HEADS UP: Top News Stories You Need to Know Today, Feb. 24

Here's a Heads Up from reportr on news that you need to know today, Feb. 24:

POLITICS EXPLAINED

• It’s red vs pink for the May 9 elections. Here’s how colors are used to pledge allegiance in Philippine elections when the hateful divides are clear cut.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• The LTO has opened its new service center at the PITX for driver’s license application and renewal.

ELECTION NEWS

• Close to 50 former Cabinet executives and government officials who served under former President Gloria Arroyo have endorsed Leni Robredo for president.
• Robredo reunited with the now landed Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon, who endorsed her for president. Robredo was among volunteer lawyers who helped them reclaim their ancestral land after a dramatic trek and 60-day fast from Mindanao to Manila in 2007.
• Like her fellow martial law victims, ex-CHR chairperson Etta Rosales recoils in horror at the thought of another Marcos in Malacanang.

PIXEL WORLD

• Facebook is rolling out its short video feature Reels to 150 countries to combat the rise of TikTok.
• French duo Daft Punk have returned to social media with a new album of electro grooves after shocking fans with their split last year.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Metro Manila mayors have unanimously recommended lowering COVID restrictions in the capital region to Alert Level 1 or the “new normal”.
• The DTI is studying whether or not to recommend to the IATF the removal of plastic barriers in restaurants and shops.
• In Tagkawayan, Quezon, learning materials on a trolley are helping school kids keep learning alive during the pandemic.
• The “stealth” sub-variant of omicron does not cause more severe symptoms compared to the original, the WHO said.
• Only 9% of the world’s plastic waste gets recycled, according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.