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At least 3 missing in Rizal landfill collapse By Vince Lopez and Rio Araja AT LEAST three people are missing after a mound of garbage collapsed at a privately owned sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal late Friday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday. The NDRRMC also denied claims
by an urban poor group that around 50 garbage collectors are buried in the garbage heap. The incident occurred at the Rizal Provincial Sanitary Landfill in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez town, where a large pile of waste reportedly gave way in what local officials described as a “pagbuka ng gabundok na basura” (an opening in a hill-sized pile
of garbage). “As per MDRRMO Rodriguez, the cause is not a trash slide but ‘pagbuka ng gabundok na basura,’” said Office of Civil Defense deputy spokesperson Diego Agustin Mariano. “Casualties (Missing): 3 (for validation), reports of 50 casualties are neither accurate nor factual,” Mariano added. Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 13 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026
Senators to craft protocols for China envoy meet By Ram Superable SWALLOWED. A mound of garbage opened up in a landfill and
AN ALL-SENATOR caucus is scheduled today to establish ground rules for a possible dialogue with the Embassy of China in Manila regarding the West
swallowed at least three people in Rodriguez, Rizal. Grab from Sumbungan ng Bayan FB page
Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said over the weekend. On Saturday, Lacson said he has extended an invitation to members of the minority bloc to join the dialogue and attend the cau-
cus if they choose to participate. The Manila Standard however, has not received word from members of the minority bloc regarding their attendance in the caucus. The Senate Next page
‘ICC testimony to link Sara’ Conti: Witness knew of VP’s role in DDS killings in Davao By Jimbo Gulle, Katrina Manubay, and Vince Lopez
T
ESTIMONY linking Vice President Sara Duterte to the deadly anti-drug campaign in Davao will most likely surface – along with a list of names of several other coconspirators -- during the confirmation of charges hearing of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) today in The Hague, Netherlands.
Mandiaye Niang (Deputy Prosecutor)
Nicholas Kaufman (Defense lead counsel)
Prosecutors are expected today to lay out allegations that could widen the scope of accountability in the long-running investigation into the alleged crimes Next page
VP Sara says she has chosen running mate in 2028 polls
DECISION TIME.
The International Criminal Court begins its pre-trial hearings today to determine whether former President Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity during his campaign against illegal drugs as Davao City Mayor and President. Inset at left shows relatives of slain drug war victims while supporters of Duterte sign their names on a bus emblazoned with his name parked along a Manila street. ICC, Norman Cruz
By Ram Superable and Katrina Manubay VICE President Sara Duterte revealed Saturday that she already has a running mate for the 2028 elections, having recruited the person last year, but declined to identify them. “I recruited the person last year, but let’s not talk about that for now. Let’s protect the person until he can decide Next page
Anti-dynasty ban should start at local gov’t level—Comelec chief By Vito Barcelo and Ram Superable THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Sunday the implementation of an anti-political dynasty law should begin at
the local government level before extending the ban to national positions. “Simplify for the time being, What is important, in my view, is to implement it simply,” Comelec chairman George Garcia told Super Radyo dzBB, as he expressed
ROMUALDEZ, TINGOG BACK CREATION OF OFW HOSPITAL NEWS / A3
ANOTHER BSP RATE CUT SEEN LATER THIS YEAR BUSINESS / B4
support for the proposed measure. Local elective government positions cover provincial governors down to the barangay. It was not clear from Garcia’s proposal if all elective posts are included in the ban.
He said it would be better if the country implemented the anti-dynasty law so that more people can run in elections. “It is often said the concentration of political power at the local level is regressive,” Next page
No arrests to be made in EDSA rallies with or without permit By Vince Lopez THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has raised operational readiness ahead of the 40th EDSA People Power Revolution commemoration and the 3rd Trillion Peso March, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said Sunday. Aberin said calibrated security measures are in place to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of activities
Exporters urge more talks with US on tariffs By Othel V. Campos
across Metro Manila. Drawing from generally peaceful observances over the past three years, the NCRPO refined its plans to focus on prevention, police visibility, and rapid response. The NCRPO also said it will implement a “no permit, no rally” policy on February 25 as various groups prepare separate protest actions. “We will implement a ‘no permit,
THE Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) has urged continued dialogue with American authorities following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs as unconstitutional. While welcoming the reinstatement of constitutional limits on executive trade powers, PHILEXPORT expressed concern over the immediate imposition of a new 10-percent global tariff. On Saturday, however, Trump raised the global duty on imports into the
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