Lawmakers weigh merits of Duterte ouster cases

March 3, 2026 | 8:55 pm

VP Sara — VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE — PHILIPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

THE House of Representatives Justice Committee on Tuesday suspended its hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, citing a lack of time, as lawmakers began assessing whether the charges have sufficient grounds to proceed.

The 39-member body concluded its questioning on the third impeachment complaint, with some lawmakers raising jurisdictional concerns. Several members argued that certain allegations covered acts outside Ms. Duterte’s term as Vice-President or involved statements that should not be treated as impeachable offenses.

Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro, who heads the committee, said the hearing would resume on Wednesday to tackle the fourth complaint, which seeks a forensic examination of Ms. Duterte’s bank accounts over allegations of unexplained wealth.

“We are here acting as prosecutors, and checking if there’s probable cause in this case, to determine whether there is a recital of facts constituting the offenses charged,” Party-list Rep. Jan Rurik Padiernos told the committee.

Lawmakers are determining whether the complaints have “substance,” a threshold that would let the cases move forward and trigger a full inquiry.

The third complaint, endorsed by Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima, accuses Ms. Duterte of committing six impeachable offenses under the 1987 Constitution.

The 98-page filing alleges plunder in connection with the misuse of P500 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice-President from 2022 to 2023, as well as P112.5 million allotted to the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary.

“These are not big accusations, not sweeping conclusions,” Ms. de Lima said, urging the committee to allow a full investigation. “These are detailed and factual allegations supported by annexes, audit findings, certifications and testimonies.”

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez questioned whether allegations tied to Ms. Duterte’s time as Education secretary fall within the committee’s jurisdiction.

He noted that the Constitution specifies which officials are subject to impeachment and said: “I cannot see the secretary of Education as impeachable.”

The complaint also accuses Ms. Duterte of amassing wealth disproportionate to her declared income as a former mayor and vice-mayor, as well as bribery related to government contracts. It further cites remarks in which she allegedly threatened President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

Quezon City Rep. Jesus Manuel Angel C. Suntay argued that the alleged threats are protected speech and should not be considered an impeachable offense.

“She said she hired someone to kill if she herself was killed,” he said. “Lo and behold, they are both still alive. It means there was no overt action on the threats.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

1,400 Filipinos seek repatriation

March 3, 2026 | 8:55 pm

OFW-NAIA — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are seen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

MORE THAN 1,400 Filipinos in the Middle East have requested repatriation amid escalating conflict, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Tuesday.

The government received the highest number of repatriation request from Dubai, where 586 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) expressed intentions to come home. This is followed by Israel (297), Abu Dhabi (270), Bahrain (231), and Jordan (22).

“The problem is, no planes are flying. And the airports are already being hit,” he told reporters in mixed English and Filipino in a briefing.

“Our assessment is that it may be dangerous to fly. Even if we could secure a plane and bring it in, we cannot do anything because, number one, the airports are closed. They are all no‑fly zones. This is a combat area.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli government said it will respect the decision of OFWs who will seek repatriation, its envoy to Manila said on Tuesday.

“I imagine that not many will decide to repatriate, but if they do, we, of course, we will respect that,” Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh told a news briefing.

The United States and Israel conducted a coordinated strike on several of Tehran’s military assets over the weekend, aimed destroying Iran’s nuclear weapons development program, Reuters reported.

In retaliation, Iran had launched several missile strikes to countries hosting US military bases, including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

She added that the Israeli government is looking to open up more employment opportunities for OFWs once the conflict with Iran comes to an end.

“We are trying to explore options for maybe construction or agriculture,” Ms. Kursh said. “Once things calm down, the travel alert that the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has put, which is travel alert number two, will be lifted and we can continue on the discussion of how to build more jobs in Israel.”

The Philippines currently maintains Alert Level 2 over Israel, which restricts non-essential travel. Filipinos there have also been advised to avoid public places and prepare for possible evacuation.

The envoy assured the Israeli government will continue to ensure the safety of Filipinos by providing shelters and constant information sharing campaigns.

“What we are trying to do is every Filipino is aware where is the need of shelter, what he or she can do if they are outside and they need to find shelter,” she said. “We are all making sure that the OFWs are feeling secure in Israel.”

There are about 30,000 Filipinos currently residing in Israel, according to the DFA. — Adrian H. Halili

Probe of vessel monitoring sought

March 3, 2026 | 8:54 pm

A SENATOR has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the country’s implementation of vessel monitoring measures amid alleged unregulated encroachment of commercial vessels into municipal waters.

Senate Resolution No. 324, Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel urged the chamber to conduct a probe the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ implementation of vessel monitoring measures, as commercial fishers are allegedly treading on municipal waters reserved only for small fisherfolks.

“Vessel monitoring systems were put in place to protect our seas and our fisherfolk,” she said.

“If these systems are not fully enforced or properly coordinated, then they fail in their most important mission of safeguarding the livelihood of municipal fishers and preserving our marine resources.”

Ms. Hontiveros added that monitoring data have not been fully shared with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.

Under the country’s Fisheries Code, commercial vessels are not allowed within 15 kilometers of municipal waters.

“Fisherfolk remain among the poorest sectors in the country. We need to ensure that policies improve their lives, not make them more miserable,” the senator said in a separate statement.

She added that the illegal intrusion of larger commercial vessels hastens the depletion of local fish stocks and damages marine habitats. — Adrian H. Halili

Ex-Health chief Bengzon dies at 90

March 3, 2026 | 8:54 pm

ALFREDO RAFAEL ANTONIO BENGZON, who served as Health secretary under President Corazon S. Aquino, died on Tuesday at the age of 90, the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed.

In a Facebook post, Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa paid tribute to Mr. Bengzon, noting that his social and healthcare initiatives earned him the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1991.

“I was a young surgical resident at UPPGH (University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital) when he became SOH (Secretary of Health),” Mr. Herbosa shared.

“The UPPGH Department of Surgery adopted the Jolo Provincial Hospital, and I volunteered for surgical missions there in Jolo almost monthly from 1988-1989. I started my surgery for rural communities because of that experience.”

His legacy was marked by “courageous efforts to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Filipinos,” Mr. Herbosa said, adding Mr. Bengzon’s push for the Generic Drugs Law.

The late Mr. Bengzon also advocated for more accessibility to family planning resources, despite opposition from religious sectors, as well as led DoH reforms to eliminate corrupt practices.

In a separate statement, the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), which he founded, also mourned his passing.

ASMPH honored Mr. Bengzon, who was the school’s first dean, for his role in shaping a generation of “socially committed medical professionals.”

Mr. Bengzon also had key leadership posts at Ateneo and was president and chief executive officer of The Medical City. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

SC petition challenges P1.19-T NTA inclusion in 2026 budget

March 3, 2026 | 8:52 pm

THE Supreme Court (SC) has been asked to declare unconstitutional the inclusion of the P1.19-trillion National Tax Allotment (NTA) in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), as petitioners warn that the move has already caused a P155.9-billion shortfall for local government units (LGUs).

In a petition for certiorari filed on Tuesday, Batangas Vice-Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas, the Philippine Councilors League, and a private citizen argued that the Executive branch committed grave abuse of discretion by treating the LGUs’ “just share” as a legislative appropriation subject to budget execution controls.

The petitioners said that the NTA, which serves as a primary funding source for basic services and infrastructure, must be released automatically as mandated by the Constitution.

“The inclusion and characterization of the National Tax Allotment as part of the Appropriations under the 2026 General Appropriations Act is unconstitutional and illegal, as the NTA is not a national expenditure subject to legislative appropriation but a constitutionally mandated share that must be automatically released to Local Government Units,” the petition read.

The dispute was triggered after Congress failed to pass the 2026 national budget on time, leading to the reenactment of the 2025 GAA, according to petitioners. Because the NTA was tied to the budget law, the government initially accrued only P1.03 trillion for LGUs (the 2025 figure) instead of the P1.19 trillion proposed for 2026.

“Given the constitutionally limited three-year term of elected local officials, any uncertainty, delay, or diminution in the accrual of the NTA results in concrete and present injury by constraining governance priorities, development planning, and service delivery,” the petitioners added.

The petitioners further argued that the LGU share does not accrue to the National Treasury and therefore falls within the exceptions to the rule that money can only be paid through an appropriation made by law. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Customs seizes over P2.5-B smuggled cigarettes and drugs

March 3, 2026 | 8:51 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Tuesday reported that its anti-smuggling campaign against illicit cigarettes and drugs has resulted in the seizure of over P2.5 billion worth of illicit products as of March 2.

Of the total seizures as of March 2, P1.8 billion were smuggled cigarettes and cigarette manufacturing materials, while P760 million were dangerous drugs.

This includes the sweeping campaign led by the BoC across Western Mindanao and Zamboanga City, where it confiscated P634.86 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. It marked the largest single-day cigarette-related crackdown since 2015.

A separate operation was also mounted on Feb. 9, where the BoC, along with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), successfully intercepted a shipment at the Manila International Container Port.

The shipment was carrying P272 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu, marking the largest drug haul recorded by the BoC so far this year. It was misdeclared as “marble.”

“These enforcement efforts reflect a firm commitment to protecting lawful trade and preserving fair market conditions,” the BoC said in a social media post on Tuesday.

Customs Commissioner Ariel D. Nepomuceno said that the BoC intensified intelligence-led and inter-agency-coordinated enforcement operations to strengthen border security and combat illicit trade.

“In 2025 alone, the BoC conducted 1,024 interdiction operations, including 143 drug seizures valued at P5.630 billion and 317 cigarette-related seizures amounting to P1.8 billion, reflecting the Bureau’s sustained efforts to curb smuggling and protect lawful trade,” the agency said.

The commissioner attributed the results to stronger inter-agency cooperation and robust data-sharing between the BoC, the Department of Interior and Local Government, PDEA, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others.

To further strengthen cooperation, the BoC has entered a memorandum of agreement with PDEA on Feb. 26 to ensure faster interdictions and seamless joint operations.

The agreement seeks to establish integrated databases, real-time information sharing, and enhanced scanning and inspection at ports of entry. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

LGU vows aid for Novo Vizcayano OFWs amid Middle East conflict

March 3, 2026 | 8:51 pm

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Nueva Vizcaya local government unit (LGU) is on heightened alert as conflict erupts in the Middle East, vowing swift assistance to Novo Vizcayano overseas workers who may be caught in the crossfire.

Provincial officials said the OFW (overseas Filipino worker) Welfare Center in Nueva Vizcaya is now in close coordination with the regional offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers in Cagayan Valley to closely track developments and verify reports involving Vizcayano workers deployed in the Middle East.

The situation escalated after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on key military sites in Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks on areas hosting US military bases. The exchange has heightened fears for thousands of migrant workers across affected Middle Eastern countries.

Governor Jose V. Gambito assured Novo Vizcayanos abroad that the province stands ready to act. “We are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to provide whatever assistance is necessary to ensure the safety of our OFWs,” he said, urging calm but vigilance.

He has directed the Public Employment Service Division, led by Dolly Rose C. Minas, to maintain round-the-clock coordination with agencies including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Mr. Gambito also called on OFWs to stay in touch with Philippine embassies and provincial authorities, and to relay updates through official communication channels as tensions continue to unfold. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Alex Eala debuts in 2026 Indian Wells Open among the top seeds

March 3, 2026 | 7:21 pm

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA slightly slid in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings ahead of her highly-anticipated debut in the 2026 Indian Wells Open (or BNP Paribas Open) in California, where she is among the top seeds, this weekend.

From soaring to a career-best ranking of No. 31 last week on the heels of a stellar run in Dubai, Ms. Eala tripped to No. 32 owing to a week-long break as the WTA Tour shifts from the Middle East to the United States.

The 20-year-old Filipina reached a new high in world tennis after a Last 8 finish in the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, marked by a stunning win against WTA No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy.

A mini slide however should not hinder Ms. Eala’s confidence amid a fast-growing popularity this year, packing stadiums from Manila, Auckland and Melbourne to Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.

And she can expect the same — or even bigger — support from California that boasts the largest population of Filipinos at almost two million across the United States.

Before flying to California, the lefty ace dropped by at the Nike World Headquarters in Oregon, where she was feted with a hero’s welcome as one of the sneaker brand’s global ambassadors.

Welcoming Ms. Eala was a series of new portraits along the Nike hallway that also features the greatest athletes of the brand across all sports.

At the Indian Wells, Ms. Eala also marches as one of the top guns, getting seeded at No. 31 for a first-round bye in the main draw that gets going this Saturday.

She will face one of the winners from the qualifying round, which will start on Wednesday to complete the stacked 96-player main draw bannered by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Russia, No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. 3 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

Reigning champion Mirra Andreeva of Russia (No. 8), who stunned Ms. Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final last year, alongside the American pair of Coco Gauff (No. 4) and Jessica Pegula (No.5), who ruled the Dubai tilt, are also in the fray.

Should Ms. Eala dodge an upset from a qualifier, she would clash against either Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine (No. 52) or Shuai Zhang of China (No. 62) in Round 2.

Another duel with her good friend Ms. Gauff, who scored a 6-0, 6-2 masterclass over the Filipina ace in Dubai, by the third round is on the table given a deep run for Ms. Eala.

Ms. Eala is out to crack the Top 30 with another good showing in California ahead of her grand return to the Miami Open, also a 1000-level tour where she had a breakthrough rise last year, on March 17 to 29.

Aside from a quarterfinal finish in Dubai, Ms. Eala also impressed in the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand (semifinals), WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open (quarterfinals) and the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, where she reached the singles quarterfinals and doubles semifinals with Indonesian partner Janice Tjen (WTA No. 39).

Her lone early elimination was in Round 1 of WTA 1000 Qatar Open after also netting an exhibition title in the Kooyong Classic and debuted in the Australian Open main draw in Melbourne. — John Bryan Ulanday

NU eyes quick UAAP Season 88 payback against winless UE

March 3, 2026 | 7:21 pm

NU-UAAP — FACEBOOK.COM/UAAPVARSITYCHANNEL

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. – UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

AFTER absorbing its first scar, National University (NU) guns for a quick vengeance against cellar-dweller University of the East (UE) to stabilize its title defense in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The NU Lady Bulldogs succumbed to the UP Fighting Maroons last week in a thrilling marathon to settle for joint second place at 3-1 with their tormentors behind De La Salle University that has seized the leadership at 4-0.

The back-to-back reigning champions want to stay within striking distance with a win at 1 p.m. against the UE Lady Red Warriors (0-4) before the clash between also winless Ateneo de Manila University (0-4) and Far Eastern University (2-2) at 3 p.m. Their men’s teams raise the curtains at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.

And the NU Lady Bulldogs have to do it possibly without super rookie Sam Cantada, whose status remains uncertain after going down with a right shin injury in their defeat to the UP Fighting Maroons following an accidental collision with libero IC Cepada.

The Ms. Cantada-led NU, in a rebuilding stage following the exit of Bella Belen and company, took care of its first three games only to melt down against the beefed-up UP side under new mentor Fabio Menta from Italy.

The young duo of Ms. Cantada and Arah Panique alongside team captain Vange Alinsug — the only remnant of NU’s championship core — ran roughshod in a 2-0 set start but got blanked the rest of the way in a reverse sweep.

Against UE this time around that’s in the thick of 18 straight losses since last season, the wards of coach Regine Diego are not keen on falling to complacency trap once more to get back on track right away entering their final first-round matches against Ateneo and rival La Salle.

KC Cepada and Nessa Bangayan spearhead the UE Lady Red Warriors’ upset bid. — John Bryan Ulanday

Bong Go pushes for naturalization of Boatwright

March 3, 2026 | 7:19 pm

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go batted for the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright to help Gilas Pilipinas upgrade for future battles.

Mr. Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and co-author of Senate Bill No. 1595 that seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Mr. Boatwright, said the 6-foot-10 forward will enable Gilas to address its needs in height and shooting.

Mr. Boatwright wasn’t able to attend the hearing as he couldn’t get permission from his Korean club, Daegu Kogas Pegasus, to fly to Manila yet.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy said the 29-year-old Mr. Boatwright is set to come over next month.

Without the one-time PBA champion’s absence, though, Justice Committee Chair Senator Francis N. Pangilinan ruled to defer action on Mr. Boatwright’s citizenship bill. — Olmin Leyba

Green on Dončić trade

March 3, 2026 | 7:18 pm

There is a particular edge to the way Draymond Green chooses his battles. He does not drift into the fray; he invariably insinuates himself, shoulders squared. Which was why no one batted an eyelash when he chose to take on the media ecosystem that engulfed Nico Harrison after the latter’s shocking decision to trade perennial Most Valuable Player candidate Luka Dončić last year. To be fair, he is not making any judgments on the deal; in defending the former Mavericks general manager, he is instead railing against the manner in which the conversation around it has been conveniently rewritten.

