Man City drop points in chase of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd also draw

Bank lending standards seen steady in Q1Results of the Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey showed that 87.7 percent of banks anticipate maintaining their credit standards for loans to enterprises in the first quarter, slightly higher than the 86 percent recorded in the previous quarter. Only a small portion of banks expect to ease lending standards at 1.8 percent, while 10.5 percent see tighter credit conditions ahead. Meanwhile, 12.8 percent of respondents expect lending standards to tighten, while 7.7 percent anticipate looser credit conditions. Despite steady lending standards, banks see stronger loan demand conditions ahead. Only 7.7 percent of banks expect household loan demand to fall.

Silver’s worst daySilver plunged 31 percent on Friday in its worst single-day crash on record. The white metal had touched a record $122 just one day earlier. CME Group had just raised margin requirements on silver futures to 11 percent from nine percent, effective Wednesday. Silver collapsed 50 percent over four days after COMEX raised margin requirements to break the Hunt Brothers’ corner on the market. Friday’s crash followed the same script: a parabolic rally, concentrated positioning, rising margin requirements, and a catalyst that triggered cascading liquidations.

Analysts mixed on January inflationMANILA, Philippines — Analysts are divided on whether inflation picked up or eased in January from a month prior, with forecasts clustered near that level as food and energy pressures were partly offset by lower utility and vegetable costs. “Headline inflation likely remained steady at 1.8 percent year on year in January as food and energy pressures offset easing utility and vegetable costs,” BPI lead economist Jun Neri said. Neri also noted that rice prices have been climbing on a monthly basis. “Persistent deflation in rice prices likely helped contain food inflation. “Spending on alcohol and tobacco, clothing and footwear, utilities and furnishings were all in the red while consumption of food also slipped to 3.8 percent despite lower inflation and lower rice prices,” he said.

Human connections get things doneThings work smoothly when you have a friendly working relationship with colleagues. Another example I can think of is the relationship we’ve built with the President and the First Lady over the years. These inevitably manifest in the large meetings we have to organize, such as the ASEAN meetings. I am, after all, an entrepreneur, and it is in my nature to keep things moving, to get things done, to want to see results. Every chance I get, I describe to our ASEAN guests and Dialogue Partners the many under-explored gems throughout the Philippines.

But cinema ticket prices are for the middle and upper income classes, many of whom aren’t interested in watching Philippine movies. If the government and industry players want to rescue Philippine movies from the ICU, perhaps someone can try putting up cinemas that cater to the masses. Today, the director of the top grosser in the MMFF himself has lamented steep movie ticket costs. I stopped watching movies in theaters long before the pandemic. And with huge, hi-def TV screens becoming available, the appeal of watching movies on the big screen was eroded.

Little time left? He supposedly ordered his economic managers to focus on strategies to stimulate economic growth such as digitalization and fast-tracking of infrastructure projects. Also, neither digitalization nor infrastructure projects can produce results fast enough to boost the morale of Filipinos now when we need it most. That reflects the fear of bureaucrats to spend and the imposition of stricter measures on infrastructure projects toward the end of the year. BBM’s hospital visit should remind him that people our age have less time left in this world than we might think.

Medals that matterThe 13th ASEAN Para Games ended last week with the Philippines breaking all sorts of records. In the last eight years, Camille Castro has been laboring with her teammates to break the drought that has played them. The drought was over, but they still had a chance to find out how far they could really go. Next time in Malaysia, I want to bring home another two medals. Castro went through years of shaken confidence and doubt, until she wiped away her tears and went back to work.

Stocks to stay sideways ahead of key dataThe Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) posted a strong rebound last Friday following a steep drop the previous day due to the country’s lackluster full year 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market is expected to remain on defensive mode this week, with investors waiting for the results of upcoming local economic data for a clearer direction. Philstocks Financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco said the local market is still deemed attractive at its current position. Investors are also expected to watch out for the upcoming February inflation data. Hopes that the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) would cut policy rates in their February meeting may give the market support,” he said.

