MMDA prepares for Holy WeekMetropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Nicolas Torre III leads the inspection and security audit of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange yesterday, together with other MMDA officials, as part of preparations for the anticipated Holy Week travel surge. MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of the expected Holy Week exodus, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has vowed to provide commuters with a safer and more convenient travel during the Lenten season. Nicolas Torre III, MMDA general manager, said the agency has started its preparations for the Holy Week, starting with an inspection and safety audit of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or PITX. He said the MMDA would deploy more personnel to assist commuters and travelers during the Lenten season, noting that recent experiences showed longer waiting times at public transport terminals. Gilbert Cruz, Office for Transportation Security administrator, said personnel with K9 dogs would be dispatched, along with CCTV cameras, x-ray machines and scanners, to ensure security at the terminals.

Why global capital betting on PhlJust recently, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) announced that it has received a proposal from Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) to invest $400 million for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Clark. The 15-hectare facility, to be located inside the Clark Aviation Capital (CAC), an area surrounding the Clark International Airport, will be one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Combined, LTP and FedEx Express’ investments mean more than $600 million in planned capital deployment at a single aviation corridor. The Clark investments, striking as they are, sit within a broader capital story. The agency has set a P300 billion target for 2026.

Medvedev advancesRussia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return against USA's Learner Tien during their men's singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Daniil Medvedev produced a clinical 6-2, 6-1 performance against Jenson Brooksby on Thursday to advance to his third Dubai semifinal and book a showdown with Felix Auger-Aliassime. The former world No. 1 boasts 22 career titles but has never won the same tournament twice. The 30-year-old former US Open champion will next take on top-seeded Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Czech eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).

BSP eyes tighter e-money rules to protect consumersMANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is proposing amendments to its electronic money regulations that will tighten liquidity safeguards, strengthen trust arrangements and introduce recovery planning requirements for non-bank electronic money issuers (EMIs). Under the proposal, EMIs will be required to maintain unencumbered liquid assets equivalent to their outstanding e-money balances. The BSP said these assets would remain restricted and may only be released upon authorization, particularly if a recovery plan fails. At this stage, the BSP or a designated manager or receiver may assume control over trust assets and liquid funds earmarked for e-money redemption to ensure orderly settlement of customer claims. Users and merchants must be notified at least 60 calendar days before any changes to terms and conditions take effect.

SpeakersConWe had SpeakersCon last Feb. 11. One of the most resonant themes at SpeakersCon was the need to preserve humanity in a digital world. Marketing thought leader Mark Schaefer challenged us to use AI without losing the human pulse that makes marketing meaningful. In a world where trust can be weaponized, protecting authenticity is protecting people. And the repeated request for the next SpeakersCon tells me that learning communities still matter.

The highly-anticipated induction night, held at the stunning Galerie Aveline of SJW Building in Makati City, welcomed an unprecedented 60 new members, reflecting the organization’s growing influence and renewed vitality. It was a night where tradition met forward-looking momentum, leaving no doubt that the group is poised for a vibrant and impactful year ahead. Indeed, it was an evening of elegance and effervescent fun, a fitting tribute to a woman whose warmth lights up every room she enters. It was evening of elegance and effervescent fun. Follow me on Facebook and YouTube: Johnny Litton by Jayelles PH and on Instagram: @jayellesph.

Korean escapee recapturedAuthorities present South Korean detainee Lee Jingyu during a press briefing at the NBI headquarters in Pasay yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — After a two-month manhunt, the Bureau of Immigration recaptured a South Korean who escaped from the BI Warden Facility in Muntinlupa on Jan. 1, authorities said yesterday. According to the BI, Lee had been on the run since Jan. 1, when he disappeared from the Warden Facility. We will pursue, arrest and remove any foreign national who threatens public safety and national security,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. Lee and In are temporarily under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation while they face their deportation charges.

NBI to investigate ex-Marine security aides of Zaldy CoMANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating the identity and background of former Marines who claimed they served as bagmen and security aides of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.NBI Director Melvin Matibag yesterday said the bureau is verifying the authenticity of the men’s claims and the circumstances surrounding their public disclosure. The Philippine Navy on Wednesday said that four of the 18 men who surfaced were never part of the Marines, while the others have been dishonorably discharged. “We already have initial findings, but I cannot disclose them because of the sensitivity,” he said. Matibag urged Baligod to voluntarily submit to the NBI the affidavits of the former Marines so they could be interviewed as part of the investigation. He said the bureau may issue subpoenas to compel their appearance if necessary.

