Good Morning.

Happy Thursday! Today’s issue looks at power, in politics and in business. From Senate leadership rumors, to how Bench quietly scaled into a national brand, plus markets, tech, and culture signals worth knowing. Got topics you want us to dig into next? Hit reply and tell us.

Stay sharp,
Team PesoWeekly

Big picture: Rumors of a Senate coup swirled this week after Loren Legarda briefly presided over a session and was repeatedly addressed as “Madam President,” fueling talk that Tito Sotto was about to be replaced.

What happened: During a suspended session on February 4, Legarda took the rostrum as presiding officer while majority leaders joked openly about her future role. Online claims suggested the minority bloc had secured enough votes to unseat Sotto, though the session ended with the majority intact.

Behind the scenes: Sotto later confirmed there was no coup, but revealed plans for Legarda to become Senate president before the 20th Congress ends in 2028.

Why it matters: The episode shows how fluid Senate leadership remains, even when power shifts are framed as jokes.

Big idea: Ben Chan built Bench by deeply understanding how Filipinos shop, aspire, and spend, then pairing that insight with disciplined retail execution.

How he scaled: He rode the rise of mall culture, securing prime locations as SM expanded nationwide. Bench stayed affordable and trend-aware, but anchored itself in a Filipino-centric lifestyle instead of copying foreign labels.

Key moves: bold celebrity marketing, fast expansion from basics into underwear, fragrances, and accessories, and strong distribution and merchandising control to support scale.

Challenges solved: standing out in crowded malls, balancing aspiration with mass pricing, and competing with global brands without losing identity.

Lesson: Build a clear brand, ride structural shifts, and execute consistently.

US markets fell Tuesday as bitcoin slid to its lowest since 2024, signaling rising risk aversion. The Dow dropped 0.34%, S&P 500 lost 0.84%, and Nasdaq fell 1.43%. Investors fled tech on AI disruption fears and geopolitical tensions, pushing gold, silver, and oil prices higher amid broader global market uncertainty.

The Philippines may return to a global dirty money watchlist after a corruption scandal exposed money laundering risks, the central bank said. A relapse could raise borrowing costs, slow investments, and tighten bank checks, pressuring businesses as authorities rush reforms ahead of a 2027 international review.

Head Sport Philippines said it will source more rubber from local farmers as it shifts global tennis ball production to its Mindanao plant. The Panabo City factory, the world’s largest, will buy 6,000 tons of rubber this year, directly supporting about 4,000 farming families and strengthening the domestic rubber supply chain.

The Philippines and Japan finalized an updated double taxation treaty to modernize tax rules and support cross-border trade and investment. The agreement clarifies income taxation and tax credits, aligns with global standards, and is expected to boost Japanese investments as both countries deepen long-standing economic ties.

UP forward Mark Belmonte has left the UAAP after three seasons and is set to transfer to the NCAA, with two years of eligibility left and several schools reportedly interested. (Read More)

Barbie Imperial says Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati were already separated when she entered his life, denying third-party claims..(Read more)

Markiplier’s horror film “Iron Lung” will screen in Philippine cinemas. The self-financed movie, based on a 2022 game, earned $21.7 million worldwide, marking his debut as director, writer, and lead actor. (Read More)

Researchers in Germany say WiFi networks can identify individuals without phones using radio signals, raising major privacy concerns and prompting calls for stronger safeguards in future WiFi standards. (Read More)

Open-source AI agent OpenClaw is gaining global attention as users adopt it for automating tasks, while experts raise concerns over security risks and growing debate around autonomous artificial intelligence tools. (Read More)

The CICC warned Filipinos ahead of Valentine’s Day about AI-powered love scams, citing 123 complaints in 2025, young victims, social media platforms used, and over P20 million in recovered losses. (Read more)

Children and teens on Roblox are reenacting immigration raids and protests, drawing millions of views online, as experts debate emotional impacts and the platform says such content violates community standards. (Read more)

Spanish researchers eliminated pancreatic tumours in mice using triple therapy targeting KRAS pathways. The approach prevented recurrence, showed minimal side effects, and may guide future clinical trials for aggressive pancreatic cancer.

Researchers at the University of Rochester made metal tubes unsinkable by creating superhydrophobic interiors that trap air. Tubes stay afloat even when damaged, offering stable rafts and potential energy applications.

Novo Nordisk expects 5–13% profit and sales drop in 2026 due to U.S. price pressure, competition, and patent expiries, despite early uptake of its new Wegovy pill.

Schadenfreude is feeling pleasure at others’ misfortune. It’s normal but can lead to bullying or revenge if unchecked. Understanding and forgiveness help manage it, while harmless fun can channel it positively.

The House justice committee dismissed separate impeachment complaints against President Marcos, citing lack of evidence and insufficient substance in both cases. (Read more)

Tropical Storm Basyang and amihan bring rains to eastern Visayas and Mindanao, while Luzon sees light rains with minimal impact.. (Read more)

President Marcos Jr. okays extending initial vehicle registration to five years and pushes faster, more reliable train services nationwide. (Read more)

Government plans to cut climate adaptation spending to 2.7% of GDP, raising concerns over disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. (Read more)

Starbucks baristas on strike are urging customers to delete the company’s mobile app, pressuring the coffee chain to agree to a first union contract covering wages, hours, and labor practices.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened Monday for limited pedestrian traffic, allowing a small number of Palestinians, including patients, to cross as part of the second phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Ahead of the Year of the Horse, Chinese netizens are using Draco Malfoy in festive decorations, playing on his Mandarin name’s link to horses and good fortune.

📝 Papal nuncio backs Roblox Filipino Catholics’ digital faith efforts, praising youth engagement and innovation.

📝 National Arts Month kicks off in Manila with performances, tours, and art events this February.

📝 Russian viewers stream “Heated Rivalry” despite legal risks.

📝 Aussie tourists get sandy surprise as taxi takes beach shortcut in Palawan (Watch)

📝 Dive into weird, wonderful, and surprising facts from around the world with this podcast.

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