OpenAI's Altman says world 'urgently' needs AI regulation
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) takes a group photo with AI company leaders including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (C) and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei (R) at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
Source:The Standard
February 19, 2026 15:23 UTC
High Speed Hitters get boost from bench, trip Chargers
High Speed Hitters get boost from bench, trip ChargersGames Saturday(FilOil Arena)4 p.m. - Creamline vs Capital16:30 p.m. - Zus Coffee vs Farm FreshMANILA, Philippines — PLDT drew strength from its bench depth as it turned back an old rival in Akari, 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-15, on Thursday and stretched its unbeaten streak to three in the PVL All Filipino Conference at the Filoil Arena. Mika Reyes had 10 points while super rookie Alleiah Malaluan came off the bench to scatter 10 hits. The High Speed Hitters also got more from two unlikely sources in Kiesha Bedonia and Shiela Mae Kiseo, who made the most out of their limited minutes. “Credit to our double subs in the third and fourth sets, they really stepped up,” said PLDT captain Kath Arado, referring to Bedonia and Kiseo. A battle-scarred Grethcel Soltones paced the Chargers with 16 points, but the team couldn’t cash in on opportunities and withered away in the fourth frame.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 12:43 UTC
Kanlaon erupts explosively, generates 2000-meter tall plume
Kanlaon erupts explosively, generates 2000-meter tall plumeMANILA, Philippines — The Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island generated a 2000-meter ash plume late after it erupted late Thursday afternoon, February 19, Phivolcs reported. State seismologists said the moderately explosive eruption at Kanlaon's summit crater occurred at 4:39 p.m. and lasted two minutes. Alert Level 2 remains in effect for Kanlaon Volcano, reflecting increasing unrest. The Kanlaon Volcano, however, has consistently been spewing ash and experiencing volcanic earthquakes. On February 18, the Kanlaon Volcano observed 10 earthquakes and has been emitting sulfur dioxide at a rate of 346 tonnes per day.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 12:22 UTC
‘Oil price hikes open door for jeepney fare review’
‘Oil price hikes open door for jeepney fare review’A jeepney conductor in Quezon City holds signage of the new fare in 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Recent oil price hikes have “opened the door” for discussions on the petition for another jeepney fare hike, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday. “We will be holding two hearings next week to discuss all the issues surrounding the petitions for fare increase. Petitioners have been asking for a fare increase of P1. A jeepney fare hike of P1 was approved in October 2023.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 11:55 UTC
‘Abangan’: Marcos to meet Leni as presidential talks heat up
‘Abangan’: Marcos to meet Leni as presidential talks heat upMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet with his former political rival, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, in her home turf as talks of the 2028 presidential race heat up after Vice President Sara Duterte declared her candidacy. However, Castro did confirm that Marcos will meet with Robredo on February 21 in Naga City. Asked if Marcos will have other activities in Naga, however, Castro merely said “abangan (watch)”. “Hindi pa po kasi panahon ngayon, napakaaga po pa kasi para tayo ay mag-announce na ika’y tatakbo o hindi. Duterte’s declaration of her candidacy kick-started discussions among netizens and political analysts alike on who could run against the vice president.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 11:29 UTC
Comelec unit to issue resolution on Marcoleta's 2025 SOCE discrepancy
Comelec unit to issue resolution on Marcoleta's 2025 SOCE discrepancyMANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections’ political and finance arm is preparing to decide whether Sen. Rodante Marcoleta violated disclosure rules in his 2025 election spending report, after completing its investigation into the case. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told reporters Thursday, February 19, that the Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) has wrapped up its probe and is set to issue a resolution. The case stems from Marcoleta’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections, where he reported spending P139.9 million on his campaign but declared zero donations. Marcoleta’s case drew attention because his declared campaign spending of P139.9 million exceeded his declared net worth of P51.9 million, while his SOCE reflected no donations. Candidates are required to file a complete and accurate SOCE detailing campaign income and spending.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 09:54 UTC
Pangilinan sounds alarm on shrinking catches for local fishers
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan raised concern over the steady decline of catches for small-time fisherfolk after a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed commercial fishing companies to fish in municipal waters. Prior to the SC ruling, there was a 15-kilometer exclusive zone in municipal waters just for small-scale fisherfolk. “Malaki ang increase ng commercial fishing habang bagsak naman ang production ng inland municipal and marine municipal fisheries. (There has been a large increase in commercial fishing while there is a decline in the production of inland municipal and marine municipal fisheries. However, commercial fisheries have increased their catch from 822,427.47 metric tons in 2023 up to 849,498.89 metric tons in 2025.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 03:35 UTC
