• Muted support? Sara Duterte attends rally calling for Marcos’ resignation

Vice President Sara Duterte attends the prayer rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio on Tuesday, March 12, organized by supporters of Kingdom of Jesus Christ preacher Apollo Quiboloy.

• Explain or get arrested? Senate panel gives Quiboloy 48 hours to justify absence at hearing

The Senate panel led by Senator Risa Hontiveros gives doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy 48 hours to explain why he should not be arrested for skipping the Senate’s inquiries into his alleged human rights abuses.

• Marcos on West Philippine Sea: We have not rejected any proposal China made to us

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asserts his administration has not turned down any suggestion raised by China in managing the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

• Authorities raid POGO compound in Tarlac over alleged human trafficking

Philippine authorities conduct a raid on one of the biggest offshore gaming operations compounds in Bamban, Tarlac on Wednesday, March 13 over alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention.

• Netizens outraged over viral resort built near Chocolate Hills 

Social media users express outrage over a controversial resort built within the protected zone of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol province.

• Filipinos were ready for it: PH top buyer of Taylor Swift tour tickets in Klook

Data from travel and experience app Klook show Filipinos were the top buyers globally of Klook ticket bundles for Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” in Singapore. – Rappler.com

• Filmmaker Jade Castro, friends freed after arson complaint trashed

Filmmaker Jade Castro and his companions, who were arrested without warrant on February 1 in Catanauan, Quezon over arson charges, are released Monday, March 11. A Catanauan judge trashed the destructive arson complaints filed against Castro and his friends.

• 5 injured in violent demolition in Angeles City

At least five people are injured from gunshot wounds when a demolition turned violent in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City in Pampanga, Tuesday morning, March 12. Rowena Quejada, a journalist from K5 News, Olongapo City, was confronted by members of the demolition team wearing bonnets.

• MMDA vows clearer guidelines on e-bikes, e-trikes restriction

The MMDA says it is all set to implement its April 15 restriction on electric bicycles and electric tricycles on national roads in Metro Manila. Groups say the bike lane network in Metro Manila is sorely lacking and unsafe, despite government funds allocated for improvement.

• Liza Soberano on her Hollywood debut, Maya partnership, and self-realizations

Filipina actress Liza Soberano shares how being true to herself guided her on her Hollywood journey. She says that despite finding it challenging to navigate the showbiz industry in the United States, the entire experience has been ‘rewarding.’

• Megan Young apologizes for touching Miss Botswana’s hair at Miss World 2024 pageant

Miss World 2013 Megan Young apologizes for touching the hair of Miss Botswana Lesego Chombo during the Miss World 2024 coronation night. Young says she has since spoken and apologized to Chombo privately.  – Rappler.com

• Hontiveros: Set aside friendship, let Quiboloy face allegations

Senator Risa Hontiveros urges fellow senators to set aside friendship after several of her colleagues called for the reversal of a Senate contempt order against Quiboloy.

• Netanyahu says at least 13,000 ‘terrorists’ among Palestinians killed 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Sunday, March 10, at least 13,000 terrorists were among Palestinians killed.

• 3 news agencies take down Kate Middleton photo over image manipulation concerns 

Three news agencies take down a photo of Kate Middleton with her family following concerns the image may have been manipulated or digitally altered.

• IN PHOTOS: All the best looks at the Oscars 2024 red carpet

Big and rising names from Hollywood gather on Sunday, March 10 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, USA, for the 2024 Academy Awards.

• LIST: Winners, Oscars 2024

Oppenheimer takes home seven awards out of 13 nominations including Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10. — Rappler.com

• As Quiboloy hides, US government moves on arrest warrant

After wanted preacher Apollo Quiboloy announced he has gone into hiding, the US government unseals warrants against him.

• Duterte becomes Quiboloy group’s property administrator

Former president Rodrigo Duterte was named the new administrator of properties belonging to the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ or KOJC, the church led by wanted doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.

• PNR will stop operations on March 28 for five years

The Philippine National Railways or PNR is stopping operations for the next five years starting Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024.

• Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers major coral bleaching

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is hit by a major coral bleaching event, with results consistent with patterns of heat stress.

•  BINI releases first EP ‘Talaarawan’

P-pop girl group BINI releases its first EP titled ‘Talaarawan’ on International Women’s Day Friday, March 8. — Rappler.com

• Imelda ‘on path to recovery’ after hospital confinement, says President Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, is feeling better days after she was admitted to the hospital for slight pneumonia and fever, thus, refuting rumors the Marcos family matriarch had died.

•  4 more senators join Padilla in move to overturn Quiboloy contempt ruling

At least four more senators sign an objection letter seeking to reverse a Senate panel’s decision to hold embattled preacher Apollo Quiboloy in contempt for snubbing a hearing.

• China ships in Benham Rise ‘bit of an escalation,’ says Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says reports of Chinese research vessels in Benham Rise was a ‘clear intrusion into our Philippine maritime territory.’ But he confused different areas of the Philippines in this statement.

• Nikki Haley ends White House bid, clearing path for a Trump-Biden rematch

Nikki Haley ends her long-shot challenge to Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. Haley’s strong showing among moderate Republicans and independents highlight how Trump can be vulnerable in the November 5 election.

• Jury finds armorer guilty in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting

A New Mexico jury on Wednesday, March 6 finds Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez guilty of involuntary manslaughter. A juror told reporters after the verdict, ‘That was her job to check those rounds.’ – Rappler.com

• Marcos says Ayungin incident no reason to invoke MDT

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says it is not the time to invoke the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States even after four Navy personnel sustained minor injuries from actions of the China Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.

