Fair, implementable anti-dynasty law vowedMANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III yesterday assured the public that the House of Representatives would pass a fair, just and implementable Anti-Political Dynasty bill, as lawmakers brought the Mindanao leg of nationwide consultations to Cagayan de Oro City. “My countrymen, we are serious about passing a fair, just and implementable Anti-Political Dynasty Law in the 20th Congress,” Dy said. The people of Cagayan de Oro meanwhile, expressed strong support for the proposed anti-political dynasty bill. “I am for the passing of the anti-political dynasty bill. Political dynasty is a concentration of power to a single family.

Senate in talks with China embassy to schedule dialogue, says DFADepartment of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson on Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. speaks to the media at a briefing in the department headquarters in Pasay City on Feb. 20, 2026. "It is our belief that the Senate is already making direct representations with the Embassy of Manila to find a mutually convenient date for that dialogue," Villanueva said in a press briefing. He added that the DFA is ready to step in if needed: "If the Senate reaches out to the DFA, definitely we are prepared to extend the necessary assistance." Former senator Francis Tolentino said earlier this week that the DFA should not meddle with the Senate's debates and instead summon Chinese embassy officials. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan — who was among many lawmakers the Chinese embassy publicly criticized — said any talks hinge on the embassy's sincerity.

Padilla says yes if ex-president Duterte asksMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla on Friday, February 20, said that he is ready to run for vice president if former president Rodrigo Duterte asks him to. Vice President Sara Duterte has declared her intention to run for president in 2028, igniting talks of political alliances and possible opponents. Padilla has been floated as a possible running mate for Duterte. Basta sinabi ni Digong, susunod ako,” Padilla said in a virtual press conference. Padilla said he was ready for whatever political mudslinging was coming his way, as he had already gotten used to it.

Photo by NOEL CELIS / POOL / AFP This file photo taken on January 30, 2017 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) listening to Ronald Dela Rosa (R), then-director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP), during a press conference at the Malacanang palace in Manila.

ICC prosecutors: Duterte has no valid reason to skip pre-trial hearingFormer Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen in the courtroom during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charge of crimes against humanity over his deadly crackdown on narcotics, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. "The Prosecution respectfully requests that the Chamber reject Mr Duterte’s request to waive his right to appear at the confirmation hearing. There is no reasonable cause for Mr Duterte not to appear in person in court at the confirmation hearing," the filing read. Duterte's appearance during the hearing would be a "significant milestone" for the victims part of the proceedings, the prosecutors wrote. Duterte has been held at the ICC detention facility in Scheveningen in the Netherlands since his March 2025 arrest.

ICC grants Duterte request to skip own pre-trial hearingMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court has allowed former President Rodrigo Duterte to sit out his own pre-trial hearing next week, granting his request to waive his right to attend the proceedings despite objections from both prosecutors and victims' representatives. Duterte's defense team requested to waive his right to participate in the confirmation of charges hearing on February 16. Both the ICC Office of the Prosecutor and the Common Legal Representatives of Victims earlier opposed the request, arguing there was no reasonable cause for Duterte to skip the hearing. ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said in a statement that Duterte's absence is based solely on his own request to skip the hearing and not on health grounds. Only during the confirmation hearing.

World leaders to declare shared stance on AI at India summitTOPSHOT - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) takes a group photo with AI company leaders at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Remulla: Illegal cigarettes smugglers have ‘backers’ in governmentDepartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, alongside Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is preparing charges against an alleged smuggler of illicit cigarettes, but agency secretary Jonvic Remulla says that these illegal operations are likely backed by government officials. The DILG has raided an illegal warehouse owned by a certain Jimmy Reyes Cua in Tanza, Cavite. This is the fifth warehouse in a series of government raids against tobacco smugglers, with Remulla eyeing 10 major raids in total. Aside from being backed by officials, Remulla said that many of the warehouses and illegal factories that police have raided are owned by Chinese nationals.

‘You don’t remember me, do you?’Many people who are now in their senior years commonly talk about poor memory or memory loss. It feels as if giving it a name explains the problem and if we label it, the behavior and outcome become excusable – except when people don’t recognize or remember us. What I find unusual is how a number of people assume that people, particularly seniors like me, will automatically recognize them, greet them and are shocked when people simply admit: “No, I don’t recognize you” or “No, I don’t remember you” or “Sorry I can’t remember your name and circumstance.”Just like in today’s column title, people ask in an almost accusatory tone if you remember them or why you don’t recognize them. Now I simply say “Sorry, but I don’t remember or recognize you.” People forget factors that affect memory such as timeline, depth or frequency of engagement and aging. What we don’t think much of is the fact that the people we remember or never forget are the people of impact, significance and who made a difference.

De Lima: Duterte's ICC waiver belies defense claim he is mentally unfitFormer Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and former senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima attend a senate probe on the drug war during Duterte's administration on Oct. 28, 2024. In his statement, Duterte also maintained that he had been "kidnapped," echoing a narrative repeatedly advanced by his family and supporters since his arrest in March 2025. De Lima said Duterte's statement was crafted to generate sympathy, calling it propaganda when he stated he might even die in detention. The minority lawmaker, however, also believes that Duterte's statement was not something he prepared himself, saying the former president "does not speak in such a controlled manner." He always boasted about killing and ordering the killing of drug war victims."

Internet speed not a sole indicator of progress — MarcosMANILA, Philippines — Progress is not measured by internet speed alone, but by how many Filipino lives are improved through connectivity, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has said, stressing that digital access must translate into real opportunities for students, workers, families, and communities across the country. He cited key advancements, including the rollout of 5G networks, expanded fiber optic deployment, stronger mobile broadband services, and the rise of digital platforms. Marcos called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, and local communities, stressing that no single sector can address these issues alone. The president also highlighted the completion of Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the National Broadband Fiber Backbone Project. Under the Free Public Internet Access Program, over 9,500 active free Wi-Fi access points have been established in 5,057 public sites nationwide, bringing connectivity closer to communities.

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) is working to complete a clear and accurate baseline report on socio-economic assistance provided under the government’s normalization program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). According to the OSAP, there is an urgent need to establish baseline data to determine the actual achievements and remaining targets for 2026 to 2028. This reflects the President’s strong commitment to supporting local government participation in peacebuilding and recognizing the vital role of the normalization program in BARMM. Meanwhile, the OSAP aims to complete the baseline data, covering both fulfilled and pending assistance, within the first quarter of 2026. This will serve as the basis for setting targets from 2026 to 2028 and for drafting a Joint Roadmap moving forward.

Consunji readies bid for Semirara coal contractZAMBOANGA , Philippines — Tycoon Isidro Consunji, chairman of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), said the company is gearing up for the looming auction of its coal contract and will come prepared with a stronger offer. The Department of Energy (DOE) said it would auction off the contract to operate Semirara mine in Antique instead of heeding SMPC’s bid to extend the coal operating contract for an additional 13 years. The government is set to open the bidding for the coal contract on Feb. 27. Under a pre-determined area (PDA) bid round, the DOE will offer 10 blocks on Semirara Island. A PDA bid round is a competitive process in which the government offers identified resource areas for development and production.

Jonvic: We will find Atong AngMANILA, Philippines — Fugitive gambling tycoon Atong Ang is still in the Philippines, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reiterated on Wednesday. Police will continue looking for Ang despite 80 unsuccessful raids on suspected hideouts of the businessman, Remulla told Bilyonaryo News Channel. “It’s difficult to hide in other countries even if you have a lot of money. He’s not like Zaldy Co, who has a ‘safe haven’ passport.”Ang is wanted for the disappearance and deaths of over 100 sabungeros or cockfight aficionados. Remulla said authorities are still exhausting leads provided by Julie Patidongan, the state witness against Ang.

Ex-Duterte appointee takes over NBIMANILA, Philippines — An erstwhile Cabinet official of former president Rodrigo Duterte is set to assume the leadership of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Lawyer Melvin Matibag, who served as Duterte’s Cabinet secretary, will be named NBI director, Presidential CommunicationsUndersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. “That’s just the information given to me, that there would be a new NBI director in the person of Atty. Melvin Matibag,” Castro said when asked why President Marcos appointed Matibag to the post. Melvin Matibag as someone he can trust, someone who can work for the government.