Duterte and the drug menaceThe historic pre-trial of Rody Duterte at the International Criminal Court provides lessons that this and succeeding administrations must heed. The biggest lesson – though secondary only to the fact that we shouldn’t be killing people – is that the drug menace in the Philippines remains unresolved. And this is what Duterte’s drug war failed to address. Against this backdrop, the government must take the drug problem seriously and kill it from the source. I stand with the victims of the drug war and pray they find justice.

CA: Detention of Globe Ferronickel chair Joseph Sy illegalMANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has ruled that the continued detention of Globe Ferronickel chairman Joseph Sy is unlawful. However, Sy’s representative, Dante Bravo, filed a petition for habeas corpus, arguing that Sy is a Filipino citizen. According to the appellate court, the BI lacks jurisdiction to institute summary deportation proceedings against someone with a valid birth certificate. “As a public document, a registered birth certificate is presumed valid. The appellate court emphasized that its decision to deny the BI's appeal does not "write finis" to the question of Sy’s actual citizenship.

Vehicles drive past an anti-Israeli and anti-US billboard hanging from a building that reads in Persian "The target is clear: Trump's 51st state" on Palestine Square in Tehran on February 25, 2026.

Suitcase claim vs Marcos a lousy script – PalaceMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday dismissed as a “lousy script” the story of 18 men who introduced themselves as former Marines, who claimed they delivered suitcases containing billions of pesos to the houses of President Marcos and his cousin, former speaker Martin Romualdez. You know that it contains a lie,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. Levi Baligod, who organized the press briefing, claimed the total amount of money delivered by the bagmen might have hit P805 billion. “Before December 2023, they (soldiers) were ordered to exchange pesos to dollars – two suitcases each containing P56 million. “I vehemently deny that I received $2 million or any amount from Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation or for any other purpose.

Sotto hits PDEA on anti-drugs ops: ‘Successful ba kayo? MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Tito Sotto on Wednesday, February 25, criticized the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for having yet to succeed in eliminating illegal drugs in the country. Sotto said the PDEA focused too much on the enforcement aspect of the illegal drugs problem, turning the agency into a private army. Even if you burn all the illegal drugs in the country, people who are addicted will merely find other ways to consume. The PDEA cannot just focus on enforcement, Sotto said.

EDSA torch passed on to youthPriests gather at the Santo Niño Basilica in Cebu yesterday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 people power revolution. The torch passes; rise as true patriots,” Villegas said during a mass at the EDSA Shrine last night. Akbayan president Rafaela David urged voters to reject political dynasties, particularly the camps of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. Forty years since the February People Power Revolution, it is time to end their control over our democracy and economy. They accused President Marcos and Vice President Duterte of links to corruption issues, though they cited no specific cases.

Nationals seek sequel to stunnerGilas Pilipinas' Quentin Millora-Brown is expected to shore up the frontline for the national team. MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand return to the arena where the Filipinos previously pulled off one of their biggest reversals at the Kiwis’ expense. That’s certainly the intent as the Nationals host the Tall Blacks at the Pasay City venue 459 days after famously ambushing the visitors, 93-89, back at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Mennenga averaged 17.5 points and eight rebounds in Window 1 while Smith-Milner torched the Nationals with 25 points spiked by five triples in the ACQ rematch on the road. Jordan Ngatai, who fired 23 in the Kiwis’ Asian Cup domination of Gilas, is also back in their fold.

Political dynasty ban gains tractionMANILA, Philippines — Proposals to ban political dynasties in local government units are gaining ground, according to House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms chair Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. Our goal is to craft an agreeable, constitutionally sound anti-political dynasty law that can gather broad support in Congress and endure legal challenges,” Adiong said. Under HB 6671, a political dynasty refers to the concentration or dominance of elective political power by persons related to one another. The political dynasty ban will also most likely be limited to second-degree relationships, either by blood or affinity, since this has been the emerging consensus at the House, according to the statement. Spouses are considered first degree by affinity, while siblings-in-law may fall under the second degree.

