Ramadan not a holiday, clarifies Palace
Ramadan not a holiday, clarifies PalaceMuslim brothers gather for congregational prayer at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on March 1, 2025, ahead of the official start of Ramadan. MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Wednesday, February 18, clarified that the start of Ramadan is not considered a holiday. The Bangsamoro Grand Mufti had announced the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, after the crescent moon was sighted. Despite this, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that it will not be declared a holiday. This has long been the standard for Malacañang,However, several social media pages have falsely announced that February 19 will be a holiday, prompting class suspensions.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 14:14 UTC
VP Sara Duterte’s early presidential bid a ‘distraction’ from allegations — solons
VP Sara Duterte’s early presidential bid a ‘distraction’ from allegations — solonsVice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 to announce her presidential bid in the upcoming 2028 elections. MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:24 p.m.) — Why would Vice President Sara Duterte announce her presidential bid so early — just a week before her father’s confirmation of charges hearing and as she faces impeachment proceedings in Congress? According to Co, the vice president's 2028 presidential bid does nothing to tackle the nation's issues. Meanwhile, Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) said Duterte's presidential bid comes as no surprise. (That is why Vice President Sara Duterte should truly be impeached, so she can no longer run for office and the Filipino people will not be deceived again.)
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 13:20 UTC
Lady Tamaraws trample Lady Warriors for first win
Lady Tamaraws trample Lady Warriors for first winMANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University charged to its first win of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping University of the East, 25-20, 25-14, 25-14, Wednesday evening at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. The Lady Tamaraws thus bounced back from their loss in their first game of the season, while keeping UE winless through two games. But the Lady Warriors were able to chip the deficit away, moving to within six, 11-17. The Lady Tamaraws could not recover, as the nearest they got to was within seven, 13-20. FEU was simply too good to stop, punching in 39 attacks vs the Lady Warriors’ 24.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 11:36 UTC
Court approval needed before restricted persons can travel abroad
Court approval needed before restricted persons can travel abroadThis undated photo was taken at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MANILA, Philippines — Individuals covered by the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) must secure permission from the court before they are allowed to leave the country. Karapatan ng bawat Filipino bumiyahe, unless merong court process, or may court order na nagbabawal sayo," Vida said. Every Filipino has the right to travel, unless there is a court process or a court order prohibiting you from doing so.) According to the court order, the complaints involve alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder under Republic Act 7080, and direct bribery and corruption of public officials.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 10:31 UTC
Polish bishop becomes first to face trial for paedophilia cover-up
Polish bishop becomes first to face trial for paedophilia cover-upPeople walk outside the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Lodz, Poland December 1, 2020. Picture taken December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Source:The Standard
February 18, 2026 09:38 UTC
'Climate cult' hurts Europe's economy, US energy secretary tells AFP
Climate activists and campaigners demonstrate outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ahead of the reading of an advisory opinion that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world, The Hague, Netherlands, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Marta Fiorin
Source:The Standard
February 18, 2026 05:07 UTC
Iran upbeat after US talks but Vance says 'red lines' not met
Iran upbeat after US talks but Vance says 'red lines' not metIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (3rd L) and Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (2nd R) attend a bilateral meeting between Switzerland and Iran during a second round of US-Iranian talks with Washington pushing Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme, in Geneva on February 17, 2026. (Photo by CYRIL ZINGARO / POOL / AFP)
Source:The Standard
February 18, 2026 04:53 UTC
6 Senate bills pending to scrap travel tax
6 Senate bills pending to scrap travel taxPassengers arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on January 29, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Six separate measures are now pending in the Senate to dismantle the decades-old travel tax, with Sen. Francis Pangilinan filing the latest bid to remove what he describes as an “economic burden” that stifles the mobility of ordinary Filipinos. “By lowering the cost of international travel, we expect to stimulate passenger volume, increase spending on transport, accommodation, food and services and generate positive spillovers across the economy,” Pangilinan stated in the bill’s explanatory note. “Increased travel activity also strengthens people-to-people exchanges and supports the Philippines’ positioning as a competitive and accessible destination,” he added. The travel tax was first imposed in 1977 by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. through Presidential Decree 1183.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 04:18 UTC
Konvoy ready to redefine amateur combat sports in Southeast Asia
Konvoy ready to redefine amateur combat sports in Southeast AsiaBy focusing on ground-level fighters, gym communities, and culturally authentic storytelling, Konvoy offers something the region has never truly had: representation. But across Southeast Asia, in countless local gyms, thousands of passionate amateur fighters train every day with no stage, no spotlight, and no platform to tell their story. Launching from the Philippines and expanding across Southeast Asia, Konvoy is building the largest amateur combat sports ecosystem in Asia, giving fighters from every gym the chance to become protagonists of their own story. Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing combat sports markets in the world. A portion of its success is reinvested directly into local communities through youth education, anti-violence initiatives, job creation, and the preservation of traditional martial arts.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 02:40 UTC
Greece experts to examine Nazi atrocity photos find
A man holds Nazi-related material after crates containing them were discovered again in the Justice Palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in this handout picture released on May 11, 2025. Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Republica Argentina/Handout via REUTERS
Source:The Standard
February 18, 2026 01:43 UTC
LTFRB issues show cause orders to 116 operators with violations
LTFRB issues show cause orders to 116 operators with violationsResidents of Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet shield themselves from the sudden downpour on June 2, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued 116 public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals with show cause orders, citing numerous violations in their facilities. At least 40 of the PUV terminals inspected were in Metro Manila. The LTFRB also found several PUV terminals with insufficient security measures and accommodations for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The agency said that it will continue monitoring and inspecting PUV terminals across the country.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2026 00:38 UTC
India's tougher AI social media rules spark censorship fears
Photo by IDREES MOHAMMED / AFP. This photo illustration shows a person holding a smartphone bearing the logo of X, formerly known as Twitter, in front of the Indian national flag in Bengaluru on January 15, 2026.
Source:The Standard
February 17, 2026 18:32 UTC
China's humanoid robots take centre stage for Lunar New Year showtime
China's humanoid robots take centre stage for Lunar New Year showtimeA Unitree Robotics humanoid robot takes part in the freestyle competition at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
Source:The Standard
February 17, 2026 17:58 UTC
'Not just props that eat': Extras seek recognition at their own 'Oscars'
'Not just props that eat': Extras seek recognition at their own 'Oscars'An Oscar statue stands as Hollywood Boulevard continues to be transformed into the red carpet arrival area for the 97th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 28, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake
Source:The Standard
February 17, 2026 17:43 UTC