‘You don’t remember me, do you?’Many people who are now in their senior years commonly talk about poor memory or memory loss. It feels as if giving it a name explains the problem and if we label it, the behavior and outcome become excusable – except when people don’t recognize or remember us. What I find unusual is how a number of people assume that people, particularly seniors like me, will automatically recognize them, greet them and are shocked when people simply admit: “No, I don’t recognize you” or “No, I don’t remember you” or “Sorry I can’t remember your name and circumstance.”Just like in today’s column title, people ask in an almost accusatory tone if you remember them or why you don’t recognize them. Now I simply say “Sorry, but I don’t remember or recognize you.” People forget factors that affect memory such as timeline, depth or frequency of engagement and aging. What we don’t think much of is the fact that the people we remember or never forget are the people of impact, significance and who made a difference.

De Lima: Duterte's ICC waiver belies defense claim he is mentally unfitFormer Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and former senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima attend a senate probe on the drug war during Duterte's administration on Oct. 28, 2024. In his statement, Duterte also maintained that he had been "kidnapped," echoing a narrative repeatedly advanced by his family and supporters since his arrest in March 2025. De Lima said Duterte's statement was crafted to generate sympathy, calling it propaganda when he stated he might even die in detention. The minority lawmaker, however, also believes that Duterte's statement was not something he prepared himself, saying the former president "does not speak in such a controlled manner." He always boasted about killing and ordering the killing of drug war victims."

Internet speed not a sole indicator of progress — MarcosMANILA, Philippines — Progress is not measured by internet speed alone, but by how many Filipino lives are improved through connectivity, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has said, stressing that digital access must translate into real opportunities for students, workers, families, and communities across the country. He cited key advancements, including the rollout of 5G networks, expanded fiber optic deployment, stronger mobile broadband services, and the rise of digital platforms. Marcos called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, and local communities, stressing that no single sector can address these issues alone. The president also highlighted the completion of Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the National Broadband Fiber Backbone Project. Under the Free Public Internet Access Program, over 9,500 active free Wi-Fi access points have been established in 5,057 public sites nationwide, bringing connectivity closer to communities.

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) is working to complete a clear and accurate baseline report on socio-economic assistance provided under the government’s normalization program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). According to the OSAP, there is an urgent need to establish baseline data to determine the actual achievements and remaining targets for 2026 to 2028. This reflects the President’s strong commitment to supporting local government participation in peacebuilding and recognizing the vital role of the normalization program in BARMM. Meanwhile, the OSAP aims to complete the baseline data, covering both fulfilled and pending assistance, within the first quarter of 2026. This will serve as the basis for setting targets from 2026 to 2028 and for drafting a Joint Roadmap moving forward.

Consunji readies bid for Semirara coal contractZAMBOANGA , Philippines — Tycoon Isidro Consunji, chairman of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), said the company is gearing up for the looming auction of its coal contract and will come prepared with a stronger offer. The Department of Energy (DOE) said it would auction off the contract to operate Semirara mine in Antique instead of heeding SMPC’s bid to extend the coal operating contract for an additional 13 years. The government is set to open the bidding for the coal contract on Feb. 27. Under a pre-determined area (PDA) bid round, the DOE will offer 10 blocks on Semirara Island. A PDA bid round is a competitive process in which the government offers identified resource areas for development and production.

Jonvic: We will find Atong AngMANILA, Philippines — Fugitive gambling tycoon Atong Ang is still in the Philippines, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reiterated on Wednesday. Police will continue looking for Ang despite 80 unsuccessful raids on suspected hideouts of the businessman, Remulla told Bilyonaryo News Channel. “It’s difficult to hide in other countries even if you have a lot of money. He’s not like Zaldy Co, who has a ‘safe haven’ passport.”Ang is wanted for the disappearance and deaths of over 100 sabungeros or cockfight aficionados. Remulla said authorities are still exhausting leads provided by Julie Patidongan, the state witness against Ang.

Ex-Duterte appointee takes over NBIMANILA, Philippines — An erstwhile Cabinet official of former president Rodrigo Duterte is set to assume the leadership of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Lawyer Melvin Matibag, who served as Duterte’s Cabinet secretary, will be named NBI director, Presidential CommunicationsUndersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. “That’s just the information given to me, that there would be a new NBI director in the person of Atty. Melvin Matibag,” Castro said when asked why President Marcos appointed Matibag to the post. Melvin Matibag as someone he can trust, someone who can work for the government.

Vico files election case vs DiscayaMANILA, Philippines — Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto has filed an election complaint against former mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya for allegedly violating the campaign spending rules in the 2025 elections. Accompanied by his counsel Romulo Macalintal, Sotto filed the case with the Commission on Elections-Political Finance and Affairs Department. Sotto said he filed the complaint to uphold compliance with election laws, particularly the requirement for candidates to properly declare campaign expenses. According to Sotto, Discaya declared only P895,000 in campaign spending, an amount he said appeared inconsistent with the scale of campaign activities launched by the contractor in 2025. Sotto said a separate complaint for perjury was filed against Discaya before the Pasig prosecutor’s office over her citizenship.

Palawan airport exec shot deadThe Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) condemned the killing of PPIA acting manager Joanna Jonson-Infante and urged authorities to investigate the incident immediately and thoroughly. MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA) in Palawan was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on Wednesday afternoon. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) condemned the killing of PPIA acting manager Joanna Jonson-Infante and urged authorities to investigate the incident immediately and thoroughly. The CAAP said it is coordinating with local law enforcement agencies and ready to cooperate with and support the investigation. We trust that law enforcement authorities will pursue this case with urgency and ensure that justice is served,” CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario said.

2 Manila cops sacked for blocking motoristsErmita police station 5 commander Alfonso Saligumba III said the incident, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, remains under investigation as authorities are reviewing closed-circuit television footage (CCTV) and the explanation of the police officers involved. MANILA, Philippines — Two members of the Manila Police District (MPD) have been relieved from their posts after a viral video showed them in a patrol car blocking motorists at a traffic light along Taft Avenue. The investigation and validation of CCTV footage as well as the statement of witnesses are ongoing to determine what really happened,” Saligumba said at a press briefing at Camp Crame. The license of the driver was confiscated by the Land Transportation Office, while the police car is undergoing mechanical inspection. The MPD, in a statement, said it does not tolerate violations of traffic laws or police operational procedures and assured the public of transparency and accountability.

Supreme Court: 'True intent' key in voluntary surrenderThe logo of the Supreme Court at the Supreme Court Building in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court ruled that the appreciation of "voluntary surrender" as a mitigating circumstance must be based on an offender’s true intent and the totality of circumstances rather than a rigid, technical timeline. This prompted the man to appeal the lower court’s decision to the Supreme Court. It explained that the mere issuance of an arrest warrant does not automatically negate a surrender, nor does a significant lapse of time between the crime and the surrender. The high court also cautioned judges against acting as "cold-hearted automatons" or "soulless supercomputers."

DOTr eyes MRT-7 partial operationsMRT-7 train coaches were seen along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon Cit. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing a partial launching of the six stations of the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) from Sacred Heart in Caloocan to Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Now 83 percent complete, the DOTr expects the MRT-7 to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2027. Lopez said the DOTr is coordinating with the Light Rail Manila Corp. to finalize proposals to prioritize system integrations and improvement works between the MRT-7, MRT-3 and the Light Rail Transit Line-1. “In the event na hindi matapos yung signaling in time for the partial operations of MRT-7, the DOTr will build a structure for the commuters to feel safe and convenient in riding the LRT-1 and MRT-3,” Lopez said.

MANILA, Philippines — The mobility arm of the Ayala Group has rolled out a digital wallet to simplify charging for businesses’ electric vehicle (EV) fleets. In a statement, ACMobility said it is making available a shareable digital wallet that would allow fleet managers to allocate and monitor charging credits through a single platform, ChargeFleet. Once integrated into ChargeFleet, ACMobility will assign charging credits to fleet managers, who will be responsible for the distribution to multiple drivers. To better serve customers, ACMobility plans to introduce enhancements to ChargeFleet in the future, including exclusive value-added perks integrated through the partner app Evro and the mobile EV charging station Power on Wheels. The Ayala Group has been investing in the development of EV charging stations in line with its push for a sustainable ecosystem.

MANILA, Philippines — Australian-Canadian miner OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (OGPI) struck strong results last year, with earnings more than doubled amid soaring gold prices. OGPI saw copper production rise by 8.1 percent to 13,300 tons from 12,300 tons, even as gold output dipped by six percent to 90,700 ounces from 97,000 ounces. The decline in full-year gold output was mainly due to severe weather in late 2024, which restricted access to the mine’s lower levels throughout most of 2025. Despite this, the company posted higher gold and copper production in the three months ending December 2025. Gold production in the fourth quarter rose to 23,800 ounces from 19,700 ounces a year earlier, while copper output edged up to 3,200 tons from 3,100 tons.

Moderate explosive eruption recorded in KanlaonThe eruption, which occurred at the summit crater at 4:38 p.m., lasted two minutes. BACOLOD CITY Philippines — State volcanologists yesterday recorded what they described as a moderate explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island. The eruption, which occurred at the summit crater at 4:38 p.m., lasted two minutes. The volcanic activity was recorded by IP cameras of the Kanlaon Volcano Network. As of last night, residents of Barangay Ara-al in La Carlota City were being evacuated to prevent casualties or injuries should the volcanic activity escalate.