A hearing begins at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday that will determine whether Duterte will stand trial over at least 76 of those deaths. However, the hope that Duterte would appear in person disappeared on Friday when ICC judges ruled that the octogenarian could waive his right to attend the hearing. Villanueva called Duterte's request cowardly when reached on Thursday, noting the former president had already been declared fit to stand trial. he said of the looming ICC hearing. But Sheerah Escudero, whose teenage brother's bullet-riddled body was found in 2017, said Monday's hearing marked a step towards "accountability".

Floyd Mayweather to come out of retirementUS boxer Floyd Mayweather (L) fights against Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura during their exhibition boxing match at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on September 25, 2022. LOS ANGELES, United States — Floyd Mayweather is coming out of retirement and will return to professional boxing after his exhibition fight with Mike Tyson this spring, the 48-year-old announced Friday (Saturday, Manila time). "I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing," Mayweather, said in a statement to AFP. A first professional fight is tentatively scheduled for this summer, against an opponent to be announced. "Iron Mike" Tyson, 59, last appeared in the ring in a lopsided loss to YouTuber-turned prizefighter Jake Paul in November 2024 in Texas.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte faces a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court from Monday over crimes against humanity allegedly committed as part of a brutal crackdown on drugs. The "confirmation of charges" hearing, taking place over four days, will determine whether there is enough evidence against Duterte to proceed to a trial. ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018. Duterte denies the charges, his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman told journalists ahead of the hearing. Human Rights Watch said the hearing beginning Monday was "a critical step in ensuring justice for victims of the Philippines' 'war on drugs'".

Another casual quip about the early announcement predicts that it will invite an intense negative campaign to demolish her candidacy. The headstart enabled him to win the presidency handily. Earlier this month, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) indefinitely suspended the Dupax exploration permit issued in favor of Woggle Corporation. The Dupax exploration, it turns out, is indispensable to the viability of the Runruno gold mining investment. Given the indefinite suspension of Woggle’s exploration permit, the whole economics of this enterprise collapses.

Stricter regulation sought amid rice retail price uptickWorkers weigh sacks of rice at a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Valenzuela City on February 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Stricter regulation is needed to curb the rising retail prices of rice, an agricultural group said yesterday. Cainglet also noted a problem in the landed cost of imported and retail prices, stressing how market prices skyrocketed to P55 to P60. National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson admitted that while rice prices went up, they can only do so much in providing affordable rice. Aside from the Department of Agriculture’s P20 per kilo rice program, the NFA also has auctions of aging rice stocks.

Debt likely motive in ‘chop-chop’ casePolice take custody of a Taiwanese man following his arrest in Parañaque yesterday for the killing of a Chinese national. MANILA, Philippines — The alleged mastermind in the “chop-chop” killing of a Chinese stemmed from a fight over debt, the National Capital Region Police Office said. NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the victim and principal suspect, known only as Xiangyang and Davao, respectively, were drinking on the night the crime occurred. “While drinking, Davao tried to collect Xiangyang’s debt until they quarreled and the suspect stabbed the victim,” Asilo told reporters yesterday. The NCRPO said Davao has not been subjected to rigorous questioning as he has no legal counsel yet.

NGAP, JGFP seal partnershipMANILA, Philippines — The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) has partnered with the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) to conduct the qualifiers for this year’s Uswing Mojing Junior World Championships in San Diego, California. The qualifying tournament for the boys’ division is set March 15 to 17 while the girls category is slated March 27 to 29 both at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac City. The junior world meet is scheduled for July 4 to 9. NGAP president Martin Lorenzo, NGAP chairman Al Panlilio and JGFP president Oliver Gan and junior golf godfather Mikey Arroyo finalized the partnership recently. “This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to grassroots and junior golf development, and to providing young Filipino golfers the opportunity to compete and excel on the international stage.”

ICC allows Duterte to skip confirmation hearingsMANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday allowed former president Rodrigo Duterte to skip his confirmation of charges hearing next week. In a six-page decision, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted Duterte’s request to waive his right to attend – both in person and via video conference – the hearings scheduled on Feb. 23, 24, 26 and 27. ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang earlier opposed the request, saying there is no reasonable cause for Duterte not to appear during his confirmation hearing. If anything happens in the hearing, it will be personal to former president Duterte,” Castro said. Padilla made the statement in a Zoom press briefing yesterday ahead of the news that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted Duterte’s waiver to appear in the confirmation hearings next week.

VP bank accounts may be examined in impeach probeMANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives may examine Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank records as part of the impeachment proceedings, House deputy speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said yesterday, noting that allegations of unexplained wealth and possible omissions in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) cannot be ignored. Ortega described the accusations raised in the fourth impeachment complaint as “serious and disturbing,” noting claims that “certain bank accounts, properties and significant cash movements were allegedly not fully reflected in Duterte’s SALNs.”He said these matters “must be reconciled with SALN disclosures,” particularly where, as alleged, “sworn accounts of large cash transfers” have allegedly been made. Like the three other impeachment complaints against the Vice President, it was transmitted to the Office of Speaker Faustino Dy III. It also proposed commissioning an independent forensic accounting team to reconcile SALNs with bank and property records. He said some lawmakers were already hesitant to impeach Duterte even before she announced her intent to run for president.

Fruitful stint in DubaiMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is now close to cracking the WTA Top 30 and will be richer by almost P6 million after a solid quarterfinals finish in the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “Three weeks of fighting with love and pride has come to an end here in Dubai. Eala’s swashbuckling ride in Dubai ended on a 6-0, 6-2 drubbing by good friend Coco Gauff of the United States in their Last 8 duel. She netted 215 points and jacked up her total to 1432 in the tour with her Dubai Last 8 finish. Eala’s Last 8 finish in Dubai added to her string of remarkable finishes in a strong start in the 2026 season.

About April last year I found a gym within walking distance from my home, and I took the challenge to improve balance and gain some strength. That was what I trained for: strength, mobility and balance. We would exchange stories about her strength journey while I told her of my progress in hopefully gaining more balance (our only target then). In a few months, I was showing some success with my twice a week routine of gym, PT and nutrition coaching. The day came last Feb. 15, anxious from a night of fragmented slumber, I headed to the venue with cheering squad in tow.

The Eala effectWe’ve all been losing sleep over Alex Eala’s continuing rise in international tennis. Giving Filipinos all over the world something to cheer about in tennis after more than three decades, the galvanizing effect is unmistakable. More than being a great showcase of tennis, it was also an avenue for his template for sports and tourism to mix. Moreover, Filipino fans are very accepting, ready to embrace opponents and doubles partners alike, something WTA professionals never experience. Here’s the exclamation: because of the massive support she gets, Eala is now becoming a favorite WTA wild card participant.

ICI still functioning, working – ReyesMANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is still investigating anomalous flood works behind closed doors despite being quiet in recent weeks, according to ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr..Reyes, however, continues to sidestep questions about the fate of the fact-finding body. He said he could not speak in behalf of a one-man commission because it would be “awkward” and “unethical.”“We’re still functioning. Asked if he wanted the ICI to continue, Reyes said, “I cannot answer that.”The ICI chairman was also mum on whether he already met with President Marcos or requested a meeting with him. Reyes did not agree to an open forum at the MOPC event, but he presented the accomplishments of the ICI since Marcos formed it in September 2025. President Marcos review finished this monthMarcos is not done reading through the 1,000-plus pages of documents that the ICI submitted in its 125-day report two weeks ago.

A celebration in styleThe CWC Design Center in Makati City, which houses CWC Interiors under the visionary leadership of president and CEO Fred Yuson, celebrated its first anniversary in an evening of vibrant festivity, inspiring conversations, and forward-looking design. Jason Lee, MillerKnoll managing director for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) Kartik Shethia, Pdp + Architecture founder and managing director architect Cathy Saldaña, Praveen MuppidiFred led a heartfelt toast, celebrating a year of growth, community, and design excellence. With a renewed focus on sustainability and innovation, the said building and venue is poised for an even brighter second year. The opening brimmed with collectors, artists, and cultural aficionados, buzzing with lively dialogue that mirrored the thoughtful, evocative works on display. This dynamic pairing celebrated the thrill of artistic exchange and affirmed Nine Two Eight Art Gallery as a haven for contemporary creativity.

When and how do we improve higher education curriculum? (First of two parts)EDCOM II executive director Karol Mark Yee has been making the rounds of media interviews, castigating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its slow updating of the curriculum of degree programs in higher education institutions (HEIs). When and how do we improve the curriculum of degree programs? The central question in curriculum revision is simple: what competencies, knowledge, values and attitudes should students acquire in a degree program to be employable, pursue higher education or continue lifelong learning? Without a clear vision for curriculum reform, the data needed and a roadmap for reform, curriculum revision will be a mechanical academic exercise of adding and subtracting subjects.