tee chairman Erwin Tulfo on Monday described his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan as “productive: and said both sides agreed to prioritize continuous diplomatic talks over public exchanges on media and social platforms to advance bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that it is not opposed to transparency efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), but stressed that diplomacy should remain central to managing maritime issues.
"They are very excited about the code of conduct being finalized between China and the ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei. Hopefully by December it will be completed and we will have a code of conduct in place," he said.
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE House of Representatives of the Philippines formally referred four verified impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Committee on Justice.
Deputy Speaker Ferjenel Biron of Iloilo presided over the session during the referral after the complaints were included in the House Order of Business.
This development now bars any filing of fresh impeachment complaints against the Vice President for a year.
With this, the House Committee on Justice will determine whether the allegations — including those involving
Rody authorized murders, ICC told
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on public officials to set aside political differences and prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people, saying national interest must come before personal agendas.
By Pot Chavez, Katrina Manubay and Maricel Cruz
“Differences in politics should never prevent us from working together for our people,” President Marcos wrote in a Facebook post. The president stressed that unity among leaders remains essential to sustaining government programs and ensuring the continued delivery of basic services.
ident Marcos reiterated his call to focus on governance rather than politics.
“Serve first. Argue later,” Mr. Marcos said on his Instagram account.
“Less noise. More nation-building,” he added.
“Nation first. Personal agendas later,” he added. In a separate post on Instagram, Pres-
Over the weekend, Mr. Marcos traveled to Naga City to inspect flood
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
PBBM okays DepEd-LGU partnership
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. yesterday formalized a partnership between the Department of Education and city governments nationwide to hasten the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, as the country grapples with a shortage of more than 144,000 school buildings.
Speaking at the "Constructing Our Future" memorandum of agreement signing at Malacañan Palace, President Marcos said the collaboration
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“(The defense) doesn't have to prove Mr. Duterte’s innocence; all it has to do is show substantial grounds to believe that he committed a crime don't exist, and we can do that on the basis of the evidence that we've examined,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN.
But for Joel Butuyan, representing the families of the drug war victims, the culture of impunity perpetrated during the Duterte administration continues until today.
“Mr. Duterte has created clones of himself. He converted millions of peace-loving citizens into bloodthirsty disciples who have become converts to the belief that violence and killings are valid solutions to societal problems,” Butuyan said.
“The killings masterminded by Mr. Duterte continue to have consequences for the victims, even to this day, because of his clones. These mini-Dutertes harass, threaten, or commit outright violence against the victims and their families,” he added.
Kaufman acknowledged that his client was "a unique phenomenon" who was "gung-ho in his ways" and was full of "hyperbole, bluster and rhetoric."
However, he accused the prosecution of "cherry-picking" through Duterte's speeches, adding that many of them insist on the importance of
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Additionally, a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard is expected to return by the end of March to promote cooperation on patrols, search and rescue operations, and cleanup efforts instead of confrontations in the WPS.
The ambassador was accompanied by two embassy officials during the meeting, though embassy spokesmen were not present, and Senate resolutions were not part of the discussion.
Tulfo reported the outcome of the meeting to the Senate caucus, saying lawmakers expressed satisfaction but details remained confidential.
He indicated that further meetings between the embassy and other senators remain possible since the ambassador indicated openness to continued engagement, but discussions on whether senators should tone down public statements were not formally taken up.
On the other hand, the neophyte senator declined to elaborate on matters raised during the caucus regarding Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Instead, he said the caucus focused on legislative priorities that Malacañang wants completed by June, including the institutionalization of the
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“You should come home and face all the charges. It would be difficult to resolve our differences through the social media,” Matibag said in an interview with reporters.
sticking to the law.
The former president's speeches did not have "lethal intent" but aimed to "instil fear in the hearts" of criminals, Kaufman told ICC judges, adding that the evidence against Duterte was "wholly insufficient" and the charges were "grievously misplaced and politically motivated."
Following the hearings, the judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision on whether he should face a full trial.
Rival groups of demonstrators camped outside the court from early Monday morning.
Patricia Enriquez, a 36-year-old researcher, said it was a "historic moment" for victims of Duterte's alleged crimes.
"It is emotional. It is hopeful. It is also very painful," she said.
"I'm hoping that all the Filipinos and everybody in the world will stand with us, stand with truth, stand with justice and stand with accountability."
However, 35-year-old chef Aldo Villarta said it was a "slap in the face" for the Philippines that an international court was trying the country's former leader.
"We've already suffered so long from colonization," said Villarta, who also argued that Duterte's human rights were being infringed by imprisonment.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018.
The true number of killings dur-
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program, amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and reforms covering online gambling.
The proposed Independent People’s Commission is included among the long list of pending measures reviewed during the caucus.
In a press briefing, a senior government official said maritime issues do not define the entirety of the bilateral relationship, noting that both sides have strong incentives to advance cooperation in other areas while maintaining a consistent and firm position on maritime concerns.
“Maritime issues are not the sum total of the relationship. Therefore, there is a lot of incentive for us to try to push the other areas forward. At the same time, not conceding or not changing the consistency and the firmness with which we push our positions in the maritime space,” the official said.
The official said that while defense capabilities, messaging, and transparency are important, diplomacy remains central to supporting the country’s maritime goals.
“Both transparency, military capability, and diplomacy can coexist.
There is no issue there. The issue, if you will, is when transparency is conveyed as something that is the end rather than the means,” the official added.
“One of the directions of the NBI now is to go after fake news,” he added.
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“Of the five groups that submitted requests for permits, only three were allowed, including the Trillion Peso March Movement, which includes Tindig Pilipinas and Siklab,” NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said.
“They asked if they could come together since there was only one venue and one stage to be used. Those who agreed to gather in the same location and use the same stage were the ones
with local government units (LGUs) is aimed at addressing a classroom backlog that stood at 144,758 units as of January 2026.
"We cannot wait for decades, years, to give every student a safe and conducive classroom for effective learning," the president said.
Under the agreement, city governments will take the lead in procurement, construction and project management, while the Department
ing his campaign in the Philippines is thought to be in the thousands, and lawyers for the victims have argued that a full trial could encourage more families to come forward.
Niang said the murders charges were "merely a fraction" of the real numbers killed.
Duterte, who was president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in Manila in March last year, flown to the Netherlands and has since been held at the ICC's detention unit at Scheveningen Prison.
He followed his initial hearing three days later by video link, appearing dazed and frail and barely speaking.
The first of three counts against Duterte concerns his alleged involvement as a co-perpetrator in 19 murders carried out between 2013 and 2016 while he was mayor of Davao City.
The second relates to 14 murders of so-called "High Value Targets" in 2016 and 2017 when he was president.
The third charge covers 43 murders committed during "clearance" operations of lower-level alleged drug users or pushers across the Philippines between 2016 and 2018.
In Manila, about 60 relatives of those killed in the crackdown gathered around a pair of television monitors to watch the hearing at a Catholic Church-run community center for the poor. The group of mostly elderly and middle-aged women whose husbands or sons were shot dead in police operations told AFP they were deeply disap-
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of Education will set standards and ensure compliance with national specifications for safety and quality.
Mr. Marcos said the move signals a shift from centralized implementation to faster, ground-level execution. “Sa pamamagitan ng Memorandum of Agreement na nilagdaan ninyo ngayon, binibigyan natin ng mas malaking papel ang mga lungsod sa bansa,” he said.
pointed Duterte had not been required to appear. "Maybe he does not want to own up to his sins," said Gloria Sarmiento, whose boyfriend was found dead alongside his brother in the last few weeks of the Duterte presidency.
"Maybe he is a coward."
Meanwhile, lawmakers on Monday filed separate House resolutions urging the government to rejoin the ICC.
Akbayan party-list lawmakers Perci Cendaña, Chel Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, along with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, filed House Resolution 811, urging the re-accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC.
Cendaña said returning to the ICC would be an act of solidarity with all the victims of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration: "We need to show that, unlike the previous administration, we support the victims of Digong's fake war on drugs."
For its part, the Makabayan Bloc filed House Resolution 809, likewise urging the government to rejoin the ICC.
The bloc, composed of ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co, said in the resolution that "reengagement with the ICC would strengthen the country's global reputation as a rights-respecting democracy, restore international confidence in the Philippines' legal system, and bolster partnerships rooted in justice, good governance, and the rule of law." With AFP
mitigation efforts under Oplan Kontra Baha and met with Mayor Leni Robredo at City Hall.
The President and Robredo, his closest rival in the 2022 national elections, discussed local flood control projects and other priority programs, according to officials present at the meeting.
Robredo welcomed the national government’s support for Naga’s flood management initiatives and education infrastructure needs.
On Monday, at the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” launch in Malacañang meanwhile, President Marcos announced a revamped Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), increasing its 2026 allocation by more than P34 billion to nearly P58 billion, the highest in the program’s history.
He said the streamlined fund release process would allow local government units (LGUs) to implement projects faster, particularly in food security, health care, disaster resilience, and infrastructure.
More than 5 million families are expected to receive 60 kilos of rice annually under the program.
Funds will also support hospitals, health stations, evacuation-ready multipurpose halls, roads, water systems, and rural electrification.
Mr. Marcos said P1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment funds have been released to LGUs for 2026, over 15% higher than last year.
In a later event, the President formalized a partnership between the Department of Education and city governments to address a backlog of 144,758 classrooms as of January 2026.
“We cannot wait for decades, years, to give every student a safe and conducive classroom for effective learning,” he said.
Under the agreement, cities will lead procurement and construction, while the Department of Education will set standards and validate projects.
More than P85 billion has been allocated for basic education facilities in 2026, including P9.6 billion for about 4,000 classrooms in the first tranche.
(Through the Memorandum of Agreement you signed today, we are giving cities across the country a larger role.)
To safeguard public funds, President Marcos said the program includes accountability measures such as releasing funds in three tranches, requiring LGUs to maintain separate trust accounts for the projects, and mandating monthly and quarterly reports to DepEd.
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SALN disclosures and alleged unexplained wealth—meet the constitutional grounds for impeachment under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution. Under the Constitution, the Vice President may be removed from office for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union, for his part, expressed confidence that the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte will pass committee-level scrutiny.
The fourth complaint centers on allegations that Duterte failed to fully disclose certain assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) and may have accumulated wealth disproportionate to her lawful income.
He noted that the Vice President had ample opportunity to publicly address the allegations of her misuse of government funds but “chose to be quiet,” which he described as a political communication failure.
“She had all the time, she had the platform, she had the position to defend herself but she chose to be quiet,” Ortega said, adding that public officials—especially those eyeing the presidency—must be held to a higher standard.
Ortega said full deliberations would allow the House to thoroughly debate the allegations and exercise due diligence.
Lawmakers, he said, will not be scared by Duterte’s early declaration of her presidential bid.
“I am more confident now because the complaints will be discussed at the committee level…I am confident that we can still get the vote needed. I ask my colleagues to look at the merits of the impeachment and study it thoroughly,” Ortega said.
“At the end of the day, we should be serving the people. We are not servants to public officials,” he added.
The first complaint, filed on Feb. 2, was lodged by members of the Makabayan bloc and endorsed by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, and Kabataan partylist Rep. Renee Louise Co, along with other coalition members.
On the same day, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña endorsed the second complaint filed by representatives of progressive organizations and civil society groups.
The third complaint, endorsed by De Lima on Feb. 9, was filed by a group of private citizens composed of clergy, civil society leaders and legal practitioners.
Last week, the fourth complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by House Committee on Human Rights chair Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V.
Matibag said he would not be distracted by the remarks made by Roque, noting that “everybody will be treated the same”.
Earlier, Roque claimed that Matibag’s appointment is a reward for filing the disbarment case he filed against him.
allowed,” she added.
Asilo explained that the two other groups failed to secure permits because their proposed rally locations were either outside Quezon City’s jurisdiction or subject to a private organization’s decision.
“The others had to realign their requests because the areas where they planned to hold their protest rallies were not in Quezon City but in Mandaluyong,” she said. She added that most groups requested to use the EDSA Shrine, which is managed by a private organi-
Matibag formally assumed the NBI post during a turnover ceremony at the agency’s headquarters in Pasay City, replacing officer-in-charge Angelito Magno.
On Nov. 25, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cancelled the passport of Roque and four others over their alleged links to the Phil-
“The Bureau is not for one person or one group only, that is for everybody. We have to protect the people,” he stressed.
zation that has the authority to decide on such requests. Asilo also the NCRPO would reduce the number of personnel to be deployed for the 3rd Trillion Peso March during the February 25 commemoration.
She said 13,448 police officers will be deployed, down from the earlier figure of 14,226.
“We had a realignment of our personnel. Our PNP personnel from the Southern Police District were reduced. Instead of bringing them to EDSA, they were realigned to our usual law enforcement operations in the SPD
ippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind Corp. Multiple reports claimed Roque was arrested in Europe. He, however, denied the arrest rumors by posting a photo of his flight ticket bound to Vienna, Austria. On Nov. 27, he clarified that he remains in the Netherlands because he was offloaded from a flight to Austria, citing he was ‘medically unfit to fly.’
area,” Asilo said. Several schools opted to suspend classes or adjust operations to commemorate the spirit of the original EDSA People Power Revolution on its 40th anniversary on Wednesday, February 25. Schools along EDSA-Ortigas Avenue jointly announced the suspension of classes and encouraged faculty and staff to participate in a pilgrimage to the EDSA Shrine. These include Immaculate Conception Academy in Greenhills, San Juan; La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong; Saint Pedro
Roque has been implicated in the POGO mess alongside Lucky South 99 representative, Cassandra Ong, who remains at large. More than 50 other individuals were charged with qualified human trafficking in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99.
Poveda College in Quezon City; and Xavier School in Greenhills, San Juan. Other institutions across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao also announced class suspensions or alternative arrangements, based on their official advisories.
