VP Sara: Legal team preparing for new impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — Fresh from her victory after the Supreme Court (SC) upheld its ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against her as unconstitutional, Vice President Sara Duterte said her legal team is already preparing for a new impeachment case against her as the one-year ban rule lapses on Feb. 6. The fourth impeachment complaint had been endorsed by one-third of House members and transmitted to the Senate on Feb. 6. So it’s easy now to do the second mode,” the retired justice said. “The previous requirement of a hearing under the second mode is now made optional. So it’s easier now (to initiate an impeachment) under the second mode,” Azcuna added.

From hello to bula! In July last year while on a homecoming, the hubby called to happily reveal he was being tasked to open the first Philippine embassy in Suva. According to a local media report, in April last year, the Fijian Cabinet had endorsed our country’s request to establish an embassy in Suva. The task of establishing the Philippines’ first embassy in the South Pacific is formidable. Bula means a lot of things – hello, good morning, blessings, life, among others.

MANILA, Philippines — Early registration for public school students nationwide starts today until Feb. 27, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced. “Early registration is important as it will help schools know the number of students expected for the coming school year and plan whether their resources are sufficient,” the DepEd said yesterday. Parents or guardians may enroll their child by submitting their important information through the Basic Education Early Registration Form, which was updated on Jan. 15. Copies of the form can be requested from any public school, and enrollment is free for all applicants. While not mandatory, the department encourages private schools to also conduct early registration.

‘Remove officials’ names, images from government projects now’In a memorandum circular, the DILG instructed provincial, city, municipal and barangay officials to ensure that no public official’s name, image, logo, initials, color scheme, slogan or other identifying symbol appears on project signages, markers, tarpaulins or similar materials financed by taxpayers. MANILA, Philippines — Intensifying its anti-epal policy, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered yesterday all its offices and local government units to immediately remove the names, photos and likenesses of public officials from government-funded projects. “All concerned officials and employees are directed to cause the immediate removal and correction of non-compliant materials. The circular references the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as Commission on Audit rules, which classify such personalized displays as unnecessary expenses. The 2026 General Appropriations Act further reinforces the policy by explicitly prohibiting the attachment of officials’ names and images to government-funded projects.

UP alumni recognized with 2025 Glory AwardsMANILA, Philippines — Five alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Media and Communication (UPCMC) have been named recipients of the 2025 Glory Awards for bringing honor and laurels to the institution through their work. The awardees are veteran journalist Roberto Coloma, digital market research trailblazer Melissa Abad Santos-Baron, community worker and civic leader Elena Buensalido-Mangahas, independent filmmaker Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and STAR business editor-columnist Iris Gonzales. Elena Buensalido-Mangahas and Ellen Ongkeko-MarfilThe awards, formally known as the Gawad Gloria Feliciano, will be presented on Feb. 28, 2026 during the UPCMC annual homecoming at the Commission on Higher Education Auditorium in UP Diliman.

Fuel prices seen to rise next weekLocal industry experts are projecting a P0.50 to P0.70 per liter hike in gasoline prices and P1.30 to P1.50 per liter increase in diesel prices next week. MANILA, Philippines — Motorists are likely going to see another round of fuel price increases next week, amid weather-related disruptions and geopolitical risks that could affect supply. Local industry experts are projecting a P0.50 to P0.70 per liter hike in gasoline prices and P1.30 to P1.50 per liter increase in diesel prices next week. Oil firms are set announce the fuel price adjustments on Monday. Earlier this week, oil firms announced price hikes of of P0.40, P1.40 and P0.80 per liter for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, respectively.

Lacson wants limited legal options for fugitivesMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday urged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to review the Supreme Court’s “fugitive disentitlement doctrine” to help limit the legal options of fugitives like former congressman Zaldy Co and businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang. Co is wanted by both the Sandiganbayan and the Senate Blue Ribbon committee which Lacson chairs, for his role in a multibillion-peso public works corruption racket. Ang, meanwhile, is wanted for his role in masterminding the disappearance of missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros. “Custody over the person of the accused must first be obtained before the case may proceed,” it said. Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday confirmed that the International Criminal Police Organization has yet to issue a red notice against Co.

Impeachment now an impossible dream – SottoMANILA, Philippines — The impeachment process can be more prone to abuse because of the stringent requirements imposed by the Supreme Court, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday. During a Zoom press briefing, Sotto said the Court affirmed its earlier decision which imposed strict guidelines for the House of Representatives in initiating a verified and endorsed impeachment complaint. Forgive me, but impeachment is now an impossible dream,” Sotto said. The strict rule against more than one impeachment complaint also means that any person can file a defective complaint to trigger the one-year bar rule, Sotto said, recalling the sham impeachment complaint filed against then president Gloria Arroyo by lawyer Oliver Lozano. Sotto said he also disagreed with the Supreme Court’s interpretation that a session day is the same as a calendar day in interpreting the 10-session day rule.

DOT: Philippine tops Asean neighbors in tourism GDP, job generationAt the Asean Tourism Forum in Cebu City, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said tourism remains a powerful driver of inclusive growth, job creation and economic resilience for the Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines stood out among its neighbors in Southeast Asia when it comes to the impact of tourism on economy and employment, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday. Citing the 2025 World Travel and Tourism Council Economic Impact Report, the DOT said the country’s tourism GDP exceeded those of its neighbors including Indonesia at $71.7 billion, Thailand at $67.3 billion and Singapore at $54.6 billion. “These figures clearly show that the Philippines ranks among ASEAN’s leading tourism economies… Tourism remains a powerful driver of inclusive growth, job creation and economic resilience for our country,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said. As ASEAN chair this year, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu City this week where the ASEAN Tourism Sector Plan 2026-2030 was rolled out.

3 DPWH execs sacked over 8 percent commissionsMANILA, Philippines — Three officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) second engineering district in Pampanga were relieved from their posts yesterday for allegedly demanding commissions of up to eight percent from government contracts. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced the administrative relief during his inspection of the Candating flood control project in Arayat, Pampanga. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA is finalizing the FMR guidelines. Once approved, Tiu Laurel said the budget for the FMRs will be transferred to the DA to start construction. The DA is also consulting contractors’ associations and coordinating with local government units willing to partner with the department in implementing the projects.

What are the key challenges awaiting the new US Fed chair? Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington, DC, on January 28, 2026.

Research initiative to study how corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social valueInstitute of Philanthropy and Peking University have launched a three-year collaboration to analyse how corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social impact.

Marcos rejects persona non grata call vs Chinese envoyChinese Ambassador Jing Quan during his meeting with Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte on Jan. 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not inclined to declare China's ambassador to the Philippines persona non grata, Malacañang said, despite calls from several lawmakers. The Chinese Embassy and Ambassador Jing Quan have recently exchanged public statements with Philippine lawmakers, drawing criticism from members of Congress. The Senate later adopted a resolution condemning the public statements of the Chinese Embassy, which senators said contradicted diplomatic conduct. The word war between the Chinese Embassy and Philippine officials has added to already strained tensions between Manila and Beijing.

Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Thursday, January 30, 2026. ICC sets terms for Duterte’s hearingTHE International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I has issued the full schedule and procedural directions for the confirmation of charges hearing of former president Rodrigo Duterte. The defense will present its arguments on Feb. 26 and conclude on Feb. 27, when closing statements will also be delivered. The publication clinched three major honors: the Kabalikat sa Pagbabalita Award, the Agap Balita Award and the Bida sa Paglathala Award. The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado received the awards, along with Roda Zabat, vice president for sales and marketing, and Gemma Cuenca, senior account manager.

Jan. 30 to 31: Philippine International Cards and Collectibles ConventionGot any Pokémon or NBA cards? Jan. 30 to Feb. 1: Anik-Anik Museum MarketYou can never have too much anik-anik. Get more small items at the Anik-Anik Museum, which runs until Feb. 1, at the North Arcade of SM Mall of Asia. pop-up exhibit featuring the beloved sitcom, happening on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Teatro Fort Santiago in Intramuros. Jan. 31: Studiom's Soap-making classView this post on Instagram A post shared by STUDIOM (@studiom.ph)Jan. 31: STUDIOM's Mario Kart TournamentFeeling crafty?