Blue Ribbon probe absentees to be cited in contemptSenator Ping Lacson addresses the Senate's ongoing flood control investigation and other matters concerning the upper chamber during the "Kapihan sa Senado" on January 14, 2026. Lacson said nearly all of those issued show-cause orders for skipping last week’s hearing could be cited in contempt and detained, noting that the reasons given for their absence were not convincing. But there has to be a hearing to formally cite them in contempt,” Lacson, who is also Senate President Pro-Tempore, told reporters. Lacson also said the committee is close to completing a partial committee report on the flood control investigation. Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has not received a letter from Malacañang ordering its termination.

ICC: Duterte fit for pre-trial proceedingsMANILA, Philippines — After months of delay, the confirmation of charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte will finally push through next month after International Criminal Court judges found him fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings. In a 25-page decision released yesterday, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously denied the defense’s request to indefinitely adjourn the proceedings due to Duterte’s supposed cognitive impairment. It relied on reports submitted by the independent panel of medical experts, which was formed to determine Duterte’s fitness to participate in pre-trial proceedings. “Read holistically… the Chamber is satisfied that Mr. Duterte does have the ability to understand the charges against him and is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights,” it added. In their ruling, the pre-trial judges rejected the defense’s arguments that the medical experts’ findings cannot be considered as “dispositive” due to supposed contradictions.

Four Hong Kong defendants convicted of fraud in first illegal short-selling case prosecuted as fraud

Duterte’s ICC confirmation of charges hearing set for Feb. 23This photograph taken on March 14, 2025 shows a flag fluttering outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) is scheduled for February 23, the tribunal announced Monday. In a statement on January 26, Pre-Trial Chamber I judges declared Duterte fit to stand trial, meaning he will participate in pre-trial proceedings, including the confirmation of charges. Their request for interim release was also denied by the Pre-Trial Chamber I, which the Appeals Chamber later upheld. Why the confirmation hearing mattersThe confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to establish substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the crimes charged.

Gold blasts past US$5,100 to record high on safe-haven rushUK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025.

Marcos wants probe into Russian vlogger's prison corruption claimsRussian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy at a plane bound to Russia on Jan. 17, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into possible corruption in a detention facility following Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy’s claim that "money talks" in the Philippines, the Palace said. (For now, the President has ordered a thorough investigation into this, and three courtesy resignations have been accepted—one warden and two deputies. Any video he may release, however, could still serve as evidence in the probe, Castro added. Should the investigation reveal abuses and corruption in the system, Castro said proper cases must be filed.

Slain gunmen who ambushed Shariff Aguak mayor wanted for multiple serious casesThe getaway vehicle of the three men who ambushed the convoy of the mayor of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur is now in the custody of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. COTABATO CITY— All three gunmen who ambushed the mayor of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday, January 25, were killed by pursuing soldiers and police officers. Pursuing volunteer community watchmen, policemen, and soldiers cornered the three suspects in Barangay Meta in nearby Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur. “We have tightened security in Shariff Aguak after the incident,” De Guzman said. Intelligence agents from the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, covering Maguindanao del Sur, are assisting PRO-BAR units in identifying those responsible for the ambush for prosecution.

India fetes EU at Republic Day parade ahead of trade dealBorder Security Force's (BSF) camel-mounted contingent marches during the country's 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026.

Flood control dike collapse in Pampanga under probeMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it will investigate the collapse of a flood control dike in Arayat, Pampanga. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the collapse may have been caused by a design flaw. “It would seem that the design for the flood control in Candating, Arayat is not correct,” Dizon said in Filipino. The design will be overhauled to ensure a structurally sound and permanent flood control system,” the DPWH said. The country has been grappling with corruption allegations involving public works projects, with the DPWH cited in reports of kickbacks involving lawmakers, officials, and contractors.

FPA readies rules for online sale of pesticides, fertilizersFPA said it is committed to developing a “robust” regulatory framework that would facilitate online sale of the key planting inputs once proper safeguards, licensing mechanisms, traceability systems and enforcement controls are in place. Until such systems are established, FPA pointed out that online selling of fertilizers and pesticides would remain unauthorized. The agency attached to the Department of Agriculture issued the clarificatory statement after it revoked its previous circular allowing the online sale of fertilizers and pesticides. However, since 2020, FPA observed the proliferation of unregistered imported fertilizers and pesticides online, which it argued pose risks to farmers, consumers and the environment. Furthermore, Estrada said fertilizers and pesticides sold online pass through multiple unregulated distribution channels that may lead to improper handling of the agricultural inputs.

PNP forms task force to hunt Shariff Aguak ambush mastermindsThe sports utility vehicle of the mayor of Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao del Sur, damaged by a B40 anti-tank rocket fired from a distance by men who ambushed their convoy in the municipality on Sunday morning, January 25, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special task force to investigate the ambush of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan in Maguindanao, as authorities move to identify those behind the attack. We will dismantle the networks that provide these gunmen with high-powered firearms," Nartatez said. We will dismantle the networks that provide these gunmen with high-powered firearms.) Ampatuan survived the ambush on Sunday, January 25, while traveling in Barangay Poblacion, Shariff Aguak.

The pay, however, was just an "embarrassingly small amount." “Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports, it’s an embarrassingly small amount. So in that case, yeah, an embarrassingly small amount." He had the full support and permission of Taipei 101 and the city government. This is not the first time Taipei 101 has been scaled.

While Makabayan files impeach rap vs Marcos, referral still uncertainMANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc formally endorsed and filed its impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 26, following the House Office of the Secretary General's refusal to receive it last week. With the impeachment complaint now successfully filed, it becomes the second lodged against the president in just a week. Unlike the first complaint, the second was submitted by 36 members of progressive groups representing workers, professionals, teachers, students, farmers and the urban poor. The complainants cited betrayal of public trust as the sole ground for impeaching President Marcos, alleging three specific instances. With Congress set to resume session on Monday, the first complaint may be referred to the committee then.

Lula Lahfah, a famous content creator in Indonesia, has died. According to the news outlet, Lahfah reportedly had several health issues. Indonesian pop group Weird Genius, whose members include Lahfah's boyfriend Reza Oktovian, cancelled their Jan. 23 gig following the news. “This situation is beyond our control, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” the band added. Lahfah, who became known for her lifestyle content, garnered 2.8 million followers on Instagram and 1.1 million followers on Tiktok.

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy claimed he had a phone throughout his time in detention in the Philippines, adding that he will "expose the corruption" soon. Vitaly alleged that he was in inhumane conditions during his PH detention, without toilet paper and using only buckets of water for showers. Vitaly added he feels fortunate enough to finally be free, considering his co-detainees were allegedly imprisoned longer for lighter charges. "Zdorovetskiy, who we consider an undesirable alien, continues to post rage-bait content to generate income from Filipinos online," Viado said. He was apprehended for harassing and disrespecting Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City for online content.