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Remulla, Jing seek ways to ease tensions By Vince Lopez THE Department of the Interior and Local Government is in talks with the Chinese Embassy to explore measures aimed at easing tensions between Manila and Beijing through enhanced law enforcement coordination and cultural exchanges, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla confirmed Friday.
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China hits senators anew: Who do you think you are? But De Lima flags 'wolf warriors nesting inside Chinese embassy' By Katrina Manubay and Maricel Cruz
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VOL. XL • NO. 4 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2026 •
HE spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Manila scored Filipino senators anew, saying it was not their place to call for the designation of a new ambassador and warning that such "childish" actions could lead cost millions of jobs. Chinese embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng issued the DFA: PH sovereignty statement after senover KIG undisputed ators JV Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo on Thursday said it would be better for the improvement of bilateral ties if Ambassador Jing Quan is replaced. The senators said Jing, who has only been in the country since December, has been acting "very hostile" over the West Philippine Sea issue and has been "adding fuel to fire" instead of easing tensions. "Some senators are still urging the 'recall of the aggressive and sensitive Chinese Ambassador.' Who do they think they are? Do they even have the capability?
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PBBM bares public transport initiatives, ease commuter woes By Katrina Manubay and Darwin Amojelar PRESIDENT Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. announced new initiatives to modernize the country’s public transport, focusing on investments in rail infrastructure, station upgrades, and commuter-friendly measures such as discounted cards and cashless payments. During his keynote address at the inspection of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) at Shaw Boulevard and the groundbreaking ceremony for the MMSP Kalayaan Avenue and Bonifacio Global City, President Marcos Jr. highlighted Next page
WORK, LIFE BALANCE. President
Ferdinand Marcos yesterday presides over the groundbreaking of two subway stations of the Japan-funded Metro Manila Subway Project, top left photo, while on Thursday night he and the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos graced ‘An Evening With The Stars: A Gala Celebrating The Stars Who Continue to Light Our Way’. Right photo shows the President and singer-actress Sharon Cuneta engage in banter during a break in the performance. PCO
Risa: Senate to pass anti-dynasty bill by end-March More drug war By Maricel Cruz and Ram Superable LAWMAKERS in both chambers pushed forward with proposals to ban political dynasties on Friday, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros saying
the Senate intends to pass a measure before the end of March, even as House leaders flagged concerns over enforceability and scope. “It will be passed. Intensyon namin maipasa ito this session so bago matapos ang buwan ng Marso (Our inten-
tion is to pass it in this session, bef o r e t h e month of March ends),” Hontiveros said during a joint committee meeting. Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms, Next page
Baseless, says Palace of alleged PBBM kickbacks By Katrina Manubay MALACANANG on Friday denied allegations linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to kickbacks involving flood control projects, calling claims anchored on purported text messages between the President and former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin as “baseless.” Next page
victims want to testify vs. Rody By Pot Chavez ADDITIONAL applications have been transmitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber to be incorporated in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte. In a four-page document dated Feb. 9, the Registry transmitted to the Chamber 227 additional applications and comprising 500 applicants. “The Registry hereby transmits to the Chamber 227 additional applications, received within the initial deadline for the transmission of Group A applications and comprising 500 applicants, assessed by the VPRS as Group A applications,” the document read. Meanwhile, the prosecution is blocking the appeal of Duterte’s Next page
Oil prices to jump to P1.60 per liter By Alena Mae S. Flores
MAXED OUT VALENTINES. Celebrate an all-out Valentine’s Day celebration in SM City Clark, which offers a maxed-out experience with curated date destinations, dining deals, and special Hearts’ Day activities for mall-goers nationwide.
MOTORISTS will face another round of oil price hikes next week, with increases of as much as P1.60 per liter, amid persistent geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran. The projected adjustments
mark the sixth straight weekly increase for diesel and kerosene and the fifth for gasoline since the start of the year. There has only been one price rollback for gasoline during the period. Diesel prices have jumped by P7 pesos per liter, while kerosene has Next page