Malacañang previously declared February 25 a working holiday, breaking with past practice under previous administrations.
In response, some schools opted for asynchronous classes or continued regular operations.
Marcos launches expanded LGSF to hasten aid
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
on Monday launched a revamped Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) program, promising faster and larger direct assistance to local governments to accelerate food aid, health care, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness projects nationwide.
Speaking at the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” launch at Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace, Marcos said the initiative aims to empower local government units (LGUs) to respond more quickly to the needs of their communities.
“For more than three decades, the Local Government Support Fund, or the LGSF, aside from the National Tax Allocation, has served as the bridge between the national government and local communities,” he said.
The president announced that the LGSF allocation for 2026 was increased by more than 34 billion pesos, bringing the total fund to nearly 58 billion pesos, the highest level in the program’s history.
He said the government also streamlined the release process, shifting from a largely demand-driven system in which funds were disbursed only after LGUs completed documentary requirements.
“The funds are released only when the local government has submitted all the requirements for the project proposal. It cannot be denied that at times the process is difficult and slow,” he said, noting that smaller and remote LGUs often faced delays.
Under the expanded program, the government will prioritize food security, health services, disaster resilience, and local infrastructure.
Rizal gov’t seeks landfill probe
By Rex Espiritu
THE local government has called for an investigation into a reported landslide at a sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Authorities reported that they have recovered one body from the site while 2 remain missing.
The incident occurred on February 20 after a portion of the landfill in Sitio 1B, Harangan, Barangay San Isidro collapsed, according to residents and the
urban poor group KADAMAY.
The group said the collapse happened around 2 p.m. and affected people working at the site, including waste collectors.
Based on accounts gathered from families, KADAMAY estimated that about 50 individuals were missing, noting that the
figure was based on reports from residents awaiting updates on their relatives.
KADAMAY urged authorities to intensify response efforts and pressed for an independent investigation into the incident.
In a statement dated February 22, Governor Nina Ricci Ynares clarified that the sanitary landfill, despite carrying the province’s name, is privately owned and operated.
“We want to clarify that although it bears the name of the province, the sanitary landfill is not owned and is not managed by the Provincial Government of Rizal,” Ynares said.
join
Members of various
Tingog education reform bills clear House panel
By Maricel V. Cruz
THREE priority education reform measures were approved on Monday by the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, chaired by Rep. Roman Romulo, marking a significant step toward addressing the country’s deepening education crisis.
The bills were principally authored by Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, together with TINGOG Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
“Together, the measures confront three interconnected challenges: the severe classroom backlog, declining learning outcomes, and structural weaknesses in the Senior High School system,” said Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre.
Foremost among the approved bills is the proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act (House Bill No. 5577), which institutionalizes a mechanism allowing local government units (LGUs) and private sector entities to construct classrooms in coordination with the De-
House panel approves bill scrapping travel tax
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE House Committee on Tourism on Monday approved a bill seeking to abolish the travel tax for Filipino travelers.
The panel, chaired by Rep. Gil Acosta of Palawan, approved House Bill 7443 authored by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos of Ilocos Norte, who has maintained that the decades-old travel tax has become one of the factors driving up the cost of travel in the Philippines.
Acosta earlier noted that Presidential Decree 1183, issued in 1977, imposes a travel tax on Filipinos and foreigners departing the country, a policy he said no longer fits present-day realities.
Under House Bill 7443, the travel tax imposed under Presidential Decree 1183 and related provisions of the Tourism Act of 2009 would be repealed, ending the collection of charges that now reach P2,700 for first-class passengers and P1,620 for economy travelers.
partment of Education (DepEd).
According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), the Philippines faces a backlog of over 165,000 classrooms—a shortage that has resulted in large class sizes, double or triple shifts, and compromised learning conditions.
By authorizing LGUs and private partners to access national funding and technical assistance, the CAP seeks to expand government delivery capacity and accelerate the construction of safe and adequate learning spaces.
BOUNTY. A visitor admires a heavily fruiting banana plant at the Butterfly Sanctuary in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Feb. 23. Dave Leprozo
The governor said reports of individuals allegedly buried in the incident have reached provincial authorities, stressing that every life is important and that the government does not tolerate actions that undermine citizens’ dignity and rights.
Ynares said the provincial government is seeking a thorough, prompt, and transparent investigation to establish the facts, determine accountability, and prevent similar incidents.
The victim was among three individuals initially reported missing following the landfill collapse.
IN BRIEF
NCRPO identifies 4 Chinese linked to drum murder
THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday said four more Chinese nationals remain at large for their alleged involvement in the murder of a compatriot whose dismembered body was found inside a drum in Manila.
NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the four were the registered tenants of the condominium unit where the crime allegedly took place and are among the respondents in the murder complaint filed by police.
Authorities have obtained copies of the four foreigners’ passports, which show they entered the Philippines legally. Investigators are looking into unpaid debt as a possible motive, although the exact amount involved has yet to be determined.
The alleged mastermind, a 32-year-old identified as Xiangyang, was arrested on February 20 at a hotel along Seaside Boulevard in Parañaque City, according to NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
Asilo said the suspect’s live-in partner has turned state witness, while the victim was identified through a recovered retail store membership card. Police are still verifying the victim’s age and other personal details. Vince Lopez
Consulate: Avoid carrying bags for others when travelling
THE Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong on Monday warned Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong against carrying luggage for others in exchange for free trips or payment to avoid being used as couriers for illegal substances.
In an advisory, the consulate urged travelers to bring only luggage they personally packed and whose contents they fully know.
The reminder aims to prevent cases of individuals unknowingly transporting illicit drugs, endangered species, or vape products into Hong Kong.
The consulate stressed that travelers should remain vigilant and refuse requests to carry packages from acquaintances or strangers.
Under Hong Kong law, manufacturing and trafficking dangerous drugs carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of five million Hong Kong dollars. Katrina Manubay
Isko submits P2.3b Intramuros park proposal to
PBBM
MANILA Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso on Monday formally submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. a P2.3-billion proposal to convert the existing Intramuros Golf Course into a public open space.
Domagoso handed the conceptual design to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto during a meeting in Malacañang.
In his letter to the President, he described the project as part of the administration’s legacy initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of residents in the nation’s capital.
The conceptual design, prepared with support from the Asian Development Bank and Arup, covers site development, park facilities, landscaping, and related infrastructure.
Key components include a riverfront promenade with landscaped and picnic areas along the Pasig River, a campus garden with an outdoor theater and playground, and mixed-use civic spaces for recreation and performances. Pot Chavez
CULTURAL PRIDE.
Ibaloi clans
a civic parade marking Ibaloy Day on Feb. 23, ending at the Melvin Jones Grandstand in Baguio City where the community gathers for cultural performances and traditional meals. Conrado Rotor
NATURE’S
TURNOVER OF COMMAND. The National Bureau of Investigation undergoes a change of leadership with lawyer Melvin Matibag taking over from lawyer Angelito Magno in simply ceremony at its headquarters in Pasay City.
Bill eyes stay of seniors’ VAT perk
By Maricel V. Cruz
TWO Bicolano legislators have shot down a proposal by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the government to discontinue exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) as part of fiscal consolidation reforms to reduce the country’s debt and narrow the budget deficit.
“At this time when the government should be expanding the safety nets for the elderly and other vulnerable sectors, taking out the VAT-free privilege from the bundle of economic benefits they now enjoy would make living even
Nartatez
orders probe
on retired cops gone rogue
By Vince Lopez
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief
Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. called on Monday, Feb. 23, ordered sweeping “postservice integrity crackdown” following reports that 10 former police officials are involved in criminal activities.
Nartatez issued the order following intelligence information from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that some retired police officers have gone rogue.
He directed intelligence and investigative units to conduct a “deep-dive validation” against the suspects.
“As soon as we learned this report, I immediately directed our Intelligence Group and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group to conduct a deep-dive validation,” he said.
“We are not just looking at their current activities but also who their possible connections inside the organization. We won’t stop until these people have been identified, Nartatez said. He asserted that cleansing the ranks remained his priority.
Nartatez noted that even former personnel pose risks if they misuse their training.
“Even if they are already out of the service, they still carry the tactical knowledge they learned here, and that makes them high-risk.
more arduous for seniors, most of whom are already struggling to cope with the ever increasing cost of living,” Camarines Sur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Luigi Villafuerte said in a statement.
“The government should be giving
more, not less, financial support to elderly Filipinos, many of whom have neither sources of adequate income nor families who can sufficiently provide for their daily needs,” said Migz Villafuerte, chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
For his part, Luigi, a deputy majority leader, said to discontinue the grant of VATexemption privileges to the elderly on their expenses —as proposed by the Paris-based OECD—would “further marginalize seniors—and run counter to President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas vision of a prosperous country where no Filipino is left behind.”
Fully aware that many of our senior citizens are in dire financial straits in the
face of spiraling commodity prices and healthcare costs, the Villafuertes said.
The two legislators said they have introduced House Bill 2048 establishing a universal social pension (socpen) for the elderly that will mean a monthly allowance of at least P500 for all senior citizens, including those who are not considered indigent or without incomes.
The Villafuertes said they are proposing in HB 2048, co-authored with fellow Camarines Sur Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata and Bicol Saro partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, that this universal pension or cash grant for all seniors, of an initial P500 monthly be doubled to P1,000 in five years’ time.
IN BRIEF
House labor committee passes pro-workers bills
BILLS seeking to raise wages, strengthen occupational safety, and expand labor protections were approved on Wednesday by the House Committee on Labor and Employment chaired by Cavite 1st District Rep. Ramon Revilla III, marking a major step forward in the House’s labor reform agenda.
The committee also took up several other measures aimed at improving employment services and protecting emerging sectors of the workforce.
Revilla said the committee’s actions reflect the House of Representatives’ continuing effort to respond to both long-standing and emerging labor concerns, particularly those affecting minimum wage earners, frontline workers, and employees in high-risk and nontraditional work environments.
Among the bills approved was a consolidated substitute measure seeking to institutionalize a National Minimum Wage, combining several proposals designed to ensure a fair and adequate baseline income for Filipino workers nationwide. Maricel V. Cruz
LTFRB flags two PUJ operators for violations
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a show cause order against two operators and drivers of passenger jeepneys for supposed anomalies in their transport operation.
LTFRB chief Vigor Mendoza II said drivers of t two passenger jeepneys plying the Tanauan-Calamba route have also been summoned to explain the report of the so-called kambal-plaka modus to ensure compliance with the law in the interest of safety of commuters.
“Kambal-plaka” is a fraudulent scheme involving two or more vehicles using the same license plate, he explained, citing the modus is strictly prohibited and penalized based on the existing laws and rules and regulations and on the part of the LTFRB.
“This fraudulent scheme was discussed not only in the vehicle registration but also in the application for franchise, and engaging in this illegal activity is a clear violation of the conditions set for the issuance of the certificate of public convenience,” he said. Rio N. Araja
Two insurgents yield to Army in Bukidnon
THE communist insurgency movement in Mindanao continues to weaken as more and more New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas lay down arms and return to mainstream society.
The Army’s 1st Special Forces (Hunter-Killer) Battalion reported that two more NPA members surrendered on Sunday, Feb. 21 in Barangay Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Capt. Bilver Butale, civil-military operations chief of the unit, assured the surrenderees of support as they undergo the reintegration process.
In a statement, 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr. said the surrender highlighted the continuous weakening of rebel movement as sustained military operations were complemented by whole-of-nation interventions that address the root causes of insurgency. Rex Espiritu
Diokno files bill declaring Feb. 25 as regular national holiday
AKBAYAN party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a bill declaring Feb. 25 of every year a regular national holiday to commemorate 1986 People Power Revolution.
Diokno filed House Bill 7911, together with fellow Akbayan party-list Reps. Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, to honor the peaceful, non-vio-
lent uprising along Epifanio de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) that ended the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.
“February 25, 1986 is more than a date etched in history — it marks the moment when the Filipino people peacefully rose to reclaim their democracy. It stands as a testament to courage, unity,
and the enduring power of collective action,” Diokno said.
“It is our responsibility to honor this defining moment with the full recognition and dignity it deserves as a regular national holiday,” he added.
The lawmaker noted that in recent years, the observance of Feb. 25 has been inconsistently classified — de-
clared a special non-working holiday in 2023, a regular working day in 2024, and a special working holiday in 2025 and 2026.
“This downgrading diminishes the historic and civic significance of EDSA. We must end the uncertainty and institutionalize its commemoration once and for all,” Diokno stressed. Maricel V. Cruz
By Rio N. Araja
THE Quezon City government has strengthened its drive toward a “child-safe digital environment” to protect children from online abuse and exploitation.
“Data show that our young people are not helpless; they are capable of reaching out and reporting the dangers that they experienced online. As the local government, this is where we have to take action: we have to build an environment where our children can feel safe to speak up and ask for help,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The Global Online Safety Survey conducted by technology company Microsoft revealed that teens around the world commonly experience harms online, including hate speech, scams and cyberbullying. At the same time, they demonstrated resilience:
72 percent of them have spoken to someone after experiencing a risk, and reported behavior increased for the second consecutive year.
To mark this year›s Safer Internet Day for Children, the QC government gathered together student leaders, parents, and barangay focal persons for the protection of children, and internet service providers to promote a safe, responsible and ethical use of digital technology for children. Artificial intelligence, safe and responsible digital practices, including cybersecurity basics, reporting mechanisms and digital self-care strategies, were discussed to enhance the knowledge and practical skills of children and community stakeholders in the digital space.
The importance of mental health and digital well-being was also emphasized.
TAX SEASON. Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza leads the launch of the nationwide simultaneous friendly tax compliance verification drive in conjunction with the observance of Tax Awareness Month. Norman Cruz
OPINION
Sara Duterte for President
ON THE political scene we can never be sure of what will happen
As a consequence of the filing of at least four impeachment cases against Vice President Sara Duterte, she has announced she will run for president in 2028. And to make the political scene in 2028 more exciting, she has asked Senator Imee Marcos, the elder sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be her running mate.
