Palace: Be mindful of online postsMANILA, Philippines — Despite an apology from the vlogger who posted a fake medical record of the President, Malacañang maintained that those who violate the law should be held to account. “The law should be implemented,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. “Creating content should not be taken lightly, especially if it can affect not just the subject matter, but the people who may watch your fake news. We are fighting fake news so one should not engage in it and it should not end by just saying sorry,” she added. Vlogger Jack Argota admitted before the National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division yesterday that the supposed certificate he posted allegedly from St. Luke’s Medical Center saying Marcos has “severe sigmoid diverticulitis” was fake.

DICT, Meta to sign deal to delete fake contentMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will forge a partnership with Meta, the parent firm of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, for a more targeted system in detecting and deleting inappropriate content. “Your kids, your money and your reputation are now better protected on Facebook,” the DICT said. Under the DICT’s Department Circular HRA-001, the agency revoked the accreditation process of DICT Trusted Assessment Providers (DTAPs) to replace it with a new one. The DICT will also ask DTAPs to show performance evaluation from clients over the past three years. Once requirements are complete, the DICT will examine the application and render a decision in seven days.

Business leaders urged: Help solve classroom shortageMANILA, Philippines — Warning that delays in infrastructure and limited digital access continue to constrain learning opportunities for millions of Filipino students, Education Secretary Sonny Angara yesterday called on business leaders to take a central role in addressing the country’s 165,000-classroom shortage and modernizing public schools. Speaking at the leadership forum of the Philippine Business for Education in Makati, Angara said the scale and urgency of the education crisis demand deeper collaboration between government and industry. He said the Department of Education (DepEd) is pursuing large-scale public-private partnerships (PPP) to fast-track classroom construction and improve school infrastructure. “We are embedding technology into the core of our system to ensure that Filipino learners are prepared for the future,” Angara said. Angara stressed that private sector participation is vital in bringing technical expertise, innovation and efficient project implementation.

Duterte wants to waive right to attend ICC hearingComposite photo shows the facade of the International Criminal Court and former President Rodrigo Duterte. MANILA, Philippines — Saying he does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, former president Rodrigo Duterte has requested the waiver of his right to attend the upcoming ICC confirmation of charges hearings next week. “I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, wish to waive my right to attend the hearing on the confirmation of charges set for Feb. 23 to 27,” read a signed letter submitted by his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I yesterday. In his letter, the former president maintained that he does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. So it’s not right that if the ICC or any international court issues an arrest, we just hand someone over.

Palace: Marcos has yet to decide on ICI’s fate“It is still being studied until now. The report submitted is a bit thick. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has read the accomplishment report submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) but has yet to decide on the fate of the probe body. The report submitted is a bit thick. The ICI submitted its 125-page report to Marcos’ office on Feb. 6.

Marcos Jr. on VP’s bid: Good luckVice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 to announce her presidential bid in the upcoming 2028 elections. Palace: Apologize for EJKs, DepEd issuesMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos only had two words for Vice President Sara Duterte’s plan to seek the presidency: “Good luck.”“When the President said ‘good luck,’ he was smiling. “Let us remember that the people elected President Marcos, Jr... “Now, people are seeing who is working – a working President compared to the Vice President,” she noted. She cited the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) under her watch.

Risa: United opposition bets named by year-endMANILA, Philippines — The “united opposition” will announce by year-end the common candidates they will field in the 2028 general elections after Vice President Sara Duterte declared her bid for the presidency. She confirmed that this opposition camp had been meeting ahead of Duterte’s early presidential announcement to firm up their ranks. Robredo – who ran but lost to Marcos in the 2022 polls – is part of initial talks to prepare for 2028, Hontiveros said. Sara’s timingPolitical analyst and former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez believes that the timing of Duterte’s declaration is linked to the upcoming impeachment proceedings against her. Gutierrez, a former spokesman of Robredo, described Duterte’s declaration as “surprisingly weak.” – Janvic Mateo

Love Letters’: A Masterclass in RomanceRyan ‘Mr. Maybe it’s because the title appealed to me: “Love Letters.” For as long as I can remember, I’ve been writing love letters. On this Valentine’s evening of letters, Ogie’s songs felt exactly like a kundirana — a portmanteau of kundiman (romantic Filipino love song) and harana (serenade). Pop culture has trained us to think of romance in cinematic shorthand: like the dialogue in the “Before” trilogy, montages from “La La Land” and even the slow burn of K-dramas that endlessly tease in every episode. “Love Letters” offered a similar emotional continuity where there’s no climax, just a never-ending foreplay.

Why Albert Martinez remains single‘Lotto Winner’ makes you ponder: When it comes to apology and forgiveness, who should reach out and who should bend — the parent or the child? I’m glad that my amigo Robert Seña invited me to the premiere of his movie with Albert Martinez, Sienna Stevens and Kylie Padilla, “Lotto Winner.” The latter is now showing in cinemas. Watching Albert on the big screen after a long while made my mind go into flashback mode. For a change, James and his basketball colleagues didn’t shoot, shoot, shoot the ball. Instead, they had shot, shot, shot at his fête.

Thailand talks with post-election Myanmar as "bridge" to ASEANThailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM) in Cebu, Philippines, January 29, 2026. Jacqueline Hernandez/POOL via REUTERS

Ramadan not a holiday, clarifies PalaceMuslim brothers gather for congregational prayer at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on March 1, 2025, ahead of the official start of Ramadan. MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Wednesday, February 18, clarified that the start of Ramadan is not considered a holiday. The Bangsamoro Grand Mufti had announced the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, after the crescent moon was sighted. Despite this, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that it will not be declared a holiday. This has long been the standard for Malacañang,However, several social media pages have falsely announced that February 19 will be a holiday, prompting class suspensions.

VP Sara Duterte’s early presidential bid a ‘distraction’ from allegations — solonsVice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 to announce her presidential bid in the upcoming 2028 elections. MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:24 p.m.) — Why would Vice President Sara Duterte announce her presidential bid so early — just a week before her father’s confirmation of charges hearing and as she faces impeachment proceedings in Congress? According to Co, the vice president's 2028 presidential bid does nothing to tackle the nation's issues. Meanwhile, Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) said Duterte's presidential bid comes as no surprise. (That is why Vice President Sara Duterte should truly be impeached, so she can no longer run for office and the Filipino people will not be deceived again.)

Lady Tamaraws trample Lady Warriors for first winMANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University charged to its first win of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping University of the East, 25-20, 25-14, 25-14, Wednesday evening at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. The Lady Tamaraws thus bounced back from their loss in their first game of the season, while keeping UE winless through two games. But the Lady Warriors were able to chip the deficit away, moving to within six, 11-17. The Lady Tamaraws could not recover, as the nearest they got to was within seven, 13-20. FEU was simply too good to stop, punching in 39 attacks vs the Lady Warriors’ 24.

Court approval needed before restricted persons can travel abroadThis undated photo was taken at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MANILA, Philippines — Individuals covered by the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) must secure permission from the court before they are allowed to leave the country. Karapatan ng bawat Filipino bumiyahe, unless merong court process, or may court order na nagbabawal sayo," Vida said. Every Filipino has the right to travel, unless there is a court process or a court order prohibiting you from doing so.) According to the court order, the complaints involve alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder under Republic Act 7080, and direct bribery and corruption of public officials.

Polish bishop becomes first to face trial for paedophilia cover-upPeople walk outside the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Lodz, Poland December 1, 2020. Picture taken December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel