022726 - Las Vegas Edition

Trump administration considers requiring banks to collect citizenship information

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is considering whether to require U.S. banks to collect citizenship information from customers, according to a report first published by The Wall Street Journal.

The Journal reported that administration officials have discussed possible executive action or regulatory steps that could direct financial institutions to obtain citizenship data from both new and existing account holders. The report cited people familiar with the matter. No executive order or formal regulation has been issued as of publication.

The White House has not publicly announced a finalized policy. Details of any potential directive - including scope, implementation method, or documentation requirements - have not been formally released.

Existing federal requirements

Under current U.S. law, banks must com-

Mortgage rates fall below 6%, lowest level since 2022

Easing Treasury yields and moderating inflation have pushed borrowing costs lower, offering limited relief to buyers amid tight supply and persistent affordability pressures.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — Mortgage rates in the United States have slipped below 6% for the first time since 2022, offering measured relief to prospective homebuyers after more than two years of elevated borrowing costs.

According to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey released by Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage declined to just under 6%, marking its lowest level since September 2022. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also moved lower, reflecting easing in long-term borrowing costs. The survey is widely cited as a national benchmark, though individual loan pricing varies by bor-

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LAS VEGAS

EDSA at 40: Four decades after People Power, its legacy continues to shape Philippine democracy

by AJPress

reaffirms `ironclad’ alliance with PH amid West PH sea tensions

DAVAO CITY — Amid veiled threats of economic sanctions issued by China against the Philippines as tensions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) heightened, U.S. Embassy Chargés d’Affaires Y. Robert Ewing said here on Thursday that the United States still stands by the Philippines as a partner in prosperity and a long-time ally.

individuals presented as former Marines file affidavit before Ombudsman; Palace

disputes claims

Sworn complaint alleges cash deliveries from 2022 to 2025; Navy verifies service records as Ombudsman review remains pending

by AJPress

the country’s anti-graft authority. Malacañang has publicly rejected the claims and emphasized that the matter must proceed through proper legal channels. According to statements made by the affiants’ legal counsel during public briefings, the affidavit alleges that from 2022 to 2025 the individuals were instructed to

MANILA — A sworn affidavit executed by 18 individuals presented in public statements as former members of the Philippine Marine Corps has been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, placing a series of allegations under potential review by u PAGE 2

“We are no longer looking at the chances of (the former president) coming home. We’re no longer talking about that,” Duterte said in an interview in Iligan City.

After five months of delay, the confirmation of charges against the former president formally opened at the Courtroom 1 of the ICC headquarters in The Hague on Monday.

“If you see his statement in court, he told the court that ‘I have accepted that it is possible that I will die here in the ICC prison.’ It was stated in his statement to the court that he would not attend the hearings on confirmation of charges,” she added.

According to the vice president, she did not watch the confirmation of charges against her father.

“I have no feelings or reaction to that,” she replied, when asked about her sentiments about the ICC hearings. She noted that the ICC did not allow her family to see in

Ewing described the alliance between the U.S. and the country as “iron-clad,” adding that several countries will join what he described as the largest Balikatan exercises in the country this year.

“I am pleased to meet with President Marcos (Jr.) recently for the 80th anniversary celebration of the U.S.-Philippine diplomatic ties and the 75th anniversary of the alliance,”

MANILA — The national government remains uncertain about the tariff rate that will apply to Philippine exports to the United States, but is hopeful that existing exemptions will still be honored under the new policy, as officials await formal clarification from Washington.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go, on Thursday, February 24, told reporters they were still waiting for official communication from U.S. authorities to clear up the confusion.

AJPress

MANILA — The National Unity Party (NUP) said it is unlikely to support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte unless complainants present new and compelling evidence, as the House of Representatives prepares to begin committee-level review of the latest impeachment complaints.

NUP Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the party does not see sufficient new basis at this stage to justify a vote for impeachment, noting that several issues cited in the complaints had already been discussed in prior congressional hearings. He said the party would not obstruct the constitutional process and would evaluate evidence formally presented during proceedings.

However, NUP chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno clarified that the party has not adopted a binding collective po-

“We are also asking the United States. The United States has to respond to 150 countries. So, I think the communication has not yet arrived,” Go said.

Go previously said the Philippines remains in a “good spot” after the recent tariff development, noting that most of the country’s key exports have long been exempt from U.S. tariffs even prior to the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. What now?

“What we are hopeful for and what we assume it to be is that if they apply the 15 percent tariffs on us, it will continue to apply on the goods that they were applying a 19 percent tariff on,” he said.

“Our assumption is all the goods that were exempted before, which are the semiconductors and the major agricultural exports, will continue to not be included in the list of items to be subjected to the uniform 15 percent tariff,” he added.

U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed an order imposing a 10 percent tariff for 150 days, following a high court ruling that struck down his reciprocal tariffs on more than 100 countries last year.

A day later, Trump announced an increase to 15 percent. But the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that the applicable rate would be 10 percent, further adding to confusion among exporters. n

However, uncertainty persists over whether these exemptions will automatically carry over to the newly announced rates. According to Go, the government is operating on the assumption that they will.

Sara: Family no longer expects...

PAGE 1 person the family patriarch during the hearings.

“I would have liked to be able to meet and talk to former president Rodrigo Duterte. This is the confirmation of the charges period.

But the family’s applications were not approved this week,” the vice president said.

She also thanked her father’s defense team led by Nicholas Kaufman.

“I am thankful to Atty. Kaufman and the entire legal defense team of former president Rodrigo Duterte on his case at the ICC, his preparations and how they showed confidence that there is no evidence to prove that former president… committed the alleged crimes,” she added.

2028 bid not linked to impeachment

Also in the interview, Duterte denied insinuations that she made an early declaration of her 2028 presidential bid to forestall impeachment proceedings against her.

“Last year, the impeachment was already there but I haven’t made a decision yet. If the impeachment doesn’t proceed this year, 2026, next year, I’m sure, the impeachment will still be there because that is the plan of the administration. What the administration is doing is silencing all the people who are saying the truth about

their shortcomings and their lack of action on the problems of the people,” Duterte said.

“Yesterday, tomorrow, today, the impeachment is there. The impeachment was not a factor in my decision,” Duterte maintained.

She had earlier promised to reveal her 2028 plans by December.

She said that many politicians would rather not make early declaration of their candidacy for fear of being subjected to black propaganda. Long before she made her intentions known, Duterte said she already been parrying attacks from political rivals.

“So why would I delay saying I’m running if I’ve already made a decision?”

She said that after finalizing her decision to run for president in the fourth quarter of 2025, she “started to pray, reflect and meditate.”

Duterte said her legal team is expected to meet after the four verified complaints against her were forwarded to the committee on justice for proper deliberation.

The justice committee will begin its hearings on March 2.

The four separate impeachment complaints were filed by the Makabayan bloc, civil society group Tindig Pilipinas, church and religious groups led by lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan and lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera.

‘Good luck’

On President Marcos and Naga

City Mayor and former vice president Leni Robredo crossing paths again – this time at Malacañang on Monday – Duterte said she could only wish them good luck.

Robredo was at Malacañang for the launch of a program expanding the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). Days earlier, Marcos met her in Naga City during his inspection of a flood control project.

During his Naga City visit, Marcos turned over P500 million to fund the retrofitting and modernization of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum, named after Robredo’s late husband.

In 2016, Marcos lost to Robredo in the vice presidential race. Robredo ran for president in 2022 but lost to Marcos, who had Duterte for running mate. Robredo had to fend off massive mudslinging from supporters of Marcos and Duterte during the 2022 campaign period.

While Marcos repeatedly dismissed political alliance with Robredo during his visit to Naga City, the Chief Executive in a media interview showed his pink socks.

Meanwhile, Duterte again refused to give details on her handpicked running mate for 2028.

“He hasn’t made a decision yet. So we need to protect him. Because he might be subjected to attacks and his name will be ruined,” Duterte added. n

EDSA at 40: Four decades...

PAGE 1

Among those detained was Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., a prominent critic of the administration. Aquino was later allowed to travel to the United States for medical treatment in 1980.

Marcos formally lifted martial law in 1981, but retained broad executive powers under the 1973 Constitution. That same year, he won a presidential election boycotted by major opposition groups.

Assassination and opposition unity

On Aug. 21, 1983, Aquino returned to Manila and was assassinated upon arrival at the Manila International Airport. The killing triggered widespread public mourning and intensified political dissent.

Aquino’s funeral drew hundreds of thousands of participants and became a visible display of opposition solidarity. Civic organizations, religious leaders, business groups, and student movements began coordinating more openly.

The Catholic Church, led in Manila by Jaime Cardinal Sin, emerged as a moral voice urging peaceful reform and civic participation.

The snap election of 1986

In November 1985, amid economic decline and mounting international scrutiny, Marcos announced a snap presidential election scheduled for Feb. 7, 1986. The opposition rallied behind Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino, who ran with Salvador Laurel.

The Commission on Elections proclaimed Marcos the winner. However, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, an accredited independent watchdog, released a parallel tally indicating Aquino was ahead. Dozens of Commission on Elections computer tabulators walked out in pro-

test, citing alleged manipulation of results.

The dispute deepened divisions within the political and military establishment.

The military break

On Feb. 22, 1986, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos withdrew support from Marcos and fortified Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame along EDSA.

That evening, Cardinal Sin appealed over Radio Veritas for civilians to support the defecting officers through peaceful assembly.

Over the next four days, hundreds of thousands, and by many estimates millions, gathered along EDSA in prayerful protest, forming human barricades between loyalist troops and rebel camps.

On Feb. 25, 1986, Marcos conducted an inauguration ceremony at Malacañang Palace. On the same day, Corazon Aquino took her oath of office at Club Filipino in San Juan, alongside her vice president, Salvador Laurel.

Later that evening, as military support eroded and civilian crowds continued to gather in the capital, U.S. officials facilitated Marcos’ departure from Malacañang Palace. He and his immediate family were flown from Clark Air Base to Hawaii, where they lived in exile. Marcos died there in 1989.

The constitutional reset Aquino abolished the 1973 Constitution and established a provisional government pending the drafting of a new charter. The 1987 Constitution, ratified by plebiscite, reinstated term limits and bolstered constitutional safeguards among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

It restored a bicameral Congress, strengthened judicial independence, and created constitutional commissions designed to

enhance accountability.

Four decades of post-EDSA governance

Since 1987, the Philippines has held regular national elections and experienced multiple peaceful transfers of presidential power. Successive administrations — from Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, Rodrigo Duterte, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — have governed within the constitutional order established after EDSA.

The country has faced recurring debates over political dynasties, economic inequality, human rights policy, and proposals for constitutional revision. In 2001, large-scale demonstrations known as EDSA II led to the resignation of President Estrada, demonstrating both the continuing mobilizing power of public protest and the resilience of constitutional processes.

The electoral victory of Marcos Jr. in 2022 reflected shifting political alignments and generational perspectives, underscoring how historical memory evolves within a functioning electoral system. EDSA at 40

Four decades after the uprising, the central legacy of EDSA remains institutional: the restoration of constitutional governance, civilian supremacy over the military, and the regular conduct of competitive elections.

The revolution did not resolve all structural challenges. It did, however, establish a democratic framework within which political contestation continues to unfold.

As the Philippines marks the 40th anniversary of People Power, the historical record reflects a nation that moved from centralized rule to constitutional democracy and continues to navigate the responsibilities and complexities that accompany that transition. n

US reaffirms `ironclad’ alliance...

PAGE 1

referring to the Mutual Defense Treaty signed between the country and the U.S. in August 1951.

“We stand by the Philippines as partners in prosperity, as friends, partners, and allies. This alliance is ironclad, and Balikatan, which allows us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder for interoperability exercises, is coming,” he added.

“We are pleased to work side by side with Philippine partners and allies for interoperability exercises this year, the largest Balikatan is

upcoming this year,” he added. Ewing was at the Ateneo de Davao University to meet with beneficiaries of the U.S. Embassy’s program to improve English proficiency among pupils in rural public schools. He said the U.S. Embassy’s Access program to improve the English proficiency of 50 selected pupils from the city’s far-flung public schools would be setting them up for future leadership roles in business, economics, and other fields.

On Wednesday, February 25,

Ewing said he was pleased to meet a 90-year-old Filipino veteran in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, during the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor conferred by the U.S. Congress, to 50 Filipino World War II veterans in the area. The 90-year-old war veteran was one of only two still alive. The rest were honored posthumously for their bravery, service, and sacrifice on Wednesday, the first time that the awarding ceremony was held in Mindanao since 2019. n

NUP signals reluctance on VP

Sara...

PAGE 1

sition on the impeachment complaints. He indicated that members of the bloc may ultimately vote according to their individual assessment of the evidence and the constitutional standards governing impeachment.

Supreme Court ruling frames timetable

The renewed impeachment effort follows the Supreme Court’s July 25, 2025 decision declaring unconstitutional the Articles of Impeachment previously transmitted to the Senate. The Court cited the Constitution’s one-year bar rule and due process considerations, ruling that the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the earlier proceeding.

The Supreme Court clarified that it did not make a determination on the merits of the allegations against Duterte. It held that any new impeachment complaint could only be filed after the expiration of the one-year prohibition period, which lapsed in early February 2026.

On January 29, 2026, the Court announced that it denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed in relation to that decision.

House justice panel to assess sufficiency Under House rules, the Committee on Justice must first determine whether the complaints are sufficient in form and sufficient in substance before further action may proceed. The sufficiency-in-form stage examines compliance with constitutional and procedural requirements. The sufficiency-in-substance stage evaluates whether the allegations, if assumed true, constitute impeachable offenses under the Constitution.

Publicly filed complaints reference allegations related to the alleged misuse or mishandling of confidential funds and other asserted acts that complainants argue may constitute impeachable violations. Vice President Duterte has previously denied wrongdoing in matters involving confi-

18 individuals presented as former Marines...

dential funds and has criticized impeachment efforts against her. Process remains preliminary Malacañang has stated that impeachment is a constitutional function of Congress and that lawmakers are free to determine their respective positions. At this stage, proceedings remain procedural. No determination of guilt or innocence is before either chamber. If the committee finds the complaints sufficient in form and substance, the process would advance in accordance with constitutional and House rules. is a constitutional function of Congress and that lawmakers are free to determine their respective positions. At this stage, proceedings remain procedural. No determination of guilt or innocence is before either chamber. If the committee finds the complaints sufficient in form and substance, the process would advance in accordance with constitutional and House rules. n PAGE 1

transport substantial amounts of cash in suitcases and, at times, paper bags to certain public officials and other named individuals.

Public statements associated with the filing referenced an alleged cumulative total of approximately P805 billion, representing what the affiants claim were multiple deliveries over several years. These assertions originate from the sworn affidavit and accompanying public statements. The amounts, identities, and described logistics have not been independently verified in court proceedings. As of this writing, no documentary exhibits beyond the affidavit have been publicly released, and no court has made factual findings regarding the truth or falsity of the allegations.

Malacañang addressed the matter in press briefings, where Palace officials disputed the claims and described them as unsubstantiated. Officials stated that sworn accusations alone do not establish

criminal liability and underscored the importance of due process.

Separately, the Philippine Navy confirmed that it reviewed official personnel records to verify the identities and service history of the individuals identified in connection with the complaint.

Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the review showed that four of the 18 individuals were never members of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps, based on official records. The Navy further stated that several of the remaining individuals were retirees, while others had been separated from service, including some who were reportedly dishonorably discharged. The Navy’s statements addressed only service record verification and did not constitute findings regarding the substance or credibility of the allegations contained in the affidavit.

Under Philippine law, the Office of the Ombudsman evaluates complaints against public officials

for possible violations of anti-graft statutes and related offenses. The process is governed by Administrative Order No. 07.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Ombudsman determines whether it is sufficient in form and substance and whether it falls within its jurisdiction. The complaint may be dismissed outright if legally insufficient. If further scrutiny is warranted, the Ombudsman may initiate fact-finding or a preliminary investigation, during which respondents are given the opportunity to submit counter-affidavits.

Only upon a finding of probable cause, supported by evidence beyond sworn allegations, may criminal charges be filed before the appropriate court.

As of this writing, the Office of the Ombudsman has not publicly announced the filing of charges or the commencement of a formal preliminary investigation. Public officials named in the affidavit are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in court. n

‘You Aren’t Trapped’: Hundreds of US nurses choose Canada over Trump’s America

by Brett Kelman KFF Health Newa

LAST month, Justin and Amy Miller packed their vehicles with three kids, two dogs, a pet bearded dragon, and whatever belongings they could fit, then drove 2,000 miles from Wisconsin to British Columbia to leave President Donald Trump’s America.

The Millers resettled on Vancouver Island, their scenic refuge accessible only by ferry or plane. Justin went to work in the emergency room at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, where he became one of at least 20 U.S.-trained nurses hired since April.

Fear of Trump, some of the nurses said, was why they left.

“There are so many like-minded people out there,” said Justin, who now works elbow to elbow with Americans in Canada. “You aren’t trapped. You don’t have to stay. Health care workers are welcomed with open arms around the world.”

The Millers are part of a new surge of American nurses, doctors, and other health care workers moving to Canada, and specifically British Columbia, where more than 1,000 U.S.-trained nurses have been approved to work since April. As the Trump administration enacts increasingly authoritarian policies and decimates funding for public health, insurance, and medical research, many nurses have felt the draw of Canada’s progressive politics, friendly reputation, and universal health care system. Additionally, some nurses were incensed last year when the Trump administration said it would reclassify nursing as a nonprofessional degree, which would impose strict federal limits on the loans nursing students could receive.

Canada is poised to capitalize. Two of its most populous provinces, Ontario and British Columbia, have streamlined the licensing process for American nurses since Trump returned to the White House. British Columbia also launched a $5 million advertising campaign last year to recruit nurses from California, Oregon, and Washington state.

“With the chaos and uncertainty happening in the U.S., we

are seizing the opportunity to attract the talent we need,” Josie Osborne, the province’s health minister, said in a statement announcing the campaign.

Fears Realized

Amy Miller, a nurse practitioner, said she and her husband were determined to move their children out of the country because they felt Trump’s second term would inevitably spiral into violence.

First, the Millers got nursing licenses in New Zealand, but when the job search took too long, they pivoted to Canada.

Justin was offered a job within weeks.

Amy found one within three months.

So they moved. And just a few days later, the Millers watched with horror from afar as their fears came true.

As federal immigration forces clashed with protesters in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, federal agents fatally shot an ICU nurse, Alex Pretti, as he filmed a confrontation and appeared to be trying to shield a woman who was knocked down. Video of the killing showed border agents pinning Pretti to the ground before seizing his concealed, licensed handgun and opening fire on him.

The Trump administration quickly called Pretti a “domestic terrorist” who intended to kill federal agents. That allegation was disputed by eyewitness videos that circulated on social media and spurred widespread outrage, including from nurses and nursing organizations, some of

whom invoked the profession’s duty to care for the vulnerable.

“I don’t want to say it was expected, but that’s why we are here,” Amy Miller said. “Even our oldest kid, she was like: ‘It’s OK, Mom, because we are not there anymore. We are safe here.’ So she recognizes that, and she’s not even in middle school yet.”

Both the U.S. and Canada have a severe need for nurses.

The U.S. is projected to be short about 270,000 registered nurses, plus at least 120,000 licensed practical nurses, by 2028, according to recent estimates from the Health Resources and Services Administration. In Canada, nursing job vacancies tripled from 2018 to 2023, when they reached nearly 42,000, according to a recent report from the Montreal Economic Institute, a Canadian think tank.

When asked to comment, the White House noted that industry data shows the number of nurses licensed in the U.S. increased in 2025. It dismissed accounts of nurses moving to Canada as “anecdotes of individuals with severe cases of Trump derangement syndrome.”

“The American health care workforce is the finest in the world, and it continues to expand under President Trump,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. “Employment opportunities in the American health care system remain robust, with career advancement and pay that far exceed that of other developed nations.”

u PAGE 4

reporting, internal discussions have included whether banks might be required to request additional documentation relating to citizenship status. It remains unclear whether any potential measure would:

• Apply only to new accounts or also to existing customers

• Require documentary proof, such as passports

• Affect eligibility for banking services or solely mandate data

collection No draft rule or proposed regulation has been published in the Federal Register. Regulatory considerations Legal analysts note that any expansion of bank compliance obligations would require a clear legal basis, whether through executive authority, agency rulemaking, or congressional action. Changes to identity verification standards could prompt regulatory review and potential legal challenges, depending on how they are structured. At this stage, the discussions described in the Journal’s report remain under consideration. No new banking requirement has been formally enacted. (AJPress)

Mortgage rates fall below 6%...

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rower profile, credit score, and lender terms.

The decline coincides with moderation in Treasury yields, particularly the benchmark 10year note, which mortgage rates generally track. Bond yields have eased as inflation pressures continue to cool compared with the peaks reached in 2022.

The Federal Reserve has maintained a restrictive policy stance, holding its benchmark federal funds rate steady while signaling that future decisions will remain data dependent. Recent data

from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show inflation trending lower on a year over year basis, though still above the Fed’s long-term 2% objective. Housing activity remains restrained. Data from the National Association of Realtors show existing home sales below pre pandemic norms, as many homeowners continue to hold mortgages secured at substantially lower rates. This dynamic has limited resale inventory and slowed transaction volume. At the same time, home prices have remained comparatively

firm. The Federal Housing Finance Agency reports continued year over year price gains nationally, although growth has moderated from the rapid increases recorded during the pandemic housing surge. While a return to sub 6% rates carries psychological significance, affordability conditions remain tighter than during the ultra low rate period of 2020 and 2021. Analysts say sustained improvement will depend on the trajectory of inflation, employment trends, and broader economic stability. (AJPress)

Mayweather, Pacquiao set September 19 professional rematch

More than a decade after their record-setting 2015 showdown, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are scheduled to meet again in a sanctioned professional rematch on September 19 at Las Vegas’ Sphere, with the bout set to stream live worldwide on Netflix.

by AJPress

LAS VEGAS — Floyd May-

weather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will meet in a sanctioned professional rematch on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Sphere, with the bout scheduled to stream live worldwide on Netflix, according to coordinated announcements from the fighters’ promotional teams and confirmed by multiple major sports media outlets on February 23–24.

The event is being described as the first professional boxing match staged at Sphere, the Las Vegas venue known for its immersive LED display technology and flexible seating configuration of roughly 20,000, depending on setup.

A sequel more than a decade in the making

The rematch comes 11 years after the fighters’ May 2, 2015 bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena, which ended in a unanimous decision victory for Mayweather. That contest generated 4.6 million pay-per-view purchases and a reported $72 million live gate — figures widely cited in contemporaneous sports business reporting as among the highest in boxing history.

The first fight was framed at the time as a defining commercial moment for modern boxing, drawing global audiences and establishing revenue benchmarks rarely matched since.

Return from retirement for two global figures

Mayweather, 49, retired from professional competition in 2017 with a 50-0 record (27 knockouts). While he has participated in exhibition bouts, he has not competed in a sanctioned professional contest in nine years.

His representatives confirmed he will return to professional competition for the September rematch.

Pacquiao, 47, retired in 2021 before resuming professional activity in 2025. He holds a record of 62-8-3 with 39 knockouts. Public statements released through his promotional organization describe the upcoming contest as an opportunity to revisit a rivalry central to a generation of welterweight boxing. Neither camp has publicly disclosed the contracted weight class, number of scheduled rounds, or whether any sanctioning body titles will be at stake.

Regulatory oversight under Nevada authorities

Because the bout is scheduled in Las Vegas, it will fall under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State

‘You

Athletic Commission, which regulates professional boxing in the state. The commission oversees fighter licensing, medical clearances, event permits and officiating assignments.

As of February 24, 2026, specific bout filings, referee designations and final permit approvals had not been publicly released in commission documentation.

Production, promotion and global distribution

Organizers have identified EverWonder Studio, Hidden Empire and Limitless X Holdings as production partners. The event is being promoted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in partnership with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.

Netflix confirmed the fight will be available to its global subscriber base without additional pay-per-view charges.

The streaming platform has expanded into live combat sports programming in recent years, reporting tens of millions of viewers for prior boxing broadcasts. Independent measurement methodologies vary, and Netflix has not released projected audience figures for the September bout.

Key competitive and commercial details remain undisclosed Promoters have stated that

additional event specifics are expected to be released in the coming weeks. As of this reporting date, several central competitive and commercial elements have not been formally disclosed in verified public reporting, including the official contracted weight, the number of scheduled rounds, the composition of the undercard, ticket pricing and the public on-sale timeline, as well as the fighters’ purse structure or revenue split.

A rivalry that reshaped boxing’s business model

The 2015 contest between Mayweather and Pacquiao was widely characterized as the most commercially significant fight of its era. It underscored the economic scale achievable through premium pay-per-view distribution and global marketing.

The rematch, now scheduled for a technologically advanced venue and distributed through a global subscription streaming platform, reflects broader structural shifts in how major sporting events are financed, distributed and consumed.

