Manila Standard - 2026 March 6 - Friday

NSC SAYS DISMANTLED CHINA SPY NETWORK INCLUDED 3 PINOYS

By Rex Espiritu and Charles Dantes

THE National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday said three Filipinos who have been arrested for alleged espionage in favor of China have confessed to gathering sensitive information related to Philippine military operations.

Meanwhile, Malacañang warned government officials and personnel to remain vigilant in protecting sensitive

national security information.

NSC spokesman and assistant director general Cornelio Valencia Jr. disclosed that the three suspected spies worked in the Department of Defense and the Philippine Navy.

“One of them came from the Defense department, he was working as an assistant; another one is from the Philippine Navy; another as a researcher of the Navy; and one is a close person

By Othel V. Campos, Alena Mae Flores, Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz

THE country’s biggest business groups took a cautious stance on the proposed four-day workweek, noting its impact will differ across various sectors.

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) urged the government to do a careful study of the proposal to avoid unintended negative impact on workers and local businesses.

This as Malacanang said Wednesday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to studying the proposal as part of broader efforts to conserve energy amid global

FEBRUARY

INFLATION HITS 13-MONTH HIGH BUSINESS / B1

Middle East war spirals as Iran hits Kurds in Iraq

ISRAEL pounded Tehran with fresh strikes, and Iran targeted Kurdish guerrilla groups in Iraq on Thursday as a spiralling war engulfed the Middle East. A conflict ignited Saturday with US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spread rapidly since, snarling global shipping and energy markets, and sowing panic and chaos in previously safe-haven Gulf nations.

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Pot Chavez

ALLEGATIONS of the 18 purported former marines have political and economic motives, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday. Meanwhile, former senator Anto-

Amihan to end this month, dry season to start

By Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has yet to declare the end of the northeast monsoon (known locally as “amihan”), which signals the start of the dry season, but said it expects to do so within the month.

“Anytime this March, it is possible for PAGASA to declare the conclusion of ‘amihan’ and also the beginning of the dry season,” Climate

na, in her privilege speech condemning Suntay’s remarks, called for the matter to be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Assistant Majority Leader Ysabel Maria Zamora, vice chair of the

nio Trillanes IV filed criminal complaints against lawyer Levi Baligod and the18 ex-marines over bribery charges before

affidavit.

“They are trying to create a political

By Maricel V. Cruz

Matibag of Lagu-

In Lebanon, AFPTV images showed buildings in rubble and plumes of black smokes drifting over Beirut after Israeli strikes aimed at Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

AFP reporters in Tehran heard fighter jets screaming across the skies in the west of the city and several explosions as Israel launched a fresh barrage.

Earlier Thursday, Tehran said it had hit Iraq-based Kurdish groups, as the United States reportedly seeks to arm Iranian Kurdish guerillas to infiltrate Iran.

The strikes, which killed a member of an exiled Iranian Kurdish group, according to a representative, followed a warning from Iranian officials.

“Separatist groups should not think that a breeze has blown and try to take action,” said Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

“We will not tolerate them in any way.”

The strikes were further evidence of how the war is drawing in parties across the region and also further afield.

Australia deployed two military aircraft to the theater while Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said he could not rule out his armed forces taking part in hostilities.

The war has also dragged in NATO member Turkey after a missile launched from Iran was destroyed by NATO air defences as it headed towards its airspace.

While a Turkish official said the missile appeared to have been aimed at a British base in Cyprus, Turkey summoned the Iranian ambassador over the incident.

The conflict even reached the coast of Sri Lanka, where a US submarine sank an Iranian warship, Washington’s first torpedoing of a vessel since World War II.

The strike killed at least 87 people, Sri Lankan officials said, with 61 remaining missing. Thirty-two sailors were rescued, many wounded, said Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

“Mark my words: The US will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set”, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abas Araghchi about the attack that he described as “an atrocity at sea.”

Iran’s official IRNA news agency said 1,045 military personnel and civilians have been killed since the war began, a toll AFP could not independently verify.

The country is effectively cut off from the rest of the world, with the internet operating at around one percent of capacity, according to the Netblocks monitor.

‘We will not surrender’

In the early hours of Thursday, AFP reporters in Jerusalem heard explosions following warnings of incoming Iranian missile fire, but residents were quickly cleared to leave their shelters. Across the border in Lebanon, Israel said its forces had hit “several command centres belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organisation” in south Beirut.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) said a separate pre-dawn Israeli drone strike hit an apartment in Beddawi, a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli, killing senior Hamas official Wassim Atallah al-Ali and his wife.

Hezbollah’s leader vowed Wednesday to step up its fight against Israel, saying the group had targeted Israeli positions as far as Tel Aviv in at least 15 attacks.

“We are facing aggression... our choice is to confront it until the ultimate sacrifice, and we will not surrender,” Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared in his first speech since the latest round of fighting broke out. Lebanese authorities said at least 72 people had been killed, 437 wounded, and 83,000 displaced from their homes since Monday.

Iran has retaliated by hitting USlinked interests in its Gulf neighbours, as well as energy infrastructure.

AFP journalists heard fresh explosions echoing over the Qatari capital Doha and Bahrain’s Manama early on Thursday.

oil price risks driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Industry sources have warned consumers face hefty oil price hikes of up to P10.20 per liter for diesel and P5.50 per liter for gasoline next week, with the Department of Energy saying it will ask oil firms to stagger the next round of price increases.

The conflict in the resource-rich Middle East region has sent global oil prices soaring, and markets have been thrown into turmoil.

IMF head Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday warned global economic resilience was being tested yet again by the latest war in the Middle East.

“This conflict, if proven to be more prolonged, has obvious potential to affect global energy prices, market sentiment, growth and inflation, and place new demands on the shoulders of policymakers everywhere,” Georgieva said during a livestream of the “Asia in 2050” conference in Bangkok.

In response, China has told its largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline, Bloomberg News reported, as the war increasingly risks an energy supply crunch.

South Korea ordered the activation of a $68 billion market stabilization fund yesterday, citing the need to smooth out volatility caused by war in the Middle East.

On the domestic front, the Department of Energy has proposed to staterun Philippine National Oil Co. to purchase one million barrels for diesel, which is good for a five days supply.

Senators have likewise pushed measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices, including allowing the temporary suspension of VAT and excise tax on fuel products once global oil prices breach the $80 per barrel benchmark.

Balancing act

FPI chairperson Beth Lee said the government’s openness to review alternative work arrangements reflects prudent and forward-looking governance.

“At the same time, the potential impact of any shift in work arrangements will vary across sectors,” Lee said.

She noted that service-oriented and knowledge-based industries may be able to adapt more readily through flexible or hybrid work models, depending on operational requirements.

Manufacturing and other production-driven sectors, however, operate on continuous production cycles and tightly coordinated logistics systems.

“The impact may differ significantly for manufacturing, where continuous production requirements are a central consideration,” Lee said. “Possible effects on supply chain stability, delivery timelines, and competitiveness relative to regional peers should be thoughtfully assessed.”

She added that productivity and cost implications are critical variables, and suggested pilot programs and da-

ta-driven evaluation before considering broader implementation.

For his part, PCCI Ferdinand Ferrer echoed the call for a thorough study of the proposal, emphasizing that any adjustment in work arrangements should balance energy conservation objectives with economic efficiency and competitiveness.

Ferrer said the business community supports measures that promote sustainability but underscored that policies must account for operational realities across industries.

Ensuring supply

DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rino Abad said one of the options is for PNOC to procure and lock in diesel supply using government funds so that it can be a standby reserve of our government-controlled corporation.

“Later on, that could be used to distribute to the private oil sector who will be needing the supply if there are disruptions in their commercial contracts,” Abad said.

He said while initial talks was for the procurement of only one million barrels, this may increase with the decision of China to suspend imports due to the Middle East crisis.

“That’s a game changer because diesel-wise I think we’re importing around 30 percent from China. I hope South Korea won’t follow because we’re importing from South Korea around 40 percent. So around 70 percent of our importation comes from those two countries,” Abad said.

Abad said diesel may be sourced from India, South Korea, Malaysia or Indonesia.

He said the diesel imports will be sold to oil companies who may need additional supply at the same cost.

Abad said diesel is currently sold at around $144 per barrel excluding freight, insurance, taxes, and other costs.

Staggered fuel price increase

The Middle East crisis has significantly impacted domestic pump prices, with diesel and gasoline increasing by P12 and P6.20 per liter, respectively, to date.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said officials are waiting for the full fiveday trading results but assured that oil companies are open to staggering the expected price increases.

“It looks like they are amenable,” Garin said in an interview with DZMM. “This is a voluntary thing they do because there are losses if they stagger. But traditionally, they have always responded positively.”

Garin urged consumers not to panic and warned oil companies not to take advantage of the situation.

“Let’s not panic because we have been assessing the international situation since yesterday,” the energy chief said. “As far as I understand, supply is not an issue. It’s a matter of price.”

Garin noted that oil firms are observing the market as some traders are hesitant to sell, adding that shipping and

shared and this was found by our intelligence operations on the act, and that they are being shared,” Valencia said.

insurance costs are also rising.

However, she said firms have assured the government that ordered stocks are already en route.

According to Garin, removing the oil excise tax would result in a reduction of about P6 per liter, but the legislative branch has yet to decide on the matter.

The DOE is also coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to ensure swift action against any hoarders and profiteers.

DOE field offices in Luzon and Mindanao have submitted initial reports and supporting pieces of evidence indicating potential irregularities in fuel supply and retail practices.

These are being validated and consolidated as part of the department’s case build-up process, including referrals for appropriate law enforcement action, Garin said.

“We will not tolerate any attempt to take advantage of the current situation at the expense of Filipino consumers,” she said.

Legislative proposals

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the government should consider tapping the president’s contingency fund to provide immediate fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

Under the Pantawid Pasada program, subsidies are triggered only after the DOE certifies that the average price of Dubai crude has reached $80 per barrel for one calendar month.

Erwin Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, called for the automatic suspension of the value-added tax and excise taxes on petroleum products amid expectations of further price increases.

Under Senate Bill No. 1935, the VAT on the sale of petroleum products would be suspended once the average price of Dubai crude oil based on the Mean of Platts Singapore reaches $80 per barrel.

The measure also seeks to suspend VAT on imported petroleum products and automatically halt the collection of excise taxes once global oil prices meet or exceed the $80 per barrel benchmark.

Meanwhile, Raffy Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, met with officials from the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Department of Agriculture to monitor programs addressing the impact of higher fuel prices on the agriculture and transport sectors.

He said it was critical to establish an efficient system to expedite the distribution of fuel subsidies to farmers, fisherfolk and public utility drivers and riders.

Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Jojo Reyes said P2.5 billion in fuel subsidy funds had been allocated under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, with P832 million or 33.9 percent earmarked for tricycle operators and drivers associations through the Department of the Interior and Local Gov-

facing heavy financial difficulties,” Valencia explained.

ernment, P270 million or 11.01 percent for delivery riders through the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and P1.3 billion or 55 percent for public utility vehicle drivers through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The projected assistance amounts to P1,150 per tricycle unit, P1,800 for delivery riders, P10,500 for each modernized jeepney driver and between P4,500 and P5,000 for traditional jeepney drivers and others.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro reported that around P100 million remains available for farmers from funds under the Bayanihan law enacted during the pandemic, with each farmer registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture expected to receive between P3,500 and P4,500.

Global response

The United States and Israel began launching strikes against Iran on Saturday, killing its supreme leader and sparking a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.

“We are in a world of more frequent, more unexpected shocks and we have been warning our membership for quite some time that uncertainty is now the new normal,” IMF’s Georgieva said on Thursday.

“We are potentially in a prolonged period of flux.”

Energy security was “at stake” for most of Asia, she told the conference in Thailand’s capital, noting the markets have fluctuated “like a roller coaster over the last couple of days.”

China has told its oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline.

China is a net importer of oil and is one of several major Asian economies that depend on the vital Strait of Hormuz, where traffic is currently blocked, for energy.

The Middle East was the source of 57 percent of China’s direct seaborne crude imports in 2025, according to analytics firm Kpler.

Officials from China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, met with refinery representatives “and verbally called for a temporary suspension of refined product shipments that would begin immediately,” Bloomberg said Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, Sinochem Group and private refiner Zhejiang Petrochemical regularly obtain fuel export quotas from the government, Bloomberg said.

South Korea’s president, for his part, ordered the activation of a $68 billion market stabilization fund yesterday, citing the need to smooth out volatility caused by war in the Middle East.

“The escalating crisis in the Middle East is significantly worsening the global economic and security environment,” President Lee Jae Myung said.

“First, we must respond proactively to heightened volatility in financial markets, including equities and foreign exchange.” With AFP

House Committee on Women and Gender Equality and representative of San Juan, subsequently moved on the floor to formally refer the speech to the ethics panel.

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin, who presided over the session, asked if there were objections. Hearing none, she declared the motion approved and formally referred the matter to the Com-

to a Philippine Coast Guard officer that have access to important or sensitive information,” Valencia said in an interview on national television.

“The information gathered from them included a list of personnel of the Philippine Navy, data about officers engaged in sa West Philippine Sea, and then operational details and data like RoRe missions, timings,” he added.

“These are critical things that were

tipping point. They want a branch of service to rise up in arms... I think we know who is behind it, but we have to prove it so we are not alleging anything now,” Remulla told Justice reporters.

“The operations of these individuals acting on the behest of Chinese Intelligence have been addressed and terminated,” the council said Wednesday.

Valencia said part of profiling for prospective spies is their access to sensitive information, skills, and capability to explain data.

“But most of all, the handlers recruit those with grievances against the government, or those with heavy personal problems, but more importantly, those

“The allure of money is really blinding. So, at times you forget your national soul in exchange for 30 silvers,” he added.

Valencia declined however, to disclose the names of the three suspected spies, citing national security concerns and their personal safety.

“Currently, they have confessed and they are cooperating with us to further see what is really happening,” he stated.

“Our legal department is the one handling on what probable cases that can be filed against them,” he added.

Monitoring and Prediction Section Chief Ana Liza Solis said in Filipino during an interview with ABSCBN News.

According to her, this year’s dry season can be comparable to last year’s, especially coming off a weak La Niña episode.

The Ombudsman assured the public that they will be fair and stressed that he will allow the lawyers of his office to look into the affidavit for themselves.

He noted that affidavits must be based on personal knowledge.

Remulla is confident that the allegations were political, adding that some of the group also have economic motives.

mittee on Ethics and Privileges.

