PSC chief Gregorio is guest of honor at Cebu scribes' awards ritesMANILA, Philippines — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio will grace the 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards as guest of honor and keynote speaker of the milestone event slated on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center. An established businessman, hotelier and sports executive, the 58-year-old Gregorio is the 13th chairperson of the PSC, a government agency responsible for the country's sports development. After being appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as PSC chairman in July 2025, Gregorio's administration focused on athlete welfare, strengthening sports facilities, professionalizing sports governance, and boosting sports tourism. Under his watch, the Philippines hosted and made bids for major international sports events, including volleyball, gymnastics, surfing, futsal and tennis competitions. Just a few weeks ago, Gregorio was honored as "Executive of the Year" by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) for his early achievements as PSC chief.

Palace declares special non-working holidays in 11 areas for February, March 2026MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared several special non-working holidays in various parts of the country from the last day of February through late March 2026. The special holidays were issued under Proclamations No. 1164 to 1179, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to an advisory from the Office of the Executive Secretary released on Saturday. Here’s the list of declared special non-working holidays:

Tram derails in central Milan leaving two dead, 40 injuredEmergency services work at the scene following a deadly tram derailment in Milan, Italy, February 27, 2026. REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

GSIS income rises to P344 billion in 2025Data released by the agency showed total income grew by 6.4 percent from 2024, supported by stronger insurance revenues and investment returns. MANILA, Philippines — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) posted higher earnings in 2025, with total income rising to P344.47 billion as the state pension fund continued to expand its asset base and increase benefit payouts to members. Data released by the agency showed total income grew by 6.4 percent from 2024, supported by stronger insurance revenues and investment returns. The higher income came as GSIS assets climbed by 8.2 percent to P1.96 trillion, bringing the fund close to the P2-trillion threshold. Investment income from financial assets reached P76.55 billion, helping strengthen the fund’s capacity to meet long-term pension obligations.

ALI raises P3.7 billion from sale of AREIT sharesIn a stock exchange filing, ALI said it sold a total of 88 million common shares of AREIT Inc. at a transaction price of P42 apiece pursuant to a placement agreement with UBS AG Singapore Branch and BPI Capital Corp.MANILA, Philippines — Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has raised P3.7 billion from the block sale of a new batch of shares in its listed real estate investment trust. The company intends to submit the required reinvestment plan detailing the use of proceeds obtained from the block sale in due course. For this year, ALI is earmarking P70 billion to P80 billion in capital expenditures, about 38 percent of which will be used for its leasing projects. Its assets under management grew to P139.3 billion, spanning a diversified portfolio of offices, retail, hotels and industrial land. To accelerate portfolio growth, AREIT secured stockholder approval in December last year for a property-for-share swap transaction with ALI and Summerhill Commercial Ventures Corp., involving Ayala Center Cebu and Ayala Malls Feliz, valued at P19.5 billion in exchange for 441.13 million AREIT shares.

SM Investments profit climbs 10% to P90.5 billionThe holding company of the SM group reported a 10 percent jump in its net income to P90.5 billion in 2025 from P82.6 billion a year ago. MANILA, Philippines — The Sy family’s SM Investments Corp. delivered a double-digit profit increase last year, driven by sustained growth across its business segments. The holding company of the SM group reported a 10 percent jump in its net income to P90.5 billion in 2025 from P82.6 billion a year ago. This reflected resilient consumer spending, improved operational e?ciencies and prudent financial management across our core businesses,” SM Investments president and chief executive officer Frederic DyBuncio said. SM Retail, for its part, saw a one percent improvement in net income to P21.1 billion, with retail revenues rising by five percent year-on-year to P458.1 billion.

Pru Life UK exec named education head of PLIAIn a statement, the company said the appointment highlights Katindoy’s role in advancing professional development within the life insurance sector, particularly through learning programs designed to improve the skills and competencies of insurance practitioners. MANILA, Philippines — Pru Life UK said Elaine Katindoy, vice president for PRUAcademy, has been appointed as education committee head of the Philippine Life Insurance Association (PLIA), a move that places her at the forefront of industry efforts to strengthen training standards and financial literacy initiatives. Pru Life UK said she brings extensive experience in training, curriculum development and strategic partnerships, having led various programs under PRUAcademy. “The role of the life insurance sector is in equipping Filipinos with the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions,” Katindoy said. Established in 1996, Pru Life UK operates more than 200 branches and general agency offices nationwide and has close to 38,000 licensed agents.

The March 2026 priority datesEach month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off dates listed below in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the US), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Caution: if your Final Action/Visa Issuance date has been current for more than a year and you were notified by the NVC but did not respond, you could risk your case being canceled or terminated. The priority dates for the Philippines for March 2026 are:* * *WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.comFollow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram.com/gurfinkellawFour offices to serve you: Los Angeles; San Francisco; New York: Toll free number: 1-866-GURFINKEL (1-866-487-3465); Philippines: +632 88940258 or +632 88940239

Duterte will likely go on trial – ExpertJulian Nicholls and Mame Mandiaye Niang of the prosecution during the confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte, Feb. 23, 2026 at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. MANILA, Philippines — Based on what transpired during the hearings on the confirmation of charges against him, former president Rodrigo Duterte is likely to go on trial for crimes against humanity, according to a constitutional expert. “In my view, the case will proceed to trial because the level of evidence, the quantum of evidence, is substantial evidence only. The ICC has 60 days to decide whether to proceed with a trial after the confirmation of charges hearing ended on Friday. Also included in the defense’s tactic, Cayosa stressed, was an attempt to distance Duterte from the nexus or link to the extrajudicial killings.

Charges eyed over harassment of EJK victims, familiesRelatives of EJK victims call for justice during a candle lighting activity in UP Diliman on the last day of confirmation of charges hearings against former president Rodrigo Duterte on Friday. MANILA, Philippines — Rabid supporters and trolls defending former president Rodrigo Duterte may soon find themselves in legal trouble over their alleged harassment and trolling of extrajudicial killing victims and their families. In a statement, support group Duterte Panagutin Europe said it intends to file the charges in The Hague and in the Philippines after several victims and lawyers, including those who attended Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing in person, were subjected to harassment. The footage was then “used as a means to facilitate derogatory remarks from troll armies,” said the network. We are already consulting with Dutch lawyers on this matter,” the Duterte Panagutin Europe said.

Ridon: VP Sara’s 2028 presidential bid ‘irrelevant’ to HouseVice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 to announce her presidential bid in the upcoming 2028 elections. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration that she intends to run for president in 2028 is “irrelevant” to the House of Representatives’ handling of the four impeachment complaints against her, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said yesterday. Ridon, chairman of the House committee on public accounts, dismissed speculation that Duterte’s political plans could influence lawmakers in tackling the complaints. He said the House is “laser-focused” on determining the sufficiency in form and substance of the complaints, not on forward-looking political moves tied to the 2028 elections. “In my view, Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration for president is irrelevant in the disposition of the House committee on justice and the House in general, specifically in her impeachment,” Ridon said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Not dead, but it was never realBefore COVID, I declined invitations to speak on “work-life balance,” telling clients:1. COVID erased home-work boundaries, renewing interest in “work-life balance,” especially among younger employees. In her column titled “Work-Life Balance Isn’t Dead — It Was Never Real,” Angela presented her observations, and I find it plausible and noteworthy. “Work-life balance” rose in the 1980s as longer work hours and dual-income households drove organizations to address family needs. In the end, Gennari’s core message is both sobering and hopeful: the old version of work-life balance was never realistic.

Students displaced by Kanlaon’s unrest now 233,428Kanlaon Volcano emits ash for a second day in a row, according to Phivolcs. MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing activity of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island has disrupted classes, affecting up to 233,428 students in 465 public schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday. Up to 465 schools in Negros Island Region have suspended in-person classes and shifted to alternative mode of learning to ensure continuity of education. DepEd said that so far, no school is being used as an evacuation center. “DepEd is closely monitoring families for possible evacuation and assessing schools that may be used as evacuation centers to ensure readiness and safety,” the agency said.

FIBA clash on neutral groundsMANILA, Philippines — The MOA Arena will be the neutral setting of an explosive clash between China and Chinese-Taipei at 4 p.m. today with the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifier not just a battle of political powers but also a fight to survive elimination. But opening the second window last Thursday, Chinese-Taipei upended South Korea, 77-65 and China beat Japan, 87-80. China has posted impressive numbers in the qualifiers, averaging 40.7 bench points, 15.3 second chance points, 36.7 paint points and 79.7 overall points. Chinese-Taipei is averaging a modest 10 bench points, 9.7 second chance points, 32.7 paint points and 71.3 overall points. The only Chinese-Taipei win came in a 96-78 decision during the FIBA Asia Cup at the MOA Arena in 2013.

Medvedev reaches finalDaniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates winning the men's singles final against Brandon Nakashima of the US at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia on January 11, 2026. DUBAI — Daniil Medvedev is one victory away from repeating a title run for the first time in his career after he punched his ticket to the Dubai final with a 6-4, 6-2 success over top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday. Medvedev, a former world No. 1, boasts 22 career titles but has bizarrely never won the same tournament twice. 25 Tallon Griekspoor in the final on Saturday in Dubai.