South African man yields P40.8 million shabuAuthorities conduct an inventory on the PHP40.8 million worth of suspected shabu found inside the luggage of a 30-year-old South African national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Feb. 15, 2026MANILA, Philippines — A 30-year-old man from South Africa was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday for allegedly carrying six kilos of shabu valued at P40.8 million, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported yesterday. The PDEA said the suspect, known only as JD, flew to Manila from Johannesburg with a connecting flight to Hong Kong. Authorities nabbed the suspect and brought him to the airport’s exclusion area after noticing suspicious items in his backpack. Meanwhile, anti-narcotics agents confiscated around 600 grams of shabu worth P4.08 million from a suspected drug dealer in Caloocan City on Sunday. Amil allegedly sold a pack of shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as a buyer.

Tributes pour in for JDVMANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III yesterday joined former speakers of the House of Representatives in paying tribute to the late congressman Jose de Venecia, who had served as presiding officer of the lower chamber for 15 years. Eulogies were also delivered by former speakers and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Feliciano Belmonte Jr., former Senate president Manny Villar and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. “The Philippines has lost an iconic political figure whose influence in our political life will be felt for generations. I mourn the passing of JDV, not only as a former speaker, but as a longtime colleague and partner in public service. Other figures who paid tribute were former congressman Neptali Gonzales II as well as Sen. Loren Legarda and former congresswoman Bernadette Herrera.

Mongao to face court martialArmy Col. Audie Mongao as seen in an undated photo. MANILA, Philippines — Mongao will face a general court martial after being relieved of his duty, Army chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said yesterday. Nafarette said they are preparing for the court martial proceedings following the completion of the Army Training Command’s investigation. Nafarrete said the composition of the general court martial, which will try Mongao, is being finalized. As for speculations that the proceedings are meant to silence Mongao, Nafarrete maintained that Mongao “was detained because of his statements disrespecting the President.”“Mongao is still part of the organization.

7,179 cops deployed for Lunar New YearThe Manila Police District commenced the deployment of thousands of police to different cemeteries in Manila on October 31, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will implement heightened security measures across Metro Manila and key cities nationwide for the Lunar New Year celebration today. PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said a maximum police presence would be enforced, particularly in Binondo and other high-traffic areas. According to the National Capital Region Police Office, 7,179 NCRPO personnel will be deployed in Metro Manila. In Quezon City, 478 police have been deployed in Banawe Chinatown.

Army colonel to face court-martial over post 'withdrawing' support from MarcosMANILA, Philippines — Col. Audie Mongao, the senior Philippine Army officer relieved from his post in January after he said online that he was withdrawing support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is set to face court-martial. "Tapos na po 'yung investigation sa kanya sa [Training Command] and he's already here for General Court Martial. "I, Col. Audie A. Mongao, am withdrawing my personal support to our President and Commander-in-Chief, Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr! He later voluntarily surrendered to the Training Command, where he cooperated with the investigation. TRACOM commander Maj. Gen. Michael Logico said at the time that the command was also extending emotional support to Mongao.

1st day of Fire Horse year: Good wishes, good fortuneToday is the first day of the lunar New Year, popularly referred to as Chinese New Year, although it is as well the Vietnamese New Year Tet and the Korean New Year Seollal. Let me add then my good wishes – gong xi fa chai, xin nian kwai leh, wan shr ru yi! Speaking before thousands, the group’s leader Bhikkhu Pannakara spoke of mindfulness as the key to unlocking peace. Mindfulness. Then, take paper and pen and write down, “Today is going to be my peaceful day” – write it, read it, say it aloud.

Lacson says local court order needed before ICC arrestMANILA, Philippines — A domestic court order should precede the implementation of any arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson reminded authorities. In a statement Monday, January 16, Lacson said his position was not meant to sheild his fellow senators, Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go, from charges at the ICC. While no arrest order has been issued or charges filed against them, Lacson stressed the application of domestic laws ahead of these developments. Legal opinions on Duterte's arrest by government authorities in 2025 have been mixed, with some saying that the warrant should have passed through a local court. Dela Rosa has not appeared in public or attended Senate sessions since November 2025, following reports that an ICC arrest warrant may be issued against him.

