Manila Bulletin - April 29, 2025

In this issue

World mourns with PH

World mourns with PH

Suspect in Lapulapu festival tragedy in Vancouver charged

6 mins

Filipino festival turns into 'darkest day in Vancouver'

The smells of crispy lumpia, caramelized plantains and other Filipino street foods beckoned attendees of a Vancouver festival as they flooded out of a concert on an unusually sunny spring day in the Canadian city.

3 mins

DA rolls out P20/kilo rice starting May 2

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that its initiative of selling rice at P20 per kilo will be expanded into the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) program and participating local government units (LGUs) nationwide, starting on Friday, May 2.

3 mins

Marcos to hold bilateral talks with Japan PM Ishiba today

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is expected to arrive today, April 29, to meet with President Marcos for bilateral talks on regional maritime security, the Japanese Embassy in Manila disclosed.

1 min

PH, New Zealand to sign visiting forces agreement

The Philippines and New Zealand are set to sign a defense agreement that will allow the two countries' militaries to conduct exercises in each other's territories, New Zealand's Defense Minister Judith Collins said on Monday, April 28.

1 min

Local absentee voting for May 2025 polls begins

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday, April 28, officially started the local absentee voting (LAV) for the 2025 midterm elections, allowing more than 57,000 government personnel and other authorized voters to cast their votes ahead of the May 12 polls.

1 min

Bulusan Volcano: Alert level 1 up after phreatic eruption

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert status of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon from Alert Level 0 (normal) to Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) following a phreatic or steam-driven eruption early Monday morning, April 28.

1 min

PH holds maritime operation at Sandy Cay to dispel Chinese claim

The national government completed an inter-agency maritime operation at Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2, Cay 3, and its surrounding waters on Sunday, April 27, to debunk the People's Republic of China's (PRC) declaration of sovereign jurisdiction over Sandy Cay in the South China Sea.

2 mins

North Korea confirms that it dispatched troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine

North Korea confirmed Monday for the first time that it sent troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

2 mins

The Vatican closes the Sistine Chapel to the public and prepares for a papal conclave

The Vatican has closed the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will gather for the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at age 88.

2 mins

Bulacan jail warden, 3 guards fired

Governor Daniel Fernando suspended the provincial jail warden and jail guards for allowing persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to go in and out of the Bulacan Provincial Jail in the City of Malolos, Bulacan and appointed the concurrent head of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Ret. Col. Manuel Lukban Jr. as the officer in charge of the Provincial Civil Security and Jail Management Office (PCSJMO).

1 min

Fires raze storage facility in QC, warehouse in Caloocan, houses in Muntinlupa

An abandoned storage facility in Quezon City, a warehouse in Caloocan City, and six houses in Muntinlupa City were razed by fires on Monday morning, April 28.

1 min

Lolo Kiko made me proud to be Catholic

As the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday last week and as tributes poured in, there was no doubt how much he was loved - a love so profound for the grandfatherly figure who had comforted the weary and lifted the downtrodden.

3 mins

Wake-up call for PH global competitiveness

The inception of the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Rankings survey, as announced recently by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), is a timely and sobering wake-up call for the Philippines.

2 mins

Sink or swim

The past two weeks had been very eventful. There was the shock of the death of Pope Francis. Although I'd like to write about the pope, everyone seemed to have written about him that there isn't anything new I can say about him that I haven't read in newspapers, social media, chat groups etc. Suffice to say Pope Francis was much beloved almost universally, Catholics and otherwise.

3 mins

Pope Francis' life: A lesson in humility

What can Filipino leaders learn from the life of Pope Francis?

3 mins

Toward deepening Japan-Philippines strategic partnership

Warm greetings to the people of the Philippines. I am Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, and I am truly delighted to be visiting your country.

4 mins

Army foils terror plot in Maguindanao del Sur

Prompt action by military forces, who responded to civilian reports of armed men in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, successfully thwarted an attempt by a lawless armed group to sow terror in Maguindanao del Sur, an Army officer reported here on Monday.

1 min

2 strong quakes shake Cagayan

Two moderately strong and shallow earthquakes rocked Cagayan province before dawn yesterday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

1 min

7 NPA rebels killed in Negros clashes

A total of seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a series of encounters with the military in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, April 27.

1 min

Brawner to public: Vote wisely on May 12

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Sunday enjoined Filipinos to become modern-day heroes by voting wisely on May 12.

1 min

Vietnamese fishing boats sighted in Ilocos Norte?

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is reaching out to local fishermen in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte after reports surfaced that their traditional fishing grounds are being frequented by Vietnamese fishing boats.

1 min

Mirafloreses told to answer disqualification cases

The Commission on Elections has ordered Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores and his father, former Gov. Florencio “Joeben” Miraflores, to answer the disqualification cases filed against them.

1 min

Augmentation forces for elections deployed in Cagayan, Isabela

The Police Regional Office-2 has deployed augmentation forces from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-2 and Philippine National Police-Special Action Force in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela to ensure the conduct of credible elections.

1 min

PNVF, MVP Group ink partnership

The MVP Group, headed by chairman and staunch sports advocate Manuel V. Pangilinan, formalized its ironclad support for the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) for the historic staging of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship Philippines 2025 from Sept. 12 to 28.

1 min

Bright future ahead

Better things are coming for the Lady Falcons.

1 min

Valientes, Family's Brand press PBA bid

Now there's Zamboanga Valientes.

1 min

Javiniar rules Stage 5

Former waiter from Pagsanjan soloes to victory

1 min

Suzuki edges ahead

The race for supremacy in the 11-14 division of the ICTSI Splendido Taal Junior PGT Championship turned into a thrilling showdown, as early Luzon series winners clashed in a high-stakes battle for top honors in blustery conditions here on Monday, April 28.

1 min

PH ready to bargain for US tariff cut

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque is looking into providing greater access to key export interests as part of concessions that the United States (US) could ask in exchange for lowering the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Philippine goods.

1 min

Aboitiz Techglomerate: Paving the way for the future with a bold vision

Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), the holding company of the Aboitiz Group, reported continued momentum in 2024 and outlined a bold, future-ready roadmap during its annual shareholders' meeting held Monday, April 28.

2 mins

US and PH conduct joint training on anti-trafficking of hazardous materials

From March 24 to 28, the United States government, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) International Counter-proliferation Program (ICP), hosted a maritime security training to enhance the Philippine government’s efforts to counter the maritime trafficking of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials.

1 min

Norwegian Training Center celebrates 35 years of maritime excellence in PH

The Norwegian Training Center (NTC) celebrated its 35th anniversary in the Philippines on April 24 at the Peninsula Manila Hotel.

3 mins

EU EOM launches first EU election observation mission in PH

European Parliament member and European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to the Philippines chief observer Marta Temido led the EU EOM official launch on April 25 at a press conference in Manila, concluding a five-day first visit to the country.

2 mins

New bond series from BPI debuts

The Bank of the Philippine Islands, the Ayala Group's financial services arm, is planning to raise P5 billion from a planned offering and issuance Peso-denominated fixed-rate BPI Supporting Inclusion, Nature, and Growth Bonds due 2026 (BPI SINAG Bonds).

2 mins

Concepcion Industrial Q1 earnings up sharply

Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC), the country's leading provider of consumer lifestyle and enterprise solutions, reported a 55 percent jump in consolidated earnings to P287.4 million for the first quarter of the year.

1 min

DTI tightens steel monitoring amid 'The Big One' concerns

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will amplify its monitoring of substandard steel products, as they may compromise public safety, especially during natural disasters such as earthquakes.

1 min

Puregold Caps 2024 with impressive growth and worldwide recognition

Puregold Price Club Inc. (PSE: PGOLD), one of the Philippines' leading multi-format retailers, has been recognized by FinanceAsia as one of Asia's Best Companies for 2024, earning a Bronze award in the Consumer Staples category.

1 min

Oil prices climb

It’s the last week of April, and motorists are about to feel a pinch from oil price increases.

1 min

Loan growth fuels PNB’s profit jump

Philippine National Bank posted a consolidated net income of P6.1 billion in the first three months of 2025, up by 15 percent against the same period last year due to the increase in its loan portfolio and treasury assets.

1 min

Unionbank sees stronger 2025

A boitiz-led Unionbank of the Philippines is optimistic of surpassing its earnings last year, even after reporting a 30 percent drop in net income to P1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025 from the P2 billion earned in the same period last year.

1 min

Petron bonds secure top 'PRS Aaa' rating

Petron Corporation has filed its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in line with its plan to raise P32 billion from the issuance of bonds.

1 min

Coal curbs PH clean energy shift-ADB

The Philippines and many of its Southeast Asian neighbors have been sluggish in tapping renewable energy (RE), according to the Manila-based multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB).

1 min

Aboitiz Power's RE push drives group's higher spending this year

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, the investment holding company of the Aboitiz Group, is increasing its capital expenditure budget by 37 percent in 2025 to P105 billion while aiming to raise P119 billion to fund these investments and pay maturing obligations.

2 mins

Sustainable agri plan downsized

The Philippine government will shell out $7.4 billion, or about P415.9 billion, to co-finance with the World Bank an upcoming program aimed at making domestic agriculture sustainable.

2 mins

SWABE: Cool and smoothly reimagined

Fact: Pinoys love a good cover, almost as much as an original song. Why we have a soft spot for covers is varied, but partly because we like familiarity. Sometimes, we want to be transported back to a good memory when listening to a song we know and love.

2 mins

UNIS members reveal goals for new album 'Swicy,' tour

K-pop girl group UNIS recently made their comeback with the release of the second mini-album “Swicy.”

2 mins

Kiss the sun

Here’s a summer guide to smooth, stunning lips

2 mins

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