Zamora then moved to authorize the committee to convene a hearing to assess Suntay’s actuations and statements in relation to Matibag’s question of privilege, require the Quezon City lawmaker to appear before the panel, and immediately report its findings and recommendations to the plenary. The motion was again approved without objection.

“I move to authorize the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to schedule a meeting to first conduct a thorough

Earlier this week, Remulla admitted that he met with representatives from the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year to discuss the safety of prosecution witnesses. He confirmed that the meeting took place at his residence after former President Rodrigo Duterte was brought to The Hague.

assessment of the actuations and statements of Representative Jesus Bong C. Suntay relative to the question of privilege of Representative Ann Matibag. Second, to require Representative Suntay to appear at the hearing of the committee. Third, to immediately report to the House its findings and recommendations after the scheduled hearing,” Zamora said.

The controversy stemmed from Tuesday’s hearing of the House Committee on Justice on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.

In a talk with reporters, Trillanes said the claims of Baligod’s camp sought to demolish the reputation of the ICC.

ing without unnecessary interruptions.

“In my perspective as Justice Chair, I do not want to cause any delay to this proceeding. That is why I am inclined to continue the hearing even during recess,” Luistro said in a radio interview.

Congress will go on recess starting March 18 for Holy Week and reconvene on May 4 before adjourning sine die on June 5.

Following the adjournment, lawmakers

“There is still potential that the daytime temperature is sort of hot in the Cagayan Valley area. Possibly around April, May, it will be around 40 degrees (Celsius) that we are looking at as the most extreme. But then, it is not the average, rather at least one day or two consecutive days where those high temperatures will be experienced,” Solis said.

State climatologists said that heat index values, though likely to remain high, will not reach record-breaking temperatures seen in 2024 when the dry season and El Niño coincided.

will return on July 27 for the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress and the fifth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“We will recess on March 18, but I intend to continue the proceedings of the Justice Committee,” Luistro said. Luistro stressed that while the committee wants to move forward swiftly, it will not sacrifice fairness and due process.

“If given the chance, we should not cause any delay, but we must not compromise the substance and the due process of the proceeding,” she said.

DepEd to reform SHS voucher program

IN BRIEF

Remulla set to meet frats over hazing death

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito

Victor Remulla on Thursday said he will meet fraternity leaders following the alleged hazing death of a 19-year-old maritime student in Cavite.

Remulla said he will speak with the national leadership of Tau Gamma fraternity to address what he described as a continuing cycle of violence.

“Tomorrow morning, 8:30 a.m., I will talk to the national leadership of Tau Gamma,” he told reporters during a press briefing in Quezon City.

The DILG chief said he was disturbed that such incidents continue to occur despite past tragedies linked to hazing.

He cited the 2023 hazing death of Adamson University chemical engineering student John Matthew Salilig, whose body was also buried in a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite.

Remulla said he understands fraternity culture because he is also a member of Upsilon Sigma Phi at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Vince Lopez

DSWD expands outreach to street dwellers in Cebu

CEBU CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 continues outreach operations across Metro Cebu to assist people living in street situations.

The activities are conducted under the agency’s Pag-abot Program, which aims to reach children, individuals, and families living on the streets.

Operations intensified following the establishment of the Pag-abot Processing Center, with support from local government partners.

These include Local Social Welfare and Development Offices and Anti-Mendicancy Offices in highly urbanized cities.

Regional director Shalaine Lucero said those reached by DSWD teams are profiled and, with their consent, brought to the processing center. Minerva Newman

BI nabs Korean posing as Filipino in Batangas

OPERATIVES of the Bureau of Immigra-

tion (BI) arrested a South Korean national wanted for fraud after he was found posing as a Filipino using falsified documents.

Authorities identified the suspect as Kim Yong Cheol, who was arrested along the Tagaytay–Nasugbu Highway in Barangay Niyugan, Laurel, Batangas.

The arrest followed reports that the foreign national had been using fictitious identities to carry out fraudulent activities.

Investigators said Kim assumed a Filipino identity supported by falsified civil registry documents and a Philippine passport. Korean authorities said he allegedly defrauded victims in 2009 by claiming his company operated a gaming firm, travel agency, and online shopping platform in the Philippines. Vito Barcelo

By Rolando Ng III

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday announced plans to reform the existing voucher programs for Senior High School (SHS) students enrolled in private institutions.

ra said the department will commit to expanding the distribution of vouchers in private schools to help meet their shared priorities.

“We are focused on improving and expanding the implementation of our voucher programs in the country. And it begins with meaningful conversations with our leaders in private education institutions,” Angara said in mixed Filipino and English.

der the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) program.

The E-GASTPE program was recently criticized by Sen. Raffy Tulfo over alleged “ghost” transactions involving unidentifiable students and institutions.

According to a press release, DepEd seeks to streamline the delivery of these financial grants to students, particularly those from middle- and low-income families.

DepEd, along with organizations representing private schools, took note of the new guidelines set un-

Education Secretary Sonny Anga-

The DepEd, however, said that coordination will remain intact to ensure that funds intended for learners are not spent for questionable purposes.

SWS survey says most Filipinos prefer women stay home

By Katrina Manubay

AN overwhelming majority of Filipino adults (83%) tend to view men as earners and women as caretakers of the home and family. Many also view being a housewife as equally fulfilling as working for pay, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. In the latest survey, most Filipino adults believe that a woman’s role is to care for her home, with only 8% disagreeing.

The statement, “A job is all right, but what most women really want is a home and children,” was agreed to by 75%, with only 14% disagreeing.

The survey revealed that most women think a preschool child likely suffers if his or her mother works, showing a very strong +46 level of agreement (down from +59). Among men, agreement was moderately strong at +28 (down from +48). Regarding whether family life suffers when a woman has a full-time job, net agreement among women remained moderately strong (+26 to +27), with little change. Among men, agreement declined from moderately strong +16 to neutral +4. The results also showed that the belief that “a job is all right, but what women really want is a home and children” remained extremely strong at +60 for both women (up from +56) and men (up from +51).

FESTIVAL. Local artists showcase pottery, handmade jewelry, macramé, illustrated prints, key chains,

DSWD warns vs. unauthorized travel clearance FB group

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday warned the public about an illegitimate Facebook group named “DSWD Travel Clearance,” which uses the logo of the department’s Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) program as its cover photo.

Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao clarified that the DSWD has no affiliation with the group and does not authorize any information being distributed by the group’s administrators and members.

“We remind our beneficiaries that DSWD and MTA are not affiliated with the DSWD Travel Clearance Facebook group. We do not control the information shared there, so do not immediately be-

lieve those who offer help or assistance within the group,” Dumlao said.

The Facebook group contains posts from concerned parents and individuals seeking guidance on traveling with their children, as well as testimonials endorsing individuals who offer assistance in processing travel clearance requirements.

“It is not wrong to have a platform for the questions or problems of our beneficiaries. The only concern is that there may be misunderstandings because the information within the unverified Facebook group may not be compatible with MTA guidelines,” Dumlao said.

The DSWD encouraged the public to rely only on its official social media pages and communication channels for inquiries regarding the MTA program

and other services. It reminded the public to access verified platforms for accurate information. The DSWD’s official Facebook page may be accessed at facebook.com/ DSWD.MTA, while the official website is mta.dswd.gov.ph.

Concerned individuals may also seek assistance from the department’s field offices, municipal social welfare and development offices, or city social welfare and development offices.

“For those who have questions about MTA and our other programs, you may message or call us at 0945-160-4534 for Viber, 8951-7440 for landline, and 0918912-2813 for DSWD Wireless Service (WiServ). We also have mobile hotlines at 0917-110-5686 and 0917-827-2543,” Dumlao said.

Agreement increased from very strong to extremely strong that “a work-

ing mother can establish as warm and secure a relationship with her children,” with scores rising among women from +49 to +55 and among men from +47 to +51.

The SWS noted that these findings indicate a long-standing conservative attitude toward women’s roles in society.

The nationwide face-to-face survey was conducted from Nov. 24 to 30 with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and older, and has a margin of error of ±3% for national percentages.

House leaders hail President for signing law extending EDCOM II

By Maricel V. Cruz

LAWMAKERS led by Speaker Faustino

G. Dy III on Thursday hailed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing a law extending the work of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), saying the move ensures that major reforms to improve Philippine education will continue and deepen in the coming years.

President Marcos on March 4 signed Republic Act (RA) 12315, which extends EDCOM II’s mandate beyond its initial three-year term for another two years to allow further research, consultations, and oversight of education reforms.

Dy said the law reflects the shared commitment of Congress and the Marcos administration to sustain long-term

reforms in the education sector.

“The President’s signing of the proposal to extend EDCOM II is clear proof of the shared stance of Congress and the administration: we are serious about education reform,” Dy said in a statement. The Speaker from Isabela said the extension ensures reforms already underway will be completed and strengthened.

“This is not a simple extension. It is a clear message that the reforms that have been initiated must be completed, deepened, and ensured to have a lasting impact on the lives of our students, teachers, and families,” he said.

Dy also underscored the resolve of the House of Representatives to support education reforms not only through legislation but also through sustained funding.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

BFP chief faces graft, admin charges

IN BRIEF

Agents seize P29-m illegal drugs in Pasay

GOVERNMENT agents stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday confiscated three abandoned parcels containing ecstasy and shabu, valued at over P29 million, from a cargo facility in Pasay City.

The Bureau of Customs initiated the operation in collaboration with the NAIA Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group, Airport Intelligence Unit, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group, the Airport Police Department, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Immigration.

This raid led to the seizure of approximately 3,596 grams of a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly referred to as shabu, with an estimated value of P24.4 million.

The raiding team also confiscated 4,046 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be ecstasy, with a street value of P5.2 million. Joel E. Zurbano

4PH project unfolds at Port Area, Manila

A MASSIVE in-city housing project under the government’s Expanded 4PH Program is rising at Port Area, Manila, targeting more than 6,000 city residents, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development said.

Called Port Town Housing Project, the initiative aims to provide safe and affordable homes to more than 6,000 Manila residents through a joint venture among DHSUD partner-agencies.

Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling on Tuesday led an inspection of the condominium-type project with DHSUD Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr., Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta, and Social Housing Finance Corp. president Federico Laxa.

The project, being implemented by PagIBIG Fund and the Social Housing Finance Corp., has five buildings in various stages of construction. Rio N. Araja

Prison guards thwart a not-so-great escape

BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. announced on Thursday the recapture of an inmate who had escaped from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, mimicking a scene in the film “The Great Escape” by the late movie icon Steve McQueen. The impersonator-escapist, identified as Tyrone Dela Cruz, was captured in Sitio Idarag, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Sablayan, by a Corrections Emergency Response Team while trying to get away with a stolen motorcycle. Catapang said de la Cruz was arrested following report of a motorcycle theft by an unidentified individual.

The prisoner however, did not go far to

Church mulls consulting women on ordination

By Vito Barcelo

WOMEN are being considered to play a critical role in the discernment of candidates for the Catholic priesthood, according to a report cited by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from a synod study group examining priestly formation.

In a preliminary report released by the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, the group recommended that the “views and assessments” of women be given due importance when evaluating men preparing for ordination, particularly those who have witnessed

the candidates’ pastoral work in parish communities.

The document, which studies priestly formation from a synodal perspective, has been submitted to Pope Leo XIV for review. Synod officials stressed that the proposals are not final and remain subject to further discernment.

The report also urged church leaders to rethink the traditional seminary model so that future priests remain closely connected to the daily life of the faithful.

“The formation itinerary must not create artificial environments detached from the ordinary life of the faithful,”

the document said, stressing that priestly training should take place in close contact with parish communities and the wider people of God. It warned that prolonged separation from community life could foster unhealthy attitudes such as irresponsibility, concealment, and clerical immaturity.

To address this, the study group proposed complementary formation programs outside seminaries, including periods of residence in parish communities or other church settings, without extending the overall period of priestly formation.

By Vince Lopez

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday, March 5, filed administrative and criminal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) director Jesus Fernandez over an alleged ₱14.752-million bribery tied to the procurement of 132 ambulances for the agency.

DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said the charges stemmed from a department investigation that uncovered a pattern of irregularities in the procurement process, which was supposed to strengthen the BFP’s emergency medical response capability.

“Ambulances are meant to save lives. Public funds intended for emergency response will never be allowed to become vehicles for corruption,” Remulla stressed.

“We will pursue the truth and ensure full accountability,” he added. Administrative charges filed against Fernandez included grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The criminal complaints, on the other hand, consisted of include violation of graft and corruption, bribery, malversation of public funds, and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Other government officials and private individuals connected to the transaction have also been impleaded as the investigation progressed.

The DILG has likewise requested the Office of the Ombudsman to place Fernandez under preventive suspension to protect the integrity of the proceedings.

Records showed that the September 2024 procurement of the 132 ambulances was allegedly manipulated to favor a pre-selected supplier.

Evidence gathered during the investigation showed that the supplier entered into a joint venture with an automotive company in October 2024 solely to satisfy the bidding requirements.

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 7628 mandating the inclusion of a Personal Financial Literacy Course in the curriculum of technical-vocational institutions and training centers of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The measure, principally authored by Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, consolidates several legislative proposals aimed at strengthening financial literacy among Filipino learners, workers, and trainees nationwide.

HB 7628 seeks to institutionalize financial education in the Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.

It aims to ensure that graduates are equipped not only with technical competencies but also with the financial knowledge and practical skills needed for responsible money management, financial resilience, and long-term economic security.

Under the measure, all public and private technicalvocational institutions (TVIs) and TESDA training centers will be required to offer a Personal Financial Literacy Course (PFLC) as part of the TVET curriculum.

Students must obtain a passing grade in the course as a requirement for graduation or completion of their training program.

SC justice tells new lawyers: Law practice needs morality

By Pot Chavez

OPINION

Silver linings amid crisis in the Middle East

By Melandrew Velasco

IN UNCERTAIN times, nations look for signs of hope.

Today, the world is watching anxiously as tensions in the Middle East threaten to unsettle global markets, disrupt supply chains, and cast shadows over economic prospects. For countries like the Philippines, which remain vulnerable to global shocks, the challenge is to stay steady and keep building. And build we must as we hope and pray for world peace and for better days ahead.

These rising runways and railways may well become the silver linings that help carry the Philippines toward the better nation we all hope to see

Amid these uncertainties, two major infrastructure projects rising north of Metro Manila offer what many Filipinos might call silver linings— visible proof that even in turbulent times, the country continues to move forward.

