P349.6 million fake footwear seizedCriminal Investigation and Detection Group agents confiscate PHP349 million worth of counterfeit footwear and manufacturing equipment from two warehouses in Golden Haojia Industrial Compound, Barangay Balucuc, Apalit, Pampanga on Thursday (Feb. 26, 2026). The operatives were accompanied by representatives from footwear company Crocs Inc.MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group seized P349.6 million worth of counterfeit footwear and equipment in simultaneous raids on two warehouses in Apalit, Pampanga on Feb. 26, the CIDG reported. Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, CIDG director, said operatives and police units were serving search warrants on the warehouses when they found boxes of counterfeit footwear, raw materials and machineries used to produce the slippers. At the first warehouse in Barangay Balucuc, police found 181 boxes of trademark-infringing footwear, 30 sacks of resin raw materials, four heavy machines and assorted production equipment valued at P216.3 million. Operatives found 1,481 boxes of counterfeit footwear, with an estimated value of P133.29 million, at the second warehouse.

Stocks brace for turbulence amid tensions in Middle EastThe Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went on a seven-day winning streak last week before finally taking a breather on Friday, closing at 6,611.24. MANILA, Philippines — After a strong showing last week, the local stock market braces for potential turbulence in the coming days following major developments in the Middle East over the weekend. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went on a seven-day winning streak last week before finally taking a breather on Friday, closing at 6,611.24. China Bank Capital Corp. managing director Juan Paolo Colet said this week would see heightened volatility driven by events in the Middle East. “Unless we see an immediate resolution to the conflict, I expect risk-off sentiment to push our stock market lower.

9 drivers fail LTO’s alcohol testMANILA, Philippines — Nine drivers failed sobriety tests during anti-drunk driving operations in Quezon City, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Of the 14 drivers tested with breathalyzers, nine were positive for alcohol impairment. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime and a threat to community safety, the LTO said. LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said the initiative seeks to prevent road crashes and injuries caused by impaired driving, as alcohol and substance use significantly impair a driver’s judgment, coordination and reaction time. “These factors directly contribute to avoidable road incidents,” he said.

Gene Snitsky: It’s not his faultEven after almost two decades since his official retirement from professional wrestling, Gene Snitsky is still a big part of the community. When he started as a pro, even before WWE, Snisky (later changed to Snitsky as a wrestler) knew what he was getting into. It’s an assumed risk.”The last time Snitsky was in the Philippines was about 13 years ago at a wrestling card with 14 WWE veterans. Whatever image he projected in his successful career as a pro wrestler, Gene Snitsky is a mountain of good will and cheer. And if you haven’t experienced that in person, it’s not his fault.

DPWH overhaul sought to curb corruptionMANILA, Philippines — A sweeping reorganization of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aimed at curbing corruption and plugging procurement loopholes is being pushed in the Senate following recent Blue Ribbon committee investigations. Filed on Feb. 11 by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Bill 1835 seeks to significantly reduce the powers of DPWH district offices, which figured prominently in corruption schemes in several cases probed by the chamber like the Bulacan first district engineering office. Consequently, district offices will be relegated to supervision, monitoring and recommendatory roles to strengthen oversight on the ground. At the national level, the DPWH will be reorganized according to key infrastructure project types to decentralize project preparation and implementation. DPWH reshufflePublic Works Secretary Vince Dizon has conducted another reshuffle in the DPWH, this time focused on district engineer and assistant district engineer level positions in the department that has been at the center of the ghost flood control scandal since last year.

EDITORIAL — Poisoning FilipinosBack in December 2021, at least 43 medical organizations including the Philippine Medical Association had urged then president Rodrigo Duterte to veto a bill liberalizing the vaporized nicotine industry. Myanmar recently became the eighth in ASEAN to ban vapes. Last year, the Department of Health called for a nationwide total vape ban, citing the link of e-cigarettes to cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. “Why will I give poison to Filipinos and the youth?” he said as he warned of life-threatening EVALI or e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury. After two years of promoting nicotine addiction, it’s time for the government to listen to the health experts and ban vapes.

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipina caregiver was killed in an airstrike in Israel, President Marcos said yesterday, as the world braces for the effects – including a possible prolonged conflict – of the attacks launched by American and Israeli forces against Iran. We continue to monitor the condition of our countrymen who are in the middle of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” the President said. Marcos said the Philippine government has been checking on its embassies and labor attachés in the Middle East since the conflict started. Vice President Sara Duterte said Filipinos living in or visiting Middle East countries should avoid areas where there are ongoing military operations and large gatherings of people. Since Saturday, at least 23 international flights to the Middle East have been canceled and at least three more were diverted.

