MANILA, Philippines — Groups have requested that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) investigate Sen. Rodante Marcoleta's campaign spending during the 2025 elections. “Any failure to report such income would constitute a violation of income tax laws,” the groups explained. During the 2025 elections, Marcoleta placed sixth, bagging 15,140,342 votes. On February 19, the Comelec said it is set to issue a resolution on Marcoleta's SOCE discrepancy. The case stems from Marcoleta’s SOCE for the May 2025 elections, in which he reported spending P139.9 million on his campaign but declared zero donations.

MANILA, Philippines — Senators commemorated the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, with Sen. Bam Aquino calling it not the end, but the beginning. Aquino, who hails from the family that is associated with the EDSA revolution, called it proof that a peaceful revolution was possible. (EDSA is not the end but the start of a long journey as a nation. In a separate media interview, Aquino called EDSA an “unfinished revolution,” saying that the fight for democracy still continued, especially amid massive corruption schemes in the government. EDSA reminds us that things that seemed impossible before, like higher income for farmers and fishers and ending corruption, will become possible.

MANILA, Philippines — Protests are set on Wednesday, February 25, for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. As of writing, several groups have been marching from the EDSA shrine to the People Power Monument for the third part of the Trillion Peso March organized by the Trillion Peso March Movement and Caritas Philippines. White Plains Avenue was closed for the rally as of 6 a.m.RELATED: Alternative routes, road closures in Quezon City due to ‘Trillion Peso March 3’This will be the third part of the anti-corruption rally. The first Trillion Peso March took place on Sept. 21, 2025, as a protest against corruption. A separate protest is also expected to be held at the EDSA Shrine, led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

PNB: Consumer-led growth lifts FY25 earningsFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventPNB reported FY2025 net income up 20% to P25.3bn, driven by strong consumer lending growth of 27%, improved NIM at 4.51%, and lower provisions. CatalystSustained consumer loan growth and digital onboarding expansion could support earnings momentum. Disclaimer: The information, analyses, and views contained herein is based on sources which we, AB Capital Securities, believe are reliable, but is not guaranteed by us and is not to be considered all inclusive. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned. AB Capital Securities and its Directors and Officers and/or members of their families may have a position in the securities herein mentioned and may make purchases and/or sales of the securities from time to time in the open-market and otherwise.

RCBC: Consumer segment growth drive FY25 bottom lineFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventRCBC reported 2025 net income of P10.6 billion, up 11% YoY, as net interest income rose 32% and margins expanded. Loan growth reached 7%, with consumer lending up 29% and now 49% of portfolio. Downside risk centers on asset quality normalization as consumer portfolios season, especially if employment recovery or sentiment weakens. Investors should monitor credit costs, consumer delinquency trends, and deposit mix stability as key drivers for further ROE improvement. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned.

‘Duterte drew up death lists, boasted about murders’n this screengrab yesterday, International Criminal Court trial lawyer Edward Jeremy cites to the ICC the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos in a drug war operation in 2017. ‘This brutal murder led to a massive public outcry across the Philippines,’ he told the courtMANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte personally drew up “death lists” and boasted about murders committed during his “war on drugs,” an International Criminal Court (ICI) prosecutor said yesterday. On day two of the hearing on confirmation of charges against Duterte, ICC prosecutor Edward Jeremy laid out searing testimony, including allegations that children had their heads wrapped in packing tape and were strangled to death. “As president, Duterte publicly named persons he alleged were involved in drugs, and many of those would end up as victims in his so-called war on drugs,” Jeremy said. “During his campaign to be president, Mr. Duterte expressly promised many times that he would kill criminals if elected… The murders skyrocketed in the months immediately after Mr. Duterte became president in June 2016.

Call it divine coincidence if you will, but as Filipinos celebrate another anniversary of EDSA – The People Power Revolution, I was actually going to write about “the freedom most taken for granted.”Many people might think that the “freedom” I’m referring to would be freedom of expression, freedom as in democracy or freedom to gather or assemble in protest like EDSA 1. After 40 years, those freedoms seem to have been taken for granted indeed. But since many Filipinos have done so, why not list down another freedom we all take for granted – the freedom of religion and worship. And she did not take for granted the freedom to worship unrestricted. So, next time you don’t feel like it, remember, others make real sacrifices for what you take for granted.

To secure a conviction for crimes against humanity, the ICC prosecution must prove more than Duterte's alleged responsibility for individual killings. Here is what the prosecution presented about some of Duterte's co-perpetrators, based on their own public statements and the roles they played in his administration. The prosecution told the court that Aguirre publicly acknowledged the common plan and his agreement to it as a member of Duterte's administration. The ICC prosecution cited Aguirre's remarks in an interview: "Which do you want? Low-level members of the national network risked losing their jobs or being killed if they did not comply, based on evidence collected by the ICC prosecution.

Trillanes denies $2 million bribe from Co for ICCFormer senator Antonio Trillanes IV talks to media in front of the Department of Justice in this photo from July 2024. He also claimed that ICC investigators interviewed witnesses endorsed by Trillanes. Asked whether ICC investigators conducted activities in the Philippines in 2023, Trillanes declined to give details, saying the matter is highly confidential. “What they (ICC investigators) did was to interview witnesses sent to them by Sonny Trillanes, they did not interview any other witnesses but only people who were only sent by Sonny Trillanes. The funds were given to Sonny Trillanes to take care of these ICC investigators, that’s why all the vehicles used, all the hotel accommodations, were paid for by Zaldy Co and Sonny Trillanes,” Baligod added.

Marcos Jr. : Talks underway for possible successorPresident Marcos fields questions during the general assembly of the National Irrigation Administration and the National Confederation of Irrigators Associations at the NIA main office in Diliman, Quezon City yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The administration is already talking to potential candidates for the presidency in 2028, President Marcos revealed yesterday as speculations intensified on the possible alliances shaping up for the next elections. Although people are already talking about the 2028 presidential race, Marcos said he won’t be endorsing a candidate anytime soon. “Of course, of course (it will affect) because here in our proceedings, the grounds will be discussed, which are issues being imputed, imputed against the Vice President. In a related development, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla brushed off inquiries about a possible presidential bid for 2028.

Humid weather expected as monsoon weakensMANILA, Philippines — The public has been advised to prepare for warm and humid weather in the next few weeks as the northeast monsoon or amihan has weakened, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. State weather forecasters said that easterlies would affect the weather conditions until Friday. Cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms will prevail over Dinagat Islands, Eastern Visayas and Surigao del Norte, and may cause flash floods or landslides. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorms may cause flash floods or landslides, particularly in low-lying areas.

Divers finish searching Trisha Kirsten 3Members of the Philippine Coast Guard lower an inflatable boat from BRP Melchora Aquino as the search for the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 resumes near Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan. ZAMBOANGA CITY M, Philippines —– After 27 days of underwater operation, technical divers of the Philippine Coast Guard have finished searching the interior of the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, the PCG reported yesterday. However, the divers will continue scouring the vessel until tomorrow to ensure that all areas are inspected thoroughly, PCG District Southwestern Mindanao chief Cmdre. During the 27-day underwater operation, the divers recovered 22 bodies trapped inside Trisha Kerstin 3. All diving operations were documented through underwater video recordings to support the ongoing investigation, Marfe said.

Mayon Volcano emits ashPhivolcs said the ash emission occurred at 1:50 p.m. at the summit crater of the volcano. MANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano in Albay yesterday emitted ash, producing plumes that rose 1,000 meters, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Phivolcs said the ash emission occurred at 1:50 p.m. at the summit crater of the volcano. State volcanologists said Mayon remains under Alert Level 3 or high level of unrest. Pilots have been warned against flying close to the volcano as ash emission can be hazardous to aircraft.

Blockbuster rematch onMANILA, Philippines — A date is set for the much-awaited, long-overdue rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. It’s on Sept. 19 and the fight will be a 12-rounder at the 18,600-seat Sphere in Las Vegas. Pacquiao withheld confirming the bout the other day and said he’ll wait for Mayweather to announce it. With the rematch, they will settle the score once and for all. Mayweather likes to be called Money and was once said to have earned over $1.2 billion in his career.

Total lunar eclipse expected on March 3A lunar eclipse is observed from San Pedro City, Laguna, in this photo taken in November 2022. MANILA, Philippines — A total lunar eclipse is expected to be seen in the country’s skies next week, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. PAGASA said the moon will be totally eclipsed for about 59 minutes and 24 seconds on March 3 and will be visible over Eastern Asia, Australia, the Central Pacific and most of the Americas. The maximum eclipse is expected to happen at 7:34 p.m., with the moon entering totality at 7:04 p.m., it added. “Contrary to solar eclipses, observing a lunar eclipse is completely safe and does not require any protective eyewear,” the agency said.