I am not predicting what will happen in 2028, but we have to wait for the candidate for president of the administration.
As of now, nobody has been announced as a possible candidate against the Vice President. As far as the impeachment cases against Duterte, it is still for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for allegedly having committed graft and corruption in connection with her confidential funds as Vice President and as Secretary of Education, which still have to be decided by the Senate acting as a trial court in connection with the Articles of Impeachment.
We should not forget that the decision of the Senate is both a legal one, in connection with the judicial aspect, and political one because the ones who will vote belong to separate political sides.
Now it would be interesting to find out if indeed the Vice President committed graft and corruption because it has been found out that millions of pesos of Confidential Funds of Duterte as Vice President have been given to either fictitious, unknown or invented individuals because, according to findings, those recipients have neither birth certificates, marriage certificates or death certificates
Insofar as the administration is concerned, it still has to find its own candidate against Duterte. It is a big guessing game.
But as far as the political world is concerned, the candidates for president of the administration and the opposition side is a matter of guesswork and it would be very
interesting to know at the end who will be running.
For sure, we can only guess what can happen if the House of Representatives will submit the Articles of Impeachment at the soonest possible time. This is another chapter in the political history of the nation worth guessing and speculating on.
Santa Banana, for the administration candidate there has been a lot of guesswork, but it is still interesting to find out who it will be.
It is still two years from now until the election in 2028 but people are now talking about who will be running
With Duterte already announcing her intention to run, with the possible inclusion of the President’s sister Senator Marcos on her side, we can only guess what will happen next and who will be running for President and Vice-President .
It is still two years from now until the election in 2028 but people are now talking about who will be running.
Big problem in this country. We are always immersed in political squabbles affecting and delaying the progress of a nation.
At least, my gulay, now we know who will be running on the opposition side: Sara Duterte for President and Imee Marcos for Vice-President.
It is now up to the administration to come up with their presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.
As far as the issues that will be taken up, we can only guess. I can only speculate who will make it to the finish line.
From ‘Never Again’ to ‘Ideally Here’
SENATOR Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino
IV, the Liberal Party’s perennial optimist, remains the eternal boy scout of Philippine politics, clinging to “institutional faith” as though it were a lifeline amid a decade of bloodshed.
On Feb. 17, 2026, he declared that cases involving extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s drug war “should ideally be tried here in the Philippines” because “this is where the victims are.”
The sentiment sounds compassionate on its face.
In truth, it is profoundly disconnected from the grim realities that have defined justice in this country for far too long.
The word “ideally” carries the full weight of evasion.
It allows the senator to appear principled while committing to nothing concrete.
He suggests local trials would be “more meaningful” for victims and their families.
Yet thousands of grieving mothers and widows have waited eight years or more for even a single credible prosecution.
They have watched police records vanish, witnesses disappear or die under suspicious circumstances, and judges receive quiet pressures that ensure cases never move forward.
Bam’s respect for the International Criminal Court process is noted, but respect without insistence on real accountability is hollow.
The strongest arguments for domestic jurisdiction are familiar and textbook.
The 1987 Constitution vests judicial power primarily in Philippine courts, while Article II, Section 2 incorporates generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land.
The Rome Statute’s complementarity principle under Article 17 requires the ICC to defer when a state genuinely investigates and prosecutes.
Victim proximity—witnesses, evidence, and communities all here—promises culturally sensitive proceedings in familiar settings.
Reality dismantles these ideals. Philippine courts have proven unwilling and unable to deliver genuine accountability for systemic crimes.
Zero high-level convictions have emerged from the drug war’s estimated tens of thousands of deaths. Police routinely “cleansed” or lost records.
Witnesses faced intimidation, relocation failures, or outright elimination.
The Department of Justice spent years in endless “reviews” while the body count rose. When alleged architects of the killings— Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” dela
Rosa—sit in the Senate, influencing budgets and judicial confirmations, impartiality becomes a cruel joke.
The legal framework offers no shelter for this illusion. Republic Act 9851 domesticates crimes against humanity, mirroring Rome Statute Article 7 on widespread or systematic murder.
It explicitly recognizes complementarity and permits surrender to international tribunals when domestic justice falters.
Supreme Court rulings, including Pangilinan v. Cayetano, affirm that withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 does not erase jurisdiction over prior crimes.
It allows the senator (Bam Aquino) to appear principled while committing to nothing concrete
The pattern of impunity stretches back through Marcos-era atrocities, the Davao Death Squad, and now the drug war—a machine built to protect power, not punish it.
Bam Aquino’s framing—“more meaningful” local trials—rings especially cruel against this backdrop. Which courtroom will safeguard witnesses when the accused wield presidential access and legislative immunity?
Which prosecutor will file charges when careers hinge on political alliances?
Which judge will convict when appointments trace back to the very figures under scrutiny?
“Ideally” is not a legal argument; it is a deferral tactic dressed in concern.
The motivations are transparent.
For Bam Aquino, it may blend reformist instinct with Senate survival—avoiding a full rupture with Duterte allies.
For Go and dela Rosa, it buys time, delays, and forum-shopping in a controllable system.
The Marcos administration balances its Duterte base against international pressure, content to let the Senate murmur while quietly navigating obligations.
The ICC Prosecutor seeks precedent and enforcement of complementarity.
Victims’ families seek only credible justice, many preferring The Hague because local promises have repeatedly failed.
As ICC confirmation hearings unfold
Confirmation of charges vs. Duterte begins
MANY ears and eyes were at bat Monday on the monitors in the Philippines, 11,050 kms from The Hague, as the critical pre-trial stage began with former president Rodrigo Duterte in the dock on charges related to his “war on drugs” campaign.
The pre-trial hearing – lasting Monday up to near midnight from 5 pm, Manila time -- will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish “substantial grounds” to believe Duterte, 81 next month and detained at the ICC’s detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since midMarch last year, committed the charges of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder.
Judges at the International Court of Justice opened the confirmation of charges in the investigation into killings linked to Duterte’s “war on drugs” – with the hearing scheduled over four days (Feb. 23, Feb. 24, Feb. 26, and Feb. 27) – to determine whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Duterte, who said he did not recognize the court’s juridiction, will not be present at the hearing in The Hague after the court granted a defense request to waive his right to appear, despite judges ruling he was fit to take part.
ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018.
The true number of killings during his campaign is thought to be in the thousands, and lawyers for the victims have argued a full trial could encourage many more families to come forward.
No ruling will be issued during the confirmation of charges hearing itself
Duterte, president from 2016 to 2022, was allegedly responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed on the territory of the Philippines between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes
By Melandrew Velasco
WHEN President Bongbong Marcos went to Naga City to meet with former Vice President now Mayor Leni Robredo, the moment carried both symbolism and strategy. Accompanied by his workaholic and results-driven Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, President Marcos met with Mayor Robredo to inspect flood control projects and the renovation of the Jesse Robredo Coliseum which normally serves as an evacuation center during calamities.
Naga is Robredo country. It is where her brand of grassroots governance took root. For Marcos to step into that political territory — not as adversary but as partner in dialogue — speaks to a larger recalibration in Philippine politics.
This comes at a time when Vice President Sara Duterte has announced her intention to run for president in 2028. The chessboard is being set early. Political lines are quietly drawn. Numbers are being studied.
In the two most recent national contests, Marcos and Robredo mobilized millions of voters across different regions, sectors, and narratives. Combined, those constituencies represent a formidable electoral force. A strategic alliance in 2028 — whether formal or tacit — could consolidate not just votes but stability.
Yet beyond arithmetic lies aspiration.
President Marcos governs under a historic shadow — that of his father, Ferdinand Marcos, whose rule ended during the 1986 People Power Revolution. For the son, legacy is not abstract. It is existential. Redemption, if history is to grant it, must be anchored in performance, not nostalgia.
In this evolving narrative, I am reminded of the words of the late President Fidel V. Ramos who often spoke of unity not as convenience, but as necessity.
FVR would say: “We must move forward together — not as factions, not as regions, but as one Filipino nation.”
He consistently emphasized that governance was “teamwork at the highest level,”
this week, the path forward grows clearer. Full ICC proceedings are likely, with possible trials in absentia amid strained diplomacy. Cosmetic domestic cases may emerge to trigger deferral, but the Court is not easily fooled.
A hybrid mechanism—special tribunals under RA 9851 with international oversight, akin to Cambodia’s Extraordinary Chambers—remains theoretically possible but demands genuine political will that has never materialized. The consequences are stark.
charged. If one or more of the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
The Prosecution, the Defense, and the victims’ lawyers will explain their arguments to the judges, with the following alloted time for oral representation Monday:
• Prosecution: 30 minutes for opening statements, 2 hours and 30 minutes for submissions on the merits and 30 minutes for closing statements
Common legal representatives of the victims: 30 minutes for opening statements, 1 hour and 30 minutes for submissions on the merits and 30 minutes for closing statements;
• Defense: 30 minutes for opening statements, 3 hours and 30 minutes for submissions on the merits and 30 minutes for closing statements.
The ICC said the schedule may change if needed, depending on how the proceedings develop. The hearing can be watched online with a 30-minute delay on the ICC website, Facebook, and YouTube. This hearing is not a trial… the judges will not decide on Duterte’s innocence or guilt, according to ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet Huber.
No ruling will be issued during the confirmation of charges hearing itself. After proceedings terminate, the three judges have up to 60 calendar days to review submissions and render a decision, though ICC officials note decisions have sometimes come earlier.
Unity and teamwork beyond rivalry
adding in one of his addresses: “No leader succeeds alone. Nation-building is a shared responsibility — government and private sector, military and civilian, urban and rural.”
In another oft-quoted line, Ramos reminded us: “Unity is not the absence of differences. It is the decision to work together despite them.”
These words resonate today.
The Philippines faces headwinds — economic pressures, climate risks, infrastructure demands, food security concerns, and geopolitical tensions. None of these yield to partisan gridlock. They demand alignment of purpose.
History has a long memory. It remembers rivalries. But it honors results
A Marcos–Robredo engagement, therefore, need not be reduced to political speculation. It can be viewed as a statesmanlike recognition that governance must continue even amid future electoral ambitions.
“Public service before politics” declared BBM when asked whether his visit has something to do with VP Sara’s announcement to run for president in 2028.
BBM’s statement was also very much the Ramos doctrine. During his presidency, he built coalitions that crossed ideological lines, believing that stability attracts investment, and unity accelerates reform. His rallying cry of “Philippines 2000” was less about a slogan and more about synchronized effort — Cabinet, Congress, local governments, civil society.
Today, as 2028 looms in the distance, Filipinos will inevitably calculate scenarios.
If the votes garnered by Marcos and Robredo across two intense electoral cycles were ever aligned toward a common reform
Winners are those who orchestrated mass violence and retain influence. Losers are the victims, their families, the nation’s reputation, and the fragile notion that Philippine institutions can confront state-sponsored killing. Enough with platitudes. Demand prosecutions and convictions, not task forces. Investigate destroyed records and witness killings publicly. Amend RA 9851 for truly independent special courts.
agenda, it would represent a broad crosssection of the electorate — north and south, reformist and traditional, progressive and conservative.
But beyond the mathematics is the moral imperative.
FVR once declared: “Leadership is about bringing people together to achieve what none of us can accomplish alone.”
That may well be the larger lesson from Naga.
President Marcos Jr. has spoken of wanting to leave behind a positive legacy — one defined by growth, modernization, and institutional strength. If redemption is part of that journey, it will not be achieved through division, but through delivery. Through tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
Robredo, for her part, has always framed her politics around community empowerment and participatory governance. There is space — perhaps even opportunity — where these narratives intersect. Unity does not erase competition. Solidarity does not eliminate ambition. Democracy thrives on choice. But nationbuilding demands cooperation. As Ramos taught us, teamwork is not optional — it is foundational.
History has a long memory. It remembers rivalries. But it honors results.
If leaders who once faced each other across campaign stages can now sit across a table in service of the Republic, then perhaps we are witnessing not merely political maneuvering, but political maturity. And that, in itself, would be a legacy worth claiming. That is also a great footnote in my previous column that there is a silver lining for the Philippines if only leaders come together for greater good of our country and the Filipino people.
(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a nongovernment outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)
Fully fund and depoliticize witness protection under RA 6981. Congress should legislate hybrid-capable tribunals with ICC technical aid. If deference is truly desired, initiate genuine cases tomorrow—the ICC is watching.
To Senator Aquino: abandon “ideally.” Victims do not inhabit ideals. They inhabit grief, fear, and a country that killed their loved ones then offered to investigate itself. The graves are full. It is time to stop digging.
US Secret Service kills man trying to access Trump Florida estate
MIAMI – US Secret Service agents fa-
tally shot a man armed with a shotgun who breached the security perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in the early hours of Sunday morning (Manila time).
Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident, which officials said happened around 1:30 am.
The suspect, a man in his early 20s, was spotted by the north gate of the Mara-Lago property, carrying a shotgun and a fuel can, the Secret Service said.
Agents confronted the man and told him to disarm but he raised his gun.
“The only words that we said to him was ‘drop the items,’” Palm Beach County sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters.
“At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said.
A deputy and two Secret Service agents then shot him. The man was pronounced deceased and no US officers were injured.
The Secret Service said no one under its protection was present in Mar-a-Lago at the time.
Bradshaw, the Palm Beach sheriff, identified the shooter as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, a resident of a small town in North Carolina about 700 miles (1127 kilometers) north of Mar-a-Lago, according to the Washington Post.
Martin was an illustrator of landscapes and golf courses, and had an older sister who died three years ago at the age of 21, though obituaries did not provide a cause of death, the Miami Herald reported. AFP
IN BRIEF
North Korea touts nuclear advances
SEOUL – North Korea’s ruling party touted nuclear advances as it re-elected Kim Jong Un to the top post of general secretary, state media said Monday, during a rare national congress.
Thousands of party elites have packed the capital Pyongyang for a once-in-fiveyears summit of the ruling Workers’ Party, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from diplomacy to war planning.
The congress offers a rare glimpse into the political workings of reclusive North Korea, and is widely seen as a forum for Kim to flex his grip on power. Military top brass made a “pledge of loyalty” to Kim as delegates rubberstamped his re-election as general secretary on Sunday, the Korean Central News Agency said.
The congress singled out Kim’s efforts to keep unnamed foes at bay by “radically” improving its “nuclear forces”.
“He has energetically led the work to turn the Korean People’s Army, the pivot of national defense and pillar of safeguarding peace, into an elite and powerful army,” read a party statement. AFP
Malaysia mulls law to curb premiership
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia introduced new legislation Monday to restrict the prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of two terms, a move aimed at boosting accountability and curbing the overreach of executive powers.
The Southeast Asian nation currently places no cap on how many terms a premier can serve.
Former leader Mahathir Mohamad held office for 24 years across two stints -- from 1981 to 2003 and again between 2018 and 2020.
Current Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in January announced a push for a two-term limit amid renewed calls for him to tackle corruption and improve governance. In its election manifesto in 2022, Anwar’s ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition in 2022 pledged a two-term limit on the premiership. AFP
place amid violence, road blocks and flight cancellations after Mexican soldiers killed a top cartel boss.
“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, US citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” said a statement from the department’s Consular Affairs section on social media platform X.
“Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta,” it said. Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a $15 million US bounty on his head. AFP
Blizzard blows New Yorkers’ plans
NEW YORK – New Yorkers were left scrambling Sunday (Monday, Manila time) after authorities announced non-essential road journeys would be banned in response to what’s expected to be the worst blizzard in a decade.
Ahead of the 9:00 pm traffic ban, the intensity of the storm slashed visibility to the extent that the skyscrapers of Wall Street were barely visible from the adjacent borough of Brooklyn. Heavy snowfall, which could dump up to 28 inches in parts of the metropolis, and high winds forecast to reach 55 miles per hour made for treacherous, white-out driving conditions before the road closure.
Alfred Almodovar, 36, who drives to work in Manhattan from his home in outer Brooklyn because of a physical disability asked: “How do I get to work?”
“We barely recovered from the last storm, where Access-A-Ride was banned -- and my train station is not handicap accessible,” said the hospital secretary, as high winds blew drifts of snow horizontally.
Access-A-Ride provides personalized
journeys for some of New York’s most vulnerable people, including the disabled and those with health conditions. Again it will cut its service, until the non-essential traffic ban is due to be lifted at 12 p.m. Monday (1700 GMT). The traffic ban will not affect essential workers or New Yorkers needing to travel due to emergencies. It will apply to the vast majority of road traffic including private and commercial vehicles and even e-bikes. Buses will run and food delivery is allowed, although discouraged.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, facing one of his biggest tests since becoming the city’s leader in January, said he was “urging all New Yorkers to look out for yourselves and your neighbors: stay home if
ICE AWAY. A person walks their dog through snow on Monday, Manila time, in New
A fast-developing storm is threatening to pummel the US East
to slam all major cities along the densely populated Interstate 95 northeast
including Philadelphia, Boston and even Washington further south. AFP
214 Venezuela prisoners launch hunger strike
CARACAS – More than 200 Venezuelan political prisoners were on hunger strike Sunday to demand their release under a new amnesty law that excludes many of them.
The amnesty was approved by Venezuela’s congress on Thursday as part of a wave of reforms encouraged by the United States after it ousted and captured former president Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.
The hunger strike began Friday night at the Rodeo I prison on the outskirts of Caracas. Inmates complained they would not benefit from the law because it excludes cases involving the military, which are the most common ones at that facility.
“Approximately 214 people in total, including Venezuelans and foreigners, are on hunger strike,” said Yalitza Garcia, mother-in-law of a prisoner named Nahuel Agustin Gallo. Gallo, an Argentine police officer, is accused of terrorism, another category that is excluded.
“They decided Friday to go on hunger strike because of the scope of the amnesty law, which excludes many of them,” said Shakira Ibarreto, daughter of a policeman arrested in 2024.
On Sunday, a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross visited the Rodeo I prison.
HK appeals court upholds jailing of 12 campaigners
HONG KONG – A Hong Kong appeals court on Monday upheld the convictions and sentences of a dozen democracy campaigners jailed for subversion during the city’s largest trial under a Beijingimposed national security law.
The 12 appellants were among 45 opposition figures, including some of the Chinese city’s best-known activists, who were sentenced to prison in 2024 for organizing an unofficial primary election that authorities deemed a subversive plot.
The 2020 poll had hoped to improve the chances of pro-democracy lawmakers winning a majority in the legislature, so that they could then threaten to veto the city budget unless the government accepted demands such as universal suffrage.
On Monday High Court Chief Judge Jeremy Poon said the poll was devised as part of a “constitutional weapon of mass
destruction”, which was unlawful even without the threat of using force.
“The pursuit for universal suffrage does not entitle (a person) to embark on a plan ... for the purpose of seriously interfering in or destroying the constitutional order,” Poon wrote.
The three-judge panel dismissed appeals from the 12, including ex-lawmaker “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, former journalist Gwyneth Ho and Gordon Ng, an Australian citizen.
The campaigners smiled and waved from the dock to their supporters in the public gallery, which included defendants in the same case who had finished serving time.
Pro-democracy activist Chan Poying, wife of defendant Leung, said the outcome was “absurd” and that judges “presumed that the defendants wanted to subvert state power”. AFP
you can, stay safe, and stay connected.”
The major winter storm will also hit swaths of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States. Brooklyn resident Brandon Smith, 33, said “it’s crazy out there” as buses fitted with heavy snow chains trundled past. “It’s gonna be difficult for most New Yorkers to get around because we still have to go to work. It’s unfortunate (roads) are suspended as jobs are not gonna stop calling us in,” he said. Schools were to be
Monday, the mayor announced, with a “traditional”
day declared meaning students are
distance learning. But “what about the parents who need to go to work? It’s not fair,” asked Smith. AFP
“This is the first time they have allowed us to approach that prison,” Filippo Gatti, the ICRC’s health coordinator for Venezuela, told family members. “It’s a first step, and I think we’re on the right track.”
Not all the inmates at the prison were joining the hunger strike, the relatives said.
The amnesty law was engineered by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez under pressure from Washington after US commandos attacked Venezuela on January 3, snatched Maduro and his wife and took them to the United States for trial on drug trafficking charges. AFP
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The Mexican army announced Sunday that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country.
Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a $15 million US bounty on his head. Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, burning cars and trucks. As violence spread across the country, at least eight states suspended in-person classes and the judiciary authorized judges to close courts where necessary.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to remain calm. Oseguera, whose nickname was “El Mencho,” is one of the biggest Mexican drug lords to be taken down since the capture of the founders of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael Zambada. Both are now serving time in the United States.
Sunday’s statement said that in addition to Mexico’s own military intelligence, the raid was carried out with “complementary information” from US authorities.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington “provided intelligence support.”
Six suspected cartel gunmen besides Oseguera were killed and three soldiers were wounded, the Mexican army said. Two cartel suspects were arrested and a variety of weapons were seized, including rocket launchers capable of taking down airplanes and destroying armored vehicles, the statement said.
‘Considered a traitor’: Life of an anti-war Ukrainian
Russia treats anyone with links to Ukraine as suspicious and has outlawed criticism of its military campaign.
According to Maria, Ukrainians trying to get Russian nationality face interrogations about their families -- and their opinion of the war. AFP
York City.
Lady Falcons start bid for record 13th baseball title
WILL it be lucky No. 13 for Adamson University?
Adamson University kicks off its quest for a record-setting 13th UAAP Softball title today (Tuesday) as Season 88 opens at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila. The Lady Falcons, aiming for a historic 13-peat, face a season of high expectations and tough competition.
Despite losing four key players from last season—captain Remelie Herrero, Alaiza Talisik, Aliza Pitchon, and MJ Maguad— Adamson still boasts a formidable roster.
With pitchers Glory Alonzo, last season’s Finals MVP, and April Minanga leading the way, the reigning champions remain the team to beat.
For Lady Falcons head coach Ana Santiago, the pressure is undeniable, but she believes her players are ready to rise to the challenge.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga players ko, itong season na ‘to hindi magiging madali para sa amin. And every year naman may pressure talaga eh, kailangan talaga parati is kung paano ihahandle ‘yang pressure especially after apat na key players ‘yung nawala sa ‘min,” said Santiago, the concurrent head coach of the RP Blu Girls.
After an opening-day bye, the Lady Falcons will begin their campaign on Saturday against University of Santo Tomas at 9 a.m., in a tournament held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
UST, meanwhile, will launch its redemption bid with a rematch of last year’s third-place playoff against De La Salle University on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Runners-up University of the Philippines, chasing their first title in three seasons, will rely on reigning MVP Nickole Dela Cruz, alongside Jaja Pascual and KC Valino, when they face Ateneo de Manila University at 11 a.m.
Returning as tournament commissioner for the first time since Season 81 (2018), Jun Veloso expects fierce competition this year despite Adamson being the favorite.
“Adamson will be there, I would have to agree with that. Pero tama rin na ‘yung evolution ng players, medyo maganda na rin ang recruitment ng mga schools. Plus, mas maganda, mas higher ‘yung competition,” said Veloso, former operations manager of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines.
By Millie Manahan
AS a mother of four and someone who grew up as a proud member of the “MILO Generation,” I’ve always known the brand as more than just a chocolate malt beverage. For me, and for millions of Filipinos, MILO has been the energetic companion of our lives. It’s the scent of either a hot or cold drink after practice, the fuel for early mornings at sports clinics, and the witness to those small, gritty victories that shape a child’s character long before they ever step onto a podium.
The recent launch of MILO Active Pilipinas 2026, held on a Sunday - a fitting nod to family day - felt less like a corporate event and more like a homecoming. With the introduction of tennis sensation Alex Eala as the newest brand ambassador, the afternoon was a poignant reminder of how deeply grassroots programs impact children. It showed us how the lessons learned on the court continue to resonate in the boardroom and the home, years after the final whistle blows.
A Full-Circle Journey
My own story began in Malate, Manila, living just a stone’s throw from the Philippine Sports Commission. Back then, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was my playground. Roller skating was my first love, but because it lacked a structured path at the time, I often joined volleyball clinics just to gain access to professional training, meet real coaches, and enjoy that iconic MILO energy. Those early experiences were my first masterclasses in dis-
PAREF Southridge School made UAAP history, Monday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Admirals became the firstever guest team to win a UAAP title, claiming the Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament with an 11-1 victory in Game 2 of the Finals against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Batters.
It was a dream run for Southridge, which was on the brink of elimination with three games left in the season. The Admirals won all three before ousting National University Nazareth School in a playoff, 6-3.
Southridge head coach Bocc Bernardo emphasized that confidence would be key to winning the championship, and the team used last Saturday’s 15-2 victory in the series opener to fuel their comefrom-behind win, though they remained cautiously optimistic.
“The important thing I told them from the last game: there was nothing yet to celebrate. Just to make it short, I told them, the hardest game to win is the close-out game,” said Bernardo, a former Southridge standout and catcher for Ateneo de Manila University during its UAAP Season 75 championship run.
“Whatever we did last Saturday will not make us win the game on Monday. It’s another game, it’s another story to unfold, so we have to play hard. We were able to execute the gameplay that we needed to do.”
Down a run after the first three innings, the Admirals found their rhythm in the fourth and never
looked back, capturing the firstever championship by a guest team in the league—and Southridge’s first in any sport.
A three-run rally in the sixth inning extended their lead to 5-3, proving decisive in the final result. Luis Chavez drove in Joaquin Salvador, who earlier hit a double to left field, before scoring himself on an Alessandro Villarosa hit to right field.
All this offensive composure stemmed from the steady performance of starting pitcher and eventual Finals MVP Amiel Belgar. Belgar, who also pitched a complete game in the series opener, delivered
Southridge first guest team to win UAAP title
another no-relief effort, allowing just four hits and a solitary run from the Junior Green Batters.
“It’s not the switch, but it’s about the stability of Amiel on the mound. I think we had three errors that could have helped La Salle—actually, it was Tapia and Veloso who were hitting— of course, kaming mga coaches had the confidence to give it to Amiel. He asked for it, he asked for this game. I was actually weary because I know he’s tired, and his teammates were like, ‘Coach, we are more confident on defense if Amiel is on the mound.’ I heard them, and Amiel was able to prove himself,” Bernardo said.
Lim’s grit, spunk shine in Men’s Masters triumph
UNDER the bright lights of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, AJ Lim didn’t just win a title – he reaffirmed his place atop Philippine tennis.
Drawing on grit forged through injuries and illness, Lim outlasted perennial rival Eric Jed Olivarez, 6-3, 7-5, to capture the Philta Men’s Masters Top 8 crown Sunday night and reassert his status as the country’s premier player.
The P160,000 winner’s purse was a fitting reward. But more significant was the statement victory – his nth triumph over Olivarez in Open finals – underscoring a mastery that has defined their rivalry and reminding everyone that when healthy, Lim remains the man to beat.
For the 26-year-old, the win symbolized a full-circle comeback.
Once sidelined by health setbacks that stalled his momentum, Lim has painstakingly rebuilt his game and confidence. Under the pressure of primetime play, with every point
MILO Active Pilipinas launched with Eala as new ambassador
once
champion at 16 in 2015.
The opening frame set the tone for a duel worthy of the spotlight. Lim stormed to a 3-0 lead, only for Olivarez to claw back with three straight games of his own. But just when the momentum appeared to shift, Lim raised his level. He held serve in the seventh game, then broke Olivarez after a tense deuce battle in the eighth before sealing the set with a love hold – a finishing kick that spoke volumes about his resolve.
The second set was even tighter – a back-and-forth chess match that could have swung either way. They traded serves through the first 10 games, highlighted by a gripping fourth-game exchange that stretched deep into deuce before Lim narrowly escaped to hold. Neither player blinked, each probing for cracks, each refusing to yield ground. At 5-all, Lim finally made his move.
cipline and perseverance—values that MILO continues to champion today.
Fast forward to 2019, when I worked as a media coordinator for the SEA Games. In a beautiful twist of fate, I was assigned to the skateboarding team. That moment brought me back full circle: from a young girl in Malate chasing movement, to a professional helping tell the stories of athletes chasing international glory. Having served as the digital communications lead for the Philippine
Olympic Committee and General Manager of an Olympic sport, I’ve seen the “secret sauce” of Philippine sports firsthand. It isn’t just talent; it’s the cultivation of resilience and inclusivity that programs like MILO have provided for sixty years.
The 2026 Vision: Building a Nation through Sport MILO Active Pilipinas 2026 isn’t just a mission statement; it’s a massive logistical roadmap for Philippine grassroots development. In 2025 alone, MILO energized 3 million children and 380 barangays. Looking ahead, the goal is to expand that footprint even further, aiming to partner with 25,000 public schools and activate 800 barangays to ensure the “joy of the game” reaches every corner of the country.
Spikers’ Turf Open ignites fierce battles
MEN’S volleyball takes center stage beginning Wednesday as the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference unwraps, ushering in what could be the most unpredictable season in league history.
For the first time in years, the absence of the league’s winningest club, Cignal Super Spikers, has dramatically reshaped the competitive landscape. While reigning 2025 Invitationals champion Criss Cross enters as the early favorite behind an intact, powerhouse roster composed of many of the country’s top players, the gap between contenders has significantly narrowed.
The King Crunchers may parade star power and chemistry, but the rest of the six-team field comes armed with retooled lineups, renewed confidence and a shared belief that this conference is truly up for grabs.
The offseason saw major player movement across the league, with several teams reinforcing their rosters by tapping standouts from the Super Spikers pool. Savouge, eager to bounce back after missing the podium last conference, made perhaps the boldest moves, acquiring former Cignal stars Louie Ramirez and JP Bugaoan, along with ex-PGJC-Navy mainstay Joeven Dela Vega. The revamp signals a franchise intent on re-entering title contention.
Alpha Insurance likewise strengthened its rotation, adding Jau Umandal and JM Ronquillo to an already formidable core, while VNS continues to blend promising young talent with steady veteran leadership in its developmental push.
League president Alyssa Valdez underscored the excitement brought about by the offseason shakeup.
“I’m very, very happy for the Spikers’ Turf teams kasi nung offseason ang daming player movements. Napaka-exciting for players to find a new home. This Open Conference, very
The Southridge Admirals celebrate after claiming the Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament with an 11-1 victory in Game 2 of the Finals against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Batters.
AJ Lim (second from left) holds the championship trophy after ruling the Philta Masters Top 8 Tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. With him are (from left)
Rep. Eric Olivarez, runner-up Eric Jed Olivarez and third-placer Nilo Ledama.
Joining the celebration on stage are MILO Sports Head Carlo Sampan, Nikko Huelgas (two-time SEA Games Triathlon gold medalist), Nikki Cheng (Philippine Skating Union President), and Philippine Sports Commissioners Walter Francis Torres and Olivia “Bong” Coo (World Bowling Hall of Famer and 5-time Asian Games gold medalist).
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Bataan hosts FIDE-rated chess meet
By Butch Gunio
HISTORY was made as Bataan hosted its first-ever FIDE-rated tournament during the 8th Bataan Standard Chess Tournament on Feb. 21 and 22 at SM City Bataan, drawing more than 90 players.
The event signalled the emergence of the province as a new destination for competitive chess, with participants from Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Baguio, Pangasinan, Marikina, Olongapo, and Isabela to compete in the Kiddie and Open divisions.
Board Member Mylene Serrano, representing the Provincial Government of Bataan, led the opening rites and expressed pride in the province’s hosting of its first internationally rated tournament.
She said the event is expected to inspire young Bataeños to pursue chess and elevate their level of play.
Tournament co-organizer and chess benefactor Dr. Rhea Anne Mangabilen also described the competition as a historic breakthrough and voiced hope that Bataan would soon produce its own chess masters.
Organizer and National Chess Arbiter Erickson Marimla emphasized the importance of the event for local players, noting that they no longer need to travel far to gain international ratings, as Bataan can now host high-level competitions.
Earlier, Romeo Quintos, president of the Bataan Chess Players Association, said that through Bataan Checkmate, the official chess team of the Provincial Government of Bataan, plans are underway to promote chess at the grassroots level and develop local talents in the province Organizers also thanked the management of SM City Bataan for allowing the mall to serve as the venue for the event.
Eala nails career-high no. 31, gets prime Indian Wells spot SPORTS
ALEXANDRA Eala has reached a new milestone in her young career, climbing to a career-high world No. 31 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings — a surge that significantly boosts her standing in upcoming tournaments.
High Speed Hitters seek PVL revenge
PLDT isn’t just shielding an unbeaten record. It’s hunting redemption. Still smarting from a stunning straight-set loss the last time they faced the Cignal Super Spikers, the High Speed Hitters return to the court with unfinished business as they clash in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries Tuesday at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan. That defeat remains a sore spot. PLDT came into that Reinforced Conference matchup riding a 15-game winning streak that produced two championships. It had momentum. It had confidence. It was heavily favored. Cignal, then playing without an import and coming off back-to-back losses, was not supposed to threaten. Instead, the Super Spikers shocked the High Speed Hitters in straight sets – a result that derailed PLDT’s bid for a third straight title and eventually forced it to settle for fourth. That memory lingers. Now at 3-0, PLDT stands as the only team with a clear path to an outright semifinal berth – but only if it sweeps the eliminations. With erstwhile unbeaten Nxled recently falling to Galeries Tower, the door is open. The incentive is clear. The margin for complacency is gone. Expect coach Rald Ricafort to unleash the full arsenal. Savi Davison spearheads the charge, backed by the formidable frontline of Kim Dy, Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes.
Playmakers Kim Fajardo and Angge Alcantara orchestrate the attack, while veterans Jovie Prado, Jessey de Leon, Alleiah Malaluan and Kiesha Bedonia provide depth and stability.
The 20-yearold continued her strong 2026 campaign after advancing to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships,
where she eventually fell in straight sets to Coco Gauff. Her deep run earned her 215 ranking points and $98,500 (over ₱5.7 million) in prize money, bringing her total to 1,432 WTA points — enough to move ahead of both Xinyu Wang and Maya Joint in the standings.
The new ranking carries major benefits. At No. 31, Eala gains direct entry into the main draws of the tour’s biggest events and avoids early qualifying rounds. Most notably, at the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells starting March 4, she is automatically placed in the final 32 — meaning she no longer needs to play in the opening round. The advantage allows her extra rest and preparation time in one of the tour’s most prestigious WTA 1000 tournaments, which features top seeds such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. Eala’s rapid ascent marks a dramatic rise from this time last year, when she entered the 2025 Miami Open ranked No. 140 in the world. Now firmly inside the Top 32, she is positioned for deeper runs and more favorable seedings in major events. Following Indian Wells, Eala will compete in the Miami Open from March 17 to 30, where she has also secured a direct maindraw entry — another benefit of her new career-best ranking. Randy Caluag, Peter Atencio
Bigger Tour of Luzon o ers P12M in prize money
By Peter Atencio
BIG prizes totalling more than P12 million will be up for grabs as a much longer cycling summer spectacle takes place when the MPTC Tour of Luzon (TOL) 2026 hits the road next month.
Instead of eight stages, there will be 14 this time around as the odyssey on wheels, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, takes off on April 28 and goes on until May 13.
Carrying the theme, “A Heritage in Motion,” the coming multi-stage event, follows the successful “Great Revival,” in 2025.
“The total cash prizes has been adjusted. It’s over P12 million in total. That’s in place of the P7 million we had last year,” said race chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan during Monday’s launch at the Meralco mini-theatre in Ortigas.
Organizers are offering P2 million to the team champion, while P1 million will be at stake for the individual classification champion.
Arrey Perez, the Chief Organizer, CEO, and Executive Director of the MPTC Tour of Luzon, said they are partnering with La Vuelta a España to elevate the
MANILA Hustle 3x3 Season 4 unfolded under nonstop energy, where fierce competition and raw talent went hand in hand. From the opening games to the final possessions, the tournament demanded that they keep going in every moment.
Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 4 delivered highintensity action as elite local and international women’s teams faced off in a FIBA-approved international invitational. The fast-paced 3x3 format pushed athletes to their limits, keeping up with elite competition, and playing with immense passion while giving fans a front-row seat to fierce competition.
“Manila Hustle has been a milestone from its very first season. It has been the benchmark for women’s basketball tournaments outside of national team competitions held in the country.
Women’s basketball in the Philippines is heard about globally because of the hustle,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy.
The tournament was purposefully designed to center women as elite athletes, reinforcing their place on the main stage of competitive sports.
Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 4 celebrated not only
and Pearl
Philippine cycling event to world-class standards. La Vuelta is a Spanish organization primarily known for designing professional cycling’s most demanding and unpredictable Grand Tours, including the Tour de France. Stage 1 will be a 150-km road race from Calata-
athletic performance but also the strength, skill, and visibility of women in basketball—particularly Filipina players who continue to prove they can compete at the highest level.
“It feels good to represent women’s basketball in the Philippines on this stage as well as humbling since I got to play with very skilled, smart, and strong players who allow me to grow my game but keep me grounded at the same time,” said Gilas Pilipinas Stars center and two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa.
“With the goal of Manila Hustle to allow other teams from the Philippines to experience playing against international teams, it just goes to show how much we value women showing their talents in maledominated sports. Our talents don’t go unnoticed now, especially with all the yearly tournaments that allow us to showcase our talents,” said Uratex Dream guard and #1
The 2026 Manila Hustle 3x3 team champion, Flowlish Gunma
Alexandra Eala is mobbed by Filipino fans everywhere she goes. Dennis B. Mallari
Board Member Mylene Serrano makes the ceremonial move. Butch Gunio
Shown here are (from left) chief TOL organizer Arrey Perez, MPTC top exec Gilbert Sta. Maria, MVP Group of Companies chairman Manuel Pangilinan, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, commissaire
Managuelod, Institute Director.
gan, Batangas to Tagaytay City, followed by a 40km team trial from Clark, Pampanga to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
run from Clark to Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, while Stage 4 is 206-km long from Palayan City to Santiago City Isabela.
Metro Pacific pauses LRT-1 stake sale as gov’t settles debts
P926 million
Gov’t payment to LRMC
P4 billion P3 billion
Claims sought by LRMC
LandBank loan sought by LRTA
Calumpit Mayor Glorime Faustino, Department of Transportation assistant secretary for right of way and site acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas, local government department heads and city councilors inspect the relocation site called ‘El Nuevo De Municipio de Calumpit’ for families affected by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System. The DOTr teamed up with the Calumpit local government for the construction of the relocation site, which can accommodate 637 families from Calumpit and Malolos in Bulacan and Apalit and Minalin in Pampanga.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
METRO Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has suspended its plan to sell its stake in the operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 after the Philippine government began settling long-standing contractual obligations to the company, a top executive said Monday. BIR clarifies VAT rules on local sales under CREATE MORE
Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC)
president and chief executive Enrico
Benipayo said the company is grateful the government addressed its concerns, noting that the partnership has improved significantly over the past few years. Benipayo said the objective is to complete the concession and finish the extension to Cavite.
The decision marks a shift in strat-
egy for MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan.
Pangilinan previously considered divesting from the railway operator due to unsettled government obligations and persistent financial losses. Benipayo said the progress made by the state has satisfied Pangilinan and other investors.
The dispute stemmed from the
2016 to 2020 period when LRMC was denied automatic two-year fare hikes stipulated in its concession agreement. The fare increases were only granted under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
To date, the government has paid P926 million of the P4 billion in claims sought by LRMC. The Light Rail Transit Authority is currently processing a P3-billion loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines to cover the remaining balance.
LRMC took over the operations of LRT-1, which runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Munoz in Quezon City, on Sept. 12, 2015. Since then, the consortium has implemented station rehabilitations, introduced 4th Generation train sets and opened the first phase of the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension project.
By Othel V. Campos
THE IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) called for urgent regulatory and legislative reforms to address rising costs and technological disruptions that threaten the country’s 1.9 millionstrong workforce.
Relocation sites for rail-displaced families on track for 2027 completion THE Department of
for specific enterprises. The issuance seeks to prevent adverse tax implications for domestic market enterprises that are unable to recover input VAT due to refund ineligibility under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. Under the new rules, business-tobusiness transactions for goods sold within economic zones or freeports require filing and payment on a per-transaction basis. However, the government clarified that buyers purchasing bulk shipments covered by multiple invoices may opt for a single payment through BIR Form No. 0605. The payment, along with a list of all covered invoices, should be presented to the Bureau of Customs before the goods are released, under the regulations.
The regulations also introduce an optional VAT registration for enterprises availing of the 5-percent special corporate income tax or gross income earned regime. These firms may register as VAT taxpayers solely for local sales without losing existing fiscal incentives, such as VAT zero-rating on local purchases and exemptions on importations directly attributed to registered activities.
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday that relocation sites in Bulacan and Pampanga for families displaced by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) are on track for completion by 2027.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr and partner agencies to expedite construction of these sites, which will include improved housing and community recreational facilities for affected households.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the relocation site, “El Nuevo De Municipio de Calumpit,” will provide liveable housing for residents.
“The priority of the President and the DOTr is clear, that our countrymen affected by transportation projects should have a prop- er
IBPAP warned that inconsistent local taxes, permitting hurdles and uneven tax implementation could increase operating costs by 15 to 20 percent compared with competing global markets.
The sector contributes 8.2 percent to the gross domestic product and is
The industry group welcomed Senate Resolution No. 253 and a subsequent Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing focused on the challenges of artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation.
family is left behind,” Lopez said.
The DOTr worked with the Calumpit local government to build the site, which can accommodate 637 families from Calumpit and Malolos in Bulacan and Apalit and Minalin in Pampanga.
While the road embankment leading to the site is finished, construction on the main structures is scheduled to begin in April and end in 2027. The project will feature 6 4-story buildings with community facilities such as a basketball court and parks.
Three relocation sites are under development for the northern portion of the NSCR, with two in San Fernando City and one in Angeles City. A total of 4,515 informal settler families will be relocated in the north and 12,210 Darwin G. Amojelar
projected to generate $42 billion in revenue by the end of 2026. While the industry remains on track for its 2028 roadmap target of $60 billion, IBPAP leaders cautioned that structural constraints should be addressed to maintain investor confidence.
“The IT-BPM sector is a critical driver of national growth. Investor confidence depends on resolving business hurdles and investing in talent development,” IBPAP chief oper-
ating officer Celeste Ilagan said. The association noted specific bottlenecks, including cybersecurity threats, burdensome local ordinances and higher costs stemming from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) RMC 05-2024. Delays in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) upskilling programs have also slowed efforts to prepare workers for an AI-driven landscape, it said.
Alsons Power executives, capturing a touching moment of gratitude and joy during the center’s turnover ceremony in Maasim, Sarangani. Alsons Power Group, through its Maasim-based Sarangani Energy Corp. and Siguil Hydro Power Corp., turned over its first Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Center in Sarangani, marking a significant step forward in its ongoing commitment to advancing community development through education. Located in Barangay Amsipit, the new ECCD facility provides a dedicated, safe space for preschoolers to begin their formal learning journey.
Local cement manufacturers laud new safeguard duties on imports
THE Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) welcomed the issuance of a government circular enforcing safeguard duties on imported cement to protect the local industry from a surge in foreign products. Customs Memorandum Circular 422026 implements Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Administrative Order 25-15, which imposes
Finance and Bureau of Customs for ensuring the timely implementation of the measures. The group said the duties are necessary to address an import surge that has caused serious injury to the domestic industry. The association said the safeguard duties woulod help restore fair competition,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
PSEi
nears 6,500 after US tariffs ruling boosts global trade outlook
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE stocks closed higher
Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court rebuked President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, easing global trade concerns.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index traded above the 6,500 level for most of the day before closing at 6,488.51, up 23.39 points, or 0.36 percent. The all shares index ended at 3,591.61, up 20.93 points, or 0.59 percent.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the court ruling could lead to faster global trade, investment, and overall growth. He noted it could also mitigate a slowdown in the U.S. economy.
“All these could indirectly benefit
the Philippine economy and financial markets,” Ricafort said. “These developments would impact most the Philippine exporters that are not exempted from Trump’s tariffs.”
Most sectors closed higher, led by mining and oil, which jumped 2.97 percent, followed by property, which advanced 1.39 percent.
Value turnover was thin at P5.49 billion. However, market breadth was positive as gainers outnumbered losers, 123 to 69, while 72 stocks remained unchanged.
Foreign buying accelerated with net inflows of P858.8 million.
Given the positive investor sentiment, analysts said the index could retest its recent high of 6,591.
The peso continued to strengthen against the U.S. dollar Monday, closing at 57.575 from 58.15 on Friday.
Filinvest Land’s profit 4% on retail, leasing strength
FILINVEST Land Inc. of the Gotianun group reported Monday that its 2025 net income rose 4 percent to P4.81 billion as retail and leasing segments offset the impact of elevated borrowing costs on the broader property market.
Consolidated revenues and other income for the year grew 6 percent to P25.90 billion, the developer said in a regulatory filing. Growth was led by a 10 percent jump in retail leasing revenues to P2.78 billion, supported by an occupancy rate that climbed to 80 percent from 72 percent the previous year. The company attributed the retail improvement to higher tenant demand and foot traffic across its 258,017 square meters of mall space.
Filinvest Land plans to expand its lifestyle offerings and attract destination brands through 2026.
Real estate sales increased 6 percent to P16.27 billion, with residential projects contributing P15.92 billion and industrial lot sales adding P357 million. While the company noted that high interest rates made buyers more selective,
demand remained steady for affordable and mid-income housing, especially for ready-for-occupancy units in regional hubs.
Total leasing revenues across the company portfolio rose 5 percent to P8.25 billion. For 2026, the firm intends to focus its office segment on flexibility and cost efficiency while expanding its industrial platform.
The industrial division generated P412 million in total revenue, including P55 million from ready-built factory rentals. Innovation parks in Calamba and New Clark City continued to attract interest from logistics and manufacturing firms.
“As we look ahead, our priority remains sustained, disciplined growth anchored on operational excellence and long-term estate development,” said Tristaneil Las Marias, Filinvest Land president and chief executive.
Keynesian theory can’t help the economy at this time
WHENEVER I think of the humungous scandal involving this country’s flood-control infrastructure, the name that comes to my mind is that of one of the greatest economist produced by the twentieth century. I am referring to Britain’s John Maynard Keynes.
A first-rate graduate of one of Britain’s finest universities, Keynes became an international figure with the publication of his book “The Economic Consequences of the Peace” which he wrote shortly after the end of World War I. In his book, Keynes wrote that the post-war peace should be used wisely and that the victorious allies should not treat the defeated Powers in punitive fashion because a policy of retribution, by causing resentment, would lead to trouble in the future. Unfortunately, his views were not heeded and the punitive measures that the victors imposed on Germany and the other defeated Powers laid the foundation for the rise of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party.
– to intervene in the marketplace and plug the demand gap created by the private-sector spending decline so as to keep the economy on an even Keel. This was the essence of Keynes’ views on economic growth and stabilization and the role of the government in relation thereto. Those views were at first illreceived because of the laissez-faire theory of Adam Smith and similarly minded economist, who argued that the government had no business interfering with the workings of the marketplace.
Keynesian theory cannot come into play to save the day when the right environment for strategic government intervention is absent.
But it is his landmark book “The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money” that has made me think of Lord Keynes – he was elevated to the House of Lords by the British government – in the midst of the biggest scandal in the history of the Philippine government. Lord Keynes, who is often referred to as the father of macro-economics, deserved the Nobel Prize for Economics, but such a Nobel Prize had not yet been created in his day.
“The General Theory” was highly acclaimed because it laid down a new approach to the growth and stabilization of an economy. Whereas economists usually approached the management of the economic cycle from the side of supply, Keynes proposed an approach from the side of demand. Like all ideas that question old-established points of view, the ideas contained in “The General Theory” were at first received with skepticism, even disdain. But Keynes had made his point.
“The General Theory” posited that the biggest single factor in the growth and stabilization of an economy was the government—more specifically, public investment. Through its spending on goods and services the government was the largest simple source of demand. Thus, government spending had the capacity to influence the movement of the economic cycle. If an economy was performing well, government spending could maintain a neutral stance, allowing the private sector to do most of the investing and consuming, but if for one reason or another the private sector was cutting back on its spending, the government had the responsibility – may, the duty
At a time when the Philippine economy is showing signs of slowing down—and even of moving to a lower-growth pattern—the application of Keynesian theory is both necessary and proper. The 3 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2025’s final quarter and the resulting 4.4 percent GDP growth in full-year 2025 could have been avoided if government spending had been stepped up in accordance with Keynesian theory. Unfortunately, that could not be done. Because the government was the source of the flood-control projects scandal, (1) the government forced itself to reduce its spending and (2) the private sector reduced its demand for goods and services on account of its loss of faith in the integrity of the National Expenditures Program (NEP). Keynesian theory cannot come into play to save the day when the right environment for strategic government intervention is absent.
The basic principles laid down in “The General Theory” – that the government is the key element on the demand side of the economic growth equation and that government spending is the balancing factor in the movement of the economic cycle— are as valid today as they were when it was first published. But Keynesian theory unfortunately cannot help the Philippine economy at this time because of the flood- control projects scandal and will remain inapplicable until the scandal is finally resolved. Such a pity.
(llagasjessa@yahoo.com).
BAYANIHAN SESSIONS. PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm, Smart Communications Inc., kick off the 2026
“Bayanihan” sessions in Barangay 391 in Quiapo, Manila. The activity aims to strengthen PLDT’s
1)
address, and e-mail address;
2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired.
PCC clears GCMC, Navegar, Leapfrog joint venture
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has cleared a joint venture between GCMC Holdings Inc, Navegar II (Singapore) Pte Ltd, and Leapfrog Emerging Consumer Fund IV LP following a phase 1 review, the antitrust body said Monday.
The commission’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office (MAO) said it found that the transaction would not lead to a substantial lessening of competition because the com-
panies do not have overlapping operations or vertical relationships in the country.
GCMC is a holding company that operates hospitals and provides medical services across the Philippines, including diagnostics and the distribution of pharmaceutical products and medical equipment.
Navegar II is a Singapore-based private equity firm with investments in various Philippine industries, while Leapfrog is an investor focused on healthcare and finan-
IN BRIEF
BYD bullish of expansion in PH
more complex.” He welcomed the efforts of private sector groups such as Ayala Corp. and SM Investments Corp. in rolling out charging facilities in malls and commercial centers. However, Hu said BYD has no immediate plans to directly invest in charging infrastructure. Othel V. Campos
WEDAP backs P11/kwh price for offshore wind THE Wind Energy Developers Association of the Philippines Inc. (WEDAP) expects the recently approved P11 per kilowatt-hour reserve price for offshore wind projects to attract credible bidders during the upcoming auction. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) price for offshore wind over the weekend. Consultations are ongoing regarding a one-time indexation mechanism to address economic shifts.
WEDAP president Poch Ambrosio said in a statement that the group welcomes the price release . The group believes the rate is sufficient to attract bidders for the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction Program this year, which covers 3,300 megawatts of fixed-
offshore wind projects. The group noted the rate is lower than the initial rates of 0.08 to 0.11 euros per kkWh set by Denmark in the 1990s, and 0.13 to 0.15 euros per kilowatt-hour in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s. Both figures translate to approximately 14 to 15 pesos per kilowatt-hour in 2026 terms. Similar initial rates were established by Japan in 2014 and Taiwan in 2017, WEDAP said.
“We recognize and greatly appreciate the balancing act of the ERC to provide the lowest possible reserve price that investors would believe will support 20-year projects,” Ambrosio said. He added that the scale is unprecedented for Philippine renewable energy and will set the stage for a “transformational transition.”
WEDAP described offshore wind as a powerful economic catalyst capable of creating jobs, stimulating port upgrades, and opening opportunities for local manufacturing.
Alena Mae S. Flores
DENR supports New Clark City waste-to-energy project
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources has expressed support for a P4 billion power project, the country’s first large-scale waste-to-energy facility in New Clark City.
The project is designed to strengthen environmental protection, enhance energy security and promote sustainable urban development. DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla recently met with Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang, the project consortium and academic representatives to discuss the facility.
The plant will have a 12-megawatt capacity and can process up to 600 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily. Bingcang said the project supports national development priorities and the agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“This project directly contributes to the national agenda... by strengthening environmental protection, supporting energy security and introducing modern waste management systems,” Bingcang said. “It shows how infrastructure development can deliver long-term environmental and economic value for the country.”
Designed as a modern waste management solution, the plant is expected to reduce reliance on landfills by cutting waste volume by 80 percent to 90 percent through controlled thermal treatment. Officials said the system offers a long-term response to landfill constraints while providing local government units with a structured, environmentally managed disposal option. Othel V. Campos
PhilWeb, FBM sign online gaming rollout deal
GAMING services provider PhilWeb Corp. said Monday it signed a strategic service agreement with FBM to support the rollout of the electronic bingo provider’s online gaming capabilities in the Philippines. Under the agreement, PhilWeb will provide technology services, systems integration and regulatory support to develop and operate the FBM Philippines online gaming platform.
The partnership utilizes an onlineto-offline model where digital content and engagement mechanics are delivered through physical venues.
FBM has operated in the Philippines for over 20 years and maintains a network of more than 500 gaming venues with up to 30,000 machines nationwide.
The initial phase of the rollout is expected to cover several thousand machines with the potential to expand across the entire 30,000-unit network.
The strategy aims to help physical e-gaming sites manage foot traffic, improve player engagement, and
bolster revenues as the industry faces shifting market dynamics.
“This partnership enables us to extend our online presence in a way that directly benefits our offline business. By deploying online-driven features across our machines and venues, we can offer a more engaging experience for players while creating stronger revenue opportunities for our partners nationwide,” FBM Philippines country manager Pepe Costa said.
PhilWeb president Brian Ng said that rather than launching a standalone product, the collaboration builds online capabilities deeply integrated into the existing venue network.
“By embedding online functionality directly into physical venues, we can support FBM in driving engagement and revitalizing offline operations at scale,” Ng said.
The deal follows a previous agreement by PhilWeb to develop an online gaming platform for the Hann Casino Resort in Clark. Jenniffer B. Austria
cial services in growth markets.
The MAO said GCMC and Navegar II operate in separate, non-competing market segments.
Leucadendron, an investment holding company involved in the deal, has no existing operations in the Philippines.
The commission said the transaction is not expected to alter market shares or affect competitive dynamics in any relevant market.
The review remains a key function of the PCC mandate to assess mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures to safeguard fair and competitive market conditions, specifically in critical sectors and cross-border strategic partnerships, the agency said.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
HILIPPINE National Bank (PNB) on Monday reported a consolidated net income of P25.3 billion in 2025, up 20 percent from the previous year led by core business growth and improved asset quality.
