EDITORIAL — Children’s stapleRice is the nation’s staple. The situation is worse for milk, a staple for children and infants whose mothers cannot produce enough breast milk. Last year, the government reported what it described as a record-high domestic milk production of 43.4 million liters. Still, the NDA notes that this is an improvement from the one percent milk production over the past 30 years. Boosting domestic milk production will go a long way in addressing both stunting and the persistent problem of hunger.

8 killed in Davao landslidesDavao City, as seen on Google Maps. DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Eight people were reported killed in separate landslides that occurred in Davao region in the past two days. On the same day, a small-scale miner was reported killed in another landslide that occurred in Pantukan, Davao de Oro. The Davao region disaster risk reduction and management council said that heavy rainfall inundated 14 barangays across the region, displacing 997 families who sought shelter in evacuation centers. School officials in all five provinces in the region as well as in Davao City suspended classes in all levels due to bad weather.

On our flight here, I had a pleasant chat with the airline’s chief purser Lorna, who asked if it’s my first time in Fiji. Then we carried on with our hushed conversation about her country and life in Fiji. The day I went to the Fiji Museum, a lady asked if I have any questions. I’m Lorna and I work here,” she said. For now, I’m grateful in living simply, unpretentiously Fiji.

Court junks ex-PNP exec’s appeal in 2013 rifle scamIn denying the motion, the Sandiganbayan sixth division said the former PNP official, Eduardo Acierto, “lost the remedies” after failing to show up during the promulgation of the case in December 2025. In denying the motion, the Sandiganbayan sixth division said the former PNP official, Eduardo Acierto, “lost the remedies” after failing to show up during the promulgation of the case in December 2025. “Acierto’s failure to appear during the promulgation... was unjustified. The case stemmed from the issuance of licenses for the rifles by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office from 2011 to 2013. The bounty was reportedly raised after he submitted an intelligence report identifying several close associates of former president Rodrigo Duterte as major players in the illegal drug trade.

Tarriela: 2028 poll outcome a concern for ChinaCommodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson on West Philippine Sea issues, presents a newspaper caricature of himself and what appears to be Chinese President Xi Jinping during a forum in Makati City. MANILA, Philippines — The outcome of the 2028 national elections is a concern for China as it could carve out policy direction on the West Philippine Sea, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman on WPS issues, Commodore Jay Tarriela. In a speech, Tarriela noted a “calibrated” strategy from trolls and online commentators that frames WPS issues to be handled diplomatically by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), excluding multi-agency involvement. “Surprisingly, this very line was picked up by our leading presidentiable, Vice President Sara Duterte, who rarely weighs in on WPS matters,” Tarriela recalled. Only Duterte has expressed her intention to run as president in the 2028 national elections.

AFP strengthening cyber defensesConsidering the evolving cyber threat landscape, the military said it is keeping a close watch and remains vigilant against what Cyber Command chief Brig. MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the pubic yesterday that it is continuously strengthening the military’s cyber defense capabilities, amid this year’s increasing threat of cyber attacks stemming from geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Considering the evolving cyber threat landscape, the military said it is keeping a close watch and remains vigilant against what Cyber Command chief Brig. “We continue to observe and address persistent cyber activities, including attempts at network intrusion, website defacement, misinformation operations and other malicious cyber incidents,” she explained. “Our Cyber Command is continuously strengthening defensive capabilities, enhancing threat intelligence sharing with partner agencies and working closely with both domestic and international stakeholders to protect critical information infrastructure,” she stressed.

Fuel prices going up for 9th straight weekLocal industry sources indicated that diesel prices may climb by P0.40 to P0.60 per liter in the final week of February, while gasoline is likely to hold steady or edge up by P0.10 per liter. MANILA, Philippines — Diesel and kerosene prices are headed for a ninth consecutive increase next week as rising geopolitical tensions continue to threaten global oil supplies. Local industry sources indicated that diesel prices may climb by P0.40 to P0.60 per liter in the final week of February, while gasoline is likely to hold steady or edge up by P0.10 per liter. Should gasoline prices end up higher next week, it will mark the seventh straight increase. Earlier this week, oil firms hiked prices of gasoline by P1.20 per liter and diesel and kerosene by P0.60 per liter.

