Millions of students, educators empowered by drive for safer online spacesYoung digital leaders step up as Globe celebrates 10 years of the Digital Thumbprint Program promoting safer and more responsible online communities. MANILA, Philippines — Ten years after its launch, Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) has officially reached a historic milestone, reaching more than two million students and educators nationwide. Among students, its online safety initiatives also stood out, highlighting the growing importance of protection in an increasingly connected society. This serves as a guide that helps mobile operators embed digital inclusion into their strategies, track progress, and report their impact transparently. This views digital inclusion as a holistic ecosystem, encompassing access, skills, meaningful use, and a supportive environment.

Pinoys want continued disclosure of China’s actionsMANILA, Philippines — Most Filipinos support the continued public disclosure of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea even as the Philippines hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, according to a Pulse Asia survey. Results of the Feb. 27 to March 2 survey were released Friday by the We Protect Our Seas (WPS) Foundation. The poll showed that 68 percent of respondents want the government “to continue disclosing China’s coercive actions against Philippine ships and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea while it is hosting the ASEAN.”Only 28 percent disagreed, while four percent were undecided. The survey found that the United States remains the country most trusted by Filipinos to help defend the Philippines’ rights and uphold international law in the West Philippine Sea. Fifty-nine percent of respondents want US President Donald Trump to visit the Philippines during the upcoming ASEAN and East Asia Summit, the survey revealed.

Maharlika sticks to investment strategy amid US-Iran conflictMANILA, Philippines — The Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) is keeping its investment strategy intact while eyeing the local mining sector as a potential hard-currency buffer to shield the broader economy from global shocks, amid the ongoing Middle East war. “If an investment is fundamentally sound and aligns with our mandate to build national resilience, we will pursue it,” Consing added. “Our governance framework is designed to ensure that the integrity of the Fund remains independent of external geopolitical shifts,” he said. He added that critical minerals and hard assets may act as a safeguard for the country’s wealth, especially during periods of high inflation and global tensions. In 2024, MIC reported a net income of P2.68 billion, just a year after its creation in 2023.

‘Natural gas to bring down power costs’Fisherfolk hold a protest in the waters of Batangas City on April 22, Earth Day to denounce the expansion of fossil gas plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the area. MANILA, Philippines — As higher electricity rates loom amid the global oil crisis, the country should tap more of its indigenous natural gas to keep power costs steady, the Petroleum Association of the Philippines said. Cruz said electricity generated from Malampaya gas costs about P4.80 per kilowatt-hour, way below the P10.30 per kWh charged for imported liquefied natural gas. “That’s how big the difference between our own fuel in the country is compared to imported gas today,” she stressed. As such, the PAP is pushing for the full implementation of the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, which prioritizes the use of indigenous over imported natural gas, to protect consumers from global shockwaves.

DOTr: MRT-3 trains safe“All MRT-3 train sets undergo a thorough technical evaluation. Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando earlier criticized MRT-3 general manager Mike Capati for allegedly allowing four-car trains to operate despite safety concerns. “All MRT-3 train sets undergo a thorough technical evaluation. Chinese-made Dalian train sets are ready for deployment and drivers have been sufficiently trained, according to the DOTr. In a Feb. 13 letter to San Fernando, the MRT-3 management said four-car trains underwent technical and safety evaluation.

Current account deficit narrows to $16 billion in 2025MANILA, Philippines — The country’s current account deficit narrowed in 2025 as stronger exports, record remittances from overseas Filipinos and resilient services receipts helped cushion the country’s external position despite global economic uncertainties. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the current account gap declined by 12.3 percent to $16.3 billion in 2025, equivalent to 3.3 percent of gross domestic product, from $18.6 billion or four percent of GDP in 2024. “The current account deficit narrowed, supported by an improved trade in goods balance amid strong export performance and higher income receipts from overseas Filipinos, consistent with record full year cash remittances in 2025,” the BSP said. The goods trade deficit eased by 3.2 percent to $66.7 billion in 2025 from $68.9 billion in 2024 as export growth outpaced the increase in imports. Exports of goods rose by 15.2 percent to $63.4 billion, supported largely by higher shipments of electronic products, machinery and transport equipment, gold and other mineral products.

A repeat of the 1973 Oil Crisis? At the center of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil chokepoint. In 1973, the Arab oil embargo triggered the world’s first true energy crisis. When oil became a weaponOn Oct. 17, 1973, Arab oil producers launched an embargo against countries that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The crisis prompted the creation of the Philippine National Oil Co. under Presidential Decree 334 in November 1973.

Wars go high-techAccording to The New York Times, President Trump told reporters last week that lasers would soon be able to do the work of Patriot missile interceptors “at a lot less cost.”“The laser technology that we have now is incredible,” Trump said. As a result, the US hastily redeployed THAAD missile batteries from South Korea to the Middle East to improve their defenses. The Economist explained that the US and Israel can “identify targets more precisely and more quickly than ever before possible. Intelligence reports and defense analysts believe that China is even providing significant indirect and direct intelligence support to Iran. Our military should start training for today’s and tomorrow’s wars, not the wars of the past.

War impact to weigh on stocks anewThe Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) capped off last week with back-to-back losses, ending Friday’s session slightly above the 6,000 mark at 6,058.94. MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks are seen moving sideways this week with a slight downward bias amid prevailing concerns on the economic impact of the war in the Middle East. “In our view, these developments may continue to weigh on market sentiment in the near term, as investors remain cautious amid rising external risks and signs of softening domestic labor conditions,” Estacio-Cruz said. This week, Tantiangco said focus is still expected to be on the conflict in the Middle East, with investors expected to monitor the developments on the war. A further rise in oil prices and a further depreciation of the peso is expected to drag the local market,” he said.

That’s all thanks to the invisible work of ancillary services, which balance supply and demand to stabilize the grid. The Benguet and Magat plants also provide ancillary services to the grid. “We’re heavily into ancillary services,” Yu said in an interview. The 16-MW Magat BESS Phase 2 in Isabela is an expansion of the company’s existing 24-MW Magat BESS, which started commercial operations in January 2024. After all, just as steady water pressure keeps laundry day running smoothly, the country relies on a stable power grid to keep the lights on without flickering.

Palace declares holidays in 3 areasProclamation 1190 declared March 16 a special non-working day in Pura, Tarlac to allow residents to fully participate in the celebration of the town’s 15th Panagyaman Festival. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared special non-working days in three areas in the country for the celebration of their founding and charter anniversaries and local festivals. Proclamation 1190 declared March 16 a special non-working day in Pura, Tarlac to allow residents to fully participate in the celebration of the town’s 15th Panagyaman Festival. Under Proclamation 1191, March 19 is a special non-working day in Dingras town in Ilocos Norte for the celebration of the Ani Festival. Meanwhile, Proclamation 1192 declared March 23 a special non-working day in Malaybalay, Bukidnon to mark the city’s 28th charter anniversary on March 22, which falls on a Sunday.

Isko security escort shot dead in TondoVideo image shows the motorcycle-riding suspects tailing George Capistrano prior to the attack in Tondo, Manila on March 15, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — A security escort of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Tondo shortly after midnight yesterday. George Capistrano, 56, a retired police officer and resident of Barangay 134 in Manila, was declared dead on arrival at the Tondo Medical Center. Based on closed-circuit television footage, Capistrano was on a motorcycle when the assailants fired at him. Authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the motive for the killing and identify the assailants.

Time for ‘Trabaho at Negosyo’The world is changing. This time, though, I think the timing is just right to advocate for jobs and enterprise or as we call it, Trabaho at Negosyo. I think it is important that we call it Trabaho AT Negosyo (Jobs AND Enterprise) because it doesn’t have to be a choice between growing one or the other, or choosing to become one or the other. A good business plan assures your lender that they’ll get their money back; it’s as simple as that. A good business plan also helps you stay the course and anticipate problems.

For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.”That gives small or no comfort to parents or loved ones who will always feel that they were robbed or punished. But what about prolonged illness that is accompanied by pain, both for a patient and for their loved ones? But I believe it is about the “Wick of Separation” that must burn through. I have known families who have cared for a comatose parent, sibling or dying loved one where dying took months. The Wick of Separation burns painfully slow, but it must in order for us to finally let go.

600 riders vie in Asian track cycling in TagaytayMANILA, Philippines — Tagaytay City rolls out the red carpet for more than 600 athletes who will see action in the 45th Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Cycling Championships and 14th Asian Para Track Cycling Championships set from March 25 to 31 at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome. “It’s the first time in 30 years that the Philippines is hosting the Asian track championships and we’ll put our best foot forward as we slingshot the return of track cycling in our country,” said PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino as he made a regular inspection on the progress of preparations at the International Cycling Union (UCI)-standard 250-meter indoor track. “We expect the continent’s big guns to bring in their top cyclists in the prestigious competition that we’re hosting not only to promote track events, but also to help in the vigorous sports tourism campaign,” said Tolentino, also president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Nineteen countries – with China and Hong Kong leading the pack with 50 athletes each, followed by India with 48 and South Korea 43 – are vying in the championships backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, City of Tagaytay led by Mayor Brent Tolentino and the MVP Sports Foundation. The Philippines last hosted the track championships in 1995 at the Amoranto Velodrome, which has since been demolished and transformed into a football pitch.