Classroom shortage may worsen by 2028EDCOM 2 revealed that the education sector is facing a dual crisis: a growing backlog in classroom construction and the deterioration of existing school facilities. MANILA, Philippines — The country’s classroom shortage of 165,443 could further worsen as around 51,000 aging classrooms are projected to be condemned by 2028, the Second Congressional Commission on Education has warned. EDCOM 2 revealed that the education sector is facing a dual crisis: a growing backlog in classroom construction and the deterioration of existing school facilities. “Within this aging inventory, 51,222 classrooms are projected to be condemned by 2028 once they reach 50 years of age. This looming replacement challenge threatens to compound the existing shortage, as thousands of structures face inevitable condemnation due to wear, tear and exposure to natural disasters,” EDCOM 2 said.

‘Unmask agricultural smuggling financiers, be a state witness’Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan presides over the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform at the Senate in Pasay on February 10, 2026MANILA, Philippines — Suspecting a conspiracy involving high-ranking officials, Sen. Francis Pangilinan yesterday urged resource persons in the ongoing agricultural smuggling inquiry to consider becoming state witnesses and unmask financiers behind multibillion-peso schemes. Believing that the masterminds hold government positions, Pangilinan likened the smuggling probe to the flood control controversy, wherein former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo turned state witness. San Andres is currently detained after being cited in contempt last year for supposedly lying to the committee. Despite the company paying P1.6 billion in duties and taxes, Lumbang denied any knowledge of the firm or signing any documents. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Willie Ann Angsiy has confirmed that a draft joint memorandum circular is under review by food safety regulatory agencies.

Blue Ribbon flood report softens wording vs senatorsMANILA, Philippines — The newly released draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee on the alleged anomalies in flood control projects has softened its wording linking senators to anomalies in flood control projects. We never deviated from the original intent of our committee report that they undergo PI,” he added. Blue Ribbon vice chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo earlier said at least 11 senators would like to introduce amendments on the floor. In Baguio City, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Senate report can help advance other investigations on the issue. Remulla said the inquiries conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee have been very helpful in uncovering those involved in the flood control scandal.

House throws out Marcos impeach casesThe House of Representatives votes on the justice committee’s recommendation to junk the two impeachment complaints against President Marcos, during plenary session at the Batasan on February 10, 2026. 284-8-4 in plenary votingMANILA, Philippines — Efforts to impeach President Marcos are now dead. Voting 284-8-4, House lawmakers yesterday upheld the dismissal of two impeachment complaints filed against the President. No impeachment complaints against Marcos will be accepted for a whole year. The plenary vote affirms the House justice committee’s dismissal of the two impeachment complaints accusing Marcos of betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, among others.

3rd impeach complaint vs VP sent to SpeakerMANILA, Philippines — The third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte has been transmitted to the office of Speaker Faustino Dy III. “I emphasize that the role of the Office of the Secretary General in impeachment proceedings is strictly ministerial. My office is tasked only with the receipt, verification and transmission of impeachment complaints and their endorsements,” Garafil said. Madriaga had claimed to have personally delivered huge sums of money to her chief security aide during the May 2022 presidential elections. Duterte did not comment on the filing of the third impeachment case against her.

Oriental Mindoro governor testifies vs DPWH execsMANILA, Philippines — Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor is among key witnesses in the government’s case against nine public works officials in Mimaropa charged with graft and malversation of funds in connection with substandard flood control projects in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Dolor, appearing as a prosecution witness before the Sandiganbayan, affirmed that the P289.5 million flood control project used substandard materials and failed to meet specifications. In November 2025, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure issued a subpoena to Naujan Mayor Henry Joel Teves, requiring the submission of construction permits for flood control projects. The commission estimates that at least P63 million in funds were wasted due to ghost projects, substandard construction and overpriced flood control initiatives in Oriental Mindoro.

Meralco rates up P0.22/kWh this monthElectric linemen work on power posts along Road 10 in Tondo, Manila on January 12, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Meralco customers can expect higher electricity bills this month following a P0.2226 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in the overall power rate. At a press conference yesterday, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga attributed the adjustment to higher power transmission charges, which climbed by P0.1975 per kWh. Helping to ease these increases was a P0.1073 per kWh drop in generation charges, or the cost of power procured by Meralco from its suppliers. The distribution charge, the only portion that goes to Meralco, has not changed since the P0.036 per kWh reduction in August 2022.

