Manila Bulletin - April 15, 2025

In this issue

Transport sector, PNP on Holy Week high alert

Transport sector, PNP on Holy Week high alert

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) placed transportation facilities around the country on “high alert” as it estimates that millions of Filipinos will travel for Holy Week, while police forces nationwide were placed under heightened alert as part of the comprehensive security measures for the long Lenten break.

5 mins

Don't disrespect Filipinos, Marcos warns foreign vloggers

President Marcos has warned foreign vloggers against insulting or provoking Filipinos for views, saying they should not mistake Filipinos’ kindness for weakness.

1 min

Vote with integrity, Palace urges overseas Filipinos

Malacañang has reminded Filipinos abroad to exercise their right to suffrage and vote for leaders with integrity and not just because they were told to do so.

2 mins

PBBM orders safe travel; VP Sara says Holy Week a chance for healing, unity

President Marcos has directed relevant government agencies to ensure safe and convenient travel for locals and foreigners during the Holy Week.

1 min

LTO summons owner, driver of jeepney in QC road accident

The Land Transportation Office has summoned the registered owner and diver of the passenger jeepney in the fatal road accident on Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City on Sunday morning, April 13.

1 min

Palace condemns school bullying

Malacañang assured the public that it is not ignoring the recent school bullying cases surfacing online.

1 min

Kanlaon Volcano belches ash anew

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of ashfall after Kanlaon Volcano spewed ash plumes anew around midday yesterday.

2 mins

PH ready to conduct another Myanmar humanitarian mission

The Philippines is ready to deploy another batch of humanitarian contingent to earthquake-hit Myanmar, but it is still waiting for an official request from the Burmese government.

2 mins

It was night

Today’s Gospel passage nar-rates the announcement of Judas’ betrayal.

2 mins

PH Air Force fleet buildup: Boon to homeland security

As announced by the US State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) the other week, following the visit to Manila of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US government has given the go signal for the possible foreign military sale of 20 units of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines for $5.58 billion or approximately P319 billion. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. held talks with his counterpart after the former’s call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

2 mins

Philippine Red Cross: 78 years of humanitarian service

The country’s foremost humanitarian organization, the Philippine Red Cross, celebrates its 78th anniversary today, April 15. For over seven decades, the PRC has impressively responded to various disasters and emergencies, delivered effective and efficient lifesaving services, and transformed countless lives.

3 mins

My classmate, my idol

ever did I imagine I would have the privilege and honor to have a classmate who surpassed the expectations of not just myself but the University of the Philippines as well.

3 mins

Emerging jobs in the metaverse

Many of us are fixated on artificial intelligence's potential to disrupt humanity. But an emerging new world order is shaping up in the virtual world: the metaverse.

3 mins

That water bottle you're carrying says a lot more than ‘hydration’

If you like to stay hydrated no matter where you go, chances are you’ve got a reusable water bottle or two. “Or 10. (The collectors know who they are.)

2 mins

A timely ASEAN response to global economic uncertainties

Recent pronouncements from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted the need for ASEAN to come together to sustain economic cooperation and integration in ASEAN in light of the challenges posed by the recent liberation day tariff announcements by the US government. These statements come at the heels of the recent ASEAN economic ministers meeting.

2 mins

Mayor Abby to push for nutritious snacks, meals for learners

Akati City Mayor and senatorial aspirant Abby Binay on Monday, April 14, vowed to push for free healthy snacks and meals in schools to address nutritional deficiencies among students as well as improve their overall academic performance.

2 mins

Provincial board bet, driver hurt in ambush

A candidate for provincial board member and his driver were wounded in an ambush in Datu Anggal Midtimbang town, Maguindanao del Sur province on Sunday afternoon.

1 min

Rep. Paolo Duterte pens sweet message for mom's 77th birthday

Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte penned a heartfelt message for his mother, Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman, on her 77th birth anniversary on Monday, April 14.

1 min

Avoid speculations on Espinosa shooting - Leyte police chief

ACLOBAN CITY - The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) called on the public to avoid speculations on the recent shooting of self-confessed drug lord and Albuera, Leyte mayoral bet Kerwin Espinosa.

1 min

Trump 'fully fit' to serve as commander in chief

Donald Trump's doctor says the oldest man elected president is \"fully fit\" to serve as commander in chief as the White House released results Sunday of Trump's recent physical exam.

2 mins

China's Xi says there are 'no winners' in a tariff war

China's leader Xi Jinping started a week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam on Monday, signaling China's commitment to global trade, just after U.S. President Donald Trump upended the global economy with his latest tariffs moves.

2 mins

China’s Xi says there are ‘no winners’ in a tariff war

(AP) — China’s leader Xi Jinping started a week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam on Monday, signaling China’s commitment to global trade, just after U.S. President Donald Trump upended the global economy with his latest tariffs moves.

2 mins

Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with in-person greeting in St. Peter's Square

A convalescing Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week,” in yet another reassuring public sign of his recovery from a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia.

