Manila Standard - 2026 March 3 - Tuesday

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Conflict with Iran may last 4 weeks—Trump

Tensions escalate: Iran targets Gulf states, Israel hits Lebanon

UNITED States President Donald Trump said the conflict with Iran may continue for four weeks as he vowed to avenge the deaths of three US soldiers killed during the operations while warning that more casualties were likely.

Trump said he envisaged a fourweek military operation against Iran, where US and Israeli strikes have killed the country's supreme leader and crippled its defense capabilities.

"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so," he told British newspaper the Daily Mail during a round of interviews.

The US president also called on Iranians to rise up, saying: "America is with you." He warned the country's Revolutionary Guards to surrender or face "certain death.”

In response, Iran said it "will not negotiate with the United States," according to Ali Larijani, the powerful head of Tehran's Supreme National Security Council.

He said Trump's "delusional fantasies" had plunged the region into chaos.

China, for its part, called on Monday for a ceasefire and diplomatic talks to end the conflict in the Middle East, as officials in Beijing confirmed one citizen had been killed in Iran.

"The most urgent task is a cessation of military operations and preventing a spillover of conflict," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference.

Russia also urged a ceasefire, slamming attacks on civilian targets across the region.

"We advocate the immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties,"

House panel rules 2 impeach raps vs. VP Sara sufficient in form

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Pot Chavez and Ram Superable

understanding that the witnesses must be protected. Since we are in the DOJ, we had to do it. They are Filipinos,” Remulla said.

By Vito Barcelo

THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a swift investigation of alleged irregularities in flood-control projects linked to Nancy Binay and Carleen Yap-Villa, following the submission of what former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo described as “damning evidence.” Central to the case are multiple sworn affidavits submitted by Bernardo, who claimed that Yap-Villa, a former staff

member in Binay’s Senate office and later a department head at Makati City Hall, acted as a direct intermediary between Binay and DPWH officials. Bernardo asserted that Yap-Villa facilitated communications, negotiated arrangements, and handled kickback solicitations tied to project approvals. In a memorandum issued by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, the General Investigation Bureau (GIB) was instructed to expedite proceedings, citing converging findings from

THE government has stepped up rescue and repatriation preparations for hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran disrupts air travel and heightens security risks across the region. Hans Leo Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), said the agency is acting under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and is closely coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of National Defense, and Philippine posts abroad.

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the ministry said in a statement, adding: "any attacks on civilian targets, whether in Iran or Arab countries, are unacceptable."

The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun a new "broad strike" in the "heart of Tehran" after generals vowed to step up attacks on "key elements of the regime."

Loud explosions were heard on Monday in several parts of the Iranian capital, shaking apartment buildings in the center.

The Israeli military also said it was simultaneously attacking the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and claimed to have killed a "senior Hezbollah terrorist" in Beirut, though the army said there was no reason for a ground inva-

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“There are no American military bases in the Philippines. The sites referred to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are Philippine military bases that remain under the full ownership, control and management of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the NSC said.

The council added it is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DND, and other agencies to closely monitor developments in the Middle East.

“At this time, tensions remain confined to the region and there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory, including our military facilities. We urge the public to remain calm, exercise dis-

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Malacañang noted the Department of Transportation has a P2.5-billion allocation under the national budget for fuel subsidies, already transferred to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for implementation.

Separate allocations are available for other sectors, including P25 million for farmers under the Department of Agriculture and P25 million for fisherfolk through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Lopez noted.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met with industry players to assess global oil price movements and their potential impact on domestic pump prices.

“We will discuss further,” Castro said when asked if motorists should brace for a significant increase.

Early indications based on the Mean of Platts Singapore suggest pump prices could rise by as much as P4 per liter next week —on top of increases taking effect today (Tuesday) of P1.90 per liter for gasoline, P1.20 for diesel and P1.50 for kerosene.

“If using today’s early MOPS indication, the difference versus last week’s average would be equivalent to a P4 increase on diesel and a P2 increase on gasoline for next week. This is an indication only,” said Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas.

Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow waterway leading to the Persian Gulf, home to most of the Middle East’s big oil producers -- had been closed following hostilities involving Iran, Iraq and the United States further pushed up prices.

“We’ve yet to see any clarity on where the latest developments in the Middle East will lead and for how long. Given the current situation, we expect high volatility in oil prices in the near term,” Bellas said.

The Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau said oil companies agreed to stagger next week’s anticipated increase if necessary. Director Rino Abad said the DOE could order staggered hikes if adjustments reach P3 per liter, based on previous actions.

Garin, speaking on radio DZMM, cautioned against panic buying and stressed the importance of maintaining supply.

“Prices will go up. I will not sugarcoat it,” she said. “Supply is the most

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“What is at stake here is the lives of the witnesses. We have to protect them to the best of our abilities,” he added. Last week, lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 ex-security officials of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co claimed they distributed some P805 billion to several officials, including about P115 million (about $2 million) to support the ongoing investigation of the ICC.

sion yet.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, on the other hand, launched missile strikes on Israeli targets, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and other sites in Tel Aviv, Haifa and east Jerusalem, calling it a "tenth wave" of attacks.

Iran also hit targets across the Gulf, with the army saying it had launched 15 cruise missiles in strikes on a US air base in Kuwait and vessels in the Indian Ocean.

A power plant in Qatar was hit, one person was killed as an oil tanker was targeted off Oman, and British officials said a vessel in a Bahrain port had been struck by "unknown projectiles."

The US embassy in Kuwait, where black smoke could be seen, said in a statement that people should not come to the diplomatic mission: "Take cover in your residence on the lowest avail-

cernment, and be vigilant against disinformation,” the council said.

The DND echoed this position following calls from Senator Erwin Tulfo to review the EDCA.

DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the agency respects the Senate’s oversight role and will cooperate with lawmakers, but emphasized that the Philippines is not a participant in the conflict.

“As such, there is no credible direct threat to the Philippines or facilities therein,” Andolong said, noting that Iran’s recent attacks were directed at US facilities in countries with which it shares maritime or land borders.

He noted that the Philippines poses no threat to Iran and clarified that EDCA sites are Philippine facilities.

“They do not belong to the US nor are they being used to launch or stage assaults against another country. They are for joint

crucial and we do not want it to be affected, and we will run out of oil here.”

Castro said the government is ready to roll out fuel subsidies once global crude prices breach $80 per barrel.

Asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would support suspending excise taxes on diesel and kerosene, Castro said the previous tax relief mechanism implemented from 2018 to 2020 had lapsed.

“It appears that this has already expired, and if possible, there should be a new law regarding this,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned that the escalating Middle East conflict could have serious economic repercussions for the country, which sources all its crude oil imports from the region.

PCCI called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the government to secure alternative fuel sources and accelerate renewable energy development.

It also appealed to the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to activate emergency protocols for more than two million overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East.

The group warned that higher fuel prices, possible supply chain disruptions and weaker remittances — which hit a record $38.3 billion in 2024 — could stoke inflation and erode purchasing power, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Senator Bam Aquino reminded the government that the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law allows the automatic suspension of excise taxes on petroleum products once world oil prices breach $80 per barrel for three consecutive months.

“This suspension will help ease the impact of the expected increase in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East,” he said.

Aquino, who filed Senate Bill No. 265 in the 20th Congress seeking to abolish excise taxes on diesel, kerosene, LPG, fuel oil and unleaded gasoline, warned that higher oil prices would trigger a domino effect on food and other goods.

“These taxes have contributed to higher fuel prices, which in turn cascade into increased costs for goods and services, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income Filipinos,” he said. Charles Dantes, Alena Mae Flores, Darwin Amojelar, Othel Campos, Maricel Cruz, and Ram Superable with AFP

Baligod 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. The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court 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 ex-

able floor and away from windows. Do not go outside."

An unmanned Iranian drone crashed into Britain's RAF Akrotiri military base in Cyprus shortly after midnight, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said Monday, with British officials saying a drone hit the runway.

Britain agreed on Sunday to allow the United States to use British military bases to fire "defensive" strikes at Iranian missile systems.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was "firmly and unequivocally" behind member states following the drone hit, later calling for urgent de-escalation to prevent the conflict spreading across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, a concerted Iranian attack on Saudi oil facilities could trigger a military response from the kingdom, a source close to the Saudi government told Agence France Presse on Monday,

training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and the defense and security of our country,” he said.

Andolong added that EDCA sites play an important role in the capacity and capability building of the AFP, and cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as saying the sites “will not be used for offensive action.”

The Philippine National Police likewise said it has not monitored any direct or specific threat to the country amid fears of possible spillover of violence due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the situation abroad has not posed a direct danger to the Philippines, but police remain in close coordination with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure readiness in safeguarding key establishments.

“We have not detected a credible

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Amid the escalating conflict, 22 senators on Monday called for tighter oversight of government contingency measures.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, delivered a privilege speech warning that the widening hostilities pose immediate risks to Filipino workers and to the domestic economy.

“While this conflict unfolds thousands of miles from our shores, its consequences are not distant. First, the safety of our overseas Filipinos… second, energy security and economic stability,” Tulfo said.

Cacdac said preparations now cover three fronts: in-country assistance, relocation to safer areas, and full-scale repatriation should conditions deteriorate.

“We are ready for such an eventuality,” he said, noting that the government has identified meeting points, transit hubs and temporary shelters where Filipinos can gather before being moved to exit points and flown home once airspace reopens.

The DMW is mobilizing both public and private resources for possible land, sea or air evacuation. Augmentation teams are being positioned near key areas, although Cacdac declined to disclose specific routes for security reasons.

At present, there is no mass repatriation, but dozens have asked to return, he added.

In Dubai, between 80 and 100 Filipinos have signified their intention to go home. In Israel, at least 52 have earlier expressed interest in voluntary repatriation, while about 800 Filipinos are in Iran.

Cacdac said those requesting repatriation in Dubai have been transferred to safer ground while waiting for exit points to reopen amid airspace restrictions.

The government is also coordinating the return of the remains of Mary Ann Velazquez de Vera, a 32-year-old Filipina caregiver from Pangasinan killed in Tel Aviv during retaliatory strikes.

The DMW said it is working with Israeli authorities and her family and will extend financial and burial assistance.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has assisted hundreds of stranded Filipinos affected by flight cancellations.

onerating 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."

Remulla said he will ask Baligod to produce 18 different affidavits to determine their respective personal knowledge.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said allowing the 18 former security aides to testify could turn any hearing into a spectacle if their claims did not align with basic facts and lacked credibility from the outset.

after drones hit an oil refinery.

The massive Ras Tanura refinery on Saudi Arabia's Gulf coast went into partial shutdown on Monday after the strike by two drones, three days into the Middle East war.

"It depends if this is seen as a direct attack on Aramco by the Iranian leadership or a rogue drone that just came close," the source told AFP, referring to the giant state oil company.

"At this stage I think Saudi will watch and wait."

Military retaliation would be a possible option if Iran were seen as launching a targeted campaign against the kingdom's oil installations. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter.

Saudi Arabia would target "Iranian oil facilities if Iran mounts a concerted attack on Aramco," the source said. AFP

threat but our personnel remain vigilant and proactive. The situation is being monitored and we are in close coordination with other government agencies on this matter,” he said.

Nartatez directed all PNP units to maintain vigilance and continue standard security measures, including intelligence gathering and cyber monitoring.

“Our intelligence units are actively monitoring any possible spillover effects, including terror threats or radicalization. We are keeping an eye on any developments that may affect internal security,” he said.

Police visibility has been increased in key urban centers, transport hubs, and vital installations, with random security inspections conducted nationwide in coordination with local police units. Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, and Vince Lopez

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said 768 passengers were assisted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals 1 and 3, while nearly 100 more were aided at Clark International Airport. Many were bound for Middle East destinations when flights were suspended.

Abroad, Philippine labor offices assisted 132 stranded Filipinos at Hong Kong International Airport who were en route to Dubai and Riyadh.

Of these, 31 have returned to Manila on government-provided tickets. Thirty-three others were assisted at Changi International Airport in Singapore with accommodation, meals and transport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines reported at least 42 flight cancellations and three diversions since Saturday involving routes to and from Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Department of Health said it is prepared to offer telemedicine, including mental health services, to affected OFWs, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pledged financial aid, psychosocial services and livelihood assistance for repatriates through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The DFA clarified that alert levels for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait remain unchanged as of Feb. 13. Iran and Israel are under Alert Level 2, which imposes a deployment ban on newly hired OFWs and advises Filipinos to shelter in place. Higher alert levels trigger voluntary or mandatory repatriation.

At the Senate, Tulfo confirmed the death of De Vera in Tel Aviv and stressed that the protection of Filipinos in Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE “is not optional.”

Tulfo filed Senate Resolution 322 seeking an inquiry in aid of legislation by the foreign relations, migrant workers and energy committees to assess evacuation readiness, repatriation funding and economic safeguards.

Twenty-two senators signed a separate sense-of-the-Senate resolution urging the immediate implementation of protection and repatriation measures. Charles Dantes, Katrina Manubay, Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz, Rolando Ng III, Vito Barcelo, and Joel Zurbano

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, asserted that granting the former soldiers a public platform will risk validating accounts that already appeared inconsistent.

“Even as we speak, I continue to fact-check the claims. It would be hard to call a hearing if these were lacking in believability,” he said.

Lacson maintained that the mathematics behind the claim remains problematic, pointing out that the alleged P805 billion cash delivery would equal 805 metric tons based on the estimate that P1 million weighs one kilogram.

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rules. “The Chair declares the third impeachment complaint, that is Father Saballa et al. impeachment complaint, sufficient in form. So ruled,” panel chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said.

Moments later, she also declared the Cabrera complaint sufficient in form, sending both to the next stage—determination of sufficiency in substance.

Earlier in the hearing, the committee voted 22-10 to set aside the first impeachment complaint filed on Feb. 2, 2026 by former lawmakers and activist groups and endorsed by the Makabayan bloc, ruling that it fell within the Constitution’s one-year bar.

The majority cited the Supreme Court’s July 25, 2025 ruling stating that no impeachment proceeding may be commenced before Feb. 6, 2026, and that the Feb. 2 filing constituted such commencement.

The justice panel also approved the withdrawal of the complaint filed by Tindig Pilipinas co-convener Francis Joseph “Kiko” Aquino Dee and others, narrowing the active cases to two.

In a letter to the committee, the complainants said they were withdrawing their verified complaint after careful deliberation and would instead support the third impeachment complaint filed by Saballa and others.

The impeachment complaints cite betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes under Article XI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution.

Allegations include Duterte’s use of P612.5 million in confidential funds, submission of allegedly fabricated reports to the Commission on Audit, refusal to recognize congressional oversight, and claims of unexplained wealth and omissions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. The third complaint also raised allegations over the alleged misuse of about P612 million in confidential funds and claims of corruption within the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as secretary. It likewise cited accusations that she threatened to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said there is “smoking gun” evidence to justify impeachment, noting that most of the factual allegations and annexes in the Saballa complaint were the same as those contained in the articles of impeachment endorsed by 215 House members and transmitted to the Senate in February 2025.

She cited a video in which Duterte allegedly threatened to kill the President, the First Lady, and the then-House Speaker, as well as documents showing millions of pesos in confidential and intelligence fund disbursements to individuals who could not be located and whose names had no records with the Philippine Statistics Authority. Luistro stressed that impeachment is a constitutional process to be resolved through evidence-based deliberations in the House, not on social media. She clarified that the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling was limited to the one-year bar and did not rule on the merits of the allegations.

“Let us discharge this duty without shortcuts, without prejudgment, and with fidelity to the Constitution,” she said.

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both a Senate inquiry and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

Bernardo further stated that he maintained a detailed record of transactions which he claimed linked Binay and her husband, Jose Benjamin Angeles, to the alleged scheme. According to Bernardo’s affidavits, the documentation demonstrated not only the flow of funds, but also confirmations of acceptance, adding that his evidence goes beyond verbal claims and is supported by corroborating witnesses prepared to testify.

Among the most serious allegations are claims of substantial cash deliveries made in multiple tranches in Makati City and Quezon City.

Bernardo alleged that two major deliveries totaling P340 million were made in Horseshoe Village, Quezon City, along with an additional P200 million delivered separately. He described these amounts as “commitments” or kickbacks demanded in exchange for the accommodation of flood-control projects.

Investigators from the ICI noted that the volume and frequency of the alleged transactions, coupled with the involvement of a trusted aide operating within Binay’s political and administrative circle, weakened any assertion of lack of knowledge.

The commission concluded that the pattern described in Bernardo’s affidavits raised “serious questions of accountability at the highest levels of local leadership.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Leonen urges courts to use digital systems

SUPREME Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen is encouraging judges and court employees to fully utilize the digital systems being implemented in the judiciary. He made the remark during his visit to Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet last month, where he discussed the rollout of eCourtPH.

“The learning curve is steep, but you have to go through it,” Leonen said, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to new tools.

The eCourtPH seeks to address the limitations of paper-based systems by digitizing court processes and providing lawyers with real-time updates on case status.

The program forms part of the judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, the SC’s comprehensive reform and modernization initiative. Pot Chavez

Police raid 20 known locations of Atong Ang

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it continues to scour the archipelago in search of gaming tycoon and fugitive Charlie “Atong” Ang.

At a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities have implemented search warrants in more than 20 locations nationwide since January 2026.

“As for the effort of the PNP, there are many manhunt teams, including other units making efforts here. We have raided or checked the properties and known whereabouts of Atong Ang, probably not more than 20 areas visited or raided, not only twice but thrice, and of course we are looking at his friends who might be hiding him, and we are continuing this,” Nartatez said.

He added that police have also scoured several islands where Ang could be hiding to evade arrest.

Vince Lopez

DSWD issue warnings vs. cuts in seniors’ cash

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated the National Commission of Senior Citizens’ (NCSC) warning against false claims about ATM card distribution and illegal deductions from cash gifts for senior citizens.

The NCSC, a supervised agency of the DSWD, promotes the rights and welfare of elderly Filipinos and implements the centenarian cash gift and other benefits.

Amid misinformation on the centenarian cash gift, the NCSC issued advisories to protect seniors from individuals seeking to exploit them.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, echoed the advisory and urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and financial exploitation. Maricel V. Cruz

By Rex Espiritu

FILIPINO fishermen operating in the West Philippine Sea reported renewed harassment by Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc and Escoda Shoal, prompting the deployment of government assets to ensure their safety.

In a statement Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it monitored Friday morning a group of Filipino fish-

MAMBABATOK. Traditional tattoo artist Ammin Achaur and her group demonstrate “batok,” the Cordilleran art of hand-tapped tattooing using pomelo thorns and soot, during the Mangwhawhato’ of the Cordillera 2026 event at SM Baguio City, introducing the younger

Panel report on flood probe sought

By Pot Chavez

LAWYERS filed a petition on Monday before the Supreme Court (SC) to compel the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to release its draft partial committee report on the anomalous flood control probe.

In an interview with reporters, lawyer

Marvin Aceron said this is the first case brought before the High Tribunal against the Senate regarding a “draft report.”

“This is the first time we are challenging what they call privileged communication. It is not confidential anymore;

FUEL HIKE. Motorists queue at a gasoline station in Delpan, Tondo, Manila on Monday, ahead of a scheduled fuel price hike amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel that have driven up global oil prices and domestic pump costs. Norman Cruz

it is a public matter. They used public funds to investigate the flood control scam, they used public hours for that,” he said.

He added that Senator Ping Lacson, who sits as Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson, is discussing the report publicly.

“Senator Ping Lacson himself said at least three senators signed it—Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Sen. Bam Aquino. The senators we trust were the ones who signed it, but it still lacks signatures,” he explained.

In a 29-page petition, they seek the issuance of a writ directing the Senate to release the unredacted report.

Likewise, petitioners also asked the High Tribunal to order senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, and Sherwin Gatchalian to submit written explanations for withdrawing their signatures from the draft report.

Aside from Aceron, the other peti -

Fishermen report renewed harassment in West Philippine Sea

ermen being blocked and driven away from their traditional fishing grounds near Bajo de Masinloc by Chinese maritime militia vessels and China Coast Guard ships 3103 and 3303.

In response, the PCG vessel BRP Cabra was dispatched, along with 10 vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), to rendezvous with more than 30 Filipino fishing boats in the area.

Authorities said the fishermen were provided fuel subsidies to allow them to extend their stay at sea despite the disruption.

The fishermen also reported spotting an unidentified drone believed to be monitoring their movements. Authorities further confirmed that Starlink internet connections are cut off within 12 nautical miles of Bajo de Masinloc.

Similar incidents were reported in Escoda Shoal, where Filipino fishermen sought assistance after Chinese maritime militia vessels and China Coast Guard ships 4203 and 5303 allegedly blocked and harassed them, preventing them from continuing fishing operations.

The PCG vessel BRP Cape Engaño was deployed to Escoda Shoal and remains in the area to maintain a security presence and deter further harassment.

tioners are Sikini Labastilla and Purificacion Bartolome-Bernabe, who are suing as citizens and in their professional capacities.

In a separate interview with Manila Standard, retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio said the case will not prosper.

“[It] will not prosper because the committee report is still a draft and is still being finalized. It has not been voted upon by the committee and it could still change,” he said.

“The SC will not interfere in ongoing deliberations of a co-equal branch,” he added.

Isko signs order to cut fuel use amid Iran conflict

By Pot Chavez

MANILA Mayor Francisco Moreno

Domagoso on Monday signed an executive order to cut the city government’s fuel consumption by 50% amid the looming oil crisis from the escalating conflict in Iran.

Under Executive Order No. 7, series of 2026, Domagoso said “the ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East and Operation Epic Fury in full effect (the Joint US-Israel Strike against Iran) will eventually contribute to significant global oil market volatility, supply disruptions, and upward pressure on fuel prices, with adverse effects on the national and local economy and the fiscal position of the City of Manila.”

The move is in anticipation of an oil shock triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“The country of Iran declared a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz; thus, the flow of 20% of the world’s oil is physically blocked,” said Domagoso.

“The City Government of Manila must act to protect public funds, maintain essential public services, and reduce exposure to fuel supply and price shocks by instituting immediate fuel conservation measures,” he said.

DOJ to start investigation on Villar Land

By Pot Chavez

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct a preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Villar Land Holdings Corp. over alleged market manipulation and insider trading. Manuel Villar rejected the allegations, saying the company upheld the highest standards of good corporate governance. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said: “After undergoing initial evaluation, the complaint lodged by the SEC against Villar Holdings Corp. et al. with the DOJ will proceed with preliminary investigation for alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code.”

He shared that subpoenas have already been served on the respondents. Martinez explained that the Justice department will determine whether there is merit to the allegations by the SEC. He added that, as a matter of procedure, all respondents will be given an opportunity to present their defenses. In January, the SEC filed the complaint charging the company with alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) for making false or misleading statements and engaging in acts that operated as fraud or deceit upon investors. It stemmed from the commission’s investigation into the company’s public disclosures and trading activities, which allegedly misled investors and distorted the market price of the company’s shares.

PARAW. Traditional paraw boats with multicolored sails line the waters off Arevalo district in Iloilo City as participants await the start of the 53rd Paraw Regatta Festival on March 1, 2026. Norman Cruz

HANDING DOWN CULTURE. Tribal village artist Catherine Ekid Domigyay, a reputed master weaver and founder of Inabel ni Ina, teaches a young lass the basics of traditional Cordilleran weaving during a trade exhibit. Her work highlights how Baguio’s textiles, with its intricate patterns and cultural narratives, remain deeply woven in the community life, rituals, and heritage across generations. Edd Castro

Bill seeks to reorganize DPWH

By Ram Superable

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Monday pressed the passage of Senate Bill No. 1835, also known as the Infrastructure Governance Act, seeking to restructure the Department of Public Works and Highways by closing gaps “where opportunities for corruption exist.”

Through a rationalized setup covering the central, regional and district offices, Sotto says the mandate-focused reorganization will also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency’s services.

“Public infrastructure plays a vital role in an efficient and effective nation. Not only do they produce a number of jobs, they also answer to the essential, if not indispensable, needs of many Filipinos,” he said.

IN BRIEF

QCGH joins honor roll In US magazine survey

THE Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH) has been recognized as one of the country’s top hospitals by the New York City-based weekly news magazine “Newsweek,” ranking the facility 24th in its national roster. QCGH stands out as the only Level III local government hospital with 10 fully accredited departments and a fellowship training program.

“This recognition will surely inspire us to continue improving our programs and further enhance the quality of medical care we provide to our fellow QCitizens,” QCGH director Josephine Sabando said.

The ranking, conducted in partnership with global data-as-a-service company Statista, evaluated 2,500 hospitals across 32 countries. Rio N. Araja

P270m allotted for rehab of Kennon Rd. rockshed

PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon has allotted P270 million from the agency’s available funds to complete the 250-meter rockshed, road slip and road cut along strategic portions Kennon Road leading to Baguio City to ensure it remains passable even during the rainy season.

Dizon led a team of DPWH officials who inspected the rockshed along Camp 6, the road slip between Camp 4 and Camp 5 and the rod cut in Camp 2, all along Kennon road Sunday morning before proceeding home to Pampanga to personally assess the situation of the historic thoroughfare.

Dizon cited the need to rehabilitate the whole structure and repair the damage inflicted by recent typhoons to ensure it serves its purpose of preventing frequent closures due to landslides during the rainy season.

President Marcos assessed last year the extent of damage inflicted by the typhoons on the integrity of the rockshed. Dexter A. See

AFP to rebels: Amnesty program not indefinite

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday reminded members of outlawed armed groups that the window for amnesty applications is open only for a limited time, stressing that the opportunity to return to the fold of the law and begin a new life will not remain available indefinitely.

“The period to return and start anew is not open forever; the door to peace is not permanent. This is the final opportunity to take part in a process that strengthens unity and national progress,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.

She also urged rebel holdouts to join the government’s collective effort to achieve lasting peace and security in the country.

As the amnesty program nears its conclusion, Padilla emphasized that a greater challenge lies ahead for all Filipinos—to stand united in defending the nation’s territory and sovereignty. Rex Espiritu

CHINESE OPERA. The Hokkien Chinese Opera Group stages a special Kao Ka presentation at the Kuan Kong Temple ON Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila in celebration of the birthday of the Chinese God of Wealth. Richmond

“These infrastructure projects are one of the major government services through which the taxpayers feel that their contributions are worthwhile,” he added. Under the measure, the DPWH central office will be restructured into cluster based infrastructure services units composed of the National Highways Operations Unit, the Flood Control and Water Resource Development System Unit, other public works unit, and an Infrastructure Maintenance Services Unit. Each unit is headed by an undersecretary with three assistant secretaries as-

The Infrastructure Maintenance Services Unit will inspect, monitor and evaluate completed projects and maintain a centralized and publicly accessible online database of all government infrastructure projects, whether implemented by national or local entities, including their status and bidding details.

The proposed law also creates an Infrastructure Inspectorate Team and bars the release of final billing or project completion payments without corresponding inspection reports, while mandating that all inspections be streamed live on official

Agents arrest Malaysian with P112-m shabu

By Joel E. Zurbano and Vito Barcelo

GOVERNMENT agents have apprehended over the weekend a Malaysian citizen for alleged possession of over P112 million worth of prohibited substance believed to be shabu at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 1.

The operation was led by the Port of NAIA through its Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF), in close coordination with the Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

The Malaysian arrived from Kuala Lumpur on February 28.

Customs personnel flagged the baggage of the passenger for inspection, resulting in the discovery of illegal drugs stashed in his checked in luggage.

Authorities seized approximately 16.526 kilograms of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly referred to as shabu, with an estimated street value of ₱112,376,800.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the operation was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s strong directive to enhance the campaign against illegal drugs and to bolster border protection measures.

“In accordance with the clear directive of President Marcos to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs, we continue to strengthen our vigilance at airports and seaports. This successful operation is a testament to our rigorous coordination and dedication to preventing the entry of contra-

By Maricel V. Cruz

CONGRESS has allocated ₱41 billion this year to cover the tuitions of indigent students who are compelled to attend private high schools in underserved areas, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said on Monday.

“This allocation will enable an estimated 2.58 million students from low-income households, as well as those in overcrowded public schools, to pursue and complete their secondary education in private schools,” Libanan said.

“The funding will help ensure that more students stay in school, especially at a time when many families are under significant economic pressure and students face a heightened risk of dropping out to seek immediate gainful employment,” he added.

Libanan said the ₱41 billion allocation for high school education subsidies is broken down into ₱12.3 billion for the Junior High School Educational Service Contracting Program (JHSESC), ₱26.5 billion for the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP); and ₱2.2 billion for the Joint

Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP).

Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education indicate that a substantial number of senior high school students drop out.

For example, in the school year 2024-2025, a total of 2,041,601 students were enrolled in Grade 11. Of these, 169,836 students—representing 8.3 percent—dropped out and did not advance to Grade 12.

“Keeping more students in school is not just an education policy; it is an economic safeguard for our families and our future workforce,” Libanan said.

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO City—Throngs of residents and visitors filled this city’s main thoroughfares during the weekend to for the staging of the twin highlights of the 30th edition of the Panagbenga flower festival, highlighting gala street dancing parade on Saturday and the grand floral float parade on Sunday People started to wait up along

Prosecution and defense of Duterte

IT IS now clear that as far as the prosecutor of the ICC (International Criminal Court) is concerned, former President Rodrigo Duterte has to answer and be responsible for the many extra-judicial killings recorded during his years of presidency where he launched that brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs.

According to official estimates, over 6,000 were killed, but according to unofficial estimates, about somewhere between 26,000 and 28,000 were killed. This is now the outcome of the ICC insofar as the former president is concerned, that he has to be held responsible for all the killings including EJKs.

The defense lies mostly on the fact that he did not do the killings, in spite of his threats to kill all those involved in illegal drugs.

When people celebrate EDSA every February, I often wonder: What is there to celebrate?

The illegal drugs menace in the country remains and Duterte is now accused of crimes against humanity by the ICC.

In fact he has been under detention in the Hague, the headquarters of the ICC.

How can Duterte not be responsible for launching what was called “Oplan Tokhang” where police would just knock on the door of suspected drug dealers who were mostly young people who were drugtakers and to finance their habit had to deal in illegal drugs?

In fact there are co-conspirators included in the prosecution against Duterte, principally the head of the PNP (Philippine National Police), former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who is now a senator. Under de la Rosa, the administration of Duterte launched the much dreaded Tokhang campaign. After that campaign came the also much dreaded “Operation Double Barrel”, also implemented by Bato dela Rosa.

