NBA mulling 'every possible remedy' as 'tanking' worsensINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a press conference during 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome on February 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. LOS ANGELES, United States — NBA teams are increasingly losing games on purpose to improve their draft prospects and basketball must consider every possible remedy to stamp out deliberate "tanking," the league's chief said Saturday (Sunday, Manila time). The NBA Draft system means the teams that finish lowest in the standings have the best chances of landing the top prospects. - NBA Europe in 2027-28 -Speaking on a wide range of topics ahead of Sunday's All-Star Game, Silver also said talks will take place next month on expanding the NBA with new franchises.

DepEd grants 5-day wellness leave to teachers, staff nationwideStudents of the Marikina Elementary School in Marikina City attend a two-hour class orientation before the formal school opening on August 23, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has granted up to five days of annual wellness leave for teachers and non-teaching personnel, a move aimed at strengthening mental health and improving workplace conditions in the education sector. The leave is separate from vacation and sick leave and may be used for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or rest. "Naniniwala ako na kapag inaalagaan natin ang ating mga guro at kawani, mas nagiging matatag ang ating mga paaralan at mas napapabuti ang kalidad ng edukasyon para sa ating mga mag-aaral," Angara said. 002, s. 2026 pursuant to the Civil Service Commission wellness leave policy, recognizing that heavy workload and stress can affect the well-being and productivity of employees.

Different ending with RHJ? RHJ went down with an Achilles tear in Meralco’s previous game, a 93-91 squeaker over Macau in Ilagan, Isabela, last December. The obstacle was Ryukyu and Meralco had to beat the Okinawa squad by at least six in their showdown. Without RHJ, Bolts coach Nenad Vucinic rejigged his lineup. Meralco had built a strong chemistry with RHJ playing alongside Justin Brownlee, “world” import Ismael Romero and Asian heritage recruit Sina Vahedi.

DepEd eyes trimester system for school year 2026-2027This photo taken on March 21, 2025, shows students working on activities next to fans at an elementary school at Baseco in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering implementing a trimester system for the 2026–2027 school year as part of a “holistic approach” to improve learning continuity and reduce administrative burden on teachers. Sa ganitong paraan, napapangalagaan natin ang kalidad ng edukasyon,” Angara said, citing findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom2). DepEd said the new schedule will allow teachers to sustain lesson delivery without frequent interruptions, giving them more time for planning, assessment and professional responsibilities. The department said it will release detailed policy guidelines on the trimester system in the coming days after consultations with schools, teachers and other stakeholders.

The typical VAWA filing had involved wives of US citizens or lawful permanent residents who were physically abused or subjected to extreme cruelty. According to USCIS, “these trends are alarming and unprecedented… When unqualified aliens misuse the VAWA program, it causes significant processing delays, harming survivors with legitimate claims. We are prioritizing the integrity of the immigration process and the VAWA program as a resource for women and other alien survivors of abuse.”In other words, people are filing VAWA claims when they are not eligible. In the same way, USCIS believes many people are filing VAWA claims when they were never really subjected to abuse or mental cruelty. My office has handled many successful VAWA claims, including claims by husbands against an abusive wife.

Love, lust and liesNothing awakens our Republic of Marites more than the latest scandal or cheating allegations, mostly involving men and their paramours. And yet, and yet, against this backdrop, the country turns red and romantic every Valentine’s Day, just as it did this weekend. Survey saysPerhaps, it’s the reason that the percentage of Filipinos who are happy with their love lives are at an all-time low, based on the latest survey conducted by Social Weather Stations. Furthermore, about 40 percent said their love lives could be happier, up by four points from 36 percent obtained in a similar poll conducted last year. Because of this, I know that there’s no lack of love or romance in our country today.

Building an equal futureThis is a continuation of my last column which focused on the Oxfam Report, “Resisting the Rule of the Rich.”The report cited statistics and surveys regarding the increasing inequality between the rich and the poor. The goal is not to achieve absolute equality but avoid a kind of economic power that distorts democracy and undermines fairness. According to the Oxfam Report, there is substantial evidence that extreme economic inequality is deeply harmful for people and the planet in many ways. Like two unstable elements, political freedom and extreme inequality cannot co-exist for long.”In order to build a more equal future, the Oxfam Report recommends that the political power of the super rich must be curbed. Extreme economic inequality and the political inequality that it both feeds on and is fueled by, can be beaten.

Foxies high on breakthroughThe Foxies, with their old vanguards and new recruits, finally found the winning formula against the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 25-15, 25-12, yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center Antipolo. MANILA, Philippines — It was just a matter of time before Farm Fresh would get to translate its free-agent shopping spree into a victory. The Foxies, with their old vanguards and new recruits, finally found the winning formula against the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 25-15, 25-12, yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center Antipolo. But Farm Fresh made sure there won’t be a third straight loss. For Farm Fresh’s Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara, it was a relief winning for the first time with his new squad.

