Japan taps Meta to help search for abuse of Olympic athletesFacebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Suspect in murder of cop in septic tank arrestedThe arrest of Monjeanne Julian Salamat came a day after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) offered a reward of P1 million in exchange for information leading to the capture of the suspect. MANILA, Philippines — The alleged principal suspect in the murder of a member of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group, whose remains were dumped in a septic tank in Bulacan, was arrested in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Wednesday. After allegedly killing Casauay, Salamat and his companions hid the policeman’s body in a septic tank. Meanwhile, Garcillano refuted criticisms regarding the arrest of a son of a local journalist in connection with Casauay’s murder. Quoting extrajudicial confessions by two of the suspects, Garcillano said the journalist and his son were neighbors of Salamat.

5 nabbed for selling stolen fuel, smuggled cigarettesCAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Five people have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal trade activities in Batangas and Laguna. Four of the suspects – identified as Wilson Jay Mejia, 33; Jeff Moda, 41; Raymond Igaloy, 41, and Jumel Almerez, 24 – were allegedly engaged in selling fuel pilfered from trucks, according to the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Calabarzon. The suspects were collared in a sting in Barangay Lumbang in Calaca, Batangas on Thursday, which resulted in the seizure of petroleum products valued at P3 million. The fifth suspect, Angelo Senepete, 37, was arrested for allegedly selling smuggled cigarettes in Biñan, Laguna. CIDG-Calabarzon chief Lt. Col. Ali Ganaban said the arresting team seized from Senepete 10 boxes of illicit cigarettes worth P650,000.

2 overstaying Chinese arrested in TaclobanThe BI said that Zhu Fulin, 51, and Wu Huoyan, 53, were found to be overstaying and working despite having only tourist visas. MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese nationals have been arrested for violating immigration laws in Tacloban, Leyte, according to the Bureau of Immigration. The BI said that Zhu Fulin, 51, and Wu Huoyan, 53, were found to be overstaying and working despite having only tourist visas. Wu, whose visa expired in 2020, reportedly tried to pass himself off as a Filipino by presenting a Philippine identification card. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest highlighted the bureau’s stance against foreign nationals who abuse the country’s immigration system.

EDITORIAL — Corruption and joblessnessThe unemployment rate went up to 4.2 percent in 2025 from 3.8 percent in the previous year, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported yesterday. National Statistician Dennis Mapa attributed the higher unemployment rate to the slowdown in public construction projects due to the corruption scandal that continues to hound flood control and other state infrastructure projects. Business groups and analysts have given similar assessments on the impact of the corruption scandal on the construction sector and downstream economic enterprises. With these in mind, the government is resuming public works projects, including flood control interventions. Investigations have shown that the anomalies in DPWH projects have been going on for a long time.

Drilon to launch memoir ‘Being Frank’MANILA, Philippines — As another impeachment complaint against President Marcos moves through Congress, former Senate president Franklin Drilon is revisiting moments when the country last faced similar political tests in his autobiography. Drilon will launch on Feb. 9 “Being Frank: A Memoir,” a 254-page first-person account that traces his decades-long career in public service. The memoir covers major events in the country, political alliances, hard-won lessons and landmark laws that helped shape the country’s modern history. In one account, Drilon recalls receiving a series of phone calls in the days leading up to the Estrada impeachment trial. “I remember the phone calls – some pleading, others threatening; former allies questioned my loyalty, my motives, even my integrity,” Drilon narrated.

LTFRB summons 57 bus, PUV terminal operatorsMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has summoned 57 operators of terminals for passenger buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) over dilapidated facilities, the LTFRB said yesterday. What we are demanding is compliance with rules and regulations that enumerate the basic facilities on comfort and safety of passengers,” Mendoza said. He added that some operators were given cease and desist orders due to “gross” violations of the rules and regulations. Some bus terminals lack working comfort rooms, while others charge passengers for toilet use, he added. “We in the LTFRB need to step up and assert our mandate to safeguard passenger safety and ensure commuter convenience,” Mendoza said.

