Forty years of hoopsThis writer had a blast, reminiscing and talking about little-discussed topics on “An Eternity of Basketball” Saturday morning. To this day, primetime news cast do not have sports on a daily basis, despite the explosion of hoops content online. So it was that PBA and eventually the PABL were my staples, along with monthly bowling, billiards and darts events. I’ve been lucky that when history turned, I was there at the crossroads. Thirty years ago, this writer organized the countries first nationwide three-on-three basketball tournament.

United Nations, Philippines to launch ‘Laya Calculator’The CHR’s new “Laya Calculator” computes PDL release dates more accurately by standardizing GCTA and other time credits. MANILA, Philippines — A new web-based tool that accurately computes prisoner release dates will soon be launched nationwide, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) announced. That uncertainty began to give way to clarity with the launch of the Laya Calculator,” UNODC said. It then generates precise release dates based on the minimum and maximum penalties imposed, adjusted for earned sentence-reducing credits. The Laya Calculator began as a programmed spreadsheet co-designed with local stakeholders and was later validated by UNODC’s Korea Statistics Center of Excellence.

Gilas to fight with pride vs Kiwis, AussiesMANILA, Philippines — Up against formidable opponents New Zealand and Australia, Gilas Pilipinas is banking on that powerful instinct as it makes its stand. “I think that is really, really important to them. “And there’s always a certain pride about playing at home and so that makes this particular window extremely important to these guys. The Tall Blacks dropped their first two matches in the Qualifiers against the Aussies, making them motivated to get their bid on track. Moreso, there’s the revenge factor considering Gilas dealt the Kiwis an 89-93 stunner the last time they played at the Pasay venue in 2024 at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Gillana vies in Asian fencingMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines sends its delegates to the Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships 2026 of the FIE International Fencing Federation in Jakarta, Indonesia set Feb. 20 to 27. Estelliah Gillana, UST saber fencer from Pasig City and currently ranked No. 1 in Philippine junior division and No. 2 in cadet, is bannering the Philippine cast competing in saber, foil and epee.

NFA earns P936.5 million from rice tenderWorkers weigh sacks of rice at a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Valenzuela City on February 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The state-run National Food Authority (NFA) has announced earnings of P936.5 million from the auction of its aging rice stocks, exceeding its target of P912.4 million. The NFA successfully auctioned nearly 90 percent of its aging rice stocks on Feb. 20 as it sought to free up warehouse space for fresh palay procurement during the dry season harvest. The agency sold 32.5 million kilos of rice at an average price of P28 per kilo, according to NFA administrator Larry Lacson. In December last year, the NFA auctioned 315,000 bags of aging rice, with prices landing within the expected P22.52 to P25.16 per kilo range.

House plenary set to tackle impeach raps vs VPIn this photo, uploaded on Facebook on Feb. 5, 2026, Sara Duterte attends AI Frontiers in Davao City. MANILA, Philippines — The four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte are expected to be referred to the House of Representatives’ committee on justice anytime this week, following their transmittal to the office of Speaker Faustino Dy III. House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said the “serious and disturbing” allegations of unexplained wealth and omissions in Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth compelled him to endorse the fourth impeachment complaint. “This is about constitutional accountability – the SALN is mandatory and must be complete and truthful, and any undeclared asset or unexplained wealth is a grave issue,” the La Union first district congressman emphasized. The 58-page impeachment complaint accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery and other high crimes.

ICC begins confirmation hearing on Duterte case todayA supporter of former president Rodrigo Duterte writes a message on a bus as part of a signature campaign in Manila yesterday. The crimes against humanity proceedings against Duterte enter a critical stage with the opening of the week-long confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC today. The confirmation hearings will open with the reading of the charges today at 10 a.m. in The Hague (5 p.m. in Manila). The ICC Office of the Prosecutor, which is in charge of prosecuting the case, will be led by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang. “We don’t even know what the ICC ruling will be, if they are co-conspirators or principals or accomplices or accessories?

Philippines watching United States tariff hikeMANILA, Philippines — Following the United States’ move to raise the global tariff on imports to 15 percent, the government said it is keeping a close watch on developments and will continue engaging with its counterparts to maintain strong trade relations. “We will continue to engage with the US to ensure that our trade and investment relations remain robust,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a Viber message yesterday. United States President Donald Trump announced on Feb. 21 that he was raising the temporary tariff on US imports from all trade partners to 15 percent from 10 percent. Before that, Trump announced the imposition of a 10 percent levy on US imports hours after the US Supreme Court ruled that the reciprocal tariffs were unconstitutional. The US Supreme Court ruled that Trump exceeded his authority and needed congressional approval for the tariffs imposed last year under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Duterte’s family can’t visit until February 27MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Duterte family will not be allowed to visit the former president during confirmation of charges hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. In a statement, the Duterte family yesterday said that while there are no approved in-person family visits to the detained former president, his Filipino legal team would be present during the court hearings on Feb. 23, 24, 26 and 27 to make sure that he would be properly represented. Telephone calls, however, will still be allowed. The family also extended its appreciation to the Filipino community in The Hague for ensuring a platform is available for every Filipino who wants to speak out. Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity for the deaths of thousands during his administration’s bloody war on drugs.

For Romero, age is just a numberMANILA, Philippines — At 52, most athletes are done with their careers and content at looking back, telling and re-telling past glories. But not for former Deputy Speaker and sports patron Mikee Romero, who is also active as a Philippine Air Force reservist. And the pursuit all began in the prestigious series Gauntlet of Polo in Wellington, Florida last year. “It is unheard of and unbelievable to become a world-class athlete at this late stage of my life,” said Romero. But Romero overcame barriers and became the first Filipino to break into the Top 25 of the World Polo Tour amateur rankings, and remains the highest-ranked Southeast Asian player on the list.

Can House muster votes to impeach Sara Duterte? Rep. Benny Abante Jr. (Manila 6th District), chair of the House Committee on Human Rights and an endorser of the latest complaint, said the numbers are there. Even so, a one-third vote of all members is still required to approve the articles and authorize transmittal to the Senate. “Our vice president, she did not take an oath. Maybe if she answered, it would be okay.”“But now is the time for the vice president to answer all the allegations.

Maroons rally to clip Blue EaglesMANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines came from two sets down and completed the reverse sweep against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball clash Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. UP had to claw one out to grab its second win of the season, while they kept the Blue Eagles winless. It is also the first win of the Fighting Maroons against Ateneo since UAAP Season 80. An Ali attack and a block by Ytang then iced the match. In men’s action, University of Santo Tomas broke through with a four-set win, 25-23, 25-22, 15-25, 25-19 over the La Salle Green Spikers, while the Blue Eagles drubbed UP, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18.

MV Trisha Kerstin 3 death toll rises to 65Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard retrieving a body from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in the waters of Basilan. MANILA, Philippines — The confirmed death toll in the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 rose to 65 after the recovery of another body, the Philippine Coast Guard said Sunday, February 22. Specialized divers continue to scour the wreckage and surrounding waters in search of the remaining passengers. MV Trisha Kerstin 3, a rolling cargo vessel, sank January 26 near Basilan province. The vessel was carrying 314 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of the incident.

LIVE Updates: ICC confirmation of charges hearing for Rodrigo DuterteMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has set the confirmation of charges hearing for former President Rodrigo Duterte from February 23 to 27, moving the pre-trial proceedings forward after months of legal delays. The hearing, which is not a trial, will determine whether there is enough evidence to send Duterte’s case to a full trial over alleged crimes against humanity. Duterte, 80, will not attend the hearing in The Hague after the ICC granted his defense’s request to waive his right to appear, despite judges ruling that he is fit to participate. The case, formally titled “The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” stems from the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity linked to thousands of killings during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Stay updated on the latest developments in Duterte’s ICC pre-trial proceedings in The Hague.

PMA alumni told: True integrity tested in powerMANILA, Philippines — True integrity is measured not on the battlefield but in positions of power when nobody is watching, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson told fellow graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City yesterday. Speaking as guest of honor at the PMA Alumni Homecoming 2026, Lacson urged alumni to uphold the academy’s core trinity of courage, integrity and loyalty, stressing that one pillar stands above the rest in public service. “If the test of courage and loyalty transpires during times of danger, integrity is tested in positions of power and influence, especially when no one is looking,” Lacson said. A member of PMA Class 1971, Lacson said the academy’s values must endure despite the “great divide of time and technology” separating generations of cadets. “The strongest foundation of integrity is best initiated at home, and even better – by the power of genuine example displayed by our parents,” he said.