Manila Bulletin - May 1, 2025

In this issue

Reclamation a serious threat to Manila Bay

Japan ready to help PH attain upper middle-income goal

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said on Tuesday, April 29, that Japan is ready to help the Philippines achieve an upper-middle-income status through a range of cooperation agreements that will cover telecommunications, energy, and infrastructure, among others.

4 mins

PH, New Zealand sign visiting forces pact

The Philippines and New Zealand have signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), a defense deal that will allow the armed forces of both countries to hold joint military drills.

1 min

Public post not a lucrative business; SC reminds candidates, gov't execs

\"A person's desire to hold public office should not be based on selfish ambitions to enrich oneself at the expense of the government; worse, of the public,\" the Supreme Court (SC) said.

3 mins

Reclamation a serious threat to Manila Bay

Phase 1 of impact assessment out; suspension of 19 projects stays

3 mins

Veteran journalist Johnny Dayang shot dead in Aklan

Veteran journalist and former Tempo and Balita columnist Juan “Johnny” P. Dayang was shot and killed on Tuesday evening, April 29, in his house in Kalibo, the provincial capital of Aklan.

1 min

NAIA security told: Hands off all passports

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has instructed its security personnel not to touch passports during terminal entry and security verification, amid reports of alleged passport tampering.

1 min

Marcos orders immediate release of assistance even as Bulusan erupts anew

President Marcos has directed concerned agencies to provide immediate assistance to residents affected by the recent volcanic activity at Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon.

2 mins

PBBM laments Vancouver tragedy 'totally unexplainable'

President Marcos said the deadly incident during a Filipino festival in Vancouver, Canada was \"totally unexplainable\", and cannot even be categorized as a terrorist concern.

1 min

North Korea test-fires missiles from its newly launched destroyer

North Korea said Wednesday leader Kim Jong Un observed the first test-firings of missiles from a newly launched destroyer and called for accelerating efforts to boost his navy’s nuclear attack capabilities.

1 min

Vatican issues 'sede vacante' postage stamps valid until a new pope is elected

Vatican post offices and selected collectors' shops this week started selling special stamps marking the period between Pope Francis' death and the election of his successor.

1 min

6.2-magnitude earthquake hits off New Zealand, no damage reported

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of New Zealand Wednesday, but authorities reported no damage and issued no tsunami warning.

1 min

Power returns to Spain and Portugal but the outage's cause remains a mystery

The cause of Spain and Portugal’s widespread blackouts remained a mystery on Tuesday, with some isolated disruption remaining after power was largely restored.

2 mins

UN agencies that provide aid worldwide slash jobs, cut costs as US funding drops

Several U.N. agencies that provide aid to children, refugees and other vulnerable people around the world are slashing jobs or cutting costs in other ways, with officials pointing to funding reductions mainly from the United States and warning that vital relief programs will be severely affected as a result.

2 mins

DOLE-ECC, DHSUD ink deal for workers' rehab complex

Workers injured in the line of duty will soon find a new home to recover and reclaim their place as productive members of society with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to begin the construction of the country's first Workers Rehabilitation Center Complex (WRCC).

1 min

Over 216K jobs up for grabs this Labor Day

Sou till looking for a job or greener pastures? This Labor Day could be your chance to land the job you've been waiting for.

1 min

DOLE-ECC, DHSUD ink deal for workers' rehab complex

Workers injured in the line of duty will soon find a new home to recover and reclaim their place as productive members of society with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to begin the construction of the country's first Workers Rehabilitation Center Complex (WRCC).

1 min

DOLE-ECC, DHSUD ink deal for workers' rehab complex

Workers injured in the line of duty will soon find a new home to recover and reclaim their place as productive members of society with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to begin the construction of the country's first Workers Rehabilitation Center Complex (WRCC).

1 min

Top firms to join Labor Day 2025 job fairs

Job seekers participating in the 123rd Labor Day Nationwide Job Fairs can access job opportunities from some of the country's top companies and employers in this year's celebration.

1 min

Conclave

Said the cashier to me in the bookstore last week, “That’s our last copy.”

1 min

Is he not the carpenter's son?

While Jesus' disciples usually address him as “Teacher,” yet, for his townmates in Nazareth, he is simply the carpenter's son, alluding to the trade of his known father, Joseph. This could give us an insight into Jesus' growing-up years. Somehow, he must have learned aspects of the trade from his silent and laborious father who must have inculcated in him the value and the dignity of work.

2 mins

Labor Day: A tribute to work and the worker

EDITORIAL

2 mins

SERVE: Power of remembrance

Thirty-two months after its launch in September 2023, SERVE — a book co-authored by 19 campus journalists who witnessed the First Quarter Storm of 1970 as student activists, and chronicled the Filipino people’s struggle against systemic ills that stymied the country’s progress — is now on its second edition.

4 mins

Toyota’s Road Trek: Why the journalists keep going back

If there’s an event that has established a reputation of prestige, it’s the Toyota Road Trek which has been held for 18 years since 2005, pausing only for the pandemic years. It’s format, which allows only a few to join, brings the journalists to solve and perform challenges that are not ordinary.

3 mins

Conclave: The secretive process to elect the next pope

A conclave is the centuries-old election of a pope that derives its name from the Italian “conclave” (with a key) to underscore that cardinals are sequestered until they find a winner.

3 mins

Muntinlupa fire station gets 10 new motorcycles

The Muntinlupa City government donated 10 FAST (First Aid Service Team) to the Muntinlupa City Fire Station.

1 min

Alleged intruder sparks fire in Manila warehouse

A fire broke out early Wednesday morning, April 30, at a warehouse in Barangay 586, Sampaloc, Manila, with authorities suspecting the blaze may have been started by an intruder.

1 min

Mayor Francis gives a glimpse of PH's 22-story public housing building

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora inspected the ongoing construction of the country's first-ever 22-story, in-city, socialized public housing building located in Barangay St. Joseph, San Juan City on Tuesday, April 29.

1 min

SPD captures Baguio's No. 1 most wanted fugitive

The Southern Police District (SPD) has successfully ended a 35-year manhunt with the arrest of Baguio’s most wanted fugitive during an operation in Makati City on Tuesday, April 29.

1 min

Sen. Binay slams brother-in-law over campaign materials found inside Makati barangay hall

Senator and Makati City mayoral aspirant Nancy Binay slammed her brother-in-law, Makati solon and her contender in the mayoralty race, Luis Campos, after allegedly finding his campaign materials inside a barangay hall in Barangay Pinagkaisahan, Makati City.

1 min

Binay laments improper utilization of gov't funds to improve PH healthcare

Makati City Mayor and senatorial bet Abby Binay on Wednesday, April 30, aired her disappointment over the improper utilization of government funds to improve the country's healthcare services.

1 min

Bulacan police conduct local absentee voting ahead of 2025 polls

The Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) successfully conducted local absentee voting (LAV) on Tuesday, April 29, ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

1 min

Public post not a lucrative business; SC reminds candidates, gov't execs

“only those who can live up to such exacting standards deserve the honor of continuing in public service.”

3 mins

Haliburton, Pacers boot Bucks out

Tyrese Haliburton thought he let the Indiana Pacers down in the fourth quarter.

1 min

Suzuki captures Splendido crown

Shinichi Suzuki made a resounding return to the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship, showcasing steely resolve and a calm command under pressure to edge out Zachary Villaroman by three in a wind-blasted final round showdown and seize the Splendido Taal leg title with a 72 here on Wednesday, April 30.

1 min

Frantic finish looms in Baguio

Joo keeps lead but Corpuz lurks behind

1 min

BSP: Inflation may dip below target in April

Citing a slowdown in food inflation alongside a stronger peso, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has forecast that the April headline inflation may fall below the government’s twoto four-percent target band—potentially the slowest rate in over half a decade.

2 mins

PH China imports rise, US exports up

Chinese imports to the Philippines and Philippine exports to the United States (US) surged in the first quarter, amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing that threaten to disrupt the global economy.

3 mins

150 years of HSBC in the Philippines: The best of local banking on a global scale

Trading of sugar and other exports. Construction of early sugar and rice mills. Financing of the Manila-Dagupan Railway-the Philippines' first railway-and its subsequent 150-mile extension.

4 mins

Metrobank posts P12.3B earnings

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company booked P12.3 billion in the first quarter of the year, driven by higher loans and non-interest earnings.

1 min

AEV net income falls 35% in Q1

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), the portfolio manager of the Aboitiz Group, is confident that its investments in the clean energy and infrastructure businesses will power future growth even as first quarter earnings declined.

2 mins

AEV net income falls 35% in Q1

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), the portfolio manager of the Aboitiz Group, is confident that its investments in the clean energy and infrastructure businesses will power future growth even as first quarter earnings declined.

2 mins

AEV net income falls 35% in Q1

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), the portfolio manager of the Aboitiz Group, is confident that its investments in the clean energy and infrastructure businesses will power future growth even as first quarter earnings declined.

2 mins

PH China imports rise, US exports up

Donald Trump announced a tariff spree last April 2, his so-called \"Liberation Day.\"

1 min

BSP: Inflation may dip below target in April

Average inflation for the first three months of the year eased to 2.2 percent, down from 3.3 percent in the same period last year and near the lower end of the government’s target.

1 min

Factory prices rise slower in March-PSA

Factory gate prices accelerated at a slower pace in March 2025, due to the slowdown in the price hike for computer, electronic, and optical products, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

1 min

Unseen hands carry a nation’s hope

From the rice paddies of Nueva Ecija to the bustling avenues of Metro Manila, Filipino workers remain the silent force powering the nation’s progress—steadfast, resilient, and dignified.

3 mins

Labor of love: Kibungan teacher conquers the mountain of trials

Sheltered in the thick layers of Cordillera mountains, where touching the clouds is never a figment of imagination, one teacher serves the true purpose of his noble profession.

2 mins

Here comes ... The FU-tok show!

One of the things that makes me busy nowadays is my live selling events for brands on TikTok (para sa kumikitang kabuhayan!) I enjoy this new opportunity because I still consider it a hosting gig, but this time with a selling component. (thank you sa mga brands ha! nandito lang ako!)

1 min

SB19: From dreamers to trailblazers

SB19's journey has been remarkable. Since their debut in 2018, the group, consisting of Ken, Josh, Pablo, Justin, and Stell, has transitioned from young dreamers to successful artists.

4 mins

You need to know about this beachside bliss

Embracing the summer lifestyle at Mactan Newtown Beach

2 mins

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