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DFA to China: Barring execs of KIG doesn’t help relations

‘PROBE EPSTEIN’S PH CONNECTION’ NEWS / A2

‘FILE CASES OVER FERRY SINKING’ NEWS/ A3

VOL. XL • NO. 2 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Stay calm, be professional, gov’t tells Beijing’s envoys PH to remain ‘firm but diplomatic’; China hits ‘misinformation’

By Katrina Manubay THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday criticized China’s decision to bar officials of the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan from entering its territory, saying the move does not help foster stronger bilateral relations and people-topeople exchanges. In a statement, the DFA acknowledged that regulating the entry of foreign nationals is a sovereign prerogative of any state. “The DFA notes the recent statement of the Chinese Embassy not to welcome Kalayaan Municipality councilors into China, including Hong Kong and Macau, on the basis of reciprocity,” it said. Next page

By Katrina Manubay, Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, and Ram Superable

HE Philippines on Wednesday called on Chinese diplomats in Manila to observe professionalism and mutual respect in their public statements, as tensions escalated over exchanges related to the West Philippine Sea. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva said that while embassies have the duty to respond to issues, such responses must be delivered “in a calm and professional manner, conscious of the mutual respect that must prevail in all diplomatic interactions.” Manila issued the statement amid heated exchanges between officials of the Chinese Embassy and Filipino lawmakers, including senators who have defended the country’s maritime rights in waters claimed by Beijing. Strongly worded statements and social media posts from the Chinese Embassy continued even after the DFA made diplomatic representations to express serious concern over the escalating public exchanges. The DFA said it values “candid and vigorous debate with its foreign counterparts on important issues consistent with the Philippines’ democratic tradition,” but reminded China that embassies should be constructive in their statements to promote healthy Next page

Palace hits VP Sara for peddling ‘lies’ By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Wednesday slammed Vice President Sara Duterte’s claims that the administration is harassing senators and allies who support her, calling them “story-telling lies” and accusing her camp of spreading misinformation. In an ambush interview in Zamboanga City, Duterte said she had stopped talking to senators because “those who talk to me, help me, or even say hello to me are being targeted by the administration—cases are filed against them, they are threatened and harassed.” Next page

CAPTURING LOVE. Ahead

of Valentine’s Day, tourists have their pictures taken at a love booth in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Norman Cruz

NEW OWNER. Pio Velasco, CEO of the family-owned Igorot Stone Kingdom Inc., stands beside the infamous Rolls-Royce Cullinan of contractor Sarah Discaya, who said in a previous interview she bought the luxury vehicle for its free umbrella. Velasco bought the vehicle for P29 million during yesterday’s auction as a way to “preserve history.” Screengrab from GMANEWS, Norman Cruz

Discaya’s luxury Rolls-Royce auctioned off for P29 million A PRICEY Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which flunked two earlier biddings, was finally sold by the Bureau of Customs on Wednesday for a reduced price of P29 million. The luxury car, confiscated by the government from private contractor Sarah Discaya, became notorious after she admitted in a media interview that she bought it specifically for a free umbrella that came with the sale. Meanwhile, BOC Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Bendijo said the bureau has not scheduled the auction of luxury vehicles owned by companies linked to former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who was also at the epicenter of the corruption scandal. “The period within which they were supposed to submit their initial docu-

ments, they did not submit any. That’s why we will be constrained to issue a WST (Warrant of Seizure and Detention). After the issuance, they will be given another, if I’m not mistaken, 15 days to submit again their documentary requirements. If not, we will now be issuing a forfeiture order,” he said. The BOC, which conducted the public bidding, said the floor price for the Rolls Royce was lowered from the initial P45.3 million. Igorot Stone Kingdom Inc., a family-owned corporation that operates a theme park of the same name in Baguio City, won the bid. Pio Velasco, founder and chief executive of the firm, said they bought it to “preserve history.” Next page

PLEDGE WALL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday adds his signature in a pledge wall, committing that education will be the top priority of his administration for the remainder of his term. The President made the pledge during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Education and local government units to hasten classroom construction in the country.

VP Sara says lawyers to file case vs. Madriaga By Katrina Manubay and Maricel V. Cruz VICE President Sara Duterte said her lawyers are set to take legal action against alleged bagman Ramil

Madriaga, who claims to be her former aide and is reportedly preparing to testify in her impeachment case. In a chance interview during her visit to Zamboanga, Duterte said her legal team is ready but declined to

disclose specific details. “We have action. I cannot tell you now because my lawyers have forbidden me from speaking. I cannot say what my lawyers will do because Next page

Malacañang refutes online rumors on PBBM’s health MALACAÑANG on Wednesday rebuked online rumors claiming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is suffering from colon cancer. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the rumors, which resurfaced after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed Mr. Marcos had a colostomy, were baseless and intended to damage both the government and

DepEd, LGUs partner for classroom construction By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable

the country’s economy. “These are rumors and gossip with no truth that harm the government and the President and even affect the economy,” Castro said in mixed Filipino and English during a Palace briefing. Castro pointed to recent public appearances of Mr. Marcos to refute the claims, citing a video showing the President raising his hands

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday witnessed the signing of a nationwide agreement empowering provincial governments to lead the construction of public school classrooms to address a 145,000-classroom shortage across the country. Speaking at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang, the President said the partnership between the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) was designed to speed up delivery by ceding procurement and construction to provinces while the national government sets standards and provides funding.