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Friday, February 27, 2026
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Philippines, US, Japanese planes, ships drill over channel near Taiwan

By Izel Abanilla and Agence France-Presse

The old Philippine Congress (Legislative Building) on Burgos Street, Manila, May 1945. PHOTOS FROM ‘RAMPAGE,’ COURTESY OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Campus Press

Sta. Ana spared, but why?

IN DEFENSE OF DUTERTE Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman rejects the prosecution’s claim that former president Rodrigo Duterte’s public speeches
contained contradictory messages that pointed to criminal intent, telling judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) that such a theory is speculative and unsupported by evidence. Kaufman spoke before the ICC on Feb. 26, 2026, during the defense’s presentation of evidence. Duterte is charged with crimes against humanity for his alleged bloody campaign against illegal drugs. SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE/ICC

No link between threats and drug war killings, Duterte lawyer says

By Franco Jose C. Baroña

Protestors, rallying in support of the detention of former Philippine's president Rodrigo Duterte, hold a placard which reads as « hold Duterte accountable now » outside of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be questioned by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on February 23, 2026. As the 80-year-old will not be present at the hearing in The Hague after the court granted a defence request to waive his right to appear, despite judges ruling that he was fit to take part, the "confirmation of charges" hearing, taking place over four days, will determine whether there is enough evidence against Duterte to proceed to a trial. (Photo by Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP)

No proven link between Duterte speeches and drug deaths — defense at ICC

By Agence France-Presse

Duterte’s defense team expected to present evidence 'drug war' allegations 'politically motivated' as ICC resumes hearing

By Franco Jose C. Baroña

No link between threats and drug war killings, Duterte lawyer says

No proven link between Duterte speeches and drug deaths — defense at ICC

Duterte’s defense team expected to present evidence 'drug war' allegations 'politically motivated' as ICC resumes hearing

Today's Weather, 5 A.M. | Feb. 27, 2026

This reunion film follows the pair’s first blockbuster hit, ‘Meet Me in St. Gallen.’ PHOTOS FROM VIVA FILMS

Carlo Aquino and Bela Padilla return to what they do best

Singapore's Grab bets on AI, new services to triple profit by 2028

CRUCIAL CONVERSATION United States special envoy Steve Witkoff (center) and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (left) pose for photos with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during their meeting in the city of Geneva, southwestern Switzerland, on Feb. 25, 2026. PHOTO FROM OMAN’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY VIA AFP

Iran-US talks begin in push to avert war

PNVF taps Valdez to hold youth camps

Commission on Elections. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Comelec fixes allocation of parliamentary seats

Dagoon, Gecosala dominate anew in PPS Mindanao leg

South Korean President Lee to visit PH, says Palace

Columbia student detained by ICE is abruptly released after Mamdani meets with Trump

Australian supermarket giant reins in AI assistant claiming to be human

Japan's Takaichi says opposes changes to imperial family male succession rules

Iran says 'good progress' in US talks, next round within a week

US plaintiff decries harmful social media addiction

Arca shares lead with 3 others in Pacquiao Chess Open

Philippines, US, Japanese planes, ships drill over channel near Taiwan

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Rigoberto D. Tiglao

Eighteen Marines, P805 billion and a shameful press

By Rigoberto D. Tiglao

Francisco S. Tatad

First Things First

Reimagining our ties with China

By Francisco S. Tatad

Ma. Isabel Ongpin

Ambient Voices

Catanduanes a week ago

By Ma. Isabel Ongpin

Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

DEAR PAO

Is a movie talent an employee or an independent contractor?

By Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

HEADLINES: No link between threats and drug war killings , Duterte lawyer says | Feb. 27, 2026

HEADLINES: No link between threats and drug war killings , Duterte lawyer says | Feb. 27, 2026

Today's Front Page

Digital Edition

FOUR DECADES LATER

No shortcuts to peace in Ukraine

Vantage Point

EDSA@40: Truth is stranger than fiction

By Van Ybiernas

Ariane Macalinga Borlongan

Language Speaks

Mother tongue education and the need for lasting commitment

By Ariane Macalinga Borlongan

Stephen CuUnjieng

The Empiricist

The original flaws of EDSA 1 and anti-corruption

By Stephen CuUnjieng

Like a Circle

On taking care of our midwives, nurses and teachers

By Carl E. Balita

Charlie V. Manalo

Naked Thought

Judicial oversight tested in Rosales election case

By Charlie V. Manalo

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco delivers her opening statements during the Senate Committee on Tourism public hearing led by Senator JV Ejercito with Senators Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo and Loren Legarda, on February 3, 2026. PHOTO MIKE ALQUINTO

Ejercito: Ethics panel to vet complaints vs 6 senators

Hospital urged to integrate technology into health care

Pag-IBIG's investment income rises to P9.43B in 2025

NGCP restores Unidos-Caticlan line ahead of target

Philhealth urges private providers: 'Partner with us'

The ongoing rehabilitation works at Burnham Park in Baguio City on Feb. 26, 2026. The project, funded by TIEZA aims to restore and modernize the city’s premier park while preserving its historic character. PHOTO BY HARLEY PALANGCHAO

Multi-million rehab of Burnham Park on track — Tieza

Comelec fixes allocation of parliamentary seats

Germany-born MUPh bet embraces Filipino values

Cebu City considers reopening part of Binaliw landfill

MCIA wins 2025 Best Airport in Asia-Pacific

FILE - Students relax on the front steps of Low Memorial Library on the Columbia University campus, in New York City, Feb. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Columbia student detained by ICE is abruptly released after Mamdani meets with Trump

Japan's Takaichi says opposes changes to imperial family male succession rules

Iran says 'good progress' in US talks, next round within a week

US plaintiff decries harmful social media addiction

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

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Australian supermarket giant reins in AI assistant claiming to be human

US military would only use Anthropic's AI technology in legal ways, Pentagon says

Michelle, ma belle

Mild Q1 rebound seen

Where AI lives: Southeast Asia's data center boom

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Dagoon, Gecosala dominate anew in PPS Mindanao leg

Arca shares lead with 3 others in Pacquiao Chess Open

NBA Finals preview fizzles as Pistons beat Thunder

PNVF taps Valdez to hold youth camps

Ginebra trades Adamos to Terrafirma for Cariño

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, together with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other officials, inspects the ongoing rehabilitation works at Burnham Park on Feb. 26, 2026. The project, funded by TIEZA aims to restore and modernize the city’s premier park while preserving its historic character. PHOTOS BY HARLEY PALANGCHAO

BURNHAM PARK REHAB

February 26, 2026

BRIBERY CLAIMS
Lawyer Levito 'Levi' Baligod submits a notarized joint affidavit from 18 individuals—identified as former Marines and security personnel at the Office of the Ombudsman on Feb. 26, 2026. The affidavit alleges that billions of pesos in cash from anomalous projects were delivered to high-ranking officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and that $2 million was used to allegedly bribe International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

February 26, 2026

ISKO, MANILA RECOGNIZED
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and the city receive recognition from the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) as a model of good governance and the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU) in providing housing during CREBA’s 1st General Membership Meeting on Feb. 26, 2026. Moreno underscored the city’s vertical housing projects as a solution to the crisis without displacing residents and urged CREBA developers to join them in delivering better homes for Filipinos. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

ISKO, MANILA RECOGNIZED

February 26, 2026

Speakers talk about health care in The Manila Times' forum, on 'New Health Strategies for Advanced Medical Capabilities,' at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel on Feb. 26, 2026. Speakers at the event include Walter Bacareza, vice president, Corporate Affairs Group, Philippine Health Insurance Corp.; Dr. Ma. Victoria Lualhati, CEO, Beyond Medical Hub; Dr. Ma. Teresa Iñigo, director general, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care; Carmie De Leon, country general manager, RadLink Philippines; Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, spokesman, Food and Drug Administration; Dr. Jennifer Marie Jose, section chief, Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Makati Medical Center; and Dr. Edwin Bien, director, LeBien Medical Group. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

February 26, 2026

PICKING UP THE PIECES
Fire victims look for salvageable materials from their burnt homes after a fire that razed around 300 houses in Intramuros, Manila, on Feb. 25 2026. The fire, which started around 5 p.m. was put out around 11:30 p.m; and displaced about 600 families in the area. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

