MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense met with Brazil's newly-designated defense attaché on Thursday, February 5, to discuss expanding military cooperation between the two countries. During the talks, both sides discussed advancing bilateral defense cooperation in logistics, the defense industry and maritime security, the DND said in a statement, without giving specific projects or timelines. The DND undersecretary spoke of the Philippines' implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept and said the country was pursuing defense engagements with “like-minded partners” to support a rules-based international order. Brazil is the Philippines' only formal defense partner in Latin America. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in 2022.

Egyptian workers are seen in front of the new headquarters of Egypt's parliament in the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Tito Sotto narrowly kept his seat after a failed coup was thwarted by the majority—but what triggered the attempted ouster in the first place? Powerful panels such as the Foreign Relations Committee are typically extended to the majority, which does not include the estranged presidential sister. Based on past experience, if a bloc wanted to unseat a current Senate president, they would have to secure those votes in writing. Most of the time, the outgoing Senate president would take it upon themselves to resign, Sotto said. You will be humiliated.”Sotto confirmed, however, that there are plans within the majority to install Legarda as the Senate president at some point during the administration.

Intel, AMD notify customers in China of lengthy waits for CPUsAn Intel logo and a computer motherboard appear in this illustration taken August 25, 2025.

2.26 million Filipinos unemployed in December 2025Job seekers attend the 92nd DOLE anniversary and 162nd Pasay City Foundation Day on Dec. 1, 2025, at the Pasay City Astrodome. MANILA, Philippines — There were 2.26 million people without jobs as of December 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday, February 6. This translates to an unemployment rate of 4.4% for December 2025 — the same as the previous month. While the unemployment rate was retained month-on-month, there is a noticeable increase year-on-year. This means that 3.93 million of the 49.43 million employed persons are underemployed.

Security Bank wins Platinum at the 61st Anvil AwardsSecurity Bank’s 2024 Integrated Report earned the Platinum Anvil, the highest award for PR Tools, at the 61st Anvil Awards on January 28, 2026. Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) won two Silver Anvil Awards under the Public Relations PR Programs category, honoring initiatives that go beyond structures and statistics to make a real difference in children’s lives. One award honored “Built to Last, Delivered in Record Time: Security Bank Foundation Classrooms,” a program that constructs disaster-resilient public school classrooms five times faster and 20% more cost-efficient than public standards. “These awards remind us that development is not just about buildings or numbers—it is about children finally being able to read, learn and dream,” said Rafael Simpao, Jr., Chairman, Security Bank Foundation. Editor’s Note: This press release from Security Bank is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.

Eala, Biado, Obiena top Philippine sports achievers for JanuaryMANILA, Philippines -- The big guns hit the ground running for Philippine sports in 2026. Tennis darling Alex Eala, carrying a her highest WTA ranking of 49th, made a major impact at the Australian Open, while world 10-ball titlist Carlo Biado played true to form in the Asian tilt and pole vault star EJ Obiena struck gold in Germany for a fiery start to the new year. Eala, fresh from her semifinal run at the ASB Classic in New Zealand, packed Melbourne Park’s Court 6 on her AO main draw debut, with many more lined up outside, unable to enter. Her home-soil campaign, however, ended in the quarterfinals at the hands of eventual winner Camila Osorio of Colombia. With their exploits, the trio led the achievers’ list of the Philippine Sportswriters Association for January.

Four people, including two Chinese nationals, arrested in France on suspicion of spyingA French flag flies above the National Assembly in Paris on day after the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, France, July 8, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

Photo by STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP Takeyuki Inagaki, the head of the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant speaks during a press conference in Kariwa Village, Niigata Prefecture on February 6, 2026.

MANILA, Philippines — Catholic educators and Church leaders have urged schools to suspend classes on February 25 and use the day for reflection and civic formation, as they warned that the current erosion of democratic norms threatens the freedoms won by the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. In a joint statement shared Friday, February 6, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (CBCP-ECCE) called on Catholic schools to declare February 25 an academic holiday to commemorate EDSA's 40th anniversary. Catholic schools are among several institutions that have continued to carry out strong EDSA commemorations, particularly as the government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. scaled back the official status of the anniversary. In 2025, several Catholic institutions suspended classes or held alternative learning activities to mark the EDSA anniversary, even as February 25 was classified by the Marcos administration as a special working day rather than a non-working holiday. February 25 this year falls on a Wednesday and remains a special working day.

From AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventRL Commercial REIT, Inc. reported 2025 revenues rising 35% to P11.1bn, driven by sponsor asset infusions including nine malls, while occupancy held at 96%. Related Stories RCR reports robust 35%revenue growth in 2025ViewWe think growth remains acquisition-led rather than organic, but execution appears disciplined. In our view, diversification into malls strengthens earnings visibility, though it gradually increases sensitivity to discretionary consumption cycles. ActionWe maintain a constructive stance on RCR given its visible pipeline and improving liquidity following PSEi inclusion. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned.

Isla ng Pag-asenso: How GCash helps Guimaras MSMEs go digital to earn moreMANILA, Philippines — Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone and drivers of the economy, comprising 99.6% of all business establishments in the country and generating 67% of total employment—according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. And now, they are future-proofing their operations with GCash, making transactions easier, faster and cost-efficient. Through persistence and smart use of technology, McNester has now grown into a recognized brand, bringing Guimaras products to the rest of the country and the world. “We consider ourselves early adopters of digital payment methods through GCash, which wasn’t widely used until the pandemic hit. By using tools like GCash, Guimaras entrepreneurs are keeping up with market demands and future-proofing their operations, as well as contributing to the province’s economic growth.

1 still hoisted as 'Basyang' weakensSignal No. 1 has been hoisted over several areas due to Tropical Depression Basing on Friday, February 6 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Cyclone Basyang has weakened into a tropical depression as it made its way across Visayas and Mindanao, with state meteorologists retaining a Signal No. A heavy rainfall warning is in effect over Palawan, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Antique, Iloilo, and Guimaras. Meanwhile, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Aklan, Capiz ,Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Norte may experience rains ranging from 50 mm to 100 mm.

Related Stories ACEN buys out partner in India ventureViewThe company previously owned 80% of the platform, so the transaction lifts attributable exposure by 126 MW of operating capacity today. This is a meaningful incremental addition, while full ownership also sharpens execution, capital allocation, and long-term value capture in India. ActionWe see the transaction as supportive of ACEN’s medium-to long-term growth trajectory, reinforcing India as a core market. Disclaimer: The information, analyses, and views contained herein is based on sources which we, AB Capital Securities, believe are reliable, but is not guaranteed by us and is not to be considered all inclusive. AB Capital Securities and its Directors and Officers and/or members of their families may have a position in the securities herein mentioned and may make purchases and/or sales of the securities from time to time in the open-market and otherwise.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Chief Design Officer at the National Design Studio, Joe Gebbia, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, during an event to unveil the TrumpRx drug discount site, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Al Drago