Philippines not rejoining ICC – PalaceNEW YORK – The Philippines still has no plans to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), Malacañang said on Monday, as the Philippine National Police prepares for possible protest actions marking the first anniversary of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and detention in The Hague. The Philippine government enforced an ICC arrest warrant coursed through Interpol. In 2018 as president, Duterte ordered the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, after former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced a preliminary examination into his administration’s illegal drugs crackdown. The five-member Appeals Chamber of the ICC earlier affirmed the Jan. 26 decision of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber ordering Duterte’s continued detention in the ICC. “What’s stopping President Marcos Jr. from returning the Philippines as ICC member?” De Lima asked in a statement.

House bills ban socmed access for 16 and under“Filipino users have the right to know how their data is used and how algorithms influence the content they see every day,” said Cavite Rep.Lani Mercado-Revilla, author of House Bill 7300 or the Social Media Accountability Act. MANILA, Philippines — Taking their cue from Australia, Spain and France, two House lawmakers have filed bills prohibiting children aged 16 and below from accessing social media. CIBAC party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, for his part, authored House Bill 8262 or the Social Media Protection for Minors Act. Social media platforms, not minors or their parents, bear primary responsibility for preventing underage access, according to HB 8262. A Social Media Accountability Council will be created and attached to the Department of Information and Communications Technology to protect underage users, according to HB 7300.

China spying on the world – Navy spokesmanMANILA, Philippines — China is spying on the world and not only on the Philippines, according to a Philippine Navy spokesman, following the discovery of Filipino soldiers and civilian personnel involved in espionage activities for Beijing. Trinidad, at a press briefing, said such spying operations are not being done through open sources or established channels of information sharing. Trinidad assured that the ITP, initiated under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), is doing its work effectively, which is why the recruitment and spying operations were uncovered. We have classifications for our information classified, confidential, secret and top secret. Their access level was to classified information,” he said.

Marcos calls for global unity vs violence against womenPresident Marcos addresses the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos called on United Nations member-states on Monday to remain united in confronting violence against women in all its forms, noting that the journey toward full equality around the world is far from complete. Speaking at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN headquarters in New York, Marcos said one of the most fundamental measures of a nation’s progress is the status of its women. But there is a simpler and more human measure: how are the women doing?” the President said. Marcos cited Filipino women’s remarkable contributions as leaders in government, business, innovation, education, health and as the “steady strength” within families and communities.

Power rates going up, but not due to oil crisisMANILA, Philippines — Amid surging fuel prices, households served by power utility Meralco will see their bills rise this month by P0.6427 per kilowatt-hour – but not yet because of the crisis in the Middle East. At yesterday’s press conference, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga attributed the rate hike to higher transmission and generation charges. The generation charge, meanwhile, rose by P0.2209 per kWh due to higher costs of power purchased by Meralco from suppliers. Pass-through charges for generation and transmission are paid to power producers and the grid operator, respectively. Fluctuations in the peso against the greenback may also affect electricity rates next month, as some power supply contracts are priced in dollars, Fernandez said.

Lacson, Marcoleta trade barbs anewMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is acting as a mouthpiece for China and detained contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said yesterday. Delivering a privilege speech to “shut the whole political circus down,” Lacson fired back at Marcoleta and his month’s worth of potshots regarding Lacson’s Blue Ribbon committee chairmanship and the West Philippine Sea. Marcoleta denied accusations of being pro-China and described Lacson’s speech as full of “ad hominem” attacks that do not address the issues. Aside from playing a video compilation of Marcoleta supposedly defending the Discayas, Lacson recalled Marcoleta’s suggestion that the country give up the Kalayaan Island Group. As for the 18 men claiming to have delivered kickback money to President Marcos and other state officials, Marcoleta tried to corner Lacson into scheduling a Blue Ribbon inquiry.

Calamity fund can be used for subsidiesDBM Undersecretary Janet Abuel told the Senate committee on finance that the P23.4-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund – a subset of the P39.8-billion total calamity budget for 2026 – can be mobilized to address crises stemming from international armed conflicts. MANILA, Philippines — The government can tap billions of pesos from the national calamity fund to subsidize fuel costs for sectors affected by surging oil prices, an official from the Department of Budget and Management said yesterday. DBM Undersecretary Janet Abuel told the Senate committee on finance that the P23.4-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund – a subset of the P39.8-billion total calamity budget for 2026 – can be mobilized to address crises stemming from international armed conflicts. “If this disaster drags on and we may need to provide fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle drivers, to farmers, to fisherfolk, we can access (the fund) in my opinion. If it gets to $100 (per barrel) for the next few months, then would be like we’re in a calamity,” Gatchalian said.

