VP response to ouster raps sought

March 5, 2026 | 9:17 pm

A CONGRESSIONAL panel on Thursday ordered Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio to respond to a sweeping range of allegations that include corruption, as lawmakers prepare to weigh the merits of cases calling for her impeachment.

Ms. Duterte was given 10 days to respond to the accusations, with the House Justice Committee warning that her failure to submit a reply will be deemed as a waiver of her right to respond and as a denial of the charges, its letter sent to the Office of the Vice-President, shared to reporters, read.

“Failure on your part to file the Verified Answer within the period herein provided shall be deemed a waiver of your right to file the same, and you shall be considered to have interposed a general denial to the allegations contained in the impeachment complaints,” it said.

The Justice committee on Wednesday found the two out of four complaints against Ms. Duterte were sufficient in substance, moving them to the next step of the impeachment process that will determine whether the charges should be elevated to the Senate for trial.

The Vice-President faces a range of accusations, including claims she misused hundreds of millions of pesos in secret funds under the Office of the Vice-President and the Education department during her tenure as its secretary.

Filings made also include accusations she amassed wealth disproportionate to her income, efforts to destabilize the government and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his wife and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, charges which Ms. Duterte has denied.

In a statement, Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro, who heads the Justice committee, said she plans to continue the proceedings even while Congress is on break, but stressed she upholds due process and has no intention of railroading the hearings.

“I do not want to cause any delay to this proceeding,” she said. “That is why I am inclined to continue the hearing even during recess.”

Congress is scheduled to adjourn by March 20 and will resume sessions on May 4. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Marcos extends EDCOM II’s life

March 5, 2026 | 9:17 pm

teacher-classroom-student — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has signed into law a measure extending the term of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) for another two years in a bid to intensify efforts addressing the country’s learning crisis and align the national curriculum with global labor market demands.

“Upon completion of the initial three-year mandate, the Commission shall continue to operate for an additional period of two years to conduct further research and consultations as may be necessary, and to exercise oversight over the implementation of the National Education and Workforce Development Plans,” the law states.

Republic Act (RA) No. 12315, which amends the original EDCOM II Act (RA 11899), grants the commission the necessary breathing room to oversee the implementation of critical reforms and ensure that the transition from the classroom to the workforce is seamless and competitive.

Under the amended law, EDCOM II is tasked with providing strategic direction to align curricula, pedagogies, and assessment systems with globally recognized benchmarks.

The commission will also focus on developing long-term solutions for school infrastructure, teacher qualification and training, and school leadership to ensure safe and effective learning environments.

Furthermore, the law mandates the commission to update the national education agenda to integrate emerging technologies, including digital and artificial intelligence, and green technologies. This initiative aims to “future-proof” the education system and strengthen the country’s overall competitiveness and workforce readiness.

During this extended period, the commission will work closely with several key agencies, including the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health.

The funding for the initial implementation of RA 12315 will be sourced from the available appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with subsequent funding to be included in the annual general appropriations act.

Signed into law on March 4, this will take effect 15 days post-publication in the Official Gazette. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

NTA inclusion in budget clarified

March 5, 2026 | 9:17 pm

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Thursday that the National Tax Allotment (NTA) is distinct from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) after a Supreme Court petition challenging its inclusion in the 2026 budget.

“The NTA is not a discretionary appropriation under the GAA. It is a constitutional obligation implemented in coordination with, but not created by, the annual budget law,” the department said in a statement.

This followed a petition seeking to declare unconstitutional the inclusion of the P1.19-trillion NTA in the 2026 GAA, with petitioners arguing local governments’ tax share is not subject to legislative appropriation and should instead be automatically released.

According to the petitioners, since the Congress failed to pass the 2026 national budget on time, the government only accrued P1.03 trillion for local government units (LGUs) instead of the P1.19 trillion proposed for 2026.

However, the DBM said that the inclusion of the NTA amount in the annual budget documents does not necessarily transform it into a discretionary national fund.

“The GAA legislates agency appropriations — that is, amounts that fund national government programs and operations subject to budget executive rules,” it said.

“The NTA, by contrast, is not dependent on annual legislative discretion, is not subject to executive veto as a program item, is not conditioned upon agency performance or compliance, and is not diminished or adjusted during budget execution,” it added.

Implementing the NTA alongside GAA is only for purposes of transparency, accounting, and fiscal programming, the department said.

“Far from weakening local autonomy, the transparent presentation of the NTA within the national budget strengthens fiscal predictability for LGUs and reinforces responsible macro-fiscal management for the country as a whole,” it said.

Following the filing, the DBM said that it will follow the judicial process through the Office of the Solicitor General.

“We will direct our legal team to thoroughly study the issues raised and to submit the government’s arguments in the appropriate proceedings,” it said.

“We remain steadfast in upholding both local autonomy and fiscal discipline under the rule of law,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Marcos checks Kamuning station

March 5, 2026 | 9:16 pm

PBBM Marco-Busway — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the inspection of the newly completed Kamuning Footbridge and Busway Station, March 5, 2026. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL PABALATE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday led the inspection of the newly completed P87.3-million Kamuning Footbridge and Busway Station, designed to improve commuter experience along the EDSA corridor.

The project, which is a critical component of the Department of Transportation’s EDSA Busway System modernization, involved the integrated rehabilitation of the existing bus station and the construction of a modern pedestrian footbridge.

The facility replaces the steep and widely criticized original structure, colloquially known as “Mt. Kamuning,” which the President previously flagged for its impractical design and limited accessibility.

“The old one is not very good at all. This is better,” Mr. Marcos said in mixed English and Filipino.

He added that the station now has an elevator and will provide wheelchairs at the site to further ease the transit process.

The total contract cost of P87.33 million was split between the footbridge construction at P54.74 million and the busway station rehabilitation at P32.59 million, built by the Unimasters Conglomeration, Inc. and Dragonhart Construction Enterprise, Inc. Joint Venture.

While the original contract duration was set for six months, civil works were completed ahead of schedule in approximately four months, according to Mr. Marcos.

A primary objective of the new design is to decongest the MRT-3 GMA Kamuning Station by providing a dedicated access point for busway passengers, thereby separating road-based and rail-based commuter flows. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Gov’t told to tighten security protocols

March 5, 2026 | 9:15 pm

ai-generated-programmer-cybersecurity-8366100_1920 — STOCK IMAGE | Image by Dee from Pixabay

THE Palace on Thursday urged government employees to tighten security protocols following the discovery of individuals allegedly involved in espionage and Chinese-led operations within the country.

“The Palace reminds all government personnel to be cautious and vigilant,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said in a statement in Filipino.

“Guard your offices, protect sensitive government information, and ensure that it is not compromised by actors who may pose a threat to national security,” she added.

This comes after the National Security Council (NSC) confirmed on Wednesday that authorities uncovered a serious national security matter involving espionage and foreign-directed malign activities. NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Cornelio H. Valencia, Jr. said that the individuals involved have been dealt with under government counterintelligence programs.

The Palace noted that these measures are part of the Insider Threat Program, which protects sensitive government information from espionage, coercion, or negligent compromise. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

P171-M cultural hub to rise in Kalinga capital

March 5, 2026 | 9:15 pm

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Work has begun on a P171-million cultural hub at the provincial capitol after the groundbreaking of the Kalinga Cultural Center and Museum and a 500-seat theater, a twin development dreamt to anchor the Kalinga province’s heritage preservation drive.

The P98.39-million museum and cultural center, authorized under Republic Act No. 11770, will house Kalinga’s traditional music, literature, language, history and indigenous practices.

Plans show the ground floor dedicated to galleries featuring beads and pottery, warrior artifacts, weaving traditions, and archaeological and geological collections.

The second floor will spotlight music and dance, batok or traditional tattooing, visual arts, and offices including that of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Kalinga Rep. Caroline B. Agyao said the facility is envisioned as a living classroom rather than a mere exhibition space. In her message at the groundbreaking rites delivered by former Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, she said the center would provide a venue for elders to pass on indigenous knowledge and for young iKalingas to reconnect with their roots.

Governor James S. Edduba described the project as a statement of identity and pride. Speaking through Provincial Legal Officer John Paul Baguiwan, he said, the structure affirms Kalinga’s commitment to honoring its past while preparing for the future.

Complementing the museum is the P73.5-million first phase of the theater, designed to host up to 500 people for cultural performances and major gatherings.

Funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, both projects are slated for completion by August 2027 under the Department of Public Works and Highways-Lower Kalinga District Engineering Office, with District Engineer Ruby A. Uyam pledging strict supervision and transparency in the use of public funds. — Artemio A. Dumlao

PLDT, Smart block 83,000 attempts to access child abuse links

March 5, 2026 | 9:14 pm

child-abuse-6570086_1280 — STOCK IMAGE | Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

PLDT INC. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. have blocked 83,000 attempts to open child sexual abuse and exploitation materials in January, 50% lower than a year ago due the company’s smart filtering platforms.

