Photo by STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP Takeyuki Inagaki, the head of the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant speaks during a press conference in Kariwa Village, Niigata Prefecture on February 6, 2026.

MANILA, Philippines — Catholic educators and Church leaders have urged schools to suspend classes on February 25 and use the day for reflection and civic formation, as they warned that the current erosion of democratic norms threatens the freedoms won by the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. In a joint statement shared Friday, February 6, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (CBCP-ECCE) called on Catholic schools to declare February 25 an academic holiday to commemorate EDSA's 40th anniversary. Catholic schools are among several institutions that have continued to carry out strong EDSA commemorations, particularly as the government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. scaled back the official status of the anniversary. In 2025, several Catholic institutions suspended classes or held alternative learning activities to mark the EDSA anniversary, even as February 25 was classified by the Marcos administration as a special working day rather than a non-working holiday. February 25 this year falls on a Wednesday and remains a special working day.

From AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventRL Commercial REIT, Inc. reported 2025 revenues rising 35% to P11.1bn, driven by sponsor asset infusions including nine malls, while occupancy held at 96%. Related Stories RCR reports robust 35%revenue growth in 2025ViewWe think growth remains acquisition-led rather than organic, but execution appears disciplined. In our view, diversification into malls strengthens earnings visibility, though it gradually increases sensitivity to discretionary consumption cycles. ActionWe maintain a constructive stance on RCR given its visible pipeline and improving liquidity following PSEi inclusion. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned.

Isla ng Pag-asenso: How GCash helps Guimaras MSMEs go digital to earn moreMANILA, Philippines — Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone and drivers of the economy, comprising 99.6% of all business establishments in the country and generating 67% of total employment—according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. And now, they are future-proofing their operations with GCash, making transactions easier, faster and cost-efficient. Through persistence and smart use of technology, McNester has now grown into a recognized brand, bringing Guimaras products to the rest of the country and the world. “We consider ourselves early adopters of digital payment methods through GCash, which wasn’t widely used until the pandemic hit. By using tools like GCash, Guimaras entrepreneurs are keeping up with market demands and future-proofing their operations, as well as contributing to the province’s economic growth.

1 still hoisted as 'Basyang' weakensSignal No. 1 has been hoisted over several areas due to Tropical Depression Basing on Friday, February 6 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Cyclone Basyang has weakened into a tropical depression as it made its way across Visayas and Mindanao, with state meteorologists retaining a Signal No. A heavy rainfall warning is in effect over Palawan, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Antique, Iloilo, and Guimaras. Meanwhile, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Aklan, Capiz ,Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Norte may experience rains ranging from 50 mm to 100 mm.

Related Stories ACEN buys out partner in India ventureViewThe company previously owned 80% of the platform, so the transaction lifts attributable exposure by 126 MW of operating capacity today. This is a meaningful incremental addition, while full ownership also sharpens execution, capital allocation, and long-term value capture in India. ActionWe see the transaction as supportive of ACEN’s medium-to long-term growth trajectory, reinforcing India as a core market. Disclaimer: The information, analyses, and views contained herein is based on sources which we, AB Capital Securities, believe are reliable, but is not guaranteed by us and is not to be considered all inclusive. AB Capital Securities and its Directors and Officers and/or members of their families may have a position in the securities herein mentioned and may make purchases and/or sales of the securities from time to time in the open-market and otherwise.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Chief Design Officer at the National Design Studio, Joe Gebbia, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, during an event to unveil the TrumpRx drug discount site, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Al Drago

Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla’s bid to transfer to PNP custodyFormer senator Bong Revilla arrives at the Sandiganbayuan on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has denied former senator Bong Revilla's motion to be transferred to the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The anti-graft court denied a motion by co-accused Juanito Mendoza to merge this malversation case with a separate graft case currently pending before the Fourth Division. In contrast, the malversation case has yet to reach the arraignment phase, as the court must still resolve Mendoza’s petition for bail. On January 20, the Sandiganbayan Third Special Division ordered Revilla detained at the male dormitory of the Quezon City Jail in Payatas.

.When I spent six months with my daughter in Colorado during the pandemic lockdown, I always included avocados for breakfast. The first shipment of Hass avocados left Mindanao: 2,240 boxes, $40,000. While historically avocados received less attention than mangoes or bananas, the government has recently ramped up support to position the Philippines as a global exporter, specifically for the Hass avocado variety. Mindanao is the current powerhouse for export-grade Hass avocados, largely because its high-elevation regions provide the cool tropical climate necessary for this specific variety to thrive. Our climate is generally not kind to avocados, Salceda observed.

MANILA, Philippines — Both impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte have been transmitted to the Office of the Speaker, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil said on Friday. In a statement on February 6, Garafil confirmed that the complaints were sent to Speaker Bojie Dy's office on Thursday afternoon, February 5. This came exactly a year after Duterte was impeached by the 19th Congress, a move later struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. During this period, Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) said House members who previously filed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte in 2025 may refile if they choose to fast-track the process by obtaining the support of one-third of all House members. With President Bongbong Marcos' impeachment case dismissed by the justice committee, the House will most likely focus solely on the vice president’s impeachment cases in the months to come.

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14 areas under Signal No. 2 as ‘Basyang’ maintains strengthMANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm “Basyang” (international name: Penha) maintains its strength while moving steadily toward the eastern coast of Mindanao, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. PAGASA said that areas under Signal No. Basyang is expected to make its initial landfall over Surigao del Sur Thursday night or early Friday morning. By Saturday evening, the system is forecast to traverse northern Palawan before weakening into a tropical depression and eventually a low-pressure area by Monday.

And then I think of its guiding light, founding chairman Betty Go-Belmonte (“BGB”), whose 32nd death anniversary we marked last Jan. 28, six months short of The STAR’s 40th founding anniversary this July. The Philippine STAR building in Sucat, Parañaque. “No doubt Mom would have been impressed with our building,” says her son Miguel, president and CEO of The STAR. It changes shape, but it never leaves—and that’s love’s fingerprint.” Miguel Belmonte, president and CEO of The Philippine STAR, reflects on the enduring legacy of his mother, Betty Go-Belmonte. Monthly magazine, Betty wrote: “While others call you people, we here at STAR!

Futures-options traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange's NYSE American (AMEX) in New York City, U.S., January 6, 2026.

Eala, Tjen enter semis in Abu Dhabi Open doublesMANILA, Philippines -- Rising Southeast Asian tennisters, indeed. The duo of Filipino Alex Eala and Indonesian Janice Tjen barged into the semifinal round of the Mabudala Abu Dhabi Open doubles’ tournament after sweeping the second-seeded pair of Zhang Shuai and Christina Bucsa, 6-3, 6-3, early Friday morning (Manila time). Eala, who exited the singles’ action a few hours before, will go deeper in the doubles’ action. But Eala and Tjen closed out the frame with wins in the eighth and ninth games, 6-3. Mihalikova is currently ranked 24th in the world in doubles while Nicholls is World No.