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No China sanctions on PH solons At least not an option now, embassy says, as it prefers ‘dialogue, debate’ By Katrina Manubay and Ram Superable
T
HE Chinese embassy in Manila yesterday raised the possibility of sanctions on Philippine lawmakers even as it said it would not do so for now.
Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng stressed that dialogue and debate should guide diplomatic relations between the countries. Responding to Chinese suggestions on social media to bar Filipino solons who have been critical of Bei-
jing’s envoys and have asked for their replacement, Ji said sanctions are “not our option. At least not now.” “This is a debate. They have the freedom to express their views, and we have the freedom to respond. No Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 6 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026 •
Sotto eyes Senate caucus over Go, Bato’s ICC cases By Ram Superable and Rio Araja
WELCOME THE FIRE HORSE. The fire horse takes the spotlight at midnight tonight with the start of Chinese New Year. All roads lead to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila where fiery celebrations will welcome the beginning of another year. Norman Cruz and Richmond Chi
SENATE President Vicente Sotto III may call a caucus to discuss possible Senate action over the cases faced by Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence Go before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said over the weekend. In a radio interview, Lacson said it was “highly possible” that Sotto would consult lawmakers on the matter, adding that Dela Rosa and Go should be allowed to exhaust all available legal remedies. “Our local courts and processes must be respected. If there is an arrest warrant from the ICC or a foreign court, it should go through our local court, which will issue a corresponding order to implement the foreign entity’s arrest warrant,” Lacson said. Both senators were recently identified as alleged co-perpetrators in the Next page
Dual citizenship still allowed for Fil-Ams, assures embassy By Katrina Manubay THE Philippine Embassy in Washington has given assurance that the longstanding dual citizenship policy remains allowed in the United States. Meanwhile, former Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr.,
downplayed the concerns regarding a new U.S. Senate bill that aims to outlaw dual citizenship, stating that it has “very slim” chances of ratification. In a statement, the embassy announced it administered the oath of allegiance to the 15 Filipinos under Next page
Manhunt on for killers of beauty queen, electric coop exec—PNP By Vince Lopez PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. on Sunday ordered an all-out manhunt against the gunmen inthe fatal shooting of a former beauty queen in Isabela and
a director of an electric cooperative in Oriental Mindoro. “Strong words of condemnation against these cowardly attacks are not enough, we will focus on identifying and arresting all those involved in Next page
FIRMING UP PH-AUS ALLIANCE. A Royal Australian Navy warship arrives to a warm welcome at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales for a four-day port visit and joint interoperability drills with the Philippine Navy. The guided-missile frigate HMAS Toowoomba is in the Philippines as part of efforts to strengthen defense cooperation and enhance coordination between the two countries. Australia in the Philippines
Safety of sailors 5-day wellness break for public from Ukraine, school teachers takes effect Russia war on By Rolando Ng III the table—Tulfo By Ram Superable
OIL SPILL CLAIMANTS. Hundreds of residents affected by the 2023 oil spill near Pola, Mindoro have turned up to register during the Oil Spill Claimants Caravan organized by the provincial government as the deadline for filing compensation claims with the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) draws near. Story on A3. IBP Oriental Mindoro
MORE than two dozen Filipino seafarers working on Russian ships face potential danger amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Erwin Tulfo said on Sunday.Tulfo is set to meet this week with officials of the Department Next page
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has approved the granting of wellness leave for eligible teachers and employees. DepEd Order (DO) 002, s. 2026, known as the Wellness Leave Policy, aims to support employees’ wellbeing and mental health and ensure a healthy, supportive, and enabling work environment. The order follows the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) approval of up to five days of wellness leave in line
with the Mental Health Act. ‘‘By giving employees the space to rest, recover, and care for themselves, we reinforce a public service environment that is compassionate, resilient, and more responsive to the needs of the Filipino people,’’ said CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap. DepEd said the order takes effect immediately upon approval. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Sunday welcomed the latest DepEd order allowing teachers to take wellness leave. Next page