Government urged to strengthen anti-trafficking lawsMANILA, Philippines — With human trafficking continuing to be a persistent concern in the country, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday made an urgent appeal to the government to strengthen the laws and enforcement against human trafficking. One way for the church to strengthen its awareness campaign against human trafficking is for its dioceses to create a DCAHT which would help coordinate, prevent and protect people from being victimized by trafficking syndicates. “Human trafficking remains a serious and persistent concern in the Philippines. They could also hold forums and seminars, and use the digital platform and social media to spread their advocacy. Mesiona believes that the NDPAHT is a “shared national call” between the church and the government.

Rains seen over south Luzon, VisayasMANILA, Philippines — Moderate to heavy rains can be expected over southern Luzon and Visayas this week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Visayas may experience isolated thunderstorms and cloudy skies with rains due to a prevailing shear line in the area, possibly causing flash floods or landslides. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains brought by the northeast monsoon. No low-pressure area has been monitored by PAGASA near the Philippine area of responsibility so far, as the state weather bureau expects at least one tropical cyclone this month.

House ethics panel to tackle Barzaga’s expulsion anewMANILA, Philippines — The committee on ethics and privileges of the House of Representatives is expected to reopen tomorrow the administrative case filed against suspended Rep. Francisco Barzaga, who has been accused of misconduct for saying his colleagues received bribes. Panel chairman Rep. JC Abalos told congressional reporters last week they are expecting Barzaga to attend the hearing and provide full cooperation. “The motion made by Rep. Gutierrez was approved after the personal and collective privilege speech of Rep. Valeriano,” Abalos told reporters in a news briefing. He has assured the general public that proceedings would strictly comply with House rules, as they observe due process as well. “Other NUP members who were similarly maligned are already in the process of filing their own complaints,” Puno revealed.

President Marcos to public: Suggest solutions to pressing issuesMANILA, Philippines — Citing the need to review outdated government policies, President Marcos yesterday encouraged the public to share their suggestions in addressing pressing issues. “Let us know in the comment section if you have any policy suggestions that can help solve our many problems. We look forward to your suggestions,” Marcos said. Marcos also underscored the need to fast-track digitalization to make government services more convenient and foster responsible, productive citizens. The President also cited some effective policies from other countries, such as the ban on the sale and importation of chewing gum in Singapore to maintain public cleanliness.

Makabayan bloc to refile impeach case vs VP SaraSupreme Court: VP Sara impeachment ruling 'immediately executory' In a Facebook post on Aug. 5, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte shared photos of her administering the oath of office to newly elected officials of the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. MANILA, Philippines — With the lapse of the Supreme Court’s one-year bar rule on filing an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Feb. 6, the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives is gearing up to file another case against her. “The Makabayan bloc is now prepared to refile the impeachment complaint against VP Duterte because it is necessary and in the interest of the Filipino people. Upon an overwhelming vote of 215 congressmen, Duterte was impeached by the House in February 2025. This was questioned by the House leadership who elevated the case to the SC, which later unanimously ruled in favor of Duterte by making the impeachment complaint unconstitutional.

Philippine embassy in Seoul joins International Customs DayMANILA, Philippines — South Korea’s Customs Service has highlighted its use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve efficiency, inspections and risk response. At the 44th International Customs Day held recently, Korea Customs Service Commissioner Myeong-ku Lee said these initiatives align with the Philippines’ customs reform efforts and ongoing collaboration with the KCS, including information exchange, capacity-building and technical cooperation to strengthen enforcement, risk management and trade facilitation. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez joined Lee, senior officials and members of the diplomatic corps in celebrating the 44th International Customs Day in Seoul. The event underscored the vital role of customs in securing and facilitating global trade, a field of growing cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea. Lee said that modern customs go beyond processing goods, serving as a critical function for trade facilitation, supply chain security and public safety.