Lady Tamaraws ram through winless Lady WarriorsFEU Lady Tamaraws celebrate after a point against the UE Lady Warriors Wednesday at the Big Dome. MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University vented its ire on the University of the East, trampling the Lady Warriors, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. After easy wins in the first two sets, the Lady Tamaraws experienced more pushback in the third set. Khy Cepada tried to tow UE back into it, but Bakanke scored the Lady Tamaraws’ next four points to finalize the win. FEU rose to a 5-3 win-loss record, while the Lady Warriors’ Final Four hopes dimmed as they slipped to a 0-8 slate.

Trump says he will visit Beijing in April and host China’s Xi for a state visit later next year

The case centers on allegations against fugitive Co and several co-accused from the DPWH Mimaropa Regional Office. According to Bernardo, he received portions of the money through former DPWH Mimaropa Regional Director Gerald Pacanan and DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara. He said that the largest portion of the money came through Alcantara. This was Bernardo’s first testimony since he was made a state witness by the Department of Justice. Co, who has been out of the country since July 2025, was declared a fugitive by the anti-graft court in December.

Driver in slay of Isko’s ex-aide surrendersLiegem Bulalacao, a suspect in the killing of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s former aide George Capistrano, surrenders to police on March 16, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The accomplice of a gunman who shot dead Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s former security escort has surrendered to authorities. In a Facebook livestream yesterday, Moreno presented Liegem Bulalacao, alias Biboy, who confirmed he had driven the motorcycle boarded by Albert Magdaraog, the alleged killer of retired police officer George Capistrano. Biboy claimed that he did not know of Magdaraog’s plan to kill Capistrano. Moreno said authorities know Magdaraog’s whereabouts, but he is giving the suspect a chance to surrender.

Oil shock may trigger policy response – BSPAs Inflation risks resurfaceMANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warned that a fresh surge in global oil prices driven by tensions in the Middle East could prompt policy action, as risks to inflation and financial stability re-emerge after a period of easing. “But if we see further disruptions in supply chains, further increases in prices, particularly oil prices, and that could persist for some months, then that may prompt the Monetary Board to consider policy action moving forward,” he said. At its February meeting, the BSP cut policy rates by 25 basis points as domestic conditions supported a more accommodative stance. The third transmission channel is through commodity prices, particularly oil, which could spill over to domestic prices and push inflation higher. He said a more adverse scenario, particularly if global oil prices stay above $100 per barrel, could push inflation beyond four percent.

CA to seek clarification on acting secretariesThe Commission on Appointments (CA) confirms the ad interim appointments of 57 generals, flag officers, and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Senate on March 17, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) will seek clarification from Malacañang about the acting status of Cabinet secretaries. I’m sure the commission would be able to ask the executive department on this matter,” CA chair Senate President Vicente Sotto III said. Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta expressed their concern during the CA plenary session that the acting status of these secretaries allowed them to skirt the CA confirmation process. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson noticed her last name and asked her to send the Cloma family his regards.

With VP ‘non-answer,’ impeachment proper set March 25Religious and civil groups file plunder, malversation and other charges against Vice President Sara Duterte along with 15 officials of the Office of the Vice President, at the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City in December 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Following Vice President Sara Duterte’s “non-answer” to the impeachment complaints against her and the complainants’ waiver of their right to reply, the House committee on justice is looking to begin the hearing proper on March 25. Luistro said the impeachment complaints are now considered submitted for determination of sufficient grounds. Meanwhile, she noted that in the complaint against the Vice President, personal participation was clearly established. The justice panel chair denied Poa’s allegation of double standards: “I don’t think so.”— Jose Rodel Clapano, Bella Cariaso

Court of Appeal rejects appeals of seven who stormed LegCo in 2019

'Non-answer': Solons hit Sara Duterte reply to impeach rapsMANILA, Philippines — Is Vice President Sara Duterte's response to the impeachment allegations truly an answer? What the vice president did instead was deny all allegations, calling them "false and misleading." Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District), meanwhile, said Duterte merely "sidestepped" allegations by arguing for the impeachment case's dismissal. The answer ad cautelam, however, was supposed to be an opportunity for respondents to answer impeachment allegations "head-on," he added. Both sides of the impeachment case against Duterte would also be presented during the Senate trial, should the House decide to impeach the vice president.

