Faces of the News: March 30, 2025
Marcelino Teodoro
Two-term Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro was slapped with a six-month suspension order starting March 25 by the Office of the Ombudsman, which found “sufficient grounds” and “strong evidence of guilt” in the criminal and administrative charges filed against him.
Teodoro, along with 18 other city officials, is under investigation after complainant Sofronio Dulay accused them of graft, malversation and grave misconduct for allegedly diverting P130 million in public funds that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., or PhilHealth, reimbursed to the city government in 2023.
Dulay alleged that the funds were realigned to programs and expenditures totally unrelated to health, in violation of the Universal Health Care Act. But Teodoro, who is seeking a third straight term, decried the complaint as “political persecution, plain and simple,” and a “desperate attempt to besmirch” and derail his reelection campaign. He expressed optimism, however, that he would be able to put up a strong defense and vowed to face the charges head-on. . —KATHLEEN DE VILLA
Edwin Bautista
Barely a year after leaving his previous bank, Edwin Bautista is already on his way to the top leadership position in another. The ex-president of Union Bank of the Philippines was appointed the new president and CEO of Philippine National Bank (PNB) on March 27.
He replaces Florido Casuela, who will officially leave his post at PNB on April 29 and “focus on personal businesses.” Recognized for his wealth of experience in the banking sector, Bautista is expected to take charge of PNB’s “customer-centric banking and long-term sustainable growth.” He had spent nearly three decades with UnionBank, where he launched UnionDigital Bank Inc., officially jump-starting the Aboitizled company in a massive transition into digital banking.
Bautista’s entry into PNB, the banking arm of the Lucio Tan Group, comes amid strong lending activity, which raised its net interest income last year by 11 percent to P49.3 billion. PNB currently ranks as the country’s eighth largest bank in terms of assets, which stood at P1.2 trillion as of September. —MEG J. ADONIS
Alex Eala
Alexandra Eala’s breakout performance at the Miami Open was more than just a Cinderella run—it was a declaration. The 19-year-old from the Philippines surged into the semifinals as a wild card, beating three Grand Slam champions and showing the poise and power of a player destined for the game’s highest stages.
Eala’s dream week ended on Thursday night with a hard-fought 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 loss to world No. 4 Jessica Pegula. But the brilliance she showed just to get there shone far beyond the scoreboard. En route to the semis, Eala toppled 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, Australian Open champion Madison Keys and five-time Grand Slam titleholder Iga Swiatek—a stunning trio of wins for the young Filipino.
Pegula, exhausted after her narrow victory, called Eala a “fighter” who “uses the court so well” and has the tools to go far. “She takes the ball early, sees the court and competes hard,” Pegula said. Eala became just the third wild card in tournament history to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open, an event considered just below Grand Slam level.
‘Snow White’
Disney’s “Snow White” gets a rewrite 87 years later. The classic tale trades prince-pining for girl power, evolving its iconic heroine for a new generation. Leading the charge is Rachel Zegler as a reimagined Snow White, standing tall against a wicked stepmother played by Gal Gadot.
What’s good about this film is that Snow White is given more depth and motivation. But it’s not just the attitude that’s changed. This remake challenges even the original Brothers Grimm description of the character. Zegler’s skin isn’t “as white as snow,” which is a deliberate move that redefines what it means to be fair. In this version, fair isn’t about complexion—it’s about character.
The film follows a very simple and predictable plotline, but it does develop the relationship between Snow White and Jonathan. So when the expected true love’s kiss happens, it’s believable. For sure, the film has met a lot of criticism because of the political views of Zegler. But “Snow White” as a children’s film is heartwarming and hopeful. The dwarfs are still charming as ever and Dopey is equally endearing. —RUTH L. NAVARRA
Pete Hegseth
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew into Manila on Thursday night for a visit still hounded by revelations that he had shared Washington’s secret war plans on a Signal chat group that included a journalist. On Friday, Hegseth, like those before him, reassured President Marcos of Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to the Mutual Defense Treaty with Manila, the first stop of his Asian trip.
The week saw him facing resignation calls from Democrats back home over the Signal fiasco. In a March 15 chat, Hegseth texted about plans to kill a Houthi militant leader in Yemen two hours before a military operation that was meant to be shrouded in secrecy, according to reports.
The chat also included National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently included in the chat. Critics said US troops could have died if the information in the chat had fallen into the wrong hands. The Trump White House played down the incident.