• ‘Why is that funny?’: Flustered Marcos laughs when asked about family’s plunder

In an interview with ABC anchor Sarah Ferguson, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gets flustered when asked about his father’s corruption.

• Singapore’s exclusive deal with Taylor Swift not a hostile act towards neighbors, PM says  

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says an incentive given to Taylor Swift to make Singapore the only stop in Southeast Asia on her world tour was not a hostile act towards its neighbors.

• Wow Paraw Festival showcases Ilonggo boat-making skills, passion for the seas 

39 skilled boat makers and sailors from Iloilo and Guimaras take part at the 51st Paraw Regatta Festival of Iloilo City. Vibrant hues and rhythmic dance of sails line the Ilonggo coastline Sunday, March 3. — Rappler.com

• Imelda Marcos hospitalized over suspected pneumonia

Former first lady Imelda Marcos, aged 94, is in the hospital for slight pneumonia and fever. Senator Imee Marcos says Tuesday, March 5, her mother was brought to the hospital after bouts of coughs and fever.

• 4 Filipinos hurt after China uses water cannons vs Ayungin resupply vessel

At least four Filipinos sustain ‘minor injuries’ after two China Coast Guard ships use water cannons against a much smaller Philippine vessel. This happened during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday, March 5.

• Senate panel holds Quiboloy in contempt, Padilla objects

The Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality cites embattled preacher Apollo Quiboloy in contempt Tuesday, March 5, after he snubs the hearing. The committee asks Senate President Migs Zubiri to have Quiboloy arrested.

• Israel carries out biggest Ramallah raid in years

Israeli forces raid the Palestinian administrative capital of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank overnight, killing a 16-year-old in a refugee camp Monday, March 4.

• French lawmakers make abortion a constitutional right

France enshrines the right to abortion in its constitution. Parliament members and senators overwhelmingly back the move, voting 780-72 on Monday, March 4.

• Trump wins Colorado ballot disqualification case at US Supreme Court

The United States Supreme Court hands Donald Trump a major victory on Monday, March 4, as it overturns a judicial decision that excluded him from Colorado’s ballot for Republican primaries. – Rappler.com

• Hontiveros hails DOJ order to charge Quiboloy, 5 others a day before Senate hearing

The Justice department orders the filing of child abuse and human trafficking cases against Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and five of his associates.

• Australian senator wants to see PH under Marcos cooperate with ICC probe vs Duterte

Australian Senator Janet Rice says she wants to see President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. fully support the probe against his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

• FACT CHECK: Jessica Soho’s weight loss pill ‘report’ is AI-manipulated

A video of GMA news anchor Jessica Soho vouching for the legitimacy of the weight loss supplement EcoFit is false.

• 9 months after Tito, Vic, Joey leave TAPE, Jalosjos axes noon show

Nine months after comedians Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon or TVJ left TAPE Productions, the Jalosjos-led firm axes its noon show that had been renamed Tahanang Pinakamasaya or ‘Home of the Happiest’ only two months ago.

• Jaclyn Jose’s relatives, friends pay tribute to actress: ‘Her life itself was her greatest obra maestra’

Friends, relatives, and celebrities take to social media to pay tribute to beloved showbiz icon Jaclyn Jose. Jose passed away on Saturday, March 2 due to a heart attack. — Rappler.com

• Australian senator who protested during Marcos’ speech censured by colleagues

Australian Senator Janet Rice is censured by the Australian Senate for her protest stunt while Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was delivering a speech.

• NAIA’s surot-infested rattan chairs, once its pride, are now gone

After passengers report being bitten by bed bugs, the operator of Metro Manila’s main airport throws out what was once its pride: the rattan chairs in Terminal 2.

• Cordillera faces crisis as region sees alarming spike in wildfires

The Cordillera Administrative Region is seeing an alarming surge in fire incidents, mostly wildfires, during the first two months of this year.

• More than 100 killed while seeking aid in Gaza, overall death toll passes 30,000

Gaza health authorities say Thursday, February 29, Israeli forces shot dead more than 100 Palestinians as they waited for an aid delivery.

• ‘Rust’ assistant director praises armorer, takes blame for shooting

Rust first assistant director Dave Halls testifies the movie’s armorer was diligent in her work and he was ultimately to blame for the 2021 fatal shooting of the film’s cinematographer. — Rappler.com

• Some Australian senators hold protests vs Marcos as he addressed parliament

Some Australian lawmakers protest inside and outside their parliament building while Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech. Senator Janet Rice of the Australian Greens raises a banner inside the hall reading, ‘Stop the human rights abuses.’

• Supreme Court punishes Badoy for threatening Manila judge

The Supreme Court punishes former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy for threatening a Manila judge. It finds Badoy guilty of indirect contempt for her ‘vitriolic and outright threats’ against Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar.

• Bed bugs in NAIA? Airport operator apologizes to bitten passengers

The Manila International Airport Authority, which operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, apologizes to passengers who were reportedly bitten by bed bugs in Terminals 2 and 3.

• Trump is disqualified from Illinois ballot, judge rules

An Illinois state judge disqualifies Donald Trump from appearing on the Illinois’ Republican presidential primary ballot due to his role in the US Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.

• SB19’s Justin releases ‘surreal’ as debut solo single

SB19’s Justin releases single ‘surreal’ for his debut as a solo artist. He says the song is a love letter to those who dare to dream beyond reality. – Rappler.com