connected to wellness and accessibility feels meaningful, it aligns with what I want to promote.”

Quizon, together with the company’s executives, led the opening of JuanMeds Pharmacy at Lemon Square along EDSA. The event included a ribbon cutting, blessing, and tour of the pharmacy. Present were chairman Rico

Fernando M. Chico, Jefferson Catimbang, president and chief executive of 88 VIP Ventures Corporation, and coach Erwin Carpena, president and CEO of Motorclyde and owner of JuanMeds Pharmacy, with Marinella Aclan

health and preventive

ACTOR and fitness enthusiast Tony Labrusca admits he isn’t as fit as people assume.

“Some people think I’m super fit, but that’s not true,” he shared.

Balancing work and personal life can be tough, with mental health and personal wellness often taking a backseat.

“I’ve noticed areas thinning, like my hair, and that made me grow more health-conscious. My journey started last year, and I’m grateful to share my story and be part of Owen’s efforts,” the 30-year-old actor shared. Owen, a men’s health clinic by Dr. John Paul Pareja, opened recently at Grandia

A representative from PhilHealth also discussed the importance of partnerships with private providers to improve access to affordable medicines. The agency presented its “Yakap at Gamot Program,” which supports members through accredited pharmacies and healthcare partners.

JuanMeds introduced its “smart pharmacy ecosystem,” designed to modernize community drugstores through automated compliance tools, centralized supply systems, and digital ordering with delivery services. The company explained that each branch is intended to serve as a trusted healthcare access point offering medicines, PhilHealthsupported prescriptions, and app-based ordering for wider community reach.

clinic offers a safe, inclusive space to focus on health early, before it becomes an afterthought.

“This isn’t just messaging on the walls. We want people to actively take care of their health every day. Health needs are highly individualized. Vaccines, treatments, and preventive care should be tailored to lifestyle, age, and specific requirements,” Pareja explained.

Treatments at Owen focus on regenerative medicine. Exotherapy transports proteins and genetic material between cells to regulate regeneration. Peptide Metatherapy lowers inflammation and boosts immunity. Plasma Exchange Therapy removes harmful antibodies from blood plasma. Biohormonal Therapy addresses declining testosterone, and Cell Restoration Therapy supports natural healing by isolating cells capable of repair.

The clinic emphasizes personalizing care for each patient.

“Our goal is to restore functions. Stem cell therapy replaces non-functioning cells with new ones. Our Plasma Exchange Therapy is the country’s first, removing toxins including heavy metals,” Dr. Pareja said.

He also encourages men to normalize wellness visits.

“We need to invest in ourselves. How can we serve others if we’re not in good health? Trust the medicine, not the trends,” Dr. Pareja pointed out.

The launch also brought together fitness-savvy celebrities like John Vic De Guzman, and Wilbert Tolentino, along with Pia Guanio, Sam Coloso, and Maricel Tulfo

The clinic concept has been in development since 2012, but gained momentum during the pandemic, when people became more aware of their health.

“For so long, we focused on careers and wealth, forgetting we are aging. This is our wellness era,” Pareja noted.

Through Owen, the clinic hopes to make everyone’s health

a priority by providing personalized treatments and preventive care while creating awareness about overall well-being.

MAKATI Medical Center warns that excess fat around the waist, commonly called “love handles,” can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Juancho Alfredo D. Las, MD, said fat accumulates when the body stores more calories than it uses for energy. Age, genetics, body composition, and hormonal changes affect where fat settles, with common areas including the abdomen, arms, back, buttocks, and thighs.

Abdominal fat is especially concerning because of its link to serious health problems. “There’s subcutaneous fat, which is under the skin, and visceral fat, which surrounds the heart, liver, and kidneys,” Dr. Las said. “Too much visceral fat increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers.”

Experts say spot exercises, such as crunches or planks, do not target specific fat areas. Instead, doctors recommend overall lifestyle changes.

A diet of minimally processed foods can help reduce waistline fat and lower the risk of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Dr. Las suggested protein-rich foods like chicken and fish, high-fiber vegetables and fruits, oatmeal, beans, nuts, and healthy fats such as avocado. Whole grains are preferable, and water remains the healthiest beverage.

Physical activity is also crucial. Even office workers can incorporate movement by taking stairs, walking short distances, or taking breaks from sitting every 30-60 minutes. Cardio and strength training help burn calories during and after exercise.

Lifestyle factors also affect midsection fat. Stress management and 7-8 hours of sleep help control cortisol, the hormone that stores abdominal fat and triggers cravings. Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can also promote fat accumulation. “Alcohol contains a lot of calories, and when you drink heavily, your liver prioritizes processing it over burning fat and carbohydrates,” Dr. Las said. “Now you know why it’s called a beer belly.”

Excess

Dr. John Paul Pareja outlines Owen Clinic’s

Eric Quizon talks about health awareness and community wellness during his appearance as celebrity ambassador for JuanMeds Pharmacy

JuanMeds Pharmacy chairman Rico Fernando M. Chico

Eric Quizon underscores the importance of lifestyle discipline in maintaining vitality through the years