Sara: Family no longer expects Duterte’s returnMANILA, Philippines — The family of former president Rodrigo Duterte no longer expects to bring him back to the country from The Hague where he is detained while awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC), his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday. We’re no longer talking about that,” Duterte said in an interview in Iligan City. According to the Vice President, she did not watch the confirmation of charges against her father. She noted that the ICC did not allow her family to see in person the family patriarch during the hearings. But the family’s applications were not approved this week,” the Vice President said.

Palace: Think twice before politickingMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has no information yet on the administration’s potential candidates for president in 2028, but has a message to those who engage in early politicking. “To those who prioritize politics right now, think it over because you might not be qualified,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. During the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum last Tuesday, President Marcos disclosed that the administration is already talking to some possible candidates for president in the next elections. ?“Look who’s talking,” the Palace press officer said. Meanwhile in the city of Malolos, supporters of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta launched before noon yesterday a movement urging the senator to run for vice president in the 2028 presidential elections.

Imee seeks Senate inquiry on ‘money delivery scheme’Sen. Imee Marcos speaks with former president Rodrigo Duterte at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila on Sept. 16, 2016. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the alleged cash deliveries from flood control kickbacks, even if it means implicating her brother, the President. Marcos held a press briefing yesterday to push for Senate Resolution 317, seeking an inquiry into the “money delivery scheme” alleged by former military personnel hired by fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co.She said a Senate inquiry would provide a chance for her colleagues implicated by the alleged soldiers to give their side. “Let’s open this at the Senate and examine the suitcase of truth. She wants to look into their claims that Co shouldered the accommodations of International Criminal Court probers in the country, with the help of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Washington maintains that diplomacy remains its “first option.” But what it demands from Iran is fully dismantling its nuclear program. At the maximum, the Americans are hoping that a devastating strike against the Islamist rulers of Iran will produce regime change. While the Americans were building up their combat forces in the Middle East, Russia and China have not been idle. But since Iran has shown no signs of backing down, Trump will probably have to go through some motion of a military operation. A little over a week ago, Trump gave himself his usual two weeks to come to a decision on Iran.

Shaping a human-centric future for AIAt a defining moment in human history, the world gathered at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Making AI human-centric instead of machine-centric is vital. To translate this vision into action, India presented the MANAV framework for human-centric AI governance. AI systems must be built with safeguards that encourage responsible, family-guided engagement, reflecting the same care we bring to education systems worldwide. Under the India AI Mission, we have deployed thousands of GPUs and are set to deploy more soon.

Bacojo in hot pursuit of GM normMANILA, Philippines — Filipino Mark Jay Bacojo brought down fellow International Master Alexandr Triapishko of Russia Tuesday to stay in the hunt for the title and a Grandmaster norm in the Russian Chess Crown Standard A in Moscow. The 19-year-old Far Eastern U standout pounced on a tiny kingside weakness of his Russian foe and turned it into a full-scale attack that hiked the former’s total to six points after eight rounds. A draw in the last two rounds would yield a first GM norm for Bacojo, whose trip is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Bittersweet love story reunites Bela and CarloViva Films reunites Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino on-screen in ‘A Special Memory,’ which opens in cinemas on March 11. The best gift that estranged couples can give their kids is to respect the memory of the love they once shared. Bela & Carlo’s onscreen reunionGet ready for “emotional cardio” as Viva Films reunites Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino on-screen in “A Special Memory,” which opens in cinemas on March 11. Let Bela and Carlo show us how to turn something “tragical” into “magical.”Here are quotes from Bela, Carlo and Ricky:Bela: “It’s been eight years since Carlo and I worked together in ‘Meet Me in St. Gallen.” I’ve seen him evolve as an actor. Bautista x Bautista = EARgasmKapuso powerhouse crooners, Mark Bautista and Christian Bautista, are all set to give you “EARgasm” in their concert, “Bautista X Bautista.” Directed by Paolo Valenciano, it will be on March 6, 8 p.m. at the New Frontier Theater (presented and in media partnership with GMA 7, with tickets available via Ticketnet).