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FORMER PRESIDENT DUTERTE FIT FOR PRE-TRIAL, SAYS ICC By Pot Chavez
THE Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced Monday its decision finding former President Rodrigo Duterte fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings. In a 25-page public redacted version of the decision, the chamber decided to resume the proceedings relating to the confirmation of the charges in the case. The ICC explained that after the medical assessment of the independent experts and all of the relevant circumstanc-
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 345 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026
Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte
es of the case, the chamber was satisfied that former President Duterte is able to Next page
SEA TRAGEDY. Survivors wrapped in thermal wear, left photo, are interviewed after their rescue at sea, right photo, yesterday by Coast Guard personnel in Basilan. Philippine Coast Guard
18 dead as ferry sinks off Basilan Search ongoing for 10 still missing; PBBM orders immediate aid
By Rex Espiritu and Maricel Cruz
A
FERRY with more than 340 people onboard sank early Monday in choppy seas off Basilan, killing at least 18 and leaving 10 still missing, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
Ferry survivor describes panic, wait for rescue AS THEIR ferry began listing heavily in the middle of the night off Basilan, passengers instinctively raced to one side in a desperate bid to rebalance the doomed vessel. Survivor Aquino Sajili told Agence
Search-and-rescue efforts were expected to continue through the night, Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab said, adding that an earlier tally of passengers had been reduced to 344 as some on the ship’s manifest never boarded. The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 issued a distress signal around 1:50 am, a bit over four hours after it departed the Port of Zamboanga City, the PCG said. Video released by Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman showed barefoot survivors being wrapped in blankets and placed on gurneys, while victims of the sinking
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PBBM backs PH officials amid verbal tussle with China embassy Palace: Stomach surgery yarn for PBBM fake news AT WORK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the 7th Meeting of the Economy and Development Council at Malacañang Palace, discussing key 2026 priorities to revitalize PDP implementation and advance national digital connectivity. PCO
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, Katrina Manubay and Ram Superable PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. fully supports officials defending the
country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea as China steps up public criticism of Filipino figures who are vocal against Beijing’s illegal activities. The Department of Foreign Affairs likewise raised “serious concern” and Next page
By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Monday dismissed as false online claims that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has undergone or is scheduled to undergo surgery related to diverticulitis, saying
the Chief Executive is in good condition and actively working. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos was in meetings at the time of the briefing, underscoring that his
health has continued to improve following his recent illness. “Sa ngayon po ay masasabi nating maganda po ang kalagayan ng ating Pangulo dahil siya po ay kasalukuyang nasa meeting,” Castro said. Next page
Aurora Gaming is M7 world champ, bags P18.88m House refers impeach cases vs. President to justice committee
WORLD E-SPORTS CHAMPS. Aurora Gaming Philippines gamers lift the mobile
e-sports champion’s trophy after storming past Indonesia’s Alter Ego to claim the M7 World Championship of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday night.
AURORA Gaming Philippines cemented its place at the top of the mobile esports world after storming past Indonesia’s Alter Ego to claim the M7 World Championship of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday night. The Philippine squad wrapped up the title in emphatic fashion, sweeping the Grand Final, 4–0, and leaving little doubt about the outcome. Aurora Gaming took home the biggest share of the tournament’s $1-million prize pool — the $320,000 firstplace prize (roughly P18.88 million) and extended the country’s strong legacy in the M-Series. The win marked the Philippines’ sixth straight crown, since the country’s M-series first win in 2020. It was also the second M-series championNext page
By Maricel Cruz THE House of Representatives on Monday night formally referred two verified impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand R. Marcos
Jr. to the House Committee on Justice, marking the start of the chamber’s constitutionally mandated review process. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Next page
ICI finalizing report as it awaits Palace decision on dissolution By Joel E. Zurbano THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has not received any information from Malacañang about a
schedule to dissolve the fact-finding body on February 1. According to ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka, the commission is Next page