MRT-7 pins location for bus terminal linkIn an update, San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida Perez-Robes said San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has finally shared with local executives the revised alignment for the MRT-7. In an update, San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida Perez-Robes said San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has finally shared with local executives the revised alignment for the MRT-7. Based on the new alignment, the 14th and final station will be located close to the borders of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and Caloocan City, before SM City San Jose del Monte. From the ITT, buses will pass through 22 kilometers of roads in San Jose del Monte and Sta. As a whole, MRT-7 will operate stations in Caloocan City (Tala) and Bulacan (San Jose del Monte) as well.

Republic Act 12315 signed by Marcos last March 4 extended the life of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) for two years. EDCOM 2 is a national commission tasked to conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the Philippine education sector’s performance. House committee on higher and technical education and co-chairman of EDCOM 2 Rep. Jude Acidre expressed gratitude for Marcos for extending the duration of EDCOM 2. And it begins with meaningful conversations with our leaders in private education institutions to ensure that our priorities are aligned in implementing the program,” he said. Angara and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) convened at the Ateneo de Davao University, where the committee and private education leaders discussed how the two sectors can work together.

Staggered fuel price hikes start next weekMANILA, Philippines — Oil players in the Philippines are “amenable” to staggered fuel price increases, which the Department of Energy (DOE) plans to implement starting next week. Traditionally, firms have responded positively.”The DOE will only know by the weekend how much fuel prices will increase, effective Tuesday, based on five-day trading in global oil markets. National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa, however, warned that inflation could further pick up in the coming months, as fuel price hikes spill over into other commodities such as food and water. “When global oil prices rise, transportation fares, electricity rates, and food prices also go up, and ordinary Filipinos suffer the most. We must act early to protect Filipino consumers from sudden oil price shocks that hurt families and small businesses,” Rep. Nathan Oducado said.

Remember the curse of COVID? COVID or the impact of the Middle East conflict?”I wanted to say: “What do I know?” and I’m sure it would be the correct answer for millions of Filipinos. In comparison, the on-going Middle East Conflict is beginning to feel like the fear and anxiety you experience when going on a roller coaster ride. Maybe, just maybe, the Middle East conflict will be four weeks and not a four year war. Instead of comparing or predicting what will be worse, COVID or the Middle East disaster, what we should all be doing is reviewing our experience and lessons that helped all of us to survive COVID’s lockdown curse.

Institutionalizing dynastiesAfter institutionalizing thievery in the national budget process, lawmakers now look set to institutionalize political dynasties. We’re talking here of both fat and thin dynasties. Today, expectations of a genuine anti-dynasty bill are being dashed as quickly as those for any big fish getting caught in the net full of gaping holes in BBM’s crackdown on corruption. The problem is that the amendments to produce a genuine ban on dynasties may take another 40 years before these are passed by Congress. With this enabling law, dynasties fat and thin are effectively institutionalized.

Eala opens Indian Wells bid vs Ukraine's YastremskaMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala will face a familiar foe in Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine after the latter’s victory in the qualifiers to arrange a Round 2 duel in the 2026 Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas) main draw this weekend in California, United States. Yastremska, WTA No. Expectations are high for Eala to repeat over Yastremska to arrange a second-round duel against either her good friend Coco Gauff (WTA No. 8), who stunned Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final last year, and Jessica Pegula (No. 43 while the two-time Grand Slam champion Ostapenko sits at No.

1 dead, 5 others injured in Muslim feudCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — A graduating high school student was killed while five members of another family were injured in the crossfire between two heavily armed Muslim groups at the border of Datu Piang town in Maguindanao del Sur and Nabalawag town in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area in Cotabato. Their house is reportedly located in the middle of the place where the feuding groups began exchanging shots on Tuesday in Barangay Damatulan, Nabalawag. In nearby Barangay Duaminanga in Datu Piang, community leaders brought to a hospital five members of the Asim family, who were hit by stray bullets and grenade fragments. The two rival groups, armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers, are reportedly squabbling for control of strategic tracts of land. The rift widened after the group leaders supported rival candidates during the May 2025 elections.

BFP chief faces raps over P14.7-M ambulance bribery schemeAn ambulance of the Bureau of Fire Protection as photographed in June 2024 in Taguig City, and Fire Director Jesus Fernandez taking his oath of office in May 2025. The complaint, filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, accuses Fernandez of involvement in a P14.752-million bribery scheme tied to the purchase of Type 1 Basic Life Support ambulances. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as direct bribery, malversation of public funds, and conspiracy. Other government officials and private individuals involved in the transaction were also included in the complaint, the DILG said. Alleged bid manipulationThe alleged scheme dates back to September 2024, when the procurement process for the ambulances was supposedly manipulated to favor a particular supplier.