Precautionary hold departure orders vs Jinggoy, Bonoan, others issuedComposite image: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as seen in January 2025 and former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan. MANILA, Philippines — A Manila Regional Trial Court has issued a precautionary hold departure order (HDO) against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and several former Public Works officials in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan. With the issuance of the precautionary HDO, however, he may no longer leave the country without court authorization. A hold departure order is issued by a court to prevent a respondent from leaving the Philippines while a case is pending. Martinez said the directive is considered precautionary because the complaints have yet to be formally filed in court and remain under preliminary investigation.

Digital advocates to messaging apps: Cooperate with cybercrime probesMANILA, Philippines — A digital advocacy group urged messaging platforms to cooperate with lawful cybercrime investigations and ensure their services are not used to facilitate illegal activity. In a statement issued Monday, February 16, Digital Pinoys called on platforms to act promptly when investigators look into accounts suspected of cybercrime. "Messaging apps like Signal should immediately preserve available account registration data and connection records of accounts under lawful investigation. These are the standard non-content data points that help investigators trace organized scam operations," said Ronald Gustilo, national campaigner of Digital Pinoys. "Our goal is simple: protect users, respect privacy, and ensure that platforms are not inadvertently enabling organized cybercrime," Gustilo said.

BRP Miguel Malvar joins joint drills in first-ever mission in IndiaPhilippine naval frigate BRP Miguel Malvar arrives in Visakhapatnam, India to participate in first-ever joint drills there, as photographed on Feb. 14, 2026. Sailing as part of Naval Task Group 80.5, BRP Miguel Malvar left the Philippines on February 5 and arrived in Visakhapatnam on February 14. The sea phase will feature tactical maneuvers, communications drills and maritime security operations aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating navies. Closer tiesThe Indian Navy welcomed the arrival of BRP Miguel Malvar in a February 14 social media post. In recent years, the Philippines and India have expanded cooperation in maritime security through port calls, joint patrols, high-level exchanges and defense agreements, reflecting shared interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Young Proulx holds her own in Winter Olympics giant slalomBORMIO, Italy – Tallulah Proulx, at 17 one of the youngest in the field, proudly stayed on her feet at the close of Alpine skiing’s Giant Slalom event in the 25th Winter Olympics Sunday. Proulx had a time of 1:17.15 in the first run at the iconic Tofane Alpine Skiing Center, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics. It was honestly unbelievable,” said Proulx, the first Filipina ever to compete in the Winter Olympics. “It was really cool,” said Proulx, who has one more event, the women’s Slalom, slated Wednesday to close out the Philippine participation that is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman Patrick Gregorio. Francis Ceccarelli was wrapping up his campaign in the men’s Slalom as of presstime following a memorable 54th place in the Giant Slalom last Saturday.

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Pig

Benjamin Horton, dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University, and researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

‘Inclusive growth central to Philippine’s Asean 2026 chairship’MANILA, Philippines — As this year’s host of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines should be inclusive to inspire the region’s citizens and let them know they can “move up in the chain of prosperity,” according to ASEAN Business Advisory Council chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III. “The goal of ASEAN will not work if we cannot reach the last micro entrepreneur, and give help and inspiration to them,” Concepcion said on Feb. 12. Concepcion plans to livestream the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in malls nationwide to bring high-level discussions closer to the masses. At the forum, Concepcion launched nonprofit Go Negosyo’s Trabaho@Negosyo mall-based program, which combines a job fair with free entrepreneurship mentoring.

Thousands turn up for successful Doraemon RunIt's the perfect celebration of active lifestyle combined with the love for all things Doraemon as the runners gamely interacted with beloved friends like Gian, Suneo, Shizuka, Nobita, and the magical Doraemon. MANILA, Philippines — Smiles were all around as 10,000 fans and running aficionados joined in the fun in the first ever Doraemon Run 2026 at SM Mall of Asia Complex on Sunday. And in the end, Vincent Arvin Avestruz and Juevelyn Ratunil had the biggest of the crowd, winning the 10K race. Ratunil also did the same on the women's division, finishing in 52 minutes and 25 seconds to be followed by Aileene Martinez (54:23) and Carol Mallari (56:34). Fun was indeed the theme of the day as all runners received exclusive Doraemon race kits and took home themed goodie bags.