How Supreme Court ruled on Sara Duterte’s impeachment — and what changedIllustration shows Vice President Sara Duterte, a facade of the Supreme Court, and its ruling on her impeachment. MANILA, Philippines — When the Supreme Court ruled in finality that Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment was unconstitutional, it also laid down “new” standards specifying what a valid impeachment looks like. July 2025 ruling: “In this case, the three impeachment complaints were properly endorsed within the 10-session-day constitutional requirement. Dealing with multiple complaintsThe Supreme Court set the record straight that the filing of multiple impeachment complaints against the same official is allowed. House to revisit impeachment rulesDespite criticizing the ruling as judicial overreach, lawmakers said revising House impeachment rules is necessary to prevent future cases from being delayed or struck down.

Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty after a U.S. judge on Friday dismissed murder and weapons charges against the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, in a major blow to federal prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett in Manhattan said she felt constrained by Supreme Court precedents to dismiss the murder charge, calling it legally incompatible with the two federal stalking charges Mangione still faces. Mangione still faces murder charges in a separate case brought by state prosecutors. Federal murder statutes carry different legal requirements than comparable state laws, and Garnett said federal law required Mangione's murder and weapons charges to be tied to another crime of violence. Mangione, 27, still faces possible life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted on the stalking charges.

‘Long-term economic fundamentals intact’Despite weaker 2025 growthMANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Frederick Go expressed optimism that the Philippine economy would regain momentum this year, even after gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 4.4 percent in 2025, missing the government’s target for the third straight year. However, he said that Philippine growth “should be back on track this year.”“I’m hopeful that we will achieve our growth targets this year. Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, GDP growth slowed to three percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Go noted that while GDP growth averaged 4.4 percent last year, this remained above global and regional benchmarks. The global average of GDP growth all over the world is only 2.9 percent.

President Marcos: No persona non grata vs China envoyMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has rejected calls to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata, in the face of the Chinese embassy’s trading verbal jabs with Philippine officials over disagreements on the West Philippine Sea (WPS). On Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said declaring Chinese embassy personnel persona non grata – or unwelcome persons – for their statements against some Filipino officials “is an option of last resort.”Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro noted that such declaration is one of the most severe forms of diplomatic action that can be imposed by the government on foreign diplomatic personnel. Kalayaan, a municipality in Palawan located in the WPS, recently declared Jing persona non grata, citing his supposed violations of diplomatic protocol and interference in the country’s internal affairs. The DFA said Undersecretary for policy Leo Herrera-Lim met with Hou Yanqi, director-general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Economy faces downside risks – StanChartIn an economic outlook briefing, Standard Chartered Bank Asia economist Jonathan Koh said GDP growth came in much weaker than expected at 4.4 percent in 2025, down from 5.7 percent in 2024 and below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target. As sentiment weakensMANILA, Philippines — Despite an earlier economic growth forecast of 5.7 percent for the Philippines this year, Standard Chartered Bank said there are now clear downside risks following the weaker-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2025. “Sentiment needs to turn around before we actually see a real improvement in terms of growth,” Koh said. Koh forecast inflation at around 2.8 percent this year, up from 1.7 percent last year, largely due to base effects. On the peso, Koh said Standard Chartered remains cautious relative to other Southeast Asian currencies due to structural headwinds.

Toyota vehicle output in Philippine hits record high in 2025Speaking at the automotive firm’s media thanksgiving, TMP president Masando Hashimoto said the company produced 63,804 units at its Santa Rosa manufacturing plant last year. MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) achieved a milestone in 2025 as its local vehicle output hit a record high. TMP senior vice president Sherwin Chua-Lim said that TMP’s vehicle output last year was six percent higher than those produced in 2024. Last year’s vehicle output was also TMP’s highest production volume in history. In 2025, Toyota Suppliers’ exports of auto parts and components also reached $1.09 billion, accounting for 30 percent of the country’s total auto parts exports last year.

How national budgeting worksOne of the most persistent myths in fiscal debates is that money carries memory. Once these revenues enter the National Treasury, they do not retain labels. The President later ordered the return of PhilHealth funds already in the treasury back to PhilHealth. Subsequently, the 2026 GAA allocated nearly P129.8 billion to PhilHealth, which includes the restored P60 billion transferred to the National Treasury in 2024. There are those who assert that PhilHealth funds should have remained permanently earmarked for PhilHealth.

EDSA sections closed for 3 monthsHeavy traffic is seen along EDSA in Pasay City on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, following the start of rehabilitation works by the Department of Public Works and Highways, which include reblocking damaged sections and applying asphalt overlay. The MMDA said all lanes in the affected portions of EDSA would be closed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. “The closed lanes will serve as sites where tower support systems will be built for the girder launching activities. Those going to EDSA-Cubao from Balintawak can take FPJ Avenue (Roosevelt Avenue), Quezon Avenue, Timog Avenue, West Avenue, Examiner Street and Baler Street or Del Monte Avenue. West Avenue-bound motorists from Balintawak can use FPJ Avenue, Quezon Avenue going to the nearest U-turn slot, Bulacan Street, Baler Street or Del Monte Avenue and Bansalangin Street in Project 7.

Factory gate prices climb in 2025MANILA, Philippines — Producer prices increased in 2025, following a decline in the previous year, due mainly to higher prices of petroleum products, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). PPI tracks the change over time in factory gate prices relative to a base period. The December 2025 PPI growth also improved from the 0.1-percent dip in the same month in 2024. Driving the higher December 2025 PPI growth was the computer, electronic and optical productsindustry division, which saw a 1.4-percent uptick from a 0.6-percent decline in November 2025. Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 10 registered increases in factory gate prices in December last year.

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.