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Kung Hei Fat Choi
Group, expert refute Chinese impact on jobs
Fire Horse Year: Inconvenient truths coming out
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, and Pot Chavez
By Joyce Babe Pañares
AS MALACAÑANG on Monday again rejected calls to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona
VOL. XL • NO. 7 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 •
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Palace: Don’t hide, face ICC if you are innocent Says PH obliged to implement possible ICC arrest warrants
THE Year of the Fire Horse will be marked by intensity, independence and strong energy – the horse being a fire animal, and fire being this year’s amplifying element. “It is a double fire year – a year of illumination and confrontation,” said feng shui master Patrick Lim Fernandez of the Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony. “All issues will be brought to light, and inconvenient truths will likely come out,” he added. For Hong Kong-based feng shui master Joseph Chau, fiery exchanges should be avoided by countries, as these could quickly escalate with “too much heat” under the Year of the Fire Horse. “Countries must have peaceful coexistence to avoid the accidental discharge of a gun, otherwise, a war may break out,” he said. Next page
By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
M
ALACAÑANG on Monday urged current and former officials named in the crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court to face any legal process and avoid going into hiding if they believe they are innocent. “First of all, if you are hiding, what does that mean? Are you guilty of something? Are you hiding so you can escape or evade the liability of what you have done?” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. “There is no need to hide if they know they have done nothing wrong. Face it and be brave in the possible process,” she added. Two sitting senators—Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go—have been identified as among the eight "coperpetrators" in Duterte’s case, ICC documents released by prosecutors showed. Other former officials tagged in the
OFF AND RIDING. Malabon Zoo Founder Manny Tangco along with Dr. Anthony Fugoso, world-renowned Feng Shui expert, ride on a carriage pulled by a dolled-up horse to welcome the start of the Year of the Fiery Horse at the Malabon Zoo, Aquarium & Botanical Garden. Bottom right photo shows shoppers celebrating a maxed-out Year of the Fire Horse at SM City Grand Central which comes alive with vibrant lion and dragon dances, curated retail and dining, and interactive activities, delivering a truly festive Chinese New Year experience for families and communities. Andrew Rabulan/ Contributed photo
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More high-profile names in Bulacan, Dvo. Occ. raps By Vito Barcelo, Pot Chavez, Maricel V. Cruz, and Rio N. Araja THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Monday it has submitted additional names of high-profile individuals to the Office of the Ombudsman i n
• HDO issued vs.
Jinggoy, Bonoan • Curlee D. tagged in Bulacan case
connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan and Davao Occidental. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon told reporters that the Ombudsman is expected to make an announcement within the week. He said the agency filed new manifestations two weeks Next page
Marcos cites 423,000 4PH housing units built since 2022 By Charles Dantes
MAKING HOMES FASTER. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is joined by officials of Pag-IBIG Fund at the launch of the Megawide Pre-Cast Technology Plant in Taytay, Rizal. With the President are Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ramon P. Aliling and Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene C. Acosta. Pag-IBIG
Eala foe braces for crowd surge in Dubai contest
House leaders pay tribute to former Speaker Joe De V
By Peter Atencio
FOUR past Speakers on Monday joined incumbent Speaker Faustino Dy III in paying their last respects and tribute to the late Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. during eulogy rites at the House of Representatives. De Venecia held the record of being the longest-serving Speaker and the only lawmaker in Philippine history elected to the post five times. Dy was joined by his predecessors Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Manuel Villar Jr., and Feliciano Belmonte Jr., in delivering eulogies for De Venecia, whose decades-long career helped shape modern parliamentary leadership in the country. Next page
WIMBLEDON finalist Jasmine Paolini expects an electric atmosphere when she faces rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala in the second round of the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Currently ranked world No. 8, Paolini has taken note of the overwhelming support Eala has been receiving from Dubai’s vibrant Filipino Next page community.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday cited gains under the government’s flagship housing program, saying more than 423,000 homes have been built and financed since mid-2022 as the administration accelerated efforts to make homes more affordable and accessible to Filipinos. Meanwhile, PAG-IBIG Fund
By Maricel Cruz
TRIBUTE. House Speaker Bojie Dy delivers his eulogy at necrological rites yesterday for former House Speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr. at the House of Representatives. Inset shows former Speaker Martin Romualdez paying tribute to the late Pangasinan lawmaker. Maricel Cruz, Ver Noveno
highlighted the role of public-private partnerships and modern construction technology in accelerating socialized housing delivery as officials joined the President in the ceremonial launch of a precast manufacturing facility in Taytay, Rizal on Monday, Feb. 16. Speaking at the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Next page