By Duoi Ampilan OMG! Mt. Kanlaon erupted this evening few minutes after 7:00 PM February 26. Di pa tayo tapos sa patuloy na pagputok ng Mt Mayon ay heto na naman ang Kanlaon Volcano ng Negros Island. Photo by Ethan Asentista

By Optic Politics The Affidavit Exposes ICC Deception: How Prosecutors Twisted Truth Against Duterte OPTIC Politics | February 26, 2026 On February 23, 2026, the International Criminal Court, under Prosecutor Julian Nicholls, attempted to weaponize a video recording against former President Rodrigo Duterte, presenting it to a global audience as evidence of extrajudicial killings allegedly ignored by the Philippine leader. Yet the sworn affidavit of Davao journalist Ben Jason Tesiorna exposes this narrative as a deliberate, reckless, and legally indefensible distortion. Tesiorna’s affidavit details that he recorded the footage on December 19, 2013, during a media demonstration of Davao City’s newly installed Central 911 CCTV system. The purpose of this recording was straightforward: to showcase the system’s ability to capture incidents clearly, both in real time and for review. The footage was archival, not a live crime scene. No killings occurred during the demonstration. Police office...

Lifted from 25 February 2026 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐂𝐂 𝐡𝐨𝐚𝐱: 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 ‘𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐄𝐉𝐊𝐬’ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐯𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞 February 23, 2026 | Read time: 9 minutes THE International Criminal Court’s (ICC) case against former president Rodrigo Duterte is an abomination and a huge, horrific hoax. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will go down in history as more ruthless than his dictator father, in his turning over of a frail 79-year-old former president who cracked down on illegal drugs to a sovereign entity, on false charges. He could have asked the Supreme Court to rule first on the constitutionality of surrendering a former — and extremely popular — president to a foreign entity. He instead ordered Nicolas Torre, his thug disguised as a police official, to forcibly bring the former president to the ICC, hoping that Duterte’s disappearance would dissipate his political base. Now, Marcos and the ICC appear to be intent on further trampling on our sovereignty...

Lifted Statement of Rep. Paolo Duterte Frankly, I do not know whether the ICC prosecutors are simply incompetent—or deliberately pretending to be blind because they are being guided by handlers here in the Philippines who are just as desperate as they are. Every time they roll out so-called “evidence,” it is the same recycled script– old testimonies, twisted narratives, and edited videos carefully shaped to fit their predetermined story against President Rodrigo Duterte. The video they relied on has already been publicly debunked by its own owner. It was taken out of context, distorted, and reinterpreted just so they could present something—anything—to the ICC.  And when the truth came out? Silence. No apology. No accountability. Is this justice—or trial by imagination? Now we hear allegations from former soldiers claiming that 2 million US dollars were allegedly handed out for ICC “expenses,” and once again, the same familiar political parasites appear–Asong Ulol Trililing and the...

Lifted from Transcript of Defense’ Lead Counsel Nicholas Kaufman   Opening Statement   Confirmation of Charges   23 February 2026      Mr. Cawthron, please. And I thank Mr. Butuyan for his intervention, but I feel that I ought to remind him that this is a court of law which decides matters on the basis of evidence, not on the basis of political demagoguery and not on the basis of a desire to affect regime change despite the democratic will. And certainly not on the basis of statements made by ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who professed that domestic justice would be denied, according to Mr. Butuyan, because of the lack of forensic reports and police reports.      Now, I don't know which case Mr. Butuyan's metaphorical ship sailed into, but he clearly hasn't read the evidence. Whilst he was speaking, we examined the evidence and out of that evidence, we found at least 35 reports substantiating 49 of the incidents wh...

Lifted from FEBRUARY 24, 2026. MANILA. Teddy Adarna The timing could not have been more surgical. On the morning of February 23, 2026, the International Criminal Court opened its confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague. 24 hours later Eighteen former Marines marched forward with claims so staggering they could swallow the news cycle whole: that they personally delivered P805 billion in cash in suitcases, counted bag by bag inside a Valle Verde mansion. That they exchanged $2 million in funds allegedly intended for ICC investigators. That former senator Antonio Trillanes IV one of the most visible advocates for ICC accountability was handed money to manage the tribunal’s investigators on Philippine soil. That the entire shadow economy of corruption ran through one node: fugitive ex-congressman Zaldy Co, now hiding abroad, with Interpol on his trail and billions allegedly on his conscience. The Philippines did not just wake up to a corruption...

Lifted from Sass Rogando Sasot 25 February 2026 "By accepting the possibility of dying in an ICC cell, Duterte completes this transformation. He ceases to be a defendant seeking justice from the court and becomes, in the eyes of his followers and for the historical record he is a martyr. He is a martyr not for a policy, but for the cause of sovereignty itself, for the principle that a leader’s fate should be decided by his people, not by a distant court backed by global power. The court, in its attempt to avoid being a show trial by giving him a voice, has allowed him to stage a counter-trial. And the final verdict in that counter-trial will not be delivered by the judges in The Hague. It will be rendered by a future generation, looking back at a man who, when placed before the bar of international opinion, refused to plead, refused to recognize the court, and declared his peace from within its own prison walls. In that act of total rupture, he has ensured that his story will outl...

Lifted from Pungkols In The confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague began on February 23, 2026, marking a key phase in the case related to alleged crimes against humanity during his administration's war on drugs. During the proceedings, Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte's lead defense counsel, delivered a pointed opening statement that not only defended his client but also directly criticized current President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Kaufman portrayed Duterte as a "unique phenomenon" in Philippine politics—passionate, straightforward, and a man whose word was his bond, earning public trust through his consistent style. He drew a sharp contrast with Marcos, accusing the current administration of reneging on earlier promises of non-cooperation with the ICC. Kaufman referenced a prior statement from Marcos (including a December 2023 letter) declaring that the gove...

Opticsl Politics 20 February 2026 EDITORIAL | Duterte Defies ICC Authority, Calls Arrest ‘Kidnapping’ as Philippines’ Role Comes Under Fire OPTIC Politics | February 20, 2026 Rodrigo Duterte’s request to waive his attendance at the ICC confirmation hearing was not an act of weakness. It was an act of strategy. In one procedural stroke, he exposed three uncomfortable truths: the prosecution’s contempt for the rights of the accused, the political character of his transfer to The Hague, and the quiet complicity of the Philippine state in what he now calls an abduction dressed as law. This was not a medical plea. It was not a retreat. It was a legal provocation. By seeking to waive his presence before the hearing even begins, Duterte forced the prosecution to reveal its posture in advance: it insisted on his physical or virtual attendance despite full knowledge of his age and documented frailty. The law does not demand performative cruelty. The Rome Statute allows waiver at the confirmatio...

From Tennis Spot 5 MINS AGO 🔥 The tennis community and Filipino fans are “exploding” with emotion as billionaire Elon Musk has suddenly announced a new sponsorship deal for young tennis star Alexandra Eala – but this time, it's completely different. A few months ago, Eala turned down a huge offer from Tesla because she didn’t want to be "bought" by commercial interests. However, today, Elon Musk surprised the world by announcing, “Alexandra Eala is not only an outstanding athlete, but also an inspiration to millions of poor children in the Philippines. I’ve decided to sponsor her with a long-term contract – no Tesla logo, no advertising, no commercial benefit for any of my companies..." This action is seen as an implicit "apology" and a huge sign of respect from Elon towards Alexandra after the previous controversies. Alexandra Eala’s response brought tears to millions, as she replied with a statement that not only melted the hearts of tennis fans but also...

From different sources Seeding Benefit: By entering as a seed (likely No. 31 or 32), Eala is expected to receive a first-round bye and will avoid facing another seeded player until at least the third round..  😎💪🇵🇭 #AtletangPilipino #kabayan #tennisplayer #tennis #AlexEala (Sports Connect)

From different sources: Three former American ATP tennis players have expressed their thoughts on the popularity of Filipina tennis star Alex Eala. She is even bigger draw than Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff The 20-year-old and world No. 31 Filipina tennis sensation is not only famous or popular. But, the question is; "Is Eala now the most popular and biggest draw WTA tennis player on Tour?" According to former American tennis player Steve Johnson, he answered "Yes" in an interview with former American tennis player Sam Querrey, 38, on the Nothing major Show. "Is she bigger than Sabalenka, is she bigger than Coco?" Sam asked again. The now 36-year-old Johnson answered Yes. Querrey seems to agree. “It’s like [Joao] Fonseca but I think it’s bigger than Fonseca… she’s already been on the cover of Vogue and she’s like playing well right now too! If she wins a Slam it would be one of the biggest things in the world.” For 40-year-old former American netter John ...

By Duoi Ampilan Mayon in slumber is a beautiful sight to behold, but Mayon in fury is a terrifying beast to behold. ------oOo-----  MAYON VOLCANO: A Timeless Beauty and a Childhood Dream Of all the natural wonders in the Bicol Region, Mayon Volcano remains my favorite.   Even as a child, I was captivated by its image seeing it on postcards, dreaming of the day I’d witness its grandeur in person. And when that moment finally came, it took my breath away. Standing before its majestic presence, I felt pure awe and delight.   Rising 2,463 meters above sea level, Mayon is famed as the "World’s Most Perfect Cone Volcano" for its near-flawless symmetry. But beyond its beauty lies a tale as dramatic as its eruptions.   According to Bicolano mythology, Mayon emerged from the grave of the legendary lovers Magayon and Panganoron. Named after Daragang Magayon (Beautiful Lady), the volcano is said to be the resting place of the beloved princess-heroine. Locals beli...

Monday Alex Eala Reaches World No. 31 🇵🇭🔥 Career-High Live Ranking! 📌 Live WTA Singles Ranking (Feb 23, 2026) • #31 – Alex Eala (PHI) 🇵🇭 World No. 31 and rising! 🎾✨ Another proud milestone for Alex and for the Philippines. The hard work, discipline, and fearless heart continue to move her higher in the WTA rankings. The journey is far from over. Keep climbing, Alex  #AlexEala #ALEXEALAFANS #wtarankings #ProudFilipino #tennisstar *** Veteran official compares Alexandra Eala to the Big Three — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic — and says Eala and her Filipino fans are simply built different! After more than 30 years officiating at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Hany El Khafief has seen countless unforgettable moments unfold on Centre Court. The longtime Dubai-based referee still remembers the electric atmosphere whenever legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova step...

Lifted from Alex Eala Fans Quote " Win or lose, Tennis is better with great crowd of fans🎾 "   ~Salah Talak, Dubai Tournament Director Director of Dubai Tennis Tournament expressing his appreciation to Alex Eala and The Filipino Fans! Let us like his post.  *** GOOD NEWS 🔴 Despite her painful elimination at the Dubai Championships, Alexandra Eala was honored with a heartfelt gesture of admiration when tournament chairman Salah Tala — a widely respected, forward-thinking leader passionately dedicated to elevating tennis across the region — personally sought her out after the match to extend his congratulations, telling her, “You didn’t merely play with talent, you competed with the soul of a genuine champion.” In the presence of officials and esteemed guests, he openly commended her relentless determination, impeccable professionalism, and dazzling future potential, while also extending an extraordinary opportunity that any player would envy. Yet Eala’s calm, self-assure...

*** By Sportstalk PH ALEX EALA AND HER MASSIVE FILIPINO FAN BASE ARE MAKING A REAL IMPACT ON TENNIS 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 Alex Eala isn’t just winning matches—she’s changing the atmosphere of the tournaments she plays in. Reports out of Dubai say that the 20 year old Filipina tennis star has packed tournament venues that organizers are willing to offer her outright berths to drive up ticket sales, several events are now closely monitoring her availability, reports said. Wherever Eala plays, thousands of Filipino fans show up in full force. Organizers have taken notice. After the Australian Open received criticism for placing her singles matches on a smaller court, she has since become a regular feature on center court in other tournaments due to overwhelming fan support. Eala’s growing influence shows that she’s not only building her career—she’s also expanding tennis’ global reach and energizing a new wave of fans. #SportsTalkPH

How true? 🔥 BREAKING NEWS: The head coach of Sorana Cirstea, Sven Groeneveld, has been fined $200,000 and suspended indefinitely by the International Tennis Federation pending further review, following offensive remarks directed at the family of top player Alexandra Eala after her victory at the Dubai Championships. Groeneveld’s comments not only sparked public outrage but also deeply hurt the Eala family, especially her father, Mike Eala, who has sacrificed immensely and stood by his daughter from her earliest days holding a racket. In an effort to protect his protégé, coach Rafa Nadal sent a direct letter to the president of the Philippine Tennis Association, and the organization’s subsequent actions have ignited a major wave of controversy within the Filipino and international tennis communities. WATCH FULL STORY 👇👇: https://freshnewsbuzz.com/posts/breaking-news-the-head-coach-of-sorana-cirstea-sven-groeneveld-has-been-fined-and-suspended-p782r53og7oteidilwi1igz-thanhthuy/?utm_so...

Admin: They included her with due respect to her own credits (aside) because the organisers know, SO WELL, she'll bring unprecedented revenue to the tournament. She's now a GLOBAL ICON in the Tennis World sans ranking gauges on the scoreboard. Di ba nakaka proud? Why such favour, let alone this momentous honour? The answer is simple: There's only ONE ALEXANDRA EALA, a small piece of gemstone of the Sports who is a unifier for all mankind. I feel that. Iba na talaga ang mabait. "No man can put a good man down." Kaya PALANGGA SIYA ng lahat and NOBODY CAN DENY! For she's a jolly good fellah! Love her! ❤️ 💙 💜 By Duoi Ampilan 22 February 2026 Alex Eala is In! The Filipino Phenom Qualifies for the so called "5th Grand Slam" Alex Eala is once again set to compete on one of the biggest stages in the world, outside of the four Grand Slams. The 20-year-old Filipino sensation has officially entered the main draw of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, better known as...

From FB - 21 February 2026 😱 Philippines “BIG ONE” Countdown: West Valley Fault 368 Years Overdue? 😱 The Philippines is facing an imminent seismic crisis as the West Valley Fault, which runs directly beneath Metro Manila, is now 368 years overdue for a catastrophic rupture. With over 13 million people living in the immediate vicinity, the potential for disaster looms large. Recent seismic activity has surged dramatically, with the country recording 847 earthquakes in just 30 days, compared to the average of 8 to 12. This alarming increase in earthquakes is not random; it signifies a buildup of stress on the West Valley Fault, which scientists predict will eventually lead to a devastating earthquake. The consequences could be catastrophic, with predictions estimating over 170,000 buildings destroyed and a death toll exceeding 34,000. The interconnected nature of the region's fault systems raises further concerns, as seismic events in one area can trigger reactions in others, creat...

The hottest property. I call it GLOBAL ICON  By Joel Lopez "When Victory Applauds Hope" Coco Gauff Match With Alex Eala — by Joel Lopez The stadium lights in Dubai glowed like a constellation fallen to earth. Every seat seemed filled, every corridor humming, every heartbeat echoing beneath the vast ceiling of the arena hosting the Dubai Tennis Championships. It was the kind of night that didn’t just belong to tennis, it belonged to stories. And on this night, two stories met at the net. On one side stood Coco Gauff, the world No. 4, already carrying the quiet confidence of a champion who had grown up under the glare of the sport’s biggest stages. On the other side stood Alex Eala, a 20-year-old Filipina whose journey felt like a sunrise the tennis world had only just begun to notice. But before a single ball was struck, the story had already begun in the stands. Filipino flags waved like small flames in the air. Voices rose in Tagalog, English, and excited laughter. Fami...