This circular raises the evidentiary standard in preliminary investigations from mere probable cause to prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction. The preliminary evidence must establish a credible and convincing basis to believe the accused could reasonably be convicted at trial. BSP data show that digital payments accounted for 72.2 percent of payments made by individuals in 2025. The progress achieved by our digital payments system is due, to a major extent, to the regulatory leadership provided by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Global research uncovers the connection between the reach of digital payments systems and the resilience of economies.

Senators slam ‘reactionary’ school response to bullyingHigh school students are seen waiting in line, catching up with their friends and classmates and enjoying their time in front of the Marikina High School in Marikina City after two years of online classes on November 2, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Senators criticized yesterday the Department of Education (DepEd) and public schools for responding to bullying incidents only after videos of the attacks go viral on social media. During a Senate committee on basic education hearing on rising bullying cases nationwide, lawmakers scrutinized a Feb. 18 school violence incident in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. He cited the case of a student with disability who died after jumping from the fourth floor of a high school in Metro Manila, allegedly due to bullying. Lawmakers noted that Congress has held several hearings on bullying in recent years, but institutions continue to struggle to deter violence in schools.

Use of trolls to defend DICT chief slammedMANILA, Philippines — A digital ethics advocate raised concerns over an apparent coordinated troll attack on an online news report over the weekend, raising red flags on distortion of public opinion through amplified troll use in social media. An examination of the accounts revealed several red flags commonly associated with coordinated inauthentic behavior such as identical creation dates and content. Aguda, when asked by The STAR about the concerns raised by Ligot, said: “I don’t know him. In his social media post titled “Politics of Perception,” Ligot noted that these inauthentic accounts were sympathetic or supportive of Aguda’s retention and critical of any move to replace him. But if amplification is happening to protect a government official, we have to ask a bigger question – where is the ethics?” Ligot said.

Maritime patrols to continue despite oil price hikes – NavyThe BRP Jose Rizal, USS Benfold, HMAS Hobart and JS Akizuki sail in formation during the 6th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activities held in the West Philippine Sea in February 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Soaring fuel prices will not stop the Philippine Navy from conducting regular patrols in the West Philippine Sea, as it stressed that “sovereignty has no price.”“Our patrols, our operations will continue because this is our mandate,” Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad yesterday said. “There are no indicators of reduction (in patrols). Trinidad said the Navy has already begun implementing energy conservation measures. As to the operational matters of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), I would like to say that sovereignty has no price,” he said.

Senate Bills 1917 and 1910 seek to shield OFW remittances from excessive bank charges and provide free financial education to help migrant workers manage their income more effectively. SB 1917, or the OFWs’ Remittance Protection Act, requires remittance service providers to clearly disclose all fees and foreign exchange rates to prevent unreasonable deductions on remittances. SB 1910, or the Free OFW Financial Education Act, meanwhile, requires migrant workers to undergo free and comprehensive financial literacy seminars covering investing, savings and consumer protection before departure and after arrival. It is about dignity, security and giving our OFWs the tools to thrive both abroad and at home,” he said. Financial literacy programs will be implemented by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Emergency oil stocks to flow in Asia – IEATricycle drivers wait for passengers at their terminal in Batasan, Quezon City yesterday. These plans indicate that stocks will be made available by IEA member-countries in Asia and Oceania immediately,” said the IEA. “Stocks from IEA member-countries in the Americas and Europe will be made available starting from the end of March,” it added. “The war in the Middle East is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market” it said. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized that managing fuel supply is a shared responsibility, and the public must do its part to conserve stocks.

