By Maricel V. Cruz and Charles Dantes
and
‘Defense aims for ICC mistrial’
Trillanes says Baligod claims to be invoked by Rody’s lawyer
By Ram Superable Katrina Manubay, Maricel V. Cruz, Rex Espiritu and Charles Dantes
THE allegations of a group of 18 former security personnel that $2 million exchanged hands to facilitate the investigation into the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte aims to derail the ongoing hearing before the International Criminal Court, ex-senator Antonio Trillanes IV said.
“As for the allegation, its purpose is to tarnish the integrity of the ICC proceedings currently taking place in The Hague. The objective is to create doubt about the proceedings,” Trillanes said.
‘No proven link between Rody’s speeches, killings’
By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes
THERE is no proven link between the “uniquely colorful and crusty” speeches of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defense lawyer told the International Criminal Court Thursday. On the third day of a hearing to decide whether Duterte should face trial on crimes against humanity charges over his war on drugs, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the prosecution
By Charles Dantes and Minerva Newman
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
yesterday inspected the newly upgraded Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) here and declared that the facility enables the national government to directly provide food packs and other humanitarian aid, as well as strengthen disaster response and preparedness across the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
“This is the first time that the national government is giving away food packs. Previously, we were getting it at random from various sources, but now we have
By Pot Chavez
By Maricel Cruz
“The resolutions for Zaldy Co’s Plunder case and Revilla’s Malversation case are
By Ram Superable
in Congress,
DISASTER READY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian check out the mechanized production center of the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) of the DSWD in Mandaue City, Cebu, where vacuum sealing is now machine-operated to make the food packs last longer and be more protected. PCO
KANLAON UNREST. Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental erupts anew at
(Phivolcs).
REBUTTAL. Lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman on Thursday presents his rebuttal of the crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte during the confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court. ICC
Based on the information he received, Trillanes said Duterte’s lead defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman may invoke the allegation of a bribe offer to seek a mistrial of the ICC hearing.
“This didn’t happen randomly.
Duterte’s camp is really behind this because they stand to benefit most from this. It was really set up to ignite certain emotions,” he said, adding that former lawmaker Mike Defensor was also part of the group.
Lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 ex-security officials of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co earlier claimed they distributed some P805 billion to several officials, including about P115 million (about $2 million) to support the ongoing investigation of the ICC.
Baligod also claimed the ICC investigators exchanged cash amounting to $2 million in December 2023, and that Co and Trillanes funded the hotel accommodations of the ICC investigators.
As this developed, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC belied the allegations of Baligod’s group.
‘’OTP activities are funded through the Court’s budget approved by the ICC Assembly of States Parties and
subject to established oversight mechanisms,’’ the OTP said in a statement sent to GMA Integrated News.
‘’The costs related to OTP prosecutions and investigations activities, including missions’ expenses are fully covered by this budget managed strictly by the Office in an independent and transparent manner, and in accordance with ICC financial rules and regulations,’’ it added.
In a separate statement sent to ABSCBN News, the OTP said it “independently collects information relevant to its investigations, identifies the individuals from whom it collects witness statements, and assesses the credibility, reliability, and relevance of all sources of information it requests and receives.”
“It examines incriminating and exonerating evidence equally. The disclosure of information in the cases before the Court is strictly regulated by the ICC legal framework and under the control of independent ICC Judges.”
Baligod on Thursday admitted he made a mistake in naming Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima as among the recipients of suitcases filled with cash, saying it was an “error” on his part.
“I want to make it clear, at this point, it could be an oversight on my part that she was included in the list that created
the impression that she also received suitcases filled with kickbacks,” he said in a radio interview.
De Lima was not yet a lawmaker when the alleged kickbacks from flood control projects supposedly changed hands.
“Whether it’s in a suitcase or a paper bag or whatever, it’s clearly just an invention. Their story immediately became complicated because of the open lies and insults to me again…Baligod is playing fast and loose with his license to practice law,” De Lima said.
“It is extremely laughable that they are making it appear that I was among those who received a suitcase,” she added.
The Palace yesterday also pushed back against Defensor, who claimed another batch of former soldiers is set to testify about an alleged multi-billion-peso bribery scheme.
Presidential Communications Office
Undersecretary Claire Castro questioned Defensor’s motives, saying he has consistently called for the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Mike Defensor, the known wonder boy. Many of his speeches urge our countrymen to remove our President from office. We already know the motive,” Castro said.
But for Vice President Sara Duterte, Co’s former security personnel have shown courage in speaking out.
In a statement, Duterte said she had long been aware of alleged links between some Philippine officials and ICC investigators involved in activities within the country.
“This issue is not political. It is not merely a personal feud. It concerns the fundamental principle of our national sovereignty and the boundaries of foreign institutions’ interference in our domestic affairs,” the Vice President said.
“Sovereignty is not a principle to be invoked when convenient and abandoned when expedient. Sovereignty should not depend on who benefits and should not shift with political winds,” she added.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte 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.
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.
NACC exec guests at Plaridel forum today
NATIONAL Authority for Child Care (NACC) Assistant Secretary for Operation and Services Rowena Macalintal will be the guest in the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel today at the Rizal Park Hotel, South Road Drive, T. M. Kalaw Ext., Ermita Manila. Macalintal will talk about Republic Act 11222 or the Simulated Birth Rectification Act, as well as the widespread reports of the online selling of babies during the 10 a.m. public service program hosted by the Association of Philippine Journalists- Samahang Plaridel Foundation, Inc. and sponsored by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, PAGCOR and PCSO.
APJ-Samahang Plaridel president Evelyn Quiroz is inviting the public and members of the media to attend the forum and participate in the discussion.
we will proceed to the initial vetting of cases,” he said, adding that the session will be closed to the public.
An anti-corruption group led by former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno filed the ethics complaint against dela Rosa, citing his absence from Senate sessions since November 2025 and alleging that it constitutes neglect of duty.
The group, called Wag Kang KuCorrupt, asked the committee to determine whether Senate rules and ethical standards were violated by the continued absence.
Dela Rosa has not attended plenary sessions since Nov. 10 after reports surfaced of an alleged International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
He is the sixth senator to face an ethics complaint before the chamber’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Sotto, meanwhile, vowed that the Senate leadership will review the ethics complaints filed against dela Rosa in light of his nearly four months of absence from duty.
He said discussions are needed to clarify and possibly strengthen the chamber’s rules on sanctions for members who fail to attend sessions for an extended period.
Currently, Sotto admitted that the Senate lacks clear provisions outlining penalties for prolonged absences, limiting the body’s ability to impose discipline.
The only clear authority at present is the power to remove a senator from committee assignments for repeated nonattendance.
Dela Rosa has been removed from several committee memberships due to his continued absence.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri recently moved to replace dela Rosa with Senator Joel Villanueva in the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
will allow its members to vote on the impeachment complaints filed against Duterte based on their conscience.
“No, this is not the party stand. This is just the consensus of the ones that I have talked to. We will have another formal meeting. I doubt that there will be a uniform party stand here. Because there is just too much division among our members,” Puno said.
“The direction now is that we probably will have a conscience vote, that everybody will be allowed to vote the way he wants to vote. There is no clear bias or leaning towards either side at this point. So, we are very divided right now. So, we ended up with, sige, let’s see what the evidence will show,” he added.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration would not interfere with the party’s position, noting that it is independent in determining its course of action.
“Decision po nila iyan. That is their decision. They have the freedom to decide, but they are not being held back by our President and this administration,” Castro said when asked for reaction to the NUP statement.
Puno made the remarks after the party released a statement on Wednesday night saying it will “most likely” not support Duterte’s impeachment if no “compelling new evidence” is presented.
“We do not penalize our members for expressing their opinion. We penalize our members when there is a party stand that is agreed upon by everybody, and they do not hold to it. And the only penalty naman we impose is they can leave the party,” he clarified.
“Because if they don’t want to believe what we talked about, that’s okay. But no, we don’t penalize people for expressing their beliefs or having beliefs different from the others in the party,” Puno noted.
The NUP said in the statement that it is open to supporting the Duterte impeachment if there is “new and material evidence that would warrant a
also granted Duterte’s request not to attend the hearing on his detention scheduled for today.
had failed to show his client had directly ordered any murders.
“There is no smoking gun in this case,” Kaufman told the three-judge panel at the ICC.
“Not one witness relevant to any of the 49 incidents with which Mr. Rodrigo Duterte is charged will testify that he received a direct order from the former president to go out and kill someone,” added the lawyer.
Duterte has not attended the proceedings, waiving his right to appear. Kaufman says the 80-year-old is not mentally fit to follow the hearing.
The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC
derived from the evidence, and ultimately the recommendation for either filing or dismissal.”
of its release.
Martinez explained that the review of the cases’ resolutions will cover the “handling of prosecutors’ discussion of the evidence submitted, the law applied, the legal and factual conclusions
relief operations in Mindanao.
He said the VDRC is equipped with five new mechanized production system (MPS) lines designed and built specifically for the Philippines, costing some P117 million for the upgrade that can now produce up to 30,000 family food packs (FFPs) per eight-hour shift, tripling its previous output capacity.
The VDRC currently has four million food packs in storage, ready for distribution, but will continue producing until
Once signed by the Division Chief, it will be forwarded to PG (Prosecutor General) for his final review. If PG has any revisions, the draft resolution will be transmitted back to the handling panel of prosecutors,” he said. Meanwhile, he clarified that since Co
the facility reaches over the five million level. Should there be unused FFPs, the President gave assurance that food packs nearing expiration will be distributed free of charge to those in need as part of the government’s aid system.
The new system not only accelerates production but also uses machine-operated vacuum sealing to prolong the shelf life of food packs, making them infestation-free and ready for long-term storage and prepositioning in disaster-prone regions. The facility is serving several fire emergencies and other ongoing disaster response efforts, including areas affected by volcanic activity.
The lack of evidence of a “causal nexus” between Duterte’s words and alleged crimes “should be sufficient to convince any reasonable bystander... that Rodrigo Duterte is innocent of these charges levelled at him,” said Kaufman.
Earlier in the week, the prosecution laid out its case: that Duterte played a “pivotal” role in a campaign of extrajudicial killings that saw thousands murdered.
Duterte personally drew up death lists, incited murders and then boasted about them afterwards, prosecutors alleged.
They showed multiple videos of the former president threatening to murder alleged drug users and joking about his skills in extrajudicial killing.
failed to submit his counter-affidavit, “the resolution will be based entirely on the evidence submitted by the [National Bureau of Investigation] NBI and the other respondents.
Co, who has been declared a fugitive, is said to hiding out in Europe.
departure from issues that have already been the subject of prior inquiries and extensive public hearings.”
“We insist that it has to be new evidence. Because in the old evidence, we do not see that there is evidence that any of the confidential funds were pocketed… In the previous hearings, there was no evidence that the money was pocketed. Unless I’m wrong. Unless you can show any evidence that proves that the funds goes to the pocket),” Puno explained.
Castro also declined to comment on whether President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. retains substantial support among allies in the chamber amid the impeachment issue.
“We don’t want to put or put the President’s number in the House of Representatives. It is based on the process and the evidence. Whatever you can see, that’s all they can do,” she said.
The Palace has repeatedly maintained that the impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism that should proceed based on evidence presented before lawmakers.
But Kaufman said the prosecution had “cherry picked” speeches, ignoring what he said were dozens of examples of Duterte stressing the need to act within the law.
“Do not kill if you are not in danger of losing your life,” Kaufman cited Duterte as saying in one speech.
Following the week-long “confirmation of charges” hearing, the threejudge panel has 60 days to decide whether to proceed to a full trial.
A lawyer representing the victims told the ICC on Tuesday that the court was the “last refuge” for loved ones in their search for justice.
Kaufman said: “The defense does not disrespect the soul of any deceased person, nor does it make light of the loss of life.” With AFP
The Association of Philippine Journalists Samahang Plaridel was established in October 2003 with veteran journalists Max Soliven, Jullie Yap Daza, Adrian Cristobal, Neal Cruz, Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil, Rod Reyes, Crispulo Icban and Rolando Estabillo as founding officers.
For inquiries about Samahang Plaridel, call or visit executive secretary Nelly Lumbaca at the Samahang Plaridel office located at the 2/F Royal Bay Terrace Condominium, U.N. Ave., for. Cortada St., Ermita, Manila with tels. 83540434 or 09686601740 or email at apjsamahangplaridel@gmail.com.
P3,500/mo...
to ISFs in accessing the formal housing market under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
He said the measure would also serve as an option for the temporary relocation of families displaced by natural or man-made disasters.
“Financial aid to low-income families or displaced individuals helps them afford decent housing in the rental market, acting as a flexible safety net when permanent solutions are not immediate,” Romualdez said. He added that the program would improve access to jobs and schools while serving as a bridge to permanent housing.
Acidre cited the Constitution’s mandate for the State to undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of urban land reform and housing to make decent housing and basic services available at affordable cost to underprivileged and homeless citizens.
Under HB 7230, ISFs are defined as households occupying private or public land without the owner’s consent, lacking legal claim over the property, or residing in danger areas such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines and waterways, as defined in Republic Act No. 11201 or the DHSUD Act.
Meanwhile, the malversation case lodged against Revilla is in relation to an alleged P92.8 million anomalous infrastructure project in Pandi, Bulacan.
The former senator is also facing graft and malversation cases before the Sandiganbayan and is currently detained at the new Quezon City jail.
He has been out of the country since July 2025, and is facing a plunder complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly accepting kickbacks on flood control irregularities.
The Visayas hub is complemented by the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City. While a temporary hub operates in Mindanao, Marcos announced plans to construct a permanent Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City. VDRC also supports programs such as Emergency Cash Transfer and Cashfor-Work, providing assistance to individuals earning below the minimum wage. Funded through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, the upgraded MPS was completed in July 2025.
This is the third PPC in Central Visayas that provides comprehensive social pro-
tection services for children, individuals, and families in street situations while awaiting reintegration. It also supports the implementation of the Pag-Abot Program under Executive Order No. 52.
“The facility will cater to the three major cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay to ensure the welfare of” families and individuals in street situations (FISS),” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian emphasized that the agency will link beneficiaries to long-term support programs, including economic assistance, livelihood opportunities, educational support, and other social pro-
The bill proposes a rental subsidy of up to P3,500 per month for eligible ISFs in Metro Manila. For other regions, the rate would be determined by the DHSUD and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), based on prevailing minimum wages and rental rates, but not exceeding P3,500 monthly. The subsidy must not exceed the actual rental cost. DHSUD and NEDA may adjust the rates, but not more than once every two years, to reflect economic conditions.
tection services, to prevent FISS from returning to street situations. Marcos also toured the PPC and also inspected the 2nd floor facilities, including the child-minding and multi-purpose areas, the lactation room, the house parents’ room, the male, female, and family sleeping quarters, and the communal bathrooms.
The Chief Executive said his administration is fully committed to assist people living on the streets by providing health services, livelihood assistance, psychosocial support, food, clothing, temporary housing, and other interventions to improve their lives.
