President Marcos welcomes 3 new envoysPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received the credentials of three newly appointed ambassadors from Papua New Guinea, Slovakia, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic at Malacañang Palace in Manila on February 28, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos welcomed on Friday the new ambassadors of Slovak Republic, Papua New Guinea and Lao, stressing the strong potential for expanded cooperation with the three nations. Ambassadors Stephen Pokanis of Papua New Guinea, Miloš Koterec of the Slovak Republic and Thiphasone Sengsourinha of Lao presented their credentials to the President during a ceremony at Malacañang. The President said there is a wide range of activities and areas for the Philippines and the Slovak Republic to explore and discuss during the envoy’s tenure in the country. Meanwhile, Marcos expressed hope that the country’s relations with Papua New Guinea would continue to grow and deepen in the future.

ICC judges urged: Keep Duterte in detentionThe International Criminal Court (ICC) has convened the second day for the confirmation of charges hearing for former president Rodrigo Duterte on February 24, 2026. Joel Butuyan, one of the two Filipino lawyers appointed as common legal representative of the victims, also urged the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to keep Duterte in detention. “If Mr. Duterte cannot even hide his contempt for this honorable court while he is already under detention, imagine how Mr. Duterte will use this contempt for the court if he is released,” he said. Duterte has telegraphed his intention to escape from this honorable court’s jurisdiction if he is released from detention. Consequently, your honors, he remains a flight risk if he is released from detention,” he added.

Lessons from Tall BlacksThere were several positive takeaways from Gilas’ 69-66 loss to New Zealand in the second FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window at the MOA Arena last Thursday. The most impactful was the way coach Tim Cone’s squad played defense, holding the Tall Blacks to nine points below their average this window, 35.8 percent from the field and forcing 18 turnovers. The Tall Blacks didn’t just switch off ball-screens, they blitzed. When Gilas beat the Tall Blacks in 2024, he fired 26. Despite Gilas’ poor shooting from the field (33 percent) and line, the Tall Blacks won by only three.

Duterte, his lawyer said, appeared resigned to his fate at the international tribunal. I no longer remember much at all, and I can’t comment on people who I do not know and on statistics that mean nothing to me,’” the defense lawyer told the court. I have now accepted my fate, and I realized that I could die in prison,’” Kaufman added. “If Rodrigo Duterte is to be faulted for anything, it is for his inappropriate choice of language. But he murdered no one,” Kaufman told the judges.

OTS to launch non-lethal defense tool at airportsAn acrylic protective barrier to prevent passengers from retrieving baggage that are still going through security screening at x-ray counters will also be installed, said OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez. MANILA, Philippines — After a police officer shoot a passenger at Iloilo International Airport in January, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) will launch this week a non-lethal self defense tool at all airports in the country. An acrylic protective barrier to prevent passengers from retrieving baggage that are still going through security screening at x-ray counters will also be installed, said OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez. On Friday, Cruz conducted an inspection at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, as part of the OTS review of the standard screening procedures for airports. Security officers detected a knife inside the passenger’s bag and asked him to surrender the weapon.

Maroons rally from two sets down to stun Lady BulldogsMANILA, Philippines -- Fighting Maroons, indeed. UP, thus, dealt the Lady Bulldogs their first loss in four matches this season, while rising to a 3-1 slate. After dropping the first two sets, the Maroons had to fend off a furious rally by NU in the third set. Dongallo top-scored UP with 20 points, while Jelai Gajero and Nina Ytang had 19 and 18, respectively. Olayemi Raheem and Zairus Pacure had 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Fighting Maroons.

Victim's counsel flips Kaufman's script citing Supreme Court on 'state-sponsored killings'Composite image: Gilbert Andres (L), counsel for the victims, and Nicholas Kaufman, lead counsel for Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court's confirmation of charges hearing on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers for victims in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte told International Criminal Court judges that a Supreme Court ruling cited by the defense could support an interpretation of possible "state-sponsored killings." Gilbert Andres, common legal representative for victims, responded that he and fellow counsel Joel Butuyan were familiar with the Supreme Court case cited by Kaufman. Supreme Court ruling citedAndres quoted from Supreme Court Resolution G.R. Andres said that in the same ruling cited by the defense, the Supreme Court questioned the government's assertion that the deaths resulted from legitimate police operations, saying there was little proof.