For now, the fighters’ professional records remain unchanged, regulatory processes are pending, and promotional machinery surrounding one of boxing’s most lucrative rivalries is again underway,  this time on a stage designed as much for spectacle as for sport. n

Aren’t Trapped’: Hundreds of US nurses...

‘A Sense of Relief’

It is unknown precisely how many American nurses have moved north since Trump returned to office, because some Canadian provinces do not track or release such statistics.

British Columbia, which has done the most to recruit Americans, approved the licensing applications of 1,028 U.S.-trained nurses from when the province’s streamlined application process took effect in April 2025 through January, according to the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives. In all of 2023, only 112 applicants from the U.S. were approved, the agency said. In 2024, it was 127. Increased interest from American nurses was also confirmed by nursing associations in Ontario and Alberta, as well as by the nationwide Canadian Nurses Association.

Angela Wignall, CEO of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia, said American nurses used to move north because they had fallen in love with Canada (or a Canadian). But more recently, she said, she had met nurses who feared the White House would spur violence and vigilantism, particularly against families that included same-sex couples.

“Some of them were living in fear of the administration, and they shared a sense of relief when crossing the border,” Wignall said. “As a Canadian, it’s heartbreaking. And also a joy to welcome them.”

Vancouver Island, which has a population of about 860,000, has gained 64 U.S.-trained nurses since April, including those at Nanaimo Regional, said Andrew Leyne, a spokesperson for the island’s health agency.

One of the nurses was Susan

Closing the gap: The road to housing affordability

by roy amaDo Golez Jr Inquirer.net

WHILE housing is a basic need, owning a home remains an aspirational goal for many Filipinos—a symbol of success, stability, and security.

Yet, achieving it has become increasingly difficult given today’s property prices and lagging income growth. Can the typical young Filipino family today ever own a home?

From boom to imbalance

In Metro Manila, residential condominiums have been part of the Philippine real estate landscape for over five decades. Their popularity surged in the early 2000s as the country evolved into a hub for Information Technology and business process management (IT-BPM) jobs.

Real estate developers seeing the rise of employment responded with a wave of high-rise projects across the National Capital Region (NCR). Add to the overseas Filipinos (OFs) fueling demand for residential units, as they invest in properties for family use or as income-generating assets while working abroad.

Further pushing demand higher was entry of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), which distorted demand and pricing. The premium rents the Pogo sector was willing to pay attracted speculative investors who raised demand levels, so developers built even more units.

The real estate industry saw its peaks in demand for the office and residential sectors in 2018 and 2019, just before the pandemic hit.

Today, a year after Pogos left the market, demand for small condominium units have declined.

As of November 2025, Metro Manila has 80,300 unsold condominium units. Most of this oversupply sits in the upper middle (P4 million to P7 million) and upscale (P7 million to P12 million) segments, accounting for 32 percent and 35 percent of unsold stock.

All this while there is barely any new supply in the low-income segment, with less than 1 percent of remaining supply.

Fleishman, a Canadian who moved to the U.S. as a child, then worked for 23 years in American emergency rooms before leaving the country in November.

Fleishman said hateful rhetoric from Trump has fueled an angry division that has permeated and soured American life.

“It wasn’t an easy move — that’s for sure. But I think it’s definitely worth it,” she said, happily back in Canada. “I find there is a lot more kindness here. And I think that will keep me here.”

Brandy Frye, who also worked for decades in American ERs, said she moved to Vancouver Island last year after waiting to see whether Mark Carney would become Canada’s prime minister. Carney’s rise was widely viewed as a rejection of Trumpism.

Meanwhile, Frye said, the California hospital where she worked had been stripping words associated with diversity and equity out of its paperwork to appease the Trump administration. She couldn’t stand it.

“It felt like a step against ev-

erything I believe in,” Frye said. “And I didn’t feel like I belonged there anymore.”

Like many of the American nurses who have moved to Vancouver Island, Frye was first wooed to the area by a viral video that was meant to attract tourist dollars but ended up doing much more.

About a year ago, Tod Maffin, a social media content creator and former CBC Radio host, invited Americans to the port city of Nanaimo for a weekend event designed to offset the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the local economy.

Maffin said about 350 people attended the April event.

“A lot of them were health care workers looking for an escape route,” Maffin said. “They were there to help support our economy but also to look into Canada.”

*

research, polling, and journalism.

The bigger picture Zoom out and the issue of lack of supply and mismatch in price

affordability becomes even more apparent.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reported that the national housing backlog hit 10.65 million units in 2024 and will balloon further unless production accelerates in underserved segments.

Dr. Winston Padojinog of the University of Asia & Pacific and its esteemed think tank, the Center for Research and Communication, estimates that the average annual new home demand is about 478,000 units (average of 2018 to 2024), while only 128,000 housing units are produced by the private sector for the same period.

This, unfortunately, results in an annual shortfall of 350,000 housing units. Closing the gap requires 282,000 units to be produced yearly from 2025 to 2030, and a staggering 1.6 million units annually from 2031 to 2040.

The affordability gap Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that household incomes in NCR grew by only 20 percent since 2019, while residential property prices surged 62 percent, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Residential Property Price Index.

This mismatch isn’t unique to the Philippines. Countries like the US, Australia, and Singapore face similar challenges. But here, the impact is harsher because incomes start from a much lower base.

Public-private collaboration in action

The urgency of the housing issue was the main topic at an event, titled “Mind the Gap: Housing Affordability in the Philippines”, held in November last year.

Industry leaders discussed difficulties in the permitting processes as well as the need for long-term strategies to effectively address the housing backlog and for adjustments in the current price ceilings for mass housing, among other issues. Pag-IBIG Fund also announced that it offers developmental loans to support housing initiatives, underscoring the role of funding in bridging the gap.

The discussion made clear that while public and private sectors are taking steps, structural issues—such as pricing, policy

frameworks, and regulatory bottlenecks—remain major hurdles to accelerating affordable housing delivery.

DHSUD echoed this collaborative stance. In July, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said: “Private stakeholders are more willing to engage when there is clarity and fairness in government programs.”

Policy shifts and emerging models

Stakeholders are moving to address the gap.

Policy reform discussions among government, private sector, and academe focus on adjusting price ceilings and compliance frameworks. DHSUD recently raised the ceiling for socialized housing to P950,000 for houseand-lot units and P1.8 million for condominiums, aiming to attract developers to segments where demand is greatest.

The expanded 4PH program now includes rental housing options—ideal for families needing secure homes without committing to a purchase. Alternative models like rent-to-own schemes are gaining traction, signaling a shift toward flexibility and inclusivity.

Building communities

Urban housing models are evolving. Developers are creating integrated communities with schools, hospitals, and retail hubs—housing is more than just putting roofs over heads, it’s about ecosystems where families can thrive.

When families live closer to work, productivity rises, commutes shorten, and cities become more livable. The solution isn’t just more units—it’s financing, infrastructure, and policies that make affordable housing viable for developers and realistic for buyers.

The real question

The gap is there and narrowing this gap can be done—but should be seen as a long-term effort involving systemic change.

If government agencies, developers, and financial institutions pull in the same direction, this crisis can become a positive turning point. The question isn’t whether we can build more homes—it’s whether we can build the right homes, in the right places, at prices people can afford. n

Pasig wins $1 million Bloomberg grant

by Mark ErnEst VillEza Philstar.com

MANILA — Pasig City has been named one of 24 global winners of the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025-2026 Mayors Challenge.

The city will receive $1 million, along with operational support, to scale up its plan to co-design floating parks and create new community spaces that reconnect its residents to the Pasig River.

Pasig is the only Philippine city included in the list of winners, which spans 20 countries and serves over 35 million people worldwide.

Mayor Vico Sotto said the project aims to address the lack of open and usable public spaces while promoting participatory governance.

“But more than building parks, we want to do this in a way that models participatory governance. We want Pasigueños involved, from designing and building to managing these parks, not just as visitors,” Sotto said.

He said the grant would allow the city to refine its planning processes and deepen stakeholder engagement to make development programs more sustainable. The winning proposal evolved during the competition’s prototyping phase. Initially focused on crafting a unified

Pasig was selected from more than 630 applicant cities

MANILA

DAteline PhiliPPines

said in an emailed statement on Thursday: “After over 20 years of partnership with the SSI Group, we have made the decision to transition to a new franchise partner to support our ambitious growth plans in the region. Our contract with SSI will end in May 2026, we thank them for their partnership.”

by EJ Macababbad Philstar.com

— A Pasay City court has ordered the arrest of a former Senate witness who accused Sen. Risa Hontiveros of coercing and bribing him with P1 million to testify against detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.

Judge Marita Iris Laqui-Genilo of the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 111 issued a warrant for the arrest of Michael Maurillo on charges of cyberlibel.

The court recommended bail of P10,000 for Maurillo’s temporary liberty.

Hontiveros filed a complaint for cyberlibel against Maurillo with the National Bureau of In-

vestigation in July 2025.

Last month, the Department of Justice lodged the case against Maurillo before the Pasay court.

Maurillo testified during the Senate investigation into alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse involving members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in 2024.

He alleged that he saw Quiboloy, former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte with bags of firearms.

Maurillo later appeared in a viral video claiming that Hontiveros had bribed and coerced him to testify against Quiboloy.

The video gained traction after Sen. Ronald dela Rosa uploaded it on his Facebook account.

To counter the allegations,

“We remain committed to the Philippines and the growth opportunity in the region,” the retailer said.

The British brand, which has been operating in the Philippine market for 40 years, said it would share updates on its growth plans “in due course.” (Inquirer.net)

The spokesperson said M&S objective is to build a trusted global brand by bringing “the best of M&S” to customers around the world.

No exit: Marks & Spencer gets new partner to stay in Philippines Court orders arrest of ex-Senate witness

Hontiveros presented screenshots of Maurillo’s emails to her office starting Dec. 14, 2023.

As early as 2024, according to Hontiveros, Maurillo was being asked to recant his testimony to “shame” her.

Maurillo last reached out to Hontiveros’ office on June 23, 2025 when he asked for her help, claiming that members of the KOJC had kidnapped him.

Hontiveros welcomed the issuance of the arrest warrant against Maurillo as she criticized the “lies” and “fake news” that some spread about the Quiboloy hearings.

“I have faith that the truth will come out. We will continue to find justice,” Hontiveros said on Thursday, February 13. n

Coast Guard’s Tarriela hits back at China over PCIJ funding claim

by ian laqui Philstar.com

MANILA — Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela pushed back Thursday, February 26, against allegations by the Chinese Embassy linking the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism to U.S. funding.

The embassy earlier said PCIJ received multiple grants from the U.S.-based National Endowment for Democracy, a private nonprofit funded through an annual appropriation from the US Congress.

The embassy claimed NED interferes with other countries’ internal affairs.

Its statement followed a recent PCIJ news commentary video explaining how Filipinos can identify and spot pro-China propaganda online. Tarriela had shared the video on his Facebook page.

Citing information from NED’s website, the embassy noted that PCIJ, a nonprofit media outlet, received NED funding in select years, though not in the past two.

For Tarriela, the embassy appeared to suggest that funding from a U.S. institution compromised PCIJ’s impartiality and raised “doubts about whose interests the organization genuinely serves.:

He also questioned the logic of the claim.

“Uf the real aim was to discredit

a foreign government rather than provide objective journalism, it would be illogical for the US to publicly disclose its funding to PCIJ,” Tarriela said.

“That said, it is an open secret that the People’s Republic of China has been conducting information operations to undermine the Philippines’ position on the West Philippine Sea. The question now is how the PRC allocates funding for these activities and who the primary recipients are,” he added.

PCIJ’s response In a statement, PCIJ said it regretted the embassy’s allegation

that it was being used as a propaganda tool of the United States.

“We are nobody’s tool. And yet, we have watched as pro-Duterte partisans amplified the Chinese Embassy’s allegations, posted at 11:34 PM Manila time on Facebook and X,” the PCIJ’s statement read.

“The virality of the Embassy’s message within a few hours attests to the coordinated nature of this online attack. We are alarmed that the Chinese Embassy is attacking independent reporting by Filipinos. Their actions only lend credence to our story,” it added. n

2028: Choosing a president who reflects the Filipino nation

THE presidency has never been just about governance. It has shaped national identity, influenced the country’s survival and determined its direction at critical junctures.

After more than 333 years of Spanish colonial rule from 1565 to 1898, the aspiration for sovereignty culminated in the declaration of independence in June 1898.

Editorial

Emilio Aguinaldo became president of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899, marking the establishment of what is widely regarded as Asia’s first constitutional republic and the most organized assertion of Filipino self-governance up to that point. The republic was inaugurated in Malolos following the ratification of the Malolos Constitution, formalizing a government that Filipino revolutionaries believed gave institutional form to the independence they had proclaimed months earlier.

Yet sovereignty was already in dispute.

The Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, transferred the Philippines from Spain to the United States for 20 million dollars, without Filipino representation in the negotiations. Armed conflict between Filipino and American forces began on February 4, 1899, marking the start of the Philippine-American War.

The Philippines subsequently came under American control. Military rule lasted until 1901, followed by civil government under American supervision. Over time, limited representative institutions were introduced within the framework of U.S. sovereignty.

LAST week, we hosted the 12th round of the Philippines-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD), a mechanism that may be unfamiliar to many Filipinos but has quietly become a major pillar of our alliance. Having spent the past several years in Washington, I have so far attended seven of these dialogues, which is regarded at the highest levels of the United States government. Outwardly, it is a meeting – formal, structured, diplomatic. But in reality, it is much more than that: it is where two treaty allies sit down as partners to shape the future of their relationship amid an increasingly uncertain and complex world. It is where priorities are aligned, concerns addressed and commitments reaffirmed.

This year’s dialogue was especially meaningful because it took place as we celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years of our Mutual Defense Treaty – a relationship forged in the aftermath of World War II, strengthened by decades of shared sacrifice, cooperation and mutual trust.

From our embassy in Washington, it’s clear that the Philippines today is viewed not simply as a

A clearer pathway toward independence emerged with the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, authorizing the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Manuel L. Quezon became president of the Commonwealth on November 15, 1935, leading a transitional government intended to prepare the nation for full sovereignty.

World War II disrupted that timetable. During the Japanese occupation, Jose P. Laurel led the Second Republic under wartime conditions.

Full independence was ultimately recognized on July 4, 1946, and Manuel Roxas became the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines, inaugurating what is commonly described as the Third Republic.

The presidency then evolved through reconstruction and reform under Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

Each presidency reflected the national condition of its time. The office has evolved through the interplay of public choice, institutional design and historical circumstance.

friend, but as a key strategic partner in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The BSD reflects that reality and underscores our growing importance on the regional and global stage. The discussions covered a wide range of issues – from defense and security cooperation to economic ties, energy security, technological collaboration and regional stability. These are not abstract concepts; they directly affect our ability to protect our sovereignty, grow our economy and secure a better future for our people. Perhaps the most important aspect of the dialogue is the shared commitment to strengthening deterrence capabilities. Deterrence does not mean seeking conflict. On the contrary, it is about preventing conflict. It is about ensuring that peace is preserved because potential aggressors understand that alliances are firm and commitments are real.

Our Mutual Defense Treaty remains the cornerstone of that assurance. Through initiatives such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, expanded Balikatan exercises and closer coordination between our armed forces, the Philippines is steadily building its capacity to defend itself.

Equally important are the economic dimensions of our partnership. The US remains one of the

Philippines’ largest trading partners and a major source of investment. American companies have helped develop key sectors of our economy, creating jobs and opportunities for generations of Filipinos. As a matter of fact, because of the importance of our strategic alliance, many American companies already in the country are either expanding their operations or, more importantly, their interest in investing in the Philippines has increased exponentially.

Today, new opportunities are emerging in areas such as clean energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, agribusiness and advanced technology. These industries will define the future, and the Philippines stands to benefit from them through our partnership. Energy security was also a major focus of the dialogue. Reliable and affordable energy is essential to sustain economic growth, and cooperation with the U.S. opens doors to new technologies and investments that can help the Philippines meet its growing energy needs. Technology is another critical frontier. In an era defined by digital transformation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, partnerships with trusted allies are essential. The Philippines stands to gain enormously from collaboration in these areas.

Beyond the substance of the u PAGE 8

And that is why 2028 matters. The nation at stake Today, the Philippines is home to more than 110 million people, one of the most populous nations in Asia. It is young, urbanizing, digitally connected and globally mobile. Its workforce powers industries abroad. Its diaspora of more than 10 million Filipinos overseas extends the nation’s reach across con-

THE sun is setting on the Philippine sugar industry but our government refuses to acknowledge it, delaying efforts to transition the poor workers who are dependent on it.

In a recent issue, The Financial Times reported that sugar prices have tumbled to their lowest level in more than five years as weightloss drugs accelerate a drop in demand by pushing consumers to ditch sweet treats in favor of protein.

“Raw cane sugar futures in New York dropped to less than 14 cents a pound, the lowest since October 2020 and less than half the level they hit in late 2023. Traders say the move reflects a sharper than forecast slowdown in consumption in the US and other wealthy economies, while demand in developing countries is growing at a slower pace than expected.”

Welcome to the new world of Ozempic and other so-called GLP1 weight-loss drugs — which reduce cravings for sweet flavors.

GLP-1s are the basis of medications including Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic and Eli Lil-

ly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.

“The drop in consumption, or the speed of it, has taken the [sugar] industry unaware,” the Financial Times quotes Gurdev Gill at broker Marex.

Quotes the FT: “While sugar consumption in developed markets has been edging lower for years as people increasingly opt for healthy snacks, with these peptides now it feels like the more developed markets have really seen a large sea change in consumption.”

The demand for GLP-1s has been driven by consumers battling obesity and diabetes. Some of these are already available in the Philippines but are still rather expensive. But generics can reduce costs by 70 percent. Even before we entered the Ozempic Age, consumers have started to cut back on their sugar consumption. That’s why there is Coke Zero and many products advertise “no sugar added.”

It was stupid of some sugar regulatory officials to propose imposing high tariffs on non-sugar sweeteners to force soft drinks and candy manufacturers to boost demand for domestic natural sugar. Consumer preference for non-sugar sweeteners is something even Coke cannot ignore.

Besides, our government has made serious mistakes in trying to save the sugar industry by remaining captive to the traders and planters who influence official decisions.

Based on apparently bad data, the Sugar Regulatory Administration over-imported sugar in the last three cropping seasons as favored traders brought in 1.5 million metric tons of refined sugar, more than double the normal buffer stock level. The excess inventory brought the domestic prices of sugar, from the farms and the mills, at historic lows. But the SRC favorites still earn windfall profits by selling retail at no less than P80 a kilo.

Health is one more reason Filipino consumers should start ditching cane sugar in their diets. We have a sweet tooth and that explains rising cases of obesity and diabetes.

Diabetes is considered a major killer and a serious public health crisis in the Philippines, consistently ranking as one of the top five leading causes of death.  Experts have noted an increase in type II diabetes among adolescents. It is a major cause of complications such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases u PAGE 7

CALLS for constitutional reform are growing louder, and it is easy to see why. Many Filipinos experience government as slow to decide, weak in execution, and quick to dodge responsibility when things go wrong. But changing the Constitution is not a symbolic gesture or a political reset button. It is a national gamble. If we choose to reopen the Charter, we must be clear about the problem we are trying to fix—and disciplined about the solutions we pursue. The Philippines today faces two urgent imperatives. First, we need a political system that can govern competently—one that aligns power with responsibility and allows failure to be corrected without prolonged crisis. Second, we must protect national unity at a time of real strain—externally in the West Philippine Sea, and internally from inequality, disasters, and the corrosive effects of patron-

age politics. For these reasons, the more credible reform path is a parliamentary system within a unitary state—and not a shift to federalism. But this argument comes with a critical condition: parliamentary government will not work without strong, disciplined political parties. If party reform is treated as optional, parliamentarism will fail as surely as any other imported fix. Two reforms often bundled, but not inseparable In Philippine debates, parliamentary reform is often bundled with federalism, as if the two must come together or not at all. This is a mistake.

Parliamentarism answers a core governance question: how leaders are chosen and how they are held accountable. Federalism answers

a different question: how power is divided across territory. These are distinct choices. The Philippines can benefit from the accountability advantages of parliamentarism without assuming the risks of federalism.

Many of the promises made in favor of federalism—more responsive government, policies closer to local needs, greater local initiative—are already achievable within a unitary system. The problem is not just constitutional design. It is whether institutions actually work.

Devolution and autonomy have already changed the landscape

The Philippines today is not the Philippines of decades ago. Devolution has expanded the auu PAGE 7

THERE is a well-researched concept in psychology called ”time famine.” This refers to the feeling that a person gets when they have a lot of things to do, but only have very little time to complete them. Studies show that time famine significantly impairs brain function. When one constantly feels pressed for time, the brain copes through “hurry sickness” and prioritizes immediate, short-term tasks over long-term planning. This compromises a person’s creativity, memory, attention, and decision-making capabilities.

A person experiencing time famine feels they are perpetually behind, no matter how much they actually accomplish. The sustained strain eventually leads to physical and mental exhaustion. Across professions, cultures, and socioeconomic levels, time famine has been consistently identified as a major driver of burnout.

Perhaps nowhere is this more acutely felt than in the education sector. Teaching, by its very nature, demands a high amount of emotional, cognitive, and relational labor. Educators are expected to give generously of themselves in order to respond to the varied and often complex needs of their students.

In schools with limited resources, this burden is further compounded by the inability to hire for key positions, which often forces teachers and staff to constantly wear multiple hats.

While this may appear cost-efficient on paper, decades of experience running a nonprofit school have taught me otherwise. Over time, this approach erodes effectiveness, increases vulnerability to burnout and high staff turnover, and ultimately becomes more costly due to the cycle of constant hiring and retraining. The emotional weight of carrying a mission-driven vocation is already heavy. When layered with time famine, it becomes unsustainable.

Research on well-being offers an important insight. Studies in the science of happiness show

that spending on conveniences that enable a person to “buy more time” leads to improved well-being and life satisfaction. Common examples are childcare support, household help, or delivery services. Relief comes from the mental space created by the perception of having more free time. Applied to organizational settings, administrative support, along with streamlined systems are institutional time-saving investments that help prevent unnecessary mental drain. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) has rightfully identified teacher burnout in public schools as a critical issue. According to their findings, 42 percent of teachers work over 50 hours per week. Aside from teaching, educators spend significant hours on nonteaching duties, including administrative, clerical, and coordination work. Fragmented attention, constant deadline pressure, and compliance with multiple metrics create conditions that inevitably cause chronic time scarcity. u PAGE 7

2028: Choosing a president...

The next election cycle is already taking shape. Sara Duterte has publicly declared her intention to run in 2028, becoming one of the first nationally recognized officials to signal interest in the presidency. Her declaration marks the start of early positioning for the next presidential race.

Her announcement does not define the field, nor does it predetermine the outcome. It simply marks the beginning of what is expected to be a competitive and consequential national election.

Three structural forces elevate the stakes.

Institutional credibility - Public trust in governance and democratic institutions must be reinforced and safeguarded against institutional decline.

Geopolitical positioning - The Philippines sits at the center of Indo-Pacific recalibration. Leadership will determine how sovereignty, alliances and economic strategy are balanced.

Generational transition - A youthful electorate demands economic mobility, digital opportunity and climate resilience. The next president must combine continuity with forward competence.

Homeland and diaspora

More than 10 million Filipinos live or work abroad. Their remittances sustain families. Their professional networks expand the country’s global footprint.

For them, what happens in Manila carries direct consequences, shaping investment decisions, migration frameworks, labor protections and long-term security.

PAGE 6

Other globally dispersed communities illustrate how distance does not dilute identity. The worldwide Jewish population is relatively small, yet Jewish identity has remained cohesive across centuries and continents. Whether American, Israeli or European nationals, many maintain a shared historical consciousness that transcends geography. Engagement with developments affecting Jewish communities is rarely seen as optional. It is treated as a matter of collective responsibility.

The comparison underscores a simple truth.

A dispersed people can remain united when identity precedes geography.

If Filipinos everywhere embrace a disciplined Filipino-first identity, not in conflict with adopted citizenships but as a durable cultural anchor, homeland governance becomes a civic obligation. National direction is no longer distant. It carries consequences across borders.

In that framework, the presidency is not merely a domestic office. It becomes a symbol of national continuity for Filipinos wherever they reside.

The standard we must demand A president does not create a nation’s character. A president reflects it and, at decisive moments, amplifies it.

The leader Filipinos choose in 2028 must represent more than a coalition. The leader must reflect a population of over 110 million citizens and millions more abroad, diverse in region, class and generation, yet united in aspiration.

If Filipinos desire institutional stability, the leader must respect institutions.

If Filipinos want economic dignity, the leader must practice fiscal discipline.

If Filipinos demand global respect, the leader must conduct foreign policy with clarity and steadiness.

If Filipinos seek unity across regions, classes and beliefs, the leader must govern inclusively.

Representation is not symbolic. It is embodied in leadership.

A people this large and this globally dispersed deserve leadership equal to their scale. A people who see themselves as principled should elect a principled president. A people who value resilience should choose a resilient steward. A people who seek global competitiveness should prioritize administrative competence over personality-driven politics.

In the end, 2028 is not solely about one candidacy or one coalition.

It is about alignment between a nation of more than 110 million citizens and the individual entrusted to lead them.

The leader should not merely win the Filipino vote.

The leader should reflect the Filipino nation.

When that alignment occurs, governance gains legitimacy that extends beyond law. It rests on moral authority.

The result is not simply the election of a president, but an affirmation of who the Filipino nation believes itself to be. (AJPress)

Time famine...

In response, the Department of Education (DepEd), with guidance from Edcom 2, has since committed to reducing teachers’ paperwork by 57 percent by streamlining reporting systems and hiring more administrative officers, targeting 20,000 new positions to support schools. Teachers are our greatest assets, and we should give them the time and flexibility to do their jobs well. This starts with making their classes more manageable. Class size functions as a time multiplier: a dedicated teacher finds ways to personalize the same content based on the skill level and unique needs of every student in her class. No matter how efficient, a teacher who is constantly handling a class of 50 to 60 students will al-

ways play catch-up. Addressing classroom shortages is a crucial step to counter time famine, ensuring teachers will have enough time not just to teach, but also to think, plan, and recover. Time famine also occurs because of guidelines that do not always take into consideration the realities and complications faced by those on the ground. In a previous column, I wrote about the challenges of implementing cocurricular activities in public schools. Without clear priorities, everything in the list of prescribed events feels urgent and important. School leaders must be trained and empowered to align the goals and intentions behind these directives with what is relevant and genuinely responsive to the needs of their school community, rather than

implementing everything for the sake of compliance.

The education crisis is not a problem of effort or commitment. Many of our public school teachers are willingly extending themselves to do more for their students, carrying a heavier mental, emotional, and physical load in the process. But an entire sector is exhausted, and understandably so. Until we take time seriously as a finite resource that needs to be strategically utilized and safeguarded, we will continue to undermine the very people we depend on to shape the next generation. (Inquirer.net)

*

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

Sunset for sugar?...

PAGE 6 and blindness. No wonder we are seeing so many dialysis centers all over the country.

That’s why sweetened food products are paying “sin” taxes together with tobacco and alcohol. Those who insist on using products determined detrimental to their health must help pay some of the costs of subsequent health care required.

It makes no sense trying to keep alive an almost dead industry through subsidies and protectionist measures. The government must start making hard decisions to transition the workers in the sugar fields into doing something else for a living.

Our sugar industry is hopelessly inefficient. Our production cost of 34 centavos per pound is nearly double the current global market price of roughly 16.5 centavos per pound. This means our sugar industry can’t exist without government protection. Worse, our sugar policies punish the consumers with high domestic retail prices. Philippine sugar farms have significantly lower productivity compared to Vietnam and Thailand. As of the 2024–2025 season, Vietnam leads the region with 6.69 tons of sugar per hectare, while the Philippines lags behind

with only 4.62 tons per hectare, also behind Thailand. The Philippines faces declining yields and low milling efficiency compared to Thailand. Productivity in our sugar lands is hindered by fragmented landholdings, insufficient modernization/mechanization and lack of investment compared to regional peers.

To survive this “Ozempic era,” experts suggest a multi-pronged transition from being a producer for table sugar to pivot toward non-food uses for sugarcane to decouple its survival from declining sweetener demand. But forget bioethanol and energy. The Philippine bioethanol program is a big failure because local production costs 34 centavos  per pound or nearly double the global price, making domestic ethanol uncompetitive against imports from the US and Brazil. Domestic bioethanol supply is insufficient and too expensive. It raises gasoline pump prices too. We should end this program now because it only drains foreign exchange to benefit the Americans and the Brazilians at the expense of Filipino motorists. There are suggestions to shift to high-value exports like organic muscovado. Its price is driven by

retail trends in health-conscious markets like Europe and Japan, where consumers pay a high premium for its unrefined, mineral-rich profile. But it is a niche product. For millions of small-scale farm workers, shifting away from sugarcane entirely may be necessary.

There are suggestions to encourage transitioning to more profitable crops like cacao, coffee, mushrooms or fruits.

Some old-time producers claim they need protection for food security. But sugar isn’t really an essential food like rice. Then they warn that the sugar industry still forms a large voting bloc. That’s the threat paralyzing government decision-makers.

The government must recognize that the game is clearly over for our sugar industry and launch a program to help farmers navigate a transition to other crops and means of livelihood. (Philstar.com)

Parliamentary, not federal...

thority and resources of local governments. More importantly, the Republic has already shown that meaningful self-government can exist within a unitary constitutional order.

The creation of autonomous regions—most notably the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region— settles this point. Within one Republic, we have built asymmetric arrangements that respect history, grant real self-rule, and support peace—without diluting sovereignty or weakening national authority.

This experience weakens the case for federalism. The choice is not between rigid centralism and a full federal overhaul. The Constitution already allows autonomy when justified. What is missing is discipline: institutions capable of turning authority into results and autonomy into responsibility.

Federalism is a risky response to a real problem

Federalism starts from a fair observation: development is uneven, and many provinces feel left behind. But federalism is not the only response to this reality—and it may be the most dangerous.

First, federalism risks deepening local capture. Where political monopolies already dominate, devolving more power can entrench them further. Without strong procurement rules, credible auditing, effective prosecution, and civic oversight, federalism risks constitutionalizing local fiefdoms.

Second, federalism can exacerbate regional inequality. The different regions of our country have uneven tax bases and uneven administrative capacity. Federal systems attempt to manage this through equalization transfers and national standards, but these mechanisms are difficult to design and enforce even in mature democracies.

Third, federalism complicates national coordination. Infrastructure corridors across the country, energy security, disaster response, and connectivity require coherent standards and a clear chain of command. Fragmented authority makes decisive action harder, not

easier.

Fourth, federalism strains national unity. The Philippines is not a “coming-together” federation of previously independent states. It is a single nation managing diversity within a shared constitutional home. At a time of heightened external pressure, reforms that fragment authority or multiply veto points deserve serious caution. A unitary state is not just an administrative choice—it is a strategic asset. Why parliamentarism deserves serious consideration—if we fix parties

If federalism is a high-risk detour, parliamentarism addresses a core weakness of our current system: blurred accountability and inconsistent execution. But the engine of parliamentarism is not the prime minister. It is the party system.

Parliamentary government assumes parties that aggregate interests, present governing programs, discipline members, and can be rewarded or punished by voters as a collective. This is where the Philippines has long struggled.

Our parties are weak and personality-driven. Coalitions form around candidates, not platforms.

Turncoatism erases responsibility. Party switching turns elections into transactions. Under these conditions, parliamentarism risks either chronic instability or empty accountability.

That is why parliamentary reform must be paired with serious party reform, including:

• Anti-turncoatism rules with real penalties

• Clear, enforceable rules on party financing and transparency

• Stronger internal party democracy, and candidate vetting and selection

• Parliamentary safeguards, such as a constructive vote of no confidence, to ensure stability without impunity.

With these guardrails, parliamentarism offers real gains: responsibility becomes visible, failed leadership can be replaced without national paralysis, and policy-making aligns more closely with execution.

Unitary for unity; autonomy for strength

Defending a unitary state does not mean reviving old-style centralism. It means preserving coherence: one Republic, one citizenship, and one national voice—especially when external challenges demand clarity and resolve.

Autonomy, properly designed, strengthens rather than weakens the nation. The Bangsamoro experience shows that accommodating diversity within a unitary state can reduce internal conflict, consolidate sovereignty, and allow our country to face external threats with greater unity and strategic focus.

The task ahead is not to multiply political structures, but to make the ones we have work.

A reform worth making—or not at all Constitutional reform should strengthen our ability to govern and our cohesion as a people. Federalism, in our circumstances, is a structural gamble that risks fragmentation, inequality, and deeper local capture. Parliamentarism, by contrast, targets the dysfunction that defines much of our politics— if, and only if, we finally build political parties that matter. If we are to amend the Charter, we must do so with discipline: adopt a parliamentary system to improve accountability, retain a unitary state to preserve unity, deepen devolution and autonomy where justified, and impose hard rules that force parties to become real institutions.

Anything less is not reform. It is risk without return. (Inquirer.net)

and staff.

VU: ICE Detention Centers and WWII American concentration camps

Commentary

By Enrique de la Cruz, Ph.D.

A news article from Reuters, February 2, headlines, “ICE to Spend $38.3 Billion On Detention Centers Across the US.” $38 billion is a lot of beds. Have we been here before? The plan to build large-scale ICE detention centers reminds me of those concentration camps the U.S. built to detain Japanese Americans during the 2nd World War (WWII).

Eighty-four years ago this week, on February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order (EO) 9066, ordering the relocation of Americans of Japanese ancestry into concentration camps for national security reasons. In the six months that followed EO 9066, Japanese Americans, especially those living along the West Coast, were forcibly relocated into concentration camps hastily built at various locations within the western region of the United States. Major camps were established in desolate locations, notably Manzanar and Tule Lake in California; Poston and Gila River in Arizona; Rohwer and Jerome in Arkansas; Minidoka in Idaho; and Topaz, Heart Mountain, and Amache in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, respectively. Roughly 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated in these camps. For ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Reuters notes that “the detention centers will be paid for with funds from the massive spending package the Republican-controlled Congress passed in July 2025. That package, known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ included an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, with $45 billion earmarked for detention.” The 2024 fiscal year budget designated only $3.4 billion for immigration detention. $45 billion is a 13-fold increase. Various reports note that ICE is rapidly expanding detention capacity to 100,000 beds within its many detention centers. It is converting warehouses into mass detention centers in Texas, Georgia, New York, and other locations. In Texas, a large, multi-building fa-

cility is under construction with a capacity of up to 8,500 beds. Sites in Social Circle, GA, and Chester, NY are being established. Florida hosts the notorious “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades. Among these are “mega” centers in El Paso, where Camp East Montana is being expanded with tent structures; Hutchins, near Dallas, is being expanded to accommodate 9,500 detainees. In Clint, El Paso County, DHS recently acquired warehouses for $123 million to establish a mega-center. In Florida, aside from the recently opened Alligator Alcatraz, a high-capacity site named “The Everglades” is planned. Warehouse conversions are underway or planned in Surprise, Arizona; Washington County, Maryland; Berks County, Pennsylvania; and Romulus, Michigan. These construction projects are being opposed by local communities. Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock has filed an amendment to block funding for Oakwood and Social Circle ICE detention centers, citing opposition from his constituents.

American WWII concentration camps under Executive Order 9066 were maintained from 1942 to 1946, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of over 120,000 Japanese Americans. During their years of incarceration, they were denied the right to vote. They lived behind barbed-wire enclosures, with guards posted 24/7. Despite this, many Japanese American men enlisted and were assigned to Army Battalion 442, one of the most highly decorated combat units of WWII. Their forced removal and incarceration were disruptive. Imprisonment meant losing their freedom, careers, and, for many, their lifelong savings. Families lost property, jobs, access to schools, necessary health services, etc. They lost personal belongings, homes, farms, and businesses. Many properties were abandoned, and many were lost forever to tax delinquency or theft. Losses also extended to culture and community due to familial disruption, loss of heirlooms, and the destruction of community structures. These economic losses are estimated in the billions (in current value).

The least measurable, and most invisible loss, was the loss of face resulting from their incarceration. For decades, those who experi-

enced the camps refused to talk about their experience, somehow taking their detention as a mark of disloyalty to the United States. But the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which resulted in the passage of civil rights legislation, encouraged the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) to initiate a campaign for redress and reparations for detainees. In 1980, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) was formed to examine the internment camps. Three years later, the CWRIC published its findings in a report titled Personal Justice Denied, where the Commission concluded that the forced relocation and internment of persons of Japanese ancestry under EO 9066 had not been justified by military necessity, and that Executive Order 9066 was based on “racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership” (emphasis added). These are damning words.

In 1988, Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which acknowledged and apologized on behalf of the United States government for the injustice done to Japanese Americans. It additionally created a public education fund so American schoolchildren could learn about America’s concentration camps and offered restitution of $20,000 to those who were interned. As President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation into law, he commented that the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII was a “grave mistake” which required the nation to “right a grave wrong” and reaffirm its commitment to “equal justice under the law.” He emphasized that the $20,000 restitution payments were less about property and more about restoring honor and admitting a mistake.

I would be very remiss if I did not give credit to Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, herself a detainee, for her painstaking research at the National Archives to uncover documentation that would lead the CWRIC Commission and Congress to conclude that the incarceration of Japanese Americans was based on “racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”

America closed the book on the detention of Japanese Americans through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which issued a formal apol-

PAGE 6

Dialogue that defines...

discussions, the dialogue itself sends a powerful signal. It demonstrates that the alliance is active, evolving and forward-looking, showing that both countries are committed to working together to address shared challenges.

