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DFA-SENATE-CHINA EMBASSY DIALOGUE ‘PRODUCTIVE’ By Ram Superable
DIALOGUE. Foreign
SENATE Foreign Relations Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo on Monday described his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan as “productive: and said both sides agreed to prioritize continuous diplomatic talks over public exchanges on media and social platforms to advance bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that it is not opposed to transparency efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), but stressed that diplomacy should remain central to managing maritime issues. "They are very excited about the code of conduct being finalized between China and the ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei. Hopefully by December it will be completed and we will have a code of conduct in place," he said. Next page
4 impeach raps vs. VP Sara reach House Justice panel By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives of the Philippines formally referred four verified impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Committee on Justice. Deputy Speaker Ferjenel Biron of Iloilo presided over the session during the referral after the complaints were included in the House Order of Business. This development now bars any filing of fresh impeachment complaints against the Vice President for a year. With this, the House Committee on Justice will determine whether the allegations — including those involving Next page
Secretary Theresa Lazaro hosts a meeting between Senate Foreign Affairs Committee chair, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to open communication lines following a word war between the Senate, government officials and the Chinese embassy. Office of Sen. Erwin Tulfo
‘ONE BATTLE’ BEST FILM AT BAFTA SHOWBIZ / C2
EALA @ 31, GETS PRIME INDIAN WELLS SLOT SPORTS / A8
VOL. XL • NO. 14 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026 •
Rody authorized murders, ICC told
• Prosecution: He had pivotal role in drug war killings • Defense: Ex-president 100 percent innocent of EJKs By Pot Chavez, Katrina Manubay and Maricel Cruz
F
ORMER president Rodrigo Duterte personally authorized murders and hand-picked some of the victims of his "war on drugs," the International Criminal Court heard on Monday as proceedings against the former leader kicked off.
FOR AND AGAINST RODY. Lawyer Joel Butuyan of the prosecution team, upper right, and defense panel headed by Nicholas Kaufman, middle left, present their arguments before the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (upper left) yesterday at the start of pre-trial hearings on the crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Rallyists for and against Duterte hold demonstrations outside the ICC facility in the Hague, Netherlands. ICC, AFP
ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said that the week-long confirmation of charges hearings, where judges will decide whether to open a full trial against Duterte, was "a reminder that those in power are not above the law." The 80-year-old was not present after the court granted a defense request for him not to appear, despite a previous ruling by ICC judges that he was fit to take part. Niang said Duterte played a "pivotal" role in the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users, first as mayor of Davao City then as president. He "authorized murders and personally selected some of the victims," said Niang. The former leader denies the charges, his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman told journalists ahead of the hearing, adding that his client was “100 percent inNext page nocent.”
Nation first, personal agendas later —Marcos PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on public officials to set aside political differences and prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people, saying national interest must come before personal agendas. “Differences in politics should never prevent us from working together for our people,” President Marcos
wrote in a Facebook post. The president stressed that unity among leaders remains essential to sustaining government programs and ensuring the continued delivery of basic services. “Nation first. Personal agendas later,” he added. In a separate post on Instagram, Pres-
ident Marcos reiterated his call to focus on governance rather than politics. “Serve first. Argue later,” Mr. Marcos said on his Instagram account. “Less noise. More nation-building,” he added. Over the weekend, Mr. Marcos traveled to Naga City to inspect flood Next page
EDSA Shrine declared as no-rally New NBI chief zone during Feb. 25 commemoration dares Roque to return home AUTHORITIES yesterday declared the EDSA Shrine as a no-rally zone during the anniversary celebration of the 1986 People Power Revolution on February 25. The Eastern Police District said any programs related to thecommemoration shall not be staged along EDSA and Ortigas Avenue to avoid travel disruptions on Wednesday, which is a special working holiday.
The EDSA Shrine parish, in an earlier press conference, has also said that it will host other programs and booths within the church grounds. Meanwhile the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said that only three of the five groups that applied for rally permits were granted approval by the local government unit.
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By Pot Chavez NEWLY installed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag on Monday called on former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to come home and face the charges against him.
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NATION FIRST. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. poses with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno during yesterday’s launch of ‘Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang’ program in Malacañan. PCO