Marcos ratings slightly up, VP still higher – PulseMANILA, Philippines — The approval and trust ratings of President Marcos have slightly improved in the last quarter even as his numbers continue to trail Vice President Sara Duterte’s, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia. Marcos’ trust ratings also improved, from 32 percent to 35 percent, while those who distrusted him decreased from 47 percent to 44 percent. Compared to survey results in March 2025, Marcos’ approval and trust ratings have significantly recovered, compared to Duterte, who saw a decline in her numbers. Duterte’s approval ratings, meanwhile, dropped from 59 percent to 55 percent, while her trust ratings dropped from 61 percent to 54 percent. Coup rumorsMalacañang yesterday dismissed fresh rumors of a coup against President Marcos, saying the Chief Executive was not distracted by such unfounded talk.

UAE, Saudi leaders discuss Iran attacks in second call since Mideast warThe Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper is pictured as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport on March 16, 2026.

Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026.

Alibaba CEO takes helm of new AI-focused business groupQwen and Alibaba logos are seen in this illustration taken, January 29, 2025.

Missing PUP law student last seen in CaintaThe family of Nikko Gerarcas Gorillo, a first-year law student at PUP, is asking for the public’s help in finding him after he went missing on Friday, March 14, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The family of a law student who has been missing for two days is appealing to the public for help in locating him. Nikko Gerarcas Gorillo, a first-year law student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, was last seen on Friday, March 14, at around 6 a.m. at their residence on Katalinuhan Road in Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal, according to a Facebook post by one of his schoolmates. According to the Facebook post, activity on his Facebook account showed that his last logged-in location was traced to the San Juan area. "The Gorillo family already coordinated with the barangay.

Traffic enforcers, street sweepers to get 'heat breaks'Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic enforcers carry bottles of mineral water while directing traffic in Manila on March 6, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — As the summer season approaches, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it will re-implement heat breaks for traffic enforcers and street sweepers starting Monday, March 16. Drinking water will also be provided for their personnel, the MMDA added. “All MMDA satellite offices will be provided with water for our field personnel. It is estimated that around 4,000 traffic enforcers will benefit from this initiative,” MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Nicolas Torre said.

Supreme Court rejects challenge vs Manila's garbage fee increaseWorkers of a private garbage collection company gather trash at Baseco Compound in Manila on Jan. 23, 2026, as business owners protest the increase in waste disposal fees. At most, as alleged in the Petition, he is only a 'tourist' sojourning in the City of Manila," the Supreme Court said. Wrong courtThe Supreme Court also declined to apply the doctrine of "transcendental importance," saying Tayam's claims involved factual disputes, including whether public hearings were actually held. It said those questions required evidentiary review that the Supreme Court is not equipped to undertake because it is not a trier of facts. By going directly to the Supreme Court, Tayam bypassed the evidentiary evaluation needed for the case, the court said.

Over 300 Pinoys return from Bahrain, SaudiOverseas Filipino workers from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay on March 15, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — A total of 341 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain arrived yesterday on the second government-arranged chartered flight in the repatriation efforts for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by unrest in the Middle East. The Philippine Airlines flight carrying 328 OFWs and 13 dependents landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at around 7 a.m. Upon arrival, the returning OFWs received government assistance, including hotel accommodation, medical checkups, meals, transportation to their home provinces and financial aid. The returning Filipinos came from Al Khobar, Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and from Bahrain, and traveled by land to cross the border before boarding the flight to Manila.

MANILA, Philippines — Most Filipinos are satisfied with the Philippines' strategic ties with Japan, with nearly four in five expressing "strong trust," a recent survey showed. It found that Japan is among the countries Filipinos trust the most, with 70% rating the partnership as "very good." Trust in Japan (as a country) Q: How much does the Philippines trust Japan? (OCTA Research) 79% Strongly trust / somewhat trust 17% Can't say / undecided 4% Strongly distrust / somewhat distrust Source: OCTA Research (fieldwork: 3–11 Dec 2025). Trust in Japanese peopleSimilar to the institutional trust Japan enjoys from Filipinos, the survey found that nearly three in four Filipinos also trust Japanese nationals, with the highest levels of trust reported in Mindanao (87%) and Balance Luzon (73%), including among lower-income groups (73%) and older Filipinos.