Castro hits VP Sara, warns vs 2028 Manchurian puppetMANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it is possible that the Philippines would no longer be a country by 2028 if Filipinos elect a Manchurian candidate. Asked for her Valentine’s Day message to the Vice President, Castro said, “Spread love, not fake news, not immorality. Unfazed by surveyMalacañang was unfazed by the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, showing more Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the Vice President than the President. Cuneta, who was with her husband Sen. Francis Pangilinan, joked that she has only one vice president. “I’ve only one vice president, there – my date tonight.

500 more drug war ‘victims’ to join ICC caseA relative of a victim of an extra-judicial killing attends a memorial mass ahead of All Soul's Day to remember loved ones slain in the government's war on drugs, at the Commission on Human Rights in Manila on Oct. 29, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have authorized another 500 victims to participate in the ongoing crimes against humanity proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte. These were on top of the initial 39 victims that were authorized by the chamber to participate in the proceedings. Victims allowed by the ICC to participate will be able to present their views during the proceedings. VP prays for fair ICC trialVice President Sara Duterte yesterday said that she is praying for a fair trial for her father, ahead of his confirmation of charges hearing.

Word war rages between Chinese embassy, lawmakersMANILA, Philippines — There appears to be no ceasefire in sight between lawmakers and the Chinese embassy, with both trading barbs before the weekend over the recent Senate resolution condemning Chinese diplomats for making hostile remarks against Philippine officials. But when the Chinese embassy responds like any normal embassy would, some senators can’t get over that,” the statement posted on the embassy’s official Facebook page read. “Some senators are still urging ‘recall of the aggressive and sensitive Chinese Ambassador.’ Who do they think they are? De Lima also reminded the Chinese embassy spokesperson that diplomatic immunity from suit as guest of the Philippine government has limits. “The PRC is the only party to the South China Sea dispute not respecting the provisions of the DOC, and of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” he said.

Geopolitical tensions drive fuel prices higherA gas station attendant fills up cars at a station in Paco, Manila on January 12, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Motorists should brace for yet another domestic pump price hike next week amid heightened tensions abroad. Kerosene prices may go up by around P0.25 per liter, with further increases likely once oil firms’ operating costs and other premiums are factored in. “The strongest factor helping oil prices to move in an upward direction is the geopolitical tensions, particularly in Iran,” said Rodela Romero, assistant director at the Department of Energy. She noted that the threat of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route, and lingering uncertainty over Iran’s nuclear talks have pushed a risk premium into prices.

Swiatek, Rybakina dumped out of Qatar OpenGreece's Maria Sakkari (right) is congratulated by Poland's Iga Swiatek after winning their women’s singles quarter-final match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha on February 12, 2026. 2 Iga Swiatek and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina both crashed out of the Qatar Open on Thursday after losing their quarterfinal matches to Maria Sakkari and Victoria Mboko, respectively. Sakkari began to fight back in the last game, but Swiatek saved a break point to seal the set. Sakkari continued her upswing by breaking in the second game of the second set. She dropped her serve twice again in the second set, which Rybakina won 6-4.

What is the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict? Palestinians put out a fire at the site of an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced people, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 27, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo

Lady Spikers begin UAAP ‘revenge tour’Games Saturday(Mall of Asia Arena)9 a.m. — UP vs UE (men)11 a.m. — UP vs UE (women)1 P.M. — FEU vs DLSU (men)3 P.M. — FEU vs DLSU (women)MANILA, Philippines — There will be no love on the Taraflex as La Salle kickstarts its redemption tour against the formidable Far Eastern University to open the much-awaited UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Before the Lady Spikers-Lady Tamaraws duel, rejigged squads UP and UE take centercourt at 11 a.m. to parade new coaches Fabio Menta of Italy and Jumbo Dimaculangan, respectively. And the Lady Spikers can count on Angel Canino’s lead for that revenge tour especially now as the heavy favorite to win the Season MVP once again after the graduation of her fierce rival Bella Belen of NU. That starts with the steady wards of FEU coach Tina Salak, who finished third last season. Meanwhile, FEU will also be out for a strong start to its redemption tour against La Salle at 1 p.m. in the men’s side after nearly toppling the NU dynasty last season.

Marcos inaugurates newly rehabilitated dam in ZamboangaMANILA, Philippines — More than 3,100 farmers are expected to benefit from the newly rehabilitated Mahayag Dam, which was inaugurated by President Marcos yesterday in Zamboanga del Sur. Located in Mahayag town, the dam regulates the flow of water in the Salug River and supplies irrigation to nearby rice fields. It serves as a key diversion structure within the Salug River Irrigation System, the largest in Zamboanga peninsula. Marcos said the reconstruction of the dam does not only offer a continuous water supply, but also hope and a better future. The pumps are intended to enhance the local irrigation system, using clean and affordable alternative energy.

Photo by OLIVER BUNIC / AFP Serbian archaeologist Vladimir Stevanovic, known on social media as "Serbia's Iceman", meditating on thick snow at the Besna Kobila mountain in Serbia's far south, near the city of Vranje, on January 30, 2026.

‘Drama pero walang gawa’: Palace calls VP Sara an ‘emotional vulture’Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberation on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP's) proposed 2026 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro did not mince her words against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling her an “emotional vulture” who was pretending to be concerned about the country’s problems, but is not doing anything to actually help solve anything. Castro called the vice president ‘blind’ to the Marcos administration’s efforts, saying she likely ignored it on purpose. Drama pero walang gawa,” Castro said in a press briefing on Friday. The Palace official also said that it was shameful for Duterte to keep spewing disinformation about her and the administration.

AI Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken, May 4, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

New revelations from Epstein files take a toll across EuropeAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Biz, civil society groups want tough dynasty lawFacade of the House of Representatives at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. House launches series of public consultationsMANILA, Philippines — Thirty-one business groups and civil society organizations are calling for a genuine law against political dynasties, with tougher safeguards to fight corruption. Clear provisionsFor the country to have a truly effective Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the groups said the proposed legislation should include clear and enforceable provisions. “For our nation to finally break free from the bondage of corruption, political dynasties should no longer thrive. “On the issue of the proposed law on political dynasty, it is clear that the people are waiting for this for so long,” he said.

Love on the Seine: the rise of picturesque Paris proposalsA Dutch couple poses in front of the Eiffel Tower as they take part in a Cinderella-themed marriage proposal in Paris on February 7, 2026 prior to Valentine's Day. PARIS, France — The luxury marriage proposal business is booming in Paris with international clients happy to pay thousands to pop the question in the most romantic way possible in the City of Love. "We've always dreamed of a fairytale wedding," 44-year-old Dutch businessman Sander Castel told AFP after contacting ApoteoSurprise, an agency that organizes picturesque engagements. "There were three agencies five years ago — there are 25 today, with options for every budget," said Florian Perrault, the founder of Paris Proposal Agency. In addition to the City of Light and New York City, other picturesque proposal hotspots include Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Cappadocia in Turkey, Greece's Santorini, and Australia.

Reject the dynastsPresident Marcos reportedly wants the bill by June, for enactment before his State of the Nation Address. As of yesterday, 24 anti-dynasty bills had been filed at the House of Representatives and several more at the Senate. HB 6771 is the anti-dynasty bill filed by dynastic Speaker Bodjie Dy and BBM’s congressman son Sandro Marcos. If a farcical anti-dynasty bill is passed by Congress, the groups will push for a digital people’s initiative on their preferred measure, for approval in a referendum. A legislated ban on dynasties will help, but the better way to show disapproval of the abuse is to dump the dynasts.