Aboitiz utility to build Davao-Samal submarine power linkMANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Corp. is putting up a submarine cable to connect Davao City’s electricity networks to Samal Island, which has long struggled with power woes. The project’s initial step involves laying the submarine cable across one of the Pakiputan Strait’s narrowest points between the two areas. The 69-kilovolt project, which includes 1,015 meters of submarine cable produced in China, is expected to be completed by the middle of this year. A subsidiary of leading electricity producer Aboitiz Power Corp., Davao Light is the country’s third-largest distribution utility, serving Davao, Panabo, Carmen, Dujali and Santo Tomas. “With the expected stability in the power network, we look to attract investors and generate more jobs for our people here in Samal,” Samal Mayor Lemuel Reyes said.

Pickle Fest action heats upClint Ontal reaches out for a return as teammate Jeanette Eduave looks on during their gold medal match against Patrick Laput and Abe Tomoti in mixed doubles 20+ division of the High Intermediate category. CEBU CITY, Philippines — Clint Ontal and Jeanette Eduave outplayed Patrick Laput and Abe Tomomi, 15-9, to lead the High Intermediate division winners in the Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 Adult Categories at the Net and Paddle courts here Friday. Ontal and Eduave established control early to secure the gold medal in the mixed doubles 20+ class. Ontal later added another title after teaming up with Peter Escober to edge Quincy Bermudez and Vernini Tangarorang in a tight 15-13 victory in the men’s doubles 35+ final. The five-day event, organized by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. in partnership with Sunrise Events Inc., featured the Novice, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate and Open divisions as buildup to the Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament.

Dyip running smoothlyTerrafirma import Ali Mubashar unloads 50 points and 25 rebounds in a big win over Converge last night. And powered by Mubashar’s monster 50-point, 25-rebound game, the Dyip roared to a 111-100 overtime shocker over the FiberXers for a leading 2-0 card in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at Ynares Center-Montalban. After bailing the Dyip out with the game-tying layup in the last 16.6 seconds of regulation, Mubashar completed his heroics and dropped six points in overtime where the FiberXers were held scoreless. “Ali is a very hardworking guy, a very high-IQ player and he’s a team player,” said coach Ronald Tubid of Mubashar. Later, import Jaylen Johnson (29-24-6) showed the way as debuting Rain or Shine defeated guest team Macau, 116-109.

By all accounts, the visit was extremely successful, demonstrating the Philippines’ seriousness about contributing constructively to global peace and security. Diplomatic efforts at the United Nations often take place quietly through conversations, meetings and personal interactions among leaders and diplomats. As an archipelagic nation located in a strategically important region, the Philippines depends on a stable and rules-based international order. This is particularly evident in the West Philippine Sea, where the Philippines has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of disputes and adherence to international law. If elected to the Security Council, the Philippines would continue to champion these principles.

The quest for the simple lifeMorgan Housel’s newest book, ‘The Art of Spending Money,’ is a must-read. As Housel puts it, spending money has less to do with spreadsheets and more to do with psychology — envy, aspiration, insecurity and what we think other people think. Housel refers to William Dawson’s The Quest of the Simple Life (1907), noting that those who pursued wealth often remained unhappy, while those who embraced simplicity appeared more content. Dawson’s “simple life” is not defined by poverty or austerity; it may include comforts and luxuries. The goal is not to live without money, but to ensure that money does not overshadow meaning.

37 arrested for scammingNBI Director Melvin Matibag said the suspects were former workers of Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO hubs, which were shut down by the government for engaging in illegal activities. MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-seven employees of a company tagged in scamming activities were arrested in San Pedro, Laguna on Thursday, according to the National Bureau of Investigation. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the suspects were former workers of Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO hubs, which were shut down by the government for engaging in illegal activities. The company was allegedly posing as a call center, but actually engaged in a large-scale social engineering operation targeting bank accounts. NBI operatives seized laptops, computers and “scripts and spiels” that the suspects used in conducting their illegal activities, Laguardia said.

Mass shooting plot foiledMANILA, Philippines — Police have thwarted an alleged plan of a group of students to carry out a mass shooting in a school in Calabarzon. The attack was supposed to have been carried out on Feb. 16, according to the police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), which received the information from their counterparts overseas. A police document showed that the group, composed of seven students aged 15 years including a girl, was radicalized by members of an online gaming activity. Gen. Wilson Asueta said police officers tracked down and rescued the students on Feb. 2. Cybercrime investigators said that their foreign counterparts alerted them on Jan. 13 about some Facebook users discussing a plan to carry out an attack using firearms, improvised explosive devices and fire extinguishers.

DA bans poultry products from IndianaDA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the ban after reports confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain in Indiana. MANILA, Philippines — A bird flu outbreak in Indiana has prompted the Department of Agriculture (DA) to restrict importation of poultry products from the US state. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the ban after reports confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain in Indiana. Entry of poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Indiana is suspended until the outbreak is addressed. The DA said Indiana has breached the threshold, citing official reports submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health.

‘Add to cart’ initiative yields P3.5 billion in salesData obtained by The STAR showed that transactions made through the eMarketplace online procurement portal have reached P3.53 billion as of March 10. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s ‘add to cart’ initiative has generated P3.53 billion in sales since it started last year, as government agencies push for a more streamlined and transparent procurement process. Data obtained by The STAR showed that transactions made through the eMarketplace online procurement portal have reached P3.53 billion as of March 10. Under this, units worth P1.07 billion are pending delivery, while only P152.98 million in vehicles have been turned over to buyers. The eMarketplace is designed to modernize the government procurement process, enabling agencies to conveniently “add to cart” essential goods and services for faster, more cost-effective transactions.

BDO commits P75 billion to Razon’s Prime InfrastructureThe Philippines’ largest bank said the financing would help fund the 600-megawatt Wawa pumped-storage facility in Rizal and the 1,400-MW Pakil pumped-storage facility in Laguna, which together will provide 2,000 MW of flexible long-duration energy storage. MANILA, Philippines — Sy-led BDO Unibank Inc. has committed P75 billion to support the development of two large pumped-storage hydroelectric power projects of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., a move seen to strengthen energy storage capacity and support the country’s renewable energy transition. The Pakil project is poised to become one of the largest pumped-storage power plants in Asia. The listed bank is financing P20 billion of Olympia Violago Water & Power Inc.’s P64-billion loan facility and P55 billion of Ahunan Power Inc.’s P151-billion loan facility, both with 15-year terms. Prime Infra president and CEO Guillaume Lucci said long-term financing partnerships are critical for complex infrastructure projects like pumped-storage facilities.

PGT kickoff leg at LakewoodThe 7,049-yard layout made its Tour hosting debut in 2024 as the sixth leg of the circuit, producing a breakthrough moment for Sean Ramos, who fired an 18-under 270 to edge Reymon Jaraula by two and finish three strokes clear of multi-titled Tony Lascuña. MANILA, Philippines — After a successful debut last year, Lakewood Golf and Country Club takes on a bigger spotlight in 2026 by hosting the kickoff stage of the new season of the Philippine Golf Tour and the Ladies PGT. The 7,049-yard layout made its Tour hosting debut in 2024 as the sixth leg of the circuit, producing a breakthrough moment for Sean Ramos, who fired an 18-under 270 to edge Reymon Jaraula by two and finish three strokes clear of multi-titled Tony Lascuña. Persistent rains softened the course, limited roll, and forced players to attack a layout that played longer and more demanding than its card suggested. Set for March 24-27, Lakewood is expected to present a firmer, faster and potentially fiercer test over 72 grueling holes.

Alternergy sparks future of ‘energy tourism’From watts to wondersMANILA, Philippines — Make Alabat Island a tourist destination. With a total capacity of 64 megawatts (MW), the Alabat Wind Project uses innovative turbine designs built to withstand powerful winds and harsh conditions brought by typhoons. And the bigger the circumference, the more energy the wind turbine makes,” Perez said. In fact, with just one turbine, Alternergy will be capable of powering more than 24,800 households, he noted. Once the wind turbine spins, the tips of its blades can reach 200 meters.

Charter flight with 442 OFWs arrives from Middle EastMigrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac welcomes overseas Filipino workers repatriated from the Middle East upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The first Philippine chartered flight since the Middle East crisis broke out brought home 442 Filipinos yesterday, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Of the total number of repatriates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 200 are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seven are children. The second batch of repatriated Filipinos from the Middle East is expected to arrive today from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in another Philippine chartered flight. The first flight carrying repatriated Filipinos from Dubai arrived last March 5 in a flight arranged by the UAE government.

Ping cautions on move to strike KIG remarkMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson cautioned the Commission on Appointments (CA) against approving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s request to strike out from its records his controversial “give up the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG)” remark. “Falsification of legislative records is punishable under Art. We must be careful lest we be charged with falsification of legislative records and be implicated as co-conspirators because we approved the amendment,” he added. We must consider the resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalayaan,” Lacson said. Lacson had accused Marcoleta of being pro-China due to his remarks that seem to favor Beijing’s South China Sea claims.

Sara’s response to impeach raps expected MondayMANILA, Philippines — The committee on justice of the House of Representatives expects Vice President Sara Duterte to beat tomorrow’s deadline for her to submit a response to allegations in the impeachment cases filed against her. “It is not true because a fishing expedition presupposes an absolute absence of documentation before proceeding with any impeachment,” he said. “In truth, even if we don’t undertake subpoenas, the impeachment proceeding against the Vice President will in fact proceed. “Those being sought for subpoena by the House members are just part of the additional documents,” Ridon said. “It means that the complainants, endorsers, actually won’t be able to get copies of these confidential documents without actual impeachment proceedings commencing.