The lockdowns also forced an adjustment of the academic calendar. That August-to-May academic calendar meant that the schoolyear ate into the traditional summer break, with the annual vacation instead timed with the peak of the monsoons and typhoon season in June and July. Extreme heat during the summer forced the frequent suspension of classes. Last year, the government decided to forgo a gradual return to the pre-COVID academic calendar and instead opened the current schoolyear in June 2025. Schools are still adjusting to this full return to the pre-COVID academic calendar.

Senate bill seeks end to travel tax collectionsThis undated photo was taken at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has filed a bill moving to abolish the travel tax. If the measure is passed, it will repeal the travel tax provision in the Tourism Act of 2009. Sen. Joel Villanueva had also earlier filed his version of the travel tax abolishment bill. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recently declared the abolishment of the travel tax as a priority legislation, urging lawmakers to pass the bill as soon as they can.

Proud moment for Fil-Am alpine skierBORMIO, Italy – Fil-American Tallulah Proulx proved that even in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics, age doesn’t matter. She clocked 1:17.15 in the morning run at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center at Cortina, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics, then did 1:24.47 in the afternoon. Again, Proulx, the first Filipina to grace the Winter Olympics, is only 17. “We are proud of Tallulah that at her age, she stood her ground against the world’s best. In Alpine skiing, an entry who fails to finish one run, the first or the second, is out of the competition.

“It happened before and that’s what will happen now,” Castro said at a press briefing when asked if the Philippines would cooperate with the Interpol in case the ICC would order the arrest of the co-perpetrators. The Rome Statute, the treaty that formed the ICC, was ratified by the Philippines in 2011. Seven years later, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the statute after the ICC announced a plan to probe his drug crackdown. According to Castro, the Philippines has a law that allows the government to surrender defendants to the ICC. “The only goal of former President Duterte is to cleanse our nation and fight those who are spreading evil, specially drugs.

OFW group dares 'heartless' Marcos to visit jailed Mary Jane VelosoFilipina inmate on Indonesia death row, Mary Jane Veloso (C) reacts as she arrives at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang on Dec. 17, 2024, for her repatriation to Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — A migrant workers' group has called President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "heartless" for failing to free Mary Jane Veloso, and challenged him to visit her in prison, more than a year after she was returned to the Philippines from Indonesia. "Marcos has all the power to free Mary Jane. We challenge Marcos to visit Mary Jane and hear her story," she said. Marcos previously said it would take a long time to determine whether freeing Veloso was "appropriate."

DepEd ordered to consult stakeholders on trimesterMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday backed calls for extensive consultations with stakeholders on the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposal to shift to a trimester system starting next school year. DepEd is considering implementing the trimester system for School Year 2026–2027 as part of what it described as a “holistic approach” to improve learning continuity and reduce teachers’ administrative workload. “This is just a proposal, and they are presenting the possible advantages of having a trimester system, which is being promoted by DepEd. Better benefitsAside from the trimester system, the DepEd is also implementing policy changes aimed at providing higher allowances, reduced paperwork and clearer career progression for public school teachers. Angara is also pushing to increase the Teacher Salary Subsidy from P18,000 to P24,000 for private school teachers.

WATCH: EDSA rehabilitation halfway done, target July 2026MANILA, Philippines — Phase 1 of the EDSA rehabilitation project is now 49.4% complete and is on track for completion by July 2026, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. Dizon said Phase 1 focuses on addressing damaged road sections and improving overall road conditions to enhance safety and traffic flow. He added that preparations for the procurement of Phase 2 are in the final stages. The next phase will cover additional highway sections requiring rehabilitation. The EDSA rehabilitation project forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure program aimed at extending the lifespan of the roadway and reducing long-term inconvenience to motorists.

CBCP: Observe Lenten fasting from digital mediaA woman checks her phone for messages and updates on social media. MANILA, Philippines — Catholics can practice digital media fasting this Lenten season as excessive exposure to streaming and gaming weakens their “interior life,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said yesterday. In a two-page pastoral letter, CBCP president and Lipa, Batangas Archbishop Gilbert Garcera clarified that digital media fasting is not “anti-technology,” but an opportunity to allow Christ to guide people in their use of media. Digital media fasting helps restore balance and reminds us that technology must serve human life – not dominate it,” Garcera said. The 40-day Lenten season begins on Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday.

Rodrigo Duterte's 'co-perpetrators': What does that actually mean? But the designation does not automatically trigger arrest warrants and does not mean they now face charges of their own. What does co-perpetrator actually mean, and how close are they to facing prosecution themselves? Subject ka rin ng charges," Conti said. "Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong alam na any of them are subject of charges or warrant of arrest."

Manhunt ramped up for beauty queen, coop exec killersMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a full-scale manhunt for the gunmen in the killings of a former beauty queen in Isabela and an electric cooperative director in Oriental Mindoro last Friday. Mendeja, on the other hand, was shot after briefly stopping to check the engine of his vehicle in Barangay Delrazon in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. The motorcycle-riding gunman reportedly pulled over and shot the executive several times in the body. Emergency responders rushed Mendeja to the Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital, where he died during treatment. Nartatez ordered yesterday the regional police directors in Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa to deepen their investigation to determine the motives for the killings and identify the suspects.

MOPC hosts night with Justice ReyesMANILA, Philippines — The Manila Overseas Press Club is inviting MOPC members and guests to a Feb. 19 assembly with former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr.Reyes, chairman of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, will discuss geopolitics and the future of the ICI, a body probing anomalous flood control deals. Reyes is also expected to share his views, plans and reform agenda. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Fairmont Ballroom in Makati. For reservations, contact the MOPC secretariat at 0920-204-9229. Slots are available on a first-come, first-paid and first-served basis.

Unmarried couples, partners not exempt from dynasty banMANILA, Philippines — The proposed ban on political dynasties will not spare unmarried couples or domestic partners, as long as they share a common household, Sen. Risa Hontiveros clarified yesterday. Hontiveros said the bill’s definition of a dynasty extends beyond civil or church marriages to close potential loopholes. Hontiveros, who chairs the committee tackling the dynasty bills, said the ban applies even to officials who enter into a relationship while already in office. “The flow of wealth or the influence, it is no longer transferred that far,” Sy said, suggesting that relatives in the fourth degree could be considered separate households. However, Manuel Bernas of the Model SK Network countered that in the Philippines’ “family-centric” culture, the ban must extend to the fourth degree (first cousins) to be effective.

Bribery, public funds misuse top forms of corruption – pollThe survey, conducted by OCTA Research from Dec. 3 to 11, found that 73 percent of respondents identified bribery as the most common type of corruption. MANILA, Philippines — For most Filipinos, bribery and irregularities in the use of public funds are the most common types of corruption in the Philippines, a survey commissioned by the Office of the Ombudsman revealed. The survey, conducted by OCTA Research from Dec. 3 to 11, found that 73 percent of respondents identified bribery as the most common type of corruption. It was followed by irregularities in the use of public funds (66 percent), vote buying (62 percent), delays in the justice system (54 percent), irregularities in public procurement (32 percent), and nepotism (14 percent). Many Filipinos may have directly encountered or observed informal payments in frontline services, making it the most immediate and recognizable form of corruption,” OCTA said in its report.

Marcos: Over 423,000 housing units constructedPresident Marcos tours the Megawide Pre-cast Technology Plant in Taytay, Rizal, where advanced production processes accelerate the construction of affordable, high-quality homes under the government’s expanded 4PH program. With him are Megawide president and CEO Edgar Saavedra, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta, NHA general manager Joeben Tai and SFFC president and CEO Federico Laxa. MANILA, Philippines — The administration has built and financed more than 423,000 housing units since 2022, President Marcos said yesterday, as he vowed to fast-track home construction and improve access to affordable and decent housing. “From July 2022 to January 2026, we were able to build and finance more than 423,000 housing units,” the President said. “Along with the acceleration of the construction of these (housing units), we are also strengthening the mechanisms to make it easier to acquire houses,” he added.

Another fuel price hike set todayMotorists line up at a gas station in Quezon City in this file photo from July 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Another round of fuel price increases is set to greet motorists today, pushing diesel’s total net rise to P7 per liter since the start of the year. The latest price movements extend the upward trend for diesel and gasoline to eight and six consecutive weeks, respectively. Rodela Romero, assistant director at the Department of Energy, attributed the hike mainly to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in Iran. Last week, major oil firms hiked prices of diesel by P1 per liter and gasoline and kerosene by P0.60 per liter.