‘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.

UAE tennis tournament cancelled after drone attack sparks oil fireMotorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of Doha on March 1, 2026. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the UAE's Fujairah was cancelled on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) after play was interrupted earlier in the day because of drone strikes on nearby oil refineries. The England Lions cricket team also arrived home on Tuesday after the cancellation of the rest of their limited-overs series against Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates. At the tennis on Tuesday, falling debris from the interception of a drone caused a fire in an oil field located around 15km (nine miles) from the site of the tournament. The UAE has been targeted by more than 800 drones and 200 missiles since Saturday, according to its Ministry of Defense.

Ronaldo injured but should be fit for World CupNassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Al-Fayha at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on February 7, 2025. PARIS, France — Portuguese veteran Cristiano Ronaldo has a hamstring tendon injury, his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr announced on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time), but his participation in the 2026 World Cup does not appear to be in doubt. According to some media outlets, the 41-year-old captain of the Portuguese national team is expected to be sidelined for between two and four weeks, meaning he should be up and running well before the World Cup kicks off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on June 11. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player "has started a rehabilitation program and his condition will be assessed day by day," Al-Nassr said. Ronaldo, who is in line to play in a record sixth World Cup, was injured during a match at Al-Fayha last month in the Saudi Pro League.

MANILA, Philippines — West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) is spending P7.7 billion this year to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) or lost but unbilled water in its network this year. Of the P7.7 billion earmarked for NRW management initiatives, he said that more than 50 percent would be used for pipe replacement. He said the company is also undertaking projects in Manila, which has the highest NRW level of 38 percent among areas being served. NRW management is a key component of Maynilad’s operations to ensure the efficient delivery of treated water to customers. Through NRW management initiatives, he said the company also helps ensure a proper water system would be available for future generations.

SM to exit mining, data center business“Right now our portfolio is actually very synergistic with each other, except perhaps the Atlas Mining. MANILA, Philippines — SM Investments Corp., the holding company of the SM Group, is mulling the disposal of its stake in listed Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. as it pursues its planned exit in the data center business. Meanwhile, DyBuncio said SM Investments would also pursue its planned exit in the data center business, which the company expressed last year. “That data center business actually has not progressed very much, so we’re probably going to be exiting that business,” DyBuncio said. YCO Global Cloud Centers Holdings Inc. is currently part of the portfolio investments of SM Investments.

2025 budget deficit swells to P1.58 trillionThe budget shortfall was 4.7 percent wider than the P1.51 trillion gap recorded in 2024, as expenditures slightly outpaced revenue growth, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed. Last year’s budget deficit also exceeded the government’s forecast of P1.56 trillion by 0.97 percent based on the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee meeting in June 2025. A budget deficit occurs when government expenditures exceed revenue collections, meaning the state spends more money than it generates. This year, the economic team aims to bring the budget deficit to P1.61 trillion and cut the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 5.3 percent. Government expenditures rose by 1.8 percent to P6.03 trillion in 2025 from P5.93 trillion in 2024, outpacing revenue growth.

Toyota remits record P52.5 billion in duties, taxesIn a statement, TMP said that it was recognized as the Top 2 Importer for 2025 by the Bureau of Customs after it remitted a record-breaking P52.517 billion in duties and taxes last year. MANILA, Philippines — Leading automotive firm Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) remitted record-high duties and tax payments amounting to P52.5 billion to the government last year, making it the country’s second biggest importer. In a statement, TMP said that it was recognized as the Top 2 Importer for 2025 by the Bureau of Customs after it remitted a record-breaking P52.517 billion in duties and taxes last year. It is also higher than the P43.91 billion remitted by the company in 2024. Beyond its national tax contributions, TMP is helping drive regional growth in Laguna, where its headquarters and manufacturing plant are located.

Ted Herbosa has expressed his desire, if not plans, to move for the total ban on vape products in the Philippines. In all honesty, I would support any campaign that the DOH launches for the total ban on vape products in the Philippines. For instance, the hardline campaign against cigarettes that started in previous administrations seems to be “all up in smoke.” Cigarette companies are not allowed to advertise their products in public spaces or sell them near schools, etc. But sometime in 2024 or 2025, the notorious plastic bags once again resurfaced. From cute little longganisa-like bags, practicality and availability brought back plastic bags.

BSP raises cash withdrawal threshold to P1 millionUnder Circular 1230, the Monetary Board approved the recalibration of regulations on large value cash transactions, increasing the threshold to P1 million from P500,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has raised the threshold for cash withdrawals that will trigger enhanced due diligence (EDD) to P1 million, easing compliance requirements for regular large transactions while keeping safeguards against illicit flows in place. Under Circular 1230, the Monetary Board approved the recalibration of regulations on large value cash transactions, increasing the threshold to P1 million from P500,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. The BSP said the adjustment was based on risk monitoring and consultations with banks and industry groups, which flagged a large number of legitimate cash transactions breaching the previous threshold. Institutions must also consider alerts, red flags, suspicious indicators as well as typologies reported by relevant government agencies involving large or unusual cash transactions in filing STRs.

Saving our dollar earnersIn the near absence of a vital manufacturing sector and an agricultural sector that’s terribly underperforming, our economy is dependent on just two legs: OFW remittances and BPO earnings. Indeed, according to Manny Geslani, a manpower industry expert, new hires for Middle East countries dropped in 2025. Middle Eastern nations are also raising qualifications, requiring more certified and professional workers rather than low-skilled labor. The Economist, in an article last week, reported that “most workers still use AI mainly for writing assistance and information searches. Millions of unemployed former BPO workers will have nowhere to go.

EEI bags P1.6 billion in new projects“This is a positive development to start 2026,” EEI president and chief executive officer Henry Antonio said. MANILA, Philippines — Construction giant EEI Corp. is off to a strong start for 2026 after bagging major real estate construction projects with a combined total of P1.6 billion. “This is a positive development to start 2026,” EEI president and chief executive officer Henry Antonio said. With a growing pipeline of projects, EEI expects a year of steady financial performance and successful partnerships with companies in various sectors. Last year, EEI consolidated two wholly owned subsidiaries under EEI Ventures Inc., the company’s designated investment and holding company for its real estate and emerging businesses.

PNP backs Marcos order to save energyMore than 300 newly appointed police non-commissioned officers from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrive at the Manila Police District on January 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Backing President Marcos’ directive to conserve energy amid global fuel price volatility due to the Middle East crisis, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered the implementation of energy-saving measures. Rationalized personnel and vehicle deployment, reduced non-essential travel, improved operational planning and vehicle pooling must be enforced, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said yesterday. Countries covered are Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates. Moreno urged public schools to keep graduation activities “as modest and as frugal as we can.” — Evelyn Macairan, Josiah Antonio

Smart satellites viable for towns close to West Philippine SeaMANILA, Philippines — The wireless arm of telecom giant PLDT Inc. has achieved a breakthrough in its push for satellite connectivity by completing tests in municipalities close to the West Philippine Sea. This may change soon once Smart activates its direct-to-device satellite solution in collaboration with Lynk Global Inc. “(The) direct-to-device satellite technology gives PLDT and Smart a powerful way to overcome geographic challenges of serving an archipelago,” Jimenez said. China ships in WPSMeanwhile, the Philippine Navy recorded the presence of 62 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels in four key features in the West Philippine Sea last month. The foreign vessels included 11 People’s Liberation Army-Navy ships and 12 China Coast Guard (CCG) boats around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc and two PLAN and 15 CCG vessels in Ayungin Shoal.

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the raging conflict in the Middle East and its anticipated impact on consumer oil prices, President Marcos is eyeing “special powers” from Congress to lower the excise tax on fuel. He stressed that the option to reduce excise tax is “an emergency measure.”“I will discuss it with the leadership of Congress and to see if it’s going to be an emergency measure. Show of supportSeveral senators and congressmen have already shown support for the lowering of excise tax on fuel. “I am in favor of granting the President those powers to be able to lower the excise tax on fuel. House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago said both excise tax and VAT on oil should be scrapped.