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4th impeach rap filed vs. VP for graft, corruption By Maricel V. Cruz and Katrina Manubay A FOURTH impeachment complaint was filed Wednesday evening against Vice President Sara Duterte before the House of Representatives, hours after she announced her decision to run for president in the 2028 elections. Lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera submitted the complaint to the office of House Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil. Cabrera accused Duterte of culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes. Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. endorsed the complaint. In a statement, Duterte’s spokesman Michael Poa said: “The successive filing of complaints does not, by mere repetition, transform allegations into truth.” Meanwhile, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor said the impeachment complaints against Duterte will be referred to the House justice committee to determine their Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 9 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Rody to skip ICC pre-trial hearings FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte has decided to skip the confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) from February 23 to 27, his counsel Nicholas Kaufman confirmed on Wednesday. Kaufman released Duterte’s letter dated February 17, where the former president said he asked to waive his right to attend the hearing as he does
VP Sara says to run for president in 2028
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Palace: Good luck; Opposition still choosing standard-bearer By Katrina Manubay, Ram Superable, Pot Chavez, Maricel Cruz and Charles Dantes
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ICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said she will run for president in 2028 – a move that was met by jeers and cheers from allies and critics alike, and a terse “good luck” from Malacañang. Duterte, who was impeached last year only to see the country’s Supreme Court throw the case out over procedural isPadilla touts sues, made the announcement all-girl team days before her of Sara-Imee father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, begins a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court in The Hague over crimes against humanity
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LENTEN REMINDER. Catholics line up to be marked by a priest with ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday at St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders in Quezon City. Yesterday was the start of Holy Week — a period of reflection, fasting, and repentance leading up to Easter Sunday. Edd Castro
‘Ramadan encourages devotion to duty, service’ By Charles Dantes
COURTESY CALL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes delegates led by PHILJEC Chairman Alfred V. Ty and JPECC Chairman Masumi Kakinoki during a courtesy call held yesterday at Malacañang Palace. PCO
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his greetings to Muslims in the Philippines and around the world as they prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan, urging reflection, discipline, and compassion. In a message dated Tuesday, Mr. Marcos described Ramadan as a time for prayer and renewal, inviting the faithful to cultivate humility and cour-
age. He said the sacred period serves as ‚“a second ground, a place of renewal, where spiritual growth bears fruit not only in our own lives, but also in the lives of those entrusted to our care.” “Let every trial be a reminder of self-emptying that fills your personal spiritual hunger,” the President said, adding that Next page
IN THE RUNNING. Vice President Sara Duterte announces her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections during a press conference yesterday at her office in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. Norman Cruz
US commits Marcos orders infra development in Kalayaan Island Group $144m for EDCA upgrades By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu
THE Marcos administration pushes ahead with plans to expand infrastructure in the Kalayaan Island Group
By Katrina Manubay THE United States on Tuesday announced an additional $144 million appropriation for the Department of War to support infrastructure development at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, reaffirming bilateral defense cooperation. In a joint statement issued after the 12th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) on Monday, both countries condemned China’s ‘coercive and aggressive’ actions in the South China Sea while reaffirming their commitment to regional security, freedom of navigation, and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Both nations reiterated that the Next page
(KIG) amid continuing regional tensions in the West Philippine Sea WPS), Malacañang said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) clarified the role of official
Philippine maps and nautical charts in depicting and protecting the country’s maritime jurisdiction in the WPS. In a related development, Senator Rodante Marcoleta and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice An-
Eala eyes redemption vs. Cirstea after Dubai upset win By Peter Atencio FRESH off another career-defining victory, rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala is bracing for a high-stakes rematch against Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea at the prestigious WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Currently ranked No. 47 in the world but holding a career-high live ranking of No. 38, the 20-year-old Eala is riding the momentum of her stunning 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) upset of world No. 9 Jasmine Paolini—her third career victory over a Top 10 opponent. As she prepares for her second career meeting with Cirstea, Eala remains focused
on sustaining her breakthrough run and reaching the quarterfinals. “I think each match is a challenge. Everybody at this stage really wants to continue. Yeah, I’m not an exception to that either,” said Eala following her emotional triumph over Paolini in their 100-minute center-court battle. The upcoming Round of 16 clash, scheduled Thursday past midnight (Manila time), offers Eala an opportunity for redemption after falling to Cirstea in a tightly contested threeset encounter at the 2024 Madrid Next page
tonio Carpio agreed to push through with their anticipated debate regarding issues concerning the WPS. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro Next page
STUNNING UPSET.
Alexandra Eala pulls off a major win by taking down world no. 9 Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the round of 32 at the prestigious WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Dennis B. Mallari