‘Many firms interested in Semirara coal contract’Photo shows the coal-carrying trucks going to Semirara mine site in Antique. MANILA, Philippines — Energy Secretary Sharon Garin is confident that “many” industry players will vie for Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC)’s prized coal contract in Antique, whose auction is set to open this Friday. “I think there will be many companies that will be interested,” Garin said in an interview, while noting that no firm has formally conveyed its intent to the Department of Energy (DOE). “Of course, Semirara has proven itself already, so any other challengers for that should prove that they could do better than Semirara,” Garin stressed. An Aboitiz Power Corp. executive has said coal mining falls outside the scope of their business, while Ang told The STAR he is still undecided about the bidding.

Stable nuclear power, expensive offshore windTwo recent reports and issues caught my attention. One is the Department of Energy (DOE) simplifying the licensing of nuclear power project, the other is the P11/kWh green energy tariff (GET) of offshore wind. This will advance Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program. There is a Nuclear Reactor Technology Assessment and Development, Component 3: RTA (NuRad-RTA) Project which supports the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to evaluate and compare nuclear reactor technologies through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) RTA framework. I made a rough comparison of countries with high wind power generation and their inflation in Europe and Asia.

Turnover of LRT-Cavite right-of-way seen this yearMANILA, Philippines — If things go as planned, the private operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) may be able to resume construction of the railway’s extension line to Cavite next year. The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is close to acquiring all right-of-way (ROW) for the second and third phases of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project. However, the LRTA acquired only less than 70 percent of the ROW for the second segment of the project. Although nothing is final yet, Cabrera said it is likely that the cost of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project would change from the approved amount of P64.9 billion in 2014. The LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will add 11.8 kilometers to the service line of the railway system.

EDSA rallies: 7 cops hurt, 2 activists heldProtesters calling for the accountability of public officials allegedly involved in corruption linked to flood control projects clash with the police as they march to EDSA Shrine during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Two activists were arrested and seven police officers were injured after violence marred rallies during the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt yesterday. The demonstrators – a man and a woman – were apprehended by anti-riot police following a standoff near the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City. One of them was brought to the PNP General Hospital for an X-ray on his skull. Penones said the confrontation between police and the protesters at the vicinity of the EDSA Shrine was an isolated incident.

MANILA, Philippines — Three more luxury vehicles of contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya were sold yesterday for more than P25 million through a public action, according to the Bureau of Customs. The BOC raised P25.7 million from the sale of a Lincoln Navigator, a Cadillac Escalade and a Bentley Bentayga. Velasco, CEO of the Baguio theme park, said he intends to put up a car museum in Benguet and put the Discaya cars on display. The BOC also sold the Lincoln Navigator amounting to P6.9 million to Cantinetta Espresso Concepts and the Bentley worth P12.1 million to TDY Consumer Goods Trading. The BOC earned a total of P25,771,374.15, which will be remitted to the national treasury after selling three out of 12 vehicles on auction.

Purpose over paperAnimal welfare advocacy is finally gaining stronger traction in the Philippines, with more organizations and citizens recognizing its importance — as they should. This is the very same permit that, as Cabrera noted, the Quezon City government has consistently approved for PAWS since 2002. Cabrera lamented the situation, noting: “This is how public employees delay processing of permits for compliant establishments-with technicalities that do not serve the purpose of why we grant permits in the first place. Cabrera’s post and was encouraged to see that FPJ Panday Bayanihan party?list Rep. Brian Poe had already reached out to Quezon City Mayor Belmonte regarding the matter. For years, PAWS has been a lifeline for animals and pet owners, not just in Quezon City.

MANILA, Philippines — The construction of the EDSA busway Kamuning station is expected to be finished next month, the Department of Transportation said yesterday. DOTr chief Giovanni Lopez ordered a speedier completion of the structure following an inspection. He said commuters should be able to use the busway station at the soonest time for a better transport experience. The EDSA Carousel has more than 20 stations from Monumento in Caloocan to the Parañaque Integrated Exchange. The busway station is near the Kamuning footbridge, which had gone viral online for its steep design.