The bank’s robust performance pushed its return on equity to 11.1 percent, up 70 basis points from 2024. The lender attributed the earnings momentum to solid balance sheet management, prudent cost controls, and enhanced operational efficiency. The loan portfolio expanded 15 percent year-on-year, led by a 27-percent surge in consumer loans. Corporate and commercial lending grew 13 percent, supported by healthy asset yields and a low funding cost base, resulting in a net interest margin of 4.51 percent. The deposit base grew 9 percent to reach P1.06 trillion.
Asset quality showed marked improvement as the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio fell to 4.7 percent from 5.7 percent in 2024. PNB cited a stabilization strategy involving tighter portfolio reviews and dynamic risk-scoring models as key drivers for the decline.
PNB chief financial officer Francis Albalate said fee-generating businesses including deposits, loans,
credit cards, trust operations and bancassurance provided solid support.
“Together, these gains underscore PNB’s expanding franchise and the growing confidence of our customers across all segments,” Albalate said. The bank’s cost-efficiency ratio improved to 48.2 percent from 49.6 percent a year earlier, as operating expenses grew at a slower pace than total operating income.
PNB president and chief executive Edwin Bautista said the 2025 performance marked another milestone for the bank following the modernization of its core banking system and ATM switch.
“We significantly enhanced our customer acquisition efforts and expanded our ability to capitalize on market opportunities,” Bautista said. The bank’s digital app user base grew 26 percent last year. PNB also upskilled more than 1,000 employees in areas such as digital-age banking and ethical AI utilization to strengthen organizational readiness.
DOE classifies energy sources to ensure stability
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Department of Energy has issued a framework to categorize energy resources and technologies to maintain a reliable power system while accelerating its transition to cleaner energy.
Under Department Circular No. 2026-02-0005, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin signed a policy to ensure the balanced dispatch of different technologies. The department will provide guidance on resources based on baseload, mid-merit and peaking requirements determined by actual load profiles and duration curves.
Garin said reliability is non-nego
tiable even as the country accelerates its energy transition. She noted the policy provides a systematic approach for matching technologies to system needs so that electricity remains secure and affordable while increasing renewable energy integration and reducing dependence on imported fuels.
The circular says that this categorization will allow generation companies to operate efficiently and ensure that generating units are adequately maintained. The policy recognizes that a reliable power system requires a deliberate mix of resources that can supply electricity continuously, adjust output as demand changes and respond rapidly during peak periods.
A WEEK of Canada-backed entrepreneurship engagements in Manila recently highlighted growing collaboration between Canadian partners and the Philippine startup ecosystem to advance women-led innovation in food, energy, and digital sectors.
The Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada led the mission as part of its 2019-2026 Women’s Business Mission to Asia Series. Supported by local ecosystem partner Kickstart Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of a leading Southeast Asian telecom company, the initiative aimed to showcase Canadian entrepreneurs providing sustainable solutions for infrastructure and security.
The mission featured high-level networking and academic discussions, including a session at Ateneo de Manila University titled “Women Securing Our
Shared Futures: Building Resilience Through Canada-Philippines Collaboration.” Working alongside the Embassy of Canada, organizers connected international stakeholders with local founders and corporate partners to foster cross-border ties. Kickstart Ventures managing partner and president Minette Navarrete said the engagements illustrate how international partnerships can accelerate innovation in critical sectors.
“When women entrepreneurs are supported, entire communities benefit. This week’s engagements with APF Canada highlight how crossborder partnerships, such as between Canada and the Philippines, can work together to accelerate and shine a spotlight on women-led innovation in sectors critical to building more inclusive and future-ready economies,” Navarrete said.
DIGITAL PROTECTION. Skyro, a lending app in the Philippines, brings protection at checkout through its partnership with Qoala, giving customers the option to add coverage right when they make a purchase. Sealing the partnership agreement are Qoala founder and CEO Harshet Lunani (left) and Skyro head of key accounts Yernar Ashimov.
MCX FACILITY. AC Logistics and Globe launch their partnership with the inauguration of the MCX Warehouse Facility in Muntinlupa City on Feb. 16, 2026. The partnership combines AC Logistics’ warehousing expertise with Globe’s customer service operations to enhance product availability and nationwide connectivity. Attending the event are [from left) AMove (an AC Logistics Company) Contract Logistics general manager Angeline Papa, Globe finance business advisory head Walter Ricarte, Globe chief finance officer and chief risk officer Carlo Puno, AC Logistics contract logistics and national distribution product head Irma DiazGuevara, AC Logistics president and chief executive Erry Hardianto, Globe procurement and logistics vice president Jerry Cabiles and Globe Logistics management director Celia Rodriguez.
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Farmer-scientists agree to push climate-smart agri communities
By Patricia Bermudez
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite
―The country’s farmer-scientists, or those who combine traditional farming experience with modern technology, have renewed their commitment in helping shape the agriculture industry by promoting sustainable and resource-efficient practices.
The Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) in CALABARZON reminded the farmers of their role during a seminar on Circular Economy for Magsasaka Siyentista, marking ATI’s 39th anniversary celebration.
The session underscored the importance of farmers in the country’s food production chain as active partners in shaping practical and innovative agriculture solutions.
It also highlighted that combining field experience with research and technology can be applied in farming communities, reinforcing that farmers are active partners in shaping the
country’s agriculture practices.
Dr. Rolando Maningas, Center Director for ATI CALABARZON, in a statement, stressed the importance of similar learning sessions in bridging the gap between traditional farming and technological innovations to promote environmentally responsible agricultural communities.
“Through concrete examples and grounded discussions, the session underscored the importance of resilience, environmental responsibility and sustainability, strengthening the center’s role as a vital bridge between innovation and the field, and supporting the development of climate-smart and environmentally responsible agricultural communities,” he said.
The farmer-scientists also renewed their oath to reiterate their commitment to applying the knowledge and innovation provided by the DA-ATI in shaping their farming and fishing communities to become more productive and resilient. PIA
LUNAR YEAR OF THE HORSE
Horses offer ecosystem lessons
AROUND 2 billion people celebrated the start of a lunar new year on February 17, 2026. The lunar calendar marks each year with one of 12 animals, and 2026 moves from the Year of the Snake–a biodiversity hero in its own right–to that of the horse.
Horses have quietly shaped their environments for more than 50 million years and accompanied human development for the past 4 millennia.
Basilan’s fishers get ice block machine
LANTAWAN, Basilan―Fisherfolk in Barangay Lawi-Lawi and nearby communities of Lantawan, Basilan province, now have reliable access to ice supply following the turnover of a solar-powered ice block machine.
Co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through the Modeling Livelihood Solutions for Coastal Communities in Basilan, or Model Lives, the facility is already making an immediate impact on local livelihoods.
For an off-grid community where 90 percent of its population relies heavily on marine resources for food and livelihood, the solar cold chain solution improves market efficiency. This intervention reduces the community’s dependence on more expensive and often distant ice supplies and cuts post-harvest losses of marine products. The solar ice block machine can produce nearly one ton of ice blocks per day.
The Kasalamatan Agri-Fisheries Association (KAFA) of Barangay Lawi-Lawi received the solar-powered ice block machine as its custodian, while the Lantawan Local Government Unit (LGU) obtained one unit of seaborne patrol boat for Bantay Dagat (Sea Guard) teams to enforce coastal resource protection.
The association has been actively involved in participatory planning and capacity-strengthening activities, with strong support from the LGU.
“We don’t have electricity here in our barangay (Lawi-Lawi), so we used to buy ice in bulk from nearby towns, and our products would often spoil,” said Susing Jaappal, a KAFA member and trained ice block machine operator.
“Now, with the readily available ice supply, we no longer need to buy from outside and experience income loss due to spoilage. The solar ice plant also benefits our neighboring fishing communities,” he said.
Barangay Lawi-Lawi is one of three communities in Basilan selected to model fisheries-based livelihood solutions through Model Lives.
UNDP Philippines News
Every July, these creatures are honored on World Horse Day, and this year is also the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, recog-
nizing specific types of communities and ecosystems that have been critically supported by horses.
While there is only one truly wild horse species left (and not many of them remain), the importance of wild horses and other wild grazers for maintaining and restoring ecosystems is undeniable.
Other free-roaming (feral) and domestic horses also play important roles. When managed sustainably and treated ethically, they will continue to contribute to societies and ecosystems across the world.
At this dawn of the Year of the Horse,
we’re turning attention to horses as well as other equine species―from asses to zebras―that play important roles in the health of our planet.
Here are four lessons on environmental action that we can learn from horses. Horses are ecosystem engineers Grasslands, shrublands and savannahs are among the least protected and most undervalued ecosystems on the planet. They are threatened by degradation, unsustainable use and climate change. Adequate management of large grazing animals, such as horses, can help restore the balance.
(To be continued) UNEP News
THE SCIENCE OF GRAPES
2nd of Three Parts
Reducing pests
Science is an essential component of agriculture, and nowhere is that clearer than in the fight against plant pests. Winegrowers in Georgia have faced a major pest affecting grape yields and quality: the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana).
Its larvae feed on the grapes, causing wounds that also facilitate secondary fungal infections like grey mold. Both lead to reduced yields, deterioration of grape quality and increased risks to food safety.
Looking for ways to combat this pest without relying solely on pesticides, in 2023, Sophio joined a project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
This project, funded by the European Union (EU) and Sweden as part of the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD IV), is based on the mating disruption approach, where synthetic pheromone diffusers are utilized to prevent moths from mating, significantly reducing their numbers and therefore the crop damage.
“We have been implementing it for two years. This has minimized moth presence in our vineyards,” Sophio explains. “Most importantly, we eliminated the use of chemical pesticides. The Mating Disruption Program fits perfectly with our plan to transition to organic production,” Sophio adds. (To be continued) FAO News
THE Jollibee Group receives a special citation at the Zero Waste to Nature Recognition Awards for exceeding its baseline targets under the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework.
The awards program―organized with the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS) as organizer partner and technical committee head, in coordination with the National Ecology Center―recognizes obligated enterprises that go beyond regulatory compliance.
They also demonstrate leadership in plastic waste recovery, upstream reduction, innovation and inclusive circular economy practices.
The Jollibee Group was cited for surpassing its recovery commitments and for implementing additional initiatives in partnership with government agencies.
These include the Jollibee x Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Abot Kamay para sa Laguna de Bay Program and the Jollibee x Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Plastic Waste Recovery and Rewards Program.
As of end-2025, these initiatives have collectively recovered 16,223 kilograms of plastic waste.
In its citation, the awards body led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recognized the company’s “consistent progress in Extended Producer Responsibility compliance, supported by strong partnerships with local government units and recovery partners.”
The body noted that Jollibee’s structured programs demonstrate how large-scale food service operations can contribute to strengthening the recycling value chain and advancing national Zero Waste to Nature goals.
First of Two Parts
With an academic background in chemistry and biology, Sophio decided to combine her love of science and nature and go into winemaking. FAO/Guram Saqvarelidze
In addition to wild horses, kulan–wild asses–are now also returning to keep the Kazakh steppe in balance. Frankfurt Zoological Society
Head of UNDP Cotabato Office Winston Aylmer Camariñas hands over the symbolic key to Lantawan Vice Mayor Omar Abubakar and Kasalamatan Agri-Fisheries Association president Jurkan Harlem in a ceremonial handover of the solar-powered ice block machine and seaborne boat patrol, held on February 12, 2026, at Barangay Lawi-Lawi, Lantawan, Basilan. UNDP Philippines
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ,
SHOWBIZ
Dingdong Dantes, Iza Calzado to induct new SPEEd officers
By Nickie Wang
THE Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) is ushering in a new chapter as AKTOR - League of Filipino Actors founding president and chairman Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III and president Iza Calzado-Wintle lead the oath of office for the organization’s 2026 board. The Induction and Recognition Ceremony will be held today (Feb. 24) at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City.
‘One Battle After Another’ wins big at 2026 BAFTA Awards
By Angelica Villanueva
DARK comedy thriller One Battle
After Another dominated the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) after winning six major awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson
The film bested major contenders such as the period drama Hamnet and the vampire thriller Sinners in the top categories. It also won awards for Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, and Editing.
In his speech, Anderson encouraged filmmakers to keep creating without fear.
“We have a line from Nina Simone that we used in our film: ‘I know what freedom is: It’s no fear.’ Let’s keep making things without fear. It’s a good idea,” he said.
Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film, beating out co-star Benicio del Toro and other nominees. Meanwhile, Sinners, which leads this year’s Oscar nominations, secured three awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and Best Original Score.
Robert Aramayo won the Best Actor award for his role in I Swear beating a star-studded lineup that included Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet, which also received Outstanding British Film.
The ceremony, held at the Royal Festival Hall within London’s Southbank Centre, was attended by Prince William and Princess Kate, with host.
English actor Robert Aramayo beats heavy favorites Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet in the Best Actor category
and corporate leaders, long-time partners, and entertainment press members to mark the formal turnover of leadership and recognize institutions that have supported SPEEd and its annual movie awards, The Eddys, championing Filipino talent. Tessa Mauricio-Arriola , entertainment and lifestyle editor of The Manila Times will serve as president. Joining her are Maricris Valdez Nicasio ( Hataw ), vice president for internal affairs; Gerardine Trillana ( Malaya Business Insight ), vice president for external affairs; Ervin Santiago (Inquirer Bandera ), secretary; Rohn Romulo ( People’s Balita ), co-secretary; Dondon Sermino ( Abante TNT and DWAR 1494 ), treasurer; Anna Pingol ( Pika-Pika.com ), co-treasurer; Jerry Olea ( PEP.ph ), auditor; and public relations officers Nickie Wang ( Manila Standard ), Janiz Navida ( Bulgar ), and Neil Ramos ( Tempo ). Past presidents and members in attendance include Eugene Asis ( People’s Journal ), Ian Fariñas (People’s Tonight ), Salve Asis ( Pilipino Star Ngayon and PangMasa ), Nestor Cuartero ( Manila Bulletin and Tempo ), Dinah Ventura ( Daily Tribune ), Jun Lalin ( Abante ), Nathalie Tomada ( Philippine Star ), Bobby Requintina ( Manila Bulletin ), and retired editors Dindo Balares ( Balita ), and Rito Asilo ( Philippine Daily Inquirer ). During the program, SPEEd will present its first Recognition Awards to partners who have supported the organization over the years. Honorees include Claire Papa, assistant vice president and head of external affairs and social partnerships at Unilab Inc.; Maria Yolanda “Yoly” Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer at Globe Telecom; Joy Andrade, director for corporate communications at Newport World Resorts; Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, board member of SoundCheck Inc.; Juancho Robles, president and CEO of ChanRobles & Company CPAs; and Rhea Anicoche-Tan, president and CEO of Beautéderm.
“As we mark our 10th year as an organization, it is only fitting that we honor the partners who have helped us grow, sustain The Eddys, and champion Filipino talent through every milestone,” incoming president Mauricio-Arriola said. “Their continued support reflects our shared commitment to excellence in Philippine entertainment.”
SPEEd will also acknowledge member publications for their editorial support in upholding the organization’s mission to promote integrity, professionalism, and responsible entertainment journalism.
The ceremony is held at the Bayanihan Center, a modern events venue within the Unilab compound in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
ABS-CBN is giving viewers a chance to win up to P2.5 million while watching its primetime shows on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2 through its “Tutok 2gether” promo.
The promotion, running from Feb. 16 to April 17, invites viewers to tune in to primetime favorites, including TV Patrol , Batang Quiapo Roja , and Lies Beneath , airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2.
To participate, viewers must watch any of the shows from Monday to Friday, spot the Kapamilya word—”Love,” “Joy,” or “Hope”—that appears on the TV screen, log in to joinnow.ph submit the answer, and complete the registration form to secure their entry. Prizes include 20 daily winners of P2,000 each, two weekly winners of P20,000, and two grand winners of P200,000.
Viewers can catch TV Patrol at 6:30 p.m. for news and
information, follow Tanggol’s action-packed encounters in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo at 8:00 p.m., enjoy emotional revelations in Roja at 8:45 p.m., and follow thrilling mysteries in What Lies Beneath at 9:30 p.m. To find Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2, viewers can turn on their digital set-top box, press the scan button on the remote, and select ALLTV2.
The weeknight lineup features ‘Roja,’ with Donny Pangilinan (left) and Kyle Echarri among the faces drawing viewers into the primetime block
Dantes and Iza Calzado
the oath-taking for SPEEd’s 2026 board as the group marks a new leadership term
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
N O W & N E X T
By Jasper Valdez
THE bigger risk today is not artificial intelligence taking over jobs, but people falling behind. As this new technology becomes part of everyday work, the pressure to adapt is growing.
AI won’t replace you, but it will change how you work
That message came through clearly during the InnoVision 2026 Campus Series, a nationwide initiative led by Philippine Coding Camp that brought together more than 1,000 students and educators across five campuses from Feb. 16 to 20.
The program combined conference sessions with hands-on Generative AI certification workshops, linking academic training with real-world industry needs.
For Dr. Gabriel Sampedro of Philippine Coding Camp, the concern is not AI itself, but how people choose to use it.
“AI will replace you if you let it—but it will do a horrible job,” he said, stressing that the technology is meant to support, not take over. “AI isn’t meant to replace us, it’s meant to amplify us.”
Experiences from the field reflect how this shift is already unfolding in day-to-day work. Engr. Eliseo Cacalda III of Toyota said AI has already changed how engineers work, speeding up processes and opening new possibilities.
“It doesn’t replace jobs—it evolves them,” he said, adding that the real limit now is how far people are willing to explore what the
IN the hyperactive universe of online fandom, even a few inches can become headline material. That was the curious subplot during a recent gaming livestream by Will Ashley, who found himself once again fielding remarks from bashers fixated on his “average” frame.
“These people made bashing a source of living already. Can’t they find new issues to talk about apart from my height? It’s been five years, and it just comes back again and again. Can’t they just come up with fresh things? I’m way past this already,” the actor said, noting that he stands 5’7”.
“What can I do if this is what the Lord has given me? I appreciate it and am still grateful for it,” he said. If critics insist on counting inches, Ashley prefers to count skills. The actor ticked them off one by one.
“Modesty aside, God has given me numerous talents: I can sing, dance, and act. I can also do modeling. And yes, I’m a gamer, too! So, you see, I can do lots of things,” he said.
He added with a laugh, “I guess, if you compare that with my height, it’s more than enough compensation. That will be one versus five. I mean, what can my height do against my talents, right?”
Ashley, who finished second in the first season of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition , admitted that the criticism once affected him.
“Before, I felt affected by comments in which bashers would acknowledge my looks and talents but mock my height. As days went by, I got used to it and developed stronger selfconfidence,” he recalled.
These days, his attention is on work. Ashley is gearing up for the March 2 premiere of The Secrets of Hotel 88 , a dramamystery collaboration between GMA Network and ABS-CBN. The series, directed by Henry King Quitain, will air on the Kapuso primetime block and stream on iWant.
“All of us are busy with the promo of our show which is lined up in the Kapuso primetime block,” he said, naming co-stars Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Bianca De Vera, Dustin Yu, Klarisse de Guzman, Ralph De Leon, River Joseph, Esnyr Ranollo, Josh Ford, AZ Martinez, Kira Balinger, and Xyriel Manabat * * *
technology can do.
The same changes are starting to reshape how schools prepare students for future roles. Dr. Mark Celis of Lyceum of the Philippines University Cavite noted that while some routine roles may disappear, new ones will take their place. The bigger risk, he said, lies with those who refuse to adapt.
“Teachers should not be complacent,” he said, pointing out that those who embrace AI will have an edge over those who don’t.
Changes are already being introduced in classrooms to reflect these new demands.
Dean Arlene Caballero of LPU Manila said students are being trained not only to use AI tools but also to apply them in a way that improves their work. These skills are tied to microcredentials that can later support employment.
“We have to catch up,” she said. “Employers will look for people who know how to use AI.”
Beyond technical skills, speakers also emphasized the need to keep the human side of the work intact. Prof. Abtar Darshan Singh, UNESCO Chair on Harnessing Innovations in Technology to Support Teachers and Quality Learning at the Asia Pacific University, said AI outputs still depend on human judgment, especially in evaluating and refining results. Without that, she warned, the results can fall short.
“If you do not add the human into the whole equation, then you are going to get some kind of outputs that are questionable,” she said.
Prof. Arun Kumar Sangaiah of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology added that how people use AI matters more than the technology itself.
“How far we are using the technology is more important,” he said.
ELSEWHERE in the ever-watchful confines of “Bahay ni Kuya,” friendship took center stage for actress Pablo and fellow housemate Cayetano during their time on the second season of Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition
“Actually, we’re already close even as kids,” Pablo revealed. “Our friendship dates back to when we were like 9 or 7 years old. We used to watch movies together and eat in their restaurant since her family owns a Japanese resto.”
She said she was caught off guard when she saw a familiar face inside the house.
“I was surprised when I saw her inside the house. I was so happy because there’s someone whom I’m already friends with!” she said.
Living together only strengthened the bond.
“It’s because we realized that we have the same vibes. We’re both the quiet type. There are times when I’m demure, and I’ll just go to her,” Pablo shared.
Asked to describe Cayetano, she kept it simple: “She’s a very sweet girl.”
Home bakers, culinary students, and small bakery owners are invited to explore the latest baking appliances, live demos, and special deals at the WOFEX Drinks + Bakes Cake Fiesta Manila 2026. The three-day event runs Feb. 25 to 27 at the World Trade Center Manila in Pasay City.
During the showcase, the company will display its range of baking and kitchen appliances at Booth 703, offering discounts of up to 30 percent on select items. Visitors can also receive instant freebies by following, posting, or tagging Hanabishi on social media, along with limited-edition merchandise and giveaways.
“At Hanabishi, we understand the needs of Filipino moms and home bakers,” said Cherish Ong-Chua , vice president for finance and marketing. “We offer durable, affordable appliances to make baking at home easier.”
A highlight of the event will be a live baking session with popular baker and content creator MareCakes on Feb. 27 at 10:00 a.m. The session, titled “Level Up with MareCakes,” will include free tasting and practical tips using Hanabishi appliances, reflecting the brand’s “Quality that Grows with You” philosophy. Ong-Chua added that the showcase
and
Sofia Pablo (right) opens up
reconnecting with Caprice Cayetano and growing closer during their time inside the house
A panel of experts consisting of (from left) Mark Celis, Arlene Caballero, Gabriel Sampedro, Abtar Darshan Singh,
Cacalda III discuss
Next-gen fashion innovators turn heads with daring debut
OVER 270 bold new looks strutted down the runway at the 10th anniversary showcase of Sinulid, held at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay City. Themed “Awanggan,” an archaic Tagalog term meaning “limitless,” the show celebrated the graduating class of the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
The event marked a double milestone: a decade of Sinulid’s innovation and 30 years of Benilde’s FDM program. Ninety-one student designers transformed the runway into a playground of imagination, using fashion to explore the body, space, identity, and time.
Tee off
Rainer Joshua Dysanco presents his ‘Race Reverie’ collection on Benilde’s runway
The showcase unfolded in three acts—”Takipsilim,” “Hating Gabi,” and “Bukang Liwayway,” featuring a mix of ready-to-wear, contemporary, and avant-garde creations. Each ensemble reflected rigorous training in design and business strategy, highlighting the emerging generation’s ability to push creative boundaries on a global scale. Special citations went to standout graduands, including Aniann Maurel Bonotano (Yahay), Mabyn Faith De Vera (4Three), Rainer Joshua Dysanco (Race Reverie), Amanda Antonette Garcia (Hypervision), Ashanti Nicole Medes (LRTW), Jillian Ngo (The Armor Paradox), and Mishika Sasakura (Class Dismissed). Awards were also handed to soon-to-graduate talents for Design Concept, Surface Design, Digital Portfolio, Brand Concept, and Emerging Creative Talent.
More than 90 of the debut collections are now available in a digital exhibition. Fashion enthusiasts can explore the full roster of innovative designs at benilde.edu.ph/sinulid/ and follow the program on facebook.com/BenildeFDM.
luxe fashion
By Nickie Wang
THE fairways have a new front row, and this season it is dressed for the Lunar New Year.
At its Manila flagship store, Malbon Golf Philippines ushered in the Year of the Horse with a capsule that felt like a couture clubhouse. The Year of the Horse Collection, an Asia-exclusive release available in the Philippines, Vietnam, and China, signals how Chinese fashion influences are trotting confidently into the mainstream. Held on Feb. 18, the launch turned the store into a cultural stage headlined by the collection itself.
For this collection, the brand leaned into deep, textured tones, refined silhouettes, and premium fabrication. The result is Lunar New Year dressing with restraint and polish. Tracksuits, skirts, track pants, and jackets move effortlessly from tee time to dinner plans, carrying the label’s hybrid DNA of sport and street. It is heritage filtered through a modern lens, where symbolism is subtle but still unmistakably present. In doing so, Malbon Golf positions Chinese aesthetics as a design language with global reach, one that continues to shape fashion conversations across Asia.
Chinese fashion has been steadily reshaping regional style conversations, and the capsule leaned into that mood. It suggested that celebration no longer needs to be loud to be powerful. Strength, motion, and forward momentum, traits tied to the Horse, were expressed through clean lines and wearable structure.
playful, youthful edge.
LUXURY fashion brand Coach unveiled its Fall 2026 collection at a packed runway show at The Cunard Building in downtown New York on Thursday, drawing on classic American style while putting a modern twist on youth culture.
Creative director Stuart Vevers drew inspiration from across decades and geographies, mixing tailored sportswear, evening gowns, repurposed denim, and vintage-inspired jerseys to create a collection that reflects optimism, resourcefulness, and creativity.
“This season channels a shared sense of optimism as we follow a new generation into their next adventure,” Vevers said.
The collection featured leather and shearling jackets, flared wool and denim trousers, and high-collared evening dresses that combined classical tailoring with grunge touches. Varsity jackets took center stage, including leather, wool, and, for the first time, all-shearling versions layered over cropped ‘70s-inspired jackets. Knitwear highlighted handcrafted details, and shrunken T-shirts and one-of-a-kind repurposed jerseys added a
Coach also debuted footwear, including the new laceless Coach Skate Sneaker, inspired by 1970s suede and canvas designs, and a series of bags exploring horizontal shapes and the house’s signature turnlock and kisslock hardware. Jewelry with celestial motifs and varsity-striped accessories completed the collection.
Guests watched the show under dramatic lighting that highlighted the neoRenaissance Cunard Building’s coffered ceilings, combining the city’s architectural history with the collection’s American storytelling.
Coach, founded in New York in 1941, continues to champion accessible luxury with pieces designed to last, reflecting the brand’s vision of inclusive, fearless fashion. In the Philippines, Coach is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Makati, Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 5, City of Dreams, Rustan’s Cebu, Mall of Asia (Pop-up), and online at Trunc.ph and Rustans.com.
Designer Zoe Althea Agnes debuts her ‘Wandering Reverie’ collection at Sinulid
Stuart Vevers’ vision of American style for Coach’s Fall 2026 collection, blending heritage influences with modern design codes on the New York runway
Arci Muñoz makes an appearance at Malbon Golf Philippines’ Lunar New Year launch, joining guests at the unveiling of the Year of the Horse capsule
Guests take part in immersive in-store activities as Malbon Golf Philippines transforms its flagship into a cultural retail experience for the seasonal launch