These are the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and the MRT-7 connecting Quezon City to Bulacan— both flagship undertakings led by San Miguel Corporation Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang (RSA). Together, they represent more than large-scale infrastructure. They embody confidence in the Philippines’ future. For decades, the country has struggled with the congestion and limitations of Ninoy Aquino International Airport which by stroke of fate is now efficiently

managed and rehabilitated by RSA’s NNIC or the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation under a long-term concession agreement with the Philippine government.

While efforts continue to modernize existing facilities, the reality is that the nation’s primary gateway has long exceeded its designed capacity.

The New Manila International Airport aims to change that narrative.

Envisioned to handle up to 100 million passengers annually once fully developed, the Bulacan airport promises to become one of the region’s major aviation hubs.

With multiple runways, modern terminals, and integrated logistics facilities, the project is expected to boost tourism, expand trade, and stimulate economic activity in Central Luzon and beyond. Major airports often become catalysts for growth.

Around them rise business districts, logistics centers, hotels, and new communities. In Bulacan, the same potential is already being anticipated.

More so if lawmakers will legislate a new law creating a Special Economic Zone in the vicinity of the Bulacan airport.

Equally transformative is MRT-7, a railway system designed to serve millions of commuters traveling between Quezon City and Bulacan. For many years, motorists along Commonwealth Avenue have endured some of the most punishing traffic in Metro Manila. MRT-7 promises to ease that burden by providing faster and more reliable mobility for residents in the northern corridor.

When completed, the line will significantly shorten travel times and integrate with the capital’s broader rail network.

(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)

China boosts military spending with eyes on US, Taiwan

BEIJING—China announced a seven percent boost to its defence budget for 2026 on Thursday as it steadily increases spending to counter the United States and enforce its claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The latest rise keeps China’s spending at a third of that of the United States, but the Asian power is working to close the gap.

Beijing plans to spend 1.9096 trillion yuan ($276.8 billion) on defence, according to a report published at the opening of the annual “Two Sessions” parliamentary meeting.

Premier Li Qiang told delegates that China will aim to strengthen the military and “carry out major defencerelated projects” over the next five years.

Analysts said the budget will finance military salary increases, training, manoeuvres around Taiwan, cyberwarfare capabilities and advanced equipment purchases, among other things, according to the report.

The increase marks a degree of continuity as Beijing pursues a sweeping anti-graft purge of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which included the ousting of top general Zhang Youxia in January.

“China pursues an independent and self-reliant foreign policy. However, without robust military capabilities and technological prowess, our diplomatic stance would inevitably be subject to coercion or even dictated by certain nations, including the United States,” military commentator Song Zhongping, a former Chinese army instructor, told AFP.

“China is unwilling to be a vassal state,” said Song, who maintained that, by comparison, Japan and South Korea “only submit to American dictates”.

The PLA must also strengthen its capabilities, he said, to “fully restore” Chinese jurisdiction over the disputed Spratly Islands, a chain of reefs and atolls in the South China Sea that are

also claimed by the Philippines and where there are believed to be vast natural resources.

The United States is the world’s biggest military spender, shelling out $997 billion in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The United States is the world’s biggest military spender, shelling out $997 billion in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

‘Proportionate’

China has maintained a steady increase in military spending of around seven to eight percent each year since 2016.

However, its military spending as a percentage of GDP remains modest.

China’s defence budget stood at 1.7 percent of GDP in 2024, well behind the US figure of 3.4 percent and Russia’s 7.1 percent, according to SIPRI.

“That is proportional to its economy and legitimate defence needs,” said Niklas Swanstrom, director of the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy.

China claims its defence policy is solely aimed at protecting its territory, which it says includes self-ruled Taiwan.

It has only one military base abroad, in Djibouti, in contrast to the several hundred held by the United States.

EDITORIAL

Proposed rental subsidy for homeless

LEYTE Rep. Martin G. Romualdez has filed a bill seeking to grant a monthly rental housing subsidy to millions of homeless Filipinos, or informal settler families (ISFs). The proposal is contained in House Bill 7230 with Rep. Jude Acidre of TINGOG Party-list as co-principal author.

The proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act would provide social protection and support to informal settler families or ISFs in accessing the formal housing market under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Philippine housing policy has traditionally emphasized home ownership through socialized housing projects, largely implemented by the National Housing Authority under the supervision of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. However, production bottlenecks, land constraints, and financing gaps have slowed delivery. HB 7230 represents a paradigm shift toward demand-side subsidies rather than purely supply-side construction.

In a situation where permanent housing projects often face delays (right-of-way issues, budget constraints, contractor inefficiencies), a rental subsidy acts as a bridging mechanism.

Our housing backlog is caused by rapid urbanization; rural-to-urban

HB 7230, if passed into law, is a big step forward because it provides immediate relief amid a massive backlog, and enhances disaster-response flexibility

migration; high land prices in economic centers; and proliferation of informal settler families or ISFs in danger zones.

Under Republic Act No. 11201, DHSUD is mandated to coordinate housing policy, yet relocation often pushes ISFs to distant areas lacking jobs and vital services. This results in return migration to informal settlements. The proposed P3,500/month subsidy seeks to improve location flexibility (near employment centers);

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is on the right track in urging Congress to pass pending bills establishing a formal charter for the constitutional body, as this would undoubtedly strengthen its powers and secure its independence in line with international standards.

In a position paper covering House Bills Nos. 349, 1433, 1798, 3041, 3934, 4835, and 4946, the CHR expressed its “full support” for the legislation. “With its enactment, the Commission will be strengthened in ‘advancing and defending human rights’ of all nationwide including Filipinos living abroad,” it reiterated in the paper.

The proposed charter for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) would significantly strengthen its institutional capacity to defend human rights in the Philippines by addressing long-standing structural, jurisdictional, and independence-related constraints that have limited its effectiveness since its creation under the 1987 Constitution.

The expansion of investigative powers to cover all human rights violations, including economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR), is a substantive development.

Traditionally, public discourse around human rights enforcement in the Philippines has centered on civil and political rights—extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention.

However, international human rights law recognizes ESCR—such as rights to housing, health, education, and work—as equally enforceable.

By explicitly granting jurisdiction over these areas, the charter would align the CHR’s mandate with the indivisibility and interdependence principles embedded in global human rights doctrine.

This expansion would allow the Commission to address structural inequalities and systemic deprivation, which are deeply embedded in Philippine socio-economic realities.

Granting the CHR authority to

“However, the absolute spending level (second globally) and rapid capability development concern neighbours,” Swanstrom told AFP. China’s military buildup is fuelling an arms race in Asia and prompting some countries, particularly those with territorial disputes with China, to draw

reduces disruption to livelihood and schooling; and may reduce the cycle of informal reoccupation.

In Metro Manila, average room rentals in low-income communities range roughly from ₱2,500–₱6,000 monthly. A ₱3,500 cap is meaningful but not fully sufficient; it likely covers only partial rent in many areas.

Thus, its effectiveness depends on actual rental market conditions and beneficiary capacity to shoulder the balance

The bill also positions the subsidy as a mechanism for families displaced by natural disasters and temporary relocation from danger zones.

The bill does not directly increase housing supply.

Without parallel measures such as socialized rental housing development, incentives for low-cost rental construction, and land reform acceleration, the subsidy risks addressing symptoms rather than structural deficits.

Nevertheless, HB 7230, if passed into law, is a big step forward because it provides immediate relief amid a massive backlog, and enhances disaster-response flexibility.

Its long-term success will depend, however, on strict targeting and anti-corruption safeguards, controls against rental price distortion, and timely completion of permanent housing projects.

Strengthening the CHR

The proposed quasijudicial powers will elevate the CHR’s enforcement capability

investigate private actors and nonstate entities corrects a critical gap. Contemporary human rights violations increasingly involve private corporations, security agencies, paramilitary groups, and other nonstate actors. Under a purely statecentered accountability model, victims often lack accessible remedies. Extending jurisdiction to private entities operationalizes the State’s obligation to protect against third-party abuses—an established norm under international human rights law. The proposed quasi-judicial powers will elevate the CHR’s enforcement capability.

At present, the Commission largely performs fact-finding and recommendatory functions.

While valuable, these lack binding force. The ability to determine violations, award compensation, and recommend prosecution transforms the CHR from a predominantly advisory body into an institution capable of delivering tangible remedies. This would improve victim access to justice, reduce procedural fragmentation, and increase the deterrent effect against violators. The strengthening of visitorial and protective powers, including unannounced inspections of detention facilities and enforceable protection orders, is particularly significant in a context where custodial abuses remain a recurring concern. Mandatory access backed by penalties for non-compliance enhances

closer to Washington. In Taiwan, leader Lai Ching-te wants to increase military spending in response to Beijing, which does not rule out the use of force to take control of the island. The Philippines has also granted US access to more of its military bases.

transparency and reduces impunity within law enforcement and correctional institutions. Preventive monitoring is internationally recognized as one of the most effective safeguards against torture and ill-treatment. Institutional independence is another critical dimension. A protected budget and a transparent appointment process shield the Commission from political retaliation or executive interference. Human rights institutions are often politically inconvenient because they scrutinize state conduct. Without fiscal autonomy and secure leadership tenure, oversight bodies risk budgetary manipulation or leadership capture. Embedding these safeguards in a charter enhances structural independence and operational continuity. Moreover, compliance with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions standards—commonly known as the Paris Principles—is strategically important.

Retaining “A status” accreditation ensures that the CHR maintains full participatory rights in international human rights mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Council. This strengthens the Philippines’ credibility in global forums and reinforces accountability through peer scrutiny.

In the end, the enactment of a formal charter consolidates the CHR’s constitutional mandate into a coherent statutory framework with enforceable authority. It transforms the Commission from a primarily recommendatory body into a rights-protective institution with investigative breadth, remedial capacity, structural independence, and international legitimacy. In a country where human rights enforcement has often depended on political will, institutionalizing these powers would significantly fortify the architecture of rights protection and enhance the State’s ability to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights obligations. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Japan has been shedding its strict pacifist stance, with a record defence budget worth $58 billion approved in December for the coming fiscal year to expand its military capabilities. The question of whether China could win a conflict against the United States remains unanswered. AFP

Nepal votes in key polls post uprising

KATHMANDU -- Nepal voted on Thursday for a new parliament in a high-stakes showdown between an entrenched old guard and a powerful youth movement, six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government.

Queues began at dawn on the streets of the capital Kathmandu and in the usually sleepy eastern town of Jhapa, the site of a head-to-head contest between two key prime ministerial hopefuls.

"I came here early to vote, we have to exercise our rights. Nepalis have been waiting for change for so long, from one system to another," said Nilanta Shakya, 60, waiting to cast her ballot at a college in Kathmandu.

"I hope there is a meaningful change this time," she added.

Key figures contesting for power include the Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to office, a rapper-turned-mayor bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the powerful Nepali Congress party.

Nearly 19 million voters are choosing who replaces the interim government in place since the Sept. 2025 uprising, in which at least 77 people were killed, and parliament and scores of government buildings were torched.

Youth-led protests under a loose Gen Z banner began as a demonstration against a brief social media ban, but were fed by wider grievances at corruption and a woeful economy.

Sushila Karki, the interim prime minister, reassured people could vote "without any fear", and thousands of soldiers and police have been deployed at polling centers.

She thanked voters on Thursday and urged a "peaceful election", saying the vote was critical in "determining our future".

The polls, which close at 5:00 pm, are one of the most hotly contested elections in the Himalayan republic of 30 million people since the end of a civil war in 2006.

The election has seen a wave of younger candidates promising to tackle Nepal's woeful economy, challenging veteran politicians who have dominated for decades and argue that their experience guarantees stability and security. AFP

Man faces verdict on knife attack at Berlin memorial

BERLIN – A Berlin court is set to hand down its verdict Thursday in the case of a young Syrian man accused of a knife attack on a Spanish tourist at the German capital's Holocaust memorial. The stabbing in February 2025 inflamed an already heated debate on migration just a few days before a general election in Germany. The suspect, partially named as Wassim Al M., was a supporter of the Islamic State (IS) group and intended to "target a person of the Jewish faith", according to the court. He allegedly approached the 30-yearold victim from behind, among the concrete steles of the memorial, and "inflicted a 14-centimetre-long (more than five-inch) cut to his throat with a knife", the court said in a statement before the trial.

The victim, who was visiting the memorial with two friends, was badly injured but managed to stagger out of the steles before collapsing in front of the memorial.

Al M. was 19 at the time of the attack, meaning the judges must decide whether to apply juvenile or adult law under a special system for offenders aged 18-20 in Germany.

The decision will be made based on the suspect's emotional and psychological maturity and would affect the length of the sentence if he is found guilty. Prosecutors have argued for adult criminal law to be applied and called for a life sentence. During the trial, Al M. confessed to the crime, which he said had been motivated by his radicalisation and belief he was acting with a religious mission.

"My shame is too deep, I ask for forgiveness," he told the court, according to his lawyer.

Prosecutors said Al M. had "internalised IS ideology, rejected the Western way of life, and was convinced that a holy war against infidels must be waged worldwide". AFP

Japan startup’s space rocket fails for third time

TOKYO – A Japanese startup's third attempt to put a satellite in orbit failed on Thursday after its rocket spiralled back to Earth shortly after take-off.

Space One, hoping to become the first private Japanese firm to put a satellite in space, said that what went wrong was "under investigation."

TV footage showed the Kairos rocket blasting off from the launch site in the coastal Wakayama region of western Japan at 11:10 am up into the blue sky.

But shortly afterwards, the slim, white 18-metre (60-foot) rocket appeared to run out of power and head back downwards in a spin.

It was unclear where it landed.

Tokyo-based Space One told a press conference that "no major anomalies" had been identified within the aircraft itself and the rocket had not deviated from its flight path.

"So it seems reasonable to assume that some issue occurred within the flight interruption system," the firm said, referring to a safety mechanism capable of automatically ending the flight.

The rocket was carrying several satellites including one for a high

BEIJING - China set its annual growth target at 4.5-5 percent on Thursday, its lowest figure in decades but at the center of plans to tackle sluggish consumption and a flagging property market. Beijing also used its showpiece annual political gathering to announce a seven percent increase in its defense budget, the second largest in the world, in line with previous years as it looks to counter the United States and enforce its claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

China is the world's second-largest economy and accounts for a third of global growth, but it faces serious structural imbalances and US trade pressures despite sustaining strong exports.