“As technology enablers, PLDT and Smart recognize their role in providing a safe digital space that allows children to grow and pursue their passions,” PLDT and Smart First Vice-President and Head of Public Engagement Roby T. Alampay said in a media release on Thursday.

The company is utilizing its blocking tool which has helped to block the accessibility of images depicting child sexual abuse and exploitation of children, PLDT said, describing its filtering system as advance as it can blocked the entire website containing illicit materials instead of just blocking a specific links.

PLDT said that this platform is strengthened through global collaborations like Internet Watch Foundation and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s Project Arachnid, providing access to updated intelligence and automated detection tools.

PLDT’s corporate business arm, PLDT Enterprise has also partnered with the Council for the Welfare of Children’s helpline.

Last year, the telecommunications company partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection for a unified 911 emergency response hotline.

The system, rolled out through PLDT units PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT, Inc., modernizes 911 call handling and integrates police, fire, medical, and rescue services into a centralized, technology-enabled platform. It links national agencies with local government units for faster, more coordinated response.

The Philippines, through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), is strengthening its initiatives against growing threats involving women and children. For instance, the DICT has ordered in January the ban of Grok, the generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by X.AI Corp. , owned by Elon Musk over deepfake and pornography.

The ban was immediately lifted following Grok’s commitment to implement safeguards that would prevent the generation of inappropriate content.

The agency is also working on a measure that would require users in the country to have their accounts verified.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

BoC intercepts P29.71-M drugs at NAIA

March 5, 2026 | 9:14 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said that it intercepted three abandoned inbound parcels containing illegal drugs worth P29.712 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The interdiction operation, conducted on March 2, resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,596 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu, worth P24.45 million.

It also led to the confiscation of 4,046 grams of white powdery substances, which authorities suspect to be ecstasy worth P5.26 million.

Two of the parcels were declared as garden sculptures and were shipped from Berlin, Germany, and consigned to a recipient in Pasig City, while the third parcel was declared as vehicle air filters from Lusaka, Zambia, and consigned to a recipient in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

In a separate release, the agency said that it also intercepted a 504-gram high-grade marijuana, also known as kush, parcel bound to Cavite worth P756,000.

“The shipment from Canada, which arrived in the last week of February and was bound for Dasmariñas City, Cavite, was flagged based on derogatory information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement,” Customs said.

“X-ray scanning and K9 inspection were subsequently conducted, leading to a full physical examination of the parcel,” it added.

The inspection revealed six aluminum foil-wrapped packages that contained six transparent plastic pouches filled with dried leaves and fruiting tops, which the authorities found to be high-grade marijuana.

Since the start of 2026, Clark Port operations have already prevented the entry of over P22 million worth of narcotics. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

P2B budgeted for repatriated OFWs needing seed capital

March 5, 2026 | 9:05 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it allocated P2 billion for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) requiring capital to set up businesses should they need repatriation as a result of the escalating crisis in the Persian Gulf.

OFWs can start tapping the OFW Negosyo Fund starting March 12, the DTI said in a statement on Thursday.

“We are committed to opening doors for OFWs ready to come home and invest in their own country, especially when external crises force their hand,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A Roque said.

“Through the Small Business Corp. (SBCorp.), we’ve tailored this fund to equip them with the resources to build, hire, and secure their families’ futures,” Ms. Roque added.

“The fund anticipates the real-world contingencies OFWs face, from abrupt returns due to geopolitical tensions to the hurdles of starting enterprises after years abroad,” the DTI said.

The Department of Migrant Workers said it received 1,900 repatriation requests from OFWs due to safety concerns in the region following the attacks on Iran, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac told senators on Thursday.

The OFW Negosyo Fund offers loans of between P30,000 and P20 million to qualified borrowers, with a one year grace period for payment over up to five years.

The collateral requirement is waived for loans of up to P5 million.

OFWs can apply for a loan via the SBCorp. Money App or its website, app.sbcorp.ph.

Online registration for the loan facility can also be done through sbcorp.gov.ph.

Individuals can also visit any of the 1,431 Negosyo Centers nationwide for assistance. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Card shortage forces use of provisional permits for alien job applicants

March 5, 2026 | 9:04 pm

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said on Thursday that it will continue to accept applications for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) and will resort to provisional permits while it works through a shortage of physical cards.