When the Mavericks sent Dončić to the Lakers, the reaction was swift and unforgiving. A generational offensive engine had been moved, and the return package, however defensible on paper, appeared woefully inadequate to a fan base that hitherto tethered its future to a singular talent. Harrison’s justification centered on defense, durability, and long-term team balance, and the reaction was swift and merciless. He was not merely critiqued, but ridiculed. The trade was branded reckless, even historic in its folly. He eventually lost his job, and the verdict, it seemed, was sealed.

What Green has pointed out, and pointedly, is that the very themes Harrison cited have since become acceptable talking points. Dončić’s lack of defensive engagement, his questionable conditioning, and the trade-offs inherent in heliocentric brilliance are no longer taboo subjects. They populate debate shows and studio panels with the benefit of hindsight. And given this development, the Warriors stalwart focuses not on the criticisms or their validity, but on their framing when Harrison was articulating them. Seemingly, the media crushed the messenger and then absorbed the message.

Needless to say, the take has drawn pushback. Critics have noted that Green’s position conveniently forgets the demerits of the trade even setting aside Dončić’s imperfections. Which is fair in and of itself. Execution and asset maximization matter, and the very absence of a bidding war discounts the transaction. It is possible, even likely, that Harrison both identified real issues and misplayed the market. They are, after all, not mutually exclusive propositions. Still, there can be no glossing over the fact that the tone of coverage can mimic consensus long before the evidence is actually complete.

There is unmistakable irony. Green, a cornerstone of the Warriors dynasty, has lived both sides of narrative construction. He has been celebrated as indispensable and castigated as combustible, and often in the same discussion. He understands how swiftly perception calcifies. His defense of Harrison is more about accountability than absolution; it questions whether those who court public opinion are willing to examine their own role in shaping outcomes. In a league where reputations move markets and headlines influence tenure, the distance between commentary and consequence is shorter than conventional wisdom cares to admit. And the point is clear: Stories do not merely describe reality. They can, if repeated often enough, help create it.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Klook: Japan remains the top spring destination among Filipinos

March 3, 2026 | 6:23 pm

Travel and leisure booking platform Klook said Japan is seeing an increased interest in multiple destination itineraries among Filipinos, as the country maintains its spot as the top destination for the spring season.

“Spring Travel is always a must for Filipinos looking to escape the summer heat and to enjoy unique seasonal experiences,” Klook Philippines General Manager Michelle Ho said in a news release.

“Filipino travelers prioritize comfort and affordability just as much as they value meaningful and memorable experiences,” she added.

Based on Klook’s survey across nine Asian markets, travelers visit Japan (78%) and South Korea (52%) during the spring season, mostly (36%) due to seasonal attractions.

The platform linked these findings to its annual Travel Pulse research for 2026, which showed that “time-limited sights or spectacles”, including flower blooms, will be one of the most sought-after experiences for 2026.

Apart from seasonal activities, 23% of tourists travel to experience the cool weather, and 14% said travel costs are more favorable during this period.

Some 15% find this season as the best time that works with their personal schedule, while 12% said this time aligns better with their travel companion’s schedule.

“What we’re seeing through this Spring Readiness Index is a renewed confidence in planning and exploring destinations around these experiences, and a more intentional approach to how they travel,” Ms. Ho said.

The platform’s travel index also found that between March and April 2025, Filipino travelers explored “second-city locales” or regional destinations.

Significant growth was observed last year in Sennan, Nagoya, and Hiroshima, alongside scenic escapes like Sapporo, Fukuoka, Oono, and Kobe.

The same behavior was also seen in South Korea, where visitors opted to explore beyond the traditional routes, such as Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Jeju, Gyeongju, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeollabuk-do.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), about 3,617,700 international travelers visited Japan in December 2025, a 3.7% year-over-year (YoY) increase.

Of which, the Philippines ranked the ninth biggest source of tourists with 115,600 and a 44.1% YoY growth. — Almira Louise S. Martinez