"The achievements of the past year were hard-won," Premier Li Qiang said, as he opened the annual meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, on Thursday morning.

VATICAN

school in Tokyo, according to the firm.

The company's first launch attempt ended in spectacular failure in March 2024 when the solid-fuel rocket exploded seconds after lift-off.

A second try started off better only for the rocket to suddenly spiral downwards after engineers terminated the operation because of a technical problem.

The latest launch had been slated to happen on Wednesday, only to be cancelled due to another glitch just 28.9 seconds before lift-off.

Moon landing

Companies such as Space One want to offer cheaper and more frequent space exploration opportunities than governments.

The startup is hoping to establish a satellite-launching service to tap into expanding global demand -- emulating Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has contracts with NASA and the Pentagon.

Space One was founded in 2018 by businesses including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction firm Shimizu and the government-run Development Bank of Japan. AFP

US man charged with murder wins Republican nomination for sheriff

WASHINGTON, DC – A man charged with second-degree murder in the killing of his daughter's alleged abuser won the Republican nomination for county sheriff in the southern US state of Arkansas, according to local election data.

Aaron Spencer is awaiting trial in connection to the October 2024 fatal shooting of a 67-year-old man who had been charged with sexually abusing Spencer's then-13-year-old daughter. Spencer has argued he was acting to protect her.

State election data this week showed Spencer won nearly 54 percent of the vote in the Republican primary for Lonoke County sheriff, beating incumbent John Staley by about 2,700 votes.

Staley conceded the race on Wednesday, making Spencer the favorite to win the conservative county's top law enforcement job in the November general election.

"Rarely in many years have we encountered such a grave and complex landscape, where external shocks and challenges were intertwined with domestic difficulties and tough policy choices."

This year's growth target is the lowest since 1991, according to AFP research. The only exception was in 2020, when none was set as the economy reeled from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delegates from across China gathered in the cavernous Great Hall of the People for a series of highly orchestrated meetings in Beijing known as the Two Sessions, overseen by President Xi Jinping. They will approve bills and reforms that have largely already been decided by Xi and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during a week of political theatre in the capital. The CCP has said repeatedly that China's economic growth model must shift away from traditional drivers,

It said AI was creating a “hyper-connected” world with “an increasing acceleration of economic, political, social, and military dynamics that risk becoming uncontrollable and therefore ungovernable.”

“In such a world, human action itself becomes material to be analysed and shaped according to power or market goals that are not always transparent. Social control increases, as does the risk of manipulation,” it said.

It said relationships, particularly within families, were “a barrier against the spread of a homogenising globalisation, which does not always help to shape authentic bonds.”

The document was approved by Pope Leo XIV, who has repeatedly warned about the risks of generative artificial intelligence.

In a message marking the World Day of Social Communications in January, Pope Leo said AI systems reflect the worldview of their creators and can reproduce biases. AFP

"Lonoke County sent a clear message last night, and we're just getting started," Spencer wrote in a social media post.

"I'm running to restore accountability and integrity to the Sheriff's Office, and the people of this county just showed they want the same thing."

Spencer pleaded not guilty to a seconddegree murder charge and is free on bond while awaiting trial, which has yet to be scheduled, according to US media.

The charge stems from the October 2024 shooting death of Michael Fosler, who at the time of the incident had been out on bond after being charged with numerous sexual offenses connected to Spencer's daughter.

After his daughter went missing, Spencer reportedly found Fosler trying to flee with the girl, and he fatally shot Fosler during a confrontation, according to media reports. AFP

such as exports and manufacturing, and towards consumption. Other "main projected targets for development" in 2026 include an increase in the consumer price index of around two percent and "growth in residents' income in step with economic growth", according to the report delivered by Li.

"The policymakers have been saying on many occasions that the quality of growth is more important than the speed of growth," Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, wrote in a note on Thursday.

"The decision to cut the growth target for this year is a big step that signifies this shift of policy priority." China's economic expansion has been slowing for years as the economy matures.

The government has said its focus is now on "high-quality" growth through upgrading industry, investing in new technologies and pursuing green development. AFP

Nigerian city sees women drive rickshaw

PSC pushes Olympic sports as NCRAA Season 32 opens

THE 32nd National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) tipped off at the Dasmariñas Arena here with its traditional centerpiece sports—basketball and volleyball—but the opening ceremony carried a bold new vision: the inclusion of Olympic disciplines such as boxing and taekwondo in the league’s calendar.

Philippine Sports Commission

Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, honored with a Plaque of Recognition during the festivities, challenged the NCRAA to broaden its scope.

“Sana ma-consider nyo ang mga Olympic sports tulad ng boxing at

Spin Doctors, King Crunchers seek to stay undefeated

UNBEATEN and exuding confidence, Criss Cross and Savouge look primed to roll to another pair of emphatic victories as they face separate foes before their highly anticipated collision for the solo lead in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday.

The King Crunchers and the Spin Doctors have dismantled their first three opponents in commanding fashion, and all signs point to a fourth straight win when they battle the 3B Event Masters and the AEP-Cabstars, respectively, in the double-header at the FilOil Centre that could serve as a prelude to a blockbuster clash at the close of the first phase of the double-round prelims.

Criss Cross tangles with 3B at 3 p.m., determined to extend its perfect run and sustain the dominant form that has made it the early team to beat. Savouge follows at 5 p.m., eyeing the same result against a Cabstars side still searching for consistency.

The King Crunchers have looked every bit the reigning Invitational Conference champions, made even more formidable by the seamless integration of Alche Gupiteo and Lloyd Josafat. The two new additions have delivered immediate impact, adding firepower and stability to an already seasoned core led by four-time MVP Jude Garcia.

Backed by Noel Kampton, Kim Malabunga, Adrian Villados and John Pepito, Criss Cross boasts depth, cohesion and championship poise – a combination that makes another lopsided result highly probable. Still, Garcia insists there remains room for refinement.

“Siguro minimize lang namin ‘yung errors namin sa umpisa ng set kasi dun kami nag-i-struggle. Talagang pagtatrabahuhan namin na i-minimize pa ‘yung errors para mas maging maganda ‘yung kalabasan ng game namin,” said Garcia, despite their shutout win over the Cabstars where they yielded 16 free points.

taekwondo. Nandito po ang PSC para tumulong at para makahanap tayo ng pwedeng manalo ng medalyang ginto sa Olympics sa LA (Los Angeles 2028) and 2032 Brisbane,” Gregorio declared, underscoring the national goal of producing future Olympians

through collegiate competition.

NCRAA General Manager Buddy Encarnado responded with optimism, affirming the league’s readiness to adapt: “We are willing to hold boxing and taekwondo tournaments this season, and with the help of the PSC, I believe it can be done.”

His statement signaled a potential landmark expansion for the NCRAA, which has historically featured basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, futsal, table tennis and badminton.

Prior to the opening ceremony, the DLSU-D Junior Patriots edged Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Junior Vanguards, 76–75, with Dwayne Marasigan sinking clutch free throws in the dying seconds.

Meanwhile, the DLSU-D Patriots defended home court with a 91–77 win over the AIMS Blue Sharks, while the University of Luzon Golden Tigers opened strong against Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Generals in the marquee matchup.

The NCRAA’s move aligns with trends in other collegiate leagues.

The NCAA has already adopted boxing, golf, weightlifting, and gymnastics in its ongoing Season 101, while the UAAP is set to stage a golf tournament for the first time.

By embracing Olympic sports, the NCRAA positions itself not only as a hub of regional competition but also as a pipeline for national athletic development.

The Arena stands inside the sprawling, 11.5-hectare Dasmariñas Sports Complex, a modern, worldclass athletic and event venue located in Barangay Burol Main in this city. It was developed as part of a massive city project—often called the “Dasmariñas University” or “Academic and Sports District”—which also includes the 5,000-seat indoor Arena, track and field oval, boxing gym, the new City Hall, a public university (KLD), and a grandstand.

Young aces eye Asia spotlight as Pickle Fest returns to Cebu

CEBU takes center stage anew as it hosts the Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026, bannered by the PCL (Pickleball Champions League) Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament, beginning March 11 at the Net and Paddle courts in Cebu City.

Fresh off a highly successful staging in Davao City, organizers Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. (KAVC) and Sunrise Events, Inc. are setting the stage for another blockbuster five-day celebration of one of the world’s fastestrising sports.

More than just another tour stop, the Cebu leg carries special meaning. It marks a symbolic homecoming for pickleball, which was first introduced to the Philippines through a clinic in the Queen City of the South in 2016. Ten years later, the sport has exploded in participation and popularity, with more than 320 registered clubs nationwide and a steadily growing grassroots and competitive base.

Backed by PCL Asia, the Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament offers more than medals and bragging rights. It provides a structured and credible development pathway for young athletes – complete with standardized rules, regional qualifiers and cross-border competition – culminating in a coveted berth to the PCL Asia Grand Finals on Hainan Island, China this April.

For details and registration, visit https://picklefest.kosmas.com.ph/ or the official Facebook page: Pickle Fest 2026.

“Pickleball’s growth over the last decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. From a single introductory clinic in Cebu to more than 320 clubs nationwide, the sport has truly captured the imagination of Filipino athletes,” said KAVC Operations Director Richard Bachmann.

Gecosala eyes redemption as MJFC Digos netfest unfolds

KRELZ Gecosala returns to action with renewed determination as he seeks to bounce back from last week’s setback and pursue another double-title feat in the boys’ singles of the MJFC Digos City National Junior Tennis Championships at the Digos City Tennis Club in Davao del Sur.

The Group 2 tournament, the fourth stop of the five-leg Mindanao swing of the country’s longest-running junior talent search sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop, kicked off Thursday amid heightened interest following a major shakeup in last week’s leg in Matalam, Cotabato.

Gecosala had earlier dominated the circuit, sweeping the 16- and 18-and-under titles in Gen. Santos City and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. But his streak ended in Matalam when fellow Midsayap, Cotabato standout Shaun Globasa denied him the crown in the premier division.

With Globasa skipping this week’s leg, Gecosala has a chance at redemption, although he faces a strong lineup of challengers determined to block his bid anew, including Kurt Alcantara, Stephen Fuertes and Selwyn Sanke.

The Midsayap ace will also face a different set of rivals in the 16-and-U division, where Jiulius Otoc, Carl Eduarte and Ynigo Calingasan are all

eager to mount their own title campaigns in the Philta Group 2 tournament hosted by Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas and sanctioned by Universal Tennis Ranking. The race for top honors in the girls’ division has likewise been thrown wide open with Olongapo’s Jan Cadee Dagoon opting to take a break after completing a third straight double-title sweep in the 16- and 18-and-under categories of the series presented by Dunlop and backed by ICON Golf & Sports and the Palawan Pawnshop Group of Companies. Dagoon’s absence shifts the spotlight to Justine Gumbao of Sultan Kudarat, though she is expected to face stiff opposition from Zita Clarke, Francine Wong and Zita Clarke, all determined to seize the opportunity in the 16-and-U division. Clarke also leads the cast in the 18-and-U bracket, where Camille Clar, Princess Obaniana and Aika Salahuddin are likewise tipped to contend for top honors.

The PPS-PEPP circuit, initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro, features 60 junior tournaments and 12 Open events this season, reinforcing its role as the country’s longest-running grassroots tennis program dedicated to discovering and developing young talents for future national teams.

Gensan gets lift from Eusebio; Quezon City, Mindoro prevail

GENSAN and Quezon City sustained their climb while Mindoro rebounded in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational on Wednesday at the Marikina Sports Center.

The Gensan Warriors unleashed a prime recruit and battered the Bacolod Masskara, 112-74, in the nightcap to keep in step with the Quezon City Black Bulls, who survived the Bataan Risers, 80-79, in the opener.

The Mindoro Tamaraws trounced the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins, 112-92, in the second game of the nineteam Group A elimination round triple-bill.

Quezon City and Gensan extended their winning run to three, although the Black Bulls hold a better 4-2 record than the Warriors’ 3-2 in the two-group, 18-team event preceding the MPBL Eighth Season.

The Warriors, however, have gotten stronger with the acquisition of Fil-Canadian Anton Eusebio from the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the return of gunner Kyle Tolentino.

The 6-foot-5 Eusebio pooled 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals in 23 minutes and 42 seconds of play and earned best player honors on his first game as a pro, edging Mark Cruz with 20 points, highlighted by six triples, and Louie Vigil, with 15 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Tolentino contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for the Warriors, who pulled away 86-45 to hand the Bacolodnons their fourth defeat against one win.

Adven Diputado scored 15, Hance Lleva 14, and Jeremy Cruz and Arvie Bringas 13 each for Bacolod.

Powered by Marion Magat, the Tamaraws led from the start and stormed ahead at 87-56, late in the third quarter, before coasting to a 3-3 slate.

The 6-foot-7 Magat had 17 points and 10 rebounds and was chosen the best player over Jayvee Dela Cruz, with 11 points and 5 rebounds, Joseph Sedurifa, with 10 points. 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and Fil-Am Ashon Andrews, with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Sarangani skidded to 0-6 despite Larce Sunga’s 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists; Coy Alves’ 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Carl Bryan Lacap’s 13 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

The Black Bulls rallied from a 63-75 deficit and banked on a short jumper by Jake Agoncillo with 7.1 seconds left to nip the Risers and climb to 4-3.

MJ Joson shone for Quezon City with 16 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals, and so did Pat Buena with 16 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Agoncillo finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds.

Bataan tumbled to 1-5 despite the double-digit outputs of Hubert Cani and four other Risers. Cani tallied 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, homegrown Dante Paguio 11 points and 3 rebounds, and Carl Bringas, Yves Sazon and Chris Javier with 10 points each.

The Preseason goes to the Caloocan Sports Complex on Thursday, with games pitting Muntinlupa against Marikina at 3 p.m., Pasay against Quezon Province at 5 p.m., and Zamboanga SiKat against Caloocan at 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Altamirano takes helm of UP women’s basketball

VETERAN mentor Eric Altamirano is back on the collegiate sidelines, marking his return to coaching 12 years after steering the National University Bulldogs and ending their long title drought.

This time, however, Altamirano comes home.

The former UAAP champion has taken over the University of the Philippines women’s basketball team for Season 89 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, embracing what he describes as a fullcircle moment in his career.

“I’ve come full circle. This is my way of giving back to the school that gave me the opportunity to start my playing career and coaching career,” said Altamirano.