2 mins

FAA: Company of sightseeing chopper that crashed, killing 6, is ceasing operations immediately

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday that the helicopter tour company whose sightseeing chopper broke apart in flight and crashed in New York, killing the pilot and a family of five visitors from Spain, is shutting down operations immediately.

1 min

Bugna dominates

Kathryn Bugna continued her impressive streak at the Semana Sang Iloilo National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Iloilo Sports Complex over the weekend, adding the girls' 18-and-under crown to her growing collection in the PPS-PEPP national circuit.

1 min

All eyes on Eala

Eyes arenowonteen sensation Alex Eala as she begins her claycourt season campaign this week at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal.

1 min

Rory roars at Augusta

Mcllroy ends long wait, completes career Grand Slam

2 mins

Gary Hunt tops El Nido leg

Veterans Gary Hunt and Rhiannan Iffland proved that experience is always an advantage as they splashed their way to the top and ruled the men's and women's events of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series here Sunday, April 13.

1 min

GCash parent raises stake in AB Capital

Globe Fintech In-novations Inc. (Mynt), the par-ent company of leading e-wallet GCash, has secured a 16-percent stake of AB Capital Securities Inc. (ABSCI), the stock broking arm of investment house AB Capital and Investment Corp.

1 min

Tariff exemption aiding PH electronics

The tariff exemption on electronic products ordered by United States (US) President Donald Trump would provide the Philippines' top export commodity some relief, according to Japanese financial giant MUFG Bank Ltd.

2 mins

Another 25-bp BSP rate cut likely in June

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to immediately follow through on last week's 25-basis-point (bp) cut in key interest rates with a similar reduction at its next policy meeting on June 19.

1 min

Negotiated sale eyed for idle gov’t assets

Idle government assets valued at over P600 million will be re-advertised for sale through negotiated sales, after receiving no bids or offers in early April.

1 min

Holy Week fuel price rollback

As motorists gear up for the Holy Week traffic rush, a drop in fuel prices offers some relief at the gas pumps for travelers taking advantage of the break.

1 min

US tariffs risk global markets

US President Donald Trump is tilting at windmills. Like it or not, his unexpected decision to hike US tariffs on imports is likely to be economically damaging in the long run. No one doubts that such a large US tariff increase is the biggest disruption in recent memory, given the pervasive uncertainties, persistent inflation, and lingering geopolitical crises in the global economy today.

2 mins

Palestine Embassy hosts special screening of ‘From Ground Zero — Untold Stories from Gaza’

led by Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas, hosted a short film screening produced by a new generation of young Palestinian filmmakers. The screening, titled “From Ground Zero — Untold Stories from Gaza,” was held at Alliance Frangaise de Manille in Makati.

1 min

EU promotes awareness on disabilities

The EU Delegation to the Philippines reiterated their commitment to gender equality and inclusion at all levels. It organized a forum with the PWD community, civil society organizations and EU member states on April 8 at the residence of the EU ambassador.

1 min

SHOM Manila grants International Bazaar 2024 funds to beneficiaries

On April 4, the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM) together with its charity partner for 50 years, International Bazaar Foundation (IBF), distributed profits of International Bazaar 2024 to four local beneficiaries.

1 min

Trump tariffs cast shadow on Emperador's whisky biz

Emperador Inc., the liquor unit of tycoon Andrew Tan, expects a better year for its brandy business, but its whisky business faces challenges, especially with the new US trade policies.

1 min

SteelAsia builds heavy steel mill

SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp., a leader in steel manufacturing, has signed an agreement with Italy-based Danieli Co. Ltd. to establish the country’s first heavy steel sections mill in Candelaria, Quezon.

1 min

Chua launches ABG tender offer

Business-man Francis Lloyd Chua’s Premiumlands Corporation (PLC) and Industrial Holdings and Development Corporation (IHDC) have finally kicked off the P255 million tender offer for a third of the capital of Asiabest Group International Inc. held by the public.

1 min

PH meat imports jump amid disease concerns

The Philippines increased its meat imports by 33 percent as of the end of February, as traders ramped up purchases amid the continued spread of animal diseases affecting domestic production.

1 min

Keepers, Cosco profits increase

Tycoon Lucio L. Co’s retail holding firm Cosco Capital, Inc. and The Keepers Holdings Inc. (Keepers), the Philippines’ largest imported liquor distributor, reported strong double-digit profit growth for 2024.

2 mins

Cup Of Joe's potent brew

Viva has taken steps to protect its artists' intellectual property further.

2 mins

BTS’ J-Hope makes triumphant return to PH with sold-out shows

The clamor for the return of Grammy-nominated K-pop icon BTS to the Philippines and the music world was palpable at member J-Hope’s solo concert.

4 mins

Michael Leyva enchants with 'Memoria ng Hardin'

The noted Filipino fashion designer showcased his 2026 couture collection, which spotlights form and texture while shying away from traditional heavy beadwork

2 mins

Making a mark on the global clean beauty stage

Local beauty brand Pure Culture wins at the Organic Beauty Awards 2025

2 mins

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