No, the “confirmation of charges” hearing is not the trial proper. Yes, victims of Duterte’s “drug war” will be present. And no, the former president is not indigent so he pays for his own defense. As the International Criminal Court
Twenty-five years is an impressive measure of time, all the more when the passage involves a historic endeavor like MindaNews. In the gallery of outstanding publishers and editors whose efforts have kept the archipelago connected through the news, none
When a leader chooses his last line carefully, it is rarely accidental. “Kaninyo, ako, magpabilin suluguon.” To you, I, remain a servant. In a document framed by legal defiance, sovereignty claims, and denunciations of international jurisdiction, the final words are
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 22 February) — The Duterte family announced that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has barred in-person family visits during the confirmation of charges hearings for former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, scheduled from February 23 to 27.
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 22 February) — Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has warned of a possible measles outbreak in Mindanao as the Department of Health (DOH) failed to reach its herd immunity target in the country’s second largest island. Herbosa
To my children, my grandchildren, and to all the young Filipinos who will inherit the story of our nation, I am writing this not as a historian with all the answers, but as someone who has lived through the decades
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 22 February) – Archbishop Jose Cabantan will lead a march-rally to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the People Power revolution that toppled the Marcos Sr. dictatorship in 1986. Fr. Der John Faborada, head of the
Zamboanga City holds its annual Regatta de Zamboanga on Sunday morning, 22 February 2026, as prelude to the city’s 89th Charter anniversary on 26 February. MindaNews photo by FRENCIE CARREON
(Bobby Timonera, editor-in-chief of MindaNews, delivered this piece during the “Unheard Voices of Climate Action Conversation” on 20 February 2026 at the Arete, Ateneo de Manila University. The forum was organized by ADMU’s Tagpuan Center for Dialogue, Research, and Collaboration,
(Dr. Jowel Canuday delivered this piece during the “Unheard Voices of Climate Action Conversation” on 20 February 2026 at the Arete, Ateneo de Manila University. The forum was organized by ADMU’s Tagpuan Center for Dialogue, Research, and Collaboration, and MindaNews.
A resident of Sitio Panul-iran in Barangay Abuno, Iligan City, struggles to cross a makeshift bamboo bridge on Sunday (22 February 2026) while carrying a sack full of essentials on his shoulder. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) – The document containing former President Rodrigo Duterte’s waiver of his right to attend the confirmation of charges hearing before the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court from February 23-24 and from 26-27
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / February 21) — A family of four in Mati City, Davao Oriental died on Friday after being buried together in a landslide following continued outpours since Wednesday. The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) identified
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) — A total of 23,651 families or 91,087 individuals have been displaced due to flooding caused by continuous heavy rains brought by a shear line in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. According to the
Motorcycles are loaded on the back of a truck owned by the city government of Tagum on Saturday (21 February 2026) so they will not be submerged in floodwaters as rains caused by a shear line continue to inundate many parts of eastern Mindanao. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO C. BUENO
A worker continues setting up the giant swing attraction at Camp Sabros in Kapatagan, Digos City on Saturday (21 February 2026). The ride is expected to open soon as preparations for the park’s newest thrill feature move forward. MindaNews photo by ALLIZAH KEZIAH MANULAT
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) — The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms is working to finish, consolidate, and pass the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill before Congress adjourns for the Lenten break. Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (1st
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) — A station of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Sultan Kudarat province suspended Saturday morning sea voyage for all types of vessels to Northeastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas due to a shear line.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) — As the Davao Region’s economy continues to grow, Ayala Malls is set to begin construction of its ₱2.5-billion expansion of the 15-year-old Abreeza Mall within the first half of the year, a mall
Personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local government unit of Tagum City in Davao del Norte team up to clear a clog of banana trunks at the bottom of the Pagsabangan Bridge II along the Saug River on Saturday afternoon (21 February 2026). MindaNews photo by YAS D OCAMPO
BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 21 February) — Around 57,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Caraga region as days of moderate to heavy rains triggered by a shear line caused widespread flooding and landslides.
