Philippines Headlines
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:04:00 +0800VP race in 2028? Padilla says yes if ex-president Duterte asks
Sen. Robin Padilla on Friday, February 20, said that he is ready to run for vice president if former president Rodrigo Duterte asks him to.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:56:00 +0800Senate in talks with China embassy to schedule dialogue, says DFA
The Senate is now directly coordinating with the Chinese Embassy in Manila to set a date for an in-person dialogue aimed at de-escalating their weeks-long feud over the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday, February 20.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:27:00 +0800Marcos not monitoring Duterte's ICC pre-trial hearing
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro Marcos does not need to follow the hearing, set to begin Monday, February 23, because the case is a "personal matter" for Duterte and was filed by Filipino complainants.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:02:00 +0800Remulla: Illegal cigarettes smugglers have ‘backers’ in government
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is preparing charges against an alleged smuggler of illicit cigarettes, but agency secretary Jonvic Remulla says that these illegal operations are likely backed by government officials.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:15:00 +0800ICC prosecutors: Duterte has no valid reason to skip pre-trial hearing
International Criminal Court prosecutors are asking the judges to compel former President Rodrigo Duterte to show up in his own pre-trial hearing next week, saying his health arguments have already been settled and his refusal to watch remotely ...
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800‘Government owes P405 million to private hospitals for MAIFIP services’
A group of private hospitals said the government still owes them over P400 million for medical services they rendered under the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800Pope Leo laments a world ‘in flames’
Pope Leo lamented a world “in flames” due to wars and destruction of the environment during an Ash Wednesday mass, opening the season of Lent.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800All 4 impeach raps vs Sara transmitted to Speaker
The four impeachment complaints filed separately before the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte are now all under the custody of Speaker Faustino Dy III following the transmittal of the records from the secretary-general&rsqu...
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800Palace: Duterte’s ICC turnover lawful
The Philippine government’s decision to turn over former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court was lawful, Malacañang maintained yesterday, after the erstwhile chief executive claimed he was sent to Th...
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800CBCP: Limit political dynasties to 2 relatives
Only two family members should be allowed to hold elective positions, according to a joint statement by church-based groups yesterday.