BOC raises P102.5 million from auction of Discaya carsThe Bureau of Customs holds another public auction of the luxury cars of contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya at the Port of Manila on February 25, 2026. Three of the seven Discaya-linked vehicles put on auction last Wednesday were sold, generating proceeds of P25.771 million. According to the BOC, the sales in this auction generated P25.751 million, and including registration fees, the total proceeds reached P25.771 million. Four remaining Discaya luxury vehicles failed to attract buyers: the 2022 GMC Yukon Denali, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2022 Maserati Levante Modena and 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali. The first auction raised P38 million, followed by P9.5 million in proceeds from the second auction and P29 million from the third.

House bill proposes ban on ‘cong-tractors’Workers do renovation works around the House of Representatives within the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on July 3, 2024. The NUP is also proposing to the House leadership to include the ban in the current House rules to deter lawmakers from contracting infrastructure projects. Both in the proposed bill that we proposed and at the House rules. But here in the House, once it is accepted by the House and included in the House rules, that will be over. It will be implemented once accepted by the leadership of the House to include it in the House rules,” Puno said.

South Korean President visiting PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Manila next week, where they are expected to tackle deeper cooperation in key areas, including defense, maritime and economy. The President and First Lady Liza Marcos will officially welcome Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung at Malacañang. The visit coincides with the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea in March 1949. Dy said the visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defense and people-to-people ties, especially as the Philippines serves as ASEAN chair in 2026. Our relationship has been built over decades – through shared sacrifice, growing trade, strong defense cooperation and deep people-to-people ties,” Dy said in a joint statement with Pangasinan 3rd district Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas.

NUP to allow conscience vote on VP Sara’s impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — Members of the National Unity Party (NUP) will most likely exercise a conscience vote in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, House deputy speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Ronnie Puno said on Thursday, denying claims that they are daunted by Duterte’s announcement of her presidential bid. The NUP chairman said they will have another formal meeting regarding Duterte’s impeachment, and that the consensus of the party members is to wait for the evidence to be presented before making any judgment. So the tendency now or the direction now is that we probably will have conscience vote, that everybody will be allowed to vote the way he wants to vote,” Puno said. The NUP statement emphasized on Wednesday that it would support the impeachment against Duterte only if new evidence is presented. Luistro earlier said deliberations on the four impeachment complaints against the Vice President may start as early as March 2.

Pag-IBIG declares record P64.34 billion dividendsThe Regular Savings dividend rate rose to 6.62 percent, while the Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings rate climbed to 7.12 percent, reflecting the agency’s solid financial position and strong operational performance. MANILA, Philippines — Pag-IBIG Fund has declared the highest dividend payout in its 45-year history, announcing P64.34 billion in dividends for 2025. The Regular Savings dividend rate rose to 6.62 percent, while the Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings rate climbed to 7.12 percent, reflecting the agency’s solid financial position and strong operational performance. The announcement was made during the Pag-IBIG Fund Chairman’s Report held on Feb. 27 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. “Pag-IBIG Fund has once again marked 2025 as one of its best-performing years, as we declared the highest amount of dividends in our 45-year history,” Aliling said.

Show drug killings under President Marcos, Duterte’s lawyers toldMANILA, Philippines — Those who are accusing the Marcos government of drug-related killings should present solid evidence so authorities can investigate the allegations, a Palace official said yesterday, stressing that President Marcos would not tolerate those who abuse their power. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remarks in response to claims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team that drug-related killings increased during the first two years of Marcos, citing the so-called Dahas Project. The Dahas Project claimed there have been 1,183 drug-related killings during the Marcos administration as of Feb. 23. “The President would not want this administration to be tainted by bloody extrajudicial killings because that is not his legacy,” she stressed. For Neri Colmenares, legal counsel for families of drug war victims, Duterte’s defense team has so far presented weak arguments – none of which will absolve the former president from the crimes against humanity he is being charged with.

No security detail assigned to ImeeMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos has no security detail with the Presidential Security Command (PSC) amid her widening rift with her family, a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing found. “When I arrived three months ago, I studied the security plans and close-in protection system of the PSC. When I checked all the personnel assigned, I saw that there was no personnel assigned to the good senator,” Abayon said. Lacson said while it is the “basic function of the PSC to secure the siblings,” it seems the PSC has failed to provide security for Senator Imee, who is the President’s eldest sister. The President and his sister have been at odds ever since Vice President Sara Duterte became the Chief Executive’s arch-critic.