Political dynasty ban gains tractionMANILA, Philippines — Proposals to ban political dynasties in local government units are gaining ground, according to House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms chair Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. Our goal is to craft an agreeable, constitutionally sound anti-political dynasty law that can gather broad support in Congress and endure legal challenges,” Adiong said. Under HB 6671, a political dynasty refers to the concentration or dominance of elective political power by persons related to one another. The political dynasty ban will also most likely be limited to second-degree relationships, either by blood or affinity, since this has been the emerging consensus at the House, according to the statement. Spouses are considered first degree by affinity, while siblings-in-law may fall under the second degree.

Sara: Family no longer expects Duterte’s returnMANILA, Philippines — The family of former president Rodrigo Duterte no longer expects to bring him back to the country from The Hague where he is detained while awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC), his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday. We’re no longer talking about that,” Duterte said in an interview in Iligan City. According to the Vice President, she did not watch the confirmation of charges against her father. She noted that the ICC did not allow her family to see in person the family patriarch during the hearings. But the family’s applications were not approved this week,” the Vice President said.

Palace: Think twice before politickingMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has no information yet on the administration’s potential candidates for president in 2028, but has a message to those who engage in early politicking. “To those who prioritize politics right now, think it over because you might not be qualified,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. During the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum last Tuesday, President Marcos disclosed that the administration is already talking to some possible candidates for president in the next elections. ?“Look who’s talking,” the Palace press officer said. Meanwhile in the city of Malolos, supporters of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta launched before noon yesterday a movement urging the senator to run for vice president in the 2028 presidential elections.

Imee seeks Senate inquiry on ‘money delivery scheme’Sen. Imee Marcos speaks with former president Rodrigo Duterte at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila on Sept. 16, 2016. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the alleged cash deliveries from flood control kickbacks, even if it means implicating her brother, the President. Marcos held a press briefing yesterday to push for Senate Resolution 317, seeking an inquiry into the “money delivery scheme” alleged by former military personnel hired by fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co.She said a Senate inquiry would provide a chance for her colleagues implicated by the alleged soldiers to give their side. “Let’s open this at the Senate and examine the suitcase of truth. She wants to look into their claims that Co shouldered the accommodations of International Criminal Court probers in the country, with the help of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Washington maintains that diplomacy remains its “first option.” But what it demands from Iran is fully dismantling its nuclear program. At the maximum, the Americans are hoping that a devastating strike against the Islamist rulers of Iran will produce regime change. While the Americans were building up their combat forces in the Middle East, Russia and China have not been idle. But since Iran has shown no signs of backing down, Trump will probably have to go through some motion of a military operation. A little over a week ago, Trump gave himself his usual two weeks to come to a decision on Iran.

Shaping a human-centric future for AIAt a defining moment in human history, the world gathered at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Making AI human-centric instead of machine-centric is vital. To translate this vision into action, India presented the MANAV framework for human-centric AI governance. AI systems must be built with safeguards that encourage responsible, family-guided engagement, reflecting the same care we bring to education systems worldwide. Under the India AI Mission, we have deployed thousands of GPUs and are set to deploy more soon.

Bacojo in hot pursuit of GM normMANILA, Philippines — Filipino Mark Jay Bacojo brought down fellow International Master Alexandr Triapishko of Russia Tuesday to stay in the hunt for the title and a Grandmaster norm in the Russian Chess Crown Standard A in Moscow. The 19-year-old Far Eastern U standout pounced on a tiny kingside weakness of his Russian foe and turned it into a full-scale attack that hiked the former’s total to six points after eight rounds. A draw in the last two rounds would yield a first GM norm for Bacojo, whose trip is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Bittersweet love story reunites Bela and CarloViva Films reunites Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino on-screen in ‘A Special Memory,’ which opens in cinemas on March 11. The best gift that estranged couples can give their kids is to respect the memory of the love they once shared. Bela & Carlo’s onscreen reunionGet ready for “emotional cardio” as Viva Films reunites Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino on-screen in “A Special Memory,” which opens in cinemas on March 11. Let Bela and Carlo show us how to turn something “tragical” into “magical.”Here are quotes from Bela, Carlo and Ricky:Bela: “It’s been eight years since Carlo and I worked together in ‘Meet Me in St. Gallen.” I’ve seen him evolve as an actor. Bautista x Bautista = EARgasmKapuso powerhouse crooners, Mark Bautista and Christian Bautista, are all set to give you “EARgasm” in their concert, “Bautista X Bautista.” Directed by Paolo Valenciano, it will be on March 6, 8 p.m. at the New Frontier Theater (presented and in media partnership with GMA 7, with tickets available via Ticketnet).

‘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.