PICKING UP THE PIECES

February 26, 2026

DIGITAL ECONOMY BLUEPRINT Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) - Indonesia Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn delivers a video message at The Manila Times economic outlook forum, highlighting the Digital Economy Framework Agreement or DEFA as a strategic plan to double the region’s digital economy to $2 trillion by 2030. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Special Features

Proposed digital economy pact could double region’s economy to $2 trillion by 2030

GCash, Manulife Investments Philippines expand Filipinos’ access to global property investments on GFunds

Crafting a future-ready Philippines

Secretary general calls on PH to sustain Asean’s focus on business, people

BDO Capital chief calls for transparency, accountability

NOURISHING GROWTH Project Silk has supported 2,835 corn farmers, strengthening
livelihoods and generating $818,703.55 in corn sales from 2017 to 2025. PHOTO FROM ABOITIZ

How Aboitiz Foods empowers communities to strengthen food security

MMPC reaches 900,000-unit local production milestone for L300

DOST, PSU launch country’s first Asin R&D Center in Binmaley

Beyond Tradition exhibits Chinese Filipino artists

GLOBAL LUBRICANT MARKET

This reunion film follows the pair’s first blockbuster hit, ‘Meet Me in St. Gallen.’ PHOTOS FROM VIVA FILMS

Carlo Aquino and Bela Padilla return to what they do best

Reality checked out

Vice Cosmetics to hold ‘aura mochimo’ pop-up in Makati

Derrick Monasterio, Ashley Ortega and Elle Villanueva headline new afternoon drama

ABS-CBN launches ‘Tutok 2gether’ promo

Connie Garcia, Brenda Ngo, Agile Zamora and Chuck Gueco

The Frenzy Group’s Chinese New Year feast

Uniqlo launches Clare Waight Keller’s Spring/Summer 2026 line

Next-gen fashion innovators stage anniversary showcase

Masterclass series highlights Korean skin science, community learning

Fil-Brit Adela Mae Marshall takes center stage as MUPh Muntinlupa 2026

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The Sunday Times

Chrystalle Buen on craft, confidence and conscious design

Driving her own lane

Tagaytay lamb promo goes beyond the usual chops

Eco-sanctuary estate to open in New Clark City

Bergerac and the Filipino’s case for looking beyond capitals

With the collective effort of the Filipino-Chinese community, the Binondo Chinatown lighting project aims to gain wider traction, attracting increased interest from tourists, cultural advocates and the general public. TMT PHOTO

Expats & Diplomats

Filipino-Chinese community powers Binondo heritage lighting initiative Phase 2

By Iza Iglesias - February 23, 2026

Stock Watch

Stock indices as of February 26, 2026

Cliffside views above Santiago Bay deliver some of Camotes’ most photographed sunsets.

Fast Times

Camotes Islands travel guide: Beaches, lakes, caves, and heritage in Cebu's "Lost Horizon of the South"

By Joseph T. Bautista - February 24, 2026

Maritime

IMO vows to step up protection of seafarers

By The Manila Times Maritime Team - February 25, 2026

Build & Design

Luxurious living with wellness at its core

By Cora Llamas - February 24, 2026

RECYCLING MADE EASY Through the RDC bins, SM Supermalls is making recycling more accessible while partnering with processing sites to ensure that every waste is made useful again. PHOTO FROM SM

Green Industries

How the SM Green Movement is building a circular, waste-free future

Campus Press

Marikina Polytechnic launches micro-credential program

By The Manila Times - February 26, 2026

Boardroom Watch

Michelle, ma belle

By Susan Claire Agbayani - February 27, 2026

Agribusiness

CSU's new research orchard aims to transform Northern Luzon fruit farming

By Leander C. Domingo - February 26, 2026

Keep in View

Using your coconut well

By Ace Sapit - February 22, 2026

n EVA sampling and scientific laboratory analysis studying how resins that adsorb hydrophobic proteins and peptides.
IMAGE FROM AHR

Science & Technology

Proteomics: Turning archives into biological labs

By Deriq Bernard - February 21, 2026

Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. AP PHOTO

Sunday Business & IT

US military would only use Anthropic's AI technology in legal ways, Pentagon says

By Associated Press - February 27, 2026