Jonvic: We will find Atong Ang
Jonvic: We will find Atong AngMANILA, Philippines — Fugitive gambling tycoon Atong Ang is still in the Philippines, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reiterated on Wednesday. Police will continue looking for Ang despite 80 unsuccessful raids on suspected hideouts of the businessman, Remulla told Bilyonaryo News Channel. “It’s difficult to hide in other countries even if you have a lot of money. He’s not like Zaldy Co, who has a ‘safe haven’ passport.”Ang is wanted for the disappearance and deaths of over 100 sabungeros or cockfight aficionados. Remulla said authorities are still exhausting leads provided by Julie Patidongan, the state witness against Ang.
Source:Philippine Star
February 20, 2026 00:01 UTC
Ex-Duterte appointee takes over NBI
Ex-Duterte appointee takes over NBIMANILA, Philippines — An erstwhile Cabinet official of former president Rodrigo Duterte is set to assume the leadership of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Lawyer Melvin Matibag, who served as Duterte’s Cabinet secretary, will be named NBI director, Presidential CommunicationsUndersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. “That’s just the information given to me, that there would be a new NBI director in the person of Atty. Melvin Matibag,” Castro said when asked why President Marcos appointed Matibag to the post. Melvin Matibag as someone he can trust, someone who can work for the government.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 23:19 UTC
Vico files election case vs Discaya
Vico files election case vs DiscayaMANILA, Philippines — Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto has filed an election complaint against former mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya for allegedly violating the campaign spending rules in the 2025 elections. Accompanied by his counsel Romulo Macalintal, Sotto filed the case with the Commission on Elections-Political Finance and Affairs Department. Sotto said he filed the complaint to uphold compliance with election laws, particularly the requirement for candidates to properly declare campaign expenses. According to Sotto, Discaya declared only P895,000 in campaign spending, an amount he said appeared inconsistent with the scale of campaign activities launched by the contractor in 2025. Sotto said a separate complaint for perjury was filed against Discaya before the Pasig prosecutor’s office over her citizenship.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 17:31 UTC
Palawan airport exec shot dead
Palawan airport exec shot deadThe Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) condemned the killing of PPIA acting manager Joanna Jonson-Infante and urged authorities to investigate the incident immediately and thoroughly. MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA) in Palawan was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on Wednesday afternoon. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) condemned the killing of PPIA acting manager Joanna Jonson-Infante and urged authorities to investigate the incident immediately and thoroughly. The CAAP said it is coordinating with local law enforcement agencies and ready to cooperate with and support the investigation. We trust that law enforcement authorities will pursue this case with urgency and ensure that justice is served,” CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 17:30 UTC
2 Manila cops sacked for blocking motorists
2 Manila cops sacked for blocking motoristsErmita police station 5 commander Alfonso Saligumba III said the incident, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, remains under investigation as authorities are reviewing closed-circuit television footage (CCTV) and the explanation of the police officers involved. MANILA, Philippines — Two members of the Manila Police District (MPD) have been relieved from their posts after a viral video showed them in a patrol car blocking motorists at a traffic light along Taft Avenue. The investigation and validation of CCTV footage as well as the statement of witnesses are ongoing to determine what really happened,” Saligumba said at a press briefing at Camp Crame. The license of the driver was confiscated by the Land Transportation Office, while the police car is undergoing mechanical inspection. The MPD, in a statement, said it does not tolerate violations of traffic laws or police operational procedures and assured the public of transparency and accountability.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 17:30 UTC
Supreme Court: 'True intent' key in voluntary surrender
Supreme Court: 'True intent' key in voluntary surrenderThe logo of the Supreme Court at the Supreme Court Building in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court ruled that the appreciation of "voluntary surrender" as a mitigating circumstance must be based on an offender’s true intent and the totality of circumstances rather than a rigid, technical timeline. This prompted the man to appeal the lower court’s decision to the Supreme Court. It explained that the mere issuance of an arrest warrant does not automatically negate a surrender, nor does a significant lapse of time between the crime and the surrender. The high court also cautioned judges against acting as "cold-hearted automatons" or "soulless supercomputers."
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 17:30 UTC
DOTr eyes MRT-7 partial operations
DOTr eyes MRT-7 partial operationsMRT-7 train coaches were seen along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon Cit. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing a partial launching of the six stations of the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) from Sacred Heart in Caloocan to Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Now 83 percent complete, the DOTr expects the MRT-7 to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2027. Lopez said the DOTr is coordinating with the Light Rail Manila Corp. to finalize proposals to prioritize system integrations and improvement works between the MRT-7, MRT-3 and the Light Rail Transit Line-1. “In the event na hindi matapos yung signaling in time for the partial operations of MRT-7, the DOTr will build a structure for the commuters to feel safe and convenient in riding the LRT-1 and MRT-3,” Lopez said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:55 UTC
Moderate explosive eruption recorded in Kanlaon
Moderate explosive eruption recorded in KanlaonThe eruption, which occurred at the summit crater at 4:38 p.m., lasted two minutes. BACOLOD CITY Philippines — State volcanologists yesterday recorded what they described as a moderate explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island. The eruption, which occurred at the summit crater at 4:38 p.m., lasted two minutes. The volcanic activity was recorded by IP cameras of the Kanlaon Volcano Network. As of last night, residents of Barangay Ara-al in La Carlota City were being evacuated to prevent casualties or injuries should the volcanic activity escalate.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:45 UTC
Manchurian candidate Sara declares presidential bid: Filipinos beware
Manchurian candidate Sara declares presidential bid: Filipinos bewareWoe to Filipinos. Manchurian candidate Sara Duterte will seek the presidency in 2028. A President Sara will likely restore her father’s pro-Beijing stance. Follow me on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/Jarius-Bondochttp://Gotcha JARIUS BONDOC Manchurian candidate Sara declares presidential bid: Filipinos beware Woe to Filipinos. Manchurian candidate Sara Duterte will seek the presidency in 2028.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:45 UTC
All 4 impeach raps vs Sara transmitted to Speaker
All 4 impeach raps vs Sara transmitted to SpeakerMANILA, Philippines — The four impeachment complaints filed separately before the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte are now all under the custody of Speaker Faustino Dy III following the transmittal of the records from the secretary-general’s office. The House is expected to refer all the four impeachment complaints to the justice committee. ‘Demand impeach scrutiny’The “serious and disturbing” allegations of unexplained wealth and omissions in Vice President Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) compelled Ortega to endorse the fourth impeachment complaint against her. Ortega nevertheless stressed that endorsing the complaint does not prejudge the Vice President. “If Vice President Sara Duterte wins as president and she is told by her vice president that he/she talked to people ready to kill her, I will sign the impeachment complaint again whoever he/she is,” Defensor said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
Palace: Duterte’s ICC turnover lawful
Palace: Duterte’s ICC turnover lawfulA man holds a portrait of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Although the Philippines no longer recognizes the jurisdiction of the ICC, the court has jurisdiction over actions that took place while the country was still its member, the Palace press officer added. Duterte withdrew the country from the statute in 2018 after the ICC had announced a plan to launch an investigation into his drug war. Duterte has waived his right to appear during the hearing on the confirmation of his charges next week, insisting that the ICC has no jurisdiction over him. Aguirre was named as among Duterte’s eight “co-perpetrators.” – Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Janvic Mateo, Ghio Ong
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
Muslims begin month-long Ramadan fast
Muslims begin month-long Ramadan fastPhysically fit Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, a holy month in Islam, and focus on reparations for wrongdoings and reconciliation with adversaries as a religious obligation. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Residents of Bangsamoro and other southern cities and provinces yesterday started their month-long Ramadan fasting season. Physically fit Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, a holy month in Islam, and focus on reparations for wrongdoings and reconciliation with adversaries as a religious obligation. Two non-Muslim local officials, Cotabato Gov. Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, said MNLF members in BARMM shall support Ramadan security missions of the police and military.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
‘Government owes P405 million to private hospitals for MAIFIP services’
‘Government owes P405 million to private hospitals for MAIFIP services’MANILA, Philippines — A group of private hospitals said the government still owes them over P400 million for medical services they rendered under the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program. The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said 17 member hospitals in Calabarzon are still waiting for their receivables amounting to some P405 million. According to him, private hospitals were reimbursed some P500 million under MAIFIP last year. “However, receivables of private hospitals, mostly from last year including this year, have again accumulated,” he said. The group lamented the slow reimbursement of guarantee letters under MAIFIP which affects the cash flow of private hospitals.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
AI can never replace teachers’ concern for students – Marcos Jr.
AI can never replace teachers’ concern for students – Marcos Jr.Manila Police District personnel join a blood donation drive at the MPD headquarters yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — No artificial intelligence or any other technology can replace the concern of teachers for their students, President Marcos said yesterday, as he vowed to continue supporting the career advancement of the country’s educators. A total of 1,991 personnel from Bulacan and Pampanga were promoted and reclassified during the oath taking, which was in line with the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act of 2025. “When our teachers are supported, our students are better served and our nation moves forward with greater confidence,” he added. Teacher Lucia Domasig of Dakila Elementary School in Malolos, 63 years old, 38 years old, just promoted,” Angara added.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
‘VP needed early declaration amid hounding issues’
‘VP needed early declaration amid hounding issues’MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte resorted to the early declaration of her presidential bid in the 2028 elections amid issues hounding her and her family, according to an expert from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. “She needed it (early declaration of presidential bid) because there were events that were very related to her, at the ICC, the co-perpetrators were also mentioned by the ICC, then the impeachment proceedings against her. So, she needed to because if Bato and Bong Go are arrested, she would lose some of her loyalists (in the Senate),” Franco said. Franco said that the early presidential bid of Duterte is part of her strategy to influence not only the Senate and the House of Representatives, but all politicians. According to Franco, President Marcos still has powers despite his low ratings.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC