Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
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READ: ICC rejects new bid for Duterte’s interim release
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered that former president Rodrigo Duterte remain in detention, rejecting a renewed request for his interim release. The Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that there has been no material change in the severe risks that initially justified his arrest, including the likelihood that he could flee, obstruct proceedings, or commit further crimes within the court’s jurisdiction. The decision, issued on Jan. 26, 2026, by a three-judge panel presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc and including Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera, relied heavily on the unanimous findings of a court-appointed medical panel.
READ: 12 of 17 regional directors replaced in DPWH shakeup
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PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon has replaced 12 of 17 regional directors at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in a shakeup as part of reforms to curb rampant corruption in the agency. Dizon also designated 10 new assistant regional directors. New regional directors were named in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MImaropa Region, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Caraga, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Negros Island Region (NIR). New assistant regional directors were appointed in CAR, Central Luzon, Mimaropa Region, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga. Dizon said the regional offices play a vital role in ensuring that the implementation of flood control projects and other infrastructure are in accordance with the procurement process, correct specifications and approved structural plan.
READ: Owner of sunken ferry grounded as probe begins
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THE government grounded the passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines on Tuesday as rescuers scoured the ocean for survivors after its ferry, the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, sank off Basilan on Jan. 26, killing at least 28 people. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also ordered a sweeping maritime safety audit of all domestic vessels following Monday’s sinking. In a press briefing, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said search and rescue operations were continuing in Basilan a day after the incident, with 10 people — including the ship’s captain — still missing. Lopez said the vessel had 317 passengers and 27 crew members listed on board, but about 50 ticketed passengers did not proceed with the voyage, explaining discrepancies in earlier counts. As of the latest briefing, authorities confirmed 28 fatalities, including an infant. Those still being searched for included eight crew members, the ship’s captain, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) marshal.
READ: Palace says too early to talk of alliances for 2028
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said that it was too early to discuss proposals to form a new political alliance similar to the UniTeam that backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 elections. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV suggested that pro-Marcos supporters form an alliance with the so-called “Kakampinks” of former vice president Leni Robredo to oppose the Dutertes in 2028.
READ: Ukraine reports Filipino killed while fighting for Russia
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MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said it is verifying reports that a Filipino was among Russian forces killed in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Military Intelligence earlier this week reported that a Filipino, identified as “John Patrick,” was one of many foreigners who fought under Russia’s 9th Assault Company of the 3rd Battalion of the 283rd Regiment of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division in the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces. He perished in a “meat assault,” or heavy attack, near the village of Novoselivka in the Kramatorsk district in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. In a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government has yet to receive official reports from pertinent agencies and authorities regarding the matter.
BUSINESS: Trade gap narrows
THE country’s trade deficit narrowed in December amid continued growth in exports and imports, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed on Tuesday. The $3.52-billion shortfall — from exports worth $6.99 billion and imports totaling $10.52 billion — was markedly lower than the year-earlier $4.15 billion and November’s $3.95 billion. The value of all shipments — $17.51 billion — fell from the previous month’s $17.81 billion but was significantly higher compared to the $15.49 billion seen in December 2024. Exports growth improved to 23.3 percent year on year from 21.67 percent in November and also rebounded from the year-ago drop of 1.9 percent. Imports rose by a higher 7.1 percent from November’s 2.3 percent and December 2024’s -1.4 percent. The full-year trade balance for 2025 improved to a deficit of $49.16 billion from $54.33 billion a year earlier. Exports totaled $84.4 billion, up 15.2 percent from $73.27 billion in 2024, while imports grew by 4.7 percent to $133.57 billion from $127.59 billion. Last year’s exports were the highest on record based on historical data since 1991, the PSA said, while imports also hit a three-year peak.
SPORTS: Eala eyes PH Women’s Open QF berth
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FILIPINO tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala seeks a quarterfinals berth as she continues homestand at the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center Wednesday. Eala faces either Nao Hibino or Himeno Sakatsume in the round of 16, likely the final match of the day set in the evening. Hibino and Sakatsume were battling at press time Tuesday afternoon in an all-Japanese round of 32 match. Eala made her home tournament debut Monday as she thrilled Filipino fans with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win sweep of Russian Alina Charaeva. The 20-year-old Eala was delighted to have finally played an official Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) match at home.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao hails China’s industrial policies, while Tatad says the country cannot affort to shun peace.
Today’s editorial claims that the country’s maritime security is under scrutiny. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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