The DoLE said the resort to temporary measures will remain in effect “until such time that the physical AEP cards are available for release.”

In an advisory, the DoLE said its regional offices continue to accept and process all applications for new permits, renewals, and certificates of exclusion or exemption. To facilitate these transactions, it is implementing a flexible filing system that accepts physical or electronic submissions.

“The Department hereby confirms that submission of all Alien Employment Permit applications remains OPEN and ACTIVE,” it said.

The DoLE said the provisional process involves the issuance of a Temporary Certification of AEP Approval in place of the standard physical cards.

This certification is intended to act as “valid proof of employment authorization until such time that the physical AEP cards are available for release.”

DoLE said all applicable fees must be settled through regional cashiers. It added that upon payment, applicants will receive a manual tracking number or barcode, which will serve as the official reference for the duration of the evaluation process.

Despite the resort to paper certificates, the DoLE said it “remains committed to its prescribed processing timelines.”

Evaluators have been made available for on-site consultations to assist clients with filing requirements or status inquiries at various regional public assistance desks. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

DoE planning first auction for gas-fired capacity

March 5, 2026 | 9:03 pm

floating-storage-unit-AG&P-PHL-COMPANY-HANDOUT — The ISH floating storage unit berths at the AG&P’s Philippines LNG terminal in Batangas. — COMPANY HANDOUT

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is planning to launch the first auction dedicated to gas-fired power generation, with the aim of raising the proportion of reliable capacity that will support the influx of intermittent clean-energy projects.

“The increasing penetration of variable renewable energy in the national grid necessitates the procurement of flexible mid-merit capacity to manage intermittency, ensuring grid reliability and stability,” the DoE said in a draft circular.

The auction is designed to position natural gas as a “transition fuel” to support the shift to clean and sustainable energy.

Republic Act No. 12120, or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, recognizes natural gas as having the potential to meet increasing energy demand and hopes to position the Philippines as a liquefied natural gas trading and transshipment hub.

The law also requires the “transparent and secure procurement” of natural gas, prioritizing the utilization of indigenous natural gas over imported gas and other conventional energy sources.

The DoE said the auction is necessary “in view of the projected power supply-demand outlook and system reliability requirements, particularly in the Visayas, Mindanao, and off-grid areas.”

The Energy Regulatory Commission will set a gas auction threshold price as the ceiling for each auction round, taking into account the cost of building gas facilities, fuel price volatility, and foreign exchange rates.

Winning bidders may opt to finance and construct the necessary transmission facilities in case of delay in the facilities due to be built according to the Transmission Development Plan, or if the grid impact study deems it necessary for the power project. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

House resolution calls for measures seeking to mitigate fuel price increases from Iran war

March 5, 2026 | 9:03 pm

gasoline-station-gas-pump — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A HOUSE RESOLUTION filed this week called for an inquiry into measures that could possibly blunt the impact of the Iran crisis, including hedging and other methods to minimize price shocks.

Party-list Rep. Nathaniel M. Oducado said in a statement on Thursday that the purpose of House Resolution No. 825 is to ensure prompt action “to protect consumers from sudden oil price shocks that hurt families and small businesses.”

The Philippines is a net importer of oil and is vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in global oil prices, often triggered by crises in the Middle East.

US and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iranian targets on Saturday, in what US President Donald J. Trump described as an effort to eliminate threats against the US, including the development of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Trump has said that the US military will continue striking Iranian targets for “as long as necessary” to achieve Washington’s objectives, which include regime change.

The strikes, which decapitated Tehran’s leadership, have risked plunging the Middle East into a wider conflict after Israel started attacking targets in Lebanon, and as Tehran began hitting oil facilities in Gulf states and shut access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas transits.

“We cannot ignore these global developments because they directly affect the cost of living in our country,” Mr. Oducado said. “Congress must study policy options that can shield consumers without putting our economy at risk.”

In a statement, former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate urged Congress to take notice of a minority bloc proposal for a package of bills aimed at lowering oil prices, warning that failure to enact structural reforms in the oil market could trigger an “inflation explosion.”

“If the Marcos administration drags its feet or contents itself with band-aid solutions like emergency powers, we are in for numerous price shocks in the coming months,” he said.

The package includes measures to regulate the downstream oil industry and unbundle oil prices to help rein in hikes. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio