NLEX trades for Racal, WinstonFrom left to right, Javee Mocon, Jonnel Policarpio, Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal. MANILA, Philippines — NLEX, Meralco and Converge entered into a three-way trade to bolster their respective rosters ahead of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The Road Warriors shipped veteran Javee Mocon and promising Jonnel Policarpio to the FiberXers to acquire Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal. NLEX governor Ronald Dulatre, in a statement, thanked Mocon and Policarpio for their “professionalism and commitment” during their time with the squad. “We thank them for their contributions to the Road Warriors and wish them nothing but success in the next chapters of their careers.”

MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted requests from both the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte and prosecutors to add more items of evidence ahead of next week’s confirmation of charges hearing over his controversial war on drugs. In a decision dated February 20, Pre-Trial Chamber I approved the “Defence Second Request for Leave to Add Items to its List of Evidence” and the prosecution’s request to add 14 items to its own list of evidence. The decision comes just days before Duterte’s scheduled February 23 confirmation hearing, where judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to move forward to trial. The hearing spans four days, after which the judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision. "FOR THESE REASONS, THE CHAMBER HEREBY GRANTS the Defence’s Request and the Prosecution’s Request," it added.

Frenchman offers to split lottery winnings with thieves who stole his card to buy winning ticket

Svitolina edges Gauff to set up Pegula final in DubaiUkraine's Elina Svitolina hits a return against US' Coco Gauff during their women’s singles semi-final match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis tournament in Dubai on February 20, 2026. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Elina Svitolina reached her first WTA 1000 final since 2018 with a marathon 6-4, 6-7 (13/15), 6-4 victory over third-seeded American Coco Gauff at the Dubai Championships on Friday (Saturday, Manila time). Earlier on centre court, Pegula maintained her perfect record against Amanda Anisimova and triumphed 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an all-American battle to reach her first final in Dubai. Gauff broke early in the final set, but Svitolina pegged her back. Pegula swung the momentum her way and drew first blood in the final set, opening up a 4-1 gap with an inch-perfect lob.

Lady Falcons rebound, swoop down on Lady WarriorsMANILA, Philippines — Adamson returned to its winning ways after fending off the University of the East Lady Warriors in four sets, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. After dropping the first two sets, UE was able to find their footing in the third set. With the third frame tied at 18, Bea Zamudio and Van Bangayan sparked three straight Lady Warrior points to go up, 21-18. With UE trailing by four, 15-19, Mordi and Fhey Sagaysay teamed up for four points to keep the Lady Warriors at bay, 23-17. Zamudio carried the load for the Lady Warriors with 14 points, while Khy Cepada and Bangayan had 11 apiece.

Trump, once unstoppable, hits snag after snag ahead of major US addressPhoto by MANDEL NGAN / AFP. US President Donald Trump arrives for a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2026.

‘Serbisyo muna bago politika’: Marcos on Naga visit with LeniMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Naga City on Saturday, February 21, to personally inspect flood control projects and assess the situation across the Bicol River Basin, saying the trip was about public service, not politics. Marcos, accompanied by former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, checked the city’s waterways and drainage systems, dismissing questions linking the visit to political maneuvering. I think mayor will agree with me na serbisyo muna bago politika,” he said. Earlier, Naga City officials, led by Robredo, prepared for the visit by carrying out clearing operations as part of the national government’s “Oplan Baha” program. Castro teased other possible activities for Marcos in Naga, saying simply: “Abangan (watch).”Meanwhile, Robredo said she was confident the visit would stay focused on public service, saying the inspection aimed to address critical flood risks in Naga City and nearby Camarines Sur.

Three Grade 7 students die in BARMM road accidentAll three male students together in a tricycle that collided with two trucks in Kapalawan, Cotabato died instantly from injuries sustained in the accident. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Three male Grade 7 students died instantly from injuries when the tricycle carrying them was hit by two trucks, one after another, at a stretch of the Sayre Highway in Barangay Kitulaan in Kapalawan in Cotabato province on Friday, February 20. The fatalities, Ghoyghoy Andres, Koking Silva and Wako Alburo, all from an indigenous non-Moro community, were on their way home to Barangay Poblacion in nearby Carmen, Cotabato, when they figured in the accident that left all three of them dead. All three students died immediately from injuries sustained in the accident. Emergency responders immediately transported the badly injured tricycle driver, Andres, to a hospital for treatment.

A hearing begins at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday that will determine whether Duterte will stand trial over at least 76 of those deaths. However, the hope that Duterte would appear in person disappeared on Friday when ICC judges ruled that the octogenarian could waive his right to attend the hearing. Villanueva called Duterte's request cowardly when reached on Thursday, noting the former president had already been declared fit to stand trial. he said of the looming ICC hearing. But Sheerah Escudero, whose teenage brother's bullet-riddled body was found in 2017, said Monday's hearing marked a step towards "accountability".

Floyd Mayweather to come out of retirementUS boxer Floyd Mayweather (L) fights against Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura during their exhibition boxing match at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on September 25, 2022. LOS ANGELES, United States — Floyd Mayweather is coming out of retirement and will return to professional boxing after his exhibition fight with Mike Tyson this spring, the 48-year-old announced Friday (Saturday, Manila time). "I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing," Mayweather, said in a statement to AFP. A first professional fight is tentatively scheduled for this summer, against an opponent to be announced. "Iron Mike" Tyson, 59, last appeared in the ring in a lopsided loss to YouTuber-turned prizefighter Jake Paul in November 2024 in Texas.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte faces a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court from Monday over crimes against humanity allegedly committed as part of a brutal crackdown on drugs. The "confirmation of charges" hearing, taking place over four days, will determine whether there is enough evidence against Duterte to proceed to a trial. ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018. Duterte denies the charges, his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman told journalists ahead of the hearing. Human Rights Watch said the hearing beginning Monday was "a critical step in ensuring justice for victims of the Philippines' 'war on drugs'".

Another casual quip about the early announcement predicts that it will invite an intense negative campaign to demolish her candidacy. The headstart enabled him to win the presidency handily. Earlier this month, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) indefinitely suspended the Dupax exploration permit issued in favor of Woggle Corporation. The Dupax exploration, it turns out, is indispensable to the viability of the Runruno gold mining investment. Given the indefinite suspension of Woggle’s exploration permit, the whole economics of this enterprise collapses.

Stricter regulation sought amid rice retail price uptickWorkers weigh sacks of rice at a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Valenzuela City on February 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Stricter regulation is needed to curb the rising retail prices of rice, an agricultural group said yesterday. Cainglet also noted a problem in the landed cost of imported and retail prices, stressing how market prices skyrocketed to P55 to P60. National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson admitted that while rice prices went up, they can only do so much in providing affordable rice. Aside from the Department of Agriculture’s P20 per kilo rice program, the NFA also has auctions of aging rice stocks.

Debt likely motive in ‘chop-chop’ casePolice take custody of a Taiwanese man following his arrest in Parañaque yesterday for the killing of a Chinese national. MANILA, Philippines — The alleged mastermind in the “chop-chop” killing of a Chinese stemmed from a fight over debt, the National Capital Region Police Office said. NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the victim and principal suspect, known only as Xiangyang and Davao, respectively, were drinking on the night the crime occurred. “While drinking, Davao tried to collect Xiangyang’s debt until they quarreled and the suspect stabbed the victim,” Asilo told reporters yesterday. The NCRPO said Davao has not been subjected to rigorous questioning as he has no legal counsel yet.

NGAP, JGFP seal partnershipMANILA, Philippines — The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) has partnered with the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) to conduct the qualifiers for this year’s Uswing Mojing Junior World Championships in San Diego, California. The qualifying tournament for the boys’ division is set March 15 to 17 while the girls category is slated March 27 to 29 both at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac City. The junior world meet is scheduled for July 4 to 9. NGAP president Martin Lorenzo, NGAP chairman Al Panlilio and JGFP president Oliver Gan and junior golf godfather Mikey Arroyo finalized the partnership recently. “This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to grassroots and junior golf development, and to providing young Filipino golfers the opportunity to compete and excel on the international stage.”