Coast Guard's Tarriela hits back at China over PCIJ funding claimIn this photo uploaded on Facebook on Jan. 14, 2026, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela speaks at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s SDG Dialogue Series on the West Philippine Sea. Its statement followed a recent PCIJ news commentary video explaining how Filipinos can identify and spot pro-China propaganda online. “Uf the real aim was to discredit a foreign government rather than provide objective journalism, it would be illogical for the US to publicly disclose its funding to PCIJ,” Tarriela said. PCIJ's responseIn a statement, PCIJ said it regretted the embassy's allegation that it was being used as a propaganda tool of the United States. We are alarmed that the Chinese Embassy is attacking independent reporting by Filipinos.

NUP to 'most likely' vote against Sara Duterte's impeachmentVice President Sara Duterte conducts a press conference in Mandaluyong on Feb. 18, 2026, as she announces that she is entering the presidential race in the upcoming 2028 national elections. MANILA, Philippines — As some lawmakers have predicted, Vice President Sara Duterte's presidential bid has a high chance of swaying congressional votes on the renewed push to impeach her. The National Unity Party (NUP), which holds the second-largest bloc in the House of Representatives, said in a statement on Wednesday, February 25, that it will "most likely" vote against impeaching Duterte. "Unless compelling new evidence emerges during the course of these hearings that fundamentally alters the factual basis for the impeachment complaint, the NUP will most likely not vote in favor of this measure," the statement read. But unlike in 2025, no impeachment complaint sought to gather the endorsement of one-third of all House members to expedite proceedings to a trial.

PCG personnel sacked, demoted after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 tragedyMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday, February 26, said it has fired and demoted several personnel following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people. The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off the waters of Basilan in January. The PCG said that the Pre-Departure Inspection Team was sacked, namely PO1 Sabhal Turaini, PO3 Khalid Asmawil, PO3 Al-Yazar Muyong and ASW Mar-Iya Anawie. PO3 Jestoni Barretto, who was the duty office watch, had also been demoted one rank due to insufficient vigilance over his duties. The PCG said that it was not shielding its own personnel from accountability.

Homecrowd critical for GilasMANILA, Philippines — Gilas assistant coach Sean Chambers realizes New Zealand is a tough match-up but with the homecrowd as its sixth man, the national team has a chance to shock the Tall Blacks tonight and Australia on Sunday, both at the MOA Arena, in the second FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window. In the group stage of that competition, New Zealand beat Gilas, 94-86. With the homecrowd, we can shock both of them.”Chambers said because of coach Tim Cone’s motto of keeping the main Gilas pool intact, it was easy to get the players together. “Coach Tim is all about building relationships,” said Chambers. We want good people who understand this journey, playing for Gilas, for the country.

Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP. In this photo taken on February 4, 2026, a future Microsoft data centre is seen under construction in Karawang, West Java.

Lawyer admits error in naming De Lima in cash suitcase claimsFormer Sen. Leila de Lima attends the House quadcom's ninth hearing on the extrajudicial killings of the war on drugs as a resource person on Oct. 22, 2024. Aside from De Lima, those mentioned include former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Bongbong Marcos. "Pupwede error po 'yun on my part (It can be an error on my part)," he said in an interview on 105.9 True FM. He said his clients claimed to have seen De Lima visit a townhouse and leave with a paper bag containing cash. (Whether it’s in a suitcase, a paper bag, or anything else, it’s clear that this is just made up.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at the Sydney Opera House during a National Day of Mourning for the victims of the December 14, 2025, mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Piper/File Photo

North Korea's Kim shuns South but could 'get along' with USPhoto by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP. People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with a photo of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un attending the military parade to commemorate the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, at a railway station in Seoul on February 26, 2026.

Over 100 golfers to strut stuff at PGT Q-SchoolMANILA, Philippines — A record 126 aspirants — an explosive mix of seasoned campaigners, former national standouts and a crack international contingent — gear up for a pressure-packed, four-day test of power, precision and poise as the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School fires off March 17 at the Splendido Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas. Perched along rolling terrain overlooking Taal Lake, Splendido is noted for its ever-shifting winds, elevation changes and punishing rough. The top 30 survivors will earn playing rights for the upcoming PGT season — a lucrative 10-leg circuit staged at the country’s premier championship venues. The Q-School remains the gateway for professionals and amateurs seeking entry into the elite ranks. The circuit then makes way for the Junior PGT before resuming from May 19-22 at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.

What happens after Duterte’s confirmation of charges at the ICC? Charges are confirmedThe first is whether the charges against Duterte are confirmed to have enough evidence to proceed to trial before the ICC Chamber. The ICC will then determine a new set of judges to hold Duterte’s trial. The ICC prosecution can still request a new confirmation of charges if they have additional evidence. Regardless of the outcome of Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, it does not mean the ICC proceedings are automatically concluded.

Bato faces ethics complaint over prolonged absenceFile photo shows Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, at the time a police chief, whispering to former president Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang on Jan. 29, 2017. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is facing an ethics hearing that may see his salary suspended, after a civil society group filed a formal complaint before the Senate committee on ethics yesterday over his prolonged absence. One of the complainants, professor Cielo Magno, said the suspension of Dela Rosa's salary and office operations should be considered at the minimum. Dela Rosa's office said they remain operational despite their principal’s absence. Speaking to reporters, Sotto said he would personally review the ethics complaint and discuss the matter with Ejercito.

PNP enhances espionage monitoringMembers of the Manila Police District install barricades along Recto Avenue, Mendiola, and Ayala bridge near Malacañang on February 25, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Following the arrest of a suspected Chinese spy in Batangas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has beefed up operations against espionage. The AFP has reported an increase in the number of foreigners arrested on suspicion of espionage. On Feb. 20, BI agents arrested Zhi Ling Gua at the Batangas port for posing as a Filipino using fake documents. Found liable for material misrepresentation, Zhi reportedly used multiple identities to obtain a passport and other Philippine documents.

EDITORIAL - Where’s the cold chain? Among the measures mentioned were drastic reductions in the number of middlemen from farm to market as well as an expansion in cold chain facilities. This food waste can be avoided and supply and prices of agricultural commodities can be stabilized if cold chain facilities become widely available, as committed by the administration. Expanding the cold chain shouldn’t prove as complicated as delivering on the campaign promise of rice at P20 a kilo in regular rather than heavily subsidized retail pricing. There are other factors behind better agricultural production in neighboring countries, but cold chain facilities are among them.

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

Pro-Duterte pages use AI to recast drug war victims' kin as richMore than two dozen pro-Duterte Facebook pages spread an AI-doctored photo painting drug war victims' kin as wealthy — with near-identical captions, in just half a day — hours after the ICC prosecution argued Duterte's drug war deliberately targeted the poor. Philstar.com A compilation of some of the posts featuring the doctored image, carrying near- or exactly identical captions. Another user, "Judith Valenzuela Barlaan," shared the same fake image on the "DepED Teachers' Tambayan" Facebook group, for public school teachers. Philstar.com A compilation of some of the comments under the posts featuring the doctored image. Not the first timeThe doctored handbag image is not the first fabricated content to target drug war victims' families during the ICC proceedings.