Altamirano etched his name in UP lore when he helped lead the Fighting Maroons to the 1986 UAAP men’s basketball championship alongside legends Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc. A decade after retiring as a player, he returned to coach the UP men’s team in 1996 before moving on to the Philippine Basketball Association.

In the professional ranks, Altamirano handled powerhouse squads such as Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Mobiline Phone Pals, and Coca-Cola Tigers, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s respected tacticians.

Over the last three years, Altamirano has immersed himself in women’s basketball — a shift he says reignited his passion for coaching.

“I’ve been involved with women’s basketball for the last three years and I fell in love with it. There’s this certain challenge to help women’s basketball continue its rise, most especially for my alma mater,” he said.

He was formally introduced to the Lady Maroons on Wednesday, taking charge of a squad bannered by Gilas Pilipinas Women standouts Louna Ozar and Camille Nolasco, along with veteran shooter Kaye Pesquera. Peter Atencio

MELBOURNE—Lewis Hamilton revealed Thursday he was working on a sequel to the blockbuster Brad Pitt film ‘F1: The Movie’, with a script being written.

The film released last year starred Pitt and Damson Idris and was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who made ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ among others.

Producers included Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time world champion Hamilton.

“We are already working on the first script,” the Ferrari driver said in Melbourne ahead of the seasonopening Australian Grand Prix.

“We had our first meeting maybe midto-late the second part of the end of the year -- me, Jerry and Joe talking about different ideas, different directions that we could go with the script.

“So it’s really exciting. I’m super excited. Now I’ve been through it, and it was already very intense the first time going. Now I’m used to it. So I know what to expect.” In the first film, Pitt played a grizzled veteran brought in to shore up a foundering Formula One team run by his one-time teammate, played by Javier Bardem.

The team’s talented rookie driver (Idris) resented the older man, with their difficult relationship forming the emotional backbone. AFP

Eala makes Paribas Open debut in doubles with Jovic

FILIPINA sensation

Alexandra Eala begins her 2026 BNP Paribas Open journey in the doubles’ competition, reuniting with American partner Iva Jovic at the sprawling Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Eala and Jovic are scheduled to play on March 6, with match time set at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time (4:00 a.m. Manila time), against the wildcard pair of Hailey Baptiste and Jeļena Ostapenko.

With Indian Wells known as “Tennis Paradise,” thousands are expected to pack the stadium courts, where daily attendance often swells into thousands across the venue, creating a grand-stage atmosphere for Eala’s main-draw debut.

A win would propel the Eala-Jovic tandem into a potential second-round showdown against either Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva or the fourth-seeded duo of Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai.

After her doubles’ opener, Eala shifts focus to singles play, where she enters as the tournament’s 31st seed and receives a first-round bye.

She is slated to play her Round of 64 match next, tentatively in an evening session expected to draw another large crowd, against either Zhang Shuai or Dayana Yastremska.

The 20-year-old Filipina, now ranked a career-high

INDIAN WELLS—Former cham-

pion Carlos Alcaraz aims to extend his perfect start to 2026 at Indian Wells while Jannik Sinner returns to the California desert seeking to fill a gap in his resume with his first title of the year.

The world’s top two players headline a stellar men’s field for the ATP and WTA Masters 1000 tournament, where Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic is chasing a record sixth title, which would see him break out of a tie with Swiss great Roger Federer for the most in tournament history.

Spain’s Alcaraz, 22, made history last month when he lifted the Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

He won the Qatar Open to arrive Stateside riding a 12-match winning streak to start the year.

The top seed could face a tricky second-round opener against either former world number three Grigor Dimitrov or in-form left-hander Terence Atmane, with third-seeded Djokovic also looming in his half of the draw.

Sinner will play Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina, who beat Australian James Duckworth 6-2, 6-4 as first-round action got underway on Wednesday.

Italy’s Matteo Berrettini booked a second-round meeting with fourthseeded German Alexander Zverev,

Filipinas

By Peter Atencio

ROBINA, Gold Coast—The

Philippine

women’s national football team tried to shake things up, but the South Korean Taeguk Ladies proved a class above, carving out a 3-0 victory Thursday in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 at the Cbus Super Stadium.

The loss left the Filipinas in a precarious position in Group A, absorbing their second straight defeat, while South Korea secured back-to-back wins to claim the solo lead heading into the knockout stage.

The Philippines sorely missed veteran midfielder Jacklyn Sawicki, who was sidelined by a bruised knee sustained in training. Her absence was evident as the Filipinas struggled to control the midfield and contain Korea’s early surge.

“She could probably have played.

But we also have to consider that if we have to get out of this group, we want Jackie to be at her best,” said coach Mark Torcaso, who opted to field younger replacements.

South Korea struck twice in the

beating France’s Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. Sinner missed Indian Wells last year serving a suspension for a positive test for banned anabolic steroid clostebol. He returned from that ban to win Wimbledon and the ATP Finals but fell to Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-

fall to Koreans,

finals and lost to Jakob Mensik in the quarters at Doha last month.

Although he professed himself satisfied with his season so far, Sinner said Tuesday he was trying to maximize his potential.

“It has been a very hard practice week here for me,” he said. “We spent

Alcaraz unbeaten run under threat from Sinner, Djokovic

a first Indian Wells title, having fallen in last year’s final to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva and in 2023 to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina -- who beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final to claim a second Grand Slam crown.

Sabalenka, back in action for the first time since that Australian Open disappointment, will open her campaign against Japanese qualifier Himeno Sakatsume, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over US wild card Alycia Parks, with Japanese star Naomi Osaka and hardhitting American Amanda Anisimova in her quarter. Third-seeded Rybakina says the desert conditions can pose unique challenges, with big differences between day and night matches and slower courts making for longer rallies. AFP

face must-win clash vs. Iranians

opening 15 minutes, setting the tone early. Jeon Yu-gyeong broke through the defense and lofted a volley over goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel for her first international goal in just her third cap.

Moments later, Korea doubled the lead as Park combined with Choo down the left flank before curling a superb finish into the top corner for another maiden international strike. A third goal was briefly threatened in the 20th minute but was ruled offside.

The Taeguk Ladies sealed the result in the 56th minute when Kim Shin-ji’s corner found Mun Eun-ju in the box, with Kim finishing from close range for her fifth international goal.

“We made adjustments to make sure that we would score goals in the first half,” said Korean coach Shin Sangwoo, whose side now sits comfortably atop the group.

Carleigh Frilles provided a rare bright spot for the Filipinas, unleashing a left-footed volley just before halftime, but Korean keeper Kim Min-jung denied the attempt.

February inflation hit 13-month high of 2.4%

By Thony Rose Lesaca

PHILIPPINE inflation climbed to a 13-month high of 2.4 percent in February 2026, led by an uptick in food prices and housing costs, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday.

The headline consumer price index rose from 2.0 percent in January 2026 and surpassed the 2.1 percent rate recorded in February 2025. The latest figure represents the fastest pace of price growth since January 2025, when inflation reached 2.9 percent.

This also brought the average inflation in the first two months of 2026 to 2.2 percent, still within the government’s 2 percent to 4 percent inflation target for 2026 and 2027.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the latest inflation print falls within its forecast of 2.3 percent to 3.1 percent for the month.

DTI rolls out P2-b fund to help OFWs start businesses

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched a P2billion fund on Thursday to provide financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking to establish businesses upon their return to the country.

The OFW Negosyo Fund, managed through the DTI-Small Business Corp. (SBCorp), aims to strengthen economic resilience as global volatility and conflicts in regions like the Middle East lead to sudden worker displacements.

Starting March 12, 2026, returning Filipinos can access capital to transition from remittances to productive local investments.

Under the program, qualified individuals can apply for loans ranging from P30,000 to P20 million. The facility mirrors the flexible terms of the Women’s Enterprise Fund, offering a grace period of 1 year on both capital and interest payments for eligible products.

Repayment schedules extend up to 5 years, and the agency will waive collateral requirements for loans amounting to P5 million or less.

“We are committed to opening doors for OFWs ready to come home and invest in their own country, especially when external crises force their hand,” DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said.

“The Monetary Board will remain vigilant and continue to be guided by incoming data. The BSP is also closely monitoring recent developments in the Middle East to the extent that the rise in the price of oil leads to broader price pressures. The BSP will ensure that policy settings remain in line with its pursuit of price stability conducive to sustainable growth and development,” the BSP said.

Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said the third straight monthly uptick in consumer prices signals the build-up of upside risks despite a manageable

inflation, particularly if global oil supply disruptions persist.

“From a policy standpoint, I still see room for one more 25-basis-point BSP rate cut in 2026, but policymakers will need to stay data-dependent,” said Ravelas.

The Philippine government will take the necessary steps to keep inflation manageable and address the volatility of oil prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

The PSA attributed the upward trend primarily to the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index, which climbed to 1.8 percent from 1.1 percent the previous month. Within the food basket, the surge was largely fueled by a slower annual decline in rice prices, which fell 3.4 percent in February compared to an 8.5 percent drop in January.

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Wednesday welcomed the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 113, which directs a wholeof-government approach to support the drafting and implementation of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism/ Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS) 2026-2030.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, by the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., signed the memorandum on Feb. 12. The order

assigns the AMLC to provide technical and administrative support, set timelines and monitor the compli

ance of agencies in preparing the updated NACS. Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities are also instructed to align their institutional action plans for the NACS 2026-2030.

The move follows the completion of the Philippines’ third national risk assessment covering 2021 to 2024. That assessment identified priority threats within the current system and

recommended risk-based measures to strengthen the framework against money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

The AMLC was designated as the secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering/ Counter-Terrorism Financing/Counter-Proliferation Financing Coordinating Committee.

Once finalized and approved, the NACS 2026-2030 will serve as the principal policy roadmap as the country prepares for its fourth mutual evaluation by the Asia/Pacific Group

THE Philippines and South Korea signed two agreements on Wednesday to strengthen trade, investment and innovation cooperation during the state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The first agreement was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) upgrading the Joint Commission on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation. The bilateral platform is designed to expand trade, accelerate investments and deepen industrial collaboration between the two countries. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and South Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy officials signed the agreement during the PhROK Business Forum at the Conrad Hotel. “This MOU reinforces the strategic character of our partnership with Korea. By institutionalizing a more responsive and forward-looking cooperation mechanism, we ensure that trade and investment remain central pillars of a resilient and future-ready Philippine economy,” DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said. The two nations also signed an MOU on intellectual property cooperation between the DTI and the South Korea Ministry of Intellectual Property. The deal aims to support startups and micro, small and medium enterprises in transforming ideas into globally competitive products. Othel V. Campos

in February 2026 Inflation in January 2026 Inflation in February 2025

on Money Laundering in 2027. The 2027 evaluation will assess technical compliance with the 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and effectiveness across 11 immediate outcomes.

“The AMLC looks forward in actively engaging with concerned agencies, LGUs, and GOCCs in the drafting process and aligning their institutional plans with national priorities under the NACS 2026-2030,” the council said in a statement.

Thony Rose Lesaca

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is proposing term limits for broker-directors on exchange boards to bolster governance and broaden participation in the nation’s capital markets. According to a draft memorandum circular released for public comment, the SEC said broker-directors would be elected for one-year terms but could only serve a maximum cumulative period of 10 years, whether consecutive or intermittent.

A broker-director who has served a total of five years should also observe a two-year cooling-off period before running again for the same position.

The regulator noted that any service exceeding six months would be counted as 1 full year when computing a director’s tenure.

Broker-directors represent trading participants or brokerage firms authorized to operate as brokers or brokerdealers in an exchange.

In the local bourse, the 15-man Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) board consists of a president-director, five broker-directors and nine nonbroker directors. Current PSE broker-directors include Diosdado Arroyo, Eddie Gobing, Anthony Te, Wilson Sy and Ma. Vivian Yuchengco.

The SEC said the proposed rule aims to “promote fair representation and give more qualified brokers the opportunity to serve on the governing board of an exchange.”

Local shares bounce back as inflation meets targets

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOCAL shares bounced back Thursday, jumping more than 1 percent as investors hunted for bargains following the previous day’s steep decline.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index rallied 72.69 points, or 1.15 percent, to close at 6,380.53, while the broader all shares index advanced 40.37 points, or 1.16 percent, to 3,525.99.

Analysts said the index rose on expectations that geopolitical tensions will ease after the Iranian government expressed willingness to negotiate with the United States.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi also climbed after the February inflation rate arrived in line with market estimates and within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Headline inflation hit a 13-month high of 2.4 percent in February 2026, driven by rising food and housing costs. The consumer price index rose from 2 percent in January 2026 and surpassed the 2.1 percent rate recorded in February 2025. Ricafort noted the index also tracked U.S. stocks, which ended higher on mostly better-than-expected economic data.

All sectors closed higher, led by mining and oil, which climbed 1.92 percent, and services, which rose 1.87 percent.

Value turnover reached P6.25 billion. Foreign investors remained net sellers, with outflows totaling P198 million. Advancers led losers 125 to 72, while 59 stocks ended unchanged.

Belle raises

PCC clears DoubleDragon deal

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) approved DoubleDragon Corp.’s acquisition of shares in MerryMart Consumer Corp., clearing the transaction ahead of its Phase 1 review deadline.

The regulator’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office (MAO) determined the deal is unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in the markets for commercial and warehouse space leasing.

P280m through

LISTED gaming and property firm Belle Corp. has raised P280 millionfrom the sale of 200 million treasury shares through a block sale to generate fresh capital and monetize dormant assets.

In a disclosure, the company said its board of directors previously approved the sale of the shares, which were priced at 1.40 pesos each.

Pacific Online Systems Corp. purchased the shares for a total value of about P280 million. Belle said the proceeds would partly fund upcoming projects while allowing the firm to unlock value from treasury shares previously held on its books.

Belle, which owns the land occupied by the integrated resort and casino City of Dreams Manila, earlier announced plans to build a hotel and casino in Clark, Pampanga.

The transaction will increase Belle’s public float by 1.12 percent to approximately 45.71 percent.

In a separate disclosure, Pacific Online confirmed the acquisition of the 200 million treasury shares at the same price of P1.40 apiece. The deal is valued at more than 10 percent of the company’s total consolidated assets, based on its latest audited financial statements.

Belle’s share price closed Thursday at P1.41, up 0.71 percent. Jenniffer B. Austria

The assessment focused on areas where DoubleDragon subsidiaries CityMall Commercial Centers and CentralHub Industrial Centers currently operate.

