Manila Bulletin - April 30, 2025

In this issue

Japan reaffirms support for PH’s maritime security

Japan reaffirms support for PH's maritime security

Marcos, PM Ishiba bilateral talks to tackle sea disputes, US tariffs

3 mins

President Marcos still most trusted gov't official ОСТА

President Marcos remains the most trusted among top government officials, while his performance continues to enjoy overwhelming approval despite a slight drop in his latest ratings, based on OCTA’s “Tugon ng Masa” survey conducted from April 2 to 5.

1 min

PBBM to PNPA graduates: Let people feel presence of law enforcers

In a world where the truth and loyalty are challenged, President Marcos told new police officers to let their presence be felt by the public.

2 mins

Pilot P20/kilo rice program to cost up to P12 B

The Marcos administration is ready to spend P10 billion to P12 billion to subsidize the upcoming pilot run of its P20-per-kilo rice program in the Visayas region and Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stores, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

1 min

Former Mayor Isko maintains lead in latest survey

Former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso maintained his overwhelming lead in the latest OCTA Research survey for the capital city’s top seat in the upcoming May midterm elections.

2 mins

Cebu Gov. Garcia suspended 6 months

Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires has ordered the six-month preventive suspension of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia over the issuance of a quarry permit in a protected area in 2024.

3 mins

17 vying for SC associate justice post set to be vacated by Lopez

There are 17 aspirants to the Supreme Court (SC) associate justice post that would be vacant on June 4 with the compulsory retirement of Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez.

1 min

Anson Que slay mastermind known in May - Remulla

The motive and the mastermind in the killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que will be known in May, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Tuesday, April 29.

1 min

PBBM disagrees with Imee's findings over FPRRD arrest

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he disagrees with the findings of his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

1 min

DFA eyes ‘appropriate action’ vs China over Sandy Cay

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is considering taking “appropriate action” against China after it erroneously claimed that it has seized Sandy Cay, a tiny sandbank near Pagasa Island where a Philippine military facility is located.

2 mins

The light came into the world

John 3:16 is a familiar Johannine Gospel verse to many of us. The message about God's great love for all, that he sends his only-begotten Son, never fails to uplift our spirits. It tells us that Jesus came not to condemn but to save us.

2 mins

Cynthia's passion

(Part II)

3 mins

Stop exploitation of Vancouver tragedy

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Mindanao's 2 trillion economies

The Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that Mindanao now has two trillion peso economies: the Davao Region at P1.08 trillion and Northern Mindanao at P1.04 trillion. In this column, we will examine these figures. In future columns, I will try to dive deeper into these numbers and what they mean for local businesses, farms, and the general population, which comprise our local economies.

2 mins

Revised NEPF: Embracing a culture of evaluation

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Our government, under the strong and visionary leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM), continues to innovate and find ways to improve systems and processes, enhancing policies that will make public services targeted and more responsive.

3 mins

NASA's oldest astronaut felt decades melt away in space

Fresh from space, NASA’s oldest full-time astronaut said Monday that weightlessness made him feel decades younger, with everyday aches and pains vanishing.

1 min

Future-proofing Metro Manila: A metropolis for all

When I began the consultancy report Future Proofing Metro Manila, my mission was clear yet ambitious: to reimagine our city as a place where everyday life feels simpler, healthier, and more fulfilling.

2 mins

Mark Carney's Liberal Party wins a Canadian election upended by Trump

Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party won Canada's federal election on Monday, capping a stunning turnaround in fortunes fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump's annexation threats and trade war.

1 min

Russia declares a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for next week

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire next week in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War II as the U.S. presses for a deal to end the 3-year-old war. Kyiv insisted on a longer and immediate truce.

2 mins

Spain and Portugal scramble to restore electricity after a still-unexplained power outage

Officials in Spain and Portugal raced to restore electricity early Tuesday after a huge power outage that grounded flights, paralyzed metro systems, disrupted mobile communications and shut down ATMs.

2 mins

5-year-old girl and her parents among the dead in Vancouver car attack

As members of the Le family headed out the door to enjoy music, food, and camaraderie at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, their 16-year-old son decided to instead stay home to finish homework.

2 mins

President Marcos still most trusted gov't official – OCTA

Meanwhile, 23 percent of respondents said they distrust the President, while 18 percent were undecided.

1 min

Makati ranks 4th in health care globally

Makati City has emerged as fourth in global health care ranking among cities in the world, based on the latest Numbeo Health Care Index for the first quarter of 2025.

1 min

Cavs douse Heat in lopsided series

Cleveland moved into Round 2 with the most lopsided series win in NBA playoff history.

1 min

Espedido sweeps JPGT Luzon series

Mavis Espedido cemented her brilliant start in the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship by sweeping the first three Luzon series tournaments, capping her run with a three-stroke victory after a 76 at the Splendido Taal leg here on Tuesday, April 29.

1 min

Corpuz unleashed in major Tour shake-up

Pinoy rider trims down Joo's lead; Malaysian winner in Stage 6

2 mins

Dark horses ROS, Converge clash

Rain or Shine and Converge, two streaking teams and widely considered as tournament dark horses, collide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, April 30, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

1 min

DLSU, UST dispute semis advantage

De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas leave it all on the court as they collide for the precious semifinal bonus in a playoff game for the No. 2 spot in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, April 30.

1 min

Peso gains amid tariff threats

Emerging market (EM) currencies, including the Philippine peso, gained versus the United States (US) dollar in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump's tariff spree, according to the think tank Capital Economics.

2 mins

'No new taxes' as revenues soar

President Marcos' chief economic manager stated that the government's current revenues are more than sufficient to cover its expenses even without imposing new taxes, as total tax collections grew by double digits to over P930 billion in the first quarter of the year.

2 mins

Rice subsidies don't work—World Bank

Liberalized rice trade in the Philippines not only pulled prices down but also benefited farmers as well as the poor, according to the World Bank.

2 mins

Pioneering healthcare education: Fujifilm and UP join hands

FUJIFILM Healthcare Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. and University of the Philippines (UP) have recently established the UPFUJIFILM Asia Pacific Healthcare Learning Academy (UP-FAHLA) Center for Advanced Healthcare Informatics, a premier regional hub dedicated to equipping healthcare and IT professionals with the skills needed to drive digital transformation in modern healthcare.

1 min

Gaming lifts Belle profit

The SM Group’s leisure developer and gaming firm Belle Corp. reported a five-percent improvement in net income to P462.4 million in the first quarter of the year, from the P439.7 million recorded for the same period in 2024.

1 min

What James Bond can teach us about investing

In Casino Royale (2006), one of the most intense scenes in the film is when James Bond sits at a poker table with antagonist Le Chiffre, with tens of millions of dollars on the line.

3 mins

Hope in action

EPCALM Foundation celebrates 20 years of leukemia support with inaugural Hope Gala

2 mins

Warped soles and sonic beats

Suyen Corporation celebrates the talent of Japanese fashion designer Mihara Yasuhiro

1 min

SM pursues integrated property developments

Sy-led SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of Southeast Asia's largest integrated property developers, is banking on the popularity of its malls to provide a strong anchor in its planned diversification and expansion into integrated property developments (IPDs), particularly outside of Metro Manila.

3 mins

Rice subsidies don't work-World Bank

B-1

1 min

ACEN sees better 2026

Growth may be easing this year for ACEN Corp., but the Ayala-led renewable energy (RE) firm expects to be propelled into acceleration by 2026, as several of its projects begin contributing.

1 min

IT-BPM bullish on jobs, revenue growth

A leading group of information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) firms anticipates that the industry’s revenues will rise to $40 billion this year, driven by strong demand for the service sector despite recent economic upheavals.

1 min

Meg Imperial's 'Purse Lady' goes viral

ivamax Queen Meg Imperial's new verti- cal film, \"Purse Lady,\" is going viral on Facebook. The sexy actress has three million followers on Facebook.

2 mins

Kapuso artists advocate for legitimate music & video content in new campaign

In celebration of National Intellectual Property Month this April, GMA Network has released a new series of anti-piracy videos under its ongoing campaign, Stream Responsibly. Fight Piracy.

1 min

Miles & Elijah back in each other's arms

Actress Miles Ocampo has revealed that she and boyfriend Elijah Canlas have reunited.

2 mins

Your head and neck are vulnerable to developing cancer

These specific vegetables are the best to consume for prevention

3 mins

How this new biostimulator works wonders for the skin

Learning the benefits of Revok50

2 mins

Bank your way with BDO's Universal Teller Machine

You think certain bank transactions can only be done at the counter? Not anymore! With BDO’s Universal Teller Machine (UTM), everyday banking has become simpler and more convenient—giving you more ways to choose how you bank.

1 min

A doctor’s tribute to Pope Francis

How faith intersects with the field of medicine

5 mins

Heart Evangelista discovers everyday surprises at SM Store Makati

In its newly launched campaign, Heart Evangelista rediscovers SM Store Makati, finding \"Everyday Surprises\" and realizing that SM Store truly has it alla testament to its ability to surprise and delight even the most seasoned shoppers.

1 min

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