House panel adopts ruling scrapping 2 Marcos Jr. impeach rapsPresident Marcos unveils the logo for the 80th anniversary of Philippines-United States diplomatic relations during a ceremony at Malacañang yesterday. Among those who attended the event were First Lady Liza Marcos, US-Philippines Society executive director Hank Hendrickson, US-Philippines Society co-chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, acting DFA Secretary Leo Herrera- Lim, co-chairman of the US-Philippines Society John Negroponte, US embassy Charge d’Affaires Robert Ewing, US-Philippines Society president emeritus John Maisto and Ambassador Thomas Hubbard. MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ committee on justice has voted to adopt its Feb. 4 report declaring the impeachment complaints against President Marcos insufficient in substance. It was forwarded to the House committee on rules, chaired by Majority Leader Sandro Marcos. His committee will set a schedule for a plenary discussion on the justice panel report.

Palace pushes faster corruption probes, asset freezeMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang cited the need to promptly investigate alleged anomalies and freeze assets linked to corruption after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) admitted that the country faces the risk of returning to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “gray list” due to corruption issues. The policy reforms allowed the Philippines to deliver on the commitments in its action plan addressing the deficiencies enumerated in June 2021 when it was placed on the gray list. However, BSP Governor Eli Remolona said last week that the Philippines is at risk of going back to the gray list because of recent corruption controversies involving multibillion-peso flood control scams. “We know that we have been removed from the gray list of the FATF. I think the country, under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., is sincere and the administration is serious in fighting corruption,” the Palace press officer said.

Meralco rates likely up in February“Although we have yet to receive the final billings from our suppliers, initial indications point to upward pressure on several pass-through charges,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — Higher pass-through charges are expected to push up Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)’s power rates this month. “Although we have yet to receive the final billings from our suppliers, initial indications point to upward pressure on several pass-through charges,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said yesterday. “There is also a possible increase in transmission charges due to higher market prices for regulating and contingency reserves,” Zaldarriaga said. Another factor contributing to the potential Meralco rate hike is the implementation of new adjustments to the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification, a non-bypassable fee that supports electrification in remote areas.

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

Diesel, gas prices going up anew todayIn separate advisories, Jetti, Seaoil, Petron, Caltex and PTT Philippines announced upward price movements of P1 per liter for diesel and P0.60 per liter for gasoline and kerosene. MANILA, Philippines — Major oil firms are set to raise fuel prices again today, with diesel and kerosene hitting their seventh straight week of increases. Diesel and kerosene prices have been climbing weekly since Dec. 30, 2025, while gasoline has been on an upward trend since mid-January. With the latest adjustments, the year-to-date net increase for gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices stands at P3, P6.40 and P4.40 per liter, respectively. Last week, gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices went up by P0.80, P1.60 and P1.10 per liter, respectively.

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

John Size goes with the Flow but BMW Hong Kong Derby will come too soon for Flow Water Flow

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

Malacañang rejects surrender of territoryIn this undated handout photo received from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on April 25, 2021, coast guard personnel conduct maritime exercise near Pag-asa island in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela, without naming Marcoleta, said it would be treasonous for a Filipino to suggest surrendering any part of the country's territory. The Senate was also allowed to debate on such matters on its own, as they had the freedom to express themselves. (The president wants every Filipino to know what our territorial rights are, and what our interests in the West Philippine Sea are. The President's position remains the same, no part of our territory or our interests will be surrendered to any foreign power.)

Only a miracle could reverse Marcos impeach dismissal at plenaryComposite photo shows President Bongbong Marcos at the turnover of Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plants in Kalayaan, Laguna on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 and the House Committee on Justice dismissing the two impeachment complaints against him on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment complaints against President Bongbong Marcos are now headed for plenary action after the House justice committee recommended ending the proceedings. Last week, the justice panel rejected the first complaint 42-1-3 for being insufficient in substance and dismissed the second complaint in a 39-7 vote. In the second stage, Marcos would have responded to the claims, witnesses could have been heard, and additional evidence would have been reviewed to determine whether the allegations had merit. However, even complainants view this as nothing short of a miracle, considering the strong support Marcos continues to enjoy from the lower chamber.

Advocates see narrow opening against political dynasties. MANILA, Philippines — After decades of stalled debate, advocates say the Philippines public anger over corruption and renewed pressure from Malacañang is opening a narrow window for long-stalled institutional reforms to curb political dynasties. ADN co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee, who himself hails from a political family, said that the 1987 Constitution itself demands for a law to be made by political dynasties. Multiple studies would show patterns between poor economic conditions and slow development in areas ruled by political dynasties, Aquino-Dee said. With most House members coming from political families, the degree of relation and affinity has been a contentious point.

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake