Nephew of rocket attack survivor mayor killed in ambush
Nephew of rocket attack survivor mayor killed in ambushLocal officials and the police are cooperating in putting a closure to the ambush incident in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur that left a scion of a big ethnic Maguindanaon clan dead and hurt two others, now both in a hospital. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Gunmen killed in an ambush on Tuesday morning, February 17, the nephew of the mayor of Shariff Aguak, whose vehicle was shot with a B40 anti-tank rocket and assault rifles last month by three ambushers, which went viral on Facebook and in mainstream media. Datu Yasser and Bangen were both wounded in the incident, now confined to a hospital, according to officials of the Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal Police Station. Their assailants managed to escape before responding policemen and soldiers from a nearby roadside detachment could reach the scene. Two of his security escorts sustained superficial wounds caused by the rocket explosion.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 09:34 UTC
DepEd says trimester plan not final after pushback from teachers
DepEd says trimester plan not final after pushback from teachersA parent accompanies a student as classes open for the new school year at an elementary school in Manila on June 16, 2025. "The intent of the proposal is to support broader reforms that simplify planning, improve the use of academic time, and reduce workload pressures on teachers," DepEd said in its statement. What DepEd proposedOn February 13, Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced that DepEd was eyeing a shift from the current four-quarter system to a trimester setup for School Year 2026-2027. DepEd explained that teachers currently lose instructional time to mandatory observances and administrative tasks that crowd the school calendar. The Teachers' Dignity Coalition similarly shared its concern and said DepEd should have consulted teachers before floating the proposal publicly.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 08:36 UTC
Trump to decide 'soon' on sending weapons to Taiwan
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, undefined — US President Donald Trump said Monday he would decide soon on whether to send more weapons to Taiwan, after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned him not to do so. The US must handle arms sales to Taiwan with caution," Xi said, according to China's state broadcaster. The United States approved $11-billion worth of arms to Taiwan in December, Taipei said. While Trump has adopted a softer tone on support for Taiwan in his second term, the issue remains a thorn in US-China relations. On Saturday, Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi warned the United States against "plotting" on Taiwan, saying it could lead to a "confrontation" with China.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 08:22 UTC
PSA Athlete of the Year plum inspires Eala
PSA Athlete of the Year plum inspires EalaMANILA, Philippines — Becoming the country’s Athlete of the Year is just the beginning for world tennis rising star Alex Eala. She’s also the first Filipina WTA champion and first Filipina to qualify in all four Grand Slam main draws on top of inspiring the country’s first hosting of a WTA125 event in history. Last December, Eala became the first Filipina gold medalist in the SEA Games tennis in more than two decades. “I’m so honored to be named the PSA Athlete of the Year alongside Carlos Yulo. And Eala is not yet done, strutting her stuff in the ongoing WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a gigantic second-round clash against world No.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 07:48 UTC
Japan hails 'new chapter' with first Olympic pairs skating gold
Japan hails 'new chapter' with first Olympic pairs skating goldGold medalists Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pose after the victory ceremony of the figure skating pair skating free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 16, 2026. TOKYO, Japan — Japan hailed a "new chapter" in the country's figure skating on Tuesday after Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pulled off a stunning comeback to claim pairs gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Miura and Kihara won Japan's first Olympic pairs gold with the performance of their careers, coming from fifth overnight to land the title with personal best scores. It was the first time Japan had won an Olympic figure skating pairs medal of any color. "I feel it is a remarkable feat that opens a new chapter in the history of Japanese figure skating."
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 07:22 UTC
EDITORIAL - Calendar adjustment
The lockdowns also forced an adjustment of the academic calendar. That August-to-May academic calendar meant that the schoolyear ate into the traditional summer break, with the annual vacation instead timed with the peak of the monsoons and typhoon season in June and July. Extreme heat during the summer forced the frequent suspension of classes. Last year, the government decided to forgo a gradual return to the pre-COVID academic calendar and instead opened the current schoolyear in June 2025. Schools are still adjusting to this full return to the pre-COVID academic calendar.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 05:40 UTC
Senate bill seeks end to travel tax collections
Senate bill seeks end to travel tax collectionsThis undated photo was taken at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has filed a bill moving to abolish the travel tax. If the measure is passed, it will repeal the travel tax provision in the Tourism Act of 2009. Sen. Joel Villanueva had also earlier filed his version of the travel tax abolishment bill. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recently declared the abolishment of the travel tax as a priority legislation, urging lawmakers to pass the bill as soon as they can.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 03:37 UTC
Proud moment for Fil-Am alpine skier
Proud moment for Fil-Am alpine skierBORMIO, Italy – Fil-American Tallulah Proulx proved that even in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics, age doesn’t matter. She clocked 1:17.15 in the morning run at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center at Cortina, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics, then did 1:24.47 in the afternoon. Again, Proulx, the first Filipina to grace the Winter Olympics, is only 17. “We are proud of Tallulah that at her age, she stood her ground against the world’s best. In Alpine skiing, an entry who fails to finish one run, the first or the second, is out of the competition.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 01:01 UTC
Philippines ready to cooperate with Interpol – Palace
“It happened before and that’s what will happen now,” Castro said at a press briefing when asked if the Philippines would cooperate with the Interpol in case the ICC would order the arrest of the co-perpetrators. The Rome Statute, the treaty that formed the ICC, was ratified by the Philippines in 2011. Seven years later, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the statute after the ICC announced a plan to probe his drug crackdown. According to Castro, the Philippines has a law that allows the government to surrender defendants to the ICC. “The only goal of former President Duterte is to cleanse our nation and fight those who are spreading evil, specially drugs.
Source:Philippine Star
February 17, 2026 00:49 UTC
OFW group dares 'heartless' Marcos to visit jailed Mary Jane Veloso
OFW group dares 'heartless' Marcos to visit jailed Mary Jane VelosoFilipina inmate on Indonesia death row, Mary Jane Veloso (C) reacts as she arrives at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang on Dec. 17, 2024, for her repatriation to Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — A migrant workers' group has called President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "heartless" for failing to free Mary Jane Veloso, and challenged him to visit her in prison, more than a year after she was returned to the Philippines from Indonesia. "Marcos has all the power to free Mary Jane. We challenge Marcos to visit Mary Jane and hear her story," she said. Marcos previously said it would take a long time to determine whether freeing Veloso was "appropriate."
Source:Philippine Star
February 16, 2026 23:35 UTC
DepEd ordered to consult stakeholders on trimester
DepEd ordered to consult stakeholders on trimesterMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday backed calls for extensive consultations with stakeholders on the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposal to shift to a trimester system starting next school year. DepEd is considering implementing the trimester system for School Year 2026–2027 as part of what it described as a “holistic approach” to improve learning continuity and reduce teachers’ administrative workload. “This is just a proposal, and they are presenting the possible advantages of having a trimester system, which is being promoted by DepEd. Better benefitsAside from the trimester system, the DepEd is also implementing policy changes aimed at providing higher allowances, reduced paperwork and clearer career progression for public school teachers. Angara is also pushing to increase the Teacher Salary Subsidy from P18,000 to P24,000 for private school teachers.
Source:Philippine Star
February 16, 2026 20:48 UTC
EDSA rehabilitation halfway done, target July 2026
WATCH: EDSA rehabilitation halfway done, target July 2026MANILA, Philippines — Phase 1 of the EDSA rehabilitation project is now 49.4% complete and is on track for completion by July 2026, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. Dizon said Phase 1 focuses on addressing damaged road sections and improving overall road conditions to enhance safety and traffic flow. He added that preparations for the procurement of Phase 2 are in the final stages. The next phase will cover additional highway sections requiring rehabilitation. The EDSA rehabilitation project forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure program aimed at extending the lifespan of the roadway and reducing long-term inconvenience to motorists.
Source:Philippine Star
February 16, 2026 17:50 UTC
CBCP: Observe Lenten fasting from digital media
CBCP: Observe Lenten fasting from digital mediaA woman checks her phone for messages and updates on social media. MANILA, Philippines — Catholics can practice digital media fasting this Lenten season as excessive exposure to streaming and gaming weakens their “interior life,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said yesterday. In a two-page pastoral letter, CBCP president and Lipa, Batangas Archbishop Gilbert Garcera clarified that digital media fasting is not “anti-technology,” but an opportunity to allow Christ to guide people in their use of media. Digital media fasting helps restore balance and reminds us that technology must serve human life – not dominate it,” Garcera said. The 40-day Lenten season begins on Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday.
Source:Philippine Star
February 16, 2026 17:50 UTC
Rodrigo Duterte's 'co-perpetrators': What does that actually mean?
Rodrigo Duterte's 'co-perpetrators': What does that actually mean? But the designation does not automatically trigger arrest warrants and does not mean they now face charges of their own. What does co-perpetrator actually mean, and how close are they to facing prosecution themselves? Subject ka rin ng charges," Conti said. "Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong alam na any of them are subject of charges or warrant of arrest."
Source:Philippine Star
February 16, 2026 16:45 UTC
Manhunt ramped up for beauty queen, coop exec killers
Manhunt ramped up for beauty queen, coop exec killersMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a full-scale manhunt for the gunmen in the killings of a former beauty queen in Isabela and an electric cooperative director in Oriental Mindoro last Friday. Mendeja, on the other hand, was shot after briefly stopping to check the engine of his vehicle in Barangay Delrazon in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. The motorcycle-riding gunman reportedly pulled over and shot the executive several times in the body. Emergency responders rushed Mendeja to the Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital, where he died during treatment. Nartatez ordered yesterday the regional police directors in Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa to deepen their investigation to determine the motives for the killings and identify the suspects.
Source:Philippine Star
February 16, 2026 16:41 UTC