Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla’s bid to transfer to PNP custody
Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla’s bid to transfer to PNP custodyFormer senator Bong Revilla arrives at the Sandiganbayuan on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has denied former senator Bong Revilla's motion to be transferred to the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The anti-graft court denied a motion by co-accused Juanito Mendoza to merge this malversation case with a separate graft case currently pending before the Fourth Division. In contrast, the malversation case has yet to reach the arraignment phase, as the court must still resolve Mendoza’s petition for bail. On January 20, the Sandiganbayan Third Special Division ordered Revilla detained at the male dormitory of the Quezon City Jail in Payatas.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 03:55 UTC
Avocados
.When I spent six months with my daughter in Colorado during the pandemic lockdown, I always included avocados for breakfast. The first shipment of Hass avocados left Mindanao: 2,240 boxes, $40,000. While historically avocados received less attention than mangoes or bananas, the government has recently ramped up support to position the Philippines as a global exporter, specifically for the Hass avocado variety. Mindanao is the current powerhouse for export-grade Hass avocados, largely because its high-elevation regions provide the cool tropical climate necessary for this specific variety to thrive. Our climate is generally not kind to avocados, Salceda observed.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 02:48 UTC
VP Sara Duterte impeach raps sent to House Speaker's office
MANILA, Philippines — Both impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte have been transmitted to the Office of the Speaker, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil said on Friday. In a statement on February 6, Garafil confirmed that the complaints were sent to Speaker Bojie Dy's office on Thursday afternoon, February 5. This came exactly a year after Duterte was impeached by the 19th Congress, a move later struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. During this period, Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) said House members who previously filed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte in 2025 may refile if they choose to fast-track the process by obtaining the support of one-third of all House members. With President Bongbong Marcos' impeachment case dismissed by the justice committee, the House will most likely focus solely on the vice president’s impeachment cases in the months to come.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2026 02:43 UTC
LIVE updates: Tropical Cyclone 'Basyang'
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Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 23:56 UTC
14 areas under Signal No. 2 as ‘Basyang’ maintains strength
14 areas under Signal No. 2 as ‘Basyang’ maintains strengthMANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm “Basyang” (international name: Penha) maintains its strength while moving steadily toward the eastern coast of Mindanao, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. PAGASA said that areas under Signal No. Basyang is expected to make its initial landfall over Surigao del Sur Thursday night or early Friday morning. By Saturday evening, the system is forecast to traverse northern Palawan before weakening into a tropical depression and eventually a low-pressure area by Monday.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 22:19 UTC
Remembering BGB as The STAR shines toward its 40th year
And then I think of its guiding light, founding chairman Betty Go-Belmonte (“BGB”), whose 32nd death anniversary we marked last Jan. 28, six months short of The STAR’s 40th founding anniversary this July. The Philippine STAR building in Sucat, Parañaque. “No doubt Mom would have been impressed with our building,” says her son Miguel, president and CEO of The STAR. It changes shape, but it never leaves—and that’s love’s fingerprint.” Miguel Belmonte, president and CEO of The Philippine STAR, reflects on the enduring legacy of his mother, Betty Go-Belmonte. Monthly magazine, Betty wrote: “While others call you people, we here at STAR!
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 21:13 UTC
Eala, Tjen enter semis in Abu Dhabi Open doubles
Eala, Tjen enter semis in Abu Dhabi Open doublesMANILA, Philippines -- Rising Southeast Asian tennisters, indeed. The duo of Filipino Alex Eala and Indonesian Janice Tjen barged into the semifinal round of the Mabudala Abu Dhabi Open doubles’ tournament after sweeping the second-seeded pair of Zhang Shuai and Christina Bucsa, 6-3, 6-3, early Friday morning (Manila time). Eala, who exited the singles’ action a few hours before, will go deeper in the doubles’ action. But Eala and Tjen closed out the frame with wins in the eighth and ninth games, 6-3. Mihalikova is currently ranked 24th in the world in doubles while Nicholls is World No.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 20:25 UTC
Montage Technology to price Hong Kong listing at top of range; aims to raise US$901 million
Montage Technology to price Hong Kong listing at top of range; aims to raise US$901 millionA Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX) sign is seen at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 4, 2020.
Source:The Standard
February 05, 2026 20:01 UTC
Metro mayors, Angara tackle classroom shortage
Metro mayors, Angara tackle classroom shortageMANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara met yesterday with 11 Metro Manila mayors to address the shortage of nearly 25,000 classrooms in the region. “This is aligned with the directive of President Marcos to address classroom shortage and improve the learning environment of our students, through stronger national and local government collaboration,” he added. Luzon accounts for 54 percent of the classroom shortage estimated at 165,443. The DepEd presented to Metro Manila mayors the guidelines on the construction and repair of school buildings under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. “So there is a backlog of about 5,000 (classrooms),” Angara said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 18:27 UTC
Sandigan affirms case vs Revilla, rejects jail transfer
In a 30-page resolution issued yesterday, the court’s Third Division denied Revilla’s omnibus motion to quash the case and remand it to the ombudsman for a reinvestigation. Granting a motion to quash the information is tantamount to dismissal of the case but without prejudice to possible refiling. The Third Division also denied Revilla’s motion to quash the arrest warrant issued against him last Jan. 19, which prompted him to surrender to authorities on the same day. Also denied was Mendoza’s motion to consolidate for a single trial their malversation through falsification case with their graft case pending before the court’s Fourth Division. With the denial of Revilla and his co-accused’s respective motions, their arraignment set on Feb. 9 is expected to push through.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 17:31 UTC
MMDA backs Quezon City active transport Projects
MMDA backs Quezon City active transport ProjectsQuezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recently visited MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and general manager Nicolas Torre III at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig. MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has vowed to support the Quezon City government’s projects, including bike lane and sidewalk improvement. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recently visited MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and general manager Nicolas Torre III at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig. Belmonte discussed with them the proposed infrastructure projects in Quezon City, such as the improvement of the bicycle lane and sidewalk from C.P. The project would be financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the MMDA said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Mollenido, son laid to rest
Mollenido, son laid to restSlain policewoman Senior M/Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son John Ysmael are laid to rest on Thursday. MANILA, Philippines — Slain policewoman Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, John Ysmael, were laid to rest in Taguig City yesterday. Her husband, Senior M/Sgt. John Mollenido, received the Philippine flag, but he did not speak during the burial ceremony.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Manila cop surrenders to NBI over rape case
Manila cop surrenders to NBI over rape caseMANILA, Philippines — Following the issuance of an arrest warrant by a Manila court, a police officer accused of sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman surrendered yesterday to the National Bureau of Investigation. Joshua Semilla Mendoza of the Manila Police District raped her after she lost consciousness during a night out in Quezon City. She has filed a complaint against Mendoza with the National Police Commission. Closed-circuit television footage allegedly captured Mendoza carrying an unconscious woman into a motel in Sampaloc, Manila, on Dec. 4, 2025. The Napolcom said it aims to resolve the case within 60 days.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2026 16:44 UTC