Kerwin Espinosa surrenders as court issues arrest warrant
Kerwin Espinosa surrenders as court issues arrest warrantTACLOBAN , Philippines — Mayor Rolan Kerwin Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte has surrendered to authorities after a court in Cebu issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a murder case. The Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 did not recommend bail for the temporary liberty of Espinosa and four other accused. Espinosa, a self-confessed drug trafficker, has not been reporting to his office since late January, due to what his camp described as security concerns. Espinosa has expressed fear for his safety as he cited the fate of his father, former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed while in detention. His supporters claimed the case filed against him was politically motivated.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Lufthansa to invest $400 million for Clark maintenance hub
Lufthansa to invest $400 million for Clark maintenance hubMANILA, Philippines — Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) is planning to invest $400 million for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Clark, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Bingcang said the firm is looking to invest at least $400 million to build hangars that can accommodate the A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. He said the BCDA hopes to complete the negotiations with LTP for the planned expansion within the first quarter. LTP is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and Lucio Tan-owned MacroAsia Corp.At present, LTP operates at a 226,000 square-meter facility at the MacroAsia Economic Zone in Villamor Air Base. Lease rates are being adjusted following the takeover of the San Miguel Corp.-led New NAIA Infra Corp. of the country’s main international gateway.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Pasay fire victims get aid
Pasay fire victims get aidSen. Bong Go visits a residential area in Barangay 139 in Pasay, which was struck by a fire, before distributing assistance to affected families on Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines — Financial assistance and relief goods were distributed on Tuesday to 43 families or 167 people displaced by a fire in Barangay 139 in Pasay. With Sen. Bong Go leading the activity, families received cash, snacks, water containers, rice, balls, shirts, grocery packs and fruits. Other fire victims received a bicycle, a mobile phone, shoes and a watch. Go reiterated the importance of Republic Act 12076, the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, safe and well-equipped evacuation centers nationwide.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
190 Pinoy trafficking victims repatriated from Cambodia
190 Pinoy trafficking victims repatriated from CambodiaMANILA, Philippines — Up to 190 Filipino victims of human trafficking returned to Manila from Cambodia early yesterday morning. They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 where they were welcomed by government officials and assured of immediate support. The repatriates were flown on a Philippine government-chartered flight, which landed at the NAIA at 4:03 a.m.Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, along with representatives from other government agencies, welcomed the repatriates and coordinated their transfer to rehabilitation and reintegration programs. The welcoming team included officials from the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, the police Women and Children Protection Center, Anti-Cybercrime Group, International Organization for Migration and the Blas Ople Policy Center. Since 2022, the government has facilitated the repatriation of 877 Filipino trafficking victims.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
ACEN buys out partner in India venture
ACEN buys out partner in India ventureThis follows ACEN unit ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd.’s completion of a sale and purchase agreement with UPC India, which holds UPC Renewables’ investments in the South Asian country. MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led ACEN Corp. has taken full control of its expansion in India after acquiring Singapore-based UPC Renewables’ 50 percent stake in their joint venture. This follows ACEN unit ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd.’s completion of a sale and purchase agreement with UPC India, which holds UPC Renewables’ investments in the South Asian country.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Experts cite hazards in recovering bodies from Trisha Kerstin 3
Experts cite hazards in recovering bodies from Trisha Kerstin 3ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Noting health hazards in recovering the remains of missing victims from the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, police forensic experts yesterday called for a shift of the rescue operation to retrieval and disposal efforts. They said that bodies recovered more than a week after the sea mishap are no longer safe to handle due to biological hazards. Tulfo vows accountabilityMeanwhile, four survivors in the sinking of Trisha Kerstin 3 have disclosed to Sen. Raffy Tulfo the alleged neglected and deplorable condition of the vessel. After listening to the survivors, Tulfo said the Senate committee on public services, which he chairs, would conduct an inquiry into the issue. Sali said that shortly after the Trisha Kerstin 3 departed the port, he sensed that the boat was overloaded.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
From the Philippines with love
There are many reasons to visit the Philippines but sadly, we seem to be moving in reverse due to our lack of competitiveness compared to our neighbors. I love the Philippines and I am certain many of us do too, which is why we feel the frustration about this sector. The opportunities are there and we must act now, especially since the Philippines is chairing the ASEAN and hosting regional meetings. We do not lack attractions but unfortunately, we lack the ability to make it clear to tourists why the Philippines is the best destination to visit. Loving our country is the same and tourism is the way to steward our love for the rest of the world to see.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Managing a dispute
Managing a disputeHis arrival in Manila may have been inauspicious, coinciding with the eruption of a bitter word war between his embassy and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). But perhaps new Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan is someone who can help at least narrow the differences and prevent them from becoming irreconcilable. He’s not going to budge on official Chinese positions on our maritime dispute, and even defends the use of water cannons on our smaller vessels. Talking with him and his team reinforces my belief that neither country is going to change positions soon on the maritime dispute. Still, Jing says it’s possible to manage dispute resolution without compromising national sovereignty, while pursuing other aspects of bilateral ties.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
‘No power sharing in Senate’
‘No power sharing in Senate’MANILA, Philippines — Senators from the majority bloc are eyeing Sen. Loren Legarda as a future Senate president, but this is not a power sharing or term sharing scheme, Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified yesterday. We plan to elect her as the first woman Senate president after the 2027 budget. “She was my Senate President Pro Temp in my first term as Senate President in the 19th Congress. So I said, future Senate President,” Zubiri said in an ambush interview yesterday. Maybe she can be Senate President, the first woman Senate President.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Junking of Marcos Jr. impeach raps needs plenary approval
Junking of Marcos Jr. impeach raps needs plenary approvalMANILA, Philippines — The junking of the two impeachment complaints against President Marcos by the House committee on justice will still have to be approved in a plenary vote. But the committee will face another historic turn in the country’s impeachment saga should one-third of all House members vote to disapprove its report. The Articles need another plenary approval by one-third of all representatives before they can be transmitted to the Senate for trial. It’s an uphill climb for Marcos impeachment advocates to gather the necessary 106 votes, given that the majority bloc consists of 253 members. ‘Impeachment an impossible dream’The dismissal of the two impeachment complaints against President Marcos by the House of Representatives makes impeachment an impossible dream, Bayan Muna said yesterday.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
VP impeach case still not referred to Speaker
VP impeach case still not referred to SpeakerA photo uploaded on Dec. 14, 2025, on Facebook shows Vice President Sara Duterte joining her staff from central and satellite offices during the 2025 year-end celebration. The Speaker said the two impeachment suits filed by the Makabayan bloc and civil society group-led Tindig Pilipinas have remained in the office of House secretary-general Cheloy Garafil. Nevertheless, House justice committee vice chair San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora assured the public that lawmakers will strictly adhere and comply with the House impeachment rules that they had set. But of course we promise to do it in accordance with the House rules (on impeachment cases),” Zamora said. Duterte has since denied her alleged links to Madriaga, but the latter’s lawyer – Raymond Palad of the Palad Lauron Palad & Te Law Office – claims otherwise.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Have legs, must travel
Have legs, must travelFirst up: the quote “What we have here is a failure to communicate” is from the movie “Cool Hand Luke” and not “Easy Rider.” My apologies. But on this morning, I wondered if God was suggesting that “I” could ask for the nations and own it as a bucket list for travel? Your boss, company rules and a bunch of other commitments have their claws in your back or shackles on your legs. All that means you spend more time working than enjoying travel. Many empty nesters now have the chance or choice to travel; with age, some of us can even travel solo once again.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
EEZ debate: Manila uses science, Beijing uses trolls
EEZ debate: Manila uses science, Beijing uses trollsTrolls attacked my two columns last week: “While aggressing our seas, China calls us troublemakers,” Jan. 28, and “Here’s why China is on military, propaganda offensive against Phl,” Jan. 30. But they need straightening out about Philippine EEZ:• UNCLOS 1982 grants littoral states up to 200 nautical miles EEZ. The zones consist of internal waters, archipelagic waters, 12-nautical mile territorial sea, contiguous zone, EEZ and continental shelf. It is merely penciled on its maps of South China Sea, encompassing the West Philippine Sea, Vietnam’s East Sea and Brunei and Malaysia’s northern waters. The China trolls swarm with negative comments the websites of Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, AFP and National Maritime Council.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
High on Haitian Lalanne
High on Haitian LalanneNLEX coach Jong Uichico is upbeat on Haitian import Cady Lalanne who makes his PBA debut in the Commissioner’s Cup starting March 11. Bolts coach Nenad Vucinic will decide today on whether to sign up Lalanne or another import, possibly Cameron Clark, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s replacement. Uichico says Lalanne is a LaMarcus Aldridge play-alike, referring to the 16-year NBA veteran who averaged 19.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in his pro career. Lalanne is on the lean side with a decent three-point shot and mid-range game, adds Uichico. Lalanne averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds, shooting 65.8 percent from the line, with the Minutemen.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Eala rocks Abu Dhabi
Eala rocks Abu DhabiMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala continued to showcase the Filipino never-say-die spirit, saving multiple match points in hacking out a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus to roll into the WTA500 Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinals at the Zayed Sports City International Center. Chants of “A-lex, A-lex, A-lex!” erupted as Sasnovich couldn’t return a thunderous Eala winning serve, with the Belarusian’s shot kissing through the net first, then bouncing up high and going out of bounds. With the tremendous crowd support as if she’s playing at home, Eala was to pursue chase of glory versus Alexandrova late last night. Mabuhay at maraming salamat po,” beamed Eala who will also try to net a doubles semifinal ticket with Indonesian partner Janice Tjen against the second seed tandem of Chinese Shuai Zhang (doubles No. “These moments are just moments I have only dreamed about.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC