House probe urged on China ‘signal jamming’ over West Philippine Sea
House probe urged on China ‘signal jamming’ over West Philippine SeaBicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon underscored the need for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, after Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela insinuated that Beijing may have been instrumental in jeopardizing the PCG’s patrol over the West Philippine Sea. MANILA, Philippines — Congress should investigate reports of signal jamming experienced by Philippine fisheries and Coast Guard vessels patrolling near Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, a lawmaker said yesterday. “Congress should investigate the reported Chinese cyber activities in the West Philippine Sea, including the alleged jamming or disruption of internet and communications services around Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal),” Ridon said. On Feb. 24, Tarriela posted on Facebook a narration of the “signal jamming” experienced by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft during a routine patrol over Bajo de Masinloc. Ridon reiterated that the House probe – should it start – should cover other areas where the Philippines exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 17:31 UTC
Bull market broadens to Asia
Bull market broadens to AsiaFor three years, US stocks dominated global returns. Asia outperforms the US againIn 2025, we saw a rare outcome: emerging markets outperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin, 30.8 percent versus 16.4 percent. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix continue to benefit from the global AI hardware cycle, but the rally has broadened beyond semiconductors. More importantly, broad emerging market ETFs are seeing massive inflows – $4 billion in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and $5.8 billion in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF. A move to 7,000 and beyond would put the PSEi firmly in bull market territory.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:49 UTC
Filipino in Doha recounts airstrikes
Filipino in Doha recounts airstrikesMANILA, Philippines — For six to seven straight hours, the sky over Doha flashed with explosions as air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles, a Filipino worker there told The STAR. “Explosions have been ongoing for six to seven hours, but all were intercepted by the Doha military,” Rentoria said. She added that her mother is stranded at an airport in the Netherlands after airspace closures disrupted flights back to Doha. The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv advised Filipinos to remain indoors and to prepare to seek shelter. The Philippine embassy in Tehran advised Filipinos in Iran, where there are around 800, to carefully assess their personal circumstances and to consider their travel plans.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:36 UTC
Lava flow, eruption recorded at Mayon
Lava flow, eruption recorded at MayonPyroclastic density currents, locally called “uson,” continued to flow down Mayon Volcano as seen from Legazpi City, Albay on January 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — A series of lava effusions and a strombolian activity or low-level eruption were recorded at Mayon Volcano in Albay, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said yesterday. The minor eruption was recorded at 9:12 p.m.Phivolcs recorded 22 volcanic earthquakes, along with 310 rockfalls and seven pyroclastic density current signals. Phivolcs warns of possible hazards, including rockfalls, landslides or avalanches, ballistic fragments, lava flow and lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, moderate-sized explosions, and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall. Mayon Volcano has been under Alert Level 3 or increased tendency toward a hazardous eruption since Jan. 6.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
P349.6 million fake footwear seized
P349.6 million fake footwear seizedCriminal Investigation and Detection Group agents confiscate PHP349 million worth of counterfeit footwear and manufacturing equipment from two warehouses in Golden Haojia Industrial Compound, Barangay Balucuc, Apalit, Pampanga on Thursday (Feb. 26, 2026). The operatives were accompanied by representatives from footwear company Crocs Inc.MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group seized P349.6 million worth of counterfeit footwear and equipment in simultaneous raids on two warehouses in Apalit, Pampanga on Feb. 26, the CIDG reported. Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, CIDG director, said operatives and police units were serving search warrants on the warehouses when they found boxes of counterfeit footwear, raw materials and machineries used to produce the slippers. At the first warehouse in Barangay Balucuc, police found 181 boxes of trademark-infringing footwear, 30 sacks of resin raw materials, four heavy machines and assorted production equipment valued at P216.3 million. Operatives found 1,481 boxes of counterfeit footwear, with an estimated value of P133.29 million, at the second warehouse.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
Stocks brace for turbulence amid tensions in Middle East
Stocks brace for turbulence amid tensions in Middle EastThe Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went on a seven-day winning streak last week before finally taking a breather on Friday, closing at 6,611.24. MANILA, Philippines — After a strong showing last week, the local stock market braces for potential turbulence in the coming days following major developments in the Middle East over the weekend. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went on a seven-day winning streak last week before finally taking a breather on Friday, closing at 6,611.24. China Bank Capital Corp. managing director Juan Paolo Colet said this week would see heightened volatility driven by events in the Middle East. “Unless we see an immediate resolution to the conflict, I expect risk-off sentiment to push our stock market lower.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
9 drivers fail LTO’s alcohol test
9 drivers fail LTO’s alcohol testMANILA, Philippines — Nine drivers failed sobriety tests during anti-drunk driving operations in Quezon City, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Of the 14 drivers tested with breathalyzers, nine were positive for alcohol impairment. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime and a threat to community safety, the LTO said. LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said the initiative seeks to prevent road crashes and injuries caused by impaired driving, as alcohol and substance use significantly impair a driver’s judgment, coordination and reaction time. “These factors directly contribute to avoidable road incidents,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
Gene Snitsky: It’s not his fault