DoubleDragon is a diversified real estate developer with interests in retail complexes, office spaces, industrial facilities and hospitality. MerryMart is a fast-growing retail chain that operates supermarkets and convenience stores across the country.

The MAO found that strong competitors in both upstream and downstream markets would effectively prevent the merged entities from engaging in input foreclosure. This ensures that rivals would maintain access to necessary facilities and prevents customer foreclosure that could limit consumer choice in the

The antitrust body’s evaluation covered upstream markets, including the supply of commercial spaces and general warehouse facilities, alongside downstream markets comprising grocery and convenience stores.

During the review process, the commission conducted consultations with industry stakeholders, including major retail competitors, customers and relevant government agencies.

Both DoubleDragon and MerryMart were founded by entrepreneur Edgar Sia II.

While specific financial terms were not disclosed in the clearance notice, the companies previously indicated that the synergy would bolster their respective expansion plans in provincial hubs.

treasury share sale to fund Clark expansion

WOMEN entrepreneurs in Muntinlupa are set to expand their reach and impact following the modernization of the Muntinlupa Training and Resource Center for Women.

The Department of Agriculture, through its KADIWA Financial Grant Assistance Program, released P2.5 million for the expansion. The city government added P1.5 million, bringing the total investment to P4 million.

The renovated facility now features modern meat and fish processing equipment, allowing local women’s cooperatives to produce preservative-free tapa, tocino, longganisa, milkfish (bangus), and other value-added products.

The upgrade is intended to strengthen food safety compliance, improve product quality, and enhance market competitiveness.

Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, Department of Agriculture assistant secretary for agribusiness, marketing, and consumer affairs, said the program empowers women as key drivers of local economic growth.

“This is a concrete step to empower women, enhance income, and strengthen food security in the community,” she said.

Senator Imee Marcos also lauded the program as a catalyst for women-led enterprises, while Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon noted that the facility promotes skills development, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term community growth.

STI’s six-month income rose 18% to P1.08b

in enrollment.

The education arm of STI Holdings chairman Eusebio Tanco disclosed that gross revenues in six months ending December 2025 rose 8 percent to P2.83 billion from P2.63 billion a year earlier.

Total enrollment for school year 2025–2026 reached 132,941 students, slightly lower than the 139,155 enrollees recorded the previous year.

The company attributed the dip to the earlier start of classes in public junior and senior high schools on June 16, 2025, which preceded the July 28 opening of classes at STI Education Services Group (STI ESG) schools and STI West Negros University (STI WNU).

Enrollment in tertiary programs climbed to 102,407 from 101,256 in the prior school year even as the overall student count decreased.

The number of students in Commission on Higher Education-regulated programs who chose to remain within the group’s school network rose 14 percent to 73,421 from 64,429 a year earlier.

Performance varied across individual institutions within the group. STI WNU in Bacolod City posted a 3-percent increase in enrollment to 14,890 students.

The Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), managed by STI ESG, saw a 45-percent increase in enrollment to 1,583 from 1,095 the previous year. Specialized institution iACADEMY recorded 1,899 enrollees across its Makati and Cebu campuses. STI Holdings said it continues to invest in programs aimed at producing job-ready graduates, including specialized platforms for cybersecurity and computer-aided design for criminology and information and communication technology courses. The firm also provided Adobe Creative Cloud licenses for its multimedia arts program. Jenniffer B. Austria

Transport group seeks refund of computer fees

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Federated Land Transport Organizations of the Philippines is calling on the Land Transportation Office to refund P169 million in computer fees paid by public utility vehicle operators since Jan. 28, 2025.

The group, known as FELTOP, filed a second graft complaint March 5, 2026, with the Office of the Ombudsman against former LTO chief Vigor Mendoza and Stradcom Corp. president Anthony Quiambao. The complaint alleges violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

FELTOP, which represents more than 60,000 small and independent PUV operators, claims Mendoza showed “undue favoritism” toward Stradcom. The group alleged this preferential treatment led to the collection of more than P169 millionin computer fees from approximately 1 million PUVs between January 2025 and February 2026.

“The amount reportedly covers approximately 1 million PUVs registered under the Stradcom IT system,” FELTOP said.

In its prayer for relief, FELTOP is urging the ombudsman to issue a 90day preventive suspension against Mendoza from his current position at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. It also seeks

DOE issues draft rules on gas supply auctions

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy has issued draft guidelines for conducting mid-merit natural gas capacity auctions for gas-fired power plants.

The DOE said a competitive auction is necessary to procure additional mid-merit natural gas capacities based on the projected power supply-demand outlook and system reliability requirements, particularly in the Visayas, Mindanao, and off-grid areas.

The agency stated that a centralized auction mechanism, tailored to the technical and commercial specifics of the natural gas sector, is the most efficient method to procure capacity in a transparent and competitive manner.

The DOE draft circular noted that simulations of the average daily load profile for 2023-2025 showed system flexibility constraints across the three grids. Existing natural gas-fired generation in Luzon is dispatched at relatively consistent levels throughout the day, performing both baseload and mid-merit functions.

According to the department, this indicates current natural gas capacity is insufficient to fully assume its intended mid-merit role. This requires coal-fired power plants to ramp beyond their normal technical operating limits to meet intraday load variations, increasing the risk of forced outages and adversely affecting system reliability.

In the Visayas and Mindanao, the absence of natural gas-fired generation leaves system flexibility largely dependent on coal- and oil-based generation. The simulations showed a need for an adequate supply of natural gas to support system flexibility, improve dispatch efficiency, and enable natural gas to fulfill its intended transition role.

The natural gas capacity to be auctioned will be determined by the Natural Gas Auction Committee, assisted by a technical working group, based on the latest Power Development Plan simulations. The capacity must align with objectives for energy security, system reliability, and the efficient use of available natural gas resources.

an order for the refund of all computer fees paid by PUV operators since Jan. 28, 2025.

In a statement, Mendoza defended his record, saying his “aggressive policy reforms geared towards fast and comfortable services” while at the LTO “cut deep into the interests of some individuals and groups.”

“I respect and welcome the decision of a self-proclaimed transport group to bring the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman since this is the proper forum to shed light into this old and recycled issue,” Mendoza said. “But there is one thing certain in the filing of this case: This is not about accountability, this is plain and simple desperation to get even.”

FELTOP spokesperson Jun Braga said the complaint seeks accountability, transparency, and protection for small transport operators who continue to bear additional costs.

The group said the P169 computer fee per transaction lacks clear justification and does not serve the public welfare.

DA orders nationwide review of farm inputs’ beneficiaries

By Othel V. Campos

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francis-

co Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered a nationwide survey of farmer-beneficiaries as the Department of Agriculture intensifies its investigation into alleged substandard seeds, questionable fertilizer grades, and faulty farm machinery distributed under government programs.

Even before the survey began, Tiu Laurel said the department’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority had already investigated and is preparing initial legal actions against two fertilizer firms in the Caraga Region for violating agency regulations.

“We want to hear from the actual beneficiaries. If there are issues in

the after-sales service or any defects in the machinery, they will all be revealed in the survey,” he said, stressing that the agency cannot rely solely on unverified complaints, even as allegations of corruption and graft have surfaced.

The complaints, lodged by a farmers’ group, are being taken seriously, although routine audits have not flagged systemic irregularities.

Tiu Laurel has ordered a more thorough investigation, aiming to complete it within March and submit a formal report to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and congressional oversight committees after Holy Week.

The survey will engage recipients of machinery, post-harvest facilities, seeds, and fertilizers from the DA and

10,

backed by accurate data.

Isuzu PH delivers 20 TRAVIZ L units to Lambunao

ISUZU Philippines Corp., together with partner dealer Isuzu Iloilo, has turned over 20 Isuzu TRAVIZ L units to the municipality of Lambunao, Panay, to support barangay-level services.

The TRAVIZ L, known for its maneuverability and versatility, will be deployed for emergency response, disaster relief, health and social services, delivery of supplies, transport of personnel, and community projects. Each barangay can prioritize the vehicle’s use based on its most urgent needs.

“This turnover highlights Isuzu Philippines’ long-standing commitment to uplifting local communities by supporting their essential operations daily. With the Isuzu TRAVIZ, dependable mobility is now more accessible to each barangay,” said Shunsuke

Yasui, Isuzu Philippines Corp. vice president for sales.

“We are confident that these units will make a positive impact by strengthening public service operations — whether in emergency response, health programs, or community initiatives,” Yasui added.

Lambunao Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Mary Floridette Yu said the partnership is significant to the efficiency of the municipality’s frontline teams, enabling faster response to community needs and improved delivery of essential services. Designed to navigate narrow roads and rural pathways, the TRAVIZ L can carry personnel, equipment, or supplies, making it a multipurpose asset for local governments.

attached agencies, including the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

“The goal is to replace anecdote with verifiable data. We are not sweeping anything under the rug. If there are shortcomings or wrongdoings, we will address them,” Tiu Laurel said, noting reports of isolated breakdowns, including a Chinesebrand combine harvester.

Suppliers with weak service networks or contract violations could face penalties or blacklisting, he added. The review also covers seeds and fertilizers following the introduction of intervention monitoring cards, or IMCs, under an improved system for more transparent and accountable fertilizer distribution.

NOTICE

AboitizPower earns P19.5b

By Alena Mae S. Flores

AThe company disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange that core net income would have been 2 percent higher year-on-year if it excluded the impact of depreciation and interest expenses from GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co., which the company only began recognizing in March 2024. Including foreign exchange and derivative gains and the partial impair-

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT Group said Thursday it blocked 83,000 attempts to access illegal child-related content and exploitation materials in January 2026, down 50 percent from the same period in 2025.

It said that by the end of January, the number of blacklisted URLs and illicit online child-related content identified by PLDT and Smart had grown to 2 million since the 2021 launch of the group’s Child Protection Platform.

The company said it continues to monitor digital spaces to prevent the spread of images depicting online child sexual abuse and exploitation.

“As technology enablers, PLDT and Smart recognize their role in providing a safe digital space that allows children to grow and pursue their passions,” PLDT and Smart first vice president and head of public engagement Roby Alampay said.

He said the group’s pioneering blocking tool has empowered them to clamp down on the accessibility of such materials.

Beyond its internal platforms, PLDT Enterprise supports the Council for the Welfare of Children’s MAKABATA Helpline 1383.

The central reporting system received over 1,000 reports in 2024 involving sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, allowing for coordination with local authorities.

In 2025, PLDT Enterprise teamed up with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection to launch Unified 911.

Hosted on the ePLDT Pilipinas Cloud, the system integrates voice, digital and video reporting with GPS tracking to accelerate emergency response. Alampay said technology alone is not the solution. “But we go beyond technology in protecting children. We work with parents, schools, communities and government to raise awareness on OSAEC and collaborate with partners who champion children’s rights and safety,” he said.

ment of GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co., reported net income for 2025 stood at P19.5 billion. This represents a 43-percent drop from the P33.9 billion reported in 2024.

Despite the bottom-line figures, AboitizPower said it generated P79.6 billion in beneficial earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for 2025, up 9 percent

from P73.3 billion the previous year.

The company said fresh contributions from Chromite Gas Holdings Inc. and the delivery of new solar plants, including the 159 megawattpeak Laoag, 45MWp Armenia and 173MWp Calatrava facilities, helped drive performance.

Increased contracted capacity in the second half of 2025 also helped offset weaker spot market prices.

Energy sold by the generation and retail supply business totaled 43,718 gigawatt-hours (GWh) for the full year 2025, a 21-percent increase from 36,004 GWh in 2024.

Energy sales from the distribution business rose 4 percent year-on-year to 6,927 GWh.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, AboitizPower reported beneficial EBITDA of P23.3 billion, up 35 percent from P17.2 billion in the same period of 2024.

The growth was attributed to higher margins in the generation segment due to increased contracted capacity.

Strong EBITDA performance resulted in a fourth-quarter core net income of P10.0 billion, a 54-percent rise from P6.5 billion in 2024.

After accounting for impairments, foreign exchange losses and other non-recurring items, the company recorded a net loss of P3.9 billion in the final quarter, reversing a P6.6-billion net income posted in the same period of 2024.

THE head of the country’s leading digital asset platform has called on local legislators to modernize public collection systems, describing administrative friction as an “invisible tax” that drains community resources.

Coins.ph chief executive Wei Zhou told thousands of local officials at the 2026 Philippine Councilors League National Congress that outdated manual processes result in significant time loss for both citizens and government staff.

He said that relying on physical cash management and manual reconciliation leads to delayed financial reporting and inherent security risks that digital systems mitigate.

“Even a 1-percent inefficiency in a P500 million revenue base equals P5 million,” Zhou said.

“We must ask ourselves: How many scholarships is that? How many classrooms could that build? How

DOT bets on farm tourism to lift GDP

INBOUND visitors to the Philippines spend 17.1 percent of their budget on food and beverage services, underscoring the vital role of agriculture in the nation’s tourism expansion, the Department of Tourism said. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, speaking at the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference, said the subsector reinforces gastronomy as an emerging pillar of the Philippine economy. She said the integration of farms and fisheries into the travel industry strengthens supply chains and embeds rural communities within the tourism value chain.

“Gastronomy begins with our farms, our fisheries, and the communities that produce the food that defines our national table. Farm tourism connects agriculture, food, and travel. It strengthens supply chains, enables direct sourcing, and embeds rural communities within the tourism value chain,” Frasco said. The conference, organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism under President Mina Gabor, marks the launch of the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan 2026–2031. The multi-agency roadmap involving the tourism, agriculture, and trade departments aims to modernize infrastructure and market integration nationwide.

Othel V. Campos

PISI to update steel roadmap

THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) is finalizing a revised industry roadmap to drive growth, green steel initiatives and new product development, group president Joel Ronquillo said. Speaking on the sidelines of the Philippines-Republic of Korea Business Forum on Wednesday, Ronquillo said the revisions were made in response to a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for an updated industry plan. The new roadmap revises the initial steel plan submitted in previous years and is expected to be released within 2026.

“The new roadmap focuses on growth, green steel and new product development,” Ronquillo said.

many families could be supported? Small percentages become real consequences,” he said.

The push for digital transformation comes as retail payment behavior in the Philippines shifts rapidly. Citing a 2024 report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Zhou said that digital payments now account for 57.4 percent of retail payment volume. He said monthly QR Ph transactions processed by Coins grew from P559 million to P29.95 billion within a 12-month period in 2025.

