Manila Bulletin - May 6, 2025

In this issue

DOTr to fix broken road safety system

US approves $3.8-M loan for Luzon Economic Corridor amid trade talks

The United States has approved a $3.8-million loan for the Luzon Economic Corridor, which seeks to accelerate coordinated investments in high-impact infrastructure projects, while trade talks are ongoing between the Philippines and the US.

2 mins

DOTr to fix broken road safety system

People do not feel safe on our streets – Dizon

3 mins

Comelec chief: Foreign-backed candidates face disqualification

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Monday, May 5, that receiving any form of assistance from foreign entities is a ground for the disqualification of election candidates.

3 mins

Press freedom gains show Marcos not gearing toward dictatorship – Palace

Malacañang said the Philippines' improved global press freedom ranking proves that the administration does not seek to suppress free expression or move toward authoritarianism.

1 min

Grenade blast rocks bet's house

Police and military forces have launched a joint manhunt for suspects behind a grenade explosion outside the residence of Maguindanao del Sur vice gubernatorial candidate Ustadz Hisham Nando in Buluan town on Sunday night.

1 min

Brutal murder of family of 3 condemned

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office has strongly denounced the murder of a family of three in Barangay Buenavista, Murcia, Negros Occidental on May 2.

1 min

La Union distributes poll paraphernalia

The provincial government of La Union (PGLU), through the Provincial Treasurer's Office (PTO) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), started distributing official ballots, accountable forms, and other paraphernalia to all towns in the province on Sunday, May 4, for the elections on May 12.

1 min

Metro Manila index crimes down by 26%

Index crimes in Metro Manila went down by 26 percent in the first four months of this year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) disclosed on Monday, May 5, as it also highlighted sustained high crime solution efficiency.

1 min

EU observers start full deployment for May 12 polls this week

About 200 members of the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) are expected to be deployed in different parts of the country on election day this week to observe the voting, counting and tabulation of votes for the May 12 polls.

1 min

PH press freedom shows Marcos not gearing toward dictatorship - Palace

Malacañang said the Philippines' improved global press freedom ranking proves that the administration does not seek to suppress free expression or move toward authoritarianism.

1 min

Constitutionality of NAIA concession agreement assailed anew before SC

The Supreme Court (SC) was asked anew to declare illegal and unconstitutional the February 2024 award to the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) of the concession agreement to rehabilitate and operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

1 min

PH Navy ship sinks even before it could be used as target in Balikatan missile exercise

The decommissioned BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), which was supposed to be sunk as part of a Balikatan missile exercise, submerged while being positioned off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales on Monday morning, May 5.

1 min

Give us this bread always

In this Gospel episode, the crowd seems to be ready now to engage with Jesus and to listen to his discourse on the Bread of Life.

2 mins

Why Bam, Tol, and Kiko are worth voting for

I join Manila Bulletin publisher and former Press Secretary Sonny Coloma in endorsing the senatorial candidacies of Bam Aquino, Tol Tolentino, and Kiko Pangilinan who are all within striking distance of gaining a spot in the so-called Magic 12, as shown in surveys.

3 mins

PH food safety framework: Clearing the bottlenecks

The recent report of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) pointing to regulatory overlaps in the Philippines as trade barriers should give our policymakers and stakeholders serious pause.

2 mins

Diet and food fads

We now live in a world where many people are overweight or downright obese. It didn't use to be this way. I remember the time when very few had weight issues. But current lifestyles are to blame when our jobs require sitting at our desks for most of the work day. Lack of spare time is often an excuse not to exercise to make up for the inactivity throughout the day.

3 mins

Building a 'Filipinnovation' culture

A thriving economy is often the result of a well-established and dynamic innovation ecosystem, where creativity, technology, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship converge to drive progress.

3 mins

Boosting the opportunities of Mindanao's trillion-peso economies

In last week’s column, I focused on the Davao Region and Northern Mindanao, both on its Gross Regional Domestic Product, making them Mindanao’s two trillion peso economies. This week, we shall examine some perspectives, imperatives, and suggestions that their respective Regional Development Councils and local governments in partnership with the private sector can discuss, formulate, and execute programs to further broaden the economic growth and engage more citizens to ensure more inclusive development.

2 mins

Two men rob Japanese resto in Makati

Two men wearing helmets, one of them in a motorcycle taxi uniform, robbed a Japanese restaurant at gunpoint on Pasay Road, Makati City on Sunday, May 4.

1 min

Bacoor checkpoint chase: 2 Chinese men yield gun, ammo

Two Chinese men who fled an Oplan Sita checkpoint were arrested following a car chase in Bacoor City on Saturday, May 3.

1 min

3 most wanted rape suspects in Manila arrested after 8 years

Three men listed as the top 1, 2, and 3 most wanted persons at the station level of the Manila Police District's Delpan Police Station have been arrested for a rape case that occurred in August 2016.

1 min

Bulacan gov urges gov't to replace Bustos Dam's rubber gates to stop flooding, agri losses

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando has appealed to the national government, particularly the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), to take immediate actions in replacing Bustos Dam's rubber gates to prevent further flooding and agricultural losses in the province.

2 mins

Teen discharged from hospital after being wrongly identified as dead in Muntinlupa

A teenager, who was wrongly identified as dead at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (Osmun), is safe and was discharged from another medical facility.

1 min

Go widens lead in Pulse Asia senatorial survey

Senator Bong Go remains the frontrunner in the Senate race with 62.2 percent of voter support (61.9 percent in March), based on the Pulse Asia non-commissioned survey conducted from April 20 to 25.

1 min

Eala now No. 70

Alex Eala boosted her Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings this week following her previous performance at the 2025 Madrid Open.

1 min

UST coach: 'You can't buy loyalty'

For any school, recruitment is one of the toughest phases of the off-season.

1 min

Mighty Warriors stall Rockets

Golden State arranges second round showdown vs Timberwolves

2 mins

Thrilling start at JPGT Mactan

The ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship teed off with tightly contested battles across six age-group divisions at the short but challenging Mactan Island Golf Course here on Monday, May 5, where par was elusive and early leads were hard-fought.

1 min

PATAFA stars brace for Asian Championships

After four grueling days of tough and thrilling competitions under the unpredictable weather conditions — from the sweltering morning heat to at times, rainy evenings yet muggy atmosphere — focus is now shifting to the much-bigger goal for the national athletes and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

1 min

WB concerned over 'The Big One' plan

The World Bank has once again flagged delays in a project it is funding to better equip Metro Manila against earthquakes, which may prove more costly when the Philippines' capital region is shaken by the anticipated \"Big One.\"

1 min

Lower inflation fuels PH growth outlook

Singapore-based DBS Bank Ltd. expects a \"resilient\" first-quarter economic growth for the Philippines amid easing domestic inflation, despite global uncertainties wrought by the United States' (US) tariff spree.

1 min

BNPP revival plan blocked by US

A legal entanglement concerning intellectual property (IP) related to a reactor design, which South Korea encountered with the American firm Westinghouse Electric Company, continues to impede the targeted feasibility study intended to evaluate the potential for reactivating the mothballed 620-megawatt Bataan nuclear power facility.

2 mins

PH launches Ist 10-yr labor plan

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) officially launched the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan 2025-2034 on Monday, May 5, marking the Philippines’ first 10-year labor market development strategy.

1 min

German ambassador hosts a relaxed evening

Federal Republic of Germany Ambassador Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke and his spouse Mme. Marina Pfaffernoschke are two of the most loved couple in the Philippine diplomatic circle.

1 min

Palestinian ambassador pays courtesy visit to Manila Bulletin

The Palestine envoy recently visited the Manila Bulletin office in Intramuros, Manila. Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas of the Embassy of Palestine and Manila

1 min

Embassy of Malaysia leads the flag-off ceremony at the Asean Unity Drive 2025

The Embassy of Malaysia led the flag-off ceremony at the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 (AUD2025) in the Philippines on April 30.

2 mins

Vista Land inks $150M loan deal

Villar-led Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., one of the Philippines’ leading integrated property developers and the country’s largest homebuilder, has raised $150 million from a syndicated term loan facility arranged by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

1 min

Wilcon expects sales to recover

Wilcon Depot, Inc. (Wilcon), the country's leading home improvement and finishing construction supply retailer, expects its earnings to return to a growth trajectory even though it continued to decline in the first quarter as it observes a rising trend in consumer spending.

1 min

SM Prime upbeat on China amid economic slowdown

Amid concerns of a cooling Chinese economy, SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, remains upbeat about its businesses in China, where it has also ventured into the office leasing business in addition to malls.

1 min

Shanne Dandan: Waiting for her rocket to come

Shanne Dandan is one of the best singers of her generation. It’s just that not everybody knows it, at least not yet anyway.

2 mins

M2M evokes sense of nostalgia during 'The Better Endings' tour

The millennial Titos and Titas of Manila had an incredible time cheering loudly at the Araneta Coliseum on May 1 and 2 during the two-day concert of the Norwegian duo M2M, presented by Wilbros Live.

2 mins

Best Pinoy footwear forward

As its name suggests, “Sala” draws inspiration from the Filipino living room, often considered the heart of the home.

1 min

Effortless beauty, every day

Award-winning MUA Cosmetics launches in the Philippines with must-try products

1 min

Guide to the Met Gala 2025

From this year's dress code to its honorary chairs, here's what you need to know about fashion's biggest night

1 min

Best Pinoy footwear forward

The 10th Filipino Footwear Design Competition puts the spotlight on the stories of the Philippines and its future creatives

3 mins

Naturals by Watsons unveils next-generation innovations

When it comes to effective, sustainable, and affordable hair care, Naturals by Watsons continues to stand out as a top-of-mind brand.

2 mins

Read all stories from Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin Newspaper Description:

Manila Bulletin is the Philippines’ Leading Newspaper. Manila Bulletin newspaper delivers latest news coverage on politics, business, economy, technology, and culture. As one of the most trusted newspapers in the Philippines, it provides in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates on national and international events. From the latest government policies to financial insights, entertainment, and lifestyle trends, Manila Bulletin keeps you informed and engaged with stories that matter.

Stay ahead with credible journalism and insightful reporting—subscribe today!