Eala blasts Turkish foeMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala gave justice to her new career-best ranking, drubbing good pal Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey, 6-4, 6-3, in a rousing opener in the WTA500 Abu Dhabi Open at the Zayed Sports City International Center. Showered with cheers and chants of “E-a-la, E-a-la” from the huge Filipino audience, the 20-year-old sensation delivered strong closeouts for the straight-sets win in 89 minutes. 45 Eala to arrange a duel against the 31-year-old Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the Round of 16. “I’m so honored to share the court with one of my closest friends, Zeynep. Eala and Sonmez, WTA No.

22 Philippines bets chase glory in Asian Junior MastersRajah Crisostomo, Rafa Leonio, Patrick Tambalque, TJ Padilla are entered in the Class AB Boys while Rafa Anciano, Alexie Gabi, Chloe Rada, Lisa Sarines, Mona Sarines, Blair Uyking and Precious Zaragoza vie in Class AB Girls in the competition set Feb. 3-5. MANILA, Philippines — A cast of 22 Philippine junior golfers is currently slugging it out with counterparts from across the region in the 2026 Asian Junior Masters that’s underway at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand. Rajah Crisostomo, Rafa Leonio, Patrick Tambalque, TJ Padilla are entered in the Class AB Boys while Rafa Anciano, Alexie Gabi, Chloe Rada, Lisa Sarines, Mona Sarines, Blair Uyking and Precious Zaragoza vie in Class AB Girls in the competition set Feb. 3-5. Chan Ahn, Race Manhit, Jared Saban, Vito Sarines and Ryu Suzuki carry the Philippine banner in Class CD Boys while Maurysse Abalos, Chime Cuenca, Kami Del Mundo, Mavis Espedido, Penelope Sy and Brittany Tamayo don the national colors in the Class CD Girls. The participation of these junior golfers was made possible through the NGAP in partnership with Play Golf.

8 Quezon City schools now solar-poweredThe initiative is part of the city’s climate action program, which aims to transition all city-owned properties into using solar energies. MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has estimated savings of up to P8.5 million per year following the installation of solar panels in eight public schools. An initial 25 public schools have been identified to be part of the program. As of January 2026, 1,393 solar panels have been installed in eight schools in the city. The solarization project benefits 28,855 students enrolled in the eight public schools.

When a world leader calls the end of an era the corner oracleAt the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did something rare in global politics. It was a speech that will go down in history as marking the end of the current world order and the end of American hegemony. For eight decades, the world order rested on an unspoken agreement. When access to trade, money and security depends on loyalty instead of rules, the global order shifts from cooperation to coercion. The Philippines in the new world orderFor the Philippines, preparing for the new world order begins with accepting two facts: that dependence is risk and strategic autonomy is strength.

Losing trustSelf-styled anti-corruption crusader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be dismayed that his trust ratings have been on a sustained slide for the past two quarters. On the other hand, trust in VP Sara went up in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a positive nudge as well in her performance rating. * * *Having been in government for a long time, the slide in his trust ratings during the holidays shouldn’t have surprised BBM. The fate of the ICI had a direct impact on BBM’s credibility and level of public trust. The trust ratings may also affect the latest efforts to impeach VP Sara.

The Akbayan congressmen and a former member did this even if the Office of the Ombudsman is not the repository of the SALNs of lawmakers and the judiciary. Remulla has openly lamented that the House has imposed a new rule to restrict the access of ombudsman probers to lawmakers’ SALNs. Investigators of the ombudsman, he said, have been told by the House secretary-general that plenary approval is needed before congressmen’s SALNs can be released. Remulla pointed out that there has never been such a requirement from the House secretary-general since his days as a congressman representing Cavite. This has not been seen in the judiciary, and the House is moving in the same direction.

Guo Gangtang, 51, and his wife reunite with their son Guo Xinzhen, who was abducted 24 years ago at the age of 2, at a family reunion arranged by the police, in Liaocheng, Shandong province, China July 11, 2021. China Daily via REUTERS

Congressional body on judicial reforms pushedMANILA, Philippines — Akbayan party-list lawmakers, led by Rep. Chel Diokno, have filed a measure seeking to establish a Joint Congressional Commission on Justice System Reform (JUSTCOM) to conduct a sweeping review of the country’s justice system and address chronic problems hounding the judiciary. “We need to make our justice system work. Without the necessary reforms, it will continue to remain slow and unequal – and the poor will continue to suffer the most. It will submit annual reports and, within 90 days after its three-year mandate, a final report including a National Justice Development Plan and the draft Omnibus Justice Reform Act for immediate congressional consideration. “We may not agree with the Supreme Court, but they are the interpreters of the Constitution,” he said.

Sandro bill seeks no work, no pay in CongressMANILA, Philippines — Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos has filed a bill imposing a “no work, no pay” scheme in Congress to address absenteeism, strengthen accountability and protect public funds. In House Bill 7432, salaries and other emoluments of senators and representatives would be tied to their attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings and other official legislative duties. “The principle of ‘no work, no pay’ is a general labor standard applied to workers across the country. Per the proposed “No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act,” unexcused absences will result in forfeiture of compensation. Valid absences will be recognized, including illnesses certified by a licensed physician, authorized official representation, official travel or mission approved by chamber leadership and approved leaves of absence.

VP to identify ‘Piattos’ if impeach trial proceedsVice President Sara Duterte addresses the media at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City on February 7, 2025, days after the House of Representatives approved her impeachment. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte is ready to unwrap the identity of “Mary Grace Piattos” if the Senate decides to proceed with an impeachment trial, according to her defense team. Poa said the members of Duterte’s defense team are still the same, including those from the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm. “Actually, the defense team did not stop its work even with the SC decision. ‘About time’For House deputy minority leader and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, it is about time to hold the Vice President accountable for her alleged offenses.

PNP warns public vs AI love scamsIn this photo illustration, the dating app Tinder is seen on the screen of an iPhone on August 14, 2018 in Miami, Florida. MANILA, Philippines — As Valentine’s Day draws near, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up efforts to combat the rising threat of artificial intelligence-assisted love scams. Police cyber patrollers are undergoing training not only in AI detection but also in deepfake analysis and digital forensics to deter emerging forms of love scams. What has changed is their use of AI in committing these love scams. Deepfakes are now widespread and are being used to commit these love scams,” CICC executive director Renato Paraiso said in Filipino.

China's YH-1000S, a self-made hybrid unmanned cargo aircraft, the world's first of its kind, has completed its maiden flight in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality. (PHOTO / CCTV)

Following the death of 24-year-old Eries John Genovatin who was hit by a stray bullet, Quezon City police director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio ordered the administrative relief of the policemen. Silvio did not disclose the identities of the policemen who are assigned with the Novaliches Police Station 4. One of the police officers who fired his gun during the shootout was subjected to a paraffin test. Silvio said a special investigation team he formed is gathering evidence to determine if the bullet that killed Genovatin came from the police officer’s gun. An initial report said Genovatin was hit by a bullet in his left thigh after he was caught in a crossfire between police and the gunmen.

Peter Mandelson, former British ambassador to the U.S., attends an interview pre-recorded for the BBC's 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg' TV programme, in London, Britain, January 10, 2026. Jeff Overs/BBC/Handout via REUTERS

The Nasdaq logo is displayed at the Nasdaq Market site in New York, U.S., May 2, 2019.