BSP rate cut lifts PSEi to another win
BSP rate cut lifts PSEi to another winThe bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index grew by 0.19 percent or 12.38 points, settling at 6,407.15. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market continued its winning ways following the latest rate cut from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) yesterday. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index grew by 0.19 percent or 12.38 points, settling at 6,407.15. The broader All Shares index likewise inched up by 0.15 percent or 5.27 points to end the session at 3,547.32. Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital, for his part, said investors continued to assess the impact of the latest rate cut from the BSP, weighing its potential to support liquidity and market sentiment.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:45 UTC
SM Prime to spend P1 billion for Cebu office expansion
SM Prime to spend P1 billion for Cebu office expansionMANILA, Philippines — The Sy family’s SM Prime Holdings Inc. is pouring in more than P1 billion to expand its office portfolio in the country’s fastest-growing regional office market outside Metro Manila. SM Offices, the office leasing arm of SM Prime, will add more than 60,000 square meters of leasable space in Cebu City by the fourth quarter of 2026. In fact, the Cebu office market was only second to BGC in terms of growth. SM City Cebu Towers sits within the redeveloped SM City Cebu North Wing complex, which integrates retail facilities and a National University (NU) campus. “We believe that it offers great value for its location and its integration with the SM City Cebu mall and NU Cebu.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:45 UTC
Arca South – just about ready
Arca South – just about readyIt has been almost 14 years since Ayala Land Inc. successfully bid and acquired in 2012 ownership of 74 hectares of the Marcos-era created Food Terminal Inc. or FTI, which originally covered an expansive 120 hectares at the outskirts of Metro Manila going south to Laguna and Batangas. It was formally known in 1968 as the Greater Manila Terminal Food Market or GMTFM under the administration of the elder president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Today, going south to Laguna or Tagaytay is a quick half-day trip for lunch and back with our three to four lane expressways. Early on, ALI had posted banners announcing the birth of Arca South, attracting early investors for its planned mixed-used commercial and business community. Just as quietly, several companies have been operating in Arca South and residential mid-rise towers have been completed and are now being turned over to early buyers.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:45 UTC
ALI unit breaks ground on luxury Makati project
ALI unit breaks ground on luxury Makati projectAyala Land said the groundbreaking moves the development into its execution phase, noting that demand for well-located and design-driven residences in established central business districts remains resilient within the premium segment. MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Land Premier is strengthening its pipeline of high-end residential developments in Makati as it kicked off the construction of its newest luxury development called Laurean Residences. “Laurean Residences was envisioned as an urban sanctuary in the heart of Makati. Today, we’re not just breaking ground — we’re opening a bold new chapter in refined urban living,” Ayala Land Premiere president Mike Jugo said. The 65-story tower project has a P28 billion value and will have 388 units.
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
Marcos, Robredo set to meet in Naga
Marcos, Robredo set to meet in NagaPresident Marcos is welcomed yesterday by students of Minuyan Elementary School in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, where the Yaman ng Health Program and DepEd’s Kalinga Caravan are being implementedMANILA, Philippines — Will President Marcos and his former political rival Leni Robredo bury the hatchet to counter a common opponent? Robredo, who defeated Marcos in the vice presidential race in 2016 but lost in their rematch during the presidential elections six years later, is now the mayor of Naga City. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos would oversee the implementation of the flood mitigation project Oplan Kontra Baha in Naga City this weekend. “The personnel of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) are busy cleaning creeks, drainage and the river in Naga City. Among the potential partnerships being floated are that of the Vice President and Marcos’ sister Sen. Imee Marcos and that of Robredo and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
Pope Leo laments a world ‘in flames’
Pope Leo laments a world ‘in flames’Cardinal Angelo de Donatis sprinkles ashes on the forehead of Pope Leo during the Ash Wednesday mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy. VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo lamented a world “in flames” due to wars and destruction of the environment during an Ash Wednesday mass, opening the season of Lent. Before sprinkling ashes on the heads of the faithful – a sign of mortality – the pope said the ashes could represent “the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war.”He told participants the ashes could signify “the ashes of international law and justice among peoples (and) the ashes of entire ecosystems.”“It is so easy to feel powerless in the face of a world that is in flames,” said Leo, the first US pope. Spiritual decayBishop Raul Dael of Tandag, Surigao del Sur has reminded members of the House of Representatives to fight corruption as it is a form of “spiritual decay.”In his Ash Wednesday homily at the House, Dael stressed that “corruption is not only illegal; it is a spiritual decay, a sin against God.”“It (hurts) the poor first. It steals from classrooms, from hospitals, from social services, from communities waiting for relief,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC
Vico Sotto files election overspending, perjury raps vs Discaya
Vico Sotto files election overspending, perjury raps vs DiscayaMANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections on Thursday, February 19, against former mayoral candidate and embattled contractor Sarah Discaya, accusing her of overspending and perjury during the 2025 electoral campaign period. Discaya, who lost to Sotto by more than 320,000 votes, declared only P895,000 in total campaign spending. Pero gusto natin sa lungsod ng Pasig kailangan sumunod ka sa batas, kailangan sumunod ka sa election law. But we want for people in the city of Pasig to bey the law, including election law. Election overspending cases in the Philippines rarely result in conviction, but a finding of guilt carries perpetual disqualification from public office for repeat offenders under Republic Act 7166.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:15 UTC
Eala makes Dubai last 8
Eala makes Dubai last 8MANILA, Philippines — Another higher-ranked opponent, another epic sweep. Relentless Alex Eala rolled into the Last 8 of the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, hacking out a gutsy 7-5, 6-4 win over world No. 47 Eala repulsed the 35-year-old Romanian after overturning a 4-5 deficit in extended opener and breaking away in the second for the win in 98 minutes. The 15-year age gap between Eala and Cirstea was the biggest between two opponents from the Round of 16 onward in Dubai since its foundation in 2001. And with her victory, Eala recorded a second Last 8 appearance in the 1000-level tour, going with her debut stints in the four majors.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 16:05 UTC
Canlaon volcano erupts in the Philippines - plume of smoke rises 2000 meters
Photo: wiki/KanlaonOn Thursday, February 19, a moderate eruption of the Kanlaon volcano occurred on the Philippine island of Negros. The eruption from the crater reached over 2000 meters in height, with plumes of smoke heading southwest. In this regard, Alert Level 2 remains elevated over Kanlaon Volcano, and entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited. The highest point is Mount Kanlaon, located at an elevation of 2,460 meters above sea level. There are three hot springs on the slopes of the volcano: Mambukal Hot Springs to the northwest, Bucalan Hot Springs, and Bungol Hot Springs.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 19, 2026 16:01 UTC