'She's coming back': Djokovic predicts Serena Williams returnIn this file photo taken on January 24, 2020, Serena Williams of the US reacts after a point against China's Wang Qiang during their women's singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. "I think she's coming back," Djokovic said Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) at the ATP/WTA Indian Wells Masters. "I don't know. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don't know, and if I'm in her position, I would hide it too." Williams's sister Venus, 45, accepted a wild card into the Indian Wells singles draw and will face France's Diane Parry in the first round.

BSP pushes server-side biometrics vs online fraudIn a draft memorandum issued by the central bank’s Financial Supervision Sector, the BSP said server-side biometric authentication would be recognized as a strong authentication mechanism for digital financial services. In a draft memorandum issued by the central bank’s Financial Supervision Sector, the BSP said server-side biometric authentication would be recognized as a strong authentication mechanism for digital financial services. The draft memorandum builds on this requirement by encouraging the use of server-side biometric authentication as part of strong customer verification mechanisms. Under the proposal, the use of server-side biometrics will also be considered by the BSP when evaluating whether financial institutions have maintained adequate risk management systems and controls. To address these risks, the BSP outlined minimum control requirements for financial institutions adopting the technology.

Lawmakers withdraw support for ‘watered down’ anti-dynasty billFacade of the House of Representatives at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — Five opposition lawmakers decided to withdraw yesterday their authorship in what they touted as the “watered-down” version of the consolidated anti-dynasty bill that a committee of the House of Representatives approved. De Lima, for her part, said she decided to withdraw her co-authorship of the substitute bill as she refused to be part of a measure institutionalizing dynasties. He also claimed that Marcos was just deceiving the Filipinos when the administration certified the bill banning political dynasties as a priority. According to him, the approved bill would permit 10 persons from a political clan to run for different positions.

Her favorite childhood place faces a threat because of a planned freeway cutting through it courtesy of city mayor Jerry Generazzo (Jon Hamm). It has been quite a while since the last time Pixar had a solid hit. Other enjoyables names in the voice cast are Eduardo Franco, Melissa Villaseñor, Dave Franco, and an almost missable Meryl Streep. Pixar can always bank on numerous “Toy Story” or “The Incredibles” to rake in the crowds, but championing original stories remains a gem for the studio. If the company continues to wave this flag of pure creativity, then roads will lead it to where it needs to be.

A worsening warOn its fourth day, millions were praying for the biggest war the world has seen in a generation to end – the United States-Israel vs. Iran war. The Iran war will get worse before it subsides. Cancellations swept across seven major ME airports – Dubai International, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Bahrain International Airport and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International – more than 12,300 flights, Feb. 28 to March 3 alone. Some analysts forecast oil hitting $150 per barrel because the US-Israel vs. Iran war has shown no signs of abating. For his part, worried by the third day of the war, super analyst Joey Salceda was aghast: “For the Philippines, the immediate concern is personal.

German president to visit PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — German President Frank Walter-Steinmeier is set to undertake a three-day official visit to the Philippines from March 11 to 13. Steinmeier’s visit will take place two years after President Marcos traveled to the European country to boost bilateral ties between Manila and Berlin. The German president is expected to visit the office of Lufthansa Technik Philippines in Pasay. Lufthansa Technik Philippines is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and MacroAsia Corp. specializing in base maintenance. In 2024, Marcos went to Germany as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Philippine-German diplomatic relations.

‘Impeach raps vs Sara sufficient in substance’House justice panel votes 54-1-0MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on justice yesterday declared the two impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte sufficient in substance. On Monday, the justice panel deemed both complaints sufficient in form. The declaration of sufficiency in substance on the impeachment complaints formally advances the impeachment process at the House of Representatives. During the hearing, the justice panel also approved the withdrawal of the complaint filed by Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino Dee et al., narrowing the active cases to two. In fact, prior to the dissemination of the Madriaga Affidavit, I had no recollection of knowing, meeting, or interacting with Madriaga,” Duterte said.

Graft raps filed today vs BFP chief, 50 othersThe charges will be filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) before the Office of the Ombudsman. MANILA, Philippines — Complaints for graft and grave misconduct will be filed today against Bureau of Fire Protection chief Jesus Fernandez for his alleged involvement in corruption in the BFP. The charges will be filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) before the Office of the Ombudsman. Remulla has tagged the BFP as the most corrupt agency under the DILG, allegedly getting about P15 billion per year in kickbacks. Remulla said cases would also be filed against 50 current and former BFP officials who were involved in bid-rigging schemes in the BFP procurement programs from 2021 to 2025.

Rare ‘corpse flower’ discovered in ApayaoHandout photo provided by the Calanasan environment and natu- ral resources office shows the ‘corpse flower’BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A rare “corpse flower” has been found thriving in the forest of Calanasan town in Apayao on Tuesday. The local government said the flower was discovered by foresters who were patrolling the woods in Barangay Eva. “A rare bloom in the forest reminds us that conservation is not optional, it is a responsibility,” local environment officials said as they called for protection of the town’s forests. The species, named Medinilla calanasan, was formally inscribed in the international journal Phytotaxa last month. The Medinilla calanasan is unique among the Southeast Asian Medinilla species for having a pair of small, horn-like protrusions at the base of each leaf blade.

Jonvic denies beating up FernandoMANILA, Philippines — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla has denied allegations that he beat up Bulacan Gov. The beating was reportedly connected to an incident along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) involving Fernando’s security escorts and President Marcos’ youngest son Vinny. Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay yesterday, Remulla denied that he gave Fernando a beating in his office at Camp Crame, as alleged by columnist Ramon Tulfo. “Daniel Fernando denied it happened; I will concur with him,” Remulla said as he showed his fists and arms to prove he has no bruises from any altercation. Asked if the DILG would file administrative cases against Fernando, Remulla said: “Stupidity is not a crime.”

9 Customs employees face agricultural smuggling, corruption casesThree consignees allegedly involved in large-scale agricultural smuggling have been named in the complaints filed by the BOC with the Department of Finance. MANILA, Philippines — Nine employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) will face agricultural smuggling and corruption charges for illegally importing farm products. Three consignees allegedly involved in large-scale agricultural smuggling have been named in the complaints filed by the BOC with the Department of Finance. Administrative cases will also be filed against 19 BOC personnel for neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. “Errant personnel who violate Customs laws will not be tolerated and all those responsible will face full accountability,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.

The message is clear: demand-side management through energy efficiency and conservation measures is no longer optional. This call for conservation echoes what I have been consistently advocating and long emphasized: energy efficiency should not be practiced only during crises or price surges. Republic Act 11285 institutionalizes energy efficiency and conservation as a “national way of life,” sets obligations for designated establishments and offers fiscal incentives for approved energy efficiency projects. Meanwhile, the DOE and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have pushed local governments to establish dedicated EEC offices and craft formal energy efficiency plans. Let is build the culture, propelled by governance and incentives, that make energy efficiency the default and not the exception.

Philippines debt pile swells to record P18.13 trillionLatest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the national debt was 11.2 percent higher than the P16.31 trillion recorded in end-January 2025. In JanuaryMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ outstanding debt swelled to a record P18.13 trillion at the end of January, as authorities accelerated debt issuance ahead of global market volatility that threatens to drive borrowing costs higher. Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the national debt was 11.2 percent higher than the P16.31 trillion recorded in end-January 2025. For January alone, the outstanding debt was already 95 percent of the Marcos administration’s expected projection of P19.06 trillion this year. Despite posting a new record high, the Treasury said the debt level remains sustainable amid pressing challenges in the domestic and global landscape.

4-day workweek eyed to save energy“Right now, the President is considering such suggestion especially if the Israel-Iran issue gets worse,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in Filipino at a press briefing. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos may consider a four-day workweek as part of efforts to conserve energy amid soaring oil prices triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East, Malacañang said yesterday. Win Gatchalian suggested that some companies carry out a four-day workweek or work-from-home arrangements to help save energy. At the President’s direction, the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee has issued an advisory outlining measures to save energy amid the Middle East crisis. “Of course, their goods were made before this increase [in fuel prices],” Roque said.

NSC says China using Filipinos for spying“The National Security Council confirms the Rappler investigative report that government authorities have uncovered a serious national security matter involving espionage and foreign-directed malign activities in the country linked to the People’s Republic of China. MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) said yesterday it has uncovered “a serious national security matter” wherein Filipinos themselves are being used by China to conduct espionage operations in the country. In a statement, the NSC also confirmed the existence of an “Insider Threat Program” involving various national government agencies currently dealing with the matter. “The National Security Council confirms the Rappler investigative report that government authorities have uncovered a serious national security matter involving espionage and foreign-directed malign activities in the country linked to the People’s Republic of China. “For reasons of national security, we cannot discuss identities, methods, or timelines so as not to jeopardize ongoing operations.