An ego trip and IranIncredible, how one man with a distended ego can cause extraordinary aggravation on mankind’s eight billion people. At 6:27 GMT, 2:27 p.m. Manila, of Feb. 28, 2026 (Saturday), the Iran war began. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates the cost to the US of the Iran war after 12 days: $16.5 billion. After 14 days, Iran had unleashed 2,000 drones worth $100 million, and 500 missiles. For every $27.50 the US spends for the war, Iran spends just $1.
Philippines eyes Russian oil amid supply fearsCountries across Asia are now scrambling to secure fuel supplies as shipping disruptions tighten global availability. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has approached Russia about the possibility of importing oil as the government looks for alternative supply sources, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. The Philippines imports almost all of its petroleum requirements, making it highly vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains. The United States has also taken steps involving Russian oil as it tries to stabilize global markets. The waiver could affect about 100 million barrels of Russian oil, according to officials.
COMMENTARY: Advancing the Philippine creative economy: From policy to practiceSound and storytelling workshop supported by the British Council, bringing together creatives from the UK and the Philippines for a collaborative training session. Supporting sector-wide impact through capacity-building, networks and skills development likewise underpinned our Creative Nation Summit 2024 and Creative Placemaking initiatives. Our Green Innovators Programme supports creative entrepreneurs developing environmentally sustainable solutions, recognising that the future of the creative economy must also be climate conscious. Sustainability is increasingly central to creative sector policy and enterprise strategy, ensuring growth remains responsible and future ready. As the Philippines advances its creative sector agenda, our commitment remains clear: to support a creative economy that is innovative, inclusive, environmentally responsible and internationally connected.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks next to the NVIDIA Vera Rubin system at the NVIDIA GTC global AI conference in San Jose, California, U.S. March 16, 2026.
Inflation, corruption still top concerns of Filipinos – Pulse AsiaFresh vegetables are displayed at a market in Quezon City on March 4, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Even before oil prices surged due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, inflation was already the top concern of Filipinos, Pulse Asia’s first quarter survey showed. As in previous polls, results of the Feb. 27 to March 2 survey released yesterday found that 59 percent of the respondents identified inflation as one of their three most urgent national concerns. It was followed by fighting graft and corruption, which was selected by 47 percent of the respondents, and increasing the pay of workers, with 36 percent. Compared to a similar survey in December, Filipinos’ selection of most urgent national concerns hardly changed.
Philippines may buy Russia crude oilMANILA, Philippines — With the United States’ recent suspension of oil sanctions on Russia, the Philippines and some local players are negotiating with Russian firms for supply contracts as deliveries from the Middle East are expected to tighten further. Garin said the government, through the Philippine National Oil Co. or PNOC – along with some local players – has been in talks with Russian firms for the purchase of crude. The Philippines has only one refinery to process crude into fuel products: the Petron refinery in Limay, Bataan. The US has temporarily allowed Russia to sell crude oil already at sea until April 11. This will inject millions of barrels into the energy market, where prices are now hovering around $100 a barrel.
Shares slump as Middle East tensions weigh on sentimentThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index declined for third straight session, finishing 0.86 percent or 52.39 points lower to 6,006.55. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market opened a shortened trading week just slightly above the 6,000 mark, with investors staying on the sidelines as soaring oil prices and Middle East tensions continued to weigh on sentiment. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index declined for third straight session, finishing 0.86 percent or 52.39 points lower to 6,006.55. “The local market extended its decline to a third straight day as investors continue to worry over the war at the Middle East and its local economic repercussions,” Philstocks Financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco said. The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. has announced that there will be no trading on Friday in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan).
Remittances rise 3.5% to $3 billion in JanuaryMANILA, Philippines — Money sent home by Filipinos abroad climbed by 3.5 percent to $3.02 billion in January, as steady overseas employment continued to support inflows despite global uncertainties, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. Data released by the central bank showed that cash remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) increased from $2.92 billion in the same month last year. Broken down by type of worker, land-based workers accounted for $2.41 billion of cash remittances during the month, while sea-based workers contributed $610 million. Personal remittances, which include transfers through banks and informal channels as well as remittances in kind, also increased by 3.5 percent to $3.36 billion from $3.24 billion a year earlier. Cash remittances rose by 3.3 percent to an all-time high of $35.63 billion in 2025 from $34.49 billion in 2024.
