ICC prosecutor’s office denies claims of ex-Marines, asserts independenceMANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday asserted its independence following allegations of bribery during its investigation in the Philippines. “As a matter of policy, the Office does not comment on operational matters with respect to ongoing investigations and prosecutions. “The sources of evidence including names of staff and names of witnesses or institutions/organizations the Office interacts with during its investigations are subject to confidentiality,” it added. There were also claims that ICC investigators received bribes, although Baligod later clarified that there was no “categorical statement” that the investigators received any money from Co or Trillanes. Among the personalities named by Baligod were Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

EDSA at 40I was about 11 years old when EDSA happened. I still feel that many of the reasons behind a push for change is still political in motivation, when EDSA in 1986 was full of heart strings motivated by love for God, country and people. Whether we like it or not, even the late president Marcos Sr. refused to allow Filipinos to be hurt during EDSA. EDSA brings back so many memories and 40 years later, I am still grateful. Today EDSA to me is a whole different kind of revolution.

ICC allows Duterte to skip detention hearingJulian Nicholls and Mame Mandiaye Niang of the prosecution during the confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte, Feb. 23, 2026 at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. MANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have allowed former president Rodrigo Duterte to skip the scheduled hearing regarding his detention this Friday. Duterte earlier asked the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to waive his attendance to the annual review of his detention. Under ICC’s rules, the Pre-Trial Chamber is required to hold a hearing on the suspect’s pre-trial detention at least once every year. Malacañang distanced itself from the confirmation of charges hearings on the crimes against humanity complaint filed against former president Duterte as the ICC granted his request to skip the detention hearing.

SC suspends Samar judge for dishonestyThe decision was dated Dec. 3, 2025 but was posted on the SC website only on Feb. 23. MANILA, Philippines — For not disclosing a terrorism financing case he faced years ago, an act viewed as serious dishonesty, the Supreme Court (SC) suspended a judge of a regional trial court (RTC) in Catbalogan City for six months. The decision was dated Dec. 3, 2025 but was posted on the SC website only on Feb. 23. Cinco, who served as an assistant provincial prosecutor and city prosecutor, applied to become a judge in January 2023. In May 2023, he was among several people the Philippine Army Joint Task Force Cebu charged for terrorism financing for allegedly funding the South-Eastern Front of the New People’s Army.

PNP defends arrest of 2 EDSA protestersA banner depicting one of the defining moments of the EDSA revolt hangs near the People Power Monument on the eve of its 40th anniversary yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — Stressing that human rights end when violence begins, the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday defended the arrest of two activists during the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power uprising on Wednesday. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that while he ordered police to strictly observe maximum tolerance, the situation is different when law enforcers are physically assaulted by protesters. Cause-oriented group Alyansa Tigil Mina condemned the arrest of human rights advocate Edel Parducho and youth activist Three Odena. Cases of physical injury and other complaints were filed against the protesters, the group said, even if video documentation and eyewitnesses’ accounts showed a different version.

NUP unlikely to support Sara impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — In the absence of “new evidence,” the second biggest political party in the House of Representatives will not vote in favor of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. Several NUP members, however, said yesterday that they were keeping on open mind on the issue. They have the freedom to decide,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing, when sought for reaction. Whatever their decision is, most likely, they view it as an action that is good for their party,” Castro said. Now, the justice committee which will hear the impeachment of the VP,” he said.

Sara: Standing firm is EDSA’s true spiritMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said that “to stand firm in the face of threats, harassment” is the true spirit of EDSA people power following the commemoration of its 40th anniversary last Wednesday. To stand firm in the face of threats, harassment and bribery requires courage. “Filipinos are rightly demanding to know where your money went while they lose their homes and livelihoods to every storm. The Vice President is facing impeachment complaints due to her alleged misuse of funds, among others. VP moved to tearsMeanwhile, the Vice President became emotional as she recalled her journey as a politician, following the declaration of her presidential bid for 2028.

Senate debate seen on extraordinary renditionIn co-sponsoring Senate Resolution No. MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday sponsored the minority bloc’s resolution seeking to protect Filipinos from extraordinary rendition or surrender to a foreign country, amid a likely issuance by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of arrest warrants for his allies Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go. In co-sponsoring Senate Resolution No. Cayetano said judicial participation is a constitutional requirement even in cases involving international arrest warrants. He cited countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and South Korea, which require domestic legal processes and court participation before granting request from a foreign court for any arrest or surrender.

DICT cybersecurity exec resignsMeanwhile, the DICT issued a statement yesterday to denounce a report published by online outlet Bilyonaryo News Channel and carried on its sister news platforms Bilyonaryo, Abante and Politiko regarding Gorospe’s resignation claiming that it was caused by irregularities in the department. MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Undersecretary for cybersecurity of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Julius Gorospe has resigned less than a month in the post. Before his appointment, Gorospe had been special assistant on cybersecurity to DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda. The DICT said the Bilyonaryo News Channel report contained significant factual inaccuracies. Gorospe has remained a trusted and valued member of the DICT leadership team,” the DICT said.

Lawyer Paul Schmidt, representing Meta, arrives at court on the day plaintiff Kaley G.M. takes the stand at a trial in a key test case accusing Meta and Google's YouTube of harming children's mental health through addictive social media platforms, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake

NUP chair: Party has no unified stand on Sara Duterte's impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, who chairs the National Unity Party (NUP), clarified that the party does not have a "uniform party stand" on whether or not they would support Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment. Puno also said the NUP, which holds the second-largest bloc in Congress, is unlikely to take a unified stance on Duterte's impeachment, adding that "there is just too much division" among its members. "So the tendency now or the direction now is that we probably will have a conscience vote that everybody will be allowed to vote the way he wants to vote," Puno said. Reporters also asked whether Duterte’s 2028 presidential bid had influenced the party’s stance on the impeachment. The NUP released its statement on February 25, less than a week before the House Justice Committee is set to hold hearings on Duterte’s impeachment complaints.

Police officers are seen next to the Oman's ambassador residency during new round of talks between the United States and Iran to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, in Geneva on February 26, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

New light show to replace ‘Symphony of Lights’ this year, boost tourism

'Neutralization' means arrest, not killing, says Duterte lawyerMANILA, Philippines — Rodrigo Duterte's lawyer Nicholas Kaufman told International Criminal Court judges that the term "neutralization" in police manuals refers to lawful arrest or restraint, not the killing of drug suspects. "This may include an arrest, capture, surrender or other acts to subdue the suspect," he said during the defense presentation before the ICC. Response to prosecutionKaufman's argument responded to prosecutors' claim that "neutralization" was used in law enforcement playbooks as a standard term tied to the targeting of alleged drug suspects. HRW has said the term may refer either to arrests or to the killing of suspects. The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there are substantial grounds to send Duterte to trial.

Kanlaon Volcano sends ash 2.5 km into skyA 2,500-meter ash plume rises above the crater of Kanlaon Volcano Thursday night, Feb. 26, 2026, with ashfall reported in nearby communities. MANILA, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano erupted Thursday evening, February 26, sending a billowing plume of ash about 2,500 meters (1.5 miles) into the nighttime sky. Kanlaon Volcano, one of 24 active volcanoes in the archipelago nation, has had several major eruptions in the past century — including a 1996 blast that killed three hikers who were near the summit at the time. Incandescent ballistics were observed to have rained around the crater," the volcanology centre said in a statement released minutes later. John De Asis, a rescuer in the nearby town of La Castellana, told AFP that ash had begun to descend on local neighborhoods.