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?

What is the New START nuclear treaty and why does its expiry matter? U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

Airport health authorities wearing protective masks monitor passengers from international flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, January 25, 2026, following the implementation of health screening measures for passengers arriving from West Bengal, India, amid reports of a Nipah virus outbreak. Suvarnabhumi Airport Office /Handout via REUTERS

At the final stop of her "Small Rooms, Big Nerves" mini tour in Los Angeles, the pop icon announced a global tour in the most creative way. After the song, she had them slip on black T-shirts that, when lined up, spelled out: WORLD TOUR LOADING... The crowd went wild as Duff confirmed she’s ready for the big stage again. Last September 2025, Duff announced that she had signed with Atlantic Records and is preparing new material. Alongside new music, Duff will headline a docuseries titled Because That’s What Dreams Are Made Of.

De Lima: Supreme Court 'redefined' impeachment rules in Duterte caseMANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court's definitive ruling that Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment is unconstitutional has drawn criticism from lawmakers, legal experts and constitutional scholars. However, some of the clarifications offered new interpretations and more detailed instructions on impeachment rules that were not clearly addressed or mentioned in the original ruling. Beyond setting the conditions for when an impeachment is considered initiated, the Supreme Court also offered a specific definition of "session days." "The Supreme Court has not merely reviewed the House’s compliance with clear constitutional commands — it has rewritten the operating manual for impeachment initiation. With plans to refile a complaint underway, the House expects to conduct impeachment hearings for both President Bongbong Marcos and Duterte — all the while considering changes in its impeachment rules.

Investors can see anti-corruption efforts — PalacePresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with members of his economic team on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — After the Philippines recorded a sharp decline in economic growth due to the corruption scandal, Malacañang on Friday remained confident that it could win back consumer and business confidence through its anti-corruption efforts. After the Philippines recorded a sharp decline in economic growth due to the corruption scandal, Malacañang on Friday remained confident that it could win back consumer and business confidence through its anti-corruption efforts. Marcos’ economic chief Arsenio Balisacan has attributed the decline to the corruption scandal shaking people’s trust. Despite some believing that not enough people have been arrested or detained, the Palace maintained that efforts are ongoing.

A Japanese pub has imposed a rare soft ban for customers aged 40 and up to avoid noise complaints and give their young guests the best experience. This is an izakaya for younger generations. Despite the restrictions, annotations are written in small print, and older customers may still come in if they are accompanied by someone aged 39 or younger. The chain's PR representative, Toshihiro Nagano, explained that the move was made to match the pub's atmosphere with customer preferences. According to the media outlet, the chain is known for affordable prices, casual designs, and a "boisterous" atmosphere that altogether attract a youthful crowd.