MANILA, Philippines — Isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected to prevail over the country today due to the easterlies, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. PAGASA said that most parts of Luzon would experience hot to humid weather, especially in the afternoon. Meanwhile, some portions of the Visayas and Mindanao as well as Palawan will have fair weather, although isolated rain and thunderstorms may occur at night, particularly in Davao region and Caraga as well as Eastern Visayas. The easterlies, which refer to wind systems that blow from the east, are expected to affect the country until tomorrow. PAGASA said no low-pressure area has been spotted in or outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

MANILA, Philippines — A series of lava effusion and ash emission events occurred at Mayon Volcano in Albay yesterday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Phivolcs said that video footage of a time-lapse camera showed the volcanic events occurred from 12:22 a.m. to 4:37 a.m. The ash emission generated plumes that rose 150 to 200 meters above the crater. Phivolcs said that Mayon’s effusive eruption has been occurring for 51 consecutive days, triggering incandescent lava flows, pyroclastic density currents and rockfalls. Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over the volcano.

Why not MPBL, PBA join forces? Prime examples of MPBL players moving to PBA are first overall draft picks Justine Baltazar and Geo Chiu. In return, several PBA players moved to MPBL like Marc Pingris, Jayjay Helterbrand and Encho Serrano. Vic Manuel is an example of a PBA player who moved from PBA to MPBL and back. It could be a similar situation if MPBL and PBA agree to join forces.

Embassy: China, Philippines agree to strengthen dialogueSupporters of China's Premier Li Qiang wave Chinese national flags outside an event held at the Auckland Museum in Auckland on June 14, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to prevent conflict and confrontation at sea, according to the Chinese embassy. “They emphasized the need to strengthen dialogue between the two coast guards and the importance of their cooperation rather than confrontation or conflict,” he said. “They emphasized the need to strengthen dialogue between the two coast guards and the importance of their cooperation rather than confrontation or conflict,” he said. “If anyone continues to smear and attack China, the Chinese embassy will respond firmly and without hesitation,” he said.

Unscathed Lady Spikers too much for Fighting MaroonsMANILA, Philippines -- La Salle’s dominance n the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament continues. The La Salle Lady Spikers remained unblemished after manhandling the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. But a drop ball by Althea Cabradilla pushed the Lady Spikers closer to the win, 23-17. The Lady Spikers, still yet to drop a set this season, punched in 44 attacks against their opponent’s 18. The Lady Spikers rose to 3-0 in the season, while UP dropped to 2-1.

ICC prosecutors used their time yesterday at the confirmation hearing to build their case, element by element, that Duterte ultimately set up a national system of killings. He added that the defense's failure to engage with the prosecution's case during the opening statement only strengthened that confidence. "If you're just going to say Marcos broke his promise not to cooperate with the ICC — what is the relevance of that? The hearing concludes Friday with closing statements from the prosecution, the legal representatives of the victims, and the defense. The court then has 60 days to decide whether to confirm the charges and send the case to trial.

LTFRB: Fare hike still under reviewLTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the board is still waiting for more documents to justify the proposed fare hike. LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the board is still waiting for more documents to justify the proposed fare hike. Transport network companies and transport network vehicle service drivers are seeking an increase of P20 in base fare for ride-hailing services. “We should uplift the livelihood of drivers.”Mendoza said the P1 provisional fare hike being sought by jeepney operators is still pending. Castro noted that the P1 fare increase granted to jeepney drivers in October 2023 was sufficient to cover fuel costs.

How international law experts view Duterte’s opening defense at the ICCFormer president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, attends the first day of confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Michael Tiu Jr., who teaches at the University of the Philippines College of Law and heads its international criminal law program, said Kaufman was “very political” in his opening statement. Gaps in Kaufman’s initial defenseKaufman was last among the three parties to deliver their opening statement during the first day of Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing on February 23. Tiu described the attacks as “irrelevant” in the context of international law and said the Pre-Trial Chamber I judges are trained to disregard them. The ‘reasonable’ argumentsIf Kaufman made any strong or reasonable arguments, Cruz-Ferrer said they were only “briefly mentioned” in his opening statement.