Chargers sustain climbFifi Sharma of Akari beats Jean Asis of Galeries Tower in a duel at the net. MANILA, Philippines — The Akari Chargers marched on, pulling off a fifth straight win and climbing to fourth place with a 25-23, 25-23, 14-25, 26-24 drubbing of the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Sta. Dragged to an extended battle in the fourth set, the Chargers went to Ivy Lacsina, Fifi Sharma and Eli Soyud for the defensive wall and the offensive firepower to hold off the Highrisers and sustain their crucial streak. In a tight battle in the fourth after squandering a six-point lead, Sharma scored on blocks while Lacsina and Soyud ignited bombs as the Chargers went home with the “W.”A service error from Erika Raagas followed by a cross-court kill by Soyud sealed the deal for the Chargers. Dani Ravena was a defensive gem with 19 excellent digs as well as Justine Jazareno with 11 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.

Rejuvenated Dyip determined to get goingAnd for the rejuvenated Dyip, this is far from getting them satisfied. MANILA, Philippines — Two games into the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, Terrafirma has already surpassed its woeful one-win showing in the previous Philippine Cup. And for the rejuvenated Dyip, this is far from getting them satisfied. “Walang kumpiyansa sa team na ito kasi hungry team ito,” said Tubid ahead of the 5:15 p.m. tussle at the Ynares Center-Antipolo. The Bossing are out to get themselves on the board after dropping their opening assignment versus NLEX (81-84).

Monsoon may end tomorrow or on MondayPAGASA said the amihan season may end tomorrow or on Monday next week at the latest. PAGASA said the amihan season may end tomorrow or on Monday next week at the latest. PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said that Aurora as well as Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras may experience rain due to the monsoon today. Metro Manila, Ilocos, the rest of Central Luzon and Calabarzon will have low chances of rain. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Missing mountaineers rescuedBAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Two mountaineers from Metro Manila and their two guides have been rescued after they were reported missing for nearly 10 days in Solsona, Ilocos Norte. The group, aged 28 to 59 years, climbed Mount Sicapoo in Nueva Era town on March 2, and were supposed to exit in Solsona on March 8. A search and rescue operation was launched by police, the military, the Bureau of Fire Protection and local government unit. After nearly 10 days, the trekkers managed to send a message, saying they were on their way home and that their phones lost signals. Rescuers found the mountaineers near the Karingking River in Solsona.

BDO to raise P2.54 billion from Dominion Holdings exitIn a disclosure, the country’s largest bank said the deal involves the sale of 1.51 billion shares, equivalent to 70 percent of DHI, to Monte Sur Equity Holdings Inc. at about P1.68 per share. MANILA, Philippines — BDO Unibank Inc. expects about P2.54 billion from the sale of its controlling stake in Dominion Holdings Inc. (DHI), a transaction that will also result in the firm ceasing to be a subsidiary of the Sy-led bank. “The disposition of DHI is aligned with the BDO Group’s continuing policy of streamlining its organizational structure following the conversion of DHI into an investment holding company,” BDO said. In a separate disclosure, DHI said its board accepted the resignation of nine directors, including Elmer Serrano, Luis Ma. DHI, formerly known as BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., is being repositioned as an investment holding company as part of the broader restructuring within the BDO Group.

Tycoons stay optimistic amid Middle East conflictMANILA, Philippines — Tycoons Tessie Sy-Coson and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, leaders of two of the country’s biggest conglomerates, are keeping their optimism amid fears that the country’s economic growth will be derailed by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. So it may lengthen, but I guess right now it’s a time for us to prepare for another upswing,” she said. Despite the fear being instilled by the conflict in Middle East, however, Sy-Coson said life as well as business go on. “So I do remain optimistic for the kind of results and the leveling out of prices by the end of the year. But I think the way my mind works is, when you have a crisis of this magnitude, you have two frames of mind.