ICC allows Duterte to skip confirmation hearingsMANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday allowed former president Rodrigo Duterte to skip his confirmation of charges hearing next week. In a six-page decision, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted Duterte’s request to waive his right to attend – both in person and via video conference – the hearings scheduled on Feb. 23, 24, 26 and 27. ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang earlier opposed the request, saying there is no reasonable cause for Duterte not to appear during his confirmation hearing. If anything happens in the hearing, it will be personal to former president Duterte,” Castro said. Padilla made the statement in a Zoom press briefing yesterday ahead of the news that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted Duterte’s waiver to appear in the confirmation hearings next week.

VP bank accounts may be examined in impeach probeMANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives may examine Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank records as part of the impeachment proceedings, House deputy speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said yesterday, noting that allegations of unexplained wealth and possible omissions in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) cannot be ignored. Ortega described the accusations raised in the fourth impeachment complaint as “serious and disturbing,” noting claims that “certain bank accounts, properties and significant cash movements were allegedly not fully reflected in Duterte’s SALNs.”He said these matters “must be reconciled with SALN disclosures,” particularly where, as alleged, “sworn accounts of large cash transfers” have allegedly been made. Like the three other impeachment complaints against the Vice President, it was transmitted to the Office of Speaker Faustino Dy III. It also proposed commissioning an independent forensic accounting team to reconcile SALNs with bank and property records. He said some lawmakers were already hesitant to impeach Duterte even before she announced her intent to run for president.

Fruitful stint in DubaiMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is now close to cracking the WTA Top 30 and will be richer by almost P6 million after a solid quarterfinals finish in the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “Three weeks of fighting with love and pride has come to an end here in Dubai. Eala’s swashbuckling ride in Dubai ended on a 6-0, 6-2 drubbing by good friend Coco Gauff of the United States in their Last 8 duel. She netted 215 points and jacked up her total to 1432 in the tour with her Dubai Last 8 finish. Eala’s Last 8 finish in Dubai added to her string of remarkable finishes in a strong start in the 2026 season.

About April last year I found a gym within walking distance from my home, and I took the challenge to improve balance and gain some strength. That was what I trained for: strength, mobility and balance. We would exchange stories about her strength journey while I told her of my progress in hopefully gaining more balance (our only target then). In a few months, I was showing some success with my twice a week routine of gym, PT and nutrition coaching. The day came last Feb. 15, anxious from a night of fragmented slumber, I headed to the venue with cheering squad in tow.

The Eala effectWe’ve all been losing sleep over Alex Eala’s continuing rise in international tennis. Giving Filipinos all over the world something to cheer about in tennis after more than three decades, the galvanizing effect is unmistakable. More than being a great showcase of tennis, it was also an avenue for his template for sports and tourism to mix. Moreover, Filipino fans are very accepting, ready to embrace opponents and doubles partners alike, something WTA professionals never experience. Here’s the exclamation: because of the massive support she gets, Eala is now becoming a favorite WTA wild card participant.

ICI still functioning, working – ReyesMANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is still investigating anomalous flood works behind closed doors despite being quiet in recent weeks, according to ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr..Reyes, however, continues to sidestep questions about the fate of the fact-finding body. He said he could not speak in behalf of a one-man commission because it would be “awkward” and “unethical.”“We’re still functioning. Asked if he wanted the ICI to continue, Reyes said, “I cannot answer that.”The ICI chairman was also mum on whether he already met with President Marcos or requested a meeting with him. Reyes did not agree to an open forum at the MOPC event, but he presented the accomplishments of the ICI since Marcos formed it in September 2025. President Marcos review finished this monthMarcos is not done reading through the 1,000-plus pages of documents that the ICI submitted in its 125-day report two weeks ago.

A celebration in styleThe CWC Design Center in Makati City, which houses CWC Interiors under the visionary leadership of president and CEO Fred Yuson, celebrated its first anniversary in an evening of vibrant festivity, inspiring conversations, and forward-looking design. Jason Lee, MillerKnoll managing director for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) Kartik Shethia, Pdp + Architecture founder and managing director architect Cathy Saldaña, Praveen MuppidiFred led a heartfelt toast, celebrating a year of growth, community, and design excellence. With a renewed focus on sustainability and innovation, the said building and venue is poised for an even brighter second year. The opening brimmed with collectors, artists, and cultural aficionados, buzzing with lively dialogue that mirrored the thoughtful, evocative works on display. This dynamic pairing celebrated the thrill of artistic exchange and affirmed Nine Two Eight Art Gallery as a haven for contemporary creativity.

When and how do we improve higher education curriculum? (First of two parts)EDCOM II executive director Karol Mark Yee has been making the rounds of media interviews, castigating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its slow updating of the curriculum of degree programs in higher education institutions (HEIs). When and how do we improve the curriculum of degree programs? The central question in curriculum revision is simple: what competencies, knowledge, values and attitudes should students acquire in a degree program to be employable, pursue higher education or continue lifelong learning? Without a clear vision for curriculum reform, the data needed and a roadmap for reform, curriculum revision will be a mechanical academic exercise of adding and subtracting subjects.

EDITORIAL — Children’s stapleRice is the nation’s staple. The situation is worse for milk, a staple for children and infants whose mothers cannot produce enough breast milk. Last year, the government reported what it described as a record-high domestic milk production of 43.4 million liters. Still, the NDA notes that this is an improvement from the one percent milk production over the past 30 years. Boosting domestic milk production will go a long way in addressing both stunting and the persistent problem of hunger.

8 killed in Davao landslidesDavao City, as seen on Google Maps. DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Eight people were reported killed in separate landslides that occurred in Davao region in the past two days. On the same day, a small-scale miner was reported killed in another landslide that occurred in Pantukan, Davao de Oro. The Davao region disaster risk reduction and management council said that heavy rainfall inundated 14 barangays across the region, displacing 997 families who sought shelter in evacuation centers. School officials in all five provinces in the region as well as in Davao City suspended classes in all levels due to bad weather.

On our flight here, I had a pleasant chat with the airline’s chief purser Lorna, who asked if it’s my first time in Fiji. Then we carried on with our hushed conversation about her country and life in Fiji. The day I went to the Fiji Museum, a lady asked if I have any questions. I’m Lorna and I work here,” she said. For now, I’m grateful in living simply, unpretentiously Fiji.

Court junks ex-PNP exec’s appeal in 2013 rifle scamIn denying the motion, the Sandiganbayan sixth division said the former PNP official, Eduardo Acierto, “lost the remedies” after failing to show up during the promulgation of the case in December 2025. In denying the motion, the Sandiganbayan sixth division said the former PNP official, Eduardo Acierto, “lost the remedies” after failing to show up during the promulgation of the case in December 2025. “Acierto’s failure to appear during the promulgation... was unjustified. The case stemmed from the issuance of licenses for the rifles by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office from 2011 to 2013. The bounty was reportedly raised after he submitted an intelligence report identifying several close associates of former president Rodrigo Duterte as major players in the illegal drug trade.

Tarriela: 2028 poll outcome a concern for ChinaCommodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson on West Philippine Sea issues, presents a newspaper caricature of himself and what appears to be Chinese President Xi Jinping during a forum in Makati City. MANILA, Philippines — The outcome of the 2028 national elections is a concern for China as it could carve out policy direction on the West Philippine Sea, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman on WPS issues, Commodore Jay Tarriela. In a speech, Tarriela noted a “calibrated” strategy from trolls and online commentators that frames WPS issues to be handled diplomatically by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), excluding multi-agency involvement. “Surprisingly, this very line was picked up by our leading presidentiable, Vice President Sara Duterte, who rarely weighs in on WPS matters,” Tarriela recalled. Only Duterte has expressed her intention to run as president in the 2028 national elections.

AFP strengthening cyber defensesConsidering the evolving cyber threat landscape, the military said it is keeping a close watch and remains vigilant against what Cyber Command chief Brig. MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the pubic yesterday that it is continuously strengthening the military’s cyber defense capabilities, amid this year’s increasing threat of cyber attacks stemming from geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Considering the evolving cyber threat landscape, the military said it is keeping a close watch and remains vigilant against what Cyber Command chief Brig. “We continue to observe and address persistent cyber activities, including attempts at network intrusion, website defacement, misinformation operations and other malicious cyber incidents,” she explained. “Our Cyber Command is continuously strengthening defensive capabilities, enhancing threat intelligence sharing with partner agencies and working closely with both domestic and international stakeholders to protect critical information infrastructure,” she stressed.

Fuel prices going up for 9th straight weekLocal industry sources indicated that diesel prices may climb by P0.40 to P0.60 per liter in the final week of February, while gasoline is likely to hold steady or edge up by P0.10 per liter. MANILA, Philippines — Diesel and kerosene prices are headed for a ninth consecutive increase next week as rising geopolitical tensions continue to threaten global oil supplies. Local industry sources indicated that diesel prices may climb by P0.40 to P0.60 per liter in the final week of February, while gasoline is likely to hold steady or edge up by P0.10 per liter. Should gasoline prices end up higher next week, it will mark the seventh straight increase. Earlier this week, oil firms hiked prices of gasoline by P1.20 per liter and diesel and kerosene by P0.60 per liter.