PBBM backs cap on unprogrammed funds
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supports adopting a more prudent cap on unprogrammed appropriations under a proposed Philippine Budgeting Code now being drafted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential Communications Office
Undersecretary Claire Castro said the proposal remains under policy development, with the DBM currently preparing the draft measure.
“The Department of Budget and Management is currently in the process of drafting the administration’s proposed Philippine budgeting code, which is intended to institutionalize key fiscal reforms, including clearer parameters governing the level, scope, and conditions for the release of unprogrammed appropriations,” Castro said, reading the agency’s official statement during a Palace briefing.
She said the proposal seeks to ensure that unprogrammed appropriations are confined to “a limited and clearly defined purpose,” preventing their use as a broad or discretionary funding mechanism and reinforcing fiscal discipline.
Under the draft reform, the DBM is pushing for a more conservative approach by setting unprogrammed appropriations at a rate lower than 5% of the total national budget, based on historical data and fiscal trends.
The exact threshold remains subject to further deliberation and the President’s approval.
Castro also said Mr. Marcos supports a 3% cap, much lower than the 5% figure.
The draft budgeting code will be submitted for review by the economic team, the Executive Secretary, and ultimately the President.
BI to foreigners: Follow deadline on registrations
By Vito Barcelo
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded all registered foreign nationals in the country to complete their 2026 Annual Report before the March 1 deadline, warning that failure to comply may result in penalties.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the requirement covers foreign nationals holding immigrant and non-immigrant visas who have been issued Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Cards (ACR I-Cards).
Viado said the Annual Report must be completed within the first 60 days of the year to confirm and update registration records with the BI. He urged foreign nationals not to wait until the last minute to avoid long queues and possible surcharges.
BI Alien Registration Division Chief Jose Carlitos Licas Jr. said applicants may process their Annual Report at the BI Main Office in Intramuros, with transactions handled at Robinsons Place Manila, 3rd Level, Center Atrium, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.
PCG dismisses 4 over M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said four of its personnel have been dismissed without honor from the service following an investigation into the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.
In a statement, the PCG cited serious lapses in mandatory pre-departure inspection procedures for the removal of the following Coast Guard personnel from the concerned pre-departure inspection (PDI) team:
Petty Officer First Class Sabhal Turaini Petty Officer Third Class Khalid Asmawil Petty Officer Third Class Al-Yazar Muyong Apprentice Sea-
woman Mar-Iya Anawie
“Due to their failure to conduct an independent verification of the actual number of passengers and proper documentation of the vessel’s load line markings—critical steps to ensure safety at sea,” the PCG said.
Aside from them, more personnel face penalties over the sinking of the vessel.
Petty Officer Third Class Jestoni Barretto, who served as duty office watch, was demoted by one rank due to lack of due diligence in the performance of his duties.
Lieutenant Commander Tristan Jener Erediano and Lieutenant Jason Pagbonocan, who served as station com-
mander and acting station commander in Zamboanga, were suspended for one year without pay.
The two were also ordered to undergo mandatory retraining on proper ship inspection standards, effective supervision of PDI teams, and operational management.
PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the agency does not condone any violation of maritime safety standards.
The Coast Guard will continue to enhance its inspection systems, supervision protocols, and personnel training to ensure public safety at sea, she added.
Panel to study ban on public contracts
By Ram Superable
SENATOR Francis Escudero will preside over Senate hearings on a priority bill that seeks to bar relatives of public officials from entering into government contracts after he was designated to lead a newly formed subcommittee under the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation. Escudero was appointed during a recent plenary session to lead the panel upon the request of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who chairs the parent committee. Lawmakers subsequently referred the measure, filed as Senate Bill No. 783, to Escudero’s subcommittee. The bill prohibits relatives of public officials up to the fourth civil degree of
consanguinity or affinity from entering into any government contract, expanding existing restrictions under Republic Act No. 12009. It defines public officials broadly to include agency heads, governing board members, and any officer or employee exercising policy-determining, supervisory, or managerial functions, including military and uniformed personnel.
The measure covers all types of government contracts with agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local government units, including the procurement of goods and services, infrastructure projects, joint ventures, and publicprivate partnerships, with limited exceptions for highly technical or confidential agreements.
IN BRIEF
Villar eyes probe on rising chronic kidney cases in PH SENATOR Mark Villar expressed grave concern over a looming public health crisis in the country. He filed Senate Resolution No. 313 calling for an urgent inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the Philippines, especially among the youth.
“According to the Department of Health, CKD is hitting younger and younger people in the country—we are also receiving reports of serious kidney disease as young as nine years old,” Villar stressed. Although the country has measures aimed at addressing CKD, there remain observable gaps that must be filled. The rise of ultra-processed foods and changes in people’s diets call for new approaches to curb the increase in this chronic disease.
Solon: Info drive instead of penalties for vaccines
THE chairperson of the House committee on health on Thursday said an aggressive information campaign— not penalties—should be prioritized to address parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated against preventable diseases.
Batanes Lone District Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., who heads the panel, issued the statement in response to a proposal from a Department of Health (DOH) official to consider minor penalties on parents who “consciously neglect” to protect their children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The DOH aims to immunize more than 10 million Filipino children against measles and rubella. However, it noted that the country remains at high risk for vaccinepreventable diseases, with full immunization coverage ranging from 60 to 70 percent from 2018 to 2022.
Maricel V. Cruz
Nartatez: ‘Rights end when violence begins’
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Thursday defended the arrest of two protesters following a confrontation with police during the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution in Quezon City.
Nartatez said police were under strict orders to observe maximum tolerance during Wednesday’s commemoration along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), where groups gathered to mark the 1986 uprising that restored democracy.
“Our protocols are clear: we exercise maximum tolerance. However, when our personnel are physically assaulted or when public safety is at risk, we must act to restore order,” he said. Vince Lopez
FOR THE ELDERLY. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno
Domagoso attends the opening of Olof’s Wife Adult Day Care Center at the corner of Espiritu and P. Ocampo Streets in San Andres on February 26, showing support and appreciation for senior citizens.
NEW MARINES. The Philippine Marine Corps welcomes 330 new Marines following their completion of the six-month Marine Basic Course on Feb. 24, 2026, according to the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office.
‘NO’ TO ARRESTS. Youth group protests arrest of activists Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) troops to the Mandaluyong Police Headquarters at Maysilo Circle on Thursday, Feb. 26, to condemn the arrest of Three Odeña and Edel Parducho during the Feb. 25 People Power anniversary protest in EDSA Ortigas.
AFP clarifies plane’s highway in Pangasinan
By Rex Espiritu
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) on Thursday clarified a reported emergency landing of an American military aircraft in Laoac, Pangasinan on Tuesday, February 24.
“The incident is currently under investigation, and further details will be provided as appropriate.” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told Manila Standard.
According to the her, the activity was part of a joint roadway landing exercise between the United States Air Force and Filipino forces in line with disaster response and national defense operations.
It was earlier reported that five Americans were injured in the incident.
“All pilots and crew were immediately accounted for and are safe. No civilians were injured.” Padilla said.
The AFP emphasized that the exercise was conducted in a controlled training environment.
Prior to reports of the incident, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. personally witnessed the landing operations exercise of the U.S. Special Tactics Team.
The Department of National Defense said the activity marked the first highway landing of a C-146 Wolfhound aircraft in the Philippines, and only the second in Asia.
U.S. forces are allowed to conduct training with Filipino counterparts in the Philippines under a 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement. Large-scale joint combat training drills in recent years have focused on helping the Philippines defend its territorial interests and promote freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, which lies west of Pangasinan.
Solons support move to bolster journos’ security
LEGISLATORS from Camarines
Sur led by siblings Luigi and Migz Villafuerte rally behind a Commission on Human Rights (CHR)’s push for stronger and sustained measures to protect journalists to guarantee press freedom in the country.
“The government should put a premium on both protecting journalists and improving their welfare,” the Villafuerte brothers said. They concurred with the CHR’s position that mediamen’s safety goes beyond physical security alone, but also includes legal, digital, structural and professional protections to ensure independent and ethical reporting.
The Villafuertes said the 20th Congress can support this CHR view on best upholding press freedom by passing this time around “the bill granting media people the same rights enjoyed by their fellow workers in the government and the private sector, such as security of tenure, hazard and overtime pay, mandatory additional insurance coverage and other job-related benefits.”
They recalled that this pro-media proposal was passed by the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress, but it was not enacted into law as the Senate had failed to pass its counterpart measure.
Maricel V. Cruz
CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION. Tourists stand at the doorsteps of the Tabon Caves in Quezon, Palawan labelled by archeologists as the ‘Cradle of Civilization.’ Discovered in 1962, this limestone cavern is home for 47,000-year-old skeletal remains of the Tabon Man, along with 50,000-year-old tools and artifacts suggesting early human occupation of the Palawan archipelago. Dave Leprozo
Tingog party-list pushes PH Open Finance Act
By Maricel V. Cruz
TINGOG Party-list on Thursday underscored the immediate passage of the proposed Philippine Open Finance Act, joining the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and leaders in the financial technology sector in advancing reforms aimed at broadening access to financial services to the people.
For TINGOG, Rep. Jude Acidre, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, open finance is not merely a financial sector reform, but also a structural reform that addresses inequities long felt in the education sector.
Acidre stressed that meaningful access to financial tools directly affects educational mobility and institutional resilience.
“Financial inclusion is educational inclusion. When students, teachers, and university personnel gain fair access to credit, savings, insurance, and
digital financial platforms, we remove structural barriers that limit their ability to pursue education, research, innovation, and professional advancement,” Acidre said.
The BSP has emphasized that open finance will promote transparent, customer-centric, and interoperable financial services. Stakeholders in the fintech sector have likewise called for a clear statutory framework that enables secure, consumer-authorized data sharing to unlock more responsive and competitive financial products.
The measure establishes a secure,
interoperable system for consent-driven financial data sharing. It codifies consumer data rights, mandates the use of secure application programming interfaces (APIs), and promotes competition and innovation while safeguarding data privacy and security.
TINGOG highlighted that the higher education community stands to benefit significantly:
• Students may gain access to education loans, digital wallets, micro-savings, and insurance products—even without traditional banking history;
• Faculty and researchers may access fair credit and financial tools to support academic work, innovation, and professional development;
• Non-teaching personnel, many of whom remain financially underserved, can build credit profiles and access affordable financial services;
• State universities and colleges (SUCs) can adopt more efficient systems for scholarships, stipends, payroll, and broader financial inclusion initiatives.
BLAZING INFERNO.
watch helplessly
a
BOC foils P180-m cigarette smuggling
By Vito Barcelo
THE Bureau of Customs intercepted a ship in the Celebes Sea carrying about ₱180 million worth of illegal cigarettes, preventing them from entering the country. The interdiction was carried out after authorities received reports of suspicious activity at sea.
Working closely with the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Navy – Western Mindanao Naval Command, customs officers tracked and boarded the vessel about 52 nautical miles off Kalamansig Port in Sultan Kudarat.
They found around 3,000 master cases of cigarettes without the required import documents.
The crew, who were brought to the Navy. headquarters for investigation, could not provide proof that the shipment was legal.
The vessel was escorted to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon for proper inspection and documentation.
Customs officials said they will continue strengthening sea patrols to prevent smuggling and protect legitimate businesses.
IN BRIEF
Army, BI forge accord on national security
THE Philippine Army and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have formalized stronger security coordination with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Feb. 23 at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, and Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado inked the accord.. In his remarks, Nafarrete highlighted the importance of thwhole-of-government approach to national defense. For his part, Viado highlighted the BI’s critical role as the country’s front-line agency in monitoring the entry and exit of foreign nationals to the country. Rex Espiritu Nartatez orders closing of all ‘backdoor exits’
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying security operations in TawiTawi to prevent high-profile fugitives from fleeing the country through so-called “backdoor exits.”
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.he has ordered provincial police directors to increase their presence in areas reportedly being used as escape routes by fugitives.
Immigration chief Joel Anthony Viado, acknowledged that monitoring Tawi-Tawi remained a challenge due to its geographic location as the country’s southernmost province bordering Malaysia. The province was reportedly been used as a transit point by ifugitives attempting to flee the country undetected.
Vince Lopez
Misamis gubernatorial bet loses poll protest
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed an election protest filed by former Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia against incumbent Gov. Juliette Uy for lack of merit.
In an eight-page decision issued on Feb. 23, 2026, the Comelec’s First Division ruled that there was no sufficient evidence of anomalies that would justify the opening of ballot boxes and the conduct of a recount.
Unabia had sought to annul Uy’s proclamation and asked to be declared the duly elected governor. In his protest, Unabia questioned the counting, canvassing, and transmission of votes, alleging that valid votes cast in his favor were not properly tallied. Vito Barcelo
Homeowners
as firefighters battle
fire sweeping through their neighborhood in historic Intramuros, also called Walled City, in Manila. Richmond Chi
OPINION
Proper compensation for fallen cop
IN MAY last year, we wrote about the fervent plea of the family of the late Police Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr., chief of the PNP Supply Management Division, who was among those killed in the mid-air collision of a passenger plane and a military helicopter over Washington D.C.’s Potomac river on Jan. 29, 2025. The family had wanted the Philippine National Police to compel the India-based supplier of bulletproof vests to honor the contract provision of travel and health insurance to their deceased kin.
In response to the family’s plea, the Acting PNP Chief then, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. signed on Sept. 12, 2025 a blacklist order against SMPP Limited effective until Sept. 12, 2026.
SMPP Limited holds office in New Delhi, India. It was contracted by the PNP for the supply and delivery of 2,675 Units of AllPurpose Vest (Waistcoat Vest) under Public Bidding No. PNP-GAA24PB-24-09G with contract price of P83,781,000.
But the company failed to comply with the terms of the contract and its representative, Mr. Sinchan Sinha, was suspended and disqualified from participating in all government procurements for one year.
In his blacklist order in Sept. 2025, then Acting PNP Chief Nartatez cited the SMPP Limited for its “failure…to faithfully comply with its contractual obligations without valid cause, or failure by the contractor to comply with any written lawful instruction of the procuring entity or its representative(s), pursuant to the implementation of the contract.”
Malabed, 51, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1998, was on official travel along with a police noncommissioned officer and a non-uniformed personnel.
They had obtained a foreign travel authority to go to India to inspect 2,675 armored vests the PNP wanted to purchase.
Out of the 2,675, they tested six, one of which they left in India and the five others they brought to the Kansas-based American manufacturer for final testing.
From Kansas, Malabed was supposed to travel and pay a courtesy call on Police Attache Colonel Moises Villaceran Jr. in Washington D.C. American Airlines 5342 was preparing to land at the airport when the collision happened. Malabed was identified as among the casualties based on documents, such as the flight manifest and his passport.
The PNP said then it would provide Malabed’s family with all the necessary support after his untimely passing. Camp Crame said Malabed’s passing was a profound loss to the institution, where “he served with honor, integrity and dedication throughout his career.”