Gene Snitsky: It’s not his faultEven after almost two decades since his official retirement from professional wrestling, Gene Snitsky is still a big part of the community. When he started as a pro, even before WWE, Snisky (later changed to Snitsky as a wrestler) knew what he was getting into. It’s an assumed risk.”The last time Snitsky was in the Philippines was about 13 years ago at a wrestling card with 14 WWE veterans. Whatever image he projected in his successful career as a pro wrestler, Gene Snitsky is a mountain of good will and cheer. And if you haven’t experienced that in person, it’s not his fault.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
DPWH overhaul sought to curb corruption
DPWH overhaul sought to curb corruptionMANILA, Philippines — A sweeping reorganization of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aimed at curbing corruption and plugging procurement loopholes is being pushed in the Senate following recent Blue Ribbon committee investigations. Filed on Feb. 11 by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Bill 1835 seeks to significantly reduce the powers of DPWH district offices, which figured prominently in corruption schemes in several cases probed by the chamber like the Bulacan first district engineering office. Consequently, district offices will be relegated to supervision, monitoring and recommendatory roles to strengthen oversight on the ground. At the national level, the DPWH will be reorganized according to key infrastructure project types to decentralize project preparation and implementation. DPWH reshufflePublic Works Secretary Vince Dizon has conducted another reshuffle in the DPWH, this time focused on district engineer and assistant district engineer level positions in the department that has been at the center of the ghost flood control scandal since last year.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
EDITORIAL — Poisoning Filipinos
EDITORIAL — Poisoning FilipinosBack in December 2021, at least 43 medical organizations including the Philippine Medical Association had urged then president Rodrigo Duterte to veto a bill liberalizing the vaporized nicotine industry. Myanmar recently became the eighth in ASEAN to ban vapes. Last year, the Department of Health called for a nationwide total vape ban, citing the link of e-cigarettes to cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. “Why will I give poison to Filipinos and the youth?” he said as he warned of life-threatening EVALI or e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury. After two years of promoting nicotine addiction, it’s time for the government to listen to the health experts and ban vapes.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:35 UTC
Pinay caregiver in Israel killed in airstrike
MANILA, Philippines — A Filipina caregiver was killed in an airstrike in Israel, President Marcos said yesterday, as the world braces for the effects – including a possible prolonged conflict – of the attacks launched by American and Israeli forces against Iran. We continue to monitor the condition of our countrymen who are in the middle of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” the President said. Marcos said the Philippine government has been checking on its embassies and labor attachés in the Middle East since the conflict started. Vice President Sara Duterte said Filipinos living in or visiting Middle East countries should avoid areas where there are ongoing military operations and large gatherings of people. Since Saturday, at least 23 international flights to the Middle East have been canceled and at least three more were diverted.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:33 UTC
Speaking as God Helps Us
Speaking as God Helps UsThen there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. — Ezekiel 1:25One wouldn’t normally think of butterflies as being loud creatures: after all, the flapping of a single Monarch butterfly’s wings is practically inaudible. Though fewer than the number of butterflies, he likens the sound of their flapping wings to “the roar of rushing waters” (Ezekiel 1:24). When the creatures stood still and lowered their wings, Ezekiel heard the voice of God calling him to “speak [God’s] words to [the Israelites]” (2:7). Ezekiel, like the other Old Testament prophets, was charged with the task of speaking truth to God’s people.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:15 UTC
Recto dons rank of PCG auxiliary vice admiral
Recto dons rank of PCG auxiliary vice admiralMANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has emphasized the government’s commitment to defend what belongs to the country as he received the rank of auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has been at the forefront of reinforcing the nation’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. He donned the rank and took his oath as a PCG auxiliary vice admiral last Friday on the BRP Teresa Magbanua. During the event, Recto underscored the administration’s “intensified focus on maritime security and coastal protection.”Recto cited the P42.52-billion allocation for the PCG this year, which is intended to enhance manpower, operational readiness and long-term capability development. The budget will bankroll the recruitment of personnel and the creation of new positions to lay the groundwork for a standing force of 108,867 uniformed personnel, equivalent to three coast guard personnel for every kilometer of the coastline.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:09 UTC
Tropical cyclone seen to enter Philippines this month
Tropical cyclone seen to enter Philippines this monthPAGASA weather specialist Benison Esterase said the chances of tropical cyclone formation are high especially if the entry point is in the eastern parts of Mindanao. MANILA, Philippines — A tropical cyclone is expected to form and make landfall in the country this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday. PAGASA weather specialist Benison Esterase said the chances of tropical cyclone formation are high especially if the entry point is in the eastern parts of Mindanao. “The landfall of the possible tropical cyclone may be in Caraga, Visayas and Palawan,” he said. If a tropical cyclone forms, it will be named Caloy.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:09 UTC
The lessons that outlive us
The lessons that outlive usIt has been many years since I last visited Boracay, but returning this time brought back a flood of memories. We had one such touchstone at our recent trip and senior planning conference at RFM Corporation, and the memories of those early days came back in a profound way. The success of RFM Corporation is a collective achievement, with each manager, executive, and individual contributor playing an integral role. RFM Corporation is part of the Filipino narrative. I carry your legacy with me, as I have carried my resolve to keep RFM Corporation on a steady course.
Source:Philippine Star
March 01, 2026 16:09 UTC