Fair, implementable anti-dynasty law vowedMANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III yesterday assured the public that the House of Representatives would pass a fair, just and implementable Anti-Political Dynasty bill, as lawmakers brought the Mindanao leg of nationwide consultations to Cagayan de Oro City. “My countrymen, we are serious about passing a fair, just and implementable Anti-Political Dynasty Law in the 20th Congress,” Dy said. The people of Cagayan de Oro meanwhile, expressed strong support for the proposed anti-political dynasty bill. “I am for the passing of the anti-political dynasty bill. Political dynasty is a concentration of power to a single family.

Senate in talks with China embassy to schedule dialogue, says DFADepartment of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson on Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. speaks to the media at a briefing in the department headquarters in Pasay City on Feb. 20, 2026. "It is our belief that the Senate is already making direct representations with the Embassy of Manila to find a mutually convenient date for that dialogue," Villanueva said in a press briefing. He added that the DFA is ready to step in if needed: "If the Senate reaches out to the DFA, definitely we are prepared to extend the necessary assistance." Former senator Francis Tolentino said earlier this week that the DFA should not meddle with the Senate's debates and instead summon Chinese embassy officials. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan — who was among many lawmakers the Chinese embassy publicly criticized — said any talks hinge on the embassy's sincerity.

Padilla says yes if ex-president Duterte asksMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla on Friday, February 20, said that he is ready to run for vice president if former president Rodrigo Duterte asks him to. Vice President Sara Duterte has declared her intention to run for president in 2028, igniting talks of political alliances and possible opponents. Padilla has been floated as a possible running mate for Duterte. Basta sinabi ni Digong, susunod ako,” Padilla said in a virtual press conference. Padilla said he was ready for whatever political mudslinging was coming his way, as he had already gotten used to it.

Photo by NOEL CELIS / POOL / AFP This file photo taken on January 30, 2017 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) listening to Ronald Dela Rosa (R), then-director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP), during a press conference at the Malacanang palace in Manila.

ICC prosecutors: Duterte has no valid reason to skip pre-trial hearingFormer Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen in the courtroom during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charge of crimes against humanity over his deadly crackdown on narcotics, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. "The Prosecution respectfully requests that the Chamber reject Mr Duterte’s request to waive his right to appear at the confirmation hearing. There is no reasonable cause for Mr Duterte not to appear in person in court at the confirmation hearing," the filing read. Duterte's appearance during the hearing would be a "significant milestone" for the victims part of the proceedings, the prosecutors wrote. Duterte has been held at the ICC detention facility in Scheveningen in the Netherlands since his March 2025 arrest.

ICC grants Duterte request to skip own pre-trial hearingMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court has allowed former President Rodrigo Duterte to sit out his own pre-trial hearing next week, granting his request to waive his right to attend the proceedings despite objections from both prosecutors and victims' representatives. Duterte's defense team requested to waive his right to participate in the confirmation of charges hearing on February 16. Both the ICC Office of the Prosecutor and the Common Legal Representatives of Victims earlier opposed the request, arguing there was no reasonable cause for Duterte to skip the hearing. ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said in a statement that Duterte's absence is based solely on his own request to skip the hearing and not on health grounds. Only during the confirmation hearing.

World leaders to declare shared stance on AI at India summitTOPSHOT - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) takes a group photo with AI company leaders at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Remulla: Illegal cigarettes smugglers have ‘backers’ in governmentDepartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, alongside Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is preparing charges against an alleged smuggler of illicit cigarettes, but agency secretary Jonvic Remulla says that these illegal operations are likely backed by government officials. The DILG has raided an illegal warehouse owned by a certain Jimmy Reyes Cua in Tanza, Cavite. This is the fifth warehouse in a series of government raids against tobacco smugglers, with Remulla eyeing 10 major raids in total. Aside from being backed by officials, Remulla said that many of the warehouses and illegal factories that police have raided are owned by Chinese nationals.