Zhou positioned the platform as a partner for local government units seeking to optimize revenue collection for business permits and real property taxes. He said that digital infrastructure serves as “continuity infrastructure,” allowing financial operations to persist during typhoons or power outages when physical offices are forced to close.

IN BRIEF

The group’s technical working group is supporting the initiative through meetings with key government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance. The technical working group is also addressing persistent trade and standards issues such as smuggling, technical valuation and the proliferation of substandard products. The Federation of Korean Industries organized the forum in collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Othel V. Campos

Honda,Tamang Ride renew partnership HONDA Foundation Inc. (HFI) renewed its partnership with road safety advocacy movement Tamang Ride PH on Feb. 28, 2026 to expand safety education for children and novice road users. The memorandum of understanding allows HFI to utilize the network of A Child’s Trust is Ours to Nurture Inc. (ACTION) to reach younger audiences. The collaboration aims to provide consistent instruction on proper road practices and support Honda’s global 2050 target of achieving zero collision fatalities involving its vehicles. As an interim milestone, the company aims to reduce such fatalities by 50 percent by 2030. Following the signing, the two organizations conducted a Students on Safety workshop at Parañaque National High School in San Isidro Annex. The event followed the recent Kids on Safety program, which focused on children aged 7 to 10. The Students on Safety session targeted teenagers aged 16 to 18 to prepare them for their responsibilities as future drivers. The curriculum, designed by Tamang Ride PH, builds on the Honda Safety Driving Center Teen Smart program and serves as pre-licensing training for students approaching legal driving age. Othel V. Campos

choice

By Othel V. Campos

tourism markets.

The agency is diversifying its reach by participating in the Seoul International Travel Fair and the Korea International Boat Show. These appearances aim to highlight niche sectors such as marine tourism, diving, underwater sports and golf.

In Clark, the DOT is specifically expanding golf tourism while simultaneously promoting English as a Second Language programs and long-stay visitor options. While South Koreans continue to frequent the National Capital Region and the Visayas, officials are shifting focus toward experiential travel to deepen visitor engagement. Economic and cultural ties were further emphasized during the state visit of Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung. During talks at Malacañang Palace, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted Koreans’ growing appreciation for the country’s mangoes, tourist destinations and Filipino hospitality.

SANMAR Solar Inc. plans to spend P15.88 billion to integrate a 500-megawatt, 2,000-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) into its San Marcelino solar facility in Zambales province.

The company, a unit of ACEN Corp., told the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in a filing that it seeks to amend the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the project’s first three phases to include the storage system.

The San Marcelino plant currently has a total generating capacity of 587 megawatts across 611 hectares in Barangay Sta. Fe.

SanMar Solar, formerly known as Santa Cruz Solar Energy Inc., said the new system will be installed within the existing footprint of the facility.

“The proposed BESS will not result in any changes to the approved solar farm capacity or land area as it is planned to be installed within the approved project area,” the company said.

The project is designed to optimize the facility by storing energy during the

day to supply the grid when solar production is low or during peak demand. Power will be discharged through the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines 230-kilovolt Castillejos Substation to meet Department of Energy requirements for ancillary services.

“Without availability of ancillary services, the stability of the transmission capacity and the quality, reliability, and security of the power grid may be compromised,” the company said.

SanMar Solar is in the feasibility and engineering phase of the expansion. Construction and installation are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 and finish by the fourth quarter of 2027. The company expects to employ about 200 workers during the construction phase.

Commercial operations for the storage system are slated to begin in the first quarter of 2028. While phases 1 and 2 of the solar plant are already operational, phase 3 began construction in October 2025 and is expected to reach commercial operation by the third quarter of 2027.

TRANSPORT

PPA general-manager Jay Santiago

PPA monitors energy cargoes amid ME conflict

STATE-RUN Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said the country’s premier maritime gateways and all major terminals nationwide remain fully operational amid the rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane.

Despite international developments, the PPA confirms that domestic port operations continue without disruption, maintaining the steady flow of trade and maritime services across the archipelago.

The PPA said there are no direct operational or routing disruptions affecting Philippine ports at this time, even as developments abroad continue to influence certain international shipping passageways.

PPA general-manager Jay Santiago said shipments from the Middle East are largely energy-related.

He said the PPA continues to coordinate with shipping lines, port operators, and relevant government agencies to closely monitor global developments and ensure the uninterrupted flow of trade.

“We do have shipments that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, particularly those originating from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq. Exposure is primarily crude oil, refined petroleum products, and LNG,” Santiago said. There are also some petrochemicals and fertilizer imports, as well as limited containerized cargo from Gulf transshipment hubs such as Jebel Ali, but the bulk of the strategic exposure

is energy-related,” he added. Santiago said, however, traders may expect possible increases in freight service costs should tensions further escalate.

“There is no direct operational routing issue affecting our ports. However, any disruption in global shipping routes could affect freight rates, bunker costs, and eventually cargo volumes,” he said.

PPA also underscored the strength of the domestic port system, supported by sustained cargo growth. In 2025, cargo throughput rose by six percent to 307.64 million metric tons, driven by increased demand for construction materials and petroleum products. The growth reflects continued infrastructure activity and stable demand across key sectors of the economy.

The state-run port authority reiterated its commitment to closely coordinate with shipping lines, port operators and relevant government agencies to monitor global developments and ensure the uninterrupted movement of trade

DOTr, Muntinlupa City launch road safety park

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr), in partnership with the Muntinlupa City Government, recently inaugurated the agency’s first Road Safety Park. Located at the Tunasan Baywalk, this facility marks a pivotal step in the DOTr’s strategy to transform Philippine roads into safer, more inclusive, and people-centered spaces. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to intensify road safety measures and ensure inclusivity on the road.

“The President’s constant command to us is to make sure our roads are safe, not just for all motorists or pedestrians but for all people on the road,” Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said. The Road Safety Park is designed as a model infrastructure experience for the next generation of road users. With an area of 3,140 square meters located in Tunasan Baywalk, the park features simulated road networks, cycle lane classifications, a public transport stop, a road signage park, a stage area, and a viewing deck. It is very crucial to start road safety education early among children. Learning road signs at a young age

protects children especially when crossing the streets and makes them responsible drivers in the future.

“Road safety has not become a culture of Filipinos. That’s why I agree with Mayor Ruffy Biazon. Right from the start, as part of the children’s

curriculum, there should be education. That should be included in what is discussed in our schools,” the transport chief stressed.

Road crash data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) consistently points to human error as the primary cause of road incidents. The Road Safety Park directly addresses this by cultivating a new generation of educated, safety-conscious drivers who understand not just the rules of the road, but the responsibility that comes with using it.

Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Rufino Biazon welcomed the initiative, expressing his deep appreciation for DOTr’s continued support.

“Well we are very thankful for their support and the direction of the DOTr which is towards active mobility and also road safety has been good because that is the call of the times. Gone are the days when we were carcentric,” Biazon said.

through Philippine ports.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said it is closely monitoring the navigational status of all Philippine-Registered Overseas Fleet (PROF) vessels operating in international waters.

In response, MARINA has issued Advisory No. 2026-08, directing shipping companies to implement stringent security protocols based on international maritime guidelines, emphasizing the need for a strict radio watch and constant coordination with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations ( UKMTO and other maritime authorities while navigating the region. Vessels are also required to monitor NAVTEX and relevant navigational warnings for real-time updates on safety zones and naval operations, while ensuring that any incidents, observed military activity, or suspicious approaches are immediately reported to the MARINA Overseas Shipping Service. Darwin G. Amojelar

DOTr to plant 690,000 trees in Pampanga and Cavite watersheds

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to plant approximately 690,000 trees starting this July across key watersheds in Pampanga (Sapangbato, Angeles City and Sacobia, Mabalacat City) and Maragondon, Cavite.

This initiative serves as a core component of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project’s Greening Program.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez approved the tree planting in the Pampanga and Cavite watersheds as part of the NSCR Greening Program.

“As we complete the construction of major transportation projects, it is our responsibility to protect the

environment. We will plant trees to replace the trees cut down as a result of the construction of such projects,” Lopez said.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Right of Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas, conducted an ocular visit at the two proposed greening sites on Friday, February 27, with representatives from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and people’s organization Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI).

With a Tree Cutting Permit for the NSCR Calamba Extension Project

DPWH fast-tracks Marikina flood control projects

PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon expects a significantly smoother flow for the Marikina River, with floodwaters receding faster once the comprehensive dredging, cleaning, and widening of local waterways are completed.

During a recent inspection of the Marikina River flood control project, Dizon emphasized the need for a synchronized and rapid approach to infrastructure maintenance.

“That’s why we need to finish the projects [repairing waterways] quickly. That’s why everything we’re doing now, we’re dredging, we’re fixing the gaps in the dikes, we’re fixing the drainages so that the water can flow faster into the rivers,” Dizon said.

“We need to do all of that together and we need to do it quickly,” he added.

Dizon emphasized that once the projects in Sumu-

long Drainage, Balanti Creek, Manila Water Site are completed and the issue of right-of-way in the Pasig–Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) Phase V, which is connected to the Marikina River, is resolved, it will speed up the flow of water into the river, which in turn will help in the rapid subsidence of floods in Marikina.

Dizon added that the DPWH will also complete various projects that have been pending for four to five years this year from 2026 to 2027.

He reiterated the directive to prioritize funding and completion of pending projects before launching new projects. This is to ensure smooth implementation, avoid delays, and promptly deliver to the public the benefits of these projects such as easing traffic flow and speeding up travel.

issued by the DENR, the transport agency is mandated to implement a Greening Program to mitigate the environmental or ecological impact of tree cutting during the construction phase, while preserving natural resources for future generations.

Since 2024, the DOTr is targeting to plant a total of 1.2 million seedlings in 18 sites across Bulacan and Pampanga as part of the Greening Program for NSCR. The initiative involves seedling procurement and delivery, plantation establishment, maintenance and protection, validation activities, and project management and supervision, according to Asec. Calaguas.

PAL rolls out 85th anniversary seat sale

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) is offering limited-time fares at just P85 for domestic flights and $85 for international routes as part of its 95th anniversary seat sale. Travelers can look forward to experiencing the comfort and care of a full-service airline, complete with PAL’s signature onboard service, at special anniversary rates. Discover great domestic fares— starting at just P85—that make it easier for Filipinos to reconnect with loved ones, explore vibrant

Iloilo, or Ozamiz.

Travelers eyeing regional getaways can likewise look forward to exceptional offers to popular Asian cities, with fares of $85 including Hong Kong, Xiamen and Taipei, and $185 to Bangkok, Denpasar, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Meanwhile, those seeking longhaul adventures to the United States or Australia can take advantage of fares designed to bring meaningful trips, reunions, and memorable experiences.

PAL’s Anniversary seat sale invites travelers to experience the benefits of flying with a full-service airline. Enjoy comfort, reliable service, and genuine hospitality on every flight. With an extensive network, delicious in-flight meals, flexible schedules, and the signature “Care that Comes from the Heart,” PAL makes each journey relaxing and enjoyable— without the premium price.

Booking period runs from March 2 to 15, 2026, for

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

SHOWBIZ

Bryan Termulo takes a country turn

By Jasper Valdez

FOR years, Bryan Termulo ’s voice carried the emotional highs and lows of Philippine television dramas. As one theme song led to another, his voice became synonymous with the sound of primetime drama, a run that earned him the title “Prince of Teleserye Theme Songs.”

Now living in the United States, the Filipino singer is walking a different path, one that trades his familiar ballads for country music.

The shift is marked by the release of his single “Almost There,” a song that signals a new direction in his career. Termulo describes the move as a personal choice rather than a calculated jump.

After spending several years in Tennessee, where country music is woven into his everyday life, he decided to explore the genre, which he had long admired but never seriously pursued.

He acknowledges that the change may surprise some listeners who still largely associate him with their favorite teleserye songs. Still, he believes the fans who have followed his career from the beginning will understand.

“I don’t have any worries. I keep saying this over and over, this is what I want to do for now, and I’m simply testing the waters,” Bryan told Manila Standard Entertainment

“I believe that if fans are truly fans, they will understand you, and whatever you do, they will still support you. I’ve already performed this song many times during my livestreams [on TikTok]. Of course, people still request the teleserye theme songs, but when they finally heard this one, they were surprised, and they actually liked it.”

In recent years, Bryan has taken a more handson role in creating his music, producing songs independently while continuing to perform for Filipino communities abroad. The change in sound,

he said, also reflects how his outlook has evolved after years of working and living overseas.

Beyond the shift in genre, Bryan is also paying attention to how the music industry itself is changing. The growing use of artificial intelligence in songwriting and production is something he watches closely, even as he emphasizes the importance of the “human touch” in performance.

“In a way, it can kill the industry because some songwriters spend years creating a song, while with AI it can be generated in just a few seconds,” Bryan said.

“But sometimes we also have to adapt to changes. I feel it can still be used as a tool. At the end of the day, though, I know I can sing and create a song with real emotion and heart, something that AI can’t replicate.”

Although country music is strongly associated with American artists, Bryan does not see the genre as something limited to one culture. For him, exploring it is simply another way of telling stories through song.

“Right now I’m focused on producing songs in the country genre, but that doesn’t mean country music should only belong to American singers,” Bryan said.

“If [my song] becomes a hit, it would be something to be proud of, that a Filipino singer can also create country music. I can say that I am a country singer, but I am a Filipino singer as well.”

Myx follows the rise of the Washington Rizzards collective in a documentary series chronicling the realities of independent music

By Angelica Villanueva

STREAMING giant Netflix released the trailer for the upcoming comeback special of K-pop powerhouse BTS, offering fans a first look at the group’s much-anticipated return to the stage.

On Thursday, March 5, Netflix dropped the trailer, showing footage from 2022, when the seven-member group paused activities as members began their mandatory enlistment.

“We promised our fans that we’d be back,” said RM, the group’s leader. The teaser then shows his fellow members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook dressed in black outfits at Gwanghwamun Square, where their comeback stage will take place.

“Seven together, we can do anything. Keep swimming,” RM continued.

MUSIC channel Myx will premiere a new documentary series following four Filipino American independent music artists as they navigate the underground scene and gain recognition worldwide.

Titled WRIZZARDS: Underground Uprising, the 13-episode weekly series spotlights the Washington Rizzards, or WRIZZARDS, a collective made up of J Matty, Bema Tadey, LEIF, and Tina Carzon

Based in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, the artists work across multiple genres and are gradually establishing themselves on the global stage.