The world according to HSBC PremierHSBC Premier hosted an elegant evening for its valued cardholders at The Peninsula Manila, transforming the grand lobby into a spectacular immersive showcase of global living. The dazzling presentation featured thoughtfully curated spaces where guests journeyed through the “Worlds of Opportunity” — Wealth, Health, Travel, and International — pillars that define the HSBC Premier lifestyle. Designed for globally minded individuals, the card offers privileged travel benefits, international banking access, wealth solutions, and exclusive lifestyle experiences that move seamlessly across borders. Citoy Lopez and Wito Tuason Quimson recently marked their special days in intimate gatherings, each reflecting on life with gratitude and humor. Reflecting on life, Wito shared that health is greater than wealth, and that harmonious friendships become ever more meaningful with time.

More LGUs adopt shorter work daysEmployees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority started adopting the four-day workweek at the MMDA main office in Pasig. In Quezon City, the local government said it would adopt a four-day workweek to conserve energy. In San Juan, Mayor Francis Zamora signed an order implementing a four-day workweek starting on Monday. In Malabon, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said the implementation of a four-day work policy was in response to the national government’s call to conserve energy. Caloocan Mayor Along Malapitan directed all city offices to adopt measures aimed at conserving fuel and electricity.

Palace: Philippines has enough fuel, basic commodities amid Mideast tensionsMotorists line up at a gasoline station along United Nations Avenue on March 9, 2026, a day before the staggered fuel price adjustments take effect. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday, March 10, assured the public that the Philippines has sufficient supplies of fuel and basic commodities despite rising global oil prices amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. “Hindi po kailangan magkaroon ng panic buying dahil kumpleto naman po at enough pa po ang supply, lalong-lalo na ang ating fuel at ng ating mga basic commodities,” Castro said. (There is no need for panic buying because the supply is complete and still sufficient, especially for our fuel and basic commodities.) According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), there has been no unusual movement in the prices of basic commodities in Metro Manila and other regions.

Counterfeit U.S. 100 dollar banknotes on the floor inside a compound in O'Smach used for scam operations, at the Chong Chom-O'Smach border crossing, which was bombed and occupied by the Thai military in December following clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

SolGen recommends acquittal of Ressa, researcher over libel chargePhilippine journalist Maria Ressa (C) speaks during a press conference after attending the court's verdict promulgation in Manila on June 15, 2020. Ressa was convicted on June 15 of cyber libel and sentenced to prison in a case that watchdogs say marks a dangerous erosion of press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement on Tuesday, March 10, the SolGen said the criminal charges against Ressa and Santos were filed beyond the legal time limit. “On this basis, the OSG sought to apply the Causing ruling to the case of Ressa and Santos,” it added. However, the SolGen clarified that its recommendation does not mean cyber libel is protected speech.

Leaked intel led to China ramming of PCG ship at Escoda Shoal, says AFPMANILA, Philippines — A Filipino national recruited into an alleged Chinese spy network passed information that led to the harassment of a Philippine vessel at Escoda Shoal, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "Based on the information he gave, it resulted in the harassment of one of the Coast Guard ships in Sabina (Escoda) Shoal," Trinidad said in mixed English and Filipino. He thought that his Coast Guard friends might be injured or killed." Escoda Shoal became a flashpoint of tensions in the sea in 2024 after the PCG deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua to monitor alleged Chinese reclamation activities in the area. China claims sovereignty over the feature and most of the South China Sea despite a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive maritime claims.

Marcos bats for UN Security Council seat anewPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, March 9, 2026 (US time.) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated the Philippines' bid for a seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) while he was in New York, according to the Palace. Any country that faces concerns with peace and security, the Philippines just needs to hear them if we become a member of the UN Security Council because their voice could contribute to international safety, peace and security.) Elections for a UNSC seat will be held on June 3, 2026. Apart from meeting with Guterres, Marcos delivered an address for the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Eala, Noskova dispute quarterfinal berth at Indian WellsMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala attempts to topple another giant in World No. 14 Linda Noskova of Czechia in a tall order of snatching a quarterfinal ticket in the Indian Wells Open Wednesday, March 11 (Manila time), at the Indian Wells Garden in California. 52 Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine in the second round. Like Gauff, Noskova, with a career-best at No. On top of a quarterfinal berth, up for taking for Eala is a shot at Top 20-25 after jumping to No.