Malabed’s family asked Interior Secre-
tary Jonvic C. Remulla and Atty. Brigido J. Dulay, Inspector General of the PNP Internal Affairs Service, to assist them in filing a case against the supplier of the armored vests, SMPP Private Limited (India), to compel the firm to pay the travel and health insurance of the members of the pre-delivery inspection team.
This is based on Section VI-Schedule of Requirement of the Bid Document signed by the contracting parties.
Will the Malabed family get the proper compensation for the untimely demise of the police colonel in the line of duty?
The Malabed family pointed out that while many PNP suppliers follow the requirement to provide travel and health insurance to PNP officers tasked to make predelivery inspection as part of their contract obligation,
SMPP Private Limited (India) had refused to acknowledge its responsibility as per the terms of the contract.
The contract between the PNP and SMPP clearly provides: “All incidental expenses related to and in connection with the conduct of the Pre-Delivery Inspection are included in the determination of the Approved Budget for the Contract. Testing fee, airfare, travel and health insurance and board and lodging shall be at the expense of the supplier.”
The Indian supplier, the Malabed family said in their petition, should be dealt with accordingly for violating the terms of the signed contract.
The travel insurance period should have covered the departure of Col. Malabed and his team from the Philippines and their return to the country.
“It is important to follow the obligations stipulated in the contract to maintain its integrity so that other suppliers will not follow suit. We should not remain silent and simply accept any of the terms of the contract that do not follow the law,” they pointed out.
PNP Chief Gen. Nartatez had vowed to act on this case with a blacklist order against SMPP Limited that’s due to expire in September this year.
The question now is: Will the Malabed family get the proper compensation for the untimely demise of the police colonel in the line of duty? We really hope so. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)w
EDSA @40 through Gospel lens
THE year 2026 marks EDSA’s 40th anniversary. This revolution restored democracy after authoritarian rule. The First Sunday of Lent falls on Feb. 22. This coincides with the historic days of 1986. Millions gathered along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. They came in peaceful resistance and solidarity. The Gospel that Sunday is Matthew 4:1-11. It recounts Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Read alongside EDSA, this Gospel speaks powerfully. It reflects on power and moral testing. It also speaks of conscience and fidelity. The wilderness becomes a mirror for our nation.
Christ confronts three temptations in the desert. Each one revolves around the misuse of power. The first urges Him to turn stones into bread. This reduces mission to selfpreservation and material gain. The second temptation appeals to spectacle. Jesus is challenged to leap from the temple. This demands a dramatic display of divine power. It is a call to seek self-validation through performance.
The third temptation is the most overt. Jesus is offered all the kingdoms of the world. The price is worship and moral compromise. It is a direct bid to seize political authority. Each temptation offers a shortcut to dominance. Each bypasses obedience, sacrifice, and integrity. Jesus rejects all three without hesitation. He grounds His response firmly in Scripture. EDSA’s 40th anniversary demands serious reflection. It invites us to examine our present realities. Democracy, governance, and civic life are at stake. Moral responsibility must be at the center.
The first temptation mirrors a governance danger. Some leaders reduce leadership to
material provision. Short-term assistance replaces structural and lasting reform. Poverty alleviation becomes a tool of political patronage.
The second temptation finds modern parallels. Image-driven politics dominates public discourse today. Social media campaigns and disinformation flourish. Perception dangerously eclipses substance and authenticity. The third temptation also resonates today. Political dynasties concentrate power without accountability. Institutional independence faces constant pressure and threat. Authority divorced from ethics cannot long endure.
Consider Sara Duterte’s 2028 presidential bid. She filed amid her own impeachment proceedings. This was a calculated and deliberate political move. It warns senators who might vote to convict her.
EDSA’s 40th anniversary demands serious reflection. It invites us to examine our present realities
A strong presidential run builds political leverage. She hopes to intimidate senators sitting as judges. Conviction becomes harder when the accused eyes the presidency. That political calculation may actually succeed. Her father Rodrigo faces ICC proceedings separately. She also seeks to influence those processes. A president controls foreign policy and state cooperation. That could
DepEd’s proposed trimestral system
THE Department of Education has floated a significant reform in basic education in the country: shifting public schools from the current quarterly system to a trimestral calendar beginning school year 2026–2027.
This proposal, framed as a response to teacher workload concerns and student learning gaps, has sparked both optimism and skepticism.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara believes the trimestral system has a number of advantages.
One, it will offer teacher workload relief since longer instructional blocks will reduce interruptions from nonacademic activities, giving teachers more time to focus on lesson delivery.
Two, it will lead to improved pacing and deeper learning. By restructuring the year into three terms of 54–61 days each, DepEd hopes to allow sustained teaching periods, remediation, and enrichment activities.
Three, it will align with the recommendations of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or Edcom 2 which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and poor international test performance and presented the trimestral system as one corrective measure.
And four, it will integrate cocurricu-
lar activities. For instance, instead of suspending classes for events like the Palarong Pambansa, DepEd suggests embedding national observances into classroom instruction, minimizing disruptions.
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A pilot program in select schools, with rigorous monitoring and feedback, may be a prudent first step before nationwide implementation
But there are also concerns raised over the trimester proposal. Lessons designed for four quarters may be crammed into three, leading to faster coverage and potential stress for both teachers and learners. A shift in calendar structure necessitates rethinking grading systems,
reporting schedules, and performance criteria.
Instead of easing workload, the change could demand more intensive preparation and adjustment, especially during the transition phase.
The trimestral proposal comes amid declining performance in international assessments like PISA, or the Program for International Student Assessment, where Filipino students scored below global averages in reading, math, and science. Structural reforms are therefore seen as urgent.
The trimestral proposal reflects a genuine attempt to address systemic inefficiencies and teacher workload issues.
Its strengths lie in offering longer teaching periods, structured breaks, and reduced disruptions.
However, the skepticism of teachers’ groups highlights the risk of policy misalignment with classroom realities. If lessons are rushed, grading systems confused, and teachers excluded from planning, the reform could backfire. Ultimately, the success of this initiative depends on consultation, careful curriculum redesign, and phased rollout.
A pilot program in select schools, with rigorous monitoring and feedback, may be a prudent first step before nationwide implementation.
Scam centers ‘destroying’ Cambodia’s economy — PM
BRUSSELS — Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet said Wednesday that scam centers were destroying his country’s economy and giving the nation a bad name — pushing back on allegations of government connivance.
The nation has emerged as a hot spot for crime syndicates running a multibilliondollar fraud industry that sees scammers lure internet users globally into fake romantic relationships and cryptocurrency investments.
“The scam network, what we call the black economy, is destroying our honest economy. It has put a bad reputation on Cambodia,” Hun Manet told AFP in a rare interview with international media, saying this was harming tourism and investment.
“This is the reason why we need to clean this out.”
A clampdown has resulted in thousands of arrests, according to government officials, and the recent extradition to China of a former adviser to Cambodia’s leaders.
But some industry experts have questioned the authenticity of such efforts, pointing to alleged links between Cambodian officials and cyberscam networks.
Hun Manet, who took over as prime minister from his father Hun Sen in 2023, conceded the crime had indirectly boosted some business activities and provided jobs in the country, but denied Cambodia had profited from it.
“Yes, the scam center may produce some direct result to real estate, to some investment, the building, the buying, how to make the centers,” he said.
“But most of the proceeds do not go into the government of Cambodia,” the prime minister said.
Cambodia hosts dozens of the scam centers with an estimated 100,000 people — many victims of human trafficking — perpetrating online scams, experts say.
affect how the Philippines engages The Hague. But the ICC follows its own sovereign logic. No local office can halt its proceedings. Philippine electoral outcomes do not bind international courts. Justice there answers to no local ballot box.
Nevertheless the ICC case against former President Duterte is likely to generate sympathy for him and his daughter’s candidacy.
Persecution narratives are powerful in Philippine politics. Suffering can be reframed as martyrdom and sacrifice. Sara’s campaign will almost certainly exploit this dynamic.
This is the third temptation in living form. Power is being sought to evade accountability. The kingdoms of this world are being pursued. The currency is evasion rather than genuine public service.
The Transfiguration Gospel complements this reflection. Jesus ascends the mountain
A 2024 report by the United States Institute of Peace estimated the return on cyberscamming in Cambodia to exceed $12.5 billion annually — half the country’s formal GDP— but Hun Manet denied the country was dependent on scams.
“A lot of people were saying that the GDP of Cambodia relies on the scam. No. We rely on pure economies such as tourism, manufacturing, and others,” he said.
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The nation has emerged as a hot spot for crime syndicates running a multibilliondollar fraud industry
Operating from various Southeast Asian countries, those conducting the scams are sometimes willing volunteers, sometimes trafficked foreign nationals who have been trapped and forced to work under threat of torture.
Initially largely targeting Chinese speakers — from whom they have extracted billions, prompting rising public anger — the scammers have expanded their operations into multiple languages to steal vast sums from victims around the world.
‘Kingpin’ Last year, a series of crackdowns largely driven by Beijing — which wields significant economic and diplomatic influence in the region — saw thousands of scam workers released from centers in Myanmar and Cambodia and repatriated to their home countries, many of them to China.
The push netted its biggest player so far in January, with the arrest and extradition
with three disciples. His face shines and His garments turn radiant. Moses and Elijah appear beside Him in glory. The Father’s voice breaks through the brightness. “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” This moment illuminates before the darkness of suffering. It strengthens the disciples for trials ahead.
of Chinese-born tycoon Chen Zhi from Cambodia.
Chen, who had been indicted in October by US authorities, served as an adviser to both Hun Manet and his father.
“We did not know that he was the kingpin,” Hun Manet told AFP in Brussels, where he stopped as part of an international trip to shore up diplomatic support over a border conflict with Thailand.
A background check did not raise red flags, he added, noting that Chen’s Prince Group conglomerate, which US authorities say was a cover for a “sprawling cyberfraud empire,” had a presence in many countries including Britain.
Since around 2015, Prince Group has operated across more than 30 countries under the guise of legitimate real estate, financial services and consumer businesses, US prosecutors said.
Before allegations against him were brought forward, to Phnom Penh he was “just a businessman, contributing to the economy”.
“Whatever the activities, we (did) not know,” Hun Manet said, adding the authorities took action when they learnt about the alleged wrongdoing.
Chen directed operations of forced labour compounds across Cambodia, where trafficked workers were held in prison-like facilities surrounded by high walls and barbed wire, according to US prosecutors. Prince Group has denied the allegations. Hun Manet said his former advisor was extradited to China rather than the US due to his citizenship.
Chen was stripped of his Cambodian nationality after it emerged he used a fake document to obtain it, the prime minister said. That left him with “only Chinese nationality” — compelling Cambodian authorities to extradite him to his home country, he added. AFP
EDSA’s anniversary calls us to introspection. We must ask whether 1986 still guides us. Have its principles shaped our public life? Or have they become mere ceremonial memory?
This anniversary is not only remembrance. It is a call to sustained civic engagement. It challenges Filipinos to resist present temptations. It renews our commitment to truth and justice.
Freedom and democracy require continuous vigilance. They demand moral courage and daily fidelity. The wilderness and the mountain both teach this. May EDSA’s 40th year deepen that commitment.
EDSA was the Philippines’ own mountain moment. A people united in peaceful moral resistance. The Aquino restoration symbolized democracy reclaimed. But descending the mountain brought its own long struggle. Institutions had to be rebuilt and sustained. Democratic culture required patient, daily cultivation. The task proved harder than the revolution itself. That work continues to this day. Political polarization remains a serious challenge. Institutional fragility has not been overcome. Inequality persists across regions and generations. Contested histories continue to divide the nation. Disinformation spreads rapidly through digital platforms. Image-driven politics rewards performance over substance. Patronage networks weaken civic and democratic culture. The wilderness temptations are alive and present.
Vance to Iran: Take threats ‘seriously’
WASHINGTON, DC – US Vice President JD Vance told Iran on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) to take Washington’s threats of military action “seriously,” a day after President Donald Trump appeared to build the case for war in his State of the Union address.
As US forces mass in the Middle East, Trump claimed in his speech to Congress on Tuesday that Iran was seeking to develop missiles that can strike the United States.
Trump also accused the Islamic republic, whose negotiators will meet US officials in Geneva on Thursday, of having
“sinister nuclear ambitions” and working to rebuild a nuclear program that was targeted by US strikes last year.
Vance said that while Trump was going to try to get Iran to make a deal “diplomatically,” the US president also had the “right” to use military action.
“You can’t let the craziest and worst
regime in the world have nuclear weapons,” Vance told “America’s Newsroom” on Fox News.
Iran has repeatedly denied that it is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, and has rejected Trump’s claims about its missile program as “big lies.”
“The president has a number of other tools at his disposal to ensure this doesn’t happen,” said Vance. “He’s shown a willingness to use them and I hope the Iranians take it seriously in the negotiations tomorrow because that’s certainly what the president prefers.”
The US vice president said the Trump administration was “hopeful that we’re able to come to a good resolution without the military but if we have to use the
military the president of course has that right as well.” His comments came as the United States announced fresh sanctions targeting Iran, pressing on with what Washington calls its “maximum pressure” campaign. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier struck an upbeat tone, saying there was a “favorable outlook” for the negotiations as his Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team arrived in Switzerland. But while Trump said he preferred a diplomatic solution, he also set out what appeared to be the justifications for possible military action in the first State of the Union address of his second term. AFP
US-Ukraine talks open in Geneva after overnight Russian strikes
GENEVA – Kyiv and Washington were set to open a new round of talks in Geneva Thursday aimed at ending Moscow’s four-year invasion of Ukraine, as Russia launched fresh strikes overnight.
The meeting will bring together Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with a full trilateral session involving Russia expected in early March.
The meetings are the latest round of negotiations spearheaded by Trump that so far have failed to make meaningful progress on ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Washington is pushing to bring an end to the war triggered by Russia’s fullscale invasion, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and destroyed swathes of territory, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Russian state news agency Tass reported the Kremlin’s economic affairs envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, also plans to be in the Swiss city.
“Dmitriev plans to arrive in Geneva on Thursday to pursue negotiations with the Americans on economic issues,” it cited an unnamed source as saying. Kyiv hopes tangible progress in Geneva could pave the way for talks at the leaders’ level. Hours before the meeting, Russian forces launched a wave of attacks in Ukraine before dawn.
AFP journalists heard several explosions in central Kyiv shortly after authorities warned of incoming targets.
Hillary to testify in House panel’s Epstein
NEW YORK – Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton is to testify behind closed doors Thursday (Friday, Manila time) before a congressional committee investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to answer questions the following day from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee about his relations with Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The Clintons had initially rejected subpoenas ordering them to testify in the panel’s probe, but the Democratic power couple eventually agreed to do so after
House Republicans threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress.
Democrats say the investigation is being weaponized to attack political opponents of Republican President Donald Trump -- himself a former Epstein associate who has not been called to testify -- rather than to conduct legitimate oversight.
Trump and Bill Clinton, both 79, feature prominently in the recently released trove of government documents related to Epstein, but have each said they broke ties with the financier before his 2008 conviction in Florida as a sex offender. Mere mention in the files is not proof of having committed a crime.
probe
The Clintons called for their depositions to be public but the committee insisted on questioning them behind closed doors, a move Bill Clinton denounced as “pure politics” and akin to a “kangaroo court.”
“If they want answers, let’s stop the games & do this the right way: in a public hearing, where the American people can see for themselves what this is really about,” the former Democratic president said on X.
Hillary Clinton, 78, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump, said in an interview with the BBC last week that she and her husband “have nothing to hide.” AFP
Carney flies to Asia to promote Canada as US ties falter
trade to offset the damage of his country’s fracturing relations with the United States.
Carney’s India visit marks the latest effort to reset bilateral ties that effectively collapsed after Ottawa accused New Delhi of orchestrating a deadly campaign against Sikh activists on Canadian territory.
For Carney, the trip that includes stops in Australia and Japan is part of a broad effort to pivot the Canadian economy away from excessive reliance on its southern neighbor.
In 2024, before US President Donald Trump returned to office and upended global trade through a flurry of tariffs, more than 75 percent of Canadian exports went to the United States. Two-way trade that year exceeded $900 billion. US tariffs targeting specific sectors have hurt the Canadian economy over the past year.
But Trump has so far broadly adhered to the North American free trade agreement he signed during his first term and 85 percent of US-Canada trade remains tariff-free.
The US president has said, however, that he may scrap that deal, calling it “irrelevant” with “no real advantage” to the United States. Carney has made boosting commerce with Europe and Asia cornerstones of his strategy to backstop Canada’s economy, should free trade with Washington collapse.
North Korea willing to ‘get along’ with US
SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suggested his country could “get along” with the United States but declared that South Korea -- Washington’s security ally -- remained its “most hostile” enemy, state media reported Thursday. Kim made the remarks at the end of a landmark party congress, urging Washington to respect Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear power.
His words came as speculation grows that US President Donald Trump may seek some kind of meeting with Kim on the sidelines of a visit to China in April. If Washington “respects our country’s current status as stipulated in the Constitution... and withdraws its hostile policy... there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States”, Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
But he appeared to close the door on any notion of building closer ties with South Korea, saying he would “permanently exclude” Seoul as one of his nation’s “compatriots”. AFP
US arrests ex-AF pilot for training Chinese
WASHINGTON, DC – The US Justice Department announced the arrest on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) of a former Air Force fighter pilot who allegedly trained Chinese military personnel without authorization.
Gerald Brown, 65, was arrested in Indiana after having recently returned to the United States from China, where he had been since Dec. 2023, a Justice Department statement said.
He is accused of having “conspired with foreign nationals to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force” without a required license from the US State Department, the statement said.
Brown had a 24-year career in the US Air Force during which he “commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft.”
University of Toronto public policy expert Drew Fagan said Carney was wise to pursue other markets, calling for a strategy that seeks to do “more elsewhere, when there’s an opportunity.” AFP Vance kicks off ‘war on fraud’ WASHINGTON, DC – US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday announced a freeze on funding for medical benefits for the Democratic-led state of Minnesota, a day after President Donald Trump tapped him to lead a “war on fraud.” Minnesota has been in the Republican administration’s crosshairs over claims of benefit fraud, which it has blamed on the Somali community, and an immigration crackdown in which federal agents shot dead two Americans in January. “We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota,” Vance told a news conference, referring to the US health insurance program for lowincome Americans. The federal government would freeze $259 million in payments to Minnesota, said Mehmet Oz, the TV doctor who is now Trump’s administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). AFP
‘FULL CONTROL.’ This handout photograph taken and released Wednesday by the press service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar
Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces shows a Ukrainian serviceman from a mobile rifle team tasked with protecting military personnel and civilians from Russian drones near Druzhkivka in the Donetsk Oblast, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. AFP
MISSILE ISSUE PRESSED. Iranians walk past a street vendor preparing food in downtown Tehran on Wednesday. An Iranian delegation headed by its top diplomat set off for Geneva that day for talks with the US, as the Islamic republic’s president struck an upbeat tone about the prospect for a negotiated agreement to avert fresh conflict. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened strikes if Iran fails to cut a deal on its atomic program, and in his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, the US president accused Tehran of ‘sinister nuclear ambitions’ after he ordered a massive military deployment around the Gulf. AFP
Spurs win 10th straight; Pistons silence Thunder
LOS ANGELES—The San Antonio Spurs edged the Toronto Raptors 110-107 on Wednesday, pushing their NBA winning streak to 10 games and closing in on Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder, who fell to the Detroit Pistons.
Devin Vassell scored 21 points and De’Aaron Fox added 20 for the Spurs, who overcame a lackluster offensive night from superstar Victor Wembanyama to push their win streak to double digits for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The French big man connected on just three of 12 shots on the way to
12 points in the face of a determined Raptors defense.
But Wembanyama was five-for-six from the free-throw line, and his five blocks included a crucial denial of Jakob Poeltl with 44 seconds remaining.
The Spurs improved to 42-16, just two games behind Oklahoma City, who fell to 45-15 after their 124-116
Harden injures thumb in blow to in-form Cavs
LOS ANGELES—Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden fractured his thumb against the New York Knicks and is questionable to play their next game, the team said Wednesday.
The news comes as a blow to the in-form Cavs, who acquired former NBA Most Valuable Player Harden this month and have won six of seven games since.
“Cavaliers guard James Harden injured his right thumb in last night’s 109-94 win over New York,” said a team statement.
“A postgame examination by the Cavaliers’ medical staff, followed by X-rays taken today, confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx.”
“Harden will undergo treatment and continued evaluation and will be listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game against Milwaukee. An update on his status will be provided as appropriate.”
The Cavaliers are currently joint-third in the Eastern Conference, and are among the top contenders for this year’s NBA title.
The 36-year-old has never won a championship despite being one of the most decorated players in the league.
loss to the Pistons in Detroit.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 29 points apiece to lead the Pistons in a battle of conference leaders touted as a possible NBA Finals preview.
The clash lost some luster with Oklahoma City’s reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai GilgeousAlexander headlining a raft of Thunder absentees as he missed a ninth straight game with an abdominal strain.
Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams were also sidelined, and Isaiah Joe departed at halftime with a bruised hip.
The depleted Thunder led 34-22 after a tight first quarter, but the Pistons out-scored
them 36-18 in the second period to seize control and never trailed in the second half.
Duren added 15 rebounds for his 27th double-double of the season.
Cunningham handed out 13 assists for Eastern Conference leaders Detroit, who saw a 17-point lead whittled to four with 39.2 seconds left.
Cunningham found Duren for a dunk and then drained a pair of free throws as the Pistons held on and at 4314 slipped ahead of Oklahoma City for best record in the league. Nuggets down Celtics
They strengthened their grip on first place in the East over the Boston Celtics, who fell 103-84 to the Nuggets in Denver. Nikola Jokic scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, who prevailed despite the early exit of ailing Jamal Murray. Jaylen Brown returned from a onegame injury absence to score 23 points for Boston. In Milwaukee, the Bucks shook off the continued absence of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-116. Jarrett Allen scored 27 points and
Solid King Crunchers test Protectors’ volley mettle
points while Edward Camposano, who’s been with Alpha Insurance since its inception, also played a big role for the Protectors.
Hakimi, set to face trial for rape, makes PSG team for Champs’ tilt
PARIS—Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who is facing trial for alleged rape, was included in his team’s starting line-up for the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Monaco on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, it was announced by Hakimi’s lawyer and a French prosecutor that the PSG and Morocco rightback is to stand trial charged with rapi ng a woman. The 27-year-old denies any wrongdoing.
In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-de-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi had raped her.
“We’re working to build something special,” said Harden after his new side’s most recent win on Tuesday night. AFP
Youth movement and second chances at Maharlika FC
HOW
a club, now slowly but surely gaining a reputation as “pumapalag na,” which is a major turnaround from its tag as being the worst team in the domestic league just a season ago? There are probably many ways. Read the match reports, watch the team’s games, know the players, interview the people behind the resurgence and many more.
In the case of The Designated Kit Man, the opportunity came via lunch somewhere in the “south” over paella, kebab, grilled chicken and soda. It was a quick lunch, but more than enough to know more about Maharlika FC and how the team has been one of the feel-good stories this season.
But first the beginning. Maharlika FC hogged the football headlines early last year, when it was announced that FC Vikings, a team competing in the Taiwan Football Premier league, is taking over
ownership of the squad, then known as Maharlika Taguig FC. This development made fans naturally happy and had their hopes up. With the change, Maharlika FC reverted back to its original name. An unexpected and tragic development, however, almost led to the demise of the team.
“Initially, we were just caretakers until FC Vikings had settled here in the country, but unfortunately, Ryan Chen got sick and passed away before the start of the new season. So Teddy Tsai, Chairman of M1 International Limited said to me that ‘hey, let’s just be the ones to take over the team’. And that’s what we did instead of letting the team break up,” Denis Lucindo, CEO of Maharlika FC, said. It was a leap of faith for both Tsai and Lucindo, knowing that it is really hard to own and run a football team in a country so enamored with basketball, volleyball and tennis as of late.
“Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything proves that it is false,” Hakimi wrote on social media on Tuesday.
“I await this trial calmly, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.” Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, questioned the woman’s co-operation in the investigation.
going to participate, we wanted to compete,” Lucindo explained. A new coach was brought in, too, to guide the team long overdue to make its mark in the local football league dominated by big teams like Kaya Iloilo FC, One Taguig FC, Dynamic Herb Cebu and Stallion Laguna FC. Then, former midfielder Hong Moon came in. “The wind took me here,” he said. Coach Moon grew up playing soccer with a British club in Brighton, England, before coming back to South Korea, where he had the opportunity to play with several professional football teams before eventually hanging his cleats to become a coach. But coming to the Philippines is also a new challenge and experience for him. Despite these, the young coach has modest targets for his new team.
“Wala kasi talagang balik sa mga team owner at mga supporters pagdating sa football. But we want the team to be more professional, to change its mentality and at the same time, to hold certain values like the Maharlikas of the old, free and fighting class of men. But most importantly, we are not just
“We are trying to get into the Top 6 in the standings to finish the season strong. Ending the season on a high note means we can build on that for the next season. And being in the upper half of the standings also means that we are strong enough for the championship in the future,” Moon said.
And he wants more. Moon said next season, he wants Maharlika FC to finish in the Top 4 to enable the team to qualify in regional and international tournaments. In his third year, the youthful gaffer wants to win some hardware for the club. But first things first. Moon wants his boys to go all out in their remaining games. And his boys are chiming in. Old reliables such as Jorrel Aristorenas, Ivan Ouano, Mike Menzi, Kenny Balobo, Fahmi Ibrahim, Charlie Beaton and even Eric Giganto have been playing really well lately.
The team also has a young core of players, with Enzo Lucindo, Caelan McLeod, John Tristan Cruz, Earl Pinero, Julian Romero and Haren De Gracia. These bunch of early20-somethings are just waiting to show their full potential. And help from a motley crew of international players will definitely help their cause.
“Everyone has improved so much in every aspect. Everyone is getting fitter and has adjusted to our new style of play. I think now, it’s all about how much we really want to win,” Moon added. Lucindo admits the team is now a far cry from the Maharlika FC of old. True, they still lose with big margins, but they are also showing they can win big games, too. The work and the job, however, are not yet finished. And to even entertain thoughts of leapfrogging the big clubs in the team standings might be a stretch, but then again, why not?
“Before, Maharlika FC was just happy to show up. Then, we were just happy not to lose games so much. Afterwards, we were very happy just to get a draw. Now, we are winning games we are not supposed to. And lately, we are no longer happy just to win games, we want to accomplish more, we want to show everyone that on any given day, we can give our opponents a good, fighting game that we are capable of,” he said. Lucindo says there is so much to look beyond the current season. Maharlika FC is moving heaven and earth in signing a pact for a city that will adopt and support them as their own. The team will conduct another tryout next month for players, who deserve to be in its football academy for free. But
“A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, refused to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and refused to give the name of a key witness,” Colin said.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said her client was relieved to hear the case was going to court. She said the judiciary had been exemplary in handling the case. Hakimi, who won the African footballer of the year award for last year, took part in PSG’s pre-match training session on Tuesday, and is a regular starter at right-back for the reigning European champions.
The Moroccan international, who occasionally wears the captain’s armband in the absence of regular skipper Marquinhos, netted the equaliser at Monaco’s Stade Louis II last week as PSG came back from two goals down to win the first leg of their play-off tie 3-2. AFP
again, first things first.
As of February 24, defending champion Kaya FC Iloilo FC and One Taguig FC are currently tied for the top spot with identical 33 points. Kaya, however, sits at the top spot due to goal difference. One Taguig, on the other hand, has two games on hand, having just played 12 games so far (11 wins and one loss). Kaya has won 11 games, too, but has lost three games in 14 fixtures. Dynamic Herb Cebu is at third with 31 points (10 wins, 1 draw and two losses), while Manila Digger is fourth with 24 points (7 wins, three draws and three
easier said than done. Center back Enzo Lucindo says their remaining games will be hard, especially going against the top dogs in the tournament as they wind up the season.
“It may appear impossible, but with the team’s new mentality and mindset, we might be able to do just that. We need to play better football in the coming weeks,” he said.
Before I forget, Coach Moon made a promise. In case Maharlika FC finishes in the Top 6 this season, he will eat balut in front of everyone. Salt and spicy vinegar is on me. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps! For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi AFP
The Designated Kit Man
Erel Cabatbat
Free Throw Shooter
Nathaniel Dela Cruz
The Designated Kit Man
Erel Cabatbat
Free Throw Shooter
Nathaniel Dela Cruz
In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano
In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Solar Spikers shine bright with balanced attack to outlast Foxies
CAPITAL1 finally showed what it can become when its offense is shared –and not carried.
The Solar Spikers unveiled a rare, spread-out attack on Thursday night, drawing firepower from multiple stalwarts to hack out a moraleboosting 26-24, 20-25, 28-26, 20-25, 15-11 victory over the stunned Farm Fresh Foxies in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the FilOil Playtime Center.
For a team long known for leaning heavily on one superstar, Capital1 proved it can win differently.
Sydney Niegos erupted for a careerhigh 20 points. Shaya Adorador added 14. Pauline Gaston and Cherry Nunag chipped in eight apiece. France Ronquillo delivered five clutch markers off the bench.
And yes, Bella Belen still delivered – 23 points, her sixth straight 20-plus performance – sealing the grueling two-hour, 28-minute contest with an unmolested spike.
But this time, she did not have to do it alone.
The victory lifted the Solar Spikers to 3-3, strengthened their semifinal bid, and perhaps more importantly, underscored a developing maturity –Capital1 is far more dangerous when its offense flows through multiple hands.
“Never pa naming natalo ang Farm Fresh since nag-join ang Capital1. So we came into this match with a mindset na all-out kami,” said an emotional Niegos, who earned rare Best Player of the Game honors.
“Killer’s instinct – pag sinet sa atin ang bola, patayin natin dapat,” she added. They did – even if the numbers suggested otherwise.
Record PGT Q-School eld braces for Splendido test
A RECORD 126 aspirants – an explosive mix of seasoned campaigners, former national standouts and a crack international contingent – gear up for a pressure-packed, four-day test of power, precisPVLion and poise as the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School fires off March 17 at Splendido Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas. With only 30 Tour cards up for grabs, the battle shapes up as a survival test where reputations offer no guarantees and a single bad stretch could shatter a year’s worth of preparation. From the opening tee shot to the final putt, it will be an unforgiving grind on a layout widely regarded as one of the most exacting courses on the calendar. Perched along rolling terrain overlooking Taal Lake, Splendido is noted for its ever-shifting winds, elevation changes and punishing rough. The course demands imagination as much as execution. Miss the fairways and recovery becomes a gamble. Attack recklessly and risk numbers that can derail a campaign. Add Batangas heat and swirling gusts expected to intensify in the afternoon, and the stage is set for a spirited, wide-open showdown.
The top 30 survivors will earn playing rights for the upcoming PGT season – a lucrative 10-leg circuit staged at the country’s premier championship venues. Each event will feature deeper international participation and prize purses of no less than P2 million, raising both the stakes and the standard of competition.
Those who advance will join last season’s top 40 from the Order of Merit rankings, led by reigning OOM champion Angelo Que, along with Keanu Jahns and Fidel Concepcion, forming a formidable core for what promises to be a fiercely contested campaign.
By Peter Atencio
THE Philippine women’s national football team knows it faces a daunting task against the world No. 15 Australia women’s national soccer team, but rising forward Mary Louise Ramirez believes the Filipinas are ready for the challenge.
Ramirez expressed confidence as the Filipinas prepared for their opening match in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, set in Perth.
“The preparations have been really good. We’ve been training every day and competing,” said the 22-yearold Ramirez, shortly before the team arrived in Perth for their group stage campaign.
Ramirez, one of the newest attacking
options for the Filipinas, brings both talent and pedigree. Her father, Joshua Ramirez, previously represented the Philippines men’s national basketball team, making national team duty a proud family tradition.
By Dennis Abrina
THE defending champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
Junior Altas quickly shook off a tough three-set loss to Arellano Braves last Monday, roaring back with a four-set victory over the Letran Squires, 25-20, 24-26, 25-21, 25-19, in the continuation of the NCAA Season 101 Juniors’ Volleyball Fiesta at the Arellano Gym in Pasay City on Thursday.
The win lifted Perpetual to a 7-2 win-loss record as they tightened their grip on a quarterfinal berth.
Daryl Torio and Gabriel Macatuno paced the Junior Altas with 10 points apiece, while Limuel Villarama anchored the net defense with five blocks and finished with nine points alongside Cholo Bustamante. Setter Symon Suyat orchestrated the offense with five excellent sets out of 49 attempts, and libero JM Regorosa added stability on defense with six digs
Ramirez ready for battle as Filipinas face Matildas
This marks Ramirez’s second stint with the national squad since her breakthrough performance in the Southeast Asian Games, where she delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable moments. She scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against defending champions Vietnam, rescuing the Philippines from elimination and reigniting their push toward the finals.
A kinesiology student and attacking midfielder for the UNLV Rebels, Ramirez hopes to once again provide a spark as the Filipinas aim to overcome the Matildas in Group A. The Australians, who have long been among Asia’s strongest sides, enter the tournament with a proud history and home advantage. But the Filipinas arrive well-prepared, with head coach Mark Torcaso confident that his squad is ready to rise to the occasion.
Junior Altas shake off loss to Braves, whip Squires in 4 sets
US women’s ice hockey captain responds to ‘distasteful’ Trump remark
LOS ANGELES—Hilary Knight, captain of the victorious US women’s Olympic ice hockey team, said Wednesday it was unfortunate that a “distasteful joke” by President Donald Trump had overshadowed the achievements of US athletes at the Milan-Cortina Games.
The US men’s ice hockey team took a congratulatory call from Trump as they celebrated their gold medal victory over Canada. The president invited them to his State of the Union address and added he would have to ask the triumphant women’s team as well or risk being “impeached”.
The women’s side later declined an invitation from Trump to be on hand for the speech Tuesday night.
“I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats,” Knight, a five-time Olympic medalist, said on ESPN’s “Sportscenter.”
Several players on the men’s team appeared to laugh at Trump’s comment, sparking criticism. But Knight said the men’s and women’s national teams were very supportive of each other.
“I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,” she said. “I think that’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse.
“I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and (is) overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
The women’s team declined an invitation to Trump’s big speech in Washington, with USA Hockey saying they had had prior commitments.
Players from the men’s team were feted in the Oval Office at the White House and again at Trump’s speech before a joint session of Congress. Trump gave goaltender Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
A handful of men’s players did not
The defending champion Junior Altas Spikers rejoice. Dennis Abrina
USA’s 26 Kendall Coyne (left) and Hilary Knight (right) celebrate during the medals ceremony for the women’s ice hockey event at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan. AFP
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Megaworld plans
P65-b new projects
Davao Light takes over Samal utility
China Bank’s profit climbs 13% to P28b
Pangilinan group not keen on hiking stake in SPNEC
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE group of businessman Manuel Pangilinan (Meralco) has no plans to acquire the remaining interest of businessman Leandro Leviste in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) who is reportedly negotiating a stake sale to a foreign investor.
The listed renewable energy firm, which recently received approval to change its corporate name to MGEN Renewable Energy Holdings Inc., is already majority-controlled by the Meralco Group with a combined 60.53-percent stake. MGen Renewable Energy Inc. holds 57.33 percent, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp. owns 3.2 percent. Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., led by Leviste, retains a 16.3-percent stake in the company.
Meralco PowerGen Corp. chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the group does not need to increase its position because it already holds the majority of SPNEC. He said Leviste is currently in talks with a foreign entity to unload his remaining shares.
“Lean is talking to a foreign investor to unload his shares. That’s all we know. Well, we don’t need to [increase stake] because we are majority already in SPNEC,” Pangilinan said. Pangilinan said his group introduced the foreign investor to Leviste and believes the founder is serious about the sale.
PH seeks $10.3b in loans from Japan, Korea, France
By Thony Rose Lesaca
THE Philippines aims to finalize 25 official development assistance (ODA) loan agreements with Japan, South Korea and France totaling $10.3 billion, Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go said Thursday.
The proposed financing includes 10 loans from Japan, 10 from South Korea and five from France.
Department of Finance officials previously indicated the government expects to secure three agreements with Japan worth about $1.58 billion by March 2026, with an additional 11 loans totaling $2.41 billion under consideration through the first quarter of 2027.
“What’s obvious to us now are actually 10 ODA loans from Japan, 10 pipeline loans from Korea and five loans from France,” Go told reporters during a media briefing with the
ASEAN HEALTH. Members of the ASEAN Working Committee on Financial Inclusion (WC-FINC) hold their 21st
Social Security System.
Beyond bilateral agreements, the Philippines is preparing to tap the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for two specific projects in 2026.
This follows the 2024 AIIB board approval of the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project and a facility for infrastructure studies, both of which the Philippine government formally approved in 2025.
Go confirmed he met with AIIB representatives Wednesday to discuss the 2026 pipeline. The talks focused
on the Luzon Digital Connectivity project with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Metro Manila Sponge City project. The digital connectivity initiative is estimated at $500 million, while the flood management project is valued at $150 million.
Go noted that while these are the primary accounts under review, the terms remain under discussion with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
“Those are the two accounts that they’re looking at, but of course, nothing is certain. We’re still discussing with AIIB, together with DICT and MMDA,” Go said.
The move to secure these multibillion dollar credit lines is part of a broader strategy to sustain infrastructure development and digital transformation through 2027.
By Othel V. Campos
MOST micro, small and medium enterprises in the Philippines continue to rely on informal hiring practices despite significant financial and security risks, according to a joint study by the Department of Trade and Industry and Boston Consulting Group.
The research found that local businesses primarily recruit through walkin applicants, social media posts and employee referrals. Formal channels like employment programs, online job portals, university partnerships,
local agencies and print advertisements remain underutilized.
This reliance on informal methods carries a high price tag. Jobstreet by SEEK reported that a single wrong hire can cost an enterprise an average of P740,000, representing a major burden for businesses operating on limited resources.
Beyond financial loss, informal recruitment increases exposure to fraudulent applications involving fake degrees, falsified experience and fabricated credentials. Experts project that one in four job applications could
be fake by 2028. “Fraudulent hires have long been a challenge for many companies, and it hurts businesses, especially MSMEs that operate on limited resources. We encourage hirers to leverage professional employment channels and free, easy-to-use job platforms with wider talent pools to minimize the risks of hiring mismatched candidates, or worse, fraudulent applicants,” said Jobstreet by SEEK managing-director Dannah Majarocon.
To address these vulnerabilities, Jobstreet by SEEK launched the
PH business climate scores climb in World Bank’s B-Ready 2025 report
THE Philippines improved its standing in the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-Ready) 2025 report as the government’s reform agenda boosted regulatory and public service scores.
The country’s overall score climbed to 61.04 in 2025 from 59.81 in 2024. The benchmarking tool evaluates global investment climates based on three pillars: regulatory framework, public services and operational efficiency. Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the report affirms that the national reform agenda is delivering results. “We are doing everything in
our power to strengthen investor confidence and make it our mission to ensure that the Philippines remains a top business destination
SMEasy sa Jobstreet campaign. The initiative provides entrepreneurs with practical hiring strategies and tools designed to simplify recruitment while connecting them to verified, qualified candidates. The campaign highlights success stories from local entrepreneurs who have transitioned to structured hiring. Crusted Pizza owner Jas Marfil, SmarTrade executive Eduard Lumbre and Jethro Cerezo executive team head Jethro Cerezo credited formalized recruitment processes for building more resilient teams.
PLDT’s profit dips 7% to P30b despite revenue growth
Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act and new taxes on digital services.
investments strengthen our free cash flow,” PLDT and Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said.
The company’s core income edged up 1 percent to P34.6 billion, but telco core income slipped 3 percent to P33.9 billion. Within its business units, the wireless consumer segment generated P85 billion in revenues, while the home broadband division saw a 3-percent increase to P61 billion. PLDT Enterprise achieved record revenues of P48.4 billion, a 1 percent year-on-year increase that signaled a return to growth.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
By Jenniffer B. Austria
EGAWORLD Corp. plans to launch about P65 billion worth of residential projects in 2026 to maintain growth momentum following record earnings last year.
The property developer, led by tycoon Andrew Tan, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it intends for the new developments to span Metro Manila and key provincial growth centers as part of a continued township expansion strategy.
The 2026 pipeline will focus on established townships and emerging provincial hubs to replenish inventory and drive pre-sales.
The developer reported a record net income of P24 billion in 2025, up 11 percent from the previous year. Consolidated revenues rose 5 percent to nearly P86 billion, up from P81.7 billion in 2024, supported by residential performance and a growing recurring income portfolio.
“Our full-year results highlight the growing strength of our diversified township portfolio and the steady expansion of our recurring income base,” Megaworld president and chief executive Lourdes GutierrezAlfonso said in a statement.
Gutierrez-Alfonso said the company enters 2026 with confidence due to momentum in leasing businesses and opportunities to scale further in key growth markets.
Leasing revenues grew 11 percent to P22 billion, representing a larger share of total revenue. This growth was driven by Megaworld Premier Offices, which recorded more than 330,000 square meters of office transactions, including 180,000 square meters of new leases.
The company’s mall business saw leasing revenues increase 9 percent to P6.9 billion, fueled by consumer activity and tenant expansion.
Revenues from hotels and resorts rose 9 percent to P5.6 billion, aided by higher room rates and contributions from new properties.
Real estate sales reached P51.8 billion last year, sustained by demand in the capital and provincial hubs.
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS. Sabin Aboitiz, center, president and chief executive of Aboitiz
shares insights with employees. AEV continues to
occupational health and
the
and
THE local stock market rose for the fifth consecutive trading session Thursday despite last-minute profit-taking.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index inched up 5.59 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 6,625.46, while the broader all shares index climbed 13.33 points, or 0.37 percent, to 3,653.71.
“The benchmark closed nearly flat but managed to sustain upward momentum, supported by upbeat earnings releases, a firmer local currency, continued buying interest across the board
WHOLE-BODY MRI. St. Luke’s Medical Center is redefining preventive care through its whole-body MRI health scan. This advanced, noninvasive imaging service offers patients a comprehensive head-to-mid-thigh assessment, helping identify potential concerns before they become clinically apparent.
The procedure uses state-of-the-art technology to evaluate the body in one streamlined session, utilizing high-performance 1.5-tesla and 3-tesla MRI systems to ensure optimal image quality tailored to each patient.
ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc. reported a 6 percent increase in 2025 core net earnings to P6.7 billion, driven by steady sales growth and contributions from newly opened stores.
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent declined 44.3 percent to P5.7 billion. The company attributed the dip to a high base in 2024, which included a one-time gain from the merger of Bank of the Philippine Islands and Robinsons Bank.
Full-year net sales improved 5.7 percent year over year to P210.42 billion, up from P199.16 billion in 2024. Same-store sales grew by 3.2 percent,
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PLDT Inc. has shifted the strategy for its data center business, opting to explore a real estate investment trust listing rather than selling a majority stake to a foreign investor.
PLDT chief financial officer
Danny Yu said the move aims to generate fresh capital and aggressively pay down the company’s debt. Giving up majority control is a “non-negotiable” deal-breaker for the company at this time, according to Yu.
Yu, however, said no final decision has been made on the matter.
PLDT previously sought to divest a 49 percent minority stake in
and overall investor sentiment,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.
The market was trading higher for most of the day, hitting an intraday high of 6,673 before lastminute profit-taking trimmed early gains.
The property sector led gainers, rebounding from several days of decline to rise 1.85 percent. On the other hand, services declined 0.81 percent.
Trading was strong as value turnover amounted to P7.52 billion. Foreign investors remained
net buyers, with inflows exceeding P1 billion for the second straight day.
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. was the day’s top index gainer, jumping 9.64 percent to P16.38, while International Container Terminal Services Inc. was at the bottom, declining 2.05 percent to P733. Shares of Manila Electric Co. hit a 52-week high of P640 after it reported a 12 percent increase in 2025 net income.
The peso closed at 57.608 against the dollar Thursday, compared with 57.51 on Wednesday. Jenniffer B. Austria
PROPERTY giant SM Prime Holdings Inc. is set to open four new malls outside Metro Manila this year, banking on resilient consumer spending and sustained provincial growth.
The new malls—located in Zamboanga, General Trias, Tagum and Santa Rosa—will add 3 percent to 4 percent to the group’s total gross floor area.