Aside from the brutal and bloody campaign of Duterte against illegal drugs when he was president, there was also that similar episode when he was mayor of Davao City with the infamous Davao Death Squad where the DDS targeted suspected criminals of Davao and had them killed. Who else could have ordered that killing if not the mayor of Davao City who then was Rodrigo Duterte. He cannot deny all those speeches wherein he threatened to kill anybody dealing in drugs.

As I said, the trial of Duterte is almost at an end and all the relatives of the victims of that brutal and bloody war on illegal drugs now lie on the doorstep of Duterte and he must be held responsible for them.

It cannot be said that the police killed people just because they were fighting back.

How can you fight back the police?

That’s the only defense on the side of Duterte.

I am not predicting at this point what will happen. All that I am saying is it’s about time Duterte and those involved in the killings must be held responsible because those days were dark pages in Philippine history and whoever was responsible should be made responsible for them.

The EDSA Concoction

I call it an EDSA Concoction because we just celebrated 40 years of the story concocted by the antiMarcos people after the assumption of Corazon Aquino as president of the country.

It has been 40 years of EDSA which was concocted to be called EDSA 40 People Power Revolution.

This is what happened. After President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. left Malacanang the night before and with Cory being sworn in as the new president, a little more than 500,000 gathered at EDSA in what was romantically called the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Actually, it is a misnomer -- it was not a real revolution. It was just a change of regime.

The “Yellows” should stop making something of it every year.

Cory Aquino is not the icon of democracy since she was just the beneficiary of EDSA.

When people celebrate EDSA every February, I often wonder: What is there to celebrate?

‘A crime scene’: US researchers examine unmarked graves of dozens of Black children

CHELTENHAM, Maryland—Mark

Davis was just 13 years old when he perished in a juvenile detention facility for Black boys in the eastern US state of Maryland some 140 years ago. Today, his remains lie in an abandoned graveyard in the woods, covered by dead leaves and snow, along with the graves of some 200 other Black boys and teenagers held in conditions that researchers describe as inhumane.

A team from Georgetown University is investigating their deaths at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, a segregated juvenile detention facility in Cheltenham, Maryland, and memorializing them.

Known as the Forgotten Children Initiative, the project aims to document the identities of the children buried here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly in unmarked graves, to preserve their legacies and locate any living relatives.

“Some of those children that (were) just picked up for just truancy and just never made it back home,” said Tyrone Walker, who heads a reintegration program for former inmates at Georgetown. “What did they tell their parents? Or do their parents even know? They probably thought they ran away.” Walker, an African American who in the 1990s was himself a juvenile inmate at Cheltenham, added: “Nobody’s been brought to justice. Since this happened to young Black boys, it seemed like nobody cared.”

‘Severely neglected’

Opened in 1873, the privately operated detention facility housed petty delinquents and orphans, said Marc Schindler, a professor at Georgetown who leads the project. Some were held on loitering charges,

while others were detained over their perceived “incorrigibility.”

Officially, the buried children were listed as having died of tuberculosis, pneumonia, or exhaustion, between 1877 and 1939.

All of them were Black, and researchers believe many actually died because they were overworked, underfed and denied proper care.

Crystal Foretia, a former policy administrator at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, said the House of Reformation has a “vast history of physical abuse, forced labor, lack of educational opportunities.”

Numerous testimonies, as well as reporting by the Baltimore newspaper the Afro-American, detail the terrible conditions in which these children were incarcerated and made to work in fields.

According to Schindler, two boys who were kept in an unheated cell in freezing temperatures had their legs amputated due to frostbite, something that was not reflected in their death certificates.

“Now we know that he was very, very severely neglected, if not abused, and that resulted in his death,” Schindler said of one of the youths.

Rosie Clark, a Maryland volunteer who did some genealogical research on the Cheltenham burial site, asserts that many official documents were forged.

“These death certificates were filled out by the people who were in charge,” she told AFP. “If a child was beaten to death, they’re not going to say it on the death certificate.”

‘A crime scene’

In the 1930s, the state of Maryland took over the facility, after the shooting of a Black minor by a white guard drew national attention. The modern facility

EDITORIAL

Improving welfare of Filipino elderly

ANEW 10 percent increase in the monthly retirement and disability pensions of Filipino pensioners under the Social Security System in the third quarter this year gives retirees Juan and Juana good reasons to flash a smile prior to Yuletide.

The first of three incremental increases was rolled out in September last year and the last in September next year, signifying a major, multi-year income boost for some 3.9 million Filipino retirees, and help them grapple with rising costs of living.

This, along with a 5 percent hike for survivors, provides, about 33 percent cumulative increase for retirement/disability pensioners by 2027 and 16 percent for death or survivor pensioners without raising member contributions until 2027, the SSS said in a statement.

The increases fall under the SSS three-year pension reform program, where SSS pensioners would receive a pension hike every September, starting 2025 until 2027.

The fresh 10 percent increase —with no corresponding hike in member contributions—is seen as a significant income boost for those now enjoying their retirement years,

given the structured, annual 3-tranche increase particularly designed to combat inflation and rising living costs, affecting retirement, disability and survivor pensioners.

SSS is also planning to roll out a microloan program, possibly in the second quarter of the year

The Social Security System is a mandatory, state-run social insurance program designed to provide financial security to private sector workers, the self-employed, and the informal sector against income loss due to sickness, maternity, disability, old age, or death.

POWER in a democracy is not merely held; it is performed. It shows up, listens, debates, and votes. When it disappears without explanation, democracy does not collapse—it erodes quietly, through an empty chair.

That is why the ethics complaint against Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa matters far beyond attendance records.

The complaint, filed before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges by the civil society group Wag Kang Corrupt, accuses the senator of prolonged and unexplained absence from Senate plenary sessions while continuing to receive full compensation from public funds.

At stake is not merely compliance with internal Senate rules, but a more fundamental question of democratic accountability: Can a senator abandon his constitutional duties for months, continue drawing public pay, and still claim fidelity to the public trust?

Since November 11, 2025, Senator dela Rosa has been absent from Senate plenary sessions.

His disappearance coincided with reports—still officially unconfirmed— that the International Criminal Court may have issued an arrest warrant against him in connection with the crimes against humanity case involving former President . Supporters portray dela Rosa as a reluctant absentee, driven by fear rather than indolence. Senator argues he wants to work but cannot be assured of protection.

The defense rests on three ideas: personal safety, legal uncertainty over ICC jurisdiction, and the claim that his office still functions through staff.

None of these justifications survives serious scrutiny.

The Constitution may not spell out daily attendance requirements, but it is explicit on principle: public office is a public trust. Senators are paid not for symbolic representation,

The Forgotten Children Initiative project aims to document the identities of the children buried here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

The structured increases, along with the automated 13th month pension, are designed to significantly improve the welfare of Filipino seniors.

During the “Meet with the Press” event last week, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, who also chairs the Social Security Commission, the governing board and policymaking body of the SSS, said with its improved financial standing, SSS is also planning to roll out a microloan program, possibly in the second quarter of the year. Loan amounts will range from P1,000 to P20,000 at an annual interest rate of 8 percent, or about 0.67 percent per month. Go said the initiative aims to counter high-interest lending schemes that typically charge 12 to 15 percent monthly.

“The micro loan is really our answer to the predatory lending that a lot of our fellow Filipinos suffer from. We really created this to address what they call the payday loan,” he said.

SSS is coordinating with partner banks so members can access the loan through bank branches nationwide or via a mobile app, without going to SSS offices.

When a senator stops showing up

but for legislative labor—attendance, deliberation, voting, and oversight. These are not optional activities, nor can they be delegated to staff. Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, reinforces this. It requires responsibility, commitment to public interest, and faithful performance of duty. Fear of potential prosecution— especially one not formally confirmed— does not suspend these obligations.

Democracy does not usually die with tanks. It weakens when leaders quietly stop doing their jobs—and no one calls them out

Even within the Senate itself, the rules recognize absence as non-performance.

Dela Rosa has already lost most committee assignments precisely because repeated non-attendance is incompatible with legislative responsibility. That is not persecution; it is institutional self-preservation.

The ICC argument fares no better.

To date, no arrest warrant has been officially confirmed by the ICC or Philippine authorities. Governance cannot operate on rumor. If speculative legal threats were enough to justify abandonment of office, any official under investigation—local or foreign—could simply vanish while continuing to collect a salary. That precedent would be catastrophic. Judges under threat do not stop deciding cases. Prosecutors

now sits several hundred meters from the original site.

“I had no idea that just across the fence, there was a crime scene,” said Walker, the former inmate. “This could have been me in one of those graves.” Nearby, a well-maintained veterans cemetery can be seen, its tombstones decorated with wreaths and flowers.

“They recognize those veterans, rightfully so, but shouldn’t these children be recognized and honored in the same way?” Walker asked. He added: “I definitely want to see a memory project done and see the families involved. Many families never received the closure they deserved.”

facing intimidation do not abandon prosecutions. Soldiers under fire do not go home and keep their pay. Public office demands courage precisely because it carries risk. Some critics suggest the ethics complaint itself is politically motivated—a way to embarrass a Duterte ally or revive ICC narratives domestically.

But political impact does not negate legal merit. Civil society is not required to be neutral in effect, only principled in argument. And the argument here is simple: no elected official is entitled to indefinite absenteeism without consequence. The complaint does what democratic accountability is supposed to do. It asks whether powerful men are bound by the same expectations as ordinary Filipinos—workers who face discipline or termination after repeated absences. There are reasonable paths forward. Senator dela Rosa could return to the Senate and confront the issue openly, with counsel and safeguards. He could formally request leave and voluntarily suspend salary. He could seek judicial clarification instead of acting on speculation. Or, if he believes he can no longer discharge his duties, he could resign— the most honest option.

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, chaired by Senator JV Ejercito, likewise has choices: dismiss the complaint, issue a reprimand, impose salary forfeiture for unjustified absence, or clarify rules to prevent recurrence. What it cannot do—without damaging the institution—is look away.

This case is not really about the ICC. It is about whether fear can override duty, and whether public office in the Philippines is still anchored to performance rather than personality. Democracy does not usually die with tanks. It weakens when leaders quietly stop doing their jobs—and no one calls them out.

This complaint does.

The Forgotten Children Initiative has already located the descendants of six of the buried children. Schindler has also identified dozens of similar sites across the United States, including one in Florida that inspired Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize–winning 2020 novel “The Nickel Boys.” But the Maryland site is believed to be the largest in the country. Maryland’s DJS has just received funding to identify how many children were buried

Myanmar grants amnesty to over 7,000

YANGON – Myanmar’s military junta granted amnesty on Monday to more than 7,000 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a “terrorist group”, a designation it has used to outlaw pro-democracy factions opposing its rule.

Thousands of dissenting civilians have been swept into jails since Myanmar’s military snatched power in a 2021 coup, ending a decade-long experiment with democracy and detaining elected figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi.

Pro-democracy activists backing Suu Kyi and armed groups challenging the military in a civil war have been labelled “terrorist” outfits, and far-reaching laws punish association with life prison terms and possible death sentences.

A government notice said junta chief Min Aung Hlaing ordered releases of more than 7,300 prisoners convicted under legislation forbidding “financing of terrorism” and harbouring or arranging transport for “any terrorist group”.

It was not immediately clear which groups the prisoners had been convicted of association with.

In recent months, the junta has announced pardons for some political crimes in what analysts describe as a bid to soften its image amidst a handover to a nominally civilian government after elections concluded in January.

But with Suu Kyi still jailed, her party dissolved and the dominant pro-military

How Syrian refugee chef met Britain’s King Charles III

– Pots clanged and oil sizzled inside the London kitchen of Syrian chef Imad Alarnab, as the former refugee who fled his country’s civil war recalled hosting King Charles III. When the chef left his war-torn homeland in 2015, he never imagined that one day he would watch as cameras flashed and wide-eyed crowds greeted the monarch arriving at his Soho restaurant last year. Alarnab, 48, said he had asked the king to come to the popular eatery when he met him at Buckingham Palace before an event honoring humanitarian work in 2023.

“I told him ‘I would love for you to visit our restaurant one day’ and he said: ‘I would love to’... I was over the Moon to be honest”.

The chef has come a long way since he arrived in London after an arduous journey from Damascus with virtually no money in his pocket.

Fearing for his life, he had escaped Syria after his family was uprooted again and again by fighting.

His culinary empire –- restaurants, cafes, and juice bars peppered across the Syrian capital -- had been destroyed by bombing in just six days in 2013. Alarnab spent three months crisscrossing Europe in the back of lorries, aboard trains, on foot and even on a bicycle before he reached the UK.

“When I left, I left with nothing,” he told AFP, as waiters whirled past carrying steaming plates of traditional Syrian fare.

Starving and exhausted, he spent the last of his money on a train ticket to Doncaster where his sister lived.

To make a living, Alarnab initially picked up any odd jobs, such as washing and selling cars, saving enough to bring his wife and three daughters over after seven months.

His love of cooking never left him though. In France, while he was sleeping on the steps of a church, Alarnab had often cooked for hundreds of other refugees.

“I always dreamed of going back to cooking,” he said. AFP

party securing a walkover win, critics have derided the transition as a publicity exercise to rebrand the junta’s rule.

An AFP journalist outside Yangon’s Insein Prison -- Myanmar’s most infamous lock-up, renowned for alleged rights abuses -- saw around 300 prisoners being bussed out of the compound in a convoy on Monday morning.

A gaggle of emotional relatives clutched bouquets of flowers and placards bearing loved-ones’ names as prisoners were released from Insein’s barbedwire boundary shortly before noon.

Min Aung Hlaing granted their release to mark a public holiday on Monday “in consideration of the peace of mind of the general public as well as on humanitarian grounds”, the government statement said.

Nearly 12,500 people facing trial on the same “terrorism” charges will have their cases dropped, according to a separate statement.

The junta frequently grants prison amnesties on public holidays, and Monday’s raft of notices also announced the release of more than 2,800 other prisoners and 10 jailed foreign nationals -- without detailing their offenses. AFP

El Niño may return, make planet even hotter

PARIS – The warming El Nino weather phenomenon could form later this year, potentially pushing global temperatures to record heights.

There is a 50- to 60-percent chance of El Nino developing during the JulySeptember period and beyond, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The World Meteorological Organization will issue an update on El Nino on Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know about El Nino and its cooler sister, La Nina:

El Nino and its cooler sister La Nina are two phases of a natural climate pat-

Nepal rivals make last push in tight election campaign

JHAPA, Nepal – Nepal’s election campaign entered its final day on Monday, six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, with rival leaders making a last push in a tightly contested race.

The Himalayan republic will elect a new parliament on Thursday, replacing the interim government that has led the country of 30 million people since the Sept. 2025 uprising in which at least 77 people were killed.

Sushila Karki, who is serving as interim prime minister until the March 5 vote, has said the election will “draw the future of the country”.

Two weeks of campaigning have showcased a wave of younger candidates promising to tackle Nepal’s woeful economy, challenging veteran politicians who have dominated for two decades and argue that their experience guarantees stability and security.

Among the key figures is KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader ousted as prime minister last year.

He faces a high-profile challenge in his home constituency from former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-yearold rapper-turned-politician widely known as Balen. AFP

delivering

tern across the tropical Pacific known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation.

Peruvian and Ecuadoran fishermen coined the term El Nino (“the boy” or “the Christ Child”) in the 19th century for the arrival of an unusually warm ocean current off the coast that reduced their catch just before Christmas.

Scientists chose the name La Nina as the opposite of El Nino. Between the two events, there is a “neutral” phase.

El Nino can weaken consistent trade winds that blow east to west across the tropical Pacific, influencing weather by affecting the movement of warm water across this vast ocean.

This weakening warms the usually cooler central and eastern sides of the ocean, altering rainfall over the equatorial Pacific and wind patterns around the world.

The extra heat at the surface of the Pacific releases energy into the atmosphere that can temporarily drive up global temperatures, which is why El Nino years are often among the warmest on record.

“All else being equal, a typical El Nino event tends to cause a temporary increase in the global mean temperature on the order of 0.1C-0.2C,” Nat Johnson, an NOAA meteorologist, told AFP. AFP

HIGH-PROFILE CHALLENGE. Supporters waving flags attend a campaign rally of Nepali Congress party president and election candidate Gagan Thapa in Kathmandu on Sunday ahead of parliamentary elections in Nepal. Nearly 19 million registered voters will elect 275 members of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament -- 165 directly, with a further 110 chosen via a party-list proportional representation. AFP

Argentina’s Milei says wants US ‘strategic alliance’ as state policy

BUENOS AIRES – Argentina President Javier Milei said Sunday (Monday, Manila time) that he wants to make the “strategic alliance” with the United States led by ally President Donald Trump a “state policy.”

In a state of the nation address to parliament, the Argentine leader said “the South Atlantic is the strategic battleground of the coming decades,” arguing Argentina must be a “player” in the region.

“We must create the century of the Americas: Make Americas Great Again, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego,” he added. “We have the critical minerals that the West needs. We have the energy -- gas, oil, nuclear power and renewable energy -- to supply large-scale production chains. He boasted of Argentina’s location at

the southern tip of the Americas, noting it has “access to two oceans and a presence in Antarctica.” On the alliance with the US and Trump, Milei’s government backed Washington’s strikes on Iran that began on Saturday and put Argentina on high alert. Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America, and it accused Iran and Hezbollah of being behind the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people. Devoting the majority of his speech to his government’s macroeconomic successes over the past two years, particularly in combating inflation, Milei said he wanted to press his reforms further. He announced an ambitious package of 90 reforms in the address to parliament on Sunday, saying they would “redesign” Argentina “for the next 50 years.” AFP

Texas primaries launch battle with Trump agenda

WaSHINGTON, DC – The US primary season launches on Tuesday, setting the stage for midterm elections that could reshape Washington’s balance of power -and determine the trajectory of President Donald Trump’s remaining time in office.

Some of the nation’s largest states -from Texas to North Carolina, Georgia and Illinois -- will pick candidates for the US Congress in March’s first round of primaries, offering an early test of how both parties position themselves for Trump’s final two years.

Those candidates will face off in November’s midterms, which will decide whether Trump governs with a cooperative legislature or confronts a Democratic opposition able to block his agenda and open investigations into his administration. The primaries will take place in the shadow of the US-Israel war on Iran, although it remains unclear whether the conflict – still in its very early stages –will impact Tuesday’s voting. AFP

Macron: How can France use EU to protect Europe?

PARIS – France was schedule to unveil Monday how it could use the European Union’s only atomic arsenal to protect the continent in an unstable world, with Russia becoming increasingly aggressive and the United States turning away.

The speech by French President Emmanuel Macron, at France’s Ile Longue nuclear submarine base, comes after the launch of US and Israeli attacks against Iran in a campaign that risks destabilizing the Middle East.

“What we are experiencing demonstrates that in the world to come, power and independence will be two indispensable forces for dealing with the proliferation of threats,” said a member of Macron’s team.

Macron is set to update France’s nuclear doctrine as Russia’s war against Ukraine grinds into a fifth year and NATO allies worry about Washington’s wavering commitment to Europe. AFP

Greenland ‘open for business,’ says business leader NUUK, Denmark – As Greenland’s rare earths and minerals are sized up, the head of the Arctic territory’s main business group has warned against deals simply shipping its resources and profits overseas. Christian Keldsen, head of the Greenland Business Association, told AFP that the government must avoid saying that Greenland is “open for business” when in reality, long and difficult negotiations lie ahead. Some other countries may become frustrated, Keldsen said, calling for balanced development in the autonomous Danish island in the global spotlight since US President Donald Trump returned to power.

Trump,

REFORM PACHAGE. Members of the San Martin Mounted Grenadiers Regiment escort Argentina’s President Javier Milei as he leaves the congress building after

his annual speech to parliament ahead of the inauguration of the 144th ordinary session of Congress in Buenos Aires on Monday, Manila time. AFP

THOUSANDS FREED. Relatives celebrate with a family member after she was released from Insein prison in Yangon on March 2, 2026 to mark Peasants’ Day. Myanmar’s military junta announced amnesties for more than

7,000 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a “terrorist group,” a designation it has used to outlaw pro-

democracy factions opposing its rule. AFP

Filipinas march on: Tough AFC Korean test awaits in Group A

By Peter Atencio

BURSWOOD, Perth – The Philippines flies east on Monday for a crucial showdown with world No. 21 South Korea in its second Group A assignment of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup set Thursday.

Still ranked No. 41 in the world, the Filipinas

“We’re working

that

know that they’re strong too,” said Filipinas coach Mark Torcaso, whose squad is backed by the Philippine Football Federation and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Travel chaos, but F1 opener in Australia ‘ready to go’

MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Australian

Formula One chief Travis Auld said Monday travel chaos due to US-Israeli strikes on Iran is not expected to impact the season-opening Grand Prix, but some 1,000 race staff have had to scramble and change flights.

Many of the drivers, engineers, team principals and other personnel are based in Europe, and the Middle East is a major flight hub on the path to Melbourne. With the first race of the year this weekend, they have been caught up in the biggest disruption to global air transport since the Covid pandemic, with Dubai, Bahrain and Doha all impacted.

Auld said he spoke to Formula One’s top bosses on Monday, and “everyone will be here ready for the race”.

“The last 48 hours have required some reshuffling of flights. That is largely Formula One’s responsibility,” he said at a press briefing.

“They take charge of the teams and the drivers and all the personnel that are required here to make this event happen, and there’s quite a number of them.

“My understanding from talking to them this morning is that’s all now been locked in, everyone will be here ready for the race, and, for fans, they won’t notice any difference.

“There are some drivers already in Australia; there are some team members already in Australia,” he added.

“But there are a number in the UK and broadly throughout Europe that need to get here, so they’ve just had to find another way; that’s been a process for them, and I’m sure it’s been a lot of work on their behalf.”

Auld separately told broadcaster Channel Nine that close to 1,000 F1 staff had been forced to rearrange flights, with an estimated 500 of them from Europe now reportedly set to be flown in on three charter planes.

The team now shifts its focus to Robina in Queensland, where matches are staged at the 27,690-seat Cbus Super Stadium.

“This is credit to the hard work the girls have put in, not just for the last month, but for over a year, to get to this point, to where we want to get into another World Cup,” Torcaso added. Despite the narrow loss, the Filipinas displayed grit and nearly stunned the home crowd with a disciplined defensive stand in a 95-minute battle. After

skipper Sam Kerr struck in the 14th minute, the Filipinas regrouped and held firm — a stark contrast to their previous 8-0 defeat to the Matildas in an Olympic qualifier.

“I’m really happy with the girls, really proud of them, and we’re just gonna look to get better and better each game,” said goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, whose string of saves kept the match within reach.

McDaniel denied attempts from Stephanie Catley in the 40th minute, Caitlin Foord in the 53rd and 89th, Clare Wheeler in the 66th, Katrina Gorry in the 74th, and Mary Fowler in the 86th minute. Fowler attempted one last dangerous lob deep into stoppage time (90+4’), but McDaniel calmly dealt with it.

At the back, central defenders Jessika Cowart and Hali Long consistently disrupted crosses and closely marked Kerr inside the box. Left back Sofia Wunsch helped repel attacks from Ellie Carpenter, alongside Fil-Aussie de

THE opening stretch of 2026 has functioned as a crucible for Philippine mixed martial arts under international scrutiny. Initial outings revealed moments of promise while simultaneously uncovering deficiencies in competitive depth and developmental structure. What many expected to serve as momentum instead delivered a sobering reckoning.

Carlo Bumina-ang produced a highlight at ONE Fight Night 39 on January 24, stopping Marcos Aurelio in the second round. The spectacular finish ignited celebration among Filipino fans, yet context matters. Aurelio does not belong within the upper echelon of bantamweights. The performance represented progress rather than proof of superiority inside a division crowded with seasoned contenders. Ambition must therefore be measured, particularly regarding discussions of a rematch with Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu for the ONE

Bantamweight MMA World Title. Momentum quickly encountered resistance. At ONE Friday Fights 140 on January 30, Jean Claude Saclag absorbed a first-round technical knockout defeat against Viet Anh Do, highlighting how unforgiving the promotion’s developmental circuit has become.

A week later offered both reassurance and contradiction. During ONE Friday Fights 141 on February 6, Moises Ilogon demonstrated trademark Filipino finishing ability by submitting Masaki Suzuki via rear-naked choke in round two. Hero Manguray reinforced rising expectations moments later, overwhelming Myke Ohura through a first-round TKO that showcased composure beyond experience. However, blissfulness proved temporary. Danny Kingad endured another setback at ONE Fight Night 40 on February 14, halted in the opening round by Hu Yong for a third consecutive defeat. His situation reflects a deeper concern regarding main-roster athletes signed to ONE Championship. After more than twelve months away

Cool Smashers battle streaky Highrisers in race to semis

Games Tuesday 4 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs. Nxled 6:30 p.m. — Creamline vs. Galeries

RIDING the momentum of three straight victories after an early stumble, Creamline looks every bit the contender on a mission. The Cool Smashers’ recent near-flawless performances have reestablished their championship aura. But standing in their way Tuesday is a team that thrives on unpredictability. The Cool Smashers take on the Galeries Tower Highrisers as the heated race to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference resumes.

The Highrisers have alternated between wins and losses in their first five outings – a pattern that makes them both dangerous and difficult to read. Creamline enters the 6:30 p.m. main game as the slight favorite. After absorbing a shutout loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters, the Cool Smashers responded emphatically, defeating the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in four sets before sweeping the Capital1 Solar Spikers.

Yet in a conference where no advantage feels secure, being favored offers little guarantee.

Galeries Tower nearly strung together back-to-back wins but squandered a 2-1 set lead against Choco Mucho, eventually yielding in five. The Highrisers have shown they can surge behind the strong outings of Erika Deloria, Jean Asis and Gayle Pascual, with Aiza Pontillas, Roselle Baliton and setter Julia Coronel providing steady support. Their challenge is sustaining intensity – and finishing.

Creamline, meanwhile, appears recharged and composed. With depth as their biggest weapon, the Cool Smashers are expected to lean on Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Bernadette Pons, while Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon anchor the net on both ends.

“Malaking tulong ‘yung last game namin ngayon kasi medyo dikit siya. Ayun napagusapan nga namin sa team na kailangan namin i-sure ‘yung game ngayon kasi after this, magiging maganda ‘yung situation namin,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.

“Knowing Galeries naman, talagang hindi ka rin pwede magpahinga or magbalewala kasi kita niyo naman ‘yung performance nila,” he added.

By Dennia Abrina

IMUS City standout Elizha Sildo delivered another breakout performance as the Perpetual Junior Lady Altas stretched their winning streak to five in as many games with a three-set victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University–GenTri in the NCAA Season 101 Volleyball Fiesta on Monday at the Arellano Gym. The Grade 11 opposite hitter fired a gamehigh 11 points built on 10 attacks and one service ace to anchor the comeback 18-25, 26-24, 25-14 triumph for coach Sandy Rieta’s squad.

Ramiel Pangilinan matched Sildo’s 11-point output, hammering five attack points and dominating at the net with six blocks.

Sherrie Rose Acosta chipped in nine attack points and added four excellent receives, while setter Jaja Monte orchestrated the offense with 10 excellent sets out of 88 attempts, along with three digs. Libero Janine Espiritu contributed steady

from competition, Kingad returned against an opponent sharpened through constant activity, leaving no allowance for timing deficiencies or competitive rust. Outside the ONE banner, McLeary Ornido succumbed to a first-round submission against Japanese veteran Shohei Nose on the Lemino Shooto 3 undercard on February 18, illustrating the demanding realities of Japan’s established circuit. Two days afterward, at ONE Friday Fights 143, Sarah Mahmood struggled against unbeaten Georgian Elene Loladze, dropping a lopsided unanimous decision. The difficult run continued at ONE Friday Fights 144 last February 27 when Jake Bron yielded via second-round armtriangle choke to Nazareth Lalthazuala in a short-notice bout. Taken collectively, these outcomes transcend simple defeat totals. They expose structural shortcomings. Filipino mixed martial artists possess undeniable skill, yet many reach global platforms without sustained domestic competition capable of refining instincts, expanding tactical awareness, or strengthening en-

floor defense with five receives and three digs.

Aleah Alipan paced LPU with 19 points, all from attacks, but it was not enough to halt the Junior Lady Altas’ surge. With the win, Perpetual secured a Top Two finish heading into the Final Four, earning a crucial incentive at the close of the elimination round.

The Junior Lady Altas have one remaining assignment against defending champion Arellano Baby Lady Chiefs on March 16, a match that will

tournament. In the boys’ division, the defending champion Junior Altas Spikers also

sweepin g the EAC Brigadiers, 25-19, 25-20, 25-21. Team captain Gab Macatuno led the charge with 12 points, while middle blockers Limuel Valderama and Cholo Bustamante added 10 and nine markers, respectively, as the squad improved to a 9-2 win-loss record.

durance under pressure. The divide separating regional accomplishment from international readiness has rarely appeared this pronounced. Attention now shifts to March 14 when Jeremy Miado meets Willie van Rooyen in a flyweight encounter at ONE Fight Night 41. That contest may reveal whether recent struggles represent temporary turbulence or warning

-

fender Angie Beard. Now, the Filipinas turn their attention to South Korea, determined to translate their defensive resilience into a breakthrough result in Group A.

GOLF CHAMPION SUNGHYUN PARK WITH BCDA, PSC GOLFERS. Seven-time LPGA champion Sung Hyun Park, the 2017 US Women’s Open and the

2018 Women’s PGA Champion, and a guest of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), had a chance to play a round of golf with both Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and BCDA senior officials at the beautiful Camp John Hay course in Baguio, with PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston and Richard Hong in her flight. Sung shot an impressive 8 under. With her in the group photo are (from left) Raul Encarnacion from Camp John Hay Golf, party List Cong. Nat Oducado, BCDA Direc-

tor Poch Ponce de Leon, BCDA Chairman Larry Paredes, Sung, PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston, businessman Richard Hong, Bong Arguelles, from Camp John Hay, and Kiko Diaz, newly designated Executive Director of the National Sports Academy.

Matildas’ Caitlin Foord (right) tries to set up an attack in front of Filipinas’ booter Sofia Wunsch, with Carleigh Frilles waiting behind. (AFC)

The Perpetual Help Junior Lady Altas are still unblemished with five straight wins. Dennis Abrina

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Dominant sweeps for UE, NUNS

Ties on Wednesday (Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court)

7:30 a.m. — UP vs. UE (Men’s)

7:30 a.m. — Ateneo vs. UST (Men’s)

7:30 a.m. — AdU vs. DLSU (Men’s)

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan –University of the East (UE) and National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) kicked off their respective title bids with dominant 3-0 sweeps over De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Tennis Tournament on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here. In the other tie, University of Santo Tomas edged PAREF Southridge School, 2-1. Jason Battad secured the overall victory for the Junior Warriors, fashioning a 6-3, 6-2 win in second singles.

“Medyo dominante sila ngayon dahil nakakaya nila ‘yung mga kalaban. Gayunpaman, nagfo-focus pa rin kami sa mga susunod na laban dahil alam ko, lahat ng mga school, puro malalakas na rin. Medyo focused kami ngayon kasi noong individual event namin, medyo na-down sila dahil nag-expect sila na kaya nila tapos ‘di pala makukuha ‘yung singles,” said UE head coach Roel Licayan.

“Mas confident ako ngayon sa team event kasi ‘yung team event kasi, apat ‘yung maglalaro, unlike doon sa individual… parang mas maganda ‘to dahil makakakuha kami ng advantage doon dahil ‘yung mga players na ‘yun, continuous ‘yung laro, tapos kompleto kami. Medyo [may] advantage kami dahil ‘yung kalaban namin, pagdating sa doubles, medyo bugbog na sila, [pero] meron akong pang-singles, meron akong pang-doubles,” he added, noting that teams with smaller rosters often deploy the same players for both singles and doubles matches.

Al Tristan Licayan set the tone for UE with a commanding 6-0, 6-3 victory over John Mateo De Ocampo in first singles.

PH netter stuck in Fujairah, tilt to go on amid tensions

By Randy M. Caluag

FILIPINO tennis player Francis Casey

Alcantara was left stranded in the United Arab Emirates after regional tensions escalated ahead of his campaign in the ATP Challenger 50 Fujairah Open, as temporary airspace disruptions complicated travel in parts of the country.

Alcantara, a mainstay of the Philippine Davis Cup team, is entered in the two-week ATP Challenger 50 event scheduled from March 2 to 15 at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club in the Emirate of Fujairah. The tournament marks the first ATP Challenger

to be staged on the UAE’s East Coast. Tensions rose following reports of Iranian military retaliation that struck targets in the region, including areas near Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Airport operations in the capital were briefly disrupted and authorities

temporarily suspended some flights, leaving athletes and visitors uncertain about their onward travel.

Alcantara said in a radio interview that players initially awaited confirmation from organizers on whether the tournament would proceed. With airports closed at the time, even a cancellation would not have guaranteed immediate departure. After a short period of uncertainty, organizers confirmed that the opening leg of the Challenger would go ahead as scheduled, easing concerns among players monitoring developments.

Alcantara is set to compete in the men’s doubles alongside China’s Faijing Sun in the 16-team field. Challenger 50 events offer 50 ATP ranking points to the singles champion and serve as an entrylevel platform for players aiming to climb the professional rankings and transition to higher-tier ATP Tour tournaments.

Olongapo sends 2 football teams to national finals

By John Bayarong

THE Olongapo City-Zambales Football Association (OCZFA) stormed the national youth football scene, securing a historic double qualification to the National Boys Finals of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), signalling

the rise of a new regional power in the country. The PFF confirmed that the OCZFA Under-16 squad topped its qualifying group, while the Under-19 side advanced as the best second-placed team. This is the first time that both age groups have reached the National Finals.

budding triathletes eager to follow in their footsteps. Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the elite category underscores the government’s sustained push to develop both grassroots and high-performance sports. The event also enjoys support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and the National Sports Tourism-Interagency Council, reinforcing the country’s drive to blend sporting excellence with tourism promotion. International participation further boosts the event’s stature, with athletes from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Guam, India, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom competing across age-group divisions from 16 to 69. The wide representation reflects the sport’s surging popularity and the island’s growing ap-

“It validates long years of grassroots work. One milestone was when the Apo Atletico Football Club kept the city’s boys elementary team intact after it won the 2018 regional gold medal at the Pambansang Palaro,” Dy told the Manila Standard.

The breakthrough comes amid a Philippine youth football landscape largely dominated by Metro Manila, southern football hubs like Iloilo, and elite academies, making OCZFA’s wins a historic example of a regionbased grassroots program breaking into the nation’s elite.

Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino, Jr, traced the program’s roots to 2011, when Amihan Football Club formally introduced futsal as the city’s entry point to football development.

“At the time, the city had only one football field, but had 18 basketball courts, which used them for futsal to develop skills in young players. By traditional football metric, we should not be a football powerhouse,” Paulino said.

Players also credit the success to team bonding and open communication.

“Our dorm bonding really helped us

become more composed and confident because we could openly fix our mistakes in the field,” Under-16 team captain Kairul Anwar bin Abdul Rashid said.

Under-19 team captain Matthew Abergas agreed, noting most of his teammates were new to the squad.

“We did not have chemistry in the beginning. The bonding allowed us to know each other’s movements,” Abergas said.

OCZFA coaches Emil Pellezer and Jerome Teope, who handled the Under-19 and Under-16 teams, respectively, said that they built their recruitment and training system around futsal and club-based programs.

Pellezer said that nearly 40 percent of the current Under-19 roster comes from school and club programs in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, “a situation that placed added emphasis on teamwork and tactics development.”

“We are developing our playing style with 4-3-3, a common attacking setup built around three forwards, as the foundation. But we also need to have a full-time technical director to enrich our player development program,” Teope explained.

under

The tournament features a 32-player singles

draw, a 24-player qualifying field and a 16-team doubles competition. Matches are scheduled to start daily at 11 a.m., with the singles finals set for March 8 and 15 and the doubles finals on March 7 and 14.

ATP Supervisor Jiri Adamovsky will oversee operations, supported by six chair umpires, three review officials and match assistants. Organizers said live scoring and review systems will operate in line with ATP standards. Event staff have also put in place logistical support for players, including round-the-clock assistance at the players’ desk, stringing and laundry services, and dedicated practice court coordination.

SHAUN Globasa mounted a stirring comeback from an abbreviated stint the previous week, dethroning top seed and doubles partner Krelz Gecosala, 7-5, 6-3, to seize the boys’ 18-and-under crown in the Mayor Oscar Valdevieso National Junior Tennis Championships at the Matalam Municipal and Cotelco courts in Cotabato Sunday. Ranked No. 2, Globasa rebounded emphatically after withdrawing in the second round of the PPS-PEPP Mindanao circuit’s Isulan leg in Sultan Kudarat. Determined to atone, the Midsayap standout rediscovered peak form, turning back Julius Otoc, 6-4, 6-3, in the quarterfinals, edging Aljaven Lumambas, 7-6(1), 6-1, in the semifinals, then halting Gecosala’s title run in a gripping clash between two rising Cotabato stars in the premier Group 2 division.

Gecosala earlier ground out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Otoc to secure the 16-and-U title, sustaining his dominance of the age group after ruling the Gen. Santos and Isulan legs of the nationwide talent search backed by the Palawan Pawnshop junior tennis program headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro. But his bid for a double crown was foiled by a resolute Globasa in the centerpiece finale. While Globasa surged, Jan Cadee Dagoon continued to reign supreme on the girls’ side, fashioning another two-title sweep to cement her growing stature in the circuit.

The Olongapo City ace once again asserted mastery over Justine Gumbao of Sultan Kudarat with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory in the 16-and-U finals, then outclassed

Philippine Davis Cup team mainstay Francis Casey Alcantara is entered in the two-week ATP Challenger 50 event scheduled from March 2 to 15 at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club in the Emirate of Fujairah.

The Fujairah Open I is being staged

the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

main

Kim Remolino

OCZFA Under-16 team captain Kairul Anwar bin Abdul Rashid (white shirt) fights for the ball possession during the match against Pampanga Football Association. The squad topped its qualifying group and is heading to the PFF Age Group National Finals. (PFF)

Erika Burgos

PH manufacturing gauge climbed to 8-year high in February—S&P

54.6 52.9 50.2

PMI in February 2026

PMI in January 2026

in December 2025

THE Philippine goods-producing sector recorded a strong improvement in operating conditions in February 2026, as manufacturers registered accelerated increases in production volumes and new orders.

The Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54.6 in February from 52.9 in January.

“The Philippines manufacturing sector has had a solid start to 2026, with February marking its strongest performance since late 2017,” said S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch.

“A sharp influx of new orders underpinned robust growth of output, and in both cases, the expansions were historically pronounced and reached multi-year highs. Businesses, in turn, continued to expand their purchasing activity, which rose at a faster pace. However, jobs growth remained steady and was relatively modest overall,” she said.

“With backlogs rising, manufacturers have further scope to increase their staffing numbers in the coming months. The sector’s positive performance was accompanied by a surge in business confidence. Firms were hopeful that demand conditions would continue to improve and drive further expansions in production volumes,” said Baluch.

The latest data signaled a strong improvement in the health of the Filipino manufacturing sector, marking the most marked improvement since November 2017. Operating conditions have now improved in three consecutive months.

Driving the rise in the headline index was a stronger expansion in

output in February. Manufacturing companies in the Philippines noted that sustained growth in new orders led them to increase their production levels, according to S&P Globa. Output increased for a second month running, with the latest uptick the fastest since November 2018.

Similar to production, the latest rise in order book volumes across the Filipino manufacturing sector was strong, with the pace of increase accelerating on the month.

The respective seasonally adjusted index hit the highest level in just over 8 years. The acquisition of new clients and bulk buying activity among customers pushed up new sales, S&P Global said.

It said the latest data hinted that growth in new factory orders was led by improvements in domestic and international demand, as the rise in new export orders remained modest. Foreign sales increased for the second consecutive month, but the pace of expansion held steady in February.

By Othel V. Campos

The

3(d) of the IRR. Under Sections 12(b) and 19 of the law, in relation to Rule 4, Section 8 of the IRR, the PCC has the authority to determine and adjust the thresholds for compulsory merger notification. The commission said it considered inflation, economic growth and prevailing market conditions in the adjustment, while maintaining focus on resources on transactions more likely to substantially affect competition in Philippine markets. The updated figures were computed using the previous calendar year’s nominal gross domestic product growth as an index, based on official estimates from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

As part of its merger control mandate, the PCC reviews notifiable deals to ensure they do not result in a substantial lessening of competition.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

SECURITY Bank Corp. reported a record-high net income of P11.6 billion in 2025, up from P11.2 billion a year earlier, led by balanced revenue growth and increased credit provisioning.

The bank said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange total revenues reached P66.9 billion while pre-provision operating profit

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DIGIPLUS Interactive Corp. director Eusebio Tanco has increased his stake in the online gaming firm, signaling strong confidence in its growth prospects despite a recent plunge in the company’s share price due to government regulation.

DigiPlus said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Tanco acquired an additional 63.119 million shares, equivalent to 1.4 percent of the company’s total issued and outstanding shares.

The shares were purchased at P16.40 each for a total of P1.035 billion.

The transaction reflects Tanco’s

amounted to P27.6 billion.

Net interest income rose 15 percent to P50.5 billion, with the full-year net interest margin standing at 4.66 percent despite market volatility. Non-interest income climbed 47 percent to P16.5 billion, supported by higher securities trading gains, foreign exchange income and the bank’s net income share from joint ventures and associates.

Total service charges, fees and commissions amounted to P8.9 billion, while fee income grew 18 percent on credit cards, bancassurance, payment services and capital market activities.

conviction in DigiPlus’ disciplined expansion strategy as the company accelerates the scale of its platforms through localized digital entertainment offerings tailored for the Philippine market.

“DigiPlus is entering an exciting phase of growth. We have built marketleading platforms anchored on responsible innovation, disciplined execution and long-term growth,” Tanco said.

“I firmly believe in our ability to capture the significant opportunities ahead and deliver enduring value to our shareholders. The fundamentals of the digital entertainment industry remain strong and DigiPlus is wellpositioned to lead,” he said.

Operating expenses jumped 19 percent, allowing the cost-to-income ratio to improve marginally to 58.75 percent. The bank raised its provisions for credit and impairment losses to P12.8 billion, while asset quality remained stable as the gross

non-performing loan ratio declined to 2.89 percent.

Security Bank said in the fourth quarter of 2025, it booked a net income of P2.6 billion and total revenues of P18.1 billion.

Security Bank president and chief executive Victor Lee Meng Teck said the bank is refocusing on disciplined growth as its full-year performance reflects the benefits of its strong foundation.

MREIT to buy

up to 750,000

sqm of assets, expands to mall sector

MREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp., is preparing to acquire between 100,000 and 750,000 square meters of new assets to diversify its portfolio into the mall sector.

The planned acquisition, which remains subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals, will transform the company into a larger REIT platform while broadening its income base and tenant mix, the company said Monday in a stock exchange disclosure.

The deal will mark the firm’s initial entry into select mall assets.

The expansion follows a “Wave 4” property-for-share swap with Megaworld involving nine Grade A office buildings in McKinley Hill. That transaction, which is awaiting regulatory clearance within the first half of

2026, comprises 165,500 square meters of gross leasable area.

MREIT reported that its 2025 distributable income rose 18 percent to P3.7 billion compared with the previous year, driven by higher occupancy and leasing momentum. Full-year revenues grew 24 percent to P5.6 billion on improved rental income and contributions from newly infused assets.

“Our 2025 results demonstrate the strength of our platform and the consistency of our execution,” MREIT president and chief executive Jose Arnulfo Batac said.

“Wave 4 marks our transition toward a more disciplined and accretive phase of growth. We remain focused on expanding our portfolio in a way that strengthens long-term income sustainability for our shareholders,” said Batac. Jenniffer B. Austria

Shares, peso tumble as global oil prices soar

growth, brand development and guest experience innovation across its hotel and resort portfolio. From left are chief executive Francis Gotianun, president and chief operating officer James Montenegro and, first vice president Ria Sarrosa.

WHEN Philippine economic management authorities are asked about the state of this country’s economy, the reply that they invariably give is “The Philippines macro-economic fundamentals are all sound”. This statement has virtually become a mantra.

The economic management authorities should stop mouthing this mantra. It is not true that this country’s macroeconomic fundamentals are all sound. Some of the fundamentals are not sound.

For starters, the Philippines merchandise trade balance, which accounts for most of its external payments balance, is by no means sound. Year after year, this country has been running worrisomely high merchandise trade deficit as its appetite for imports –even basic agricultural products are now being imported – exceeds the economy’s ability to generate exports.

The concerning part of this story is that there is no near-term prospects for a turnaround in the situation. No developing country that has achieved middle-income status got there without a robust external trade; the Philippines is unlikely to be an exception to the rule.

Then there is agriculture. As stated earlier, the Philippines now imports numerous basic agricultural commodities, including rice and other products that form part of the pilipino’s

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE shares plunged Monday as escalating geopolitical tensions triggered a widespread sell-off across global markets.

The peso also depreciated to 58.20 against the U.S. dollar, down from Friday’s 57.665. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index declined 184.41 points, or 2.79 percent, to 6,426.83, while the broader all-shares index dropped 73.38 points, or 2.02 percent, to 3,567.86. The decline was the market’s largest since April 2025, when the index fell 4.3 percent on global recession fears.

