‘Clarify role of Pinoy lawyers in Duterte defense’Nicholas Kaufman, the defense counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte, appears before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on February 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Saying it could have an impact on the privacy and security of victims and witnesses, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked judges to intervene and clarify the supposed role of Filipino lawyers in the defense team of former president Rodrigo Duterte. He said Kaufman told the prosecution that lawyers Salvador Medialdea, Martin Delgra III, Silvestre Bello III, Caesar Dulay, Salvador Panelo and Alfredo Lim Jr. are not members of Duterte’s defense team. But Duterte’s lawyer issued media statements stating that the defense was “ably assisted and supported by” the six lawyers, with two – Delgra and Medialdea – supposedly “working (with the defense) all along.”“These statements have created the impression that the six lawyers are members of Mr. Duterte’s defense team before the International Criminal Court,” Niang said. “The Prosecution therefore requires clarification on whether these individuals are in fact members of Mr. Duterte’s defense team in order to conduct thorough risk assessments to potentially oppose their appointment,” he added.

Pope Leo appoints ex-Manila nuncio as U.S. envoyFormer Apostolic Nuncio to Manila Archbishop Gabriele Caccia at the University of Santo Tomas in 2018. MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has appointed the former apostolic nuncio to the Philippines as the Holy See’s envoy to the United States (U.S.). He will replace Cardinal Christophe Pierre, 80, who is retiring after serving as the Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. since 2016. Pope Francis appointed Caccia apostolic nuncio to the Philippines in September 2017. However, in 2019, the late Pope Francis named Caccia a permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

Eala braces for another crack at 'amazing' GauffMANILA, Philippines — “I’m ready.”Those are the fighting words of heavy underdog Filipina Alex Eala as she plunges into the jaws of another tennis giant in home bet Coco Gauff in Round 3 of the Indian Wells Open at the Indian Wells Garden Sunday in California (Monday in Manila). From rankings to experience albeit at both young ages, the 21-year-old Gauff, WTA No. It’s definitely going to be a tough one as Coco is an amazing player and playing at home. I’m ready and I’m looking forward to it.”Eala carved out a gritty 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 win against WTA No. 29 for a new career-high in the WTA live rankings but a gigantic win against Gauff could catapult her closer to the Top 25.

Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan faction’s ‘emir’ killed in Cotabato encounterThe known “emir” of the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan group, long wanted Emarudin Kulaw, was killed instantly by multiple bullet wounds in a clash with soldiers in Banisilan, Cotabato. KORONADAL CITY — Soldiers killed the top leader of a Dawlah Islamiya faction during an encounter in Barangay Tinimbacan, Banisilan, Cotabato, on Sunday morning, March 8. Kulaw and his companions resisted, triggering a brief encounter that resulted in his immediate death. Villagers said Kulaw’s four companions quickly fled after soldiers, approaching from two directions, shot him with their assault rifles. He said soldiers had no choice but to neutralize Kulaw after he refused to surrender peacefully.

Marcos heads to U.S. for U.N. talksPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaking to Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates on March 6, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday, March 8, departed the Philippines for a working visit to the United States. According to Escalona, Marcos is scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to the U.S. In addition to attending the opening of the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Marcos is scheduled to address a special session of the UN General Assembly, according to Escalona. On March 7, Marcos directed government agencies to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the potential effects of the ongoing crisis stemming from U.S.-Iran tensions.

Two heritage churches face contrasting restoration fatesLeft photo shows restoration work at San Sebastián Church in Manila. Right photo shows the collapsed 300-year-old pulpit of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Church in Maragondon, Cavite. MANILA, Philippines — Restoration activities of two declared national cultural treasures face contrasting fates, with one moving according to schedule while another church is still searching for its first block of funds. On January 22, the parish announced on its Facebook page its first fundraising program: the selling of the official “Maragondon Church Pulpit Restoration” shirt, for P350. The “Maragondon Church” was declared a national cultural treasure by the National Museum on July 31, 2001.

Lady Tamaraws charge past Fighting MaroonsMANILA, Philippines -- Three straight wins for the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. The Lady Tamaraws on Sunday trampled the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in straight-sets, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16, to win their third straight match in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Gusto ko rin i-acknowledge ‘yung mga coaches kasi inaral talaga namin ‘yung mga tendencies,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak. The frame was tied at 19-all before the Lady Tamaraws unleashed a 6-2 finishing kick capped by a kill and a service ace by Devosora, 25-21. In the third set, the Lady Tamaraws pulled away late.

Lady Bulldogs dominate winless Blue Eagles for second straight winMANILA, Philippines -- National University strung together two straight wins in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, Sunday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Lady Bulldogs rose to 5-1 in the season while keeping Ateneo winless through six games. With Ateneo trailing by five, 13-18, the Lady Bulldogs punched in three straight points thanks to Chami Maaya and Alinsug. The Blue Eagles snapped the run, but NU retaliated with three straight points to move to match point, 24-14. In the men’s division, the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs won three straight after crushing Ateneo, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22, thanks to explosive performances of Jade Disquitado and Buds Buddin.

Eala, Jovic ousted quickly at Indian Wells doublesMANILA, Philippines -- The duo of Alex Eala and Iva Jovic had a short run in the Indian Wells Open doubles’ competition after getting swept by Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste, 6-2, 6-2, Sunday morning (Manila time) in California. The pair of Eala and Jovic, who made the semifinals of the ASB Classic earlier in the year, could not replicate their deep run this time around. Eala and Jovic then kept in step in the second set, tying things up at 1-all after holding their serve. Eala and Jovic salvaged the set as they held their serve anew, 2-4, but their opponents were just too good to handle. Despite this, Eala will still see action in Indian Wells.

Nothing malicious about ‘Pinoy boyfriend’ comment – JinggoyMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Friday downplayed criticisms of his questions to a basketball player seeking naturalization before the Senate, describing his comments as nothing more than “friendly banter.”He drew backlash after teasing Gilas prospect Elizabeth Jeanette Means during a Senate justice committee hearing about having a Filipino boyfriend and jokingly linking her to fellow senator Kiko Pangilinan. Estrada clarified that his jokes with Pangilinan were lighthearted and based on a long-standing personal relationship with his family and his wife, the “Megastar” actor Sharon Cuneta. “It was simply a friendly banter between Sen. Francis Pangilinan and myself,” Estrada said. The senator said the idea for the question came up because of another athlete, Maodo “Malick” Diouf, who is also seeking naturalization. Netizens said it was an inappropriate comment to make, especially on Women’s Month.

Lacson firm on ignoring ‘ex-Marines’MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday defended his decision not to hold a Blue Ribbon inquiry into the claims of 18 alleged former soldiers that they delivered P805 billion in flood control kickbacks to certain politicians. On calls for him to schedule a hearing so that the 18 would “fall flat on their lies,” Lacson said the Blue Ribbon panel’s hearings are meant to ferret out the truth. Lacson earlier flagged what he called the mathematical impossibility of transporting a huge amount that could weigh a staggering 805 metric tons of bank notes. He stressed the “logistical nightmare” of the operation to transport that much money, that could only fit in 13,416 large suitcases weighing a total 53.6 tons. He also pointed out a major discrepancy by comparing the country’s actual cash supply of P2.7 trillion in 2024 with the alleged P805-billion kickbacks.

Cushion Middle East crisis impact on sugar industry, government urgedThe Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. said the Department of Agriculture should “take up the cudgels for the agriculture sector” and implement the “purchase-and-park” sugar buying program proposed by the Confed. MANILA, Philippines — The government has been asked to cushion the impact of the Middle East crisis on the local sugar industry by providing sugarcane farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries fertilizer assistance and other subsidies. The Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. said the Department of Agriculture should “take up the cudgels for the agriculture sector” and implement the “purchase-and-park” sugar buying program proposed by the Confed. He said he is willing to join a technical working group that will draft the implementing rules of the sugar buying program. During a meeting with Valderrama and National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines president Roland dela Cruz, Sugar Regulatory Administration chief Pablo Luis Azcona agreed to endorse the buying program being pushed by the Confed and NACUSIP.

World-class Filipino hotel brandA Philippines’ very own international brand of hotels joining the ranks of big names in the global hospitality industry? Then there’s the 482-room Hotel101-Niseko located in Hokkaido, Japan, slated to open at the end of this year. Hotel101 Philippines currently has two hotels in the country – a 518-room hotel located inside the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay and another one with 608 rooms in Bonifacio Global City. Last January, Hotel101 Global signed agreements to develop a 766-room hotel in Melbourne, Australia. Hotel101, he emphasized, will disrupt the three-star hotel market, as its guests will experience four-star amenities at two-star prices.

Bankers outline key initiatives, prioritiesBankers Association of the Philippines president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco (center) is flanked by (from left) BAP managing director Benjamin Castillo, BAP past presidents Aurelio Montinola III, Cezar Consing, GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso, Antonio Moncupa Jr., Deogracias Vistan, Nestor Tan and incoming BAP deputy managing director Elfren Sarte Jr.MANILA, Philippines — The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) has outlined key initiatives and strategic priorities for the year ahead, emphasizing the importance of sustained coordination. Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso joined the organization’s Annual Advisory Council meeting held recently. Veloso, former BAP president, pushed for sustained coordination among financial institutions to maintain stability and strengthen public confidence. When industry leaders work together, we reinforce financial stability and support long-term economic growth,” Veloso said. Current BAP president Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco headed the discussion on the association’s initiatives and strategic priorities.

But in reality, the Comm Back, Comm Home Homecoming and Glory Awards hosted by the UP College of Media and Communication Alumni Association (UPCMCAA) was no staged performance. Held at the glittering Commission on Higher Education auditorium on Feb. 28, the event, which marked the UPCMC’s 60th anniversary, was every bit a homecoming. I saw former professors, some of my batchmates in Communication Research, fellow UPCMC alumni including broadcasters, film directors, actors and Sen. Loren Legarda. 2025 Glory awardeesThe highlight of the evening was the awarding of the 2025 Glory Awards. Glory awardees are chosen by a jury of well-respected mass communication experts including some former awardees themselves.