SM Malls executive vice president Joaquin San Agustin said three of the new malls will each have about 60,000 to 70,000 square meters of gross floor area, while the Santa Rosa mall will be the largest at about 130,000 square meters. Other large-scale mall developments currently under construction are in Pasay, Bulacan and Cavite.
Despite economic shifts last year, SM Prime expressed confidence that foot traffic and tenant sales would be sustained through 2026, supported by services sector expansion and steady inflows from overseas remittances
while operating income for 2025 rose 7.4 percent to P10.5 billion.
“Our performance in 2025 reflects the continued strength of our core businesses and our ability to remain agile in a dynamic retail landscape,” said Stanley Co, RRHI president and chief executive.
Co added that in 2026, the company will focus on expanding its footprint and investing in strategic initiatives to support sustainable growth.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, RRHI operated 2,763 stores, including 799 food stores, 1,173 drug-
its $1 billion data center business. Those efforts, including talks with Japan’s NTT, fell through in 2024 because NTT demanded a 51 percent controlling interest in the subsidiary, Vitro Inc.
Victor Genuino, president and chief executive of ePLDT and Vitro Inc., said the company is evaluating how new Securities and Exchange Commission regulations classify data centers as real estate investment trusts, or REITs.
“We are studying the rules to understand how to properly execute this option,” Genuino said.
Under current REIT guidelines, which are similar to traditional real estate, Genuino added that the company can list mature assets.
and business process outsourcing. The company also cited expectations of improved government spending in the first half of the year to support consumption.
SM Prime reported that average monthly mall visits reached 115 million across its nationwide network. December recorded the highest monthly traffic at 153 million visits.
Daily visits averaged 5.5 million on weekends and 4.6 million on weekdays, bringing the total for the year to 1.4 billion visits.
The increase in foot traffic was driven by new attractions, tenant mix adjustments and first-in-market concepts. In 2025, SM Supermalls opened MOA Sky and ScreenX, both the first of their kind in the Philippines. It also introduced SM Active Hub, the country’s largest inclusive sports playground.
Jenniffer B. Austria
stores, 51 department stores, 234 DIY stores and 506 specialty stores. The company also has 2,154 franchised TGP stores.
Additionally, RRHI partnered with Robinsons Logistix and Industrials Inc., the logistics arm of sister company Robinsons Land Corp., to build a Shopwise store within the Sierra Valley Destination Estate in Cainta, Rizal. The Shopwise Sierra Valley location will occupy more than 7,000 square meters of land. Completion is targeted for the first half of 2027, with the store expected to open by the third quarter of that year. Jenniffer B. Austria
Equity Ventures,
deliver strong performance in human capital management and
safety, driven by leaders who put people at the center of the business. The company ranked among
top three Philippine conglomerates in the 2025 S&P Global ESG ratings, reaffirming its strength in governance
social dimensions, supported by disclosure practices and risk management frameworks.
WASTE RECOVERY. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. supports the ‘AbotKamay Para sa Laguna de Bay: Mission in Action – Solid Waste Recovery’ initiative led by the Laguna Lake Development Authority. Held at Sitios Riverview and View River in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City, the cleanup gathered about 300 volunteers who removed plastic waste and debris from waterways flowing into Laguna de Bay. The effort resulted in the recovery of 1,140 kilograms of waste.
BUSINESS
Davao Light takes over power assets of Samal Island
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE sheriff of the Regional Trial Court-Panabo Branch 4 has taken possession of distribution assets in the Island Garden City of Samal, formerly operated by Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, and turned over control to Davao Light and Power Co. Inc.
In a statement, Aboitiz Power Corp. said the turnover follows a Jan. 23, 2026, trial court ruling granting Davao Light’s application to obtain possession of Nordeco assets in the city, known as IGACOS. Davao Light is a distribution utility under the Aboitiz Group.
The court sheriff also served Nordeco a notice to vacate with a writ of possession on Feb. 19, 2026.
Under Republic Act 12144, the government granted Davao Light the franchise to operate the distribution utility in IGACOS, the rest of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro. The Supreme Court, in a Jan. 14, 2026, ruling, affirmed the legality of the law and Davao Light’s authority to take over Nordeco assets.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has granted Davao Light
LIMA Gateway to link STAR Tollway with new access road
FOR investors evaluating Southern Luzon as a long-term growth market, connectivity remains a decisive factor. The LIMA Gateway responds to this through a new six-lane access road that will directly link the STAR Tollway to LIMA Estate via J.P. Laurel Highway.
Once operational in 2027, the interchange is expected to improve the movement of goods and people across the Lipa–Malvar corridor, shorten travel time from Metro Manila to under an hour, and strengthen Batangas’ position within Calabarzon and the broader Luzon Economic Corridor.
LIMA Estate already benefits from one of the most extensive access networks in Batangas. The estate is served by two STAR Tollway exits, with a third underway, and is accessible via J.P. Laurel Highway through four ingress and egress points. Two additional access points are under construction.
LIMA Estate, the largest industryanchored estate in the Philippines and the country’s first BERDE District Certified development, serves as an ecosystem where business, education and innovation converge. The LIMA Gateway is designed to simplify daily logistics, reduce congestion at existing tollway entry points and make travel more predictable for businesses and workers. With clearer routes into the estate, manufacturers and logistics providers can plan operations more efficiently. By adding an access point along the STAR Tollway, the project helps decongest existing interchanges in Lipa and Malvar.
“Lipa City is strategically located at the center of Batangas. The interchange creates a more efficient gateway into the city, directly linking it to major economic corridors across Southern Luzon,” Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa said. “It’s about improving daily mobility and access—giving Lipeños easier reach to work, education and essential services.”
NFA relaxes palay buying standards to support farmers during harvest peak
By Othel V. Campos
a provisional Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate in the two provinces.
Davao Light said it remains open to dialogue with Nordeco regarding other franchise expansion areas to support an orderly transition. The company said it will adhere to court directives and prioritize stable electric service.
The utility will now begin improvements to ensure reliable service for IGACOS consumers.
Davao Light has established a customer service center at IGACOS Commercial Center Inc., P-6 Sitio Kaimito, Brgy. Miranda, Babak District, to serve the community. A dedicated hotline (0919-057-3572) is available 24/7 for inquiries. Nordeco called the takeover “illegal” and asserts it remains a legal franchise holder.
THE National Food Authority has relaxed its palay procurement standards ahead of the peak dry harvest, widening its buying window to help farmers cope with seasonal price declines.
During a consultation Feb. 23 at its central office, the NFA met with farmers, millers, retailers and field officials to review its standard operating procedures, resulting in revised buying rules shaped by feedback from stakeholders.
The agency expanded the acceptable moisture content range for dry palay to 11 percent to 14 percent, from the previous 12 percent to 14 percent requirement that had led to rejected deliveries. The adjustment is expected to allow more farmers to qualify for the higher procurement price.
The NFA kept its procurement prices at P17 per kilogram for fresh or wet palay and P21 per kilogram for dry palay, while refining its pest standard to require stocks to be “visibly free from pests.”
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the changes were timed to coincide with the harvest surge, when farmgate prices typically soften due to oversupply. He said broader specifications would allow the agency to absorb more volume and help farmers avoid distress selling.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who chairs the NFA Council, said the revisions align procurement policies with conditions on the ground. He cited the president’s directive to improve farmer profitability and reduce exposure to price swings, noting that stronger government buying supports both farm incomes and national buffer stocks.
DHL Express Philippines added eight electric vehicles to its delivery fleet, with two more units set for rollout in the first quarter, as it accelerates efforts to cut emissions from last-mile operations.
The expansion is part of the company’s annual fleet electrification program and brings the share of electric vehicles in its delivery network to 41 percent.
The initiative supports the broader target of parent firm DHL Group to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The newly deployed units will operate across Pasig, Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Muntinlupa, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque and Cebu, serving high-density commercial and residential areas.
“Expanding the electric fleet in key urban zones helps curb emissions where daily interactions between couriers, customers and communities take place,” said Nigel
Lockett, DHL Express Philippines managing director.
Designed for city routes, each vehicle offers 5.1 cubic meters of cargo space and runs on a 307.2-volt lithium iron phosphate battery. The units can be fully charged in about five hours using a DC fast charger, enabling efficient turnaround within the company’s network.
DHL said the electric vehicles reduce fuel and maintenance costs and operate more quietly than conventional units, contributing to lower noise levels in urban areas.
The latest batch is equipped with telematics systems that allow realtime monitoring of vehicle location, battery health, energy consumption, driving behavior and route efficiency. The company said it will continue assessing fleet performance and infrastructure readiness as it expands the use of electric vehicles nationwide to decarbonize last-mile logistics.
THE Department of Energy has mandated that all variable renewable energy power plants with an installed capacity of 10 megawatts or more must integrate energy storage systems.
Under the updated framework established through Department Circular No. DC2026-02-0008, the storage capacity must be at least 20 percent of the plant’s installed capacity. This requirement is part of project development and grid integration, consistent with system studies and technical requirements.
To maximize operational value, the DOE encourages installations to include grid-support capabilities, such as grid-forming inverters that help stabilize voltage and frequency. These features are intended to mitigate the variability of renewable output, optimize dispatch, minimize generation losses and strengthen the grid’s power quality and reliability.
“Energy storage is not only about storing surplus energy; it is about strengthening the grid’s capability to absorb more renewables while maintaining reliability,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. “This policy ensures that ESS integration becomes part of system planning and project development, supporting better outcomes for consumers.”
The new circular supplements and amends the framework of DC No. DC2023-04-0008, known as the ESS policy.
The updated framework also recognizes that storage systems with virtual inertia or fast-acting responses may be deployed to improve the power quality of transmission and distribution networks. The DOE noted that these facilities should be considered in grid reinforcements for voltage stability, frequency control and ancillary services.
Alena Mae S. Flores
Othel V. Campos
MEDICAL MISSION. A team from TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. composed of a physician, a dentist, nurses and other support staff conducted consultations, general check-ups and dental procedures in Barangay Depore, municipality of Bayog in Zamboanga del Sur . Medicines and vitamins were also distributed free of charge, as part of the medical mission. TVIRD, which operates the Balabag Gold and Silver Project in Zamboanga del Sur, conducts medical outreach programs through its Social Development and Management Program.
SUBSIDY DIALOGUE. The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives
China Bank’s profit hits P28b
By Jenniffer B. Austria
CHINA Banking Corp. said Thursday it posted a record net income of P28 billion in 2025, up 13 percent from the previous year, as the lender’s core businesses maintained strong momentum and its loan portfolio hit a historic milestone.
The bank, the fourth-largest private universal bank in the Philippines, reported that total assets expanded 8 percent to P1.8 trillion. Gross loans breached the P1trillion mark for the first time, climbing 13 percent to P1.1 trillion on the back of robust demand from both corporate and consumer segments.
InLife taps ACEN unit to power offices with RE
By Alena Mae S. Flores
INSULAR Life (InLife) has signed a strategic partnership with ACEN RES, the retail electricity arm of ACEN Corp., to power its corporate offices with 100-percent renewable energy.
The move solidifies the commitment of the insurance leader to more sustainable business operations. Under the agreement, InLife will source clean power from the diversified portfolio of solar, wind and geothermal facilities of ACEN to supply its corporate headquarters in Makati City and Alabang, Muntinlupa.
The transition to clean energy is a key component of the long-term sustainability strategy of InLife, directly contributing to a more environmentally responsible business model.
By sourcing power from ACEN RES, InLife expects to achieve cost efficiencies in its electricity consumption and make substantial progress in its decarbonization targets.
“InLife’s transition to renewable energy and adherence to globally recognized standards in environmentally safe infrastructure are efforts to lead by example and drive meaningful change towards a sustainable future,” InLife executive vice-president and chief property investment officer Hector Caunan said.
The partnership is enabled by the customer choice programs of the Philippine government, such as Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). These programs empower eligible electricity consumers to choose their own supplier, fostering a competitive market that encourages the growth of renewable energy.
ACEN senior vice-president for market transformation and retail Tony Valdez cited the growing trend among top corporations to shift to sustainable energy sources.
Total operating income rose 16 percent to P75.7 billion, supported by a 12-percent growth in interest income to P105.2 billion.
Fee-based income also contributed to the growth following higher transactional fees, trust fees and bancassurance commissions. Net
interest margin remained stable at 4.6 percent.
Asset quality stayed firm with a non-performing loan ratio of 1.6 percent, which the bank noted was better than the industry average.
To bolster its defenses, the lender more than doubled its credit provisions to P7 billion, resulting in a non-performing loan coverage ratio of 109 percent.
Operating expenses grew 12 percent to P34.4 billion because of higher manpower costs, taxes and ongoing investments in technology. However, the bank’s efficiency improved as its cost-to-income ra-
tio dropped to 45 percent. Deposits increased 9 percent to P1.4 trillion, with current and savings accounts representing 48 percent of the total.
The bank’s capital position also strengthened, with total capital rising 13 percent to P191.3 billion. Its common equity tier 1 ratio stood at 15.2 percent and its capital adequacy ratio reached 16.1 percent.
China Bank ended the year with 653 branches and 1,139 automated teller machines. The bank generated a return on equity of 15.6 percent and a return on assets of 1.6 percent.
SSS readies micro-loan facility in 2026
By Thony Rose Lesaca
THE Social Security System (SSS) plans to launch a P40-billion microloan facility in the second quarter of 2026 to provide members with more accessible credit options following a record-breaking financial performance in 2025. Under the proposed program, qualified members may avail of shortterm loans carrying an interest rate of 8 percent per annum. The initiative aims to distribute P40 billion over a 2-year period, supported by a reserve fund that surpassed the P1 trillion mark last year.
SSS president and chief executive Robert Joseph De Claro said the agency is finalizing the program details during a joint media briefing with the Department of Finance.
“Because of our good results, the loan that we are looking at that we can lend to the members is the microloan. [This] is about P40 billion over two years,” De Claro said.
Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the state pension fund is teaming up with five banks to expand the reach of the facility. While the specific institutions have yet to be named, the partnership will allow members to apply for loans through physical branches or mobile applications.
“What we’re really trying to do is we want to make life easier for the people. We want to make life easier for every ordinary person so they won’t have a hard time,” Go said. De Claro confirmed that the formal announcement of the microloan program is targeted for the second quarter of 2026.
The expansion into micro-lending follows a year of significant asset growth for the SSS. The agency reported that its reserve fund reached the P1 trillion milestone in 2025, a result of fiscal discipline and long-term reforms.
DICT monitors Telegram over surge in illicit activities, weighs potential ban
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Council (CICC) are closely monitoring the operations of messaging application Telegram following a surge in reports linking the platform to various illicit activities.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda confirmed the “under observation” status of the app as part of a broader push for digital safety.
This stems from the platform’s alleged use in online gambling, scams, piracy, illegal drug sales and the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). Aguda said the danger these crimes pose to Filipinos cannot be underestimated.