Lawmaker pushes fair accountability in road mishapsMANILA, Philippines — 4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos is seeking institutionalized fair accountability for road safety incidents. Key provisions of the bill include, among others, clearer definitions related to driving and road incidents, aggravating and mitigating circumstances and a reiteration of liabilities for parties involved in road safety incidents. “There are three ways to address the continuing injustice against motorists who should not be arrested and detained for reckless imprudence. First, I call for the immediate revision of the police procedures on reckless imprudence arrests and detention. Valeriano said the persistent police practice of arresting and detaining motorists without probable cause for reckless imprudence is patently unjust.

ICC names Bato, Bong Go as Duterte co-perpetratorsThe ICC prosecutor on Friday filed a less redacted version of the document containing charges against Duterte, which was first submitted to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I in July 2025. The ICC prosecutor on Friday filed a less redacted version of the document containing charges against Duterte, which was first submitted to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I in July 2025. Dela Rosa has not reported to the Senate since November last year, when rumors of the issuance of arrest warrant against him began to circulate. Sen. Robinhood Padillla said the development left him “depressed,” as he expressed solidarity with Go and Dela Rosa. Meanwhile, Lacson said Dela Rosa now has a stronger reason to continue hiding, as his inclusion as “co-perpetrator” has heightened the likelihood of his arrest.

Marcos offers love advice to youthMANILA, Philippines — Lasting relationships are built on friendship and mutual understanding, according to President Marcos, who played love guru on Valentine’s Day. In his vlog posted on his official social media accounts yesterday, Marcos gamely answered questions about relationship from his youth supporters. One of them asked the President for advice to couples who want a long and healthy relationship, having been married to First Lady Liza Marcos for more than 30 years. It’s not possible to have ‘my way or no way.’ If so, there’s always someone sad. When asked about a love song that represents their relationship, Marcos cited “Moonlight in Vermont” by Sarah Vaughan, saying the song is special because it was played during one of their first dates in New York.

This covers rice warehouses, onion cold storage, meat freezers, grain silos, refrigerated container vans and agricultural storage tanks handling both locally-sourced and imported products. The DA said the policy gives teeth to Section Six of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which requires agri-fishery businesses to maintain complete, accurate and auditable records for at least five years. “Facility operators must disclose storage capacity, commodities handled and inventory levels, maintain monthly operational records and submit quarterly electronic reports through the relevant trade regulatory agencies,” the agency said. Failure or refusal to produce required documents or records upon lawful demand is considered a violation of the Act,” it added. It noted that for medium and large operators, registration is now mandatory as “enforcement is data driven, and opacity in agricultural storage is becoming a legal and commercial liability.”

Sit-down meet between senators, China diplomats eyedMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday said he would propose a formal sit-down meeting between senators and officials of the Chinese embassy to de-escalate the weeks-long exchange of heated rhetoric regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS). He suggested the meeting could be held at the Senate, the embassy grounds or a neutral venue. The senator emphasized that the dialogue should ideally include colleagues who have been the subject of the embassy’s recent tirades, such as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan. The Makabayan bloc was reacting to the recent warning of the Chinese embassy that moves by some Philippine senators to target Chinese diplomats could jeopardize economic ties and cost millions of jobs. “China’s government should dial down their rhetoric as well as cease their aggressive actions,” the Makabayan bloc said in a statement.

Low-income families to have easy access to electricity subsidiesMANILA, Philippines — Low-income and marginalized families will have easier access to electricity subsidies beginning this month, President Marcos announced yesterday. “This month, we will implement – together with the distribution utilities or DU – the automatic registration of all 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program) beneficiaries under the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP),” Marcos said in Filipino. Low-income families who are not covered by 4Ps but fall under the poverty threshold and with minimal electricity consumption may register with LRSP, the President said. In his speech, Pangilinan said Meralco continues to work to bring reliable electricity to unserved and underserved communities. Pangilinan said Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) would soon energize MTerra Solar, a 3,500-megawatt solar farm in Nueva Ecija.

Public warned vs consuming devil crabsPhoto of the devil crab (left) and the floral egg crab (right) posted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 9 on its Facebook page on July 8, 2023MANILA, Philippines — The public has been warned against eating devil crabs after a content creator died from consuming the seafood in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that devil crabs live in coral reefs and are reportedly seen in Albay, Batangas, Ilocos, La Union, Marinduque, Palawan, Quezon, Sorsogon and Zamboanga as well as in the islands of Mindoro and Panay. The crab can grow to 50 to 100 millimeters and its shell has eye-like, brown spots. The BFAR said that devil crabs have tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin, which serves as their defense mechanism against their predators. Symptoms of poisoning included paralysis, numbness in the tongue and difficulty in breathing,” the bureau said.