TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Thursday, 19 February 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 19 February 2026, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.

1.Marcos vows more career growth for teachers under his admin

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Sunstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/977097/marcos-vows-more-career-growth-for-teachers-under-his-admin/story/

2. Marcos, Robredo to meet in Naga City

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar, SunStar]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/02/19/news/marcos-robredo-to-meet-in-naga-city/2280885

3. Melvin Matibag named as new NBI director

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Sunstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/977121/melvin-matibag-named-as-new-nbi-director/story/

4. BSP cuts policy rate by 0.25 ppt to support lethargic economy

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]

https://business.inquirer.net/575006/bsp-cuts-policy-rate-by-0-25-ppt-to-support-lethargic-economy

5. DUTERTE ICC PRE-TRIAL:

-Palace rejects Duterte yarn on ICC arrest as ‘kidnapping’

-‘I am old, tired, and frail’: Duterte asks ICC to skip pre-trial

-De Lima: Duterte’s waiver proves trial fitness

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatch Plus, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar] 

https://manilastandard.net/news/314705659/palace-rejects-duterte-yarn-on-icc-arrest-as-kidnapping.html

6. 4th impeachment rap vs Sara Duterte transmitted to Speaker Dy’s office

-Defensor says VP Duterte impeachment will push through, but fast-track mode 'malabo'

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Guardian, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2184118/fwd-4th-impeachment-rap-vs-duterte-transmitted-to-dys-office

7. ICC CASES:

-DOJ to take SC position in enforcing future ICC arrest warrants

-Sotto: No Senate discussions yet on possible ICC warrants vs. Dela Rosa, Go

-Palace: Philippines obliged to implement possible ICC arrest warrant vs Dela Rosa, Go

-Minority bloc urges respect for Philippine courts in ICC cases

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2183806/doj-to-take-its-cue-on-sc-rulings-in-enforcing-future-icc-arrest-warrants

8. Vico Sotto files election case vs Sarah Discaya for alleged overspending

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2184142/vico-sotto-files-election-case-vs-sarah-discaya-for-alleged-overspending

9. Comelec done with fact-finding probe on Marcoleta’s SOCE

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Times, Philstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/19/comelec-done-with-fact-finding-probe-on-marcoleta-s-soce-1043

10. Puerto Princesa airport manager shot dead; CAAP calls for urgent probe

[BusinessWorld, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, News5PH, Philstar, Sunstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/977111/puerto-princesa-airport-manager-caap-investigation/story/

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit