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BIZ GROUPS, NGOS PUSH FOR STRONG ANTI-POLITICAL DYNASTY LAW By Othel Campos and Maricel Cruz A COALITION of business groups, civil society organizations, and reform advocates urged Congress to pass a strong Anti-Political Dynasty Law, warning the continued concentration of power among political families fuels corruption, inequality, and poverty. In a joint statement, 31 organizations that include the Makati Business Club, Management Association of
VOL. XL • NO. 03 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
New China envoy needed—senators Say Jing ‘very aggressive, sensitive’
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NEW Chinese ambassador – one who is not “very aggressive and very sensitive” – could be just what is needed to ease tensions between Manila and Beijing officials over the West Philippine Sea issue, Senators JV Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo said.
the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, among others, said the absence of an effective anti-dynasty measure more than three decades after the 1987 Constitution took effect has allowed entrenched political families to maintain control over government and local economies. “Public office is a public trust bestowed Next page
Minority won’t sign Blue Ribbon report—Padilla By Ram Superable THE Senate minority of seven senators will not sign the partial report of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control probe, according to Sen. Robin Padilla. Padilla said the minority bloc will follow the decision of their floor leader, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who plans to release a separate “minority report.” “It’s not that I don’t support Sen.
Ping Lacson. Everyone knows I am in the minority, so of course I will support the minority report,” he said. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said that the partial report has been circulated to all senators. “Yesterday (Feb. 11), it was sent to their offices, both majority and minority members,” he said. Asked by the media how many lawmakers had signed the document, Lacson said: ‘No idea.” Next page
Ejercito said Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan has only been in the country since December but has been “very hostile.” “Diplomats representing their country should not be hostile… They’ve been very hostile against officials of our government,” the senator said.
• Groups hit ‘Chinadors’ in Senate rally • Sotto says 9 senators free to take action
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Lai warns China’s neighbors will be next if Taiwan falls DILG’s Remulla raises bounty for Atong Ang’s capture to P20m
UNYIELDING. With their heads covered in bayongs, members of the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement, together with representatives from the Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya and the People’s Alliance of Democracy and Reforms, lead a rally outside the Senate to express support for Senate Resolution No. 37 condemning the statements of the Embassy of China in the Philippines against Philippine officials and institutions. Norman Cruz
TAIPEI—Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te warned that countries in the region would be China’s next targets should Beijing seize the democratic island, as he insisted on the need for Taiwan to dramatically shore up its defenses. Next page
By Vince Lopez DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla on Thursday, Feb.12, raised the reward to P20 million for information leading to the arrest of gaming tycoon-turned fugitive
Charlie “Atong” Ang who is wanted for his alleged link to the missing sabungeros controversy. “We are increasing the bounty on Atong Ang to P20 million for information leading to his arrest. We’re serious here. That’ll come from the confidential funds provided to the PNP and the DILG for these cases.
There’s no Chippy or Piattos here,” Remulla told reporters in a press briefing in Quezon City. Remulla explained that he raised the bounty due to the “influence, enormity, and severity” of the crimes committed by Ang. Next page
RODY WANTS VICTIMS’ LAWYERS OUT NEWS / A2
META, PH AGREE TO COMBAT SCAMS BUSINESS / B4
‘Two Central Luzon solons linked to cigarette smuggling sent feelers’ By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo INTERIOR Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla on Thursday said two Central Luzon lawmakers allegedly linked to
illicit tobacco manufacturing and trade had tried to reach out to him as authorities intensified operations against illegal cigarette activities. As this developed, the Bureau of Next page
REHABILITATED. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurates the newly-rehabilitated Mahayag Dam in Barangay Lower Salug Daku, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur yesterday. Story on A2. PCO
SWS: Only 46% of Pinoys ‘very happy’ with love life By Katrina Manubay LESS than half, or only 46 percent, of Filipino adults said they were “very happy” with their love life, a result unchanged from last year and the lowest level recorded since the Social Weath-
er Stations (SWS) began tracking the measure in 2004. In its latest survey, conducted from November 24 to 30, 2025, SWS found that 40 percent of respondents said they could be happier with their love life, while 14 percent said they had no
love life. As of November 2025, happiness levels varied by civil status and gender, the pollster said. Among women, 57 percent of those who are married said they were very Next page
FURST DATE. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society(PAWS) hold their annual fundraiser, ‘FURST DATE’, with their rescued animals. Manny Palmero