Revilla fights back in plunder raps; lawyer says 3 clearedFormer senator Bong Revilla at the Department of Justice as he filed his counter-affidavit on his plunder complaint on Feb. 12, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Former lawmaker Bong Revilla filed his counter-affidavit in the plunder complaint he is facing on Thursday, February 12. (So it’s quite puzzling, out of four respondents, three are in witness protection. Citing documents from the investigation, Señga also said that Bernardo has been discharged as a state witness since November, while Alcantara has been discharged as a state witness since December. The plunder case against Revilla was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation on Nov. 13, 2025, with Bernardo, Opulencia and Alcantara as co-accused.

At the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai last December, the Philippine delegation of 50 athletes delivered eight golds, 13 silvers and 10 bronzes. And last month, Barredo’s gritty battalion of 211 athletes bagged 45 golds, 37 silvers and 52 bronzes at the Asean Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. “Of our 211 athletes in Thailand, 11 competed at the Asian Youth and six were medalists,” noted Custodio. “PSC has given our para athletes full support in their training, equipment and other essential elements,” said Custodio. Examples of para athletes who’ve become coaches are Adeline Dumapong of powerlifting and Marlon Nacita, Juanito Mingarine and Rene Macabenquil of wheelchair basketball.

We are all envoysChinese New Year in the Philippines is a special occasion for many Filipinos as this celebrates prosperity, renewal and heritage. Binondo in Manila is recognized as the first and oldest Chinese settlement in the Philippines. Our shared history is truly an essential element in our friendship as neighbors in the region. A shared history enables us to build a strong foundation for trust and helps overcome future challenges by learning from past mistakes. This is exactly what is meant by “we are all envoys” – something that Ambassador Jing has espoused, considering how generations of Chinese have prospered in the Philippines and that this should only continue to strengthen our relationship.

‘Attend mass on Valentine’s Day’A woman arranges flowers for sale in Manila’s Dangwa market. Flower prices soared ahead of Valentine’s Day. MANILA, Philippines — Attending mass can be included in lovers’ itineraries on Valentine’s Day, papal nuncio Charles Brown said yesterday. “If you’re a Catholic boy who’s interested in a Catholic girl… maybe invite her to come, to go to mass for this one,” Brown said. Warning vs toxic giftsMeanwhile, couples should be wary of Valentine’s Day gifts that contain traces of hazardous substances, watchdog BAN Toxics said.

Leviste: I have more than Cabral filesMANILA, Philippines — Saying that he has pieces of evidence more damning than the so-called Cabral files, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste maintained that he has evidence that President Marcos was aware of the kickbacks allegedly received by ranking government officials in the flood control projects. “More than the Cabral files, I have evidence that showed the acceptance of kickbacks. However, I had prepared videos so that, whatever happened to me, the truth will come out,” Leviste said, referring to records of the late public works and highways undersecretary Catalina Cabral. “It’s better for Rep. Leviste to be the one to reveal the message, because he can explain the provenance of these records. “I also expect that former undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo, secretary (Manuel) Bonoan and other incumbent and former Cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries will also share the truth,” Leviste said.

SWS: Pinoys happy with love life lowest in decadesA vendor prepares flowers for online orders in a shop at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila ahead of Valentine’s Day. MANILA, Philippines — The percentage of Filipinos who are happy with their love lives stayed at 46 percent, the lowest in over two decades, based on the latest survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS). The same survey found that 40 percent said their love lives could be happier, up four points from 36 percent obtained in the previous poll. The remaining 14 percent said they do not have love lives, down from 18 percent. Among those who are single, 22 percent of women and 28 percent of men respondents said they were happy with their love lives.

DILG doubles bounty for Atong Ang to P20 milionMANILA, Philippines — As Charlie “Atong” Ang remains elusive despite a massive police manhunt, the government has doubled the bounty for the gaming tycoon’s arrest to P20 million. Ang is facing charges of kidnapping with homicide as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the courts in Sta. Based on intelligence reports, Remulla said they have reason to believe Ang is still in the Philippines. Department of Justice spokesman Polo Martinez maintained the agency has not received the latest arrest warrant against Ang and others. Intensified operationsAfter receiving criticisms from Sen. Raffy Tulfo, the PNP has vowed to intensify operations against illegal online cockfighting or sabong games.

ACT hits Marcos’ slow action in solving classroom shortage“It is a decades-old issue. The classroom shortage did not suddenly appear, and neither is it a mystery. “Inaction has defined most of his administration.”MANILA, Philippines — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) yesterday questioned why it took President Marcos almost four years before prioritizing the classroom shortage problem. The classroom shortage did not suddenly appear, and neither is it a mystery. “Inaction has defined most of his administration.”Bernardo made the remarks after the President on Wednesday vowed to address the classroom shortage.

Eala joins giants in WTA1000MANILA, Philippines — Dubai main draw Alex Eala will no longer go through the qualifying round, gaining spot in the main draw of the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free International Tennis Championships set next week. Eala’s ticket has been upgraded as announced by organizers yesterday after she barged into the Top 40 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. And that means a chance to slug it out with the sport’s titans led by world No. The three hotshots lead a stacked main draw featuring 18 of the world’s top 20 players including No. And it’s the second WTA1000 for the 20-year-old Filipina this season after the Qatar Open where she got the boot early with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 defeat at the hands of Czechia’s Tereza Valentova, WTA No.

MRT station manager axed over signage gaffeA photo of some MRT-3 personnel holding a signage pointing to working escalators at the Shaw Boulevard station circulated online. MANILA, Philippines — Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez has relieved a station manager of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) over another signage blunder. A photo of some MRT-3 personnel holding a signage pointing to working escalators at the Shaw Boulevard station circulated online. This was immediately stopped the moment the management learned about it,” the rail management said in a statement. The station manager was referred to the MRT-3 disciplinary committee for investigation and corresponding sanctions.

Villagers in Maguindanao del Norte town benefit from humanitarian missionPersonnel of the 1st Marine Brigade provided children belonging to ethnic Iranun families free haircuts during a multi-sector outreach event in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte on Feb. 11, 2026. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — More than a thousand marginalized ethnic Iranun villagers in Barira town in Maguindanao del Norte availed of free medical, dental and other essential health interventions during a multi-sector relief mission in the municipality on Wednesday, February 11. Local executives, among them Barira Mayor Abdul Rauf Tomawis, confirmed to reporters on Thursday that 1,384 villagers from across their municipality benefited from Wednesday's joint outreach mission of the offices of Maguindanao Del Norte Gov. Local officials said the provincial government of Maguindanao del Norte gave out a dozen wheelchairs for persons with disabilities and elderly Barira residents during the day-long event. “Our governor intends to replicate such activity in other towns in Maguindanao del Norte,” Sinsuat said.

Lawmakers seek probe into Philippines-linked Epstein operationsThis undated and unlocated handout image released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on December 18, 2025 shows late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (R). MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers filed separate resolutions seeking a congressional probe into alleged Philippines-based operations that may have aided convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sen. Loren Legarda filed Senate Resolution No. If Filipino individuals or entities were involved in Epstein's digital cover-up operations, we must investigate thoroughly and hold accountable those who undermine our protections," she added. Both resolutions call for fact-finding inquiries and do not allege that specific Filipino individuals have been formally charged.

Tabuena's risk pays off with full-time 2026 LIV Golf statusThe Philippines' Miguel Tabuena reacts after winning the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. MANILA, Philippines — Even before he could unleash his opening drive in his second LIV Golf League appearance in Adelaide, Miguel Tabuena had already emerged a winner. “This week at Adelaide, I am no longer teeing up as a reserve, but as a wildcard for the entire LIV Golf 2026 season,” Tabuena shared on Instagram. After falling agonizingly short of securing an outright LIV berth through the Asian Tour International Series standings, Tabuena made a bold decision. Reserves in LIV Golf travel with teams but have no assurance of actually competing.

DFA warns Filipinos: Avoid joining foreign militariesMen pass by a digital screen displaying an ad promoting contract military service in the Russian army's unmanned systems units in Saint Petersburg on Feb. 3, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, February 11, issued a warning to Filipino nationals against accepting overseas job offers that could lead to recruitment into foreign armed forces. According to the DFA, participation in foreign armed conflicts exposes Filipinos to “grave danger and serious legal consequences.”Recruitment into foreign armed forces may also violate Philippine laws and lead to loss of citizenship, according to the agency. The statement from the Foreign Affairs Department came after reports of two Filipinos allegedly fighting for Russia during the Russian-Ukrainian War. However, this claim is still under investigation, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Bounty for Atong Ang raised to P20 millionMANILA, Philippines — The reward money for information leading to the arrest of fugitive tycoon Atong Ang has been increased to P20 million, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Remulla announced this at a press conference on Thursday, February 12, saying that the funds came from the confidential funds of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police. “P20 million for information leading to his arrest,” Remulla said. Remulla first set the bounty for information leading to Ang’s arrest on January 15, setting the amount at P10 million. On February 6, another court in Laguna, the San Pablo RTC Branch 29, also issued an arrest warrant against the fugitive tycoon.