Comelec unit to issue resolution on Marcoleta's 2025 SOCE discrepancyMANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections’ political and finance arm is preparing to decide whether Sen. Rodante Marcoleta violated disclosure rules in his 2025 election spending report, after completing its investigation into the case. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told reporters Thursday, February 19, that the Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) has wrapped up its probe and is set to issue a resolution. The case stems from Marcoleta’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections, where he reported spending P139.9 million on his campaign but declared zero donations. Marcoleta’s case drew attention because his declared campaign spending of P139.9 million exceeded his declared net worth of P51.9 million, while his SOCE reflected no donations. Candidates are required to file a complete and accurate SOCE detailing campaign income and spending.

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan raised concern over the steady decline of catches for small-time fisherfolk after a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed commercial fishing companies to fish in municipal waters. Prior to the SC ruling, there was a 15-kilometer exclusive zone in municipal waters just for small-scale fisherfolk. “Malaki ang increase ng commercial fishing habang bagsak naman ang production ng inland municipal and marine municipal fisheries. (There has been a large increase in commercial fishing while there is a decline in the production of inland municipal and marine municipal fisheries. However, commercial fisheries have increased their catch from 822,427.47 metric tons in 2023 up to 849,498.89 metric tons in 2025.

The ruling upheld the results of the manual count, which contradicted the machine count. But the real story here is that the much-touted automated count is, indeed, fallible. If the automated count can fail in a small town, it can fail elsewhere. This is true only if we compare the machine results with the random manual counts. More important, the overturn of the Rosales results casts unwanted doubt on the reliability of machine counts.

For engagements: Jack Argota admits Marcos' medical certificate is fakeInternet Personality Jack Argota at the National Bureau of Investigation on Feb. 18, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Internet personality Jack Argota, known on Facebook as "Sir Jack Argota," admitted that the medical certificate he posted supposedly for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is fake. When asked what his motive was in posting the fake medical certificate, he said: "Wala, para makasabay lang sa uso. He said that when the supposed medical certificate circulated online, he did not know that it was fake. The supposed medical certificate of Marcos circulated online following his diagnosis with diverticulitis in January 2026 after experiencing abdominal discomfort.

Student leaders hit corrupt pols, dynasties“We have had enough of politicians posturing as saviors of a system they themselves have broken. Corruption has become normalized in our daily lives because those in power refuse to serve the people they claim to represent,” said National Union of Students of the Philippines national president Iya Trinidad. MANILA, Philippines — Denouncing corrupt politicians and political dynasties, student leaders yesterday vowed to hold mobilizations as the country commemorates the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution. “We call on our fellow student leaders and youth to further register our calls against corruption and political dynasties in the 40th commemoration of the EDSA people power revolt and beyond,” Trinidad said. We reject corrupt officials and political dynasties.

VP Sara: I’m running for president in 2028Vice President Sara Duterte announces her intention to run for president in the 2028 general elections, at a press conference in Mandaluyong yesterday. I am Sara Duterte, running for president of the Philippines,” Duterte said at a press conference. Shortly before her announcement, the official seal of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was removed. She also expressed fear that the day will come when “we will just accept poverty as fate.”The Vice President did not entertain questions after her announcement. Sen. Robinhood Padilla, a vocal Duterte ally, pushed for a “girl power” tandem, with Imee as Duterte’s running mate.

Silhouettes of laptop users are seen next to a screen projection of binary code are seen in this picture illustration created on March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

DA orders probe into farm input anomaliesRigged bidding? MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered an investigation into the procurement and distribution of farm inputs and machinery after farmers exposed alleged multibillion-peso irregularities. “We invite these farmers’ groups and other organizations to help us ferret out the corrupt within our midst. “There are multiple claims of beneficiaries receiving substandard seeds, wrong fertilizer grades and bad-performing farm machinery,” Montemayor and Cabatbat said in a joint letter to Tiu Laurel. According to Tiu Laurel, the DA looked into similar complaints from farmers’ groups last year, which led to the imposition of penalties.

Partnering for security and prosperityMabuhay! One area in which Australia and the Philippines are stepping up cooperation is in the maritime domain. Together with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., he signed a Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation. More importantly, our enhanced defense cooperation will also help strengthen the Philippines’ own territorial defense. The way we look at it is that Australia and the region’s future economic prosperity are linked.

Fiery Eala rocks DubaiMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala added another star to her giant-killing spree, conquering world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5), in the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships yesterday at the Aviation Club Tennis Center Stadium. “A star is soaring,” said the WTA as Eala upset Paolini, the Dubai tilt champ in 2024. Eala, a young gun seen as the next big thing in world tennis with a legion of fans wherever she plays, claimed more milestones with her win over Paolini. It’s the third career win for Eala against Top-10 opponents after taking down world No.

Message from AlexTennis sensation Alex Eala sent a video message expressing her gratitude for being named Co-Athlete of the Year during the San Miguel Corp. PSA Annual Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel Manila last Monday. 6 Jasmine Paolini to reach the Round of 16 as if to prove worthy of the PSA honor. In the video message, Eala said the award reflects how far tennis has come in the country and it’s just the beginning. “I truly regret not being able to be there and I’m so honored to be named PSA Athlete of the Year alongside Carlos Yulo,” she said. Eala congratulated Yulo for the recognition and the other awardees in her usual humble way.

Kidnapped businessman rescued; 3 suspects heldAKG director Brig. Gen. Glicerio Cansilao said authorities rescued the victim at a house in Barangay White Plains on Monday. MANILA, Philippines — A businessman from Mandaluyong who was allegedly kidnapped and held for a P50-million ransom was rescued in Quezon City, the police Anti-Kidnapping Group reported yesterday. Gen. Glicerio Cansilao said authorities rescued the victim at a house in Barangay White Plains on Monday. The victim’s family initially informed the Mandaluyong police about his disappearance on Feb. 12.

Business Profiles Inc.: A global milestone at 25 yearsJosef Gueta and Luz Bolo, founders of Business Profiles Inc., engaging with local communities during fieldwork in 2004Some milestones arrive quietly. For Business Profiles Inc., February 2026 brought both. As the Philippine-based firm celebrated its 25th anniversary, it also achieved global recognition: On Feb. 5, the company was named Outstanding Security Team at the 2025 Global Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). The award reflects performance throughout 2025 and positions Business Profiles among the most respected risk and operational teams worldwide. Business Profiles advanced to the global stage after winning Outstanding Security Team at the Southeast Asia OSPAs.

AFP welcomes US plan to deploy missiles in PhilippinesPhilippine and US troops prepare the Typhon missile system for a drill in Northern Luzon in 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE US ARMYMANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday welcomed the United States’ plan to deploy more advanced missiles and unmanned systems in the Philippines this year. Following Monday’s meeting in Manila during the 12th Philippines-US bilateral strategic dialogue, senior Philippine and US foreign affairs and defense officials revealed plans to deploy more military equipment this year. Both sides have committed to using the available foreign military financing from the US to modernize the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday met with US Assistant Secretary of War John Noh during the latter’s courtesy call at Camp Aguinaldo.

‘Philippines will accept only UNCLOS-based COC’File photo shows Navy personnel during a flag ceremony on Panata Island, part of the Kalayaan Island Group, in February 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Only a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will be acceptable to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines’ top diplomat said. Theresa Lazaro outlined the Philippines’ priorities as ASEAN chair in 2026, including pushing for the conclusion of a legally binding COC with China. Lazaro said the Philippines would insist that the COC explicitly references UNCLOS as negotiations move toward completing the document within the year. “Our main objective here is to have a COC that is UNCLOS-based.