Our kids must revoltWhy do Filipino babies grow to age 15 hardly knowing anything? Even if the Discayas commit suicide 10 times, that won’t be enough to compensate for the stunted growth and brain damage of two million Filipino kids a year. The P50 billion could have saved two million kids from malnutrition and brain damage that is almost permanent. One in four Filipino children experiences stunted growth or 23.6 percent; 5.6 percent are wasted, especially among the poorest. Now, can our kids revolt?

Luxury eco tourismIt might strike you as improbable because eco tourism conjures up images of backpacking and trekking in the forests. Eco tourism may also suggest living in a spartan way, in a pitched tent, cooking over portable stoves. But can you imagine luxe eco tourism? Janet’s chairman for this 12-year-old eco tourism site takes sustainability to heart. Imagine if many more islands are developed this way and we become the country with island destinations for eco and luxury tourism.

Dark clouds for Filipinos who want to study abroadThe internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) has been a major achievement of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over the past decade. However, dark clouds loom over Filipinos planning to study abroad, as several countries have begun restricting the entry of international students to their universities. These developments may also dampen foreign universities’ commitment to collaborate with Philippine HEIs on internationalization. I recently attended the “Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest” event organized by The Chronicle of Higher Education. As a result, six years after its passage, very few international universities have established campuses in the country.

Former president Noynoy Aquino abruptly cancelled public works projects because they had become infested with corrupt syndicates. Last year, after the flood control projects scandal blew up, government cancelled further funding for these – across the board. Government is obligated, by contracts signed, to pay for what has been duly rendered. Foreign assisted projects were moved to unprogrammed funds to create space for puny flood control projects. Failing to undertake the necessary public works projects will trap all of us in decrepit infrastructure.

President Marcos happy Impeachment ‘distractions’ overMANILA, Philippines — Describing impeachment complaints as “distractions,” President Marcos yesterday said that he was “happy” the charges against him had been junked. The House justice committee on Wednesday dismissed impeachment complaints against Marcos for “insufficiency in substance.”“I’m glad that, of course – I’m glad that the impeachment complaints against me have been – are finished,” the President told reporters. “Although I wasn’t very worried because I saw the impeachment complaint and I knew that we would be – that I would be all right in terms of the impeachment. Meanwhile, Marcos declined to comment on the impeachment charges filed against his ally-turned-arch critic, Vice President Sara Duterte. I’m sure they will handle it properly.”However, the Makabayan bloc denounced President Marcos for “belittling” the second impeachment complaint filed against him.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allocating P300 million this year to expand climate-resilient farming for high-value vegetables such as tomatoes, chili and bell peppers. The move aims to curb recurring price spikes triggered by weather-related supply disruptions, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday. Under the initiative, the DA will deploy rain shelters and simplified greenhouse structures that provide partial protection from harsh weather while remaining financially viable for farmers. The rain shelters, greenhouses and irrigation systems will be established near major consumption centers such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to shorten delivery time and reduce post-harvest losses. For the Metro Manila market, the DA is eyeing nearby provinces including Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto administered the oath of office to 58 new appointees on Thursday, reminding them that their appointments are not a reward or a badge of privilege, but an insignia to serve the Filipino people. It is a commitment to humble oneself to elevate the people,” Recto said in a statement.? Gran-Ong will be in charge of the finance, administration and personnel services cluster of the agency. Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) was appointed by Marcos as undersecretary. In a letter to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, Recto said, “I am pleased to transmit the appointment letter of Mr. Albert Domingo as Undersecretary, Department of Health.” — Elizabeth Marcelo, Rhodina Villanueva

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed four tax evasion cases against private contractor Sarah Discaya over her alleged failure to declare and pay the right amount of income tax for 2020 and 2021. At a press briefing yesterday, DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez said the cases were filed before the Court of Tax Appeals on Feb. 3. Meanwhile, Martinez said the filing of cases against Discaya’s husband, Curlee, was deferred as he filed a motion for reconsideration. “And so, because of this filing, the BIR, as a matter of procedure, was asked to comment,” Martinez said. The DOJ, however, dismissed the complaint of non-payment of excise tax against the Discaya spouses under Section 263 of the NIRC, in connection with their imported vehicles.

MANILA, Philippines — With Valentine’s Day approaching, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the public to be vigilant against a sophisticated breed of “love scams” that now leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to defraud and, in severe cases, sexually exploit victims. Gatchalian issued the warning following a report from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which flagged a rising trend of romance-related fraud targeting individuals seeking relationships online. Gatchalian linked the persistence of these scams to criminal groups adapting to the government’s crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). “Despite the national ban on POGOs, criminal syndicates continue to exploit loopholes through various schemes, including love scams,” Gatchalian said. “It is sad that some of our countrymen are not only being cheated out of their hard-earned money, others are even becoming victims of prostitution,” Gatchalian said.

MANILA, Philippines — As the country looks for sustainable energy sources, a team of experts from the University of the Philippines found that oleaginous yeast isolated from the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) can be a viable source of biofuel. The authors said these lipids can be converted into biodiesel, a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Researchers collected yeast samples from the Mount Makiling area and screened and identified several oleaginous yeast strains capable of producing high lipid content. The study reported successful conversion of the extracted lipids into biodiesel, confirming that these yeasts can be viable sources of biofuel. The authors said Mount Makiling’s unique ecosystem serves as a treasure trove of biological resources that could play a significant role in sustainable development.

MANILA, Philippines — A case is being put together against two politicians tagged as masterminds behind the operations of illegal cigarette factories, including one facility in Mexico, Pampanga, the Philippine National Police said yesterday. The facility allegedly produced and distributed large volumes of illegal cigarettes nationwide. The facility could produce more than P4.5 billion worth of illegal cigarettes within a month, using several tons of tobacco leaves and counterfeit Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps. Among the seized cigarette brands were Two Moon, Carnival and HP, which Remulla warned retailers against selling, noting that the manufacture, transport and sale of illegal cigarettes violate the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act. Economic crimesNartatez ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and police regional officials to treat illegal cigarette factories as high-impact economic crimes that should be stopped immediately.

Fatal defectsMeanwhile, in Zamboanga City, retired justice Carpio continued to expose the “fatal defects” of China’s claim over islands in the West Philippine Sea with historical maps that copied British names translated into Chinese. Carpio cited historical evidence showing the Philippines’ longstanding claim over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, specifically maps that predate China’s assertions by centuries. He traced China’s territorial claims through official Chinese publications issued by China under the Kuomintang. According to Carpio, China’s territorial claim traced to its official 1943 handbook stated that China’s southernmost territory extended only to Triton Island in the Paracels (Basu). At that time, China did not claim Scarborough Shoal or the Spratly Islands.

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday vowed to expand promotion opportunities for deserving public school teachers to help them achieve greater financial stability. Marcos also cited the support provided to public school teachers and non-teaching staff, including the release of funds for the 2025 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI). ‘No more teacher shortage by 2027’Angara vowed to eliminate the teacher shortage by 2027. “After this year, we will no longer have a deficit or shortage of teachers, because every year, we hire 20,000. The statement came after the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines urged the government to prioritize salary increases over proposals to offer more flexible loan arrangements for public school teachers.

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) may need six to eight weeks to fully comply with the directive to remove politicians’ names and promotional materials from government projects, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday. Remulla issued a memorandum to LGUs on Jan. 31 directing them to strictly enforce the anti-epal policy to ensure that no names or images of local officials or DILG personnel are displayed on government projects. The order, anchored on a provision in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, prohibits the display of politicians’ names, images or branding on government projects, vehicles and assistance programs. Remulla said local officials who fail to comply may face administrative charges, including possible suspension. He added that the public may report violations by submitting photos through the DILG website or even through social media posts.

MANILA, Philippines — Four members of a family, including two children, were killed after a landslide buried their home in Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City amid heavy rains as Tropical Storm Basyang hit the country. Initial reports identified the victims as Rufa Lariosa, 30, and Paul Lariosa, 42, both of Zone 1, Sambulawan, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City, along with Riane Salobo, 13, and 11-month-old Aleah. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the landslide was caused by heavy rainfall, although authorities are still validating whether it can be directly attributed to Basyang. In Cagayan de Oro City, floodwaters inundated several areas, including Camaman-an, Cugman, Agusan, Barangay 26 and Bugo. Basyang is expected to make another landfall over the southern portions of Cebu and Negros Oriental this morning.