Speaking as God Helps UsThen there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. — Ezekiel 1:25One wouldn’t normally think of butterflies as being loud creatures: after all, the flapping of a single Monarch butterfly’s wings is practically inaudible. Though fewer than the number of butterflies, he likens the sound of their flapping wings to “the roar of rushing waters” (Ezekiel 1:24). When the creatures stood still and lowered their wings, Ezekiel heard the voice of God calling him to “speak [God’s] words to [the Israelites]” (2:7). Ezekiel, like the other Old Testament prophets, was charged with the task of speaking truth to God’s people.

Recto dons rank of PCG auxiliary vice admiralMANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has emphasized the government’s commitment to defend what belongs to the country as he received the rank of auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has been at the forefront of reinforcing the nation’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. He donned the rank and took his oath as a PCG auxiliary vice admiral last Friday on the BRP Teresa Magbanua. During the event, Recto underscored the administration’s “intensified focus on maritime security and coastal protection.”Recto cited the P42.52-billion allocation for the PCG this year, which is intended to enhance manpower, operational readiness and long-term capability development. The budget will bankroll the recruitment of personnel and the creation of new positions to lay the groundwork for a standing force of 108,867 uniformed personnel, equivalent to three coast guard personnel for every kilometer of the coastline.

Tropical cyclone seen to enter Philippines this monthPAGASA weather specialist Benison Esterase said the chances of tropical cyclone formation are high especially if the entry point is in the eastern parts of Mindanao. MANILA, Philippines — A tropical cyclone is expected to form and make landfall in the country this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday. PAGASA weather specialist Benison Esterase said the chances of tropical cyclone formation are high especially if the entry point is in the eastern parts of Mindanao. “The landfall of the possible tropical cyclone may be in Caraga, Visayas and Palawan,” he said. If a tropical cyclone forms, it will be named Caloy.

The lessons that outlive usIt has been many years since I last visited Boracay, but returning this time brought back a flood of memories. We had one such touchstone at our recent trip and senior planning conference at RFM Corporation, and the memories of those early days came back in a profound way. The success of RFM Corporation is a collective achievement, with each manager, executive, and individual contributor playing an integral role. RFM Corporation is part of the Filipino narrative. I carry your legacy with me, as I have carried my resolve to keep RFM Corporation on a steady course.

House begins Sara impeachment deliberations todayMANILA, Philippines — The House committee on justice begins deliberations on the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte today to determine whether they are sufficient in form and substance. However, Kiko Aquino-Dee, Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor said in a statement that they are withdrawing their impeachment complaint today and instead backing the third suit against Duterte. “We lend our full support behind the third impeachment complaint containing the same grave allegations and substantial evidence as ours. Consolidating our support behind the third complaint will strengthen our position and help move the case forward to the Senate impeachment court,” Dee said. Madriaga’s sworn affidavit has been submitted as part of the impeachment complaints and is being cited as a key piece of evidence.

‘Always be prepared’Given all the “signs,” it seems that the world is fast approaching a situation reminiscent of events and behaviors that led to World War 2. Iran has struck back, cities and targets across the Middle East. Singaporean leaders have always made it a point to “Always be prepared” like the Boy Scout’s motto teaches us. Be prepared for any contingency whether in a big way or small way. Don’t wait, always be prepared!

Iran’s supreme leader killed in US-Israel attackPeople gather to mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes, at a square in Tehran on March 1, 2026. Defense, military chiefs also killedTEHRAN — Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack, sparking a new wave of retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran on Sunday. Iran’s state broadcaster said 27 US bases in the region, as well as Israel’s military headquarters and a defense industries complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets in a new wave of strikes. Iran’s judiciary confirmed that Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Khamenei, and the head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, were also killed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and two top other officials would lead Iran in the transitional period following Khamenei’s death, state television reported on Sunday.

K-pop, with its distinctive riffs and choreography, has become a major tourist draw and cultural export for South Korea, along with K-drama. But it’s not the only reason why South Korea has become a tourist magnet, drawing an all-time high 18.94 million international arrivals last year. In terms of foreign tourist arrivals, we’re eating the dust of our neighbors Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Concerns over personal security have significantly cut arrivals from what used to be our two biggest sources of leisure travelers – South Korea and China. And we can only look on in envy at them, at South Korea and much of the rest of Asia.