Manila Bulletin - April 25, 2025

In this issue

PBBM, FL off to Vatican for Pope's funeral

Marcos wants more protection for commuters from abusive drivers

President Marcos has directed government agencies to ensure the safety of commuters from abusive public transport drivers.

2 mins

PBBM, FL off to Vatican for Pope's funeral

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were scheduled to leave Thursday night, April 24, to join other world leaders and the faithful at the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 26.

5 mins

NEDA Board OKs upgraded food stamp program

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board chaired by President Marcos has approved the rollout of the Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) project which is an upgrade of the current food stamp program of the government.

2 mins

Go leads Arkipelago senatorial survey

Sen. Bong Go emerged as the top choice for the Senate in a nationwide survey conducted by Arkipelago Analytics ahead of the May 2025 elections.

1 min

Scorching weather to persist as peak of dry season yet to arrive

The scorching weather currently affecting the country is expected to persist in the coming weeks, with the peak of the warm and dry season still yet to arrive, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.

1 min

Foreign aircraft carrier spotted in Northern Luzon

Two naval vessels of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army were monitored in two separate locations within the country’s territory, the Philippine Navy disclosed on Thursday, April 24.

1 min

UK remains committed to trade deals with PH

Amid threats of higher tariffs imposed by the United States globally, the United Kingdom will \"turbocharge\" its investment and trade relations with the Philippines across key sectors, British Ambassador to Manila Laure Beaufils said.

1 min

SC: To raise funds, villages can hold bingo games without permits

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the power of barangays (villages) to hold bingo games as fundraising projects without need of permits from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or any national or local government office.

2 mins

Muntinlupa LGU enacts foster care ordinance for abused, abandoned children

Abused, neglected, abandoned and surrendered children will be given alternative child care under a foster care ordinance of the Muntinlupa City government.

2 mins

6-vehicle collision leaves 3 dead, 10 wounded in Marikina

Three individuals were killed, while around 10 others were injured in a six-vehicle collision along Fortune Avenue in Barangay Fortune, Marikina City on Wednesday evening, April 23.

1 min

South Korea's former President Moon indicted for alleged bribery

South Korean prosecutors indicted former liberal President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges Thursday, saying that a budget airline gave his son-in-law a lucrative no-show job during Moon's term in office.

1 min

Magnitude 6.2 quake shakes Istanbul, injures more than 230 people

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul and other areas of Turkey on Wednesday, prompting widespread panic and scores of injuries in the city of 16 million people, though there were no immediate reports of serious damage.

1 min

What is syntropic farming?

A few columns ago, I wrote about Anitu Forest Food Processing, a small batch chocolatier from Bukidnon and Anitu Food Forest, the syntropic farm that supplies the cacao for the artisanal chocolates.

3 mins

Proclaim the gospel to every creature

Today is the feast day of St. Mark. The first of the four canonical Gospel versions is attributed to him. The Synoptic Gospels tell of Jesus commissioning his disciples to go out and proclaim the Gospel (Mk 16:15-18; Mt 28:16-20; Lk 24:44-49).

2 mins

Why your structures may be at risk if ‘Big One’ strikes

With the “Big One” a big possibil-ity and the ongoing industrial developments in the country, the government should revisit the Philippine steel production policy. The Big One is the predicted 7.2-magnitude earthquake that may hit Metro Manila and neighboring areas.

2 mins

From ‘conclave’ to ‘white smoke’, a glossary of terms used in a papal transition

A change in popes — through death or resignation — is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals in-volving the transition in leadership for both the spiritual head of the global Catholic Church and the Vatican’s head of state.

5 mins

Why PH must adopt a parallel manual vote count system

In a democracy, few things are as fundamental as the accurate counting of votes. The legitimacy of elections — and thus the stability of a nation's political system — hinges directly upon trust in the electoral process. For the Philippines, a country with a rich democratic tradition yet persistent concerns regarding electoral transparency, adopting a parallel manual count system similar to that employed by the United States could significantly enhance the credibility and reliability of our elections.

2 mins

The kings of two wheels take on the Tour of Luzon

Cycling is a way of life for many, woven through the fine threads of Filipino history and continues to become the symbol of persistence and pursuit of personal merit.

2 mins

Napolcom: 2 ex-police officers culpable of conduct unbecoming

The National Police Commission said two former police officers were culpable of conduct unbecoming when they verbally attacked Iloilo fourth district Rep. Ferj Biron and the Ombudsman during a press conference in 2022.