Just as important, it reflects mutual respect. Our relationship today is no longer defined by dependence, but by partnership between two sovereign nations with shared interests and shared values.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pursued a foreign policy anchored on protecting Philippine sovereignty while strengthening alliances and maintaining constructive engagement with all partners. This balanced approach serves our national interest and enhances our strategic flexibility. Again, because of this strategic alliance with the United States, we have been able to expand our multilateral relationships with a lot more nations, particularly with European countries and like-minded traditional friends and allies.

ogy and provided reparations for those detained.

The book on ICE is still open. ICE has largely targeted law-abiding immigrants and, in the process, killed two citizens and injured more who tried to protest their raids. This is appalling. Their actions are devoid of common decency, as even a 5-year-old child is arrested, and are rife with human rights violations as families are torn apart and wages and livelihoods are lost. Fear is causing children to be absent from school; workers and day laborers are choosing to stay away from jobs and workplaces that may be subject to ICE raids. ICE is arresting and detaining people without warrants. And many who do not have access to legal representation are summarily deported to detention centers in foreign countries, where the United States pays a hefty fee for each detainee.

The tally of misguided and extrajudicial detention of immigrants, together with injuries and the murder of protesters, is an open book that has yet to be fully investigated. Trump is unapologetic about these, as is his chief enforcer, Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has called Alex Pretti and Renee Good “local terrorists” to justify their murders. Bondi has also pursued “vendetta indictments” against U.S. senators and

The Bilateral Strategic Dialogue reaffirms that approach. It reinforces the reality that the Philippines is not alone. We are part of a network of partnerships that contribute to regional stability and peace.

As I reflect on the dialogue, I am reminded of how far our alliance has come. When I arrived in Washington as ambassador in 2017, there was already renewed interest in the Philippines. Today, that interest has deepened into genuine strategic partnership.

American officials now speak of the Philippines with clarity and respect. They recognize our importance, and value our role. This did not happen by accident. It is the result of steady leadership, consistent engagement and a clear commitment to protecting our national interest.

The dialogue in Manila reaffirmed that our alliance remains strong and relevant. It also reaffirmed that the Philippines has an important role to play in shaping the future of our region.

In a world filled with uncertain-

other political opponents such as Mark Kelly, James Comey, Adam Schiff, and former intelligence officials John Brennan and James Clapper. But the guardrails against these attempted indictments are holding; grand juries, composed largely of ordinary citizens, are refusing to play along. Their refusal to indict Senator Mark Kelly and five other House Democrats for political speech and for exercising their First Amendment rights is salutary and commendable.

As ICE builds detention capacity, raids and arrests continue, ignoring legal guardrails. A federal judge in Minnesota has expressed frustration that ICE has been ignoring hundreds of court orders. But there is a silver lining: USA Today reports that “a striking trend is unfolding at federal courthouses across the nation: judges appointed by both parties are issuing uncharacteristically scathing rebukes of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.”

The arrest of immigrants, some being arrested as they come for their immigration hearings, has the ring of the targeting of Jews by Nazis. These mass arrests and detentions are unprecedented in that they are extrajudicially executed without the benefit of warrants. The construction of massive ICE detention facilities akin to

ty, strong alliances provide stability. But more importantly, they provide assurance that nations with shared values and aspirations will stand together in defense of peace. For the Philippines, this partnership has never been about dependence. It has always been about strengthening our ability to stand on our own feet with confidence, secure in the knowledge that we are not alone in safeguarding our sovereignty and advancing the welfare of our people.

In the end, dialogues such as these do more than define the present – they help secure the future of a nation determined to remain free, sovereign and respected among the community of nations for generations to come. (Philstar.com)

* The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

those used to detain thousands of Japanese Americans during WWII is alarming. Executive Order 9066 marked a shameful episode in American history, for which an American president issued a formal apology and taxpayers footed the bill for monetary reparations. This drift toward authoritarianism today can be stopped. When the Trump administration subverts the Constitution it is sworn to protect, the People must reclaim the powers they have delegated by affirming the rule of law and by exercising their power through elections. The Trump regime is actively trying to subvert elections by undermining the power of the states to conduct them. We must defend state sovereignty in administering elections. Then, through our vote, express our outrage against the assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, the violation of civil liberties, killings, and detentions. These we must do or run the risk of having American concentration camps again.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Enrique de la Cruz, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Asian American Studies at California State University, Northridge.

Memories of JDV: Family and Friends Remember Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

I voted for then-presidential candidate Jose Claveria de Venecia Jr. in 1998, but he lost in the national elections. Despite that defeat, he never stopped serving the country. His public life continued well beyond any single electoral outcome.

I first learned of his passing from Carissa Cruz Evangelista, my former officemate at DTICITEM and a former trade undersecretary. She is the eldest daughter of Congresswoman Gina de Venecia. The congresswoman has long expressed admiration for her husband, Joe, underscoring his commitment to national service and his role as a devoted family man. During the last night’s wake at Heritage Memorial Park for the people’s beloved Joe — JDV or Pepe, as he was fondly called — Carissa delivered a moving eulogy for her stepfather:

“Now I stand here in my 50s, eulogizing a man of destiny and history — a five-time Speaker who will be buried as a hero of our nation this Wednesday. I look back at how my stepfather shaped the woman I am today. When I met you years ago, I had no idea how you would impact my life, or that I would have a stepfather who helped shape a nation and would be buried as a hero. I read somewhere that to find the true meaning of one’s life, you find it only in death. It is only after we die that it becomes clear what our mission in life was. From all the eulogies and stories, your mission is now clearer to me: father, grandfather, husband, uncle, cousin, friend, peacemaker, consensus builder, international diplomat, journalist, five-time Speaker, businessman, Father of Pangasinan, elder statesman, and hero.”

On the first and last nights of the wake, I also met Sandra de Venecia Haner, the eldest daughter of Congressman Joe de Venecia. She studied for

her doctorate in Chemistry at Princeton University in New Jersey. She shared a personal memory:

“My happy memory of my dad is when he visited me in Princeton. He was always asking questions about what I did and why I should do it. He was intellectually curious. He was really a very good man.”

Later, Joey de Venecia — whom I first interviewed during the 1998 presidential elections for Philippine Graphic Magazine’s cover story — reflected on his father’s later years:

“I have a lot of good memories with my father. There were moments when I spent a lot of time with him, especially after he retired from politics. I saw him often after he left Congress in 2010. For the last 15 years, we treasured good memories — traveling with him, participating in conferences, and spending quality time on the non-political side of life.”

As I thanked Sandra for the interview, she introduced me to William Xiao, one of the Chinese scholars who studied in the Philippines. Xiao recalled JDV’s warmth:

“When we visited his house in Makati City, Joe de Venecia, my mentor, was happy and generous

in showing us many photos of world leaders, including Chinese leaders. He had good personal relationships with them and was a peacemaker. Thank you, Joe de Venecia, for your hospitality and generosity while we were studying in the Philippines.”

Fresh in my memory was an excerpt from Alin de VeneciaMedalla’s tribute to her uncle JDV. She is the daughter of Tito de Venecia, JDV’s youngest brother: “Choosing laziness — or just ‘being lazy’ — was especially sweet after JDV spent hours meeting hundreds of constituents during long campaign stretches, meetings, and countless events. He would randomly call my dad and ask if he could spend a few hours at our beachside home in Bolasi, San Fabian, Pangasinan. JDV already had his famous beachside home in Binloc, but he still preferred to come to Bolasi to just chill — somewhere no one would see or bother him. He loved swimming in the pool and at the beach, and having picnics afterward in the garden.

JDV truly enjoyed the simple joys. He worked hard, but he also knew when it was time to relax and recharge.”

Pulitzer Prize winner and former president of the Foreign

Correspondents Association of the Philippines Manny Mogato shared his recollection:

“I used to go to his Dasmariñas Village house in Makati City for interviews. He was so much fun to interview. He was a very warm and amiable person.”

Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, UNESCO Artist for Peace and president of the International Theatre Institute-Social Change Network, remembered JDV’s support for indigenous peoples and environmental advocacy. She cited his role in opening the Batasan complex for a historic gathering of indigenous leaders and youth, attended by President Fidel V. Ramos, Prince Alfred von Liechtenstein of Austria, and Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchú. The gathering contributed momentum to the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and broader recognition of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.

Connie Guanzon-Garcia, wife of Ambassador Victor Garcia, recalled JDV’s concern during the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck Kobe on January 17, 1995: “House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was the first to call us. He and Gina were so concerned. He immediately advised the

Department of Foreign Affairs to assist us and members of the Filipino community. My husband was consul general in Kobe at the time. We are grateful for their love and concern during such a difficult period in our diplomatic life.”

Lastly, Gerald Tabadero, district chief of Rep. Toff de Venecia and Rep. Gina de Venecia, described a leader whose influence extended beyond titles: “When I think of Jose de Venecia Jr., the first thing that comes to mind is not that he was a five-time Speaker. I remember Tatay Joe — always smiling, always with a tap on the shoulder. He had a very personal way of motivating people. Even if you were just staff or newly introduced, he would talk to you as if he had known you for years. If he could help, he would help. No fuss. I will never forget his signature gesture — a tap, a point, and a wink — as if to say, ‘You can do it. I know you can.’ He led not just from the podium, but from the heart.”

Listening to these memories, one sees a portrait that goes beyond legislative accomplishment. It is the portrait of a father, mentor, bridge-builder and statesman

— a man remembered not only for holding office, but for the encouragement he gave and the relationships he nurtured.

I was proud to have voted for him for president in 1998. Today, it is clear that for many, his legacy lives not only in political history, but in personal memory. He will be deeply missed.

Biblical Verse (Ephesians 2:8)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.”

Birthday Greetings Happy birthday to

ASIAN

Jasmine Curtis-Smith

addresses plastic surgery rumors, says it is “not for me”

by AJPress

MANILA — Actress Jasmine

Curtis-Smith has denied undergoing plastic surgery, addressing online speculation about changes in her appearance and stating that cosmetic procedures are “just not for me.”

In recent on-the-record remarks during a televised interview, Curtis-Smith clarified that she has not had any surgical enhancements. She said she does not judge those who choose cosmetic procedures, but emphasized that she personally has never undergone one. She also refuted claims circulating on social media suggesting she al

tered specific facial features. Responding to photographs that prompted speculation, the actress explained that temporary swelling affected how she appeared in certain images. She said emotional strain and crying contributed to changes in her eyes at the time the photos were taken.

Curtis-Smith has previously shared that she has been grieving the loss of her father, James Curtis-Smith. Her sister, actress and television host Anne Curtis, also publicly mourned their father’s passing. The family’s bereavement occurred in January 2024. She added that if she were ever

to consider cosmetic enhancements in the future, she would be transparent about the decision. For now, she reiterated that such procedures are not aligned with her personal preferences.

Curtis-Smith has been active in Philippine film and television since her teenage years and continues to take on roles in both mainstream and independent projects. She has previously spoken about body image, self-acceptance and navigating public scrutiny in the digital age. Her remarks come amid ongoing conversations in the entertainment industry about beauty standards and personal choice, while affirmin

‘Traumatic’ Breach: Heart Evangelista and Mother Recount Paris Security Scare

by AJPress

PARIS — For Heart Evangelista, the Filipina actor and fashion icon known globally as a fixture of the front row, the City of Light has long served as a professional stage. But during the recent Paris Men’s Fashion Week, the choreographed glamour was punctured by a security breach that has reignited concerns regarding the safety of high-profile figures in the French capital.

Evangelista and her mother, Cecilia Ongpauco, are reportedly safe following a harrowing unauthorized entry into their Parisian residence in January. While

a suspect.

typical fashion for the digital age, the line between private trauma and public narrative is blurring. During a press event this month for her reality series, Heart World, Evangelista alluded to a “traumatic” experience that occurred during her European travels.

“I wasn’t ready to talk about it then,” she told reporters, suggesting the full scope of the incident would be a central arc in the show’s premiere on March 7. For Evangelista, the event serves as a rare moment of vulnerability in a career defined by curated perfection.

HEALTH @HEART

Philip S. Chua, MD,

FACS, FPCS

THE very popular wonder drug for the treatment of obesity and diabetes, T2, GLP-1 receptor agonist (Ozempic, Wegovy, Monjaro, etc.), with sustained use, is associated with a higher risk for depression compared to sustained use of SGLT2, which blocks glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, resulting in excretion of excess sugar through urine. GLP-1’s mode of action, on the other hand, mimics gut hormones to improve insulin release, slow digestion, and promote weight loss. Be sure to discuss the details of these two groups of drugs with your prescribing physician and be vigilant about their side effects and potential complications. These medications, introduced clinically in 2005, are highly effective for weight management and diabetes control.

Garlic and CV health

Besides “keeping the vampires away,” garlic has been touted as a medical wonder, used in ancient cultures to prevent infection, boost athletic performance, and cleanse the arteries. Nowadays, garlic is said to help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and slow down plaque buildup in arteries. Studies, however, are said to be variable.

“In one meta-analysis published in January 2026, for instance, researchers looked at data from 108 randomized controlled trials that involved more than 7,000 adults. They found that consuming raw, cooked, or supplemental garlic improved cardiovascular risk factors like LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure — especially in those with elevated cardiovascular risk,” according to Dr. JoAnn Manson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who studies dietary supplements. Other studies do not confirm whether garlic supplements prevent heart attacks, strokes, or other chronic conditions, or cancers.

Since garlic is a food item and not a synthetic chemical, people can take garlic (or extract, 600 mg, twice a day), or eat a lot of garlic as an ingredient in various dishes daily for its potential cardiovascular benefits.

And, of course, chewing mint gums, or better yet, tooth-brushing after each meal, is mandatory for social health.

Factors in cancer

A diet rich in processed meats, low fiber, obesity, and physical inactivity are factors linked to increased risk for colorectal cancer.

Grilling meats with high heat also exposes people to cancer. The use of medium heat, avoiding high heat, in cooking any food items is safer.

Frequent alcohol use, according to the journal Cancer, is linked to an increased lifetime risk for col-

Warning on GLP-1

orectal cancer. The recent studies showed that quitting may decrease the risk. On the health impact of alcohol consumption, new studies revealed that there is “no safe level of alcohol intake.”

Related to the topic of cancer, a “new landmark analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its subdivision, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), emphasizes just how many cancer cases globally could be prevented through lifestyle choices.”

The analysis in Nature Medicine showed up to 4 in 10 new cases (40 percent) of cancers globally were preventable. The modifiable risk factors are within our control (alcohol, tobacco, infections, vaccines that could prevent, are the 3 top risk factors, plus physical inactivity, processed meats, ultra-processed foods, environmental pollution, etc.). Smoking and air-pollution (lung cancer); H. pylori infections (stomach cancer); HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infections cervical cancer); Hepatitis B&C (liver cancer); alcohol (breast, prostate, mouth, throat, voice-box, esophagus, and liver.

How to minimize cancer

On a personal level, the following will dramatically reduce our risk for cancer: “Cessation of smoking, healthy lifestyle and obesity reduction, exercise, awareness of environmental carcinogens such as asbestos, a healthy diet reducing processed food, and reduction of alcohol intake are important in cancer reduction in both men and women.”

On a global policy level, worldwide availability, education, and accessibility to HPV will save millions of women from developing cervical cancer, and routine testing and subsequent treatment of H. pylori are vital in reducing the rate of stomach cancer around the world.

Since modifying our habits and behaviors are part of a healthy lifestyle, the WHO recommends: “Tobacco and infection control (notably human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C virus), reduction of alcohol consumption, and policies addressing excess body weight, physical inactivity, and air pollution should be top priorities, tailored to local patterns.”

Medical News

Frequent consumption of diet soda has been tied to an increased risk for dementia, although the association may be mediated by certain physical conditions. Soft drinks, in general, of any variety, are toxic to our body, especially to children.

New findings from the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS) showed a fourfold increased dementia risk among dementia-free individuals who consumed more than one diet soda per day.

New Mexico’s health department warned residents to avoid raw dairy products after a newborn infant died from Listeria infection.

As of February 12, 2026, there were 910 cases of measles in 45 states and cities in the USA. Ninety-two percent of cases in 2025 were in unvaccinated individuals.

In the Philippines, there is no current measles outbreak, but measles has surged 300 percent from January 1 to October 14, 2023, a 186 percent increase from 2021, according to the DOH. The majority of those infected were unvaccinated. Vaccines are vital to prevent infectious diseases and deaths.

In the first verdict against gender-affirming care for minors, a patient won a $2 million medical malpractice lawsuit over surgery performed when she was a teenager. (New York Times)

A new Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription. (Axios)

Colorado could become the first state to use ibogaine, a plantbased psychoactive compound, as a regulated medical therapy. (Axios)

Metformin was tied to a lower incidence of intermediate age-related macular degeneration for people with diabetes in a 5-year case-control study. (BMJ Open Ophthalmology)

The FDA advised the public not to eat, sell, or serve certain imported frozen shrimp from an Indonesian firm due to possible contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.

Middlefield Original Cheese CoOp of Ohio recalled several products, including grass-fed pepper jack cheese and horseradish-flavored cheese, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

REVIEW: ‘Sisa’ is a powerful story of madness in a time of war

by Mikhail lecaros Philstar.com

JUN Robles Lana’s Sisa takes place in 1902, three years after Spain’s infamous ceding control of the Philippines (along with Guam and Puerto Rico) to the United States after losing the Spanish-American War. For a people who’d been promised independence from colonial rule before the treaty, the betrayal led Filipinos to rise against the Americans in one of our nation’s bloodiest chapters.

Sisa opens with Hilda Koronel’s (Insiang, The Mistress) titular madwoman approaching the outer perimeter of a concentration camp, where Filipino survivors of the ongoing genocide live in brutal conditions under the watch of American soldiers. Forced to live in the compound, Sisa assimilates into life with the local women, performing menial tasks for the colonizers. As the days progress, we learn that Sisa’s madness belies a keen analytical mind, constantly observing the camp’s goings-on to fulfill an unknown agenda. By the time we reach the film’s climax, nobody in the camp will ever forget the name of Sisa. While far from the battlefields of Heneral Luna or Sakay, the conflicts depicted here are no less brutal or provocative—from Eugene Domingo as a wife robbed of her husband and sons, to Jennica Garcia’s Leonor carrying on an illicit relationship with the garrison commander, experiencing the war through the traditionally marginalized female lens gives it a perspective rarely seen in the genre. Koronel is the main draw here, and with good reason—despite this being her first onscreen role in thirteen years, you wouldn’t know it from her performance. With Sisa remaining purposefully mute for the bulk of the film, Koronel’s legendary ability to convey character through body language and facial

expressions is on full display. Introduced as a near-silent amnesiac, the moments where Sisa does use her voice are made all the more impactful.

Domingo reunites with her And the Breadwinner Is… director Lana to deliver a solid turn as a broken matriarch, her overwhelming distrust of the occupying forces being justified in the worst possible way. Garcia’s character is decidedly more complex, fraternizing with the enemy in every sense, blinded to the Americans’ atrocities by a woeful combination of self-delusion and naiveté. While the script takes a definitive stance on the morality (or lack thereof) of the events taking place, it largely avoids placing judgments on its characters for their actions. Given that few, if any, of the people watching would have found themselves in similar circumstances, it’s difficult to say what one would do in any of these characters’ places. It’s a question that Lana’s screenplay asks of the audience, while leaving the answer entirely up to interpretation. At the media conference immediately after the preview screening, Lana shared that his intention wasn’t to present history as it was, but to place his narrative in a representation of the time pe-

Former Sampaguita Pictures star Pepito Rodriguez dies at 83

by AJPress

MANILA — Veteran Filipino actor Pepito Rodriguez, born Jose Maria Rodriguez, has died at the age of 83. His passing was confirmed by family members on Thursday, February 26, 2026. He reportedly died of pneumonia. Rodriguez was widely recognized as one of the contract stars of Sampaguita Pictures, one of the country’s major film studios during the postwar era. He was introduced as part of the studio’s “Stars of ’66,” a batch of young performers groomed for leading roles at a time when the Philippine film industry operated under the traditional studio system.

Emerging in the 1960s, Rodriguez built his screen career during a formative period for local cinema. The studio model relied on

in-house actors, directors and production teams to produce a steady slate of commercial films. Within that system, Rodriguez developed a following among moviegoers and became known for his matinee-idol appeal.

Colleagues and relatives described him as soft-spoken and gracious to fans. In later years, he made occasional public appearances connected to retrospectives honoring veteran artists of the studio era. In 2024, he was among the senior performers recognized for contributions to Philippine cinema during an awards ceremony celebrating industry milestones.

Rodriguez’s passing marks the loss of another figure from the generation of actors who helped define mainstream Filipino filmmaking in the 1960s and 1970s. His body of work remains part of

Bela Padilla confirms she is single, says someone has been “making me smile”

by AJPress

MANILA — Actress Bela Padilla confirmed she is currently single but shared that there is someone who has recently “been making me smile,” according to her remarks during a televised interview.

Padilla made the statement during her guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, hosted by veteran broadcaster Boy Abunda. When asked directly about her relationship status, the actress said she does not have a boyfriend at present. She then added that there is “somebody that’s been making me smile,” without identifying the person or elaborating on the nature of their relationship.

Her comments follow recent public interest after she shared on social media that she received a bouquet of flowers around Val-

entine’s Day. In separate interviews with Philippine entertainment outlets, Padilla described the sender as an admirer and said she had not yet given a response. She did not provide further details.

Padilla previously confirmed in 2025 that she and Swiss-Italian former partner Norman Ben Bay had ended their long-term relationship. Both described the separation as amicable at the time. Reporting indicated that the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship contributed to the decision. No subsequent relationship has been publicly confirmed.

The actress continues to remain active in film and television. She is known for projects including  100 Tula para Kay Stella and its sequel 100 Awit para Kay Stella, and has expanded into writing and directing in recent years.

LIST: Revolutions in other countries known to have been inspired by EDSA People Power

IN February 1986, nearly two million Filipinos gathered along EDSA in a peaceful show of defiance that would change the course of the nation’s history.

The People Power Revolution ended the two-decade rule of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.; however, it did more than restore democracy in the Philippines.

The four-day uprising proved that a dictator could be toppled not by armed struggle, but by collective civilian action, prayer, and unity. Because of this, it sent a powerful message across the globe: that ordinary citizens, when mobilized peacefully, can challenge even the most entrenched authoritarian regimes.

Doo-hwan.

riod—an experience heightened by non-diegetic sound design, costume choices, color grading, and computer-rendered skies that enhance the shooting location’s landscapes. This may not be an entirely accurate historical recreation, but the questions posed by the story are endlessly relevant.

By the time we reach the bravado final act, the tension reaches an almost breathless intensity, anchored by everything we’ve learned about these characters and their respective situations. If one had to nitpick, it would have been nice to see some of the scenarios discussed, though that’s more a question of resources than anything else; what we’re given here is rendered no less compelling by their absence.

Overall, the film is a fascinatingly raw take on one of the darkest periods of Philippine history, told from an angle that demands conversation. That the Filipinos of the time were subjugated goes without saying, the fact that divisions and marginalization existed and continue to exist gives the film its core. It’s an intriguing dilemma, and one well worth exploring further.

Long live the revolution.

Sisa opens in Philippine cinemas on March 4.

In the years that followed, many other countries followed Filipinos’ footsteps and held their own waves of non-violent protests in an effort to make a change in their country. Here are some of the revolutions and democratic movements that were known to have been inspired, in part, by the legacy of EDSA:

Dismantling of the Berlin Wall (1989, three years after EDSA)

One of the movements said to have been inspired by the EDSA Revolution was the fall of the Berlin Wall, which was a heavily guarded concrete barrier that divided the city of Berlin from 1961 to 1989 during the Cold War.

It was built by the government of East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing to West Germany, stretching about 155 kilometers and included guard towers, barbed wire, and a socalled “death strip” to stop escape attempts.

On Nov. 9, 1989, after weeks of protests, East German authorities announced that citizens could cross the border freely. Crowds peacefully gathered, checkpoints opened, and the wall was eventually torn down.

Due to the role of the People Power Revolution in inspiring the movement, the Berlin Senate Chancellery donated a segment of the Berlin Wall to the Philippines as a symbol of unity and freedom, arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy. The section is on display at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Ouster of South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan (1987, a year after EDSA)

Similar to the Philippines, South Korea was also ruled by a brutal authoritarian regime under its former president Chun

Doo-hwan was a South Korean army general who served as the fifth president of South Korea from 1980 to 1988. His rule was marked by strict military control that led to the arrest of opposition leaders, suppression of the press, and the massacre of protesters.

Public anger against authoritarian rule continued to grow throughout the 1980s, eventually culminating in the June Democratic Uprising in 1987—a series of nationwide protests calling for constitutional reforms and direct presidential elections.