Analysts said investors are concerned that prolonged Middle East tensions will have a severe impact on the domestic economy. Oil prices soared Monday due to heightened geopolitical risks. Only the mining and oil sector managed to close in green territory, up 0.10 percent. Services declined the most, falling 4.11 percent, while holding firms dropped 2.74 percent. Trading was active with value turnover reaching P7.49 billion. Decliners outnumbered gainers 159 to 53, while 52 stocks closed unchanged. Foreign investors were net sellers with outflows of P784.64 million.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and Ayala Land Inc. were the only two index gainers. Shares of DigiPlus rose 3.73 percent to P16.70, while Ayala Land went up 0.48 percent to P21. Ayala Corp. was the main index laggard, falling 6.17 percent to P563.

diets. An economically healthy country should at least be able to feed its people. How can the economic authorities say that the Philippines’ macro-economic fundamentals are sound when the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has to closely monitor the impact of imported rice prices on the consumer price index (CPI) before taking policy actions. Here again the concerning part of the story is that there are no prospects for a non-term change in the food-sufficiency situation.

It is not true that this country’s macro-economic fundamentals are all sound. Some of the fundamentals are not sound.

And then there is the foreign direct investment (FDI) situation. Year after year, the Philippines has been unable to attract a satisfactory level of (FDI), the claims of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI ) notwithstanding. It goes without saying that this country would not need to incur as much extend

Oil and gas prices soared while stocks fell in Asia on Monday after US-Israeli strikes on Iran sent investors fleeing the prospect of an extended conflict in the crude-rich Middle East. Brent briefly spiked almost 14 percent and West Texas Intermediate nearly 12 percent at the start of business after the attack on the Islamic republic, which killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.

The bombings have also seen the vital Strait of Hormuz -- through which around 20 percent of global seaborne oil passes -- effectively shut and several ships attacked, fanning supply fears.

Equity markets across Asia sank, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangkok, Wellington and Taipei all deep in the red. US futures were down more than one percent. Still, Shanghai edged up and Sydney was flat. London sank one percent at the open, while Frankfurt and Paris both shed more than two percent.

Airline stocks took a battering as they were forced to cancel flights to the region. Cathay Pacific sank four percent in Hong Kong, Sydney-listed Qantas dived 5.4 percent and Singapore Airlines was off 4.8 percent. Japan’s ANA and JAL fell more than five percent. With AFP

external debt as it does if much more FDI were flowing in. Other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) especially Indonesia and Vietnam, are outracing the Philippines in the FDI stakes. Can it truthfully be said that all of this country’s macro-economic fundamentals are all sound? The answer is obvious.

Finally, there are this country’s public expenditure system (embodied in the National Expenditure Program) and the government budgeting system (administered by the Department of Budget and Management). In the light of the systemic flaws revealed by the flood control projects scandal as well as scandals elsewhere in the government , how can the Philippine economic management authorities state with straight faces that “The macro-economic fundamentals of the Philippines are all sound”?

The Philippines has been trying very hard to be elevated to middle-incomecountry status. That effort has not been helped, and in the future will not be helped, by the continuous recitation of the everything-is-sound mantra. The mantra should now be set aside and be replaced by a more modest and more truthful “ The Philippine economy is in a stable condition.”

(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

YELLOW BLACK

BUSINESS

Korean firm investing P76m for ecozone warehouse

THE Philippine Economic Zone

Authority (PEZA) registered CNB Land Solutions Inc. as an ecozone facilities enterprise on Feb. 25, 2026 to construct a 4,890-square-meter warehouse at the Light Industry and Science Park III – Special Economic Zone.

The Korean-owned firm committed over P76 million for the project, which will fund a standard factory building warehouse to be leased to PEZA-registered enterprises. The facility will support export-oriented locators setting up operations within LISP III.

PEZA director-general Tereso Panga and CNB Land Solutions president Incheol Kim signed the registration agreement.

“Facilities enterprises like CNB play a crucial enabling role in our ecozone ecosystem. By providing quality, ready-for-occupancy factory and warehouse spaces, they help manufacturers and exporters scale up more efficiently, reinforce local supply chains, and generate wider economic impact beyond the ecozone,” Panga said.

He said the registration demonstrates sustained confidence among South Korean investors in the Philippines.

South Korea ranks as PEZA’s fifth top investor by nationality, with more than 180 Korean locators operating in PEZA ecozones.

These firms account for over P157 billion in cumulative investments and have generated more than 42,000 jobs nationwide.

Othel V. Campos

InfiniVAN to acquire La Union cable station in $15 million deal

By Othel V. Campos

JAPANESE fiber internet and ICT solutions provider InfiniVAN Inc., a subsidiary of Japan’s IPS Inc., is investing $15 million to acquire a cable landing station in La Union from a government-owned and -controlled corporation. The acquisition raises the company’s total spending to $31 million, following the $16 million refurbishment of its Aurora landing station to accommodate increased traffic.

InfiniVAN chief technology officer Alberto Espedido said the expansion complements the Aurora station, which reached capacity quickly following strong interest from interna-

tional operators.

“Even one month after construction began, our Aurora station was full to the brim,” Espedido said Monday on the sidelines of a partnership signing for an

agentic AI platform set for deployment in the Philippines by mid-2026. InfiniVAN said the upgrade is expected to deliver multiple terabits of capacity, supporting data centers and digital infrastructure projects. The Aurora station is part of a $750 million international submarine cable project from Singapore to Japan, funded by a consortium with IPS Pro of Japan as a capacity owner and InfiniVAN as the Philippine landing party. InfiniVAN, IPS Pro and Indiabased Gnani.ai launched a strategic AI partnership Monday for enterprise communication solutions across the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The collaboration aims to onboard at least 20 banks into

PXP Energy expands exploration footprint

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PXP Energy Corp. losses widened to P50.2 million in 2025 from P33.3 million in 2024, driven by lower production volumes from the Galoc field in northwest Palawan, softer crude prices, and higher financing and foreign exchange charges.

Despite the losses, PXP Energy said Monday it is bullish on three newly awarded petroleum service contracts and will undertake required technical and work program commitments, subject to funding.

“The company remains focused on liquidity management, prudent capital

allocation, and compliance with its contractual and regulatory obligations across its portfolio,” PXP Energy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The Department of Energy awarded three service contracts to PXP Energy and its joint venture partners last year:

SC 80 and SC 81 in the Sulu Sea, and SC 86 in northwest Palawan.

The awards expand PXP Energy’s exploration portfolio, adding frontier acreage and positions within a proven petroleum basin. SC 80 and SC 81 are jointly administered by the DOE and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through its Ministry of Environment, Natural

Resources and Energy.

SC 86, formerly SC 6A, encompasses the Octon-Malajon block. PXP is in the early phase of the contractual term and will carry out technical and work program commitments for the area.

A new contract, SC 88, was executed between the government and a consortium led by operator NPG Pty. Ltd., with The Philodrill Corp. and PXP subsidiary Forum Energy Philippines Corp. as partners. SC 88 covers 83,450 hectares in the Northwest Palawan Basin. It replaces the former SC 14C1 and ensures continuous operations at the Galoc field under a new framework. Meanwhile, PXP said SC 40 in

Philippine aviation by demonstrating the success of the public-private partnership model through its airport portfolio. Anchored by the performance of Mactan–Cebu International Airport, one of the country’s most successful airport PPP projects, AIC Airports is setting industry benchmarks in innovation, operational efficiency and customer-centric service.

north Cebu remains a key asset.

“The company continues to evaluate pathways to advance drilling activities, including discussions relating to potential farm-in arrangements,” the company said.

PXP added that it and Forum Energy remain committed to preserving the value of the SC 72 and SC 75 assets while maintaining compliance during the force majeure period.

“Overall, 2025 marked a year of portfolio expansion and contractual renewal, positioning the company to preserve value in producing assets while strengthening its exploration footprint,” PXP said.

the AI platform and integrate 12 Filipino dialects with support from the University of the Philippines.

IPS Inc. president and InfiniVAN chairman Koji Miyashita said the partnership reflects a commitment to resilient digital infrastructure.

“By combining Japan’s network engineering expertise, the Philippines’ rapidly expanding connectivity platform and India’s advanced AI capabilities, we are creating a foundation for secure, scalable and locally relevant digital solutions,” Miyashita said. Miyashita added that the rapid growth of AI is fueling demand for data centers located near cable landing stations to reduce latency.

PH debt path still manageable despite pandemic surge

THE Philippine government’s debt levels remain on a sustainable path despite a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent research paper examining the country’s fiscal solvency. While the debt-to-gross domestic product ratio climbed to 60.4 percent by the end of 2021 and reached 60.9 percent in 2022, researchers found the current position is less concerning than previous debt crises.

The paper by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) utilized historical decomposition, debt sustainability analysis, and fiscal gap computations to determine that the ratio will remain manageable even if it peaks above 65 percent in the coming years.

The authors led by Margarita Debuque-Gonzales noted that the 2021 debt level sat more than 20 percentage points above pre-pandemic figures and slightly exceeded the government’s indicative cap.

The analysis suggests that returning immediately to pre-pandemic debt ratios may not be feasible given the necessity of spending to prevent economic scarring and allow the economy space to recover.

To maintain market confidence, the paper cited the requirement for a sound medium- to long-term fiscal consolidation plan. The authors conducted several empirical exercises, including estimating fiscal reaction functions for the Philippines and developing ASEAN-5 economies.

THE Department of Energy began registering suppliers Monday for the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction, or GEA-5, as it prepares for bidding on Aug. 27.

GEA-5 targets 3,300 megawatts of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The auction process began Nov. 25, 2025, with the issuance of the notice of auction and terms of reference.

The registration period follows the Energy Regulatory Commission’s release of the Green Energy Auction Reserve price. On Feb. 27, the ERC set the GEAR price for GEA-5 at P11 per kilowatt-hour through Resolution No. 05, Series of 2026. This serves as the ceiling price for all bid offers.

“The implementation of GEA-5 marks a major stride toward a more sustainable energy future for the Philippines,” the DOE said in a statement.

“The initiative aims to expand the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, strengthen grid reliability, and enhance the country’s long-term energy security through large-scale offshore wind development.”

The DOE set the registration deadline for March 16. Officials will evaluate registration documents, infrastructure plans and delivery dates before posting the list of qualified bidders by July 3. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for July 16. Potential winning bidders will be announced between Sept. 9 and Sept. 11, with the formal notice of award expected from Sept. 16 to Sept. 22. Compliant bidders will receive certificates of award between Feb. 2 and Feb. 22, 2027. The Wind Energy Developers Association of the Philippines Inc. expressed strong support for GEA-5, saying offshore wind projects are a powerful economic catalyst. Alena Mae S. Flores

PLDT Home expands digital services, accelerates fiber prepaid growth to capture broader market in 2026

By Darwin G. Amojelar

and

and

PARTNERSHIP SIGNING. Clark Development Corp. president and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera, second from left, and Southern Luzon State University President Frederick Villa, second from right, shake hands following the signing of an amended memorandum of agreement to expand immersion opportunities for SLSU students. Witnessing the signing are CDC vice president for administration and Finance Group Jose Miguel de la Rosa, left, and SLSU College of Engineering Dean Ma. Corazon Abejo.

MACTAN-CEBU AIRPORT. Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is shaping the future of

PROJECT NOAH. Top Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) officials led by Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling meet with University of the Philippines-Resilience Institute executive

Mahar Francisco Lagmay to discuss the concept behind Project Noah

and possible future collaboration. The parties agreed to explore possible opportunities for interaction

and other national government agencies in furtherance of the national government’s efforts toward disaster resiliency and preparedness.

UnionBank posted P10-b net income in 2025

UNION Bank of the Philippines on Monday reported a full-year net income of P10 billion in 2025, supported by a surge in second-half earnings and the continued integration of its acquired Citi consumer business.

The bank said its second-half performance more than doubled with a 108-percent increase compared with the first six months of the year, as record revenues at the parent bank helped offset one-time costs booked primarily at the subsidiary level.

The bank reported net revenues of P83.2 billion last year, led by a customer base that grew 9.7 percent

to 18.6 million.

“In 2025, we took deliberate steps to strengthen our balance sheet and lay the foundation for profitable, sustainable growth. Building on the strength of our core franchise, we are doubling down on our key competitive advantages in 2026,” UnionBank president and chief executive Ana Aboitiz Delgado said.

“We expect continued improvement in topline growth and NIM, supported by an expanding customer base and a growing stream of recurring revenues. As we move into 2026, our focus remains on disciplined growth,

IN BRIEF

AUB launches T-bill investing feature

ASIA United Bank (AUB) has launched a feature in its HelloMoney e-wallet that allows users to invest as little as P10,000 in government-backed Treasury bills, the lender said in a statement.

The new feature, called HelloInvest, aims to encourage more Filipinos to participate in domestic capital markets by providing more than 6 million users with access to short-term T-bills through a digital process within the app.

The bank said the P10,000 minimum investment reflects the nature of the product as a low-risk, non-speculative instrument backed by the Philippine government, rather than a gamble on market movements.

“T-bills offer predictable returns, fixed timelines, and full government backing. With HelloInvest, users start with an investment that is stable, secure and a strong foundation for building long-term financial confidence,” AUB head of operations and technology Wilfredo Rodriguez Jr. said. Treasury bills are considered among the safest investment instruments in the Philippines because they offer capital preservation and guaranteed repayment at maturity. The investment process for the 91-day T-bills is fully digital, removing the need for paperwork or branch visits. Jenniffer B. Austria

GCash teams up with Careem Pay GCASH has teamed up with Careem Pay to streamline remittances for Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates, allowing for faster and more convenient money transfers to the Philippines.

Following an official signing at Careem’s head office in Dubai, users can now send money directly to GCash wallets. The direct integration enables transfers to settle within minutes, avoiding the delays of traditional bank transfers and the inconvenience of visiting physical remittance centers. Funds are credited straight to the recipient’s GCash app for

immediate access.

To send money from the UAE, users need to download the latest version of the Careem app, select Pay on the home screen and follow the steps under the Send Abroad tab.

“Sending money home is one of the most meaningful things our customers do with Careem Pay,” said Arjun Varma, general manager for GCash International.

“For many Filipino expats, it’s about supporting loved ones, covering school fees, or helping parents with everyday expenses,” said Varma.

The partnership also adds cash pickup options across nearly 15,000 locations. Darwin G. Amojelar

GSIS chief seeks PGEA help to boost microloan

GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and generalmanager Jose Arnulfo Veloso met with Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) officers to intensify awareness of the agency’s short-term microloan facility for government workers.

The meeting aligns with a directive from Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go to expand information dissemination so more members can benefit from the program, known as Ginhawa Go.

Veloso said Ginhawa Go provides fast and affordable financial assistance through the GSIS Touch mobile application, offering members a safer alternative to high-interest borrowing during temporary financial needs.

“Ginhawa Go is designed as a practical bridge for temporary financial gaps. It gives our members access to immediate support without exposing them to excessive interest and debt traps,” Veloso said.

He said strong information partnerships are crucial to the program’s success.

“We cannot rely on announcements alone. We need leaders like PGEA to help us cascade accurate information to the grassroots so members can make informed financial decisions,” he said.

RCBC eyes P5b from sustainability bonds

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), the financial arm of the Yuchengco Group, plans to raise at least P5 billion through a fixed-rate, peso-denominated ASEAN Sustainability Bond offering to finance eligible green and social projects.

The planned offer will be issued as the ninth tranche under the bank’s P200-billion bond and commercial paper program and will have a tenor of three years from the date of issuance. Proceeds will be used to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, eligible green and social projects under the bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework, as part of its push to support environmentally and socially responsible initiatives.

The planned issuance qualifies as an ASEAN Sustainability Bond under the ASEAN Sustainability Bond

Standards following approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

RCBC tapped Standard Chartered Bank and RCBC Capital Corp. to act as joint lead arrangers, book runners and selling agents for the transaction.

The public offer period is scheduled to run from March 12 to March 27, 2026, subject to final management determination and market conditions.

The bonds are targeted to be issued and listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on April 8, 2026.

RCBC last tapped the domestic debt market in July 2025, raising

P12.2 billion from an ASEAN sustainability bond issuance. Since the program launched in 2019, the bank has raised about P99 billion from the local capital markets. Jenniffer B. Austria

customer-centric innovation and delivering long-term value for our shareholders,” she said.

Unsecured consumer loans at the parent bank rose 18 percent to P150.8 billion, fueled by digital acquisition and crossselling. Consumer loans now represent 61 percent of the total loan portfolio, spanning credit cards, mortgages, personal loans and vehicle financing.

Net interest income reached P64.2 billion as net interest margins improved by 46 basis points to 6.4 percent. The bank attributed the margin expansion to an improved funding mix, noting that low-cost CASA deposits grew 12 percent yearon-year. Thony Rose Lesaca

By Jenniffer B. Austria

M Investments Corp. (SMIC) is looking to sell its roughly 30-percent stake in Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. as the conglomerate seeks to exit non-core businesses and capitalize on high copper and gold prices.

SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said the potential sale of the stake, which is subject to board approval, could occur in the near future.

He described mining as an outlier that lacks synergies with the group’s core businesses in banking, property, retail, logistics and renewable energy.

“Mining is actually an outlier because all the other businesses have a synergy within our group,” DyBuncio told reporters Monday.

With copper demand bolstered by electric vehicle production and gold prices at elevated levels, DyBuncio said current market conditions provide an opportunity to dispose of the shares at attractive valuations. Atlas shares have recently traded around the P9.60 to P10 level.

The potential sale aligns with SMIC’s focus on highergrowth segments, particularly renewable energy and logistics. Its geothermal subsidiary, Philippine Geothermal Production Co., is developing six new concessions, while logistics firm 2GO delivered strong results in 2025, surpassing $1 billion in income.

Regarding the domestic economy, DyBuncio expressed cautious optimism despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

“We still don’t know the impact on the Philippine economy. It depends on how long the war will last,” he said. DyBuncio said if the conflict continues for a long time, it could affect consumer sentiment and drive inflation higher.

Globe Telecom raises P25b from share offering

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Monday it raised P25 billion through an oversubscribed offering of non-voting perpetual preferred shares to refinance existing debt and support network expansion.

The Ayala-led telco said it issued 12.5 million preferred shares at P2,000 each. The offer was 2.4 times oversubscribed compared to its P15 billion base size.

Globe said it would use the net proceeds to redeem all or a portion of Globe’s USD perpetual capital securities and fund capital expenditures to enhance its network and digital infrastructure.

Globe president and chief executive Carl Raymond Cruz said the company is encouraged by the overwhelming support from institutional and retail investors, noting the reception reflects confidence in Globe’s ability to execute strategic priorities and elevate network quality and customer experience.

“We remain committed to sustaining disciplined investments and building a resilient organization focused on delivering long-term value for our stakeholders,” Cruz said.

Globe chief financial officer Juan Carlo Puno said the offer underscores the strength of Globe’s credit fundamentals and disciplined balance sheet management.

PHILIPPINE thrift banks reported

P1.38 trillion in total assets as of end-December 2025, up 25 percent from P1.10 trillion a year earlier, the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) said Monday.

Core lending in the sector expanded 26 percent to P977.32 billion, while deposit liabilities also rose 26 percent to P1.03 trillion.

Total capital increased 21 percent to P209.63 billion, keeping the sector’s capital adequacy ratio at 17.17 percent, above the 10-percent regulatory minimum. The sector’s non-performing loan ratio stood at 6 percent as of year-end.

“These are not incremental gains. They are structural signals of

strength. They show that thrift banks are not only stable, we are expanding responsibly and competitively,” CTB and Citystate Savings Bank president Jaime Valentin Araneta said. On the digital payments front, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan cited that thrift banks processed nearly 70 million InstaPay transactions in December 2025, up from only 10 million in January. Tangonan said thrift banks accounted for 31 percent of total InstaPay value during its peak in September 2025. However, thrift banks account for only 13 percent of system participants who utilize QR Ph merchant payments. Thony Rose Lesaca

director Alfredo

(Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards)

between them

7-ELEVEN RUN. More than 50,000 runners gather for the 2026 edition of the 7-Eleven Run, simultaneously held at Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa; City di Mare in Cebu City; and Crocodile Park in Davao City. Now on its 9th year, the annual run event drew runners across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Amid the growing enthusiasm among Filipinos for joining running communities and marathons, mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) teamed up with 7 Eleven to promote health, wellness and an active lifestyle among Filipinos.

TOURISM LEADER. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco is named Best Entertainment Tourism Leader

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Gov’t readies funds for more greenhouses

THE government is stepping up efforts to promote climateresilient farming for high-value crops amid volatile weather conditions.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative also aims to curb recurring price spikes triggered by weather-related supply disruptions.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has just allotted around P300 million this year to expand climate-resilient farming for high-value

vegetables, such as tomatoes, chili and bell peppers.

Tiu Laurel said the funds will primarily support basic greenhouses, drip irrigation and water-impounding systems to ensure appropriate crop management and reduce farmers’ exposure to increasingly volatile weather. These crops, he noted, suffer sharp price swings almost every year as extreme heat, heavy rains and flooding disrupt production.

“This is a perennial problem―sometimes chili pepper is very expensive, sometimes there is no supply at all; the same goes for bell peppers and tomatoes,” Tiu Laurel said. “What we want is continuous production, year-round whether it’s dry or rainy.”

The program―referred to within the DA as the

White Revolution, is modeled after the protected cultivation system of South Korea and Cambodia that helped boost vegetable output and provide reliable local food system.

By working with cooperatives and farmer associations rather than individual farmers, innovative strategy will start by organizing production at the community level.

Local seed and seedlings production will be established to technically equip women and youth to make planting materials readily available in a structurally coordinated and decentralized manner.

The department aims to generate stable volumes that can reliably supply major urban markets and dampen the boom-and-bust cycles that hurt both farmers and consumers.

Charcoal briquettes utilized as clean fuel

By Oliver T. Baccay

BASCO, Batanes―The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Batanes has launched the ‘Sustainable Conversion of Paper Wastes into Eco-Friendly Charcoal Briquettes’ project.

PENRO Victoria Baliuag said the project seeks to promote sustainable waste management and renewable energy.

simple, affordable and sustainable.

Instead of rolling out costly, high-tech facilities, the DA will deploy rain shelters and simpler greenhouse structures to provide partial protection from the elements and make it a viable business model.

These facilities protect crops from heavy rainfall, reduce flood risks and pest damage, and enable more efficient water use through drip irrigation and misting systems, making them easier to replicate across farming communities.

“The objective is to keep producing even during El Niño or La Niña,” Tiu Laurel said. “With irrigation during dry months and cover during heavy rains, farmers are able to adapt with the changing weather conditions and are effectively able to plan their production based on market demand.” DA News

THE SCIENCE OF GRAPES

She said the project encourages proper waste segregation, recycling and waste diversion while reducing reliance on landfills.

“The procedures for producing eco-friendly charcoal briquettes are

She said the initiative would transform discarded paper into a lowcost, practical and environmentally friendly fuel, supporting the goals of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

This is one simple thing we can do for the environment,” said Baliuag.

She also said the project is designed for easy community adoption. Waste paper is shredded and soaked in water to form a pulp, pressed tightly into a briquette molder, and then left to dry completely.

“The resulting charcoal briquettes can be used for cooking and other household needs, providing a practical and climate-friendly energy source,” she added.

By recycling paper waste into usable fuel, the project reduces landfill volume and promotes eco-conscious practices in local communities.

“This initiative proves that simple solutions can create a significant environmental impact. We are strengthening our commitment to sustainable waste management while empowering communities to participate in climate-resilient practices,” Baliuag added.

The PENRO Batanes project highlights the potential of smallscale, community-driven innovations in achieving both environmental protection and renewable energy goals. OTB/PIA Region 2 with reports from PENRO Batanes

Sustainability, trust and the role of corporate story in volatile times

By Owen Cammayo

First of 2 parts

IN periods of uncertainty, markets do not look only at numbers. They look for meaning.

Volatility—driven by geopolitics, climate risk, inflation, interest rates, or policy shifts—tends to create hesitation. When the outlook is unclear, capital pauses, decisions slow and confidence becomes fragile.

In this environment, financial performance remains essential, but it is no longer sufficient on its own. Increasingly, how a company explains its strategy, articulates its purpose and demonstrates responsibility shapes how it is perceived, supported and trusted.

This is where corporate communications plays a critical role.

A strong corporate narrative is not spin or marketing gloss. It is clarity about what a company stands for, how it creates value and how it manages its impact over the long term.

In volatile times, that clarity becomes a stabilizing force for investors, partners, employees and communities. Trust, in this context, has become one of the most important, yet least discussed sustainability assets. It lowers the cost of capital, shortens decision cycles and sustains stakeholder support during periods of stress.

When trust is present, difficult news can be absorbed. When it is absent, even positive developments are met with skepticism.

This is why governance, transparency and consistency are no longer peripheral concerns. They are foundational to sustainable value creation.

Companies that demonstrate strong governance and accountability signal that they can be relied upon to deliver results, manage risk responsibly and act with integrity when conditions become challenging.

In the Philippine context, this trust premium carries particular weight. The country remains one of the fastergrowing economies in the region, yet it is also highly exposed to climate risk, supply-chain disruptions and global volatility.

As a result, expectations of business have evolved. Growth alone is no longer the sole measure of success— contribution to resilience increasingly matters.

This shift is evident across sectors. Renewable energy is becoming a more central part of corporate operations. Financial institutions are expanding sustainable finance portfolios.

Retail and property businesses are strengthening local supply chains and supporting micro, small and medium enterprises in provincial areas.(To be continued)

(Owen Cammayo is the vice president and head of communications, SM Investments Corp.)

Horses offer ecosystem lessons

Conclusion

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) supports projects that reintroduce wild horses to these fragile ecosystems. One of them is the Altyn Dala Initiative in Kazakhstan, which has been recognized as a World Restoration Flagship under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. After decades of biodiversity loss, the Altyn Dala ecosystem–literally translating to “golden steppe”–had become susceptible to wildfires, as grasses grow too long and start to burn more easily due to climate change. The Initiative tackles this problem by reintroducing a trio of grass eaters: Saiga antelope, kulan (a wild donkey) and Przewalski’s horse–a rare, wild horse native to Central Asia. These horses had disappeared from Kazakhstan’s plains for more than 200 years and are now being rewilded thanks to a partner-

ship with European zoos. Horses improve the environment for other species–if managed sustainably.

Horses’ actions in ecosystems often make them more hospitable for other species, too.

Around the world, horses have been observed digging wells up to two meters deep to search for water, which other species then flock to as well. Free-roaming horses are known to help with seed dispersal and support soil’s nutrient cycles, and through their grazing, they maintain open spaces, which then attract a variety of insects, birds and plants.

However, when too many horses graze in a landscape, the pressure can become unsustainable. To improve herd health and help avoid overgrazing, UNEP’s Vanishing Treasures Program provides vaccination and tagging stations in the field in Central Asia. This helps prevent diseases

A Georgian woman brings her passion to

and training of trainers are helping

Conclusion

Learning in the field

For Sophio, hands-on training, covering topics ranging from pheromone application to careful pruning techniques, has been one of the program’s most important components. Building on this and to further disseminate this knowledge, FAO organized Training of Trainers sessions encompassing all aspects of integrated vineyard management.

“We learned directly in the vineyard,” says Sophio, who has herself become one of the new trainers coming out of the program. “I have further shared this knowledge with my colleagues, and we are now bringing it to practice―young vines responded well, and over time, results will be visible even in older vines.”

Additionally, alongside educational opportunities on integrated vineyard management, FAO regularly organizes different training sessions for the Georgian wine sector, covering topics such as export and market development. As a result, more than 700 representatives from the wine sector have participated in these FAO trainings through the ENPARD program.

Sophio and Georgian winemakers are successfully reducing pesticide use,

improving grape and wine quality and promoting environmentally responsible practices.

The combination of pheromonebased pest management and sustainable vineyard management ensures that vineyards are healthy, sustainable and economically viable.

“It’s the continuous experimentation and application of knowledge that will help me improve our wines and vineyard management practices,” concludes Sophio.

“I’m quite happy with that decision. I like my profession. It’s diverse, I’m constantly in contact with nature, and nature is balance. Every organism is connected to one another, creating harmony.”

Across Georgia, 23 wineries covering 875 hectares in four regions have adopted integrated pest management methods through FAO’s program.

Eighty six percent of participants reported improvements in grape quality and food safety, while nine out of 10 companies expressed a clear intention to continue using pheromones independently.

Science, passion and youth are a good bouquet for Georgia’s wine industry and its agriculture in general. FAO News

Horses embody resilience. They are strong workers, have adapted to extreme weather conditions and can conquer rough terrain. In mountainous Kyrgyzstan, UNEP is supporting the government in setting up a mountainous ecological corridor, its largest protected area to date. Horses are used by rangers to monitor the corridor, as well as in horse rides supporting the ecotourism economy. Meanwhile, in Latin America’s Andes Mountains, communities are using horses for mass tree-planting ceremonies in a drive to restore the region’s high-altitude forests. Horses are stronger together Horses are not equipped with sharp fangs or powerful paws. Their secret weapon is that they stick together and seek safety in numbers. This behavior helps them stay vigilant and warn each other of approaching predators. When faced with danger, herds move as a group. Zebras have been observed forming protective rings when attacked by lions, placing foals in the middle and facing inwards, while kicking outwards. UNEP News

using horses

mass tree planting in high altitudes.

From paper wastes to eco-friendly fuel.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Jasper Valdez

CHRISTIAN Bautista is sticking to what he’s known for, love songs, but he’s giving them a different pulse in his new single, “Sa’yo Lamang,” leaning into a sound that moves with more rhythm and flavor than the usual heartbreaking ballads in his catalog.

Released on Feb. 25 across digital platforms, the track sees the 44-yearold crooner explore a city popinspired style built on steady grooves and a largely ‘80s sound.

“It’s another Christian Bautista song, but it has a vibe, it has a groove,” Christian said. He said trying something new has always been part of the plan while still centering on the kind of songs he has built his career on.

“We always want to surprise. We always want to do something different, and yet keep our core, which is love and romantic songs,” he added.

He teamed up with South Korean producer Ziv on the track, crediting him with helping bring the sound together. Christian said working with Ziv made it easier to find the sound they were aiming for.

“Ziv is such an amazing producer. He has been in the city pop space, so it blended together very well,” he said.

Despite the shift in sound, the message stays grounded in the kind of love Christian has long sung about, only this time looking beyond the early stages.

“When you’re in love, during the honeymoon phase, everything feels OK. That’s easy to say. But after a few years, when life really happens, you still have to be ready to say it: ‘Sa’yo Lamang,’” he explained. He added that the track offers a

Christian’s new groove

Still singing about love,

just with a di erent vibe

different take on love, a contrast to the usual themes of longing and heartbreak in OPM.

“It’s good that from time to time, we show a different aspect of love.

Love can be so much fun if you’re with the right person,” he said.

The song’s tone also carries into its music video, which plays on karaoke culture.

“Every Filipino has probably experienced karaoke. We wanted to

bring that vibe, the fun you have with it,” he said.

After years in the industry, Christian remains clear about what anchors his music, even as he experiments with its sound.

“Even after all these years of singing, I’ll still give everything I can, for the music, for love, and for my fans,” he said.

‘Scream 7’ makes a killing at box office

SCREAM 7 slayed the competition at the North American box office, setting a franchise record with $64.1 million in its opening weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Neve Campbell returns as original heroine Sidney Prescott in the Paramount film, the latest installment in the 30-year-old slasher series featuring yet another Ghostface killer. Franchise veterans Courteney Cox and David Arquette also return in the new film. Its worldwide box office total topped $97 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

It was the best-ever opening for a Scream film, according to data from Box Office Mojo.

The strong opening for Scream 7 knocked Sony’s family-friendly animated film GOAT down to second place, with $12 million in ticket sales in the United States and Canada.

The film—the story of an undersized goat who wants to join a basketballlike “roarball” team—was produced by NBA superstar Stephen Curry, who also takes on a voice role.

Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the doomed lovers Cathy and Heathcliff from Emily Bronte’s classic novel, dropped to third place with $7 million.

Debuting in fourth place was the concert film Twenty-One Pilots: More than We Ever Imagined, featuring a performance by the US band in Mexico City. It earned $4.3 million.

In fifth place was EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Baz Luhrmann’s documentary about the legendary rocker featuring remastered footage. The Neon film earned $3.5 million after expanding to a wider theatrical release in North America.

Rounding out the top 10 are Crime 101, which earned $3.4 million, followed by I Can Only Imagine 2 with $3.1 million, Send Help with $2.8 million, How to Make a Killing at $1.6 million, and Zootopia 2 closing the list with $1.4 million. AFP

Catriona Gray reveals heartbreak, healing, and courage to choose herself

CATRIONA Gray has finally opened up about her breakup with actor-singer Sam Milby after four years together.

In a recent interview, Gray explained that the split happened after Milby realized he was not ready for the level of commitment they had discussed.

“There was a point in our relationship where I think he just realized that he wasn’t ready to take it to the stage of commitment that we thought we were on,” she said. He had proposed but months later admitted he was still unsure. “So that was very hurtful for me, and I was really blindsided at the time.”

Gray shared that she tried to fi x the relationship and even prepared herself to adjust. In the end, she chose to prioritize her own well-being.

“It got to a point that I thought that considering our age and what we’ve been through, if he’s not yet sure, I think that’s an answer already,” she said.

She described the breakup as one of the hardest decisions she has made, especially after investing years in the relationship. Still, she does not regret loving deeply.

“I did it because I love the person,” she said, adding that she wants a partner who shares her goals of marriage and starting a family. “I don’t want to wait around for someone to fi gure out.”

Gray said she and Milby remain civil and still see each other at management events. She admitted the heartbreak was diffi cult, especially in the public eye.

She is doing better now after undergoing therapy for two years.

“I became so close with my core group, my friends, my family in a way that I don’t think I had before,” she said.

“I feel like I came back home to myself. The version of me now, I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been.”

Despite the breakup, Gray remains optimistic about love and revealed she is currently seeing someone who is not part of the entertainment industry.

“I definitely believe in love,” she said. “If you have a bad experience, you shouldn’t allow that to change how you see love.”

* * *

Meanwhile, actress and former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez shared a personal milestone after successfully defending her thesis proposal for her Master’s Degree in Communication Arts at Philippine Women’s University.

“One step closer to that Master’s degree! I successfully defended my thesis proposal today!” she wrote on Instagram.

Gutierrez thanked her adviser, Dr. Shirley Padua , for her guidance and expressed gratitude to those supporting her academic journey. She hopes to inspire others by showing that it is possible to balance work, family, and studies.

“This journey reminds me that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and fi nish what you started,” she said. She added that growth continues regardless of age and encouraged others to keep learning and improving themselves.

Shticks

Joseph Peter Gonzales

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is now focusing on her wellbeing as part of her healing and growth

Horror film ‘Scream 7’ surpasses the previous record of $50.9 million set by ‘Scream 4’ in 2011

OPM singer Christian Bautista leans into a city pop-inspired sound in ‘Sa’yo Lamang’

The singer drops his latest single ‘Sa’yo Lamang’ with a music video launch

Christian explores a di erent rhythm in his new song while staying rooted in romantic material

SHOWBIZ

By Angelica Villanueva

AT THE halftime show of the inaugural SIGLA MVP Olympics All-Star 2026, actress Andrea Brillantes brought the crowd to their feet with a high-energy dance performance. Moments later, Enrique Gil stepped onto the court to present her with a bouquet of flowers, praising her for doing “really good” on the court.

The sweet gesture sent their fans into a frenzy and offered a glimpse of the kind of screen chemistry fans can expect from their upcoming drama series, A Secret in Prague Though both Andrea and Enrique kept the plot details under wraps, they shared their excitement for the project, which was recently filmed in the Czech Republic.

A Secret in Prague, malapit na malapit na po,” said Enrique. Meanwhile, Andrea recalled their experience on set. “Sobrang enjoy po kami The whole cast, the whole crew, sobrang enjoy talaga kami. I just can’t wait for everybody to see it.”

A Secret in Prague serves as the first on-screen pairing between Andrea and Enrique as Chiara and Michael, respectively. It follows Michael, a man searching for a better life, whose journey leads him to Prague, where he meets Chiara. The series promises viewers a mix of romance, suspense, and emotional twists.

A Secret in Prague will be one of the new project offerings of TV5 after launching a major 2026 programming lineup, which includes the SIGLA MVP Olympics 2026.

‘A Secret in Prague’ stars

Andrea Brillantes, Enrique Gil draw cheers at MVP Olympics

Trillo of the Meralco Bolts, with Derek Ramsay, Licauco, De Vera, Dylan Menor, and Marco Gallo on the roster.

Lastimosa praised the level of play, noting that several actors showed “legitimate basketball experience.”

The exhibition also showcased entertainment talent, with Jed Madela, Jona , Andrea Brillantes, and the cast of Bagets: The Musical performing at halftime.

Pops Fernandez and Dennis Trillo were among those seen courtside.

“Sports have always been a powerful way to bring people together,” said Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of the MVP Group of Companies.

Spearheaded by businessman Manny V. Pangilinan the sports event featured an exhibition basketball game.

During the game, Team Blue escaped with a 60-59 victory over Team White, with Wendell Ramos sinking two free throws with 4.7 seconds left to secure the win. Ramos fi nished with five points and was named Player of the Game, while Lance Carr powered Team Blue with 26 points.

Team White drew strong scoring from Kevin Dasom with 21 points, while David Licauco added 16 and JC de Vera contributed 10, including a late three-point play that briefly put White ahead.

Team Blue, coached by 10-time PBA champion Jojo Lastimosa , fielded a lineup that included Enrique Gil, Diego Loyzaga, Joao Constancia, Cedrick Juan, and Paulo Angeles. Team White was led by Attorney William S. Pamintuan and coached by Luigi

Silent Sanctuary sells out Japan shows, sets sights on Singapore

ROCK band Silent Sanctuary is taking its sound overseas, staging a three-date tour in Japan from March 27 to 29 before heading to Singapore for a show on April 5 at Timbre+ One North. What was initially planned as a one-night concert in Japan quickly grew into three performances after strong demand, with all dates now sold out.

“This is our first time in Japan. Supposed to be one show only, but because of the fans, they opened a second show and then a third,” vocalist Sarkie Sarangay said. He admitted the band did not expect to find such a large following in the country.

classical strings to Japanese audiences. After Japan, the group will continue its overseas run in Singapore. Sarangay said fans there can expect a “fullblast performance.” Tickets for the Singapore show are available through Peatix.

The tour coincides with the release of the band’s new single “UNA” under Universal Records. The track is a refreshed version of a demo first recorded in 2009 and performed during the band’s early live shows. The single was released on Feb. 27.

Caprice Cayetano plans to donate part of P1m prize after PBB win

By Angelica Villanueva

CAPRICE Cayetano plans to share her prize after emerging as one of the Big Winners of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0

Violinist Kim Mirandilla-Ng described the tour as a new chapter for the group, while cellist Anjo Inacay pointed to the wider reach of Original Pilipino Music across Asia, saying it is encouraging to see Filipino acts gaining ground in neighboring countries.

The band is set to perform at Mr. Back Saitama, Livehouse Shinjuku SAMURAI and Heaven’s Door, venues known for their intimate livehouse setting. Silent Sanctuary plans to deliver a setlist that includes classic hits, deeper cuts and selected fan requests, bringing its signature combination of rock instrumentation and

In an interview with GMA News, the teen star said she intends to save part of her P1 million prize and use it to help others in need.

Gusto ko rin po i-save at makatulong din po sa mga tao na nangangailangan din nun,” she said.

Formed in 2002, Silent Sanctuary is among the Philippines’ most recognized OPM rock bands, known for its distinct “rockestra” sound that combines alternative rock with orchestral elements such as violin and cello.

The young actress added that she is considering donating to the Little Ark Foundation, which supports underprivileged Filipino children with serious illnesses.

Caprice also took to her Instagram to thank supporters following her win.

More than two decades since its formation, the band continues to stage soldout concerts at home while expanding its reach abroad, sustained by what Sarangay described walang humpay na pasasalamat” to both longtime and new fans.

“Una sa lahat, hindi ko po inakala ang mga nakita ko kagabi. Hindi ko rin inexpect ang support na natatanggap ko ngayon kaya sobra po akong nagpapasalamat,” she wrote. She also encouraged fellow youth to “look at the bright side of life!” During the Big Night, Caprice was named the Kapuso Big Winner alongside Kapamilya star Lella Ford Heath Jornales and Krystal Mejes placed second, while Ashley Sarmiento and Joaquin Arce finished third. Princess Aliyah and Miguel Vergara were named the fourth big winners.

longtime and new fans.

Silent Sanctuary brings its music overseas, reaching listeners beyond the Philippines

'PBB Celebrity Collab 2.0' big winner Caprice Cayetano says she intends to set aside part of her winnings to support charitable causes and help those in need

Team Blue secures a narrow win over Team White at the SIGLA MVP Olympics

Actors and athletes from di erent networks take part in the exhibition game

Andrea Brillantes (right) and Enrique Gil draw strong crowd reaction during the SIGLA MVP Olympics

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026

C4 LIFE

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

HeartcommandsEvangelista Milan Fashion Week  commands

The art of modern wardrobe

COS has launched its Spring Summer 2026 campaign with acclaimed actor Alexander Skarsgård, Korean actor Park Gyuyoung, and models Vittoria Ceretti and Taemin Park.

The collection emphasizes craftsmanship and enduring style, updating the modern wardrobe with fine materials, precise cuts, and thoughtful details.

By Nickie Wang

NTERNATIONAL fashion media trained their lenses on Heart Evangelista during Milan Fashion Week, where the Filipino style figure stood out for her refined aesthetic both on and off the runway.

Photographed by Karim Sadli in a London studio, the campaign features intimate portraits that convey quiet confi dence and a subtle attitude.

The collection showcases a palette of grounded neutrals, including head-to-toe monochromatic looks. Textured materials such as supple leather, croc-effect finishes, and breathable linens add depth, while heritage details like pinstripes and herringbone pay homage to tradition within a modern framework.

Drawing on 1980s styling, the line focuses on statement outerwear, tailored layering, and set dressing. Tailoring is central, with strong shoulders, high necklines, and fluid silhouettes balancing structure and ease.

Outerwear anchors the collection, including oversized trench coats with waist-defining belts, herringbone Balmacaan coats for men, and butter-soft leather aviator jackets with stand collars and concealed fastenings. Utility and sportswear elements appear in jackets with oversized flap pockets.

Womenswear features fluid dresses with crinkled textures and lingerie-inspired details, while shirts are refi ned with delicate ruffles.

COS will present the collection at an off-schedule show in Seoul on March 25, which will be streamed live on the brand’s channels.

A LANDMARK cultural event opened at the Greenbelt 4 Atrium on Feb. 27 as a collaboration between the Embassy of Ukraine in the Philippines, Ukrainian Fashion Week, and Philippine Fashion Week.

Titled From KYIV to Manila, the three-day exhibit ran from Feb. 23 to 25 and showcased the Spring-Summer 2026 collection BORYVITER by celebrated Ukrainian designer Nadya Dzyak. The collection explores how creativity is inspired by human stories, reflecting the resilience and innovation of Ukrainian designers.

The exhibition sought to “reinvent the runway” by bringing high fashion into a public space in Manila, highlighting the role of fashion as a bridge for global solidarity. Organizers said the event demonstrated that artistic expression can transcend borders and serve as a platform for unity even in the face of global challenges.

The opening ceremony welcomed diplomats, business leaders, and

The campaign was styled by Jane How with hair by Anthony Turner and makeup by Lynsey Alexander The Londonbased brand is known for iconic wardrobe staples and elevated essentials designed to last. COS combines functionality with timeless style in its collections.

Regional fashion titles, including Harper’s Bazaar Thailand, Elle Singapore, Grazia Singapore , featured Heart in social media video coverage of the Max Mara Fall/Winter February 2026 show, one of the key presentations in Italy’s fashion capital.

In an interview with Elle Singapore, Heart spoke about the brand’s enduring appeal and the intention behind her look.

“Definitely, it has to do with how you express yourself with your clothes, whether you want to wear your shades or not,” she said. “But it really has to do with protecting your inner child. Whether that’s wearing something avant-garde or something soft, it’s truly up to you. That’s how you express yourself.”

She characterized her outfit as reflective of Max Mara’s understated sophistication.

“The look is all about comfy chic everyday wear—something very Max Mara. You can go to the office, go out at night… it fits any lifestyle,” she added. Harper’s Bazaar Thailand shared an Instagram reel showing Heart warmly greeted by Thai actress Kimberly-Anne Voltemus, while Grazia Singapore noted her refined presence at the show, writing that she “stuns” in elegant shades of cream and white.

Her street-style appearances were also featured on the official Instagram page of Milano Fashion Week for the Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026 shows, extending her visibility across the global fashion circuit.

Paris-based magazine Madame Figaro tagged Heart in an Instagram reel covering the Boss Autumn/Winter 2026–2027 show attended by international celebrities, including David Beckham, Boris Becker, Mew Suppasit, and S. Coups

Although she was not present at the presentation, online observers noted that the mention underscores her growing recognition in international fashion circles.

Throughout the week, Heart continued to present confident yet refined “power femme” looks, wearing pieces from Etro, Jil Sander, and Moschino. She was also seen in the front row of Onitsuka Tiger’s presentation, maintaining a steady presence across major runway events.

Ukrainian Fashion Week hits Manila with