Child bride rescued in South CotabatoPNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said the girl was supposed to marry a 19-year-old man when police rescued her on Saturday. MANILA, Philippines — A 14-year-old girl allegedly forced into an illegal marriage has been rescued in T’boli, South Cotabato, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said the girl was supposed to marry a 19-year-old man when police rescued her on Saturday. Nartatez said the parents agreed to place the girl under the custody of the local social welfare and development office after police told them that the law prohibits child marriage. The girl will be provided psychosocial support, intervention programs and reintegration services.

1.88 million youth voters register for SK pollsIndividuals reactivate their voter status at a Commission on Elections (Comelec) satellite registration site in a mall in Valenzuela City on September 25, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Close to 1.9 million youth voters have so far registered for the November Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, with women accounting for a majority of the applicants, according to the Commission on Elections. Data from the Comelec showed that 1,877,784 registrations have been processed across the country since the list-up started on Oct. 20, 2025. The Comelec said applicants may register from Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., either at designated satellite registration sites or at their respective Offices of the Election Officer. Registration services include new applications, transfer of records, change in name or civil status, correction of entries, reactivation and inclusion or reinstatement of voter records.

Tarriela tells Cayetano: No apologies to ChinaIn this screengrab from a televised meeting in February 2025 between Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela and then-Sagip party-list representative and current Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at a House hearing, Tarriela denies calling Marcoleta a ‘traitor.’MANILA, Philippines — No apology to China is needed. Tarriela maintained that official briefings rely on photos and videos of incidents in the West Philippine Sea rather than on illustrations. He said he found it puzzling that Cayetano had never demanded an apology from China over the actions of its coast guard and naval personnel against Filipino fishermen and vessels. Cayetano voiced his criticism of Tarriela during Senate deliberations on a resolution condemning Beijing diplomats’ hostile statements against Philippine officials who aired their defense of the country’s sovereignty and maritime rights. “We support the Philippine Coast Guard and the move to invite officials.

Travel tax repeal bill marked urgent by MarcosIn this photo uploaded on Feb. 10, 2026 on Facebook, President Ferdinand Marcos jr. approves 21 priority LEDAC measures to boost transparency, child protection and ease public burdens. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified as urgent the abolition of the travel tax, as well as several other bills, the Palace announced on Tuesday, February 10. Among these laws was the Travel Tax Abolition. The travel tax has long been criticized for being a hindrance to the tourism industry. Marcos also certified as urgent the swift passage of the Expanded Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act of 2026, as well as a law penalizing fake news and digital disinformation.

Supreme Court: Same-sex couples can be recognized as property co-ownersThe logo of the Supreme Court at the Supreme Court Building in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — Same-sex couples living together can be considered co-owners of property acquired during their relationship, provided there is clear evidence of actual contribution, the Supreme Court said. This prompted the appeal to the Supreme Court. The rulingThe Supreme Court reversed the lower courts' rulings, clarifying that property relations between same-sex couples are governed by Article 148 of the Family Code rather than Article 147. Having rightful interest over the subject property, petitioner has the right to demand the division of the subject property,” it added.

Palestine presses Philippines for action after Israel expands West Bank controlA woman mourns over the body of Saeed Nael al-Sheikh, a 24-year-old Palestinian who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces, during his funeral in the city of Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on February 4, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Palestine's ambassador to the Philippines is calling on Manila to impose sanctions — including possible trade boycotts — against Israel after it recently gave itself more power to tighten control over the West Bank. Israel has long maintained broad control over the West Bank, but the newly approved plan would make it easier for Jewish settlers to purchase land in the area. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who championed the measures, said they would "fundamentally change the legal and civil reality" in the West Bank. His office said Israel would "continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Snake

This handout picture taken on February 9, 2026 provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) shows Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud (R) meeting with Britain's Prince William (L), Prince of Wales in the old district of Diriyah on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Photo by HANDOUT / SPA / AFP)