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Monday, February 16, 2026
Today's Paper

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Manila court issues travel ban vs Estrada, Bonoan, three others linked to flood control scam

Expats & Diplomats

US, PH celebrate 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026

By Leander C. Domingo

Bribery seen as most common form of corruption in govt – Octa survey

By Franco Jose C. Baroña

Revilla refuses to enter plea in malversation case

By Reina C. Tolentino

PDP: Go, ‘Bato’ indictment illegal

By Kristina Maralit

Bribery seen as most common form of corruption in govt – Octa survey

Revilla refuses to enter plea in malversation case

PDP: Go, ‘Bato’ indictment illegal

Today's Weather, 5 P.M. | Feb. 16, 2026

Malasakit centers struggle to provide aid to patients

GETTING HIGH A holy man smokes marijuana during Maha Shivaratri festival at the Pashupatinath temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Feb. 15, 2026. AP PHOTO

Cannabis smoke fills air as Nepal marks festival

Carlos Yulo (left) and Alex Eala AFP/POC PHOTOS

PSA to honor Athletes of the Year Yulo, Eala

China court: Drivers still responsible despite autonomous vehicle

APJ EXPANSION Nicola Gerber, vice president for Asia-Pacific and Japan at Fastly, discusses the company’s regional expansion strategy during a briefing with members of Asean media in Singapore on Feb. 10, 2026. THE MANILA TIMES FILE PHOTO

Fastly expands APJ footprint as bot traffic rises across global web

Nearly 5K PH, US, Japan army personnel to join training exercise

Manila court issues travel ban vs Estrada, Bonoan, three others linked to flood control scam

Baltazar joins Gilas Pilipinas training pool

Iran FM in Geneva for second round of US talks

Junior Altas outplay Light Bombers in NCAA

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce welcomes its first female president

Today's Weather, 5 P.M. | Feb. 16, 2026

WATCH: PH govt to cooperate should ICC issue warrants for Bato, Go — Palace

Sotto, QMB not playing for Gilas in window 2

WATCH: Revilla refuses to enter plea in malversation case

Rigoberto D. Tiglao

An EEZ is not sovereign territory, stupid!

By Rigoberto D. Tiglao

Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino

By Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino

Francisco S. Tatad

First Things First

Debating the West Philippine Sea

By Francisco S. Tatad

Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

DEAR PAO

When is a regime of complete separation of property mandatory in marriages?

By Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

HEADLINES: PDP: Go, ‘Bato’ indictment illegal | Feb 16, 2026

HEADLINES: PDP: Go, ‘Bato’ indictment illegal | Feb 16, 2026

Today's Front Page

Digital Edition

TROUNCED BY TECH

Gaining a foothold in the quest for climate justice

How PH’s international alignments risk its economic future

By Dan Steinbock

Marit Stinus-Cabugon

Resurgence

Leyte communities say ‘No,’ to black sand mining

By Marit Stinus-Cabugon

Tita C. Valderama

Tea Time

From lawmakers to law-evaders: A Senate in crisis

By Tita C. Valderama

Migrant Matters

By Crispin Aranda

Salvador S. Panelo

Counterpoint

The International Criminal Court should be abolished

By Salvador S. Panelo

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Malasakit centers struggle to provide aid to patients

Asean Summit should inspire inclusive growth – Concepcion

Philippine Navy's BRP Miguel Malvar joins historic naval drills in India

Interpol backroom warriors fight cybercriminals 'weaponizing' AI

Dizon pushes for speedy completion of infrastructure projects

Barbara Gothong-Tan, president and CEO of A.D. Gothong Manufacturing Corporation, is elected president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She was inducted into office on Feb. 12, 2026, at Oakridge Pavilion in Mandaue City. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce welcomes its first female president

Ex-Miss PH Earth 2013 runner-up shot dead

Entry of electric taxis in Cebu under review

Australian Navy ship visits Subic to boost Philippine-Australia naval ties

DSWD-NIR rolls out P1.2 billion ECT program for Typhoon Tino victims

Demonstrators take part in a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026. AFP PHOTO

Iran FM in Geneva for second round of US talks

Europeans push back at US over claim they face 'civilizational erasure'

Powered by women, ‘Wuthering Heights’ digs up $34.8 million at the box office for a No. 1 debut

Hollywood groups condemn ByteDance's AI video generator, claiming copyright infringement

Teen daughter of a Chicago man detained in an immigration case dies from a rare cancer

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Stock indices as of February 16, 2026

Growth slump seen prompting rate cut

Range-bound trading likely ahead of BSP meet

DEPDev exec: Govt to craft flexible work arrangement bill

SSS reserve fund tops P1T as net income jumps in 2025

Justine Baltazar PBA PHOTO

Baltazar joins Gilas Pilipinas training pool

Junior Altas outplay Light Bombers in NCAA

Sotto, QMB not playing for Gilas in window 2

LeBron still unclear on NBA future: 'I have no idea'

Young USA Stars beat Stripes in NBA All-Star tourney final

Fr. Robert Reyes blesses palm leaves that were burnt at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Project 8, Quezon City, on Feb. 15, 2026. The ashes will be used to mark the foreheads of the faithful on Ash Wednesday. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

February 15, 2026

Over 20 groups participated in this year’s showcase of culture and dance dubbed ‘Rhythm of the Highlands’ at Melvin Jones football fields in Baguio City as part of the 30th Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga. PHOTOS HARLEY F. PALANGCHAO

RHYTHM OF THE HIGHLANDS

February 15, 2026

Visitors offer prayers and incense at the Seng Guan Chinese Buddhist Temple in Tondo, Manila on February 15, 2026, as Filipinos prepare to celebrate Chinese New Year. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

PRAYERS AHEAD OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

February 15, 2026

The Philippines' first hanging cylindrical LED display illuminates the atrium of Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila on February 15, 2026. Launched just days ahead of the Lunar New Year, the installation serves as a high-tech backdrop for festive traditions, where shoppers pose with the spirited Fire Horse and hang handwritten Wishing Cards in hopes of a prosperous year ahead. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

CYLINDRICAL LED DISPLAY

February 15, 2026

Shoppers watch wushu martial arts and lion dance presentations during the Rhythm of Warriors: pre-Chinese New Year celebration at SM City Sucat in Parañaque City on February 15, 2026. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

PRE-CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

February 15, 2026

PROMOTING JOBS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. checks partners’ booths during the previous SM Job Fair in December 2025, engaging with employers and jobseekers and underscoring the shared commitment to making employment more accessible for Filipinos. PHOTO FROM SM

Special Features

SM Supermalls brings February job fairs nationwide, making job search easier for Filipinos

Bridging inclusive health care for 31 years

PhilHealth highlights primary care gains through 'Yakap' for NHIP Month

Hearts, hopes and huge savings: How to maximize the CNY and Valentine’s celebration during the Great Northern Sale at SM North EDSA

Beyond building houses: Uplifting Filipino lives by creating stable, inclusive and resilient communities nationwide

ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION Sen. Loren Legarda at the launch of Edcom 2 Year 2 Report on Jan. 28, 2025. PHOTO FROM LORENLEGARDA.COM

Legarda pushes resilient growth strategy amid pressing economic realities

DepEd hails PBBM for prioritizing classroom building, anti-child abuse bills

Ride into the Year of Fortune at Diamond Hotel Philippines

How women in STEM drive national development

Songs for Selina’ to debut in Philippine cinemas next month

Michelle Dee PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/MICHELLE DEE

Michelle Dee files cyber libel complaint vs. Xian Gaza

Sunshine Garcia praises husband Alex Castro amid Alvin Aragon criticism

Priscilla Meirelles confirms divorce with John Estrada, still hopeful for love

‘Secrets of Hotel 88’ brings romance and intrigue as PBB winners reunite

Love on the big screen

Connie Guanzon Garcia, Milo Bondoc, Jinky Rebano and Carmen Tan

Carlo Evaristo unveils new jewelry collection

BTS-inspired pasta recipe for Valentine’s

Music as a compatibility check in Spotify’s new feature

A peek into modern dating trends

MyDiamond launches White Halo collection at SM Aura Premier

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The Sunday Times

Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles enter their next act

Dining options beyond Valentine’s Day

Luck and love at play at Solaire Resort North’s offerings

A week of Albay flavors

A steady presence

OCAC Minister Chia-ching Hsu and Ambassador Wallace M.G. Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines distribute red envelopes to children during the TAPh 20th anniversary celebration, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. PHOTO FROM CULTURE CENTER OF TECO

Expats & Diplomats

Taiwanese Association marks 20th anniversary in Manila

Stock Watch

Stock indices as of February 16, 2026

PHOTO FROM VINGROUP

Fast Times

Vingroup and Vinhomes named to Time’s Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2026

The tides are turning for global shipping. With Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd resuming Suez Canal transits, we’re seeing a phased approach to restoring efficiency in the global supply chain. PHOTO FROM MAERSK

Maritime

Maersk and Hapag- Lloyd return to Suez

By Carmela I. Huelar - February 11, 2026

Build & Design

Philippine office market rebounds in 2025, Metro Manila and Cebu lead growth

By Michele T. Logarta - February 10, 2026

DMPI workers harvest pineapples. SCREENGRAB FROM DEL MONTE’S KITCHENOMICS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Green Industries

Del Monte PH: a century of stewardship

By J. Albert Gamboa - February 14, 2026

Information Systems students from the Benilde School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) emerged victorious at the recently concluded Hackamare AI Hackathon 2025. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Campus Press

Techies present AI solutions to health care services

By The Manila Times - February 13, 2026

Boardroom Watch

Rebel with a cause

By Apipa Bagumbaran - February 13, 2026

Ernesto Brown of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture presents the project titled ‘Reaping the Benefits: Evaluation of RCEF-RESP 2019-2024,’ showing the positive impact of the program on rice farmers. DA-ATI PHOTO

Agribusiness

Searca-led valuation shows RCEF-RESP boosts PH rice farmers' productivity and profitability

By Leander C. Domingo - February 12, 2026

Rojean Jensen: Owner Nissen Coffee Farm

Keep in View

Perk of the job

By Nora L. Molde - February 15, 2026

SALT POWER Sodium-ion batteries will not replace lithium-ion batteries but will provide an efficient and affordable option. IMAGE FROM CATL

Science & Technology

Sodium-Ion batteries is the next phase of EV electrification

By Raymond Gregory Tribdino - February 14, 2026

Claire Huang, country manager at Synology Philippines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Sunday Business & IT

Data recovery seen as critical as cyber risks rise in the Philippines

By Ira James - February 16, 2026