Five stitches for Donaire’s cutMANILA, Philippines — A cut caused by an accidental headbutt left Nonito Donaire Jr. unable to see clearly from his right eye and it took five stitches to sew up after he lost to Japan’s Riku Masuda on a technical knockout in the eighth round of a WBA bantamweight title eliminator in Yokohama last Sunday. He beat the 10-count but cornerman Gabriel Flores Sr., who runs the Los Gallos Boxing Academy in Stockton, California, seemed ready to throw in the towel as the bell rang. A four-punch combination rocked Donaire in the middle of the ring and Flores Sr. had seen enough. Kovacs took Flores Sr.’s cue to wave it off at 1:12 of the eighth. It was Donaire’s fourth loss in his last five fights and he remains winless in four outings, including two against Naoya Inoue, in Japan.
SMC core profit soars to P79.6 billion in 2025SMC’s core net income surged by 52 percent to P79.6 billion in 2025, while reported net income reached P94.7 billion, supported by gains from the fair valuation of investments and foreign exchange movements. SMC’s core net income surged by 52 percent to P79.6 billion in 2025, while reported net income reached P94.7 billion, supported by gains from the fair valuation of investments and foreign exchange movements. San Miguel Foods reported P196.3 billion in revenues, while San Miguel Brewery Inc. and Ginebra San Miguel Inc. recorded P155.4 billion and P67.4 billion, respectively. San Miguel Global Power, meanwhile, saw its net income balloon by 290 percent to P48.3 billion, supported by a P21.9 billion one-off gain. For its part, Petron Corp. capped off 2025 with its strongest financial performance to date, delivering record net income of P15.6 billion, 84 percent higher year-on-year.
At RCBC, business strategy, technology strategy and customer strategy all move as one, because intelligence begins with data. With governance in place, we then built an enterprise data platform. RCBC has embarked on what is known as Asia Pacific’s first Huawei Hybrid Cloud Data Platform in banking and the Philippines’ first Hybrid Cloud Enterprise Data Platform in financial services, in collaboration with Huawei Enterprise, Keyrus and Microgenesis Business Systems. Democratizing enterprise data. Our Enterprise Data Platform is expected to provide: Real-time fraud detection and predictive risk modeling.
Peso nears 60 vs dollarIntraday trade hits record low 59.95MANILA, Philippines — The peso fell to another record low yesterday, weakening closer to the key 60-per-dollar level as strong global dollar demand and elevated oil prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions weighed on the local currency. Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed the peso closed at 59.87 per dollar, 13.5 centavos weaker than Friday’s 59.735 finish. During the session, the local currency traded between 59.70 and 59.95, with the latter marking its weakest intraday level and a new record high for the dollar. A trader said the peso’s weakness was largely driven by developments in the Middle East that pushed both the dollar and oil prices higher. “The reported bombing of the Kharg Island has propelled both the dollar and global crude oil prices higher,” the trader said.
Marcos in Mactan: Tourism under pressurePresident Marcos looks at the scale model of property giant Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown township shown by Alliance Global Group Inc. president and CEO Kevin Tan. Marcos inaugurated the Mactan Expo in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu yesterday. Located within Mactan Newtown, Mactan Expo is the first stand-alone convention center of property giant Megaworld Corp. Marcos said facilities like the Mactan Expo are an “encouraging sign” as he expressed readiness to explore more ways to elevate Philippine tourism. Mactan Expo has nearly 10,000 square meters of event space and a main hall that can accommodate about 2,500 people.
Sara responds to impeach complaintsMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte beat the House of Representatives’ deadline yesterday for her to comment on her two impeachment cases, but made it clear she did it with reservations, and implied she would not honor the chamber’s jurisdiction. In her 15-page “consolidated verified answer ad cautelam (with caution)” filed before the House justice committee chaired by Rep. Gerville Luistro, the Vice President refuted the impeachment complaints of Fr. “The Vice President’s Answer ad Cautelam simply points out that the impeachment complaints do not contain the ultimate facts required by the rules. Rep. Terry Ridon said Duterte’s comment did not “directly respond to the allegations” contained in the two impeachment complaints. “It fails to squarely address the allegations contained in the two impeachment complaints,” he said.
Nationwide transport strike begins ThursdayPISTON president George San Mateo said they suspended the strike as they heeded the appeal of Sen. Grace Poe to voice out their concerns at a Senate hearing. MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Piston will mount a nationwide transport strike starting Thursday, calling for the removal of fuel-related taxes, rollback of oil prices and a fare increase of P5. Fuel prices should be rolled back to P55 per liter, he maintained. The Philippine National Police will aid commuters who will be affected by the transport strike. The fuel subsidy will be sourced from the P2.6-billion budget of the Department of Transportation.