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 21 February) — A 17-year-old girl was injured after a landslide covered a house in Barobo, Surigao del Sur Friday morning. Renan J. Aben, chair of Barangay Tambis, said in a phone interview that Allyssya Manabing
CARMEN, Davao del Norte (MindaNews / 21 February) — Hundreds of residents from Barangay Guadalupe in Carmen, Davao del Norte are nervously monitoring the Bingcungan and Libuganon waterways, three days after a shear line threatened areas in Mindanao. MindaNews chanced
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 Feb) — Landslides and floods led to the deaths of at least seven individuals Mati City, Davao Oriental and Monkayo, Davao de Oro, the Regional Disaster Risk Response and Management Council XI said in an
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 20 February) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has allowed former president Rodrigo Duterte to skip his confirmation of charges hearings next week even if the Pre-Trial judges found that his submissions in the request “are
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 20 February) — Heavy rains brought by a shear line have disrupted travel, caused flooding and prompted province-wide class suspensions in Agusan del Sur. Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr. suspended classes at all levels, both public
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 20 February) — The top official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 10 refused to name, upon questioning in Thursday’s Senate public hearing on the anti-dynasty bills, the political families in Northern Mindanao
NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 20 February) — It would not be a riot of merry-making but a sad reunion when the gang of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joins him at The Hague. The International Criminal Court has recently
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 20 February) – – Classes in all levels in both public and private schools were suspended Friday in the entire Sultan Kudarat and in some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces due to the
A mother carries her child as they wade through floodwaters outside their home in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Residents said the water started to rise Thursday evening after nonstop heavy rain caused by the shear line. MindaNews photo by IVY MARIE MANGADLAO
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 20 February) – The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has formally opposed the request by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to waive his right to appear in court during the confirmation of
A health worker stationed at the hemoglobin testing area screens a prospective donor during the mobile blood donation drive at Brokenshire Medical Center on Friday (20 February 2026). The activity is conducted in partnership with SPMC Blood Production Services to ensure donors meet the required health parameters before proceeding to blood donation. MindaNews photo by ALLIZAH KEZIAH MANULAT
Edward Abelardo, a member of the Teduray-Lambinginan community council in Upi, Maguindanao, shares his insights on indigenous peoples’ knowledge system as shown in the documentary film “Kërut” screened at the Areté of the Ateneo de Manila University on Friday (20 February 2026). MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA
In popular imagery, grassroots communities are often represented as silent, powerless, and helpless victims of the global climate crisis needing urgent help and expert intervention. Veiled from broader public discourse are the long-standing community knowledge and action in pushing the
Senator Francis Pangilinan asks Commission on Elections Northern Mindanao Director Renato Magbutay about political dynasties in the region during the public hearing on the anti-dynasty bill conducted by the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro. MindaNews photo by MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 19 February) – While the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has made significant gains in improving the plight of children, “too many children are still being left behind,” a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 19 February) – Classes and some work activities across Surigao del Sur were suspended on Thursday, February 19, due to continuous moderate to heavy rainfall brought by the shear line weather system. Local government units (LGUs)
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 19 February) – Days before the confirmation of charges hearing for former President Rodrigo R. Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, his supporters here said he should be released from detention
Mindanao already knows what the world is still learning This week, something rare is happening across Mindanao. Muslim families have entered Ramadan — the month of fasting, prayer, and renewed surrender to Allah. And Catholic families received ashes on their
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 19 February) – The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) on Wednesday announced that it has terminated search and retrieval operations for the remains of the nine missing passengers and crew members of M/Bca Amejara. The
There were mornings in Cotabato when the air itself seemed to pray. Before sunrise, the city held its breath. The call to prayer unfurled from the minaret—long, liquid, unhurried—threading through the damp air above the Rio Grande. It slipped past
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 February) – A leader of the progressive women’s group Gabriela said Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration on Wednesday that she will run for president in 2028 was meant to portray her “as being politically persecuted
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 February) — The appointment of Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading as the first female Infantry Battalion Commander in the Philippines (60th IB in Asuncion, Davao del Norte) in February 2023 and her completion of her
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 18 February) — The Senate and House of Representatives will hold separate consultations on the anti-political dynasty bills in this city this week. The Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation chaired by Senator
On February 4, the Philippines signed an agreement with the United States on critical minerals at a U.S. hosted summit in Washington. The meeting was attended by 54 countries and is part of the U.S. push to identify new sources
MindaNews / 18 February – Predictions said this Year of the Horse will see things happen so fast. Hold on to your wallets, inflation will take away our sweldos fast and furious. Things are really happening fast. Like on Wednesday, a day
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 18 February) – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of South Cotabato is slated to conduct a hearing on the coal mining operation in remote Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu town on February 23, an official said. Vice Governor
Multiple posts and messages forwarded across social media platforms contain claims that the weather will get colder due to the Aphelion Phenomenon, and people should take measures to protect their health. These posts are FALSE. MindaNews is fact-checking this claim
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/18 February) — I was in my first year of high school in February 1986. I can no longer recall whether it was on the 23rd or the 24th. But I can still remember how I
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 17 February) – Three Mindanao books are among the winners in the 43rd National Book Awards, in the categories of Best Book in Social Sciences, in Philosophy, and on Professions. The National Book Development Board (NBDB)
