Parents-teachers group backs trimester proposalA parent accompanies a student as classes open for the new school year at an elementary school in Manila on June 16, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The National Parents-Teachers Association (NPTA) backed the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposed trimester scheme yesterday amid reservations from some groups. In an interview with dzMM, NPTA president Willy Rodriguez noted that the trimester system is currently being implemented in many countries. If they can do it, why can’t it be done in the Philippines?” Rodriguez said. “Under the proposed trimester, we will have three quarters and the days are longer, almost 61 days.

Think tank warns of China-backed cyber warfareMANILA, Philippines — The Stratbase Institute warned on Thursday that the Philippines is confronting an “unseen war” in cyberspace as China-linked information operations and foreign interference increasingly shape public perception and democratic processes ahead of future elections. It is measured by who controls the information space, who shapes the narratives being amplified and who influences public perception,” he said. Manhit underscored that democratic resilience requires transparency and accountability, even amid geopolitical tensions, and cautioned that election-related influence operations begin well before the formal campaign period. We welcome that response because this is precisely what democratic resilience requires: open debate, transparency, accountability and the defense of sovereign rights under international law,” he said. It begins now, in shaping the information environment and the cyber landscape,” he added.

US Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffsU.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Black History Month reception in the East Room of the White House on February 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON – The US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, handing him a stinging loss that sparked a furious attack on the court he helped shape. Tariffs, though, were the first major piece of Trump’s broad agenda to come squarely before the Supreme Court for a final ruling, after lower courts had also sided against the president. Vice President JD Vance called the high court decision “lawlessness” in a post on X. It wasn’t immediately clear how the decision restricting Trump’s power to unilaterally set and change tariffs might affect trade deals with other countries.

Philippines exporters urge sustained trade dialogue with USContainer yards at the Bureau of Customs are seen from Manila Bay on April 13, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The country’s umbrella group of exporters is pushing for sustained dialogue with the United States after President Donald Trump imposed a new 10 percent levy on imports, just hours after the US Supreme Court struck down earlier tariffs. Hours after the US Supreme Court ruling, Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 10 percent tariff on most of US imports, using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as basis. He said Philippine exporters not covered by exemptions are likely to be the most affected by the new levy. “Further diversification of export markets and export products or winners (needs) to continue to address the risk related to Trump’s tariffs, trade wars and other protectionist measures,” he said.

‘VP’s early declaration a misguided gamble’MANILA, Philippines — By announcing her intention to run for president in 2028, Vice President Sara made a “misguided gamble” that “leaves a bad taste in the mouth,” according to a former campaigner and congressman Joey Salceda. I think it is a misguided gamble,” Salceda said at the forum. He stressed that presidential bids tend to be more successful if they arise from genuine public clamor, not early positioning. He said the complaint against the Vice President is centered on her alleged unexplained wealth. Abante has consistently maintained that if elections were held today, the Vice President would likely win.

Leni: Talks about 2028 a disservice to the peopleMANILA, Philippines — Politics took a backseat as Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo welcomed President Marcos to the city yesterday. From the get-go, Robredo made it clear that the visit was all about work and serving the people of Naga City. When asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement of her intention to run for president in 2028, the former vice president said she respects it. To talk about 2028, I think that is a disservice to the people,” Robredo added. Marcos and Robredo were rivals in the 2016 vice presidential and 2022 presidential race.

Brilliant idea for elite athletesPATAFA president Terry Capistrano has proposed a measure that would revolutionize the widespread participation of athletes from developing countries during an Asian Athletics Federation meeting last year. Capistrano said developing countries such as the Philippines are faced with the challenge of securing visas for elite athletes who tour the world to pursue higher levels of competition. He said the fear of elite athletes “disappearing” and not returning home is unfounded. Countries should be made accountable for the actions of their elite athletes and if there are instances of “disappearances,” the privilege of one-year visas could be revoked. Perhaps, UNESCO could agree to this proposal starting with elite athletes recognized by World Athletics and certified by their regional and national federations.

