Manila Bulletin - May 14, 2025

In this issue

Bong Go retains lead in Senate race; Duterte poised to win big in Davao City
Isko returns to Manila, 10 incumbent NCR mayors win fresh mandates
Marcos: Filipinos elected leaders who’ll listen, act on their burdens
Meralco electricity bills down in May

Bong Go retains lead in Senate race

Dutertes poised to win big in Davao City

4 mins

Meralco electricity bills down in May

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) electricity rates this month will drop by PO.7499 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) due to lower prices from the spot market and independent power producers (IPPs).

1 min

Marcos: Filipinos elected leaders who'll listen, act on their burdens

President Marcos said Filipinos have elected leaders who will listen and act on the various challenges the country is facing.

1 min

Isko returns to Manila, 10 incumbent NCR mayors win fresh mandates

Ten incumbent mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) secured new mandates, while three are making a comeback as chief executives—former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Parañaque City Rep. Edwin Olivarez, and Mandaluyong City’s incumbent Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos.

6 mins

Kanlaon erupts anew; pyroclastic flow reported

A moderately explosive eruption occurred at Kanlaon Volcano early Tuesday, May 13, lasting five minutes and sending a towering ash plume 4.5 kilometers into the sky, reported the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

1 min

Japanese, Pinoy cohort nabbed for trafficking

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) arrested a Japanese national and his Filipino accomplice at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 for trafficking 13 Filipinos under the pretense of offering them factory jobs in Japan.

1 min

Do not fall for fake BI documents, public warned

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned the public against the proliferation of fake documents, such as letters, purportedly sent by the bureau, and demanding money from recipients.

1 min

PAGASA warns of afternoon, evening thunderstorms

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, May 13 warned of a high chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening across most of the country.

1 min

Drainage repairs at Taft-Buendia to run from May to August

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start drainage and road repairs at the Taft Avenue-Buendia Avenue intersection in Pasay City on May 15 to mitigate flooding and improve traffic flow in the area.

1 min

Pulse Asia explains discrepancies between surveys, election results

As partial results continue to come in following the elections on May 12, Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes offered insights into the factors that may have contributed to the differences between the firm's pre-election surveys and the actual vote count.

2 mins

EU observers to release initial findings on PH polls on Wednesday

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) will present its preliminary statement on its findings and conclusions on the electoral process of this year's midterm elections on Wednesday, May 14.

1 min

Bittersweet

At around six in the morning of May 12, 2025, I sat on a wooden chair inside a classroom at the Las Piñas City National Science High School and fulfilled my duty as a citizen.

3 mins

Remain in His love

St. Matthias whose feast we celebrate today is not so popular as the other Apostles.

2 mins

Philippines at crossroads amid brewing political storm

Where is our country headed for? It all depends on how our leaders — the elective and appointive officials — will shape the country's future.

2 mins

Philippine Economic Dialogue: Enhancing global partnerships

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I am thrilled to share that our country successfully concluded the first Philippine Economic Dialogue (PED) in Milan, Italy, on May 6, 2025, held on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB's) Board of Governors.

3 mins

China's army of food delivery drivers get by with help from discount 'loving meals'

After the lunchtime rush, it's time for China's food delivery drivers to eat.

3 mins

Lost in translation: The case for mother-tongue instruction

For years, our basic education system has insisted that children in kindergarten and Grades 1-3 learn exclusively in English—an approach at once colonial in origin and deeply counterproductive. On the one hand, it outright bans instruction in the very languages spoken at home; on the other, it leaves young learners grasping at a foreign tongue before they have mastered the fundamentals of reading and reasoning.

2 mins

Former VP Robredo elected as Naga City's first female mayor

Former vice president Leni Robredo is now the first female mayor of Naga City after garnering more than 84,300 votes in the mayoralty race.

1 min

De Lima says ML Partylist win proves 'idealism' still prevails

Former senator and ML (Mamamayang Liberal) Partylist first nominee Leila de Lima said securing a seat in Congress despite all odds proved that idealism and the truth can still make its way forward.

1 min

PNP: Situation back to normal in Abra after 'shady' election fuss

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the security situation in Abra province has returned to normal after two poll watchers were caught in a now-viral video while assisting elderly voters in shading their ballots during the midterm elections on Monday, May 12.

1 min

House 'Young Guns' congratulate Sandro Marcos for winning 2nd term as Ilocos Norte solon

The official Facebook page of the House \"Young Guns\" bloc has congratulated one of its leaders, Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos, on his reelection in the just-concluded mid-term elections.

1 min

Meralco electricity bills down in May

This would mean a price cut from P13.0127/kWh in April to P12.2628/ kWh in May, Meralco executives said in a press briefing on Tuesday, May 13.

1 min

Comelec proclaims Cavite mayors; elections generally peaceful

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed several newly-elected city and municipal mayors following the midterm elections on May 12.

1 min

Suspected bomb found in Quiapo, later declared safe

A possible bomb scare near the Church of God International in Quiapo, Manila, was resolved safely on Tuesday morning, May 13, after authorities confirmed the objects found were not hazardous.

1 min

Calderons of Angono, Rizal win another mandate

The father and daughter tandem of Gerardo Calderon and Jeri Mae Calderon of Angono, Rizal was given a fresh mandate by voters in the Art Capital of the Country.

1 min

Fernando, Castro lead in Bulacan gubernatorial, vice-gubernatorial races

Partial election results showed Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando leading in the gubernatorial race.

1 min

Rizal voters reelect Governor Nina Ynares

Incumbent Governor Nina Ricci Ynares has been reelected as the governor of Rizal Province.

1 min

Global free trade in a 'crisis' – WTO chief

Global free trade is in crisis, the head of the World Trade Organization chief said Tuesday while meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shigaru Ishiba on Tuesday.

1 min

Russian drones attack Ukraine after the Kremlin turns down a ceasefire proposal

Russia launched more than 100 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine in nighttime attacks, the Ukrainian air force said Monday, after the Kremlin effectively rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the more than three-year war, but reiterated it would take part in possible peace talks later this week without preconditions.

1 min

Food security experts warn Gaza is at critical risk of famine if Israel doesn't end its blockade

The Gaza Strip will likely fall into famine if Israel doesn’t lift its blockade and stop its military campaign, food security experts said in a stark warning on Monday.

2 mins

Airstrike in central Myanmar kills up to 22 people at a bombed school

An airstrike by Myanmar’s military on a village in the country's central Sagaing region hit a school on Monday, killing as many as 20 students and two teachers, according to a member of a resistance group, an aid worker and media reports.

2 mins

Kyorugi tourney set

The future of Philippine taekwondo takes center stage when they showcase their stuff in the annual SMART/MVPSF National New Face of the Year Championships on May 17-18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

1 min

All eyes on hungry Bulldogs

NU tries to sweep old tormentor DLSU

1 min

Hotshots stake win run vs Bolts

Magnolia tries to keep its spotless run going when it takes on a Meralco side that is still struggling to establish its footing in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, May 14.

1 min

Athletes, sportsmen post mixed results

Former athletes and sportsmen who found their way into politics got mixed results in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections.

1 min

Business chambers unveil legislative wish list

The influential Makati Business Club (MBC) is confident that the incoming slate of lawmakers that won seats in the 2025 midterm elections will form an active Congress that would approve critical measures, such as the long languishing freedom of information (FOI) bill.

2 mins

New Ayala firms turning profitable

Zobel-led Ayala Corp.'s smaller and newer businesses have begun turning around or reducing losses, amid efforts to ensure their profitability within about two years.

1 min

PH rice imports to reach new high

The Philippines, the world’s top rice importer, is expected to purchase a record-high volume of rice in the upcoming marketing year (MY), as the country sees continued growth in consumption, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

2 mins

Illicit cigarette trade surges amid high taxes

With illegal tobacco incidence reaching an all-time high of 18.2 percent in 2024, Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) has urged the Marcos administration to recalibrate tax rates to help reverse the declining state of the tobacco industry.

1 min

Ad spend boosts Jollibee sales

Jollibee Foods Corp. (also known as JFC or Jollibee Group), one of the largest Asian food service companies, is confident of hitting its financial targets this year as a surge in advertising expenses boosted revenues in the first quarter of 2025.

1 min

Mom gave me the best investment advice

Growing up, my mom was strict. We had no junk food or soft drinks at home, weren’t allowed to play video games on weekdays, and our TV time was rationed. When I wanted weekday fun, I’d have to sneak out, take the elevator down from our condo unit, and play games with a classmate in another unit in the same build-ing. And unlike most who grew up watch-ing cartoons at 7 p.m., all I remember are the ones past 9 p.m., like The Angry Beavers and CatDog, since those were the only shows I could catch after finishing homework.

3 mins

From Italy to Manila

Filipino beauty enthusiasts celebrate the arrival of Armani Beauty in the Philippines

1 min

The Crimson tide is calling

Weddings by Crimson celebrates its Mactan leg with designer Furne Amato

1 min

Tickets for OPMCON 2025 to drop this month

Tickets for Puregold OPMCON 2025 will be sold at the Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention, located at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, from May 16 to 17.

2 mins

BOYNEXTDOOR proves they're more than just K-pop idols

In today's K-pop scene, most idol groups focus on delivering flashy performances to tracks prepared by professional songwriters and producers, which, unfortunately, leaves little room for the idols themselves to participate in the creative process.

2 mins

The accident that nearly smashed my face

I want to apologize to my dear column readers for not being able to write a column last week.

2 mins

A parent's guide for a healthy circumcision for your son

Why you should consider a hospital for making the cut

2 mins

Taking care of a mother's heart

Plant food that can prevent blood pressure from rising

4 mins

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