9 hurt in bus accidentMANILA, Philippines — Nine motorists were injured after a passenger bus rammed into several vehicles on Tuesday along Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila. The bus driver reportedly lost control of the brakes, hitting five motorcycles, three multi-purpose vehicles and a van before stopping at the intersection of Pedro Gil street, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said. MDRRMO personnel treated the victims. Witnesses said the bus crashed into a column of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 on the center island before colliding with the vehicles.

February 04, 2026 16:30 UTC

Tetsuya Yamagami, suspected of killing former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe, is escorted by police officers as he is taken to prosecutors, at Nara-nishi police station in Nara, western Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo on Jul 10, 2022. (File photo: Kyodo via Reuters)

February 04, 2026 16:19 UTC

A staff member looks at Tesla's Model 3 sedan displayed next to Model X SUV at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 2, 2023.

February 04, 2026 15:24 UTC

A Philippine house panel votes on the impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as lacking in substance, at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Philippines, February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

February 04, 2026 15:19 UTC

Law enforcement stand guard while people protest outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, after the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 30, 2026.

February 04, 2026 15:14 UTC





Lacson confirms recommending charges vs Escudero, Estrada and VillanuevaMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson on Wednesday, February 4, confirmed that a draft report from the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) recommended charges against three sitting senators: Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva and Chiz Escudero. A draft of the BRC report was initially leaked to the public on Tuesday. For the document to become the actual BRC report, it needs to be signed and approved. “We are recommending them to undergo preliminary investigation, so why would we go against what is already happening?” Lacson told reporters. Other people that the BRC recommended charges against were:Former congressman Zaldy CoFormer congresswoman Mitch CajayonFormer senator Bong RevillaFormer House Speaker Martin Romualdez was recommended for further inquiry, Lacson said.

February 04, 2026 14:44 UTC

House suspends Kiko Barzaga for another 60 daysMANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has imposed another 60-day suspension on Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District) for continued disorderly behavior, adopting the recommendation of the ethics committee. After the ethics committee presented its findings on Wednesday, February 4, the plenary voted 238 in favor of the suspension, 10 against and nine abstained. The decision came after the ethics committee reviewed Barzaga's conduct and social media posts during his suspension, which began on Dec. 1, 2025. "While serving his suspension, however, the committee took note that Rep. Barzaga committed similar acts for which he was sanctioned," Ethics Committee Chair Rep. JC Abalos (4Ps Party-list) told the plenary. "The committee condemns Rep. Barzaga's brazen disrespect for its authority.

February 04, 2026 14:40 UTC

Photo by PEDRO PARDO / AFP Zhang Youxia, first-ranked vice chairman of the CMC, attends the opening ceremony of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 4, 2025.

February 04, 2026 14:39 UTC

Are you sure you want to log out? X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Get Updated: Signup for the News Round now E-mail Address: Password REMEMBER ME FORGOT PASSWORD? SIGN IN or sign in with New user?

February 04, 2026 14:33 UTC

Edvic Yap resigns from House of RepresentativesMANILA, Philippines — Rep. Edvic Yap (ACT-CIS Partylist) has resigned from the House of Representatives. Yap is one of the lawmakers under investigation for his alleged ties to anomalous flood control projects. Ombudsman Boying Remulla named him as one of three lawmakers linked to the unfinished P275.9-million La Union flood control project, whose contractor, Silverwolves Construction Corp., faces malversation and graft complaints. Edvic's brother, Rep. Eric Yap (Benguet, Lone District), reportedly holds an indirect and beneficial stake in Silverwolves Construction Corp., which had over P16 billion worth of transactions from 2022 to 2024, mostly in relation to flood control projects. In December, President Bongbong Marcos said the personal accounts of the Yap brothers were included in the freeze order covering the assets and accounts of Silverwolves Construction Corp. and Sky Yard Aviation Corp.

February 04, 2026 14:16 UTC

Marcos survives first impeachment attempt as justice panel kills complaintsMANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:29 p.m.) — Both impeachment complaints filed against President Bongbong Marcos failed to pass the initial stage after the House Committee on Justice found them insufficient in substance, effectively dismissing the case. In a 42-1-3 vote, the justice committee found the first impeachment complaint against Marcos insufficient in substance. Erice agreed with De Lima, saying the second complaint laid out verifiable facts alleging the president allowed budget manipulation, insertions and diversions to proceed unchecked. What the ruling meansWith both impeachment complaints dismissed, the justice committee will conduct no further proceedings, including hearings, affidavits, or evidence presentation. If the plenary chooses to do so, the justice committee will be "constrained to come up with articles of impeachment in view of that reversal."

February 04, 2026 13:58 UTC

Ford and Geely in talks for manufacturing, technology partnership, sources sayThe blue Ford oval logo is displayed on the new Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, US November 16, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo

February 04, 2026 13:14 UTC

Photo by HANDOUT / VARIOUS SOURCES / AFP This handout photo taken on January 13, 2026 and released from Japan's Government Public Relations Office via Jiji Press shows South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (L) and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi playing drums, in Nara, Nara Prefecture.

February 04, 2026 13:06 UTC

Impeachment against Marcos had no merit — MalacañangPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with overseas Filipino workers based in Singapore during his state visit on September 6, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Wednesday, February 4, welcomed the House of Representatives’ junking of the impeachment charges filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the committee level, saying they held no merit from the start. In a media interview, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that Marcos was pleased that the process was followed properly. The Palace executive denied that Marcos held influence over the House of Representatives, even if his son Sandro Marcos was the Majority Leader. The House Committee on Justice deliberated on the two impeachment complaints filed against Marcos.

February 04, 2026 12:32 UTC

1 raised in eastern Mindanao due to 'Basyang'MANILA, Philippines — Signal No. In a weather bulletin, PAGASA said that Basyang was last monitored 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. 1 over Surigao del Sur and the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte (Claver, Gigaquit, Bacuag), including the Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands. Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental can expect rainfall of up to 100 mm. An initial landfall is expected over eastern Mindanao by Thursday or Friday.

February 04, 2026 12:22 UTC