North Korea's Kim shuns South but could 'get along' with USPhoto by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP. People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with a photo of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un attending the military parade to commemorate the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, at a railway station in Seoul on February 26, 2026.
Over 100 golfers to strut stuff at PGT Q-SchoolMANILA, Philippines — A record 126 aspirants — an explosive mix of seasoned campaigners, former national standouts and a crack international contingent — gear up for a pressure-packed, four-day test of power, precision and poise as the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School fires off March 17 at the Splendido Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas. Perched along rolling terrain overlooking Taal Lake, Splendido is noted for its ever-shifting winds, elevation changes and punishing rough. The top 30 survivors will earn playing rights for the upcoming PGT season — a lucrative 10-leg circuit staged at the country’s premier championship venues. The Q-School remains the gateway for professionals and amateurs seeking entry into the elite ranks. The circuit then makes way for the Junior PGT before resuming from May 19-22 at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.
What happens after Duterte’s confirmation of charges at the ICC? Charges are confirmedThe first is whether the charges against Duterte are confirmed to have enough evidence to proceed to trial before the ICC Chamber. The ICC will then determine a new set of judges to hold Duterte’s trial. The ICC prosecution can still request a new confirmation of charges if they have additional evidence. Regardless of the outcome of Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, it does not mean the ICC proceedings are automatically concluded.
Bato faces ethics complaint over prolonged absenceFile photo shows Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, at the time a police chief, whispering to former president Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang on Jan. 29, 2017. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is facing an ethics hearing that may see his salary suspended, after a civil society group filed a formal complaint before the Senate committee on ethics yesterday over his prolonged absence. One of the complainants, professor Cielo Magno, said the suspension of Dela Rosa's salary and office operations should be considered at the minimum. Dela Rosa's office said they remain operational despite their principal’s absence. Speaking to reporters, Sotto said he would personally review the ethics complaint and discuss the matter with Ejercito.
PNP enhances espionage monitoringMembers of the Manila Police District install barricades along Recto Avenue, Mendiola, and Ayala bridge near Malacañang on February 25, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Following the arrest of a suspected Chinese spy in Batangas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has beefed up operations against espionage. The AFP has reported an increase in the number of foreigners arrested on suspicion of espionage. On Feb. 20, BI agents arrested Zhi Ling Gua at the Batangas port for posing as a Filipino using fake documents. Found liable for material misrepresentation, Zhi reportedly used multiple identities to obtain a passport and other Philippine documents.
EDITORIAL - Where’s the cold chain? Among the measures mentioned were drastic reductions in the number of middlemen from farm to market as well as an expansion in cold chain facilities. This food waste can be avoided and supply and prices of agricultural commodities can be stabilized if cold chain facilities become widely available, as committed by the administration. Expanding the cold chain shouldn’t prove as complicated as delivering on the campaign promise of rice at P20 a kilo in regular rather than heavily subsidized retail pricing. There are other factors behind better agricultural production in neighboring countries, but cold chain facilities are among them.
Pro-Duterte pages use AI to recast drug war victims' kin as richMore than two dozen pro-Duterte Facebook pages spread an AI-doctored photo painting drug war victims' kin as wealthy — with near-identical captions, in just half a day — hours after the ICC prosecution argued Duterte's drug war deliberately targeted the poor. Philstar.com A compilation of some of the posts featuring the doctored image, carrying near- or exactly identical captions. Another user, "Judith Valenzuela Barlaan," shared the same fake image on the "DepED Teachers' Tambayan" Facebook group, for public school teachers. Philstar.com A compilation of some of the comments under the posts featuring the doctored image. Not the first timeThe doctored handbag image is not the first fabricated content to target drug war victims' families during the ICC proceedings.
Duterte and the drug menaceThe historic pre-trial of Rody Duterte at the International Criminal Court provides lessons that this and succeeding administrations must heed. The biggest lesson – though secondary only to the fact that we shouldn’t be killing people – is that the drug menace in the Philippines remains unresolved. And this is what Duterte’s drug war failed to address. Against this backdrop, the government must take the drug problem seriously and kill it from the source. I stand with the victims of the drug war and pray they find justice.
CA: Detention of Globe Ferronickel chair Joseph Sy illegalMANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has ruled that the continued detention of Globe Ferronickel chairman Joseph Sy is unlawful. However, Sy’s representative, Dante Bravo, filed a petition for habeas corpus, arguing that Sy is a Filipino citizen. According to the appellate court, the BI lacks jurisdiction to institute summary deportation proceedings against someone with a valid birth certificate. “As a public document, a registered birth certificate is presumed valid. The appellate court emphasized that its decision to deny the BI's appeal does not "write finis" to the question of Sy’s actual citizenship.
Vehicles drive past an anti-Israeli and anti-US billboard hanging from a building that reads in Persian "The target is clear: Trump's 51st state" on Palestine Square in Tehran on February 25, 2026.
Suitcase claim vs Marcos a lousy script – PalaceMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday dismissed as a “lousy script” the story of 18 men who introduced themselves as former Marines, who claimed they delivered suitcases containing billions of pesos to the houses of President Marcos and his cousin, former speaker Martin Romualdez. You know that it contains a lie,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. Levi Baligod, who organized the press briefing, claimed the total amount of money delivered by the bagmen might have hit P805 billion. “Before December 2023, they (soldiers) were ordered to exchange pesos to dollars – two suitcases each containing P56 million. “I vehemently deny that I received $2 million or any amount from Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation or for any other purpose.
Sotto hits PDEA on anti-drugs ops: ‘Successful ba kayo? MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Tito Sotto on Wednesday, February 25, criticized the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for having yet to succeed in eliminating illegal drugs in the country. Sotto said the PDEA focused too much on the enforcement aspect of the illegal drugs problem, turning the agency into a private army. Even if you burn all the illegal drugs in the country, people who are addicted will merely find other ways to consume. The PDEA cannot just focus on enforcement, Sotto said.
EDSA torch passed on to youthPriests gather at the Santo Niño Basilica in Cebu yesterday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 people power revolution. The torch passes; rise as true patriots,” Villegas said during a mass at the EDSA Shrine last night. Akbayan president Rafaela David urged voters to reject political dynasties, particularly the camps of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. Forty years since the February People Power Revolution, it is time to end their control over our democracy and economy. They accused President Marcos and Vice President Duterte of links to corruption issues, though they cited no specific cases.
Nationals seek sequel to stunnerGilas Pilipinas' Quentin Millora-Brown is expected to shore up the frontline for the national team. MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand return to the arena where the Filipinos previously pulled off one of their biggest reversals at the Kiwis’ expense. That’s certainly the intent as the Nationals host the Tall Blacks at the Pasay City venue 459 days after famously ambushing the visitors, 93-89, back at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Mennenga averaged 17.5 points and eight rebounds in Window 1 while Smith-Milner torched the Nationals with 25 points spiked by five triples in the ACQ rematch on the road. Jordan Ngatai, who fired 23 in the Kiwis’ Asian Cup domination of Gilas, is also back in their fold.
