Top 5 News This Week: Senators vs. Chinese embassy; Rodrigo Duterte and ICC

Some atypical behavior from the Chinese embassy in Manila has senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Erwin Tulfo asserting Filipino independence. The latest government appraisal of the education system yields concerning results.

Meanwhile, some bad news from the International Criminal Court for ex-president Rodrigo Duterte. Also: Donald Trump, Alex Pretti, and the Iranian regime. These are the top news stories from January 25 to 31, 2026.

Read all about them:

#5 ‘Our house, our terms’: Senators condemn Chinese embassy remarks vs PH officials

#4 Mass promotion: Students don’t learn, teachers are ‘shock absorbers’

#3 Trump says Alex Pretti, man shot in Minnesota, should not have carried gun

#2 Trump warns Iran to make nuclear deal or next attack will be ‘far worse’

#1 Case goes on: ICC judges declare Duterte fit for pre-trial

Watch the video for a quick roundup of these stories. – Rappler.com

Presenter, producer: JC Gotinga
Video editor: Emerald Hidalgo
Supervising producer: Beth Frondoso