Doo-hwan eventually conceded and allowed the December 1987 presidential election to be free and open.

Lawyer Michael Yusingco of the Ateneo School of Government stated in his article that the EDSA Revolution was the “watershed event that inspired South Koreans to remove their own despotic leader.”

Overthrow of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet (1988, two years after EDSA) Augusto Pinochet, who became president of Chile in 1974, was another dictator who was ousted from his position thanks to peaceful demonstrations.

The regime of Pinochet was marked by widespread human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, torture, and the suppression of political opposition.

After years of authoritarian rule, mounting public pressure and international scrutiny led to a historic plebiscite in 1988. In the national referendum, Chileans were asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on whether Pinochet should remain in power for another eight years.

In a largely peaceful exercise, the “No” campaign prevailed, effectively ending Pinochet’s 15-year rule. The vote paved the way for democratic elections in 1989 and Chile’s transition back to civilian governance.

The 8888 Uprising (1988, two years after EDSA)

Myanmar—then known as Burma—was also grappling with decades of totalitarian rule under the Burma Socialist Programme Party, headed by General Ne Win.

Because of the party’s focus on economic isolation and the strengthening of the military, Burma became one of the world’s most impoverished countries. Eventually, the public had had enough, and on Aug. 8, 1988—hence the name “8888”—thousands took to the streets in a nationwide protest calling for democratic reforms and an end to military dictatorship.

However, the otherwise peaceful protest ended in bloodshed as troops opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in thousands of deaths.

While the 8888 Uprising did not immediately topple the military regime, it became a powerful symbol of resistance. Research database EBSCO noted how the political events in Burma were “following the trajectory of the People Power movement in the Philippines.”

Wild Lily student movement (1990, four years after EDSA)

Another peaceful protest that took place after the EDSA Revolution is the Wild Lily student movement in Taiwan. This is a large-scale protest that lasted for six days in 1990 and was organized primarily by students from different universities, involving more than 20,000 participants. It was made to challenge the continued dominance of the old National Assembly, which had been in power since the 1940s, and called for the direct election of the country’s president and vice president. Protesters adopted the white wild lily as a symbol of purity and strength.

When the National Assembly prepared to elect the president in 1990, thousands of university students gathered at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Square in Taipei to demand democratic reforms.

More than 44,000 Nevadans to lose SNAP benefits under expanded federal work rules

Las Vegas City Council honors senior legal aid group, marks Omega Mart’s fifth anniversary

LAS VEGAS — About 44,700

Nevada residents who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been notified they will lose benefits effective March 1, 2026, unless they meet updated federal work requirements or qualify for an exemption, according to the Nevada Division of Social Services (DSS).

The change follows provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, which revised eligibility rules for certain adults. Un-

der federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states must implement expanded work reporting standards. The requirement applies to individuals classified as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) — adults ages 18 to 64 who are physically and mentally able to work and who do not live with a child under age 14 in the household.

To continue receiving benefits beyond three months within a three-year period, affected recipients must complete at least 20 hours per week of qualifying activities, including paid

work, job training, or approved volunteer service.

by AJPress by AJPress

State officials said notices were first sent in November 2025 to more than 72,000 recipients who were not meeting work requirements or had not documented exemptions. Follow-up notices were issued in recent weeks.

Nevada estimates roughly 433,000 residents receive SNAP benefits statewide.

Officials said individuals who later document compliance with work requirements may have benefits restored once eligibility is verified.

Las Vegas homebuyers need six-figure income to afford median home in 2026

by AJPress

LAS VEGAS— A household in the Las Vegas Valley would need to earn approximately $111,000 per year to afford a typical home purchase in 2026 under standard mortgage affordability guidelines, according to recent housing market analyses.

The estimate follows the commonly used benchmark that housing costs should not exceed 30 percent of gross monthly income, assuming current mortgage rates and median home prices in Southern Nevada. Recent data place median

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LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas City Council on Feb. 18 recognized the longstanding service of the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program and marked the fifth anniversary of Omega Mart during its regular meeting at City Hall.

Councilwoman Kara Kelley led recognition of the Senior Law Program, which has served Las Vegas residents since 1978 by providing no-cost civil legal services to individuals age 60 and older. The nonprofit as

sists seniors with matters such as estate planning documents, housing issues and consumer protection, with an emphasis on preserving client dignity and in

dependence.

The council formally pro

claimed Feb. 18, 2026, as South

ern Nevada Senior Law Day, ac

knowledging the organization’s decades of service to older adults in the region.

Berkley also commemorated the fifth anniversary of Omega Mart, the immersive art exhibition created by Meow Wolf. The attraction opened Feb. 18, 2021, at AREA15 and has since become a prominent feature of Las Vegas’ arts and tourism landscape. City officials declared Feb. 18, 2026, as Omega Mart Day in recognition of its cultural and economic impact.

MORE than 10,000 people have enrolled in Nevada’s new public option health plans, which debuted last fall with the expectation that they would bring lower prices to the health insurance market.

Those preliminary numbers from the open enrollment period that ended in January are less than a third of what state officials had projected. Nevada is the third state so far to launch a public option plan, along with Colorado and Washington state. The idea is to offer lower-cost plans to consumers to expand health care access.

But researchers said plans like these are unlikely to fill the gaps left by sweeping federal changes, including the expiration of enhanced subsidies for plans bought on Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

The public option gained attention in the late 2000s when Congress considered but ultimately rejected creating a health plan funded and run by the government that would compete with private carriers in the market. The programs in Washington state, Colorado, and Nevada don’t go that far — they aren’t government-run but are private-public partnerships that compete with private insurance.

In recent years, states have considered creating public option plans to make health coverage more affordable and to reduce the number of uninsured people. Washington was the first state to launch a program, in 2021, and Colorado followed in 2023. Washington and Colorado’s programs have run into challenges, including a lack of participation from clinicians, hospitals, and other care providers, as well as insurers’ inability to meet rate reduction benchmarks or lower premiums compared with other plans offered on the market.

Nevada law requires that the carriers of the public option plans — Battle Born State Plans, named after a state motto — lower premium costs compared with a benchmark “silver” plan in the marketplace by 15% over the next four years.

But that amount might not make much difference to consumers with rising premium payments from the loss of the ACA’s enhanced tax credits, said Keith Mueller, director of the Rural Policy Research Institute.

“That’s not a lot of money,” Mueller said.

Three of the eight insurers on the state’s exchange, Nevada Health Link, offered the state plans during the open enrollment peziod.

Insurance companies plan to meet the lower premium cost requirement in Nevada by cutting broker fees and commissions, which prompted opposition from insurance brokers in the state. In response, Nevada marketplace

Housing experts note that affordability varies based on down payment size, credit profile, property taxes, insurance costs and other debt obligations. Individual buyers may qualify at different income levels depending on financial circumstances.

Although housing inventory has improved in some segments, affordability remains a central challenge for many Southern Nevada residents seeking homeownership in 2026.

home values in the Las Vegas area in the low- to mid-$400,000 range, depending on the month and source measured. While prices have moderated slightly from pandemic-era highs, they remain significantly elevated compared with pre-2020 levels. Mortgage rates have eased compared with last year. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey recently showed the average 30-year fixed rate near 6 percent, down from levels above 7 percent in prior years. Lower rates reduce monthly payments, but not enough to fully offset higher purchase prices. Federal labor statistics indicate that average wages in the Las Vegas-Henderson metropolitan area remain below the income threshold suggested by affordability models, underscoring the gap between home prices and local earnings.

Nevada debuts public option amid tumultuous federal changes to health care

officials told state lawmakers in January that they will give a flatfee reimbursement to brokers.

The public option has faced opposition among state leaders. In 2024, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit, brought by a Nevada state senator and a group that advocates for lower taxes, that challenged the public option law as unconstitutional. They have appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Federal Policy Impacts

Recent federal changes create more obstacles.

Nevada is consistently among the states with the largest populations of people who do not have health insurance coverage. Last year, nearly 95,000 people in the state received the enhanced ACA tax credits, averaging $465 in savings per month, according to KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

But the enhanced tax credits expired at the end of the year, and it appears unlikely that lawmakers will bring them back. Nationwide ACA enrollment has decreased by more than 1 million people so far this year, down from record-high enrollment of 24 million last year.

About 4 million people are expected to lose health coverage from the expiration of the tax credits, according to the Congressional Budget Office. An additional 3 million are projected to lose coverage because of other policy changes affecting the marketplace.

Justin Giovannelli, an associate research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, said the changes to the ACA in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last summer, will make it more difficult for people to keep their coverage. These changes include more frequent enrollment paperwork to verify income and other personal information, a shortened enrollment window, and an end to automatic reenrollment.

In Nevada, the changes would amount to an estimated 100,000 people losing coverage, according to KFF.

“All of that makes getting coverage on Nevada Health Link harder and more expensive than it would be otherwise,” Giovannelli said.

State officials projected ahead of open enrollment that about 35,000 people would purchase the public option plans. Of the 104,000 people who had purchased a plan on the state marketplace as of mid-January, 10,762 had enrolled in one of the public option plans, according to Nevada Health Link.

Katie Charleson, communications officer for the state health exchange, said the original enrollment estimate was based on market conditions before the recent increases in customers’ premium costs. She said that the public option plans gave people facing higher costs more choic-

es.

“We expect enrollment in Battle Born State Plans to grow over time as awareness increases and as Nevadans continue seeking quality coverage options that help reduce costs,” Charleson said.

According to KFF, nationally the enhanced subsidies saved enrollees an average of $705 annually in 2024, and enrollees would save an estimated $1,016 in premium payments on average in 2026 if the subsidies were still in place. Without the subsidies, people enrolled in the ACA marketplace could be seeing their premium costs more than double.

Insights From Washington and Colorado Washington and Colorado are not planning to alter their programs due to the expiration of the tax credits, according to government officials in those states.

Other states that had recently considered creating public options have backtracked. Minnesota officials put off approving a public option in 2024, citing funding concerns. Proposals to create public options in Maine and New Mexico also sputtered. Washington initially saw meager enrollment in its Cascade Select public option plans; only 1% of state marketplace enrollees chose a public option plan in 2021. But that changed after lawmakers required hospitals to contract with at least one public option plan by 2023. Last year the state reported that 94,000 customers enrolled, accounting for 30% of all customers on the state marketplace. The public option plans were the lowest-premium silver plans in 31 of Washington’s 39 counties in 2024.

A 2025 study found that since Colorado implemented its public option, called the Colorado Option, coverage through the ACA marketplace has become more affordable for enrollees who received subsidies but more expensive for enrollees who did not.

Colorado requires all insurers offering coverage through its marketplace to include a public option that follows state guidelines. The state set premium reduction targets of 5% a year for three years beginning in 2023. Starting this year, premium costs are not allowed to outpace medical inflation.

Though the insurers offering the public option did not meet the premium reduction targets, enrollment in the Colorado Option has increased every year it has been available. Last year, the state saw record enrollment in its marketplace, with 47% of customers purchasing a public option plan.

Giovannelli said states are continuing to try to make health insurance more affordable and accessible, even if federal changes reduce the impact of those efforts.

“States are reacting and trying to continue to do right by their residents,” Giovannelli said, “but you can’t plug all those gaps.”

Moving toward

zero: Las Vegas updates its vision zero action plan

by AJPress

SAFETY on Las Vegas streets is more than a goal—it is a commitment to protecting every person who travels through the city. Officials have updated the Vision Zero Action Plan, reaffirming a long-term objective of eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2050.

The need remains significant. From 2018 to 2022, the city recorded 53,596 transportation crashes, resulting in 251 fatalities and 750 serious injuries. Nearly half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists, underscoring risks faced by vulnerable road users.

Since adopting Vision Zero

in 2022, Las Vegas has secured more than $45 million to fund safety improvements. Investments support the Arterial Reconstruction Program, Safe Routes to School and targeted roadway projects. Through Safe Routes to School, 22 campuses were prioritized for walk audits, identifying 733 safety enhancements to better protect students and families. The city has completed 50 of 97 original action items, with 28 additional measures underway. Improvements include traffic-calming chicanes, mini roundabouts to reduce cutthrough traffic and upgraded channelized islands to improve safety and flow.

The updated plan evaluates progress, identifies gaps and outlines next steps using a data-driven framework. Officials emphasize that reducing crashes improves mobility, predictability and potentially insurance stability.

Vision Zero is described as a shared responsibility. Residents can report safety concerns through SeeClickFix (https:// seeclickfix.com/las-vegas) and monitor progress through the city’s interactive Vision Zero dashboard (https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Residents/ Parking-Transportation/Transportation-Engineering/Vision-Zero) as Las Vegas advances toward safer streets for all.

by AJPress