Speaker: Pinays are modern-day ‘Babaylan’Dy said the Babaylan, who were respected in pre-colonial Philippine society as women spiritual leaders and community guides, symbolize wisdom, courage and responsibility – qualities that continue to define Filipinas today. MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III honored Filipino women as modern-day “Babaylan” yesterday, recognizing their leadership, strength and vital role in nation-building as the country marks National Women’s Month. Dy said the Babaylan, who were respected in pre-colonial Philippine society as women spiritual leaders and community guides, symbolize wisdom, courage and responsibility – qualities that continue to define Filipinas today. The House speaker said women’s leadership makes development more inclusive and society more resilient. You are the fountain of strength, the leader of our time, you are the modern Babaylan.

Cold winds to end soonPAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said the northeast monsoon continues to weaken as the easterlies prevail in most parts of the country. MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon or amihan season may end by mid-March, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday. PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said the northeast monsoon continues to weaken as the easterlies prevail in most parts of the country. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have humid weather conditions due to the easterlies. With this, the WMO said that weather conditions may swing to a warming El Niño episode later this year.

Before the “blitz” game, the league will roll out the Skills Competition highlighted by the Obstacle Challenge for 12 bigs and 12 guards in separate editions and the much-awaited three-point shootout. The PBA has decided to scrap the dunk contest for the meantime as like in the NBA, it has deteriorated into a humdrum carnival show. The Obstacle Challenge will put the players to a passing, dribbling and shooting test under time pressure. The “blitz” game will be four 10-minute quarters. On Sunday, it’ll be the North-South All-Star Game and that’s the subject of the next column.

The 18 men's “exposé” was timed with the ICC’s hearing on the confirmation of charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte last week. The statements of the 18 men might be used by Duterte’s ICC defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman to “disrupt the possible trial,” according to Trillanes. Trillanes said Baligod’s group could also be held liable for violating Article 70 of the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. Article 70 of the Rome Statute ensures the identities of ICC investigators and witnesses would remain confidential. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, called on Baligod to submit the individual affidavits of the 18 former soldiers.

Madriaga offered P500 millio to P1 billion for silence – lawyerMANILA, Philippines — Former colleagues tried to bribe Ramil Madriaga with P500 million to P1 billion in exchange for his silence on Vice President Sara Duterte’s links to drug dealers and offshore gaming operators who bankrolled her campaign in 2022. This was according to Madriaga’s lawyer, Raymund Palad in an interview yesterday with “Storycon” on One News. The lawyer, however, is unsure whether these people are Madriaga’s former law school classmates at San Sebastian College or co-members of ISIP Pilipinas. The detainee, according to Palad, ran back to his cell but was eventually identified. Madriaga’s camp will use the affidavit to ask a Manila court that committed him to Camp Bagong Diwa to have him transferred elsewhere.

Sara hits critics’ ‘silence’on cash deliveries to polsMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday questioned the “deafening silence” of civil society groups, the Church and lawmakers to allegations raised by 18 men who claimed to be former Marines, that they delivered suitcases containing billions of pesos to certain politicians. The 18 individuals talked about the alleged cash deliveries during a press conference organized by lawyer Levi Baligod in San Juan last Tuesday. The nation’s money should not be placed in a suitcase, and the truth should not be placed in silence,” Duterte said. Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, meanwhile, denied the Vice President was behind the death threats against her alleged former bagman Ramil Madriaga. Madriaga had claimed that drug lords and Chinese-sponsored Philippine offshore gaming operators bankrolled Duterte’s campaign for vice president.

DTI enforces flexi-work scheme; business groups openDepartment of Trade and Industry on Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati CityMANILA, Philippines — Responding to President Marcos’ call to reduce fuel consumption, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will implement a flexible work scheme beginning March 9.Business groups said they are open to enforcing a similar arrangement, but noted that it may not be applicable to certain sectors. Job order and contract of service workers in the DTI, excluding those involved in frontline functions, will be working from home every Friday. Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said that while the private sector is open to implementing flexible work arrangements and a four-day workweek, he stressed that it cannot be applied to all industries. Management Association of the Philippines president Donald Lim shared the view, noting the four-day workweek cannot be applied uniformly across the economy. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ferdinand Ferrer said implementation of the four-day workweek must be supported with balanced, evidenced-based and sector-sensitive approach.