Filmed over two years, the series captures the artists’ journey from basement rehearsals to

headlining local venues, highlighting both the highs and lows of independent music. It also explores the pressures and challenges that test their resilience.

WRIZZARDS: Underground Uprising will premiere on April 18, Saturday, at 7:00 p.m. in the Philippines and the U.S., 7:00 a.m. in Dubai, and 1:00 p.m. in Guam. Episodes will be available live and on demand on YouTube via the Myx channel, cable, IPTV, iWant, and myx. global.

New episodes will air every Saturday on cable through SkyCable channel 23, Cignal channel 150, Satellite channel 111, GSat channel 35, Cablelink channel 41, and across 160 cable

The performance will be streamed globally on Netflix on March 21 at 7:00 p.m. PST. The comeback stage will feature songs from the Arirang, scheduled for release on March 20. It marks the group’s comeback album since “Proof” in 2022. The live performance will also be documented in BTS: The Return, a film about the making of the album, arriving on Netflix on March 27. The group is also preparing for the Arirang world tour beginning in April, with a Philippine stop planned for March 2027. Kathryn Bernardo seen out with Mayor Mark Alcala

By Jasper Valdez

ACTRESS Kathryn Bernardo is once again the subject of online buzz after a video showing her with Mark Alcala, mayor of Lucena City, began circulating across social media.

The short clip, first posted on TikTok, shows Kathryn and Mark walking together inside a shopping mall. In the video, the two are also seen stopping to take photos with people who recognized them.

The sighting quickly fueled fresh speculation about the real score between the actress and the local official.

Online chatter intensified as netizens revisited earlier sightings and social media interactions involving the pair.

Kathryn remains one of the Philippines’ most bankable stars, known for blockbuster films and hit television projects that have built a massive fan following over the years. Despite the renewed buzz, Kathryn has not addressed the circulating video. Mark has also stayed silent as the clip continues to gain traction online, leaving fans and netizens guessing about the nature of their connection.

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

THERE are artists who just survive in the

and then there is Gary Valenciano, who has mastered the art of turning every trial into testimony.

Gary V remains

‘Unshaken’

In early December 2024, what was meant to be another successful concert night took an unexpected turn when a health emergency forced the show to be cut short. For many performers, that kind of interruption, especially in a sold-out venue, could have signaled a difficult season ahead. Instead, just weeks later, Gary returned to the very same stage, armed with his doctors’ guidance and anchored by deep faith, delivering the full-length performance his audience had been waiting for. It was resilience on display. It was resolve at its finest.

A public romantic relationship lived under scrutiny, near-death experiences that would have understandably slowed anyone down, and a major health emergency that could have permanently disrupted his momentum have all happened. But none of these managed to derail him.

After more than four decades in the business, he remains alert, disciplined, and passionate. He fuels the fire, but he stands steady. He bends, but he does not break.

That kind of strong spirit defines his newest chapter.

This 2026, Gary V officially launches his inspirational podcast, UNSHAKEN with Gary V: Stories of Grit and Grace. Known as Mr. Pure Energy for his stage presence, he now embraces a quieter yet still very powerful platform. This time, the spotlight widens to include stories beyond his own.

Each episode features candid conversations with notable figures from different industries. The guests unpack their “shaking seasons,” or moments marked by doubt, loss, challenges, or personal breakthroughs. The podcast explores themes of perseverance, spiritual insight, mental health, and legacy. These are extraordinary exchanges that are not just interviews. They are rooted in vulnerability and reflection. Gary shares from his own well of experience while learning from the grit and grace of his guests.

If concerts move crowds, conversations move hearts.

The project also signifies a regional milestone through a major partnership. Manila Genesis joins forces with iHeartRadio under its Heart Radio Podcasts banner, in collaboration with Mammoth Media,

THE 7th Global Trends Business Leaders Awards night honored outstanding leaders and organizations whose passion, vision, and dedication continue to drive growth, uplift, and inspire many, and create lasting impact across different sectors.

The event, hosted by Francis Bonnevie, was held recently at Okada Manila.

The awards paid tribute to Mutya ng Pilipinas (MNP), Inc., one of the longest-running beauty pageant organizations in the country, and FAMAS, the film industry’s oldest existing award-giving body.

MNP, currently led by chairman Fred Yuson and president Quirino, was presented the Remarkable Legacy in Philippine Pageantry Award for its steadfast drive for growth, forward-thinking vision, and meaningful impact within the industry and beyond.

Founded in 1968, MNP sent representatives to Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific International (originally Miss Asia Quest) from 1977 to 1991, producing five winners in the latter. It held the Miss Tourism International franchise from 1975 to 2025, winning in six editions, and currently holds the franchises for Miss Intercontinental and Miss Environment International, among others.

FAMAS, established in 1952 as the local counterpart of the Oscar

Random Talk Kate Adajar

iHeart’s joint venture partner across Asia. The involvement of Mammoth Media is proof of the scale and ambition of the production, placing UNSHAKEN among the first original podcast initiatives from this powerful collaboration in the region. Executives, including Charlie Newberry of iHeart and Jay Faires, founder of Mammoth Media, were present at the official launch. They highlighted the importance of this venture not just for Gary, but for the evolving Asian podcast landscape. Episodes will premiere weekly in April on leading platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, extending Gary’s message beyond the concert stage. He lends his voice through another medium, not just singing.

The timing feels intentional.

Fresh from a highly successful 2025 filled with major concerts, advocacy tours, brand partnerships, and digital milestones, Gary proves that longevity may be about maintaining relevance, but it’s also about expanding purpose. Four decades in entertainment is a launchpad. His ability to be relatable across generations, both onstage and online, solidifies his place as one of the country’s most visionary performance artists.

The UNSHAKEN podcast launch also opens the 40th anniversary celebration of Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, the respected agency that has helped shape Philippine show business for decades. Known for mounting landmark productions and nurturing enduring talent, Manila Genesis’ milestone mirrors Gary’s own career, built on consistency, discipline, and faith.

As 2026 begins, it does so with clarity and conviction. Gary Valenciano’s 42-year journey has been marked by wins and losses, and applause and adversity. Yet through it all, he has chosen forward motion.

Perhaps that is the quiet power of being Gary V. It is the decision to rise above any challenge or adversity and dance to the tune of life, still unshaken.

For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@ gmail.com.

LOCAL ticketing company Ticket2Me marked its eighth anniversary with a refreshed platform and new features aimed at supporting event organizers and audiences in the Philippines. Founded in 2018, Ticket2Me has focused on simplifying ticketing for local promoters, venues, and communities. The platform was built to address issues its founders encountered while working as event producers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ticket2Me remained operational by introducing tools that allowed organizers to host and earn from online events. It also partnered with several fundraising efforts during the pandemic. These included donation initiatives linked to the office of former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, support for the Open House movement for Philippine theater workers, and campaigns for displaced workers in the film and performing arts sectors, as well as for emergency quarantine facilities in Metro Manila.

“Ticket2Me was the product of my own experiences as a theater fan, show buyer, and entertainment producer here in the Philippines. We will always be committed to supporting the Filipino creative industry,” said Ticket2Me founder and chair Attorney Darwin Mariano

To mark the milestone, the company introduced a redesigned user interface and new tools, including TicketFlex, a pay-whatyou-can pricing option, and TicketForward, a donation feature.

Other updates include customizable registration workflows designed for conferences and events that require participant information, waivers, or multiple entries.

Ticket2Me also introduced integration with Google Wallet for offline ticket access, improved mobile entry for venues, and options for organizers to sell vouchers and add-on merchandise. Buyers may also purchase tickets through staggered payment plans or through a guest mode that allows transactions without creating an account.

The company has also launched an influencer marketing program in which its communications team works with micro- and macroinfluencers to promote events through promotional codes and engagement campaigns.

Ticket2Me CEO Julie Bautista said the company plans to continue improving its platform and customer support as the events industry grows.

“We’re excited about the future of live events and the overall experience economy not just in the Philippines but in the region, and we at Ticket2Me are ready to play our part in that story,” Bautista said.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

By Kate Adajar

THE arrival of a new Disney cruise ship is always an occasion filled with storytelling, imagination, and celebration. The unveiling of the Disney Adventure carried an even more special meaning, as it marked the first time a Disney Cruise Line ship will sail from Southeast Asia and opened a new chapter for the brand’s global expansion.

In a grand christening ceremony that combined music, performance, and cinematic visuals, Disney Cruise Line formally welcomed the Disney Adventure to its rapidly growing fleet. The elegant showcase celebrated the beloved Disney stories, characters, and songs that guests will experience onboard.

The ceremony unfolded inside the ship’s grand Walt Disney Theatre, where guests were treated to a spectacular production that brought the magic of Disney storytelling to life. Regional vocalists and musicians filled the theater with familiar Disney tunes, enhanced by cutting-edge video effects and immersive visuals projected across screens surrounding the stage.

Leading the musical celebration were two internationally recognized artists: Hollywood Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductee Jed Madela and Dami Im, an international recording artist known for Eurovision. Backed by a powerful 23-piece orchestra, the performers guided audiences through a medley of beloved songs from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel.

The performances transformed the theater into a fully immersive experience. Visuals danced across the screens, synchronized with

an opportunity to immerse themselves in unforgettable ways and create memories that are uniquely Disney.”

The ceremony’s most memorable moment came with the traditional blessing of the ship, delivered by none other than Robert Downey Jr., who serves as the Disney Adventure’s official godparent. The actor, beloved worldwide for his role as

Disney Adventure makes spectacular Asian debut

the music, creating the feeling that the audience had stepped directly into the worlds of Disney animation and storytelling. Adding to the excitement were special appearances by Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, who joined the celebration to the delight of guests gathered for the event.

Among those taking the stage to commemorate the occasion were Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences and incoming chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, and Joe Schott president of Disney Signature Experiences. Together, they reflected on the significance of the new vessel and what it represents for Disney fans across the region.

“The Walt Disney Company has always been built on the power of storytelling and innovation—and Disney Cruise Line brings those values to life in extraordinary ways. Our cruise ships are ambassadors of our brand that carry joy, wonder, and enchantment to destinations around the world,” D’Amaro said.

He continued, “As our first ship to homeport in Asia, the Disney Adventure represents a new chapter for Disney Cruise Line and will introduce Disney to audiences who may be experiencing our magic for the very first time. It offers fans across this region

Unexpected winner: Rum crashes the gin party

By Nickie Wang

A RUM brand turned heads at a festival dedicated to gin. Tanduay took home the Best Booth Premium Category award at the Manila Gin Festival 2026, standing out among exhibitors with a display that mixed striking design, interactive experiences, and rum-focused cocktails.

The recognition came during the two-day event held at the BGC Amphitheater, where spirits brands showcased their latest offerings to enthusiasts and industry insiders.

“The festival attracts a knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd, making it the perfect place to showcase the range and versatility of our premium rum portfolio,” said Romadel Pamfilo, special projects unit head of Tanduay.

“Our main goal is to solidify Tanduay’s position as a premium rum brand. We want to show that we offer worldclass products, proudly made in the Philippines.”

Festival booths were judged on visual design, customer engagement, cocktail presentation, and overall experience. Tanduay’s booth featured cocktails crafted by mixologists from AKA Day/Night Drinks. On the first day, mixologist Rose Amor de Guzman

prepared four cocktails inspired by Filipino flavors, tropical notes, signature creations, and spirit-forward styles. On the second day, Jesus Pardillo presented another set of themed cocktails.

The drinks highlighted several of the brand’s expressions, including Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, Especia Spiced Rum, and Tanduay Double Rum. Visitors were also able to sample the rums neat.

“Serving our rums as cocktails and neat

Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, lent his voice to the ceremonial blessing that symbolizes good fortune for the vessel and its future voyages.

“I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the team at Walt Disney Imagineering, and I can tell you Adventure is the perfect name for what they’ve created,” Downey Jr. said. “Being the godparent of this majestic vessel is an honor, and I have some serious duties to perform, so let’s make it official, shall we?”

With playful flair, he cued the orchestra before delivering the traditional words that officially christened the ship.

“You bring the theme and I’ll bring the thunder,” he said, before declaring: “I christen thee, Disney Adventure. May God bless this ship and all who sail upon her.”

The ceremony ended with a grand finale as a multitude of beloved Disney characters joined the performers onstage for a lively rendition of “Let’s Set Sail,” a treasured Disney Cruise Line tradition that signals the start of new journeys at sea.

The Disney Adventure is the eighth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and its largest vessel to date. Its maiden voyage begins on March 10, launching an inaugural season of three- and four-night sailings designed for families and Disney fans of all ages.

The new ship also signals a period of growth for Disney Cruise Line. While the fleet now stands at eight ships, five additional vessels are planned to join by 2031. These will reflect Disney’s ambitious vision to bring its signature storytelling and immersive vacation experiences to more travelers around the world.

taste of the world without leaving Ortigas. Retail giant SM Supermalls is turning up the excitement at SM Megamall this 2026, rolling out a fresh wave of international brands making their first appearance in the Philippines.

From Seoul’s matcha craze to Tokyo-style hotpot and Hong Kong street food legends, the mall is stacking up global favorites under one roof.

For generations of Filipinos, Megamall has been a familiar weekend stop. Now the shopping landmark is dialing things up, packing its halls with new food, fashion, and lifestyle names that promise to keep crowds coming back for more.

allowed guests to experience the diverse characteristics, craftsmanship, and versatility of our rums,” Pamfilo said.

The company also previewed two upcoming releases, Tanduay Reserve Rum 10 Years and Tanduay Reserve Overproof, both already available in select international markets and scheduled for release in the Philippines.

Festivalgoers also sampled several of the brand’s rums, including Asian Rum Gold, Asian Rum Silver, Especia Spiced Rum, Double Rum, Reserve 10 Years, and Reserve Overproof. According to Pamfilo, many visitors responded positively to the tastings and were surprised to learn about the brand’s premium and exportgrade products.

“We remain committed to elevating everyday experiences by bringing in exceptional brands guided by our ‘all for you’ promise,” said Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing at SM Supermalls.

Food lovers can expect queues forming as three international names prepare to debut in the Philippines at Megamall.

From South Korea, matcha specialist Super Matcha is opening on the ground level of the Mega Fashion Hall in March 2026. The brand has built a loyal following in Seoul for its premium sugarfree matcha drinks and clean, minimalist concept.

Also arriving in March is Japanese hotpot chain Mo-Mo Paradise on the third level of the Mega Fashion Hall. Famous for its rich broths and thinly