NLEX trades for Racal, WinstonFrom left to right, Javee Mocon, Jonnel Policarpio, Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal. MANILA, Philippines — NLEX, Meralco and Converge entered into a three-way trade to bolster their respective rosters ahead of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The Road Warriors shipped veteran Javee Mocon and promising Jonnel Policarpio to the FiberXers to acquire Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal. NLEX governor Ronald Dulatre, in a statement, thanked Mocon and Policarpio for their “professionalism and commitment” during their time with the squad. “We thank them for their contributions to the Road Warriors and wish them nothing but success in the next chapters of their careers.”

MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted requests from both the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte and prosecutors to add more items of evidence ahead of next week’s confirmation of charges hearing over his controversial war on drugs. In a decision dated February 20, Pre-Trial Chamber I approved the “Defence Second Request for Leave to Add Items to its List of Evidence” and the prosecution’s request to add 14 items to its own list of evidence. The decision comes just days before Duterte’s scheduled February 23 confirmation hearing, where judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to move forward to trial. The hearing spans four days, after which the judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision. "FOR THESE REASONS, THE CHAMBER HEREBY GRANTS the Defence’s Request and the Prosecution’s Request," it added.

Frenchman offers to split lottery winnings with thieves who stole his card to buy winning ticket

Svitolina edges Gauff to set up Pegula final in DubaiUkraine's Elina Svitolina hits a return against US' Coco Gauff during their women’s singles semi-final match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis tournament in Dubai on February 20, 2026. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Elina Svitolina reached her first WTA 1000 final since 2018 with a marathon 6-4, 6-7 (13/15), 6-4 victory over third-seeded American Coco Gauff at the Dubai Championships on Friday (Saturday, Manila time). Earlier on centre court, Pegula maintained her perfect record against Amanda Anisimova and triumphed 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an all-American battle to reach her first final in Dubai. Gauff broke early in the final set, but Svitolina pegged her back. Pegula swung the momentum her way and drew first blood in the final set, opening up a 4-1 gap with an inch-perfect lob.

Lady Falcons rebound, swoop down on Lady WarriorsMANILA, Philippines — Adamson returned to its winning ways after fending off the University of the East Lady Warriors in four sets, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. After dropping the first two sets, UE was able to find their footing in the third set. With the third frame tied at 18, Bea Zamudio and Van Bangayan sparked three straight Lady Warrior points to go up, 21-18. With UE trailing by four, 15-19, Mordi and Fhey Sagaysay teamed up for four points to keep the Lady Warriors at bay, 23-17. Zamudio carried the load for the Lady Warriors with 14 points, while Khy Cepada and Bangayan had 11 apiece.

Trump, once unstoppable, hits snag after snag ahead of major US addressPhoto by MANDEL NGAN / AFP. US President Donald Trump arrives for a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2026.

‘Serbisyo muna bago politika’: Marcos on Naga visit with LeniMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Naga City on Saturday, February 21, to personally inspect flood control projects and assess the situation across the Bicol River Basin, saying the trip was about public service, not politics. Marcos, accompanied by former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, checked the city’s waterways and drainage systems, dismissing questions linking the visit to political maneuvering. I think mayor will agree with me na serbisyo muna bago politika,” he said. Earlier, Naga City officials, led by Robredo, prepared for the visit by carrying out clearing operations as part of the national government’s “Oplan Baha” program. Castro teased other possible activities for Marcos in Naga, saying simply: “Abangan (watch).”Meanwhile, Robredo said she was confident the visit would stay focused on public service, saying the inspection aimed to address critical flood risks in Naga City and nearby Camarines Sur.

Three Grade 7 students die in BARMM road accidentAll three male students together in a tricycle that collided with two trucks in Kapalawan, Cotabato died instantly from injuries sustained in the accident. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Three male Grade 7 students died instantly from injuries when the tricycle carrying them was hit by two trucks, one after another, at a stretch of the Sayre Highway in Barangay Kitulaan in Kapalawan in Cotabato province on Friday, February 20. The fatalities, Ghoyghoy Andres, Koking Silva and Wako Alburo, all from an indigenous non-Moro community, were on their way home to Barangay Poblacion in nearby Carmen, Cotabato, when they figured in the accident that left all three of them dead. All three students died immediately from injuries sustained in the accident. Emergency responders immediately transported the badly injured tricycle driver, Andres, to a hospital for treatment.