1 min

3 men gunned down in Tabuk City

Three men were found dead near the house of a barangay official in Purok 7, Barangay San Julian, this city, on Thursday morning, April 24.

1 min

Reelectionist mayor shot dead while campaigning

A reelectionist mayor was gunned down while campaigning in Barangay Illuru Sur, Rizal, Cagayan on Wednesday evening, April 23.

1 min

All eyes on Bugna

A determined lineup of rising tennis stars is out to challenge La Carlota City sensation Kathryn Bugna as the Aklan National Junior Tennis Championships unfolds Saturday, April 26, at the Kalibo courts.

1 min

SMB, Ginebra in marquee duel

San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra, two of the perennial contenders in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, are set to lock horns and test each other's mettle on Friday, April 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

1 min

Anciano, Tambalque triumph at Sherwood

Rafa Anciano shook off the ghosts of her final-round collapse at Eagle Ridge, displaying remarkable composure and maturity to clinch a dominant eight-stroke victory over Levonne Talion despite an 83 in the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Junior PGT Championship on Thursday, April 24, at Sherwood Hills Golf Club.

1 min

Issues delay Nueva Ecija agri machinery hub

The Department of Agriculture (DA) settled certain concerns of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) regarding its planned agriculture machinery complex in the country, as the agency moves to advance farm mechanization.

2 mins

PH is ADB's No. 2 borrower in 2024

The Philippines received the second-biggest amount of loans and grants from the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its co-financing partners last year, mainly to bankroll big-ticket infrastructure projects.

2 mins

ALI stays premium as mid-market drags

Real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will continue to focus on the upscale residential market, foregoing its initial plan to shift back to its core middle market, where challenges have unexpectedly persisted.

2 mins

E-payments soar to ₱1.9T in March

Digital payment transactions via PESONet and InstaPay increased by nearly 45 percent to P1.85 trillion in March, from P1.28 trillion in the same month last year.

1 min

Maynilad IPO may hit up to ₱176B

Maynilad Water Services Inc., which is planning a P49-billion initial public offering (IPO), is estimated to be worth at least ₱94.29 billion and as much as ₱175.98 billion—translating to a share price of ₱12.70 to ₱23.70 per share.

1 min

Flying Pope Francis: Recalled

“I informed Ambassador Paynor( Marciano’ Paynor, the Papal visit’s protocol officer) we may have to cut short the visit because the eye of the typhoon would be 42 kilometers near Tacloban,” shared Capt. Manuel Antonio “Skee” Tamayo.

2 mins

PH is ADB’s No. 2 borrower in 2024

ADB last year \"successfully mobilized $2.1 billion for a PPP [public-private partnership project] that will expand and modernize Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA),\" the report noted.

1 min

Healthway’s specialty clinic, vaccination hub hailed among Asia’s best

MANILA—AC Health’s healthcare provider group, Healthway Medical Network (HMN), received two of the top accolades at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2025 for its success in redefining accessible healthcare in the Philippines through its transformative growth and steadfast commitment to delivering Care Beyond Cure.

1 min

FGen supplies RE to Japanese-led manufacturer

Lopez-led First Gen Corp. (FGen) has teamed up with a Japanese manufacturing firm to supply 100-percent clean energy to its facilities in Zambales.

1 min

Tanduay sales boom in VisMin

Tanduay Distillers Inc. (TDI), the spirits unit of the Lucio Tan (LT) Group, posted a 37-percent growth in net income to a record P2.15 billion in 2024, from the P1.57 billion earned in the previous year.

1 min

Bloomberry ups e-gaming push

Razon-led gaming firm Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is on track to launch its new electronic gaming product in late May or early June this year, as it bets on the rapidly growing online gaming business to compensate for revenue losses due to the exit of Chinese players from Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

2 mins

Honda hybrids return over 22 km/l on Baguio drive

Civic, CR-V, and HR-V go north

3 mins

Mazda introduces new BT-50

Powered to drive your passion

3 mins

Jeric Gonzales: The day he almost quit showbiz

With more than a decade of experience in the vibrant entertainment world, the acclaimed Kapuso actor Jeric Gonzales exudes confidence as he immerses himself in intense drama projects.

4 mins

Helen Gamboa tied with Nora Aunor

One of the highlights in Helen Gamboa-Sotto’s movie career happened in 1995 at the Urian Awards when she figured in a tie for best actress with Superstar and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor.

1 min

Finishing touches

Festival season's calling—show up in style with the hottest accessories and beauty must-haves

1 min

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