“The issue of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children [OSAEC] is non-negotiable. If these types of activities continue and there
PPA’s 2025 revenue hit P30b on trade surge
THE Philippine Ports Authority on Thursday reported total revenue of P30.09 billion for 2025, up 8.86 percent from the previous year. The state-run agency attributed the revenue surge to sustained growth in vessel traffic and cargo throughput. Higher storage revenues, strengthened regulatory income following tariff adjustments and favorable gains from dollar-denominated tariffs also contributed to the record figures, it said. These factors reflect
“With
is no cooperation from the platforms, we will not hesitate to recommend blocking them. The instruction of our President is clear: eliminate the social harm brought about by technology,” Aguda said.
A primary obstacle identified by the government is Telegram’s lack of a physical office in the Philippines, which complicates efforts to track individuals behind criminal operations.
CICC executive-director and Undersecretary Renato Paraiso said authorities require a mechanism to obtain the credentials of suspects using the platform for prostitution and scamming.
“When their platform is used for exploitation, we need to know who is doing it. To do that, they need to have an office here or we need to talk to someone directly. An app cannot become a haven for criminals just because of a lack of coordination,” Paraiso said.
advanced technology that can redefine their luxury driving experience. That’s the reason we are introducing Denza,” Hu said. Denza was established in 2010 as a 50:50 joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz. BYD took full control of the brand in September 2024, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of the BYD Group. Othel V. Campos
Xpander named PH best-selling vehicle
MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) announced the Mitsubishi Xpander emerged as the top-selling vehicle in the Philippines in 2025, recording total sales of 28,081 units. The model also secured its third consecutive year as the country’s best-selling multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), maintaining its leadership in the local automotive market. Since its domestic launch, the Xpander has grown its presence in the MPV segment by offering a combination of style, comfort and value for Filipino families.
Mitsubishi Motors recently updated the model to include Active Yaw Control on the base variant, providing broader access to safety and driving stability features.
MMPC president and chief executive Ritsu Imaeda said the Mitsubishi Xpander was designed to accommodate family lifestyles ranging from daily city driving to long road trips.
“Apart from the Mitsubishi brand being a trusted car brand by Filipino families for six decades, we believe that Xpander’s timeless aesthetic appeal, unmatched comfort both for driver and passengers, efficient performance, and worry-free ownership support through our aftersales and dealer network are the perfect recipe for a lifetime companion, which is what Filipinos are looking for,” Imaeda said.
To celebrate the sales milestone, MMPC is offering savings of up to P120,000 on the Xpander through March 2026. Othel V. Campos
DEPDev calls on private sector, NGOs to join stakeholders’ chamber on SDGs
THE Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) asked organizations to apply for or renew membership in the Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to accelerate the country’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda. The chamber serves as the first institutionalized multi-stakeholder mechanism for sustainable development in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
DEPDev, which acts as the chair and secretariat of the Subcommittee on SDGs under the Development Budget Coordination Committee, opened the application window on Jan. 13. Interested parties have until March 13, 2026, to submit their requirements for a term running from July 2026 to June 2029.
“Attaining the goals of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development requires not only whole-ofgovernment but also a whole-of-nation approach,” DEPDev policy and planning group Undersecretary and
SC-SDG chair Rosemarie Edillon said.
Edillon said the 17 Goals demand a framework where the public, private and civil sectors work alongside development partners. Through the chamber, the government aims to strengthen collaboration and foster shared accountability to ensure no one is left behind.
Since its inception in 2022, the body has coordinated with the government on advocacy and outreach activities aligned with the corporate social responsibility and sustainability programs of its members.
The chamber offers participants strategic influence on policy, networking opportunities, and increased visibility for their development initiatives.
“The 2030 Agenda is a shared responsibility. We invite organizations to join the Stakeholders’ Chamber to harmonize our resources and innovations, ensuring that our path toward sustainable development is collective, inclusive, and accelerated,” Edillon said.
PRE-NEED COMMUNITY. Leaders and members of the pre-need community come together for a friendly bowling tournament, strengthening bonds and celebrating the unity that drives their shared mission to serve Filipino families.
SECURITY CHAMPION. Visa, a global leader in digital payments, recognizes Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), as Visa’s Security Champion for the Philippines for best-in-market fraud mitigation and risk performance. Attending the awarding ceremony are (from left) Abdul Rahim, head of risk, regional Southeast Asia, Visa; Angela Burkley, account executive, Visa Philippines; April Baloran, department head for fraud and analytics strategy, RCBC; Arnold Palacio, department head for fraud management, RCBC; and Patricia Pichay, division dead for fraud, chargeback and authorizations division, RCBC; and Michelle Mascariñas, head of product, Visa Philippines.
PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon expressed optimism that young professionals and fresh graduates will join the agency to help drive transformation and support ongoing anti-corruption reforms within the department.
The government is recruiting “idealistic” and “dynamic” young professionals to restore public trust in the government.
“There is hope, but that hope depends on people like you joining us. There are many ‘bad seeds’ here that we need to remove and replace with your generation,” Secretary Dizon stated during the agency’s recent job fair.
Addressing the students and alumni in attendance, he acknowledged the stigma of public service. “I know you might be hesitant to join the government because of concerns about corruption and inefficiency. But if you don’t join, who will? We need you to be the change.”
The massive recruitment of young
professionals is part of the reform to streamline the sports system in the DPWH. At the same time, the DPWH also issued Department Order No. 18, which seeks to strengthen meritbased promotion and hiring of DPWH personnel nationwide.
Meanwhile, Dizon emphasized that a fundamental shift in mindset is required among DPWH personnel, urging them to focus on the total completion of projects to provide genuine convenience to the public.
Dizon explained that the progress rate of projects is not important to the public, but the convenience it brings and the absence of disruption to their daily lives.
“I tell our DEs [District Engineers] and RDs [Regional Directors ] that
DPWH eyes ’idealistic’ fresh blood to drive transformation
what is lacking is an understanding of what our countrymen are going through; there is a lack of empathy. They often view it as ‘just another project,’ not realizing that completing it quickly brings immense relief and comfort to the public. That is the mindset within the DPWH that must change,” Dizon said.
He further emphasized that “nearcompletion” is not enough to serve the public effectively.
“Unless a project is 100 percent
complete, it is effectively useless because the public cannot use it. Take a bridge, for example—if it is 90 percent finished, it serves no purpose. You can’t exactly climb up and then jump to the other side,” he added.
Dizon also assured that there will be no more sports and that the appointments of officials and employees to be appointed will not be influenced when it comes to positions in the agency.
“No more sports. Proper and
DOTr accelerates EDSA Busway Kamuning station construction
TRANSPORTATION Secretary
Giovanni Lopez has ordered the accelerated construction of the EDSA Busway Kamuning Station to ensure commuters can benefit from the facility as soon as possible.
During a recent site inspection, the Secretary emphasized that passenger safety and accessibility remain the top priorities.
“We are thoroughly inspecting the new EDSA Busway Kamuning Station to ensure that commuters are safe and comfortable when it becomes operational. It has a manlift and an elevator to make it more convenient especially for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities,” Lopez said.
Aboitiz Construction earns triple ISO recertifications
FOLLOWING a rigorous auditing process, Aboitiz Construction officially received recertifications for its Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems last February 24, 2026.
The certifications were awarded by Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, confirming the company’s adherence to international operational standards.
This achievement follows a comprehensive nine-day external audit conducted from October 7 to 24, 2025. The evaluation involved a fourday project site audit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, followed by a five day assessment of the corporate office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, covering all support departments and shared services.
“Receiving these recertifications is a testament to our dedication to quality, environment, and safety. At the heart of everything we do is our brand promise of being Engineered for Excellence,”
Antonio Peñalver, executive director of Aboitiz Construction said.
“By upholding these global standards, we ensure that our processes are not just efficient, but are designed to cater to the needs of our clients and stakeholders,” he added.
The technical recertifications are as follows: the ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), which is the international standard that demonstrates the ability of an organization to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements; ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System), which is the management sys-
He said that the EDSA Busway Kamuning Station is expected to be operational next month. This was in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ascertain the daily situation of commuters at transport hubs and inspect the progress of ongoing transportation projects. The EDSA Busway Project is a flagship initiative of the DOTr that is supported by the DPWH and MMDA. It aims to enhance mass transit efficiency, safety, and accessibility along EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare. It served a total of 66,669,287 passengers in 2025, a sizeable increase from the 63,022,953 passengers recorded in 2024.
tems standard that responds to latest trends in identifying and managing environmental risks and impact; and 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System), which is the management systems standard for sound occupational health and safety performance.
Global maritime leaders convene at MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy
THE MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA), led by its President, Dr. Michael Morales, hosted a high-level delegation on February 18, 2026, headlined by International Maritime Organization (IMO) SecretaryGeneral Arsenio Dominguez. The visit underscored the Philippines’ key role in shaping the future of global maritime education. The delegation included Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr., Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan, and MARINA Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) executive director Samuel Batalla. Magsaysay Group president and chief executive Doris Magsaysay Ho, Magsaysay People Resources president and joint manning group chairman Marlon Roño, and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation president Arnold Javier also welcomed the delegation and joined the program.
The visit included a symbolic treeplanting ceremony which reinforces the Academy’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The delegation also toured the campus to observe MMMA’s state-of-the-art facilities and meet cadets in training. The program concluded with an open dialogue, where Secretary-General Dominguez shared key insights and addressed the cadets’ concerns about automation and gender equality in today’s maritime industry.
The discussion focused on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous vessels, with cadets asking how these technologies may reshape their responsibilities at sea.
Dominguez assured the cadets that seafarers remain essential, stressing that technology cannot replace human judgment, particularly when systems fail. He added that technology’s purpose is to support seafarers.
prompt maintenance of roads, bridges; completion of pending projects; and on-time completion of projects will be the basis for promotions and appointments,” he added. Under the new policy, officials will be evaluated based on the timely delivery and quality of projects, the proper maintenance of roads and bridges and the speed of their response to damage caused by natural or man-made disasters.
Darwin G. Amojelar
DNS P2P buses go contactless with Mastercard
COMMUTERS in Metro Manila can now experience a more seamless journey as Delta NeoSolutions (DNS) P2P buses officially adopt Mastercard contactless payments. By allowing riders to “Tap & Go” using any Mastercard credit, debit, or prepaid card, this initiative marks a significant milestone in the Philippines’ transition toward a digitally enabled public transit system.
The first route to offer this capability will be the DNS P2P buses connecting UP Town Center, Quezon City, and One Ayala, Makati City, with plans to expand to additional DNS P2P bus routes. The new contactless payment capability is enabled through ADAPTIS, the payment acceptance platform by NTT DATA Payment Services Philippines, Inc., which powers open-loop transit fare collection across DNS P2P buses. This allows commuters to tap their Mastercard credit, debit, or prepaid cards directly at the point of boarding, including via compatible digital wallets on NFC-enabled Android smartphones, offering greater flexibility in how they access and pay for public transport. Every tap is backed by Mastercard’s advanced security, offering protection against skimming and fraud, so consumers can Tap & Go with confidence.
“Urban mobility is evolving, and commuters expect the same flexibility in how they pay,” Steeve Mago, chief executive officer, Delta NeoSolutions Inc. (DNS) said.
“Collaborating with financial players like Mastercard, which has an extensive payments network and reliable security solutions, supports DNS in its mission to modernize bus operations and make land transport more efficient and seamless for Filipinos,” he added. Jason Crasto, country manager, Philippines, Mastercard said that digital payments are transforming how cities move.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Angel Locsin defends stepson Joaquin Arce from ‘nepo baby’ label
STARS On The Floor
By Jasper Valdez
ACTRESS Angel Locsin pushed back against online criticism targeting her stepson, Joaquin Arce, over being labeled a “nepo baby” following his stint on Pinoy Big Brother
In a rare post on X, Locsin expressed surprise at the remarks.
Bihira lang akong mag-social media ha. Pero nagulat ako sa comments ng ilang tao dito,” she wrote. She questioned why Joaquin was being judged based on his connections.
Ano namang kasalanan ni Joaquin at naging asawa ko ang dad niya para ma-brand siya as nepo baby? Para namang hindi ako nag-dyip o bus papuntang tapings ko dati,” Angel said. She stressed that Joaquin chose to audition rather than rely on her.
“My son could have asked me for a project, but ang hiniling niya is mag-audition sa PBB,” Angel said. She also revealed her support for his run inside the PBB house. “Yung 12k na boto ko kay Joaquin sa buong journey niya, baka dagdagan ko maasar ko lang yung ibang gumagawa ng issue,” she added. Angel ended her message with a pointed remark: “Wag bitter. Nakakapangit yan.”
MANILA’S bet in Miss Universe Philippines 2026
is a veteran beauty who waited twelve years before realizing her dream of competing in the premier national pageant.
Justine Felizarta, a 31-year-old native of Padada, Davao del Sur, and a licensed medical aesthetician, is aiming to bring the crown to the nation’s capital for the first time. In the six editions of MUP, only two representatives made the cut as semifinalists, placing Top 16 in 2021 and Top 24 in 2025.
Felizarta, born to OFW Filipino migrants in Canada, first joined Miss Manila 2014 before competing in Binibining Pilipinas 2015 and placing in the Top 15. She joined again in Bb. Pilipinas 2020/21 but was unplaced. She competed in Miss World Philippines 2022 and was named Miss Tourism World Philippines 2022. She represented the country in Miss World Tourism 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where she finished as first runner-up.
A fitness enthusiast, Felizarta joined the Century Tuna Superbods 2024 modeling and fitness competition, where she and Jether Palomo were declared grand winners. She is one of the founders of ‘Reseta’ Health Center, which aims to conduct medical missions and wellness outreach programs to make healthcare sustainable for all, especially women.
“Joining Miss Universe Philippines has always been a dream of mine. Twelve years ago, when I was competing for Miss Manila, I hoped of joining Miss Universe Philippines one day. It’s such a full-circle moment for me that I’m representing Manila once again on the Miss Universe Philippines stage, and it’s exciting because I believe in timing and alignment
Season 2 returned two Sundays ago with a lineup of show-stopping performances and high-energy collabs.
Hosted by Alden Richards, the competition pairs celebrity dancers with P-Pop performers for themed routines.
SHOWBIZ
Drama actors take on dance in ‘Stars On The Floor’
Marian Rivera and dance coach Jay returned as judges, with Rayver Cruz joining the panel as a new member. The night’s biggest reveal was the “mystery celebrity dance star,” who turned out to be multi-awarded actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith. She teamed up with Joker of 1st.One for a Cha-Cha-Cha that electrified the stage. The episode also marked the start of the first competition phase, “Collabo-labong Labanan,” which features duo collaborations.
Rocco Nacino and Denise of Calista performed a crime-inspired routine, while Chanty Videla and Jeromy of Hori7on explored modern dating apps through jazz-funk. Paul Salas and Sophia of
KAIA delivered an alternate reality hiphop performance, and former Sexbomb member Sugar Mercado joined Jao of Alamat for a vibrant dancehall routine that evoked a carnival atmosphere.
At a recent press junket at GMA Studios, the stars of the show opened up about the intense challenge of translating their acting skills into dance, especially Rocco and Jasmine, both renowned for their work on screen.
“We’re used to memorization, lines, and emotions. That’s our investment as actors and celebrities. But to translate that into movement, into dance, is really hard,” Rocco discussed the challenges of turning acting into movement. “Every training, every rehearsal, we give our all. And now
and that everything happened just in time,” Felizarta enthused during the crowning and sashing ceremony held by the MUP Manila Organization.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I might as well make the most of it. I want to show everyone that with time and experience, I’m coming back even stronger and more assured of who I am and, more importantly, to continue my work for my advocacy of doing medical missions with our pharmacy,” added the skin care specialist.
I realize, from the first take, wow, this is Stars on the Floor Every rehearsal is alive.”
“What people saw last night that looked like I paused, pinupulikat talaga ako. Totoo yun. No cap. Lahat ng genres mahirap. Although I experienced different genres in Party Pilipinas, this is different. You have to go all out in one minute and 30 seconds to show the beauty of dancesport and the culture of this kind of dancing. It’s a lot of pressure. But when you’re ready, you give everything,” he went on.
Meanwhile, Jasmine said acting focuses on lines and emotions, while dance demands precise movements, rhythm, and syncing with a partner and camera.
“Dance requires a different type of blocking and larger movements. Awareness and presence of mind are important with the music, lights, and cameras. It’s not just for the live audience, it’s for viewers at home and online replays. One of my biggest struggles is the beat,” said Jasmine.
“Sometimes I catch it, sometimes I miss it. It’s very visible on TV. Unlike acting, you cannot improvise. When one partner improvises, both get lost. That’s the muscle I’m building now, my musicality and confidence in every move,” she added.
Marian stressed that enjoyment is the most important part of performing. She said steps and technique matter, but what truly stands out is seeing performers put their heart into the dance.
“Honestly, every time I watch, I want to see them enjoying themselves. Steps matter, but the most important thing is seeing their heart in the performance. That is number one. Check your heart. Make sure your heart is really there in the performance,” Marian stressed.
THE ninth installment of the zombie-blasting Resident Evil franchise, set for release this Friday (Saturday in Manila), builds on the game series’ 30-year legacy of chilling horror and high-octane action.
Available on PC as well as the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 consoles, the latest entry in publisher Capcom’s flagship property goes back to its roots, drawing players into a story that unveils a dark conspiracy in the fictional U.S. town of Raccoon City. With dozens of games, remakes, and spinoffs under the series’ belt, “it was time… to go back to a very well-known setting,” game director Koshi Nakanishi told AFP in August. More than 200 people worked on developing Resident Evil Requiem, which stars a new protagonist, FBI agent Grace, as well as Leon Kennedy, a fan-favorite action hero. Creators alternated between oppressive first-person sequences, meant to underscore the characters’ vulnerability, and third-person action scenes. Meanwhile, the story progresses from a police procedural to the series’ usual fare: a grand cover-up of a dangerous virus that transforms people into zombies. The format has done well in the past, with more than 180 million copies of Resident Evil titles sold since 1996, according to Capcom—making it by far the publisher’s most lucrative franchise, ahead of stablemates like Street Fighter and Monster Hunter Resident Evil is also returning to the silver screen with a feature film from American director Zach Cregger, set for release in September. AFP
Angel Locsin speaks up online against criticisms aimed at Joaquin Arce following his stint on ‘Pinoy Big Brother’
Rising star Joaquin Arce is vying for the Big Winner title at the upcoming ‘PBB’ Big Night
Justine Felizarta represents
Rivera reminds contestants to keep their heart in the performance as the panel weighs both technique and presence
From left: Joker, Jao, Sophia, Denise, and Jeromy join the show’s first competition phase as celebrity dancers team up with P-pop performers
Very Wang Nickie Wang
From left: Chanty, Sugar Mercado, Paul Salas, Rocco Nacino, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith say the competition tests their stamina and musicality
Kickstart your ‘Hobbymaxing Era’ with these five new hobbies
By Nickie Wang
WHO says a new year is the only time to start something fresh?
Welcome to the “Hobbymaxing Era,” where it is all about diving into creativity, finding your people, and celebrating every messy, fun, and triumphant moment along the way.
Being a hobbymaxer means turning every “I want to try that” idea into a proud “Look what I just did” moment. Here are five hobbies to dive into as you explore your next passion:
Creative journaling. Journaling has evolved into a playground for self-expression. Stickers, sketches, mood trackers, and more turn a blank page into personal art. Explore “journal flips” on social media for endless inspiration.
Social running clubs. Running with a crew adds rhythm, connection, and fun to every stride. Sync playlists, track progress together, and make exercise a shared experience that energizes both body and spirit.
Micro content creation. Storytelling grows naturally at your pace. Short vlogs, “day in the life” clips, and photo dumps capture passions and let content evolve alongside you.
Low pressure podcasting. Share your voice and ideas anytime. Solo musings or friendly chats come alive with just a smartphone and reliable data. Record when inspiration strikes.
Interactive home cooking. The kitchen turns into a creative lab for comfort food and viral recipes. Step-by-step shortform videos guide techniques while you share your culinary adventures online.
Every hobby begins with a click, a scroll, or a stream. Smart Prepaid’s Daily Data keeps you connected to dive into new passions, learn skills, and enjoy every moment.
Subscribers can choose from 500 MB to 3 GB per day with validity options of 3, 7, 14, or 28 days. Plans include texts and calls, keeping you fully connected while hobbymaxing. Getting started is simple. Log in to the Smart App or purchase through Smart Online Store, accredited retailers, e-wallets, and convenience stores nationwide.
acoustics,
Movie nights get luxe makeover at
Greenbelt
Cinemas
journaling gains traction as a visual and expressive way to document thoughts and daily moments
‘Shot puno’
Calendar girl Andrea Brillantes shares favourite cocktails for relaxed nights at home
AFTER a long day of taping and guest appearances, Tanduay Calendar Girl 2026 Andrea Brillantes has a simple way to unwind: cocktails at home. The actress and budding entrepreneur keeps her evenings low-key, experimenting with her favorite Tanduay rums to turn ordinary nights into something special.
“After a busy day at work, I like to slow down and mix cocktails using Tanduay rums,” Andrea said. “It helps me reset, whether I’m on my own or chilling with friends.” Andrea enjoys experimenting with Tanduay 5 Years, a rich mahogany rum with sweet and slightly smoky notes of dark sugar and oak. “It’s a good rum to make cocktails with,” she added.
One of her go-to drinks for quiet nights with close friends is the Daring Duo. She starts by filling a tall glass with ice, then pours in half an ounce of lime juice, four ounces of ginger beer, and two and a half ounces of Tanduay 5 Years. A slice of lemon on top completes the drink.
For a tropical, fun vibe, Andrea turns to Fiesta Paradise. She fills a tall glass with ice, adds one ounce of Tanduay 5 Years, two ounces of passion fruit juice, one ounce of orange juice, half an ounce of grenadine syrup, and half an ounce of lemonade soda. Coconut cream tops the drink, and a fresh mint leaf adds a final touch.
wider all-leather Slider seats, laser projectors, and Dolby Atmos sound.
The revamped cinemas will showcase local and international films, including the digitally restored Filipino classic Jaguar from March 4 to 10, the thriller Pose starting March 11, and a special 2026 Oscars Week lineup featuring Best Picture contenders Hamnet, animated films Elio and Zootopia 2, as well as selections from the FDCP’s A Curation of World Cinemas. March also brings Women’s Month screenings of Nora Aunor classics Atsay (March 4 to 10) and Merika (March 25 to 31), plus the premiere of Song for Selina (March 18 to 24).
“Cinema has always been a space for shared emotions, laughter, thrills, and wonder,” said Paul Birkett, Chief Operating Officer of Ayala Malls. “With Ayala All Access and the refreshed Greenbelt Cinemas, we are making the moviegoing journey smoother and more enjoyable, turning ordinary encounters into memorable moments for friends and families.”
Moviegoers can book their next experience at ayalaallaccess.com.
When she wants to impress guests, Andrea makes Golden Sunset Fizz. She shakes 0.8 ounces of orange juice, half an ounce of lime juice, 0.8 ounces of honey syrup, half an ounce of egg white, and two ounces of Tanduay 5 Years with ice until frothy. The mixture is strained into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnished with a wedge of lemon.
For something refreshing and different, she chooses Sunburst Sour. Ice goes into a shaker along with two ounces of Tanduay 5 Years, one ounce of triple sec, one ounce of lime juice, two ounces of carrot juice, and one ounce of orange juice. After shaking, the mixture is poured over fresh ice in a glass and “You don’t need complicated techniques. Just Tanduay 5 Years, good ingredients, and the right vibe. Staying in can be just as fun as going out,” Andrea said, noting that the charm of these cocktails is in their
Tanduay 5 Years and other Tanduay products are available online www.shots.ph and at leading supermarkets and liquor stores nationwide.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Kate Adajar
I’LL admit it. For the past few nights, thanks to doomscrolling, I have ended up watching videos
Roll with a Punch
It sounds surprising to be this affected by the story of a monkey from a zoo thousands of miles away. But that is the quiet power of Punch, whose image, carrying an orangutan plushie for comfort, has touched so many hearts around the world. What was just a simple moment observed by caregivers has unexpectedly turned into a global phenomenon and a conversation about bullying, loneliness, and the universal need to feel safe. In case you missed the viral story, Punch is based at Ichikawa City Zoo. According to news reports, the young macaque, reportedly less than a year old, struggled with rejection within his group and experienced rejection from his own mother at birth. Punch is often seen, through now-viral videos, clinging to something soft and safe, his plushie, in a world that felt cold and unfriendly.
By Nickie Wang
TUMI , the renowned brand behind high-end travel bags and suitcases, recently unveiled the latest iteration of its Alpha Collection. Rather than a standard product launch, guests were guided through an immersive walkthrough that showcased how the collection has evolved over time.
The space was divided into four zones.
The first traced the progression from Alpha 2 to Alpha 4. Earlier versions stood beside the newest release, showing how each generation refined silhouette, structure, and organization.
The latest iteration carries a sleeker profile and cleaner lines, a deliberate shift toward a more streamlined look. The changes were not dramatic, but they were purposeful. The identity stayed the same while the design adapted to current demands.
The Styling Zone placed the bags in real-world scenarios. A boardroom setup stood near an airport-inspired corner and a creative workspace. Structured brief packs were displayed alongside streamlined backpacks. Expansion features unzipped smoothly. Compartments for technology and documents were positioned with practical
Big lessons from a viral little monkey
The visuals stirred a quiet pain that many people did not expect from an animal story.
Caretakers, noticing Punch’s anxiety, reportedly introduced the stuffed toy into his space. Punch hugged the toy, carried it with him, and slept beside it. When tensions with other monkeys rose, as also seen in videos, the little monkey ran to it. When he rested, he held it close. The plushie became his safe space.
The orangutan plushie, which looked like Punch’s guardian, was reportedly from IKEA, a Swedish multinational company known worldwide for its affordable furniture and home goods. The brand has recently come up with simple online ads referencing Punch. This part of the story is symbolic because something ordinary, designed for everyday comfort, became a lifeline for a vulnerable animal. It reminds us that emotional security comes from familiarity, softness, literally and figuratively, and the feeling of safety.
What makes Punch’s story so relatable is that it reflects something human. As children, many of us cling to objects like a favorite blanket, a stuffed toy, or a pillow that help regulate fear or uncertainty. These objects act as emotional anchors. But what happens when we grow up?
Bullying is not limited to schools. It doesn’t disappear in adulthood. It simply changes in form, like office or workplace hostility, exclusion, harassment, or intimidation.
are not really new, but it pays to be reminded:
Acknowledge the pain.
Punch’s caregivers did not dismiss his distress as normal behavior. As adults, we often minimize our own experiences, telling ourselves or others to just be stronger or less sensitive. But emotional wounds from rejection and bullying are very real. Healing begins when we recognize that bullying exists or existed and then acknowledge its impact.
Find an emotional anchor. Punch has his nameless orangutan plushie. As humans, we need our own sources of comfort like trusted friends and relatives, talk therapy, faith practice (praying), journaling, creative outlets, or simple self-care routines. Seeking comfort is not weakness. It is emotional regulation.
Set boundaries.
must check if our environments are supportive. Sometimes, resilience means staying strong in a challenging place. But in many cases, the situation calls for stepping away from toxic spaces. Speak up.
Isolation worsens the effects of bullying.
Reaching out to someone we trust, like a mentor, a support group, or a mental health professional, brings back a sense of belonging. Healing is harder to achieve alone. What is outstanding about Punch and his story is the empathy he awakened. Millions of people online, living miles away, paused, cried, or felt something, and cared deeply about the life of a small animal.
The hot topic proves that the need for comfort cuts across ages, cultures, and even species. It also reveals something that gives me hope: the truth that, behind global conflicts and cultural differences, many of us are still prone to tenderness. Many, based on social media posts, claim to have shed tears over the videos. If a simple image of a macaque hugging a stuffed orangutan can move us to tears, then kindness is truly powerful. Softness is true strength. And empathy is not limited to viral stories like Punch’s.
Punch’s story offers lessons we can carry into our own lives. These realizations of mine
The long-term goal for Punch is healthier social adjustment. Just like him, as adults, we
intent. The collection was presented as adaptable rather than situational, built for corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and digital natives moving through varied environments in a single day.
A separate section focused on durability. Demonstrations highlighted the strength of the FXT ballistic nylon, a material long associated with the brand. Staff showed abrasion resistance and reinforced construction, drawing attention to heavyduty zippers and structured handles. In a market driven by rapid turnover, the emphasis here was longevity. The message centered on performance over trend.
The final zone spotlighted the global campaign featuring Lando Norris . The
Because if we can feel this much compassion for Punch, imagine what could change if we offered the same to the rest of the world. For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
Designed for stylish travel, built for everyday durability
Formula One driver’s presence underscored themes of speed, precision, and constant motion. The visuals connected elite motorsport discipline with the rhythm of modern travel and work.
Founded in 1975, Tumi continues to position Alpha as a core expression of its design philosophy: streamlined organization, expansion capability, and integrated technology within a restrained silhouette.
Actor Dominic Roque holds up Tumi’s backpack built for daily use and travel
News anchor Migs Bustos tries on a Tumi backpack as the brand showcases its latest Alpha collection focused on durability and function
The latest collection’s refined silhouettes and practical features suited for professionals on the move
Tumi aims to
Random Talk
Punch’s attachment to a plush toy becomes a symbol of coping in environments marked by rejection and uncertainty
Caregivers’ response to Punch’s distress underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing emotional needs
Punch draws global attention as his search for comfort sparks conversations about loneliness and emotional safety (AI-generated image)
The baby macaque’s journey encourages conversations about healing, connection, and the importance of safe spaces