Fallible
The ruling upheld the results of the manual count, which contradicted the machine count. But the real story here is that the much-touted automated count is, indeed, fallible. If the automated count can fail in a small town, it can fail elsewhere. This is true only if we compare the machine results with the random manual counts. More important, the overturn of the Rosales results casts unwanted doubt on the reliability of machine counts.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 02:13 UTC
For engagements: Jack Argota admits Marcos' medical certificate is fake
For engagements: Jack Argota admits Marcos' medical certificate is fakeInternet Personality Jack Argota at the National Bureau of Investigation on Feb. 18, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Internet personality Jack Argota, known on Facebook as "Sir Jack Argota," admitted that the medical certificate he posted supposedly for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is fake. When asked what his motive was in posting the fake medical certificate, he said: "Wala, para makasabay lang sa uso. He said that when the supposed medical certificate circulated online, he did not know that it was fake. The supposed medical certificate of Marcos circulated online following his diagnosis with diverticulitis in January 2026 after experiencing abdominal discomfort.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2026 00:31 UTC
Student leaders hit corrupt pols, dynasties
Student leaders hit corrupt pols, dynasties“We have had enough of politicians posturing as saviors of a system they themselves have broken. Corruption has become normalized in our daily lives because those in power refuse to serve the people they claim to represent,” said National Union of Students of the Philippines national president Iya Trinidad. MANILA, Philippines — Denouncing corrupt politicians and political dynasties, student leaders yesterday vowed to hold mobilizations as the country commemorates the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution. “We call on our fellow student leaders and youth to further register our calls against corruption and political dynasties in the 40th commemoration of the EDSA people power revolt and beyond,” Trinidad said. We reject corrupt officials and political dynasties.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 22:04 UTC
VP Sara: I’m running for president in 2028
VP Sara: I’m running for president in 2028Vice President Sara Duterte announces her intention to run for president in the 2028 general elections, at a press conference in Mandaluyong yesterday. I am Sara Duterte, running for president of the Philippines,” Duterte said at a press conference. Shortly before her announcement, the official seal of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was removed. She also expressed fear that the day will come when “we will just accept poverty as fate.”The Vice President did not entertain questions after her announcement. Sen. Robinhood Padilla, a vocal Duterte ally, pushed for a “girl power” tandem, with Imee as Duterte’s running mate.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 19:01 UTC
DA orders probe into farm input anomalies
DA orders probe into farm input anomaliesRigged bidding? MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered an investigation into the procurement and distribution of farm inputs and machinery after farmers exposed alleged multibillion-peso irregularities. “We invite these farmers’ groups and other organizations to help us ferret out the corrupt within our midst. “There are multiple claims of beneficiaries receiving substandard seeds, wrong fertilizer grades and bad-performing farm machinery,” Montemayor and Cabatbat said in a joint letter to Tiu Laurel. According to Tiu Laurel, the DA looked into similar complaints from farmers’ groups last year, which led to the imposition of penalties.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 16:44 UTC
Partnering for security and prosperity
Partnering for security and prosperityMabuhay! One area in which Australia and the Philippines are stepping up cooperation is in the maritime domain. Together with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., he signed a Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation. More importantly, our enhanced defense cooperation will also help strengthen the Philippines’ own territorial defense. The way we look at it is that Australia and the region’s future economic prosperity are linked.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 16:39 UTC
Fiery Eala rocks Dubai
Fiery Eala rocks DubaiMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala added another star to her giant-killing spree, conquering world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5), in the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships yesterday at the Aviation Club Tennis Center Stadium. “A star is soaring,” said the WTA as Eala upset Paolini, the Dubai tilt champ in 2024. Eala, a young gun seen as the next big thing in world tennis with a legion of fans wherever she plays, claimed more milestones with her win over Paolini. It’s the third career win for Eala against Top-10 opponents after taking down world No.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 16:37 UTC