DOJ files tax evasion raps vs Sarah Discaya
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed four tax evasion cases against private contractor Sarah Discaya over her alleged failure to declare and pay the right amount of income tax for 2020 and 2021. At a press briefing yesterday, DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez said the cases were filed before the Court of Tax Appeals on Feb. 3. Meanwhile, Martinez said the filing of cases against Discaya’s husband, Curlee, was deferred as he filed a motion for reconsideration. “And so, because of this filing, the BIR, as a matter of procedure, was asked to comment,” Martinez said. The DOJ, however, dismissed the complaint of non-payment of excise tax against the Discaya spouses under Section 263 of the NIRC, in connection with their imported vehicles.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Gatchalian warns vs AI ‘love scams’
MANILA, Philippines — With Valentine’s Day approaching, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the public to be vigilant against a sophisticated breed of “love scams” that now leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to defraud and, in severe cases, sexually exploit victims. Gatchalian issued the warning following a report from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which flagged a rising trend of romance-related fraud targeting individuals seeking relationships online. Gatchalian linked the persistence of these scams to criminal groups adapting to the government’s crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). “Despite the national ban on POGOs, criminal syndicates continue to exploit loopholes through various schemes, including love scams,” Gatchalian said. “It is sad that some of our countrymen are not only being cheated out of their hard-earned money, others are even becoming victims of prostitution,” Gatchalian said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
UP team finds viable biofuel source at Mount Makiling
MANILA, Philippines — As the country looks for sustainable energy sources, a team of experts from the University of the Philippines found that oleaginous yeast isolated from the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) can be a viable source of biofuel. The authors said these lipids can be converted into biodiesel, a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Researchers collected yeast samples from the Mount Makiling area and screened and identified several oleaginous yeast strains capable of producing high lipid content. The study reported successful conversion of the extracted lipids into biodiesel, confirming that these yeasts can be viable sources of biofuel. The authors said Mount Makiling’s unique ecosystem serves as a treasure trove of biological resources that could play a significant role in sustainable development.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
PNP preparing case vs politicians behind illegal cigarettes
MANILA, Philippines — A case is being put together against two politicians tagged as masterminds behind the operations of illegal cigarette factories, including one facility in Mexico, Pampanga, the Philippine National Police said yesterday. The facility allegedly produced and distributed large volumes of illegal cigarettes nationwide. The facility could produce more than P4.5 billion worth of illegal cigarettes within a month, using several tons of tobacco leaves and counterfeit Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps. Among the seized cigarette brands were Two Moon, Carnival and HP, which Remulla warned retailers against selling, noting that the manufacture, transport and sale of illegal cigarettes violate the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act. Economic crimesNartatez ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and police regional officials to treat illegal cigarette factories as high-impact economic crimes that should be stopped immediately.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Mini Murillo maps further debunk China’s claim
Fatal defectsMeanwhile, in Zamboanga City, retired justice Carpio continued to expose the “fatal defects” of China’s claim over islands in the West Philippine Sea with historical maps that copied British names translated into Chinese. Carpio cited historical evidence showing the Philippines’ longstanding claim over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, specifically maps that predate China’s assertions by centuries. He traced China’s territorial claims through official Chinese publications issued by China under the Kuomintang. According to Carpio, China’s territorial claim traced to its official 1943 handbook stated that China’s southernmost territory extended only to Triton Island in the Paracels (Basu). At that time, China did not claim Scarborough Shoal or the Spratly Islands.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
President Marcos vows expanded promotions for teachers
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday vowed to expand promotion opportunities for deserving public school teachers to help them achieve greater financial stability. Marcos also cited the support provided to public school teachers and non-teaching staff, including the release of funds for the 2025 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI). ‘No more teacher shortage by 2027’Angara vowed to eliminate the teacher shortage by 2027. “After this year, we will no longer have a deficit or shortage of teachers, because every year, we hire 20,000. The statement came after the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines urged the government to prioritize salary increases over proposals to offer more flexible loan arrangements for public school teachers.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
LGUs given 2 months to remove ‘epal’ signs
MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) may need six to eight weeks to fully comply with the directive to remove politicians’ names and promotional materials from government projects, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday. Remulla issued a memorandum to LGUs on Jan. 31 directing them to strictly enforce the anti-epal policy to ensure that no names or images of local officials or DILG personnel are displayed on government projects. The order, anchored on a provision in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, prohibits the display of politicians’ names, images or branding on government projects, vehicles and assistance programs. Remulla said local officials who fail to comply may face administrative charges, including possible suspension. He added that the public may report violations by submitting photos through the DILG website or even through social media posts.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Landslide kills 4 as Basyang hits Cagayan de Oro
MANILA, Philippines — Four members of a family, including two children, were killed after a landslide buried their home in Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City amid heavy rains as Tropical Storm Basyang hit the country. Initial reports identified the victims as Rufa Lariosa, 30, and Paul Lariosa, 42, both of Zone 1, Sambulawan, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City, along with Riane Salobo, 13, and 11-month-old Aleah. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the landslide was caused by heavy rainfall, although authorities are still validating whether it can be directly attributed to Basyang. In Cagayan de Oro City, floodwaters inundated several areas, including Camaman-an, Cugman, Agusan, Barangay 26 and Bugo. Basyang is expected to make another landfall over the southern portions of Cebu and Negros Oriental this morning.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Philippines, United States commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have launched a new logo marking and celebrating 80 years of diplomatic relations. “What makes the Philippines-United States relationship truly special is that it is not only anchored on treaties and institutions. In a joint statement, they said the United States and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946 with people-to-people ties being the bedrock of the relationship. ‘Reject Trump’s invite’The Makabayan bloc urged the government to reject the invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza. Tinio, Co and Elago said that Trump’s Board of Peace is a scheme to profit from the destruction that US bombs and US-backed Israeli aggression have inflicted on Gaza.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Impeach raps vs VP Sara sent to Speaker’s office
“If Tito Sotto is replaced and the Senate president will come from the minority, there will be no trial in the Senate,” Drilon told radio dzMM. Under longstanding Senate practice, he said, those seeking a change present a written manifesto to the sitting Senate President, who then resigns. “The Senate President in all the times, not most of the time, will resign,” he said. Despite this, Sotto bared earlier this week that the majority is looking to install Legarda as Senate President after the 2027 budget is passed. Should the articles of impeachment reach the Senate, Sotto said he intends to impose a grueling schedule to ensure a swift resolution.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Oil prices up again next week
MANILA, Philippines — Motorists are set to face another round of fuel price increases next week. Kerosene prices, meanwhile, could edge up by around P0.05 per liter, with further increases likely once oil firms’ operating costs and other premiums are taken into account. Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said prices “seesawed” this week as markets weighed prospects for easing tensions between US and Iran against mounting fears of disruption to oil flows in the Strait of Hormuz. Even though global gasoline prices remained soft, Bellas noted that the potential rise at the domestic pump is due to higher premiums stemming from geopolitical tensions. Earlier this week, gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices went up by P0.80, P1.60 and P1.10 per liter, respectively.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
NBI: Interpol seeking more data vs Zaldy Co
He said the NBI was given until Feb. 11 to submit the required documents so Interpol could decide on the request. Mallari clarified that the move is part of standard procedure and does not indicate any ruling on the case. Ain’t gonna happen’Co will never agree to “restitution” or return of stolen government funds, his lawyer Ruy Rondain said yesterday. Rondain maintained that the cases against Co were “trumped up.”“We’re quite confident that we can get an acquittal. Rondain also maintained that Co did not send any feelers, contrary to the claim of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC
Next in Putin's sights? Estonia town stuck between two worlds
Next in Putin's sights? Estonia town stuck between two worldsPhoto by STR / AFP Anti-tank barriers known as “dragon’s teeth” and barbed wire are installed on the border bridge in Narva on the Estonian-Russian border on January 15, 2026.
Source:The Standard
February 06, 2026 12:10 UTC
Large-scale shabu peddler killed in Maguindanao del Norte ambush
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A known shabu dealer, long under surveillance by the police, was killed in an ambush in Barangay Bunged in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday, February 5. Local executives and traditional Moro leaders in Datu Odin Sinsuat told reporters on Friday that they are certain that the fatal ambush of the victim, whom they identified only as Jaybee, is related to his involvement in the trafficking of narcotics in the municipality. Barangay officials and investigators from the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station who responded to the incident said the victim was riding a motorcycle when he was attacked by gunmen at a stretch of a farm-to-market road in Barangay Bunged, killing him instantly. Barangay officials told reporters that his attackers immediately escaped, leaving him lifeless. Local executives and officials of intelligence units of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the neighboring Maguindanao del Norte and in Cotabato City said the slain Jaybee was involved in the peddling of shabu in both areas by a clandestine group linked to remnants of the now defunct Dawlah Islamiya terror group.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 10:14 UTC