A picture taken on March 2, 2026 in Barcelona shows Qualcomm's stand adverstising 6G technology during the inauguration of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's biggest mobile technology showcase and fair.

MANILA, Philippines — There are Filipinos working inside the American military bases in the Gulf that Iran attacked over the weekend, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed on Monday, March 3. But Filipino base workers were evacuated before the strikes hit, he said, and no Filipino was reported hurt. (There are Filipinos working within the bases. He said Filipino base workers were "efficiently and sufficiently pulled out or evacuated" from the facilities. Cacdac said compensation has not been a problem for the base workers because they are covered under their existing employment arrangements.

DA halts fertilizer delivery in MindoroAccording to the DA, supplier Agri-Victorious Trading Corp. delivered products in sacks that indicate an expired Certificate of Product Registration. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture halted the delivery of more than 11,000 bags of fertilizer in Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro, after the DA found violations of Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority rules. According to the DA, supplier Agri-Victorious Trading Corp. delivered products in sacks that indicate an expired Certificate of Product Registration. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said compliance with registration requirements is non-negotiable. Any product without a valid registration has no place in the market,” Laurel said.

China says one citizen dead in Iran conflict, more than 3,000 evacuatedSmoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 1, 2026.

Can Supreme Court compel release of Blue Ribbon report? Composite photo: (Clockwise from left) The Supreme Court building in Manila, Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Chiz Escudero and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. Marvin Aceron via FB Lawyer Marvin Aceron showing an electronic copy of their petition at the Supreme Court on March 2, 2026. The petitioners are asking the Supreme Court to order the senators to explain their withdrawals in writing. The Supreme Court has yet to act on the petition.

World Cup tickets: Huge demand and sky-high pricesThe FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed on a podium during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. There will be a total of 104 matches played at this expanded World Cup, the first ever to feature 48 teams, and ticket prices have soared for the most in-demand games. FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists ticket prices are simply a consequence of the huge demand. FIFA has also put on sale packages combining match tickets with access to VIP lounges. An alternative for visiting fans who do not have match tickets is to go to one of the Fan Festivals in and around the 16 host cities.

Knicks end Spurs' 11-game winning streakLOS ANGELES, United States — The New York Knicks, fueled by 25 points from Mikal Bridges and 24 from Jalen Brunson, halted San Antonio's 11-game NBA winning streak on Sunday (Monday Manila time) with an 114-89 triumph at the Madison Square Garden. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs had gone undefeated in February, building their longest winning streak since a 13-0 run in the 2015-16 season. Devin Vassell with 18 points and Stephon Castle with 13 were the only other Spurs players to score in double figures. They hit just nine of 34 from 3-point range and were harried into their season-high 22 turnovers that the Knicks parlayed into 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who had six players score in double figures and held the Spurs to their season-low in points.

SEC’s ‘long and winding road’ to Mica TanNotes on the beatMANILA, Philippines — Officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are probably rocking to a 1969 Beatles hit whenever Maria Francesca Tan (MFT) Group of Companies and Foundry Ventures come to mind. The SEC’s fight against the MFT Group and Foundry Ventures came even before Lim’s stint as chairperson, which commenced only in June last year. SEC commissioner Rogelio Quevedo, who was appointed in June 2024, shares Lim’s sentiment with regard to the MFT Group and Foundry Ventures. The auditors were found by the DOJ to have aided and colluded with MFT Group as they validated the dividend revenue, contributing to the significant misrepresentations in its financial statements. The STAR has sought comment from the MFT Group but did not receive a response.

PARIS, France — Israel and Hezbollah traded fire, while President Donald Trump vowed to avenge the deaths of US service members and said the war with Iran could last for weeks. Gulf states vowed to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, while seven people were injured in Jerusalem after a missile barrage. 'Reckless' Gulf strikesThe United States and its Arab allies condemned Iran for launching a wave of strikes on Gulf states hosting US troops. Israel strikes TehranThe Israeli military said it launched "large-scale strikes" on Tehran two days after the start of a US-Israeli campaign against Iran. Seven injured in JerusalemSeven people were injured in the Jerusalem area following the latest salvo of missiles fired from Iran, Israeli firefighters said.

That question is especially relevant today as we confront the rise of what I call The Connected Consumer. But the Connected Consumer does not live in one-off transactions. So how do we tap the Filipino Connected Consumer? Notably, 78 percent of Filipino digital users already rely on AI tools to discover content, make decisions and simplify tasks. Today’s Connected Consumer expects fast delivery, real-time personalization, seamless cross-channel journeys and predictive intuition.

Government urged to limit pork importsIn an interview, SINAG chairman Rosendo So said pork imports this year should be cut to 550,000 metric tons from 850,000 MT, citing substantial oversupply due to carryover stock from earlier imports. MANILA, Philippines — Farmers group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) is pressing the government to cut pork imports to support local hog raisers and boost domestic production. In an interview, SINAG chairman Rosendo So said pork imports this year should be cut to 550,000 metric tons from 850,000 MT, citing substantial oversupply due to carryover stock from earlier imports. So noted that cold-storage facilities are full of imported pork, which importers are rushing to sell in the domestic market. By reducing imports, So said, local farmers would be encouraged to rebuild their swine herds and supply the domestic market.

House probe urged on China ‘signal jamming’ over West Philippine SeaBicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon underscored the need for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, after Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela insinuated that Beijing may have been instrumental in jeopardizing the PCG’s patrol over the West Philippine Sea. MANILA, Philippines — Congress should investigate reports of signal jamming experienced by Philippine fisheries and Coast Guard vessels patrolling near Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, a lawmaker said yesterday. “Congress should investigate the reported Chinese cyber activities in the West Philippine Sea, including the alleged jamming or disruption of internet and communications services around Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal),” Ridon said. On Feb. 24, Tarriela posted on Facebook a narration of the “signal jamming” experienced by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft during a routine patrol over Bajo de Masinloc. Ridon reiterated that the House probe – should it start – should cover other areas where the Philippines exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights.

Bull market broadens to AsiaFor three years, US stocks dominated global returns. Asia outperforms the US againIn 2025, we saw a rare outcome: emerging markets outperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin, 30.8 percent versus 16.4 percent. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix continue to benefit from the global AI hardware cycle, but the rally has broadened beyond semiconductors. More importantly, broad emerging market ETFs are seeing massive inflows – $4 billion in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and $5.8 billion in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF. A move to 7,000 and beyond would put the PSEi firmly in bull market territory.

Filipino in Doha recounts airstrikesMANILA, Philippines — For six to seven straight hours, the sky over Doha flashed with explosions as air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles, a Filipino worker there told The STAR. “Explosions have been ongoing for six to seven hours, but all were intercepted by the Doha military,” Rentoria said. She added that her mother is stranded at an airport in the Netherlands after airspace closures disrupted flights back to Doha. The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv advised Filipinos to remain indoors and to prepare to seek shelter. The Philippine embassy in Tehran advised Filipinos in Iran, where there are around 800, to carefully assess their personal circumstances and to consider their travel plans.

Lava flow, eruption recorded at MayonPyroclastic density currents, locally called “uson,” continued to flow down Mayon Volcano as seen from Legazpi City, Albay on January 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — A series of lava effusions and a strombolian activity or low-level eruption were recorded at Mayon Volcano in Albay, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said yesterday. The minor eruption was recorded at 9:12 p.m.Phivolcs recorded 22 volcanic earthquakes, along with 310 rockfalls and seven pyroclastic density current signals. Phivolcs warns of possible hazards, including rockfalls, landslides or avalanches, ballistic fragments, lava flow and lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, moderate-sized explosions, and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall. Mayon Volcano has been under Alert Level 3 or increased tendency toward a hazardous eruption since Jan. 6.