The STAR, 8 other broadsheets join Oplan Kontra Fake NewsPresidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez signs an agreement with broadsheet executives to fight disinformation, at Malacañang yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine STAR and eight other major broadsheets in the country have joined the government’s “Oplan Kontra Fake News” to protect the public from the harmful effects of disinformation. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez yesterday signed an agreement with top executives of The STAR, Business Mirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Manila Times. The partnership will advance media and information literacy initiatives to empower Filipinos to discern fact from fiction. In shining that light, we dispel the shadows where fake news attempts to hide.”

‘4 pols can fight Sara in 2028’Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo meets with local and disaster officials in June 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Four politicians can put up a good fight against Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 general elections, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. “I think Leni Robredo can wage a good fight,” he asserted. The Vice President, however, is not invincible, he maintained. The Vice President has been campaigning for her father's release from detention at the International Criminal Court.

ASEAN calls for restraint in Middle East conflictHow will US, Israeli strikes on Iran affect oil markets? MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called yesterday for restraint and immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, triggered by US and Israeli military strikes on Iran which retaliated hitting targets across the region. In a statement, the ASEAN foreign ministers expressed serious concern over the escalation of conflict in the Middle East as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran aimed at regime change continue. “We call on all countries to respect international law, including the Charter of the United Nations,” the ministers said. The Senate earlier adopted a resolution urging the government to repatriate OFWs in the Middle East.

Ping-Marcoleta word war ragesMANILA, Philippines — The word war between Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta seems far from over. While he was tempted to respond, Lacson said he would rather not dignify his arch-critic’s statements. But it did not stop him from throwing shade – by citing a passage from a Chinese book of maxims. I would have used a language that my colleague may better understand: Xiao chong bu ke yu bing,” Lacson said. The saying quoted by Lacson is attributed to the Zhuangzi, an ancient Chinese text that consists of stories and maxims.

Today, both realize they have walked into a quagmire. The Gulf states are almost entirely dependent on desalinated water and nearly all their food is imported. In the first days of this battle, Washington proudly declared they were intercepting 90 percent of missiles fired at the Gulf states. Meanwhile, Iran is rolling out its more modern missiles to hit Israel and the Arab states aligned with the US. If the fighting extends for another week, tens of thousands of our workers will decide they want repatriation.

Philippines, South Korea ink 7 business dealsMANILA, Philippines — In celebration of the 77th anniversary of the Philippines and South Korea’s bilateral relations, the two countries yesterday signed seven business deals in key sectors, in a development seen to deepen the ties between the two countries that have evolved from “comrades in times of uncertainty” to “partners in times of opportunity.”The memoranda of understanding covered shipbuilding, nuclear power, food and medical devices. These include the MOU among Meralco, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, which seeks to jointly develop business and financial models for new nuclear plant projects. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Philippines’ Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also signed an MOU on shipbuilding technology development. He said the SPFL-Korean program was introduced through a memorandum of agreement signed in June 2017 between DepEd and the Embassy of South Korea. Under that agreement, the Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines served as the official training provider, offering immersive cultural experiences to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Korean culture.

A 'Now Hiring' sign is posted outside of a business on October 03, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Due to the U.S. Government shutdown the Bureau of Labor Statistics will not be releasing September's employment data. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

It was our annual IFE Investment Briefing—a special face-to-face treat for our clients and friends. Rose Fres Fausto, IFE wealth director, giving the welcome remarks at the annual IFE Investment Briefing. Enrique Fausto, CFA, IFE wealth president, presenting at the annual IFE Investment Briefing. Mikko Vergara, head of equities and global funds at SLIMTC, presenting at the annual IFE Investment Briefing. Marvin Fausto, IFE wealth director, giving the closing remarks at the annual IFE Invstment Briefing.

Lawmakers spar over third Sara Duterte impeachment rapComposite photo shows Rep. Bong Suntay, Rep. Leila de Lima, and Rep. Joel Chua during the justice committee's second hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Heated exchanges erupted at the House justice committee as lawmakers took up the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. De Lima said Duterte, as the vice president and head of her office, approves cash disbursements, liquidation and accomplishment reports. The alleged mishandling of public funds also falls under the principle of command responsibility. Lawmakers also questioned whether the complaint includes bank records to prove Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth and failure to declare assets.

VP Sara files perjury raps vs self-proclaimed bagman MadriagaMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has filed a perjury complaint against Ramil Madriaga, the detained former military agent whose sworn affidavit has become one of the central pieces of evidence in the impeachment proceedings against her at the House of Representatives. Duterte personally appeared before the Taguig City Prosecutor's Office to file the case, her office said in a statement on Wednesday, March 4. She accused Madriaga of lying under oath and said his fabricated claims should not be used to deceive the public. In her statement, Duterte drew a parallel between Madriaga and witnesses in the International Criminal Court case against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Madriaga has been detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City since July 2023 on a kidnapping-for-ransom charge.

Alibaba's Qwen AI division head becomes latest exec to leave this yearQwen and Alibaba logos are seen in this illustration taken, January 29, 2025.

32 before Indian WellsMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala slipped in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings ahead of her highly-anticipated debut in the Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas)in California this weekend, where she is among the seeded players. 31 last week on the heels of a stellar run in Dubai, Eala dropped to No. 32 after a week-long break as the WTA Tour shifts from the Middle East to the United States. At the Indian Wells, Eala marches as one of the top guns, seeded at No. 8), who stunned Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final last year, is also in the fray alongside the American pair of Coco Gauff (No.

Hold-departure order issued vs Eric Yap, brotherMANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has barred Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and his brother resigned ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Edvic Yap from leaving the country as they face investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman for malversation and graft over their alleged involvement in the flood control scandal. The anti-graft court’s Second Division issued a precautionary hold-departure order against the Yap brothers as requested by the ombudsman, which is currently conducting a preliminary investigation on complaints filed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon. “A PHDO is requested during the Preliminary Investigation stage to ensure that the respondents, who are considered flight risks, do not leave the jurisdiction. Dizon said the Yap brothers may have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and malversation of public funds with falsification of public documents. Citing the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also said Yap received large amounts of cash from contractors Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya.

‘Duterte beaming with pride for Sara’Veronica Duterte celebrates her 20th birthday with her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte in this photo posted by Sen. Bong Go on Facebook in April 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte was “beaming with pride, but also feels for” Vice President Sara Duterte after she declared her presidential bid in 2028, according to her sister Veronica Duterte. Sara is facing impeachment complaints for her alleged misuse of funds, among others. The Duterte patriarch is detained in The Hague awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Veronica, popularly known as Kitty, visited the former president on Feb. 27 after the ICC wrapped up its hearings on confirmation of charges against him.

Alfredo Bengzon, Magsaysay awardee, ex-DOH chief, 90MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Health Secretary Alfredo Bengzon died yesterday. “Rest in Peace former secretary of Health Alfredo Rafael Antonio Bengzon,” DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a social media post. Bengzon served as DOH secretary from 1986 to 1992 under president Corazon Aquino. His contributions to healthcare and social reform earned him the 1991 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. “I was a young surgical resident at UP-Philippine General Hospital when he became secretary of Health,” he said.