Counterfeit U.S. 100 dollar banknotes on the floor inside a compound in O'Smach used for scam operations, at the Chong Chom-O'Smach border crossing, which was bombed and occupied by the Thai military in December following clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Our kids must revoltWhy do Filipino babies grow to age 15 hardly knowing anything? Even if the Discayas commit suicide 10 times, that won’t be enough to compensate for the stunted growth and brain damage of two million Filipino kids a year. The P50 billion could have saved two million kids from malnutrition and brain damage that is almost permanent. One in four Filipino children experiences stunted growth or 23.6 percent; 5.6 percent are wasted, especially among the poorest. Now, can our kids revolt?

Luxury eco tourismIt might strike you as improbable because eco tourism conjures up images of backpacking and trekking in the forests. Eco tourism may also suggest living in a spartan way, in a pitched tent, cooking over portable stoves. But can you imagine luxe eco tourism? Janet’s chairman for this 12-year-old eco tourism site takes sustainability to heart. Imagine if many more islands are developed this way and we become the country with island destinations for eco and luxury tourism.

Dark clouds for Filipinos who want to study abroadThe internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) has been a major achievement of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over the past decade. However, dark clouds loom over Filipinos planning to study abroad, as several countries have begun restricting the entry of international students to their universities. These developments may also dampen foreign universities’ commitment to collaborate with Philippine HEIs on internationalization. I recently attended the “Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest” event organized by The Chronicle of Higher Education. As a result, six years after its passage, very few international universities have established campuses in the country.

Former president Noynoy Aquino abruptly cancelled public works projects because they had become infested with corrupt syndicates. Last year, after the flood control projects scandal blew up, government cancelled further funding for these – across the board. Government is obligated, by contracts signed, to pay for what has been duly rendered. Foreign assisted projects were moved to unprogrammed funds to create space for puny flood control projects. Failing to undertake the necessary public works projects will trap all of us in decrepit infrastructure.

President Marcos happy Impeachment ‘distractions’ overMANILA, Philippines — Describing impeachment complaints as “distractions,” President Marcos yesterday said that he was “happy” the charges against him had been junked. The House justice committee on Wednesday dismissed impeachment complaints against Marcos for “insufficiency in substance.”“I’m glad that, of course – I’m glad that the impeachment complaints against me have been – are finished,” the President told reporters. “Although I wasn’t very worried because I saw the impeachment complaint and I knew that we would be – that I would be all right in terms of the impeachment. Meanwhile, Marcos declined to comment on the impeachment charges filed against his ally-turned-arch critic, Vice President Sara Duterte. I’m sure they will handle it properly.”However, the Makabayan bloc denounced President Marcos for “belittling” the second impeachment complaint filed against him.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allocating P300 million this year to expand climate-resilient farming for high-value vegetables such as tomatoes, chili and bell peppers. The move aims to curb recurring price spikes triggered by weather-related supply disruptions, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday. Under the initiative, the DA will deploy rain shelters and simplified greenhouse structures that provide partial protection from harsh weather while remaining financially viable for farmers. The rain shelters, greenhouses and irrigation systems will be established near major consumption centers such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to shorten delivery time and reduce post-harvest losses. For the Metro Manila market, the DA is eyeing nearby provinces including Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto administered the oath of office to 58 new appointees on Thursday, reminding them that their appointments are not a reward or a badge of privilege, but an insignia to serve the Filipino people. It is a commitment to humble oneself to elevate the people,” Recto said in a statement.? Gran-Ong will be in charge of the finance, administration and personnel services cluster of the agency. Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) was appointed by Marcos as undersecretary. In a letter to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, Recto said, “I am pleased to transmit the appointment letter of Mr. Albert Domingo as Undersecretary, Department of Health.” — Elizabeth Marcelo, Rhodina Villanueva