US and Israel launch "pre-emptive" attack against IranSmoke rises following an explosion in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Taliban soldiers load a rocket launcher in a vehicle, following exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, near Torkham border in Afghanistan, February 27, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

From spokesperson to rear admiral: Tarriela’s new rank amid West Philippine Sea tensionsIn this photo uploaded on Facebook on Jan. 14, 2026, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela speaks at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s SDG Dialogue Series on the West Philippine Sea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promoted Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, to the rank of rear admiral. The promotion, confirmed through a letter dated February 23 and signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, was addressed to Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez. Tarriela’s rise comes amid his key role in the Philippines' public stance on the ongoing maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. was condemned by the Chinese Embassy as an attack on Chinese leaders and a violation of China’s political dignity.

MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte has concluded, with both the prosecution and the defense delivering closing remarks. After a four-day back-and-forth, both the prosecution and the defense delivered their closing remarks, not without heated exchanges. Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman mainly relied on the lack of documented evidence, criticizing the prosecution’s reliance on witness testimonies and Duterte’s allegedly exaggerated statements. He also accused the prosecution of releasing limited information in their case brief, leading to Duterte’s defense not being as strong as it could be. If he were allowed to leave ICC facilities, Duterte has a broad network of supporters who could help him escape.

'I don’t attest to accuracy or truth of statements': Ex-Marines’ affidavit witness clarifiesLawyer Levito Baligod presents several former members of the Philippine Marines who serve as security personnel for resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co on Feb. 24, 2026. The responsibility for the veracity of the document's content lies with those who gave their sworn statements,” he said. De Lima inclusion clarifiedSome of those named in the affidavit, including Rep. Leila De Lima (ML Party-list), denied involvement. Malacañang described the cash delivery allegations as “fishy,” suggesting they may be part of efforts to destabilize the government. The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to determine probable cause to file charges against officials named in the affidavits.

Oil firms extend price hike in MarchInitial indications point to a potential price hike of P1.40 to P1.60 per liter for gasoline and P0.80 to P1 per liter for diesel, according to local industry sources. Initial indications point to a potential price hike of P1.40 to P1.60 per liter for gasoline and P0.80 to P1 per liter for diesel, according to local industry sources. Kerosene prices, meanwhile, could climb by around adjustment potentially higher once oil firms’ operating costs and other premiums are factored in. These contributed to the upward direction of petroleum product prices,” Romero said. Earlier this week, gasoline prices went up by P0.60 per liter, while diesel and kerosene increased by P1.20 per liter.

Boomers next for GilasMANILA, Philippines — From coach Tim Cone to the players, Gilas Pilipinas recognized it as “Mission: Unaccomplished” against New Zealand Thursday night. We want to win games,” coach Tim Cone said after Gilas absorbed its first loss in Group A in front of adoring supporters at the SM MOA Arena after a 2-0 start. The preceding gig against tall and physical NZ should help prepare Cone’s troops for the formidable Boomers. Down by 10 in the fourth, Gilas rallied furiously and went one or two possessions short of completing a steal. I feel bad but we’ve got to move on to the next game,” said Ramos, who took the scoring cudgels with 16.

BBM, the economy, the next presidentWho is the ideal president in 2028? “And that’s – it boils down to – it might sound a little sentimental or emotional, but that’s what you need. That’s how it started.”BBM sounded like the next president should NOT be Vice President Sara Duterte. At the Feb. 24 forum, Rico Hizon asked BBM: “With the characteristics that you’ve mentioned on who should be the next president in 2028, have you already narrowed it down to about two or three?”The President: “You’re going to get me into trouble. The President: “Not soon.