House panel tackles VP impeachment on March 2Vice President Sara Duterte announces her intention to run for president in the 2028 general elections, at a press conference in Mandaluyong. MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on justice will begin deliberations on the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on March 2, 3 and 4. “For clarity, what we mean in the consolidation is because we will be deliberating on the four impeachment complaints in one impeachment proceeding. He added that the public must remember that impeachment proceedings in the House are not the trial. It will only be the members of the justice committee who will participate in the deliberation,” she noted.

Angara promotes PPPs to address classroom lackMANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored yesterday the crucial role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in accelerating classroom construction to address the country’s 165,000-classroom backlog. “This administration has clearly set very clear signals that they want to work with the private sector and that they need the private sector. The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to build more than 16,000 classrooms in high-need areas nationwide under the PPP for School Infrastructure Program 3 (PSIP 3), with a total project cost of P105.7 billion. Angara said the initiative is part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to modernize school facilities and address critical learning gaps. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on finance, said the funding aims to address long-standing capacity constraints that have forced SUCs to turn away qualified applicants.

Duterte also wants to skip detention hearingMANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow him to waive his attendance at the scheduled hearing regarding his detention on Friday. The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I earlier allowed the former president to skip the confirmation hearings. Under ICC’s rules, the Pre-Trial Chamber is required to hold a hearing on pre-trial detention at least once every year. “There is no evidence, that they are repeating it to the public, that it is the fault of the former president Duterte,” Panelo said over radio dzBB. “We all know that president Duterte doesn’t believe in the ICC because, first of all, he pointed out that it has no jurisdiction.

12 senators sign panel report on anti-dynasty billMANILA, Philippines — The Senate bill banning political dynasties is now up for plenary approval after hurdling the committee level last week. Panel chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros yesterday sponsored Senate Bill 1901, with 12 senators signing the committee report. Hontiveros acknowledged that the report’s second-degree ban is a compromise compared to the stricter fourth-degree prohibition originally proposed in her version of the bill. The Charter explicitly bans political dynasties, but the provision requires an enabling law from Congress. A second-degree ban could affect roughly 30 percent of existing political dynasties nationwide as early as the 2028 elections, Hontiveros said, citing a study.

Apple to shift some Mac Mini production to Houston from AsiaThe Apple logo hangs from the front of the new Apple Store Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., July 28, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

The question is – if war were to break out tomorrow, will America unequivocally come to the Philippines’ defense? In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected China’s sweeping claims and affirmed that the contested waters indeed lie within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. For its part, the United States has long positioned itself as the chief architect and defender of that order. Economic ties between the United States and the Philippines are no longer as dominant as they once were. The United States might begin with intelligence sharing, logistical assistance, cyber operations and accelerated military deployments to nearby bases.

Days before the country marked the 40th anniversary of the people power revolt, the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines warned that the country faced a new threat. “When freedom is treated merely as a memory and not a duty, the spirit of EDSA slowly dies,” Garcera said in his homily on the fourth day of novena masses for the people power anniversary. The unresolved corruption scandal in budgeting, flood control and other public works projects casts a shadow over events marking the 40th anniversary of people power. On the 40th anniversary of the people power revolt, Filipinos are calling for sweeping reforms as well as accountability – in the drug war, and in the corruption scandal. These calls deserve to be amplified today, with Filipinos dispelling fears of moral fatigue, and aware of the price of freedom.

During Duterte’s six years in power, state forces reported over 6,000 mostly drug suspects killed in what the government described as law enforcement operations. Commemoration of the people power revolt became progressively tepid in the past four decades. There’s acknowledgment that public outrage alone is not enough, without accompanying systemic changes. Perhaps it’s true that life begins at 40. Will long-term, meaningful change in our society also begin at 40?

So I’d say we’re in a good spot, but of course we will continue to engage with our counterparts there,” Go added. Within this context, the Philippines is positioning itself as a model for policy execution and investment facilitation. According to Go, the Philippines is well positioned within Indo-Pacific trade routes and supply chain realignments, particularly in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. We have to create new markets for the Philippines to trade with,” he said, citing ongoing efforts to secure more economic partnership agreements. As ASEAN chair, Go said the Philippines aims to strengthen regional economic cooperation and raise investor confidence across member states.

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna , Philippines — One of the suspects in the murder of an official of the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA) in Palawan was arrested in Barangay San Miguel on Monday night. Police withheld the identity of the suspect so as not to compromise the manhunt for the other gunman who shot and killed Joana Infante, 50, administrative officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines based at the PPIA. The suspect, who was arrested at around 7:15 p.m. by members of the local police and intelligence agents, is being held at the detention facility of the Puerto Princesa City police station 1. Infante was on her way to a church in Barangay San Pedro when she was killed on Jan. 18.

Well-loved bon vivant Tim Yap was recently feted by good friend and tastemaker Yiouri Augousti at his stylish Rockwell apartment with a breathtaking view. Surrounded by an intimate group of friends who hold Tim in high esteem, the evening was both heartfelt and celebratory. The Ateneo bonds that never breakThe gentlemen of Ateneo Class 1957/61/65 have turned friendship into a lifelong tradition. They began as young boys entering Ateneo Grade School during the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay, when postwar optimism and populist reforms shaped a hopeful nation. Though his life was tragically cut short in a plane crash, the country pressed on with economic growth and a buoyant outlook that mirrored the boys’ own youthful promise.

MANILA, Philippines — The private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has initiated a first round of airline reassignments for operational efficiency. AirAsia Philippines will transfer its international flights to Terminal 1, from Terminal 3. With the change, the NNIC advised passengers to check their terminal assignment with their airlines before going to NAIA. Under the P170.6-billion concession signed in 2024, NNIC must increase NAIA’s capacity from 35 million to 62 million per year. The NNIC is building a new Terminal 4, with a wider capacity to host the domestic flights of AirAsia Philippines.

‘People powera democratic necessity, not just nostalgia’ , ,A banner depicting one of the defining moments of the EDSA revolt hangs near the People Power Monument on the eve of its 40th anniversary yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — As the country marks the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt today, the University of the Philippines-Diliman University Council reminded the public that the event is more than “nostalgia” – it is a democratic necessity. “Systemic corruption and compromised accountability reflect a deeper problem: a crisis of credible leadership and democratic legitimacy. People power is therefore not nostalgia but a democratic necessity,” the UP Diliman University Council said in a statement. UP president Angelo Jimenez declared Feb. 25 an alternative learning day across the UP system and encouraged the university community to take part in commemorative activities.

“It should be corrected if Tomas Cloma was really there. Tomas Cloma was a seafarer, he’s not a discoverer,” Marcoleta claimed as the topic centered on whether Cloma’s seafaring journeys were taught at military schools. However, his claim provided a basis for the Philippines’ subsequent claim to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea,” he added. “Some people still cannot move on from Tomas Cloma. Here are the historical facts, so Cloma can be left alone to rest in peace,” Lacson said.

Doors open for MannyManny Pacquiao is facing Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov in an eight-round exhibition in Las Vegas on April 18 but beyond that, there’s a wealth of options on the table for Pacman. Pacquiao dismissed talk of a rematch with Barrios, insisting he’d done enough to win and he was moving on. But now that Garcia is on the throne, Pacquiao could reconsider fighting for the WBC belt. To add to his unsavory history, Garcia had a tumultuous relationship with his former wife and was once arrested for vandalism. So he could choose from among Garcia, Romero, Crocker or Haney to fight for a world title.