Manila Bulletin - May 16, 2025

In this issue

More ballots cast than voters - PPCRV; Comelec says it was a programming-related discrepancy
PH signs defense deal with Germany
Gov’t workers begin receiving mid-year bonus totaling P63.7 B
Isolated brownout strikes while DOE chief briefs media on power supply

More ballots cast than voters - PPCRV

Comelec says it was a programming-related discrepancy

2 mins

PH signs defense deal with Germany

The Philippine government has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Germany as President Marcos pushed for further strengthening the country's international ties, especially amid the current situation in the West Philippine Sea.

1 min

Gov't workers begin receiving mid-year bonus totaling P63.7 B

Government workers, including military and uniformed personnel (MUP), started receiving their mid-year bonuses totaling P63.7 billion beginning Thursday, May 15, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

1 min

Isolated brownout strikes while DOE chief briefs media on power supply

An unexpected power outage could not have come at a more ironic moment, as the Department of Energy (DOE) experienced a brownout at its own head office in Taguig City during a press briefing led by no less than Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla.

1 min

'30-second massacre:' 2 teens rescued from Noveleta hazing

Two hazing victims, including a minor, were rescued from a hazing rite dubbed as the “30-second massacre” in Noveleta on May 11.

1 min

2 dead, 5 injured in Caloocan fire

Two people, including a 16-year-old girl and a 62-year-old man, died in a fire that broke out at a residential area in Barangay 81, Caloocan City on Wednesday, April 14.

1 min

Navotas gov't launches ₱20/kilo rice

The Navotas City government launched a program offering rice at P20 per kilo in support of the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Rice Project.

1 min

12 truckloads of campaign trash collected in Manila

At least 12 truckloads of campaign materials have been collected across the city in recent days following the midterm elections, according to City Engineer Moises Alcantara.

1 min

Hulton named new UK envoy to PH

The United Kingdom has appointed Sarah Anne Pascale Hulton as its newest ambassador to the Philippines, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) said in a post on its official website.

1 min

Duterte camp wants 2 ICC judges disqualified

The camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking the disqualification of two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) for having already supposedly decided on the issue of jurisdiction on the former Chief Executive's case.

1 min

Undocumented OFWs in Saudi urged to avail of 6-month amnesty

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has urged undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia, particularly domestic workers tagged as “runaways” or “huroob,” to avail themselves of a six-month amnesty that allows them to legalize their status or return home without penalties.

1 min

12% VAT on digital services to hike telemedicine rates

Telemedicine rates would also likely rise due to the collection of the 12-percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on digital services to be implemented by the government, according to the tax advisory firm KPMG.

1 min

Palace: PBBM won't meddle in VP Sara impeach trial

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not interfere in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Malacañang said Thursday, May 15, reiterating that the matter is now in the hands of the Senate.

2 mins

AboitizPower's upcycling helps infrastructure development in Bataan

AboitizPower's GMEC power plant plays a key role in numerous sustainable infrastructure buildings in the province

3 mins

I am the way and the truth and the life

Whatever happens, the goal of life remains to be union with Jesus and his Father. And the true and life-giving way to that “destination” is Jesus himself.

2 mins

A senior farmer's organic journey

A year ago, around this time, I had the opportunity to visit vegetable farmers in Benguet courtesy of WOFEX.

3 mins

'Save From Extinction' campaign gets extra boost on Endangered Species Day

There are six critically endangered animal species endemic to the Philippines —the Philippine eagle, tamaraw, dugong, Philippine cockatoo, pawikan (marine turtles), and Philippine pangolin.

2 mins

The need for a Transport Safety Investigation Group

The past month has been quite horrific for transport safety with several high-profile incidents making the news.

3 mins

Ancient reptile footprints are rewriting the history of animals living on land

Scientists in Australia have identified the oldest known fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal, dated to around 350 million years ago.

1 min

Pope vows every effort to work for peace in regions where Christians persecuted

Pope Leo XIV vowed to take “every effort” Wednesday to work for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine and to actively promote the spirituality and traditions of the eastern rite churches, those Catholic communities with origins in the Mideast and eastern Europe that have been decimated by years of conflict and persecution.

3 mins

Democratizing AI: A call for digital liberation

I have long warned that AI’s rapid advancement could parallel historical patterns of colonization. If AI truly represents a black swan event—a disruptive moment in history—then we must confront what happens when 99 percent of the world’s languages are left behind. This is far more than a linguistic concern; it strikes at the heart of accessibility, representation, and digital equity. If we do not change who leads AI development, we risk inaugurating a new era of digital colonization, where only a privileged few command the tools to shape tomorrow.

2 mins

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 70 people, including 22 children

Israeli airstrikes pounded northern and southern Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 70 people, including almost two dozen children, according to hospitals and health officials, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “no way” he would halt Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory before Hamas is defeated.

1 min

Sanctions on ICC prosecutor have halted tribunal's work

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has lost access to his email, and his bank accounts have been frozen.

2 mins

Rubio, other top NATO diplomats meet in Turkey ahead of possible Ukraine-Russia talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his NATO counterparts meet in Turkey on Thursday to prepare a pivotal summit of alliance leaders next month that will set the course for future European security as America focuses on challenges elsewhere.

1 min

Trump appeals for Qatar's help in persuading Iran to give up its nuclear program

President Donald Trump urged Qatar on Wednesday to use its influence over Iran to persuade the country's leadership to reach an agreement with the U.S. to dial back its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

2 mins

How PAGASA declares arrival of rainy season

As the country shifts from dry to wet conditions, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has explained the key factors that determine when the rainy season officially begins.

1 min

Youth vote credited for historic turnout in 2025 midterm polls

The youth vote came out almost in full force during the May 2025 midterm elections, helping drive the highest voter turnout ever recorded for a non-presidential race, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

2 mins

Wolves advance

Anthony Edwards approached for a handshake during Julius Randle's postgame TV interview, the duo putting a seal on another dominant series for Minnesota in these NBA playoffs.

1 min

Tenacious Bulldogs

Familiarity, strong bond keys to NU's success

2 mins

Kings face Fuelmasters

Barangay Ginebra looks to make its first win streak of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup against a Phoenix team aiming to get back on track Friday, May 16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

1 min

Larga Pilipinas returns in August

Larga Pilipinas makes its grand return with elite cyclists taking on the mountains of Cordillera in a six-stage tournament tipped to bring more color and competitiveness to the already flourishing sport in the country.

1 min

Q1 remittances up

Efforts by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte to disrupt overseas remittance flows through a self-declared “no remittance week” in March failed to dent inflows, as cash sent home by Filipinos rose by 2.6 percent that month, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

1 min

PH races to extend Malampaya output

The Department of Energy (DOE) is expecting movements in the Malampaya gas field before the end of May, which would pave the way for drilling activities to avoid the plant's potential curtailment by 2029.

2 mins

Filinvest Group at 70: A growing legacy of making Filipino dreams a reality

Seventy years ago, a young couple, with a shared entrepreneurial spirit and vision for progress, made it their life’s mission to create opportunities for everyday Filipinos.

2 mins

Cut amid uncertainty

Math of the midterm election showed surpris-ing upsets—

2 mins

More meat imports eyed

A total of eight countries are seeking the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) accreditation to export meat products to the Philippines, as the country moves to raise the supply of the commodity still reeling from African swine fever (ASF).

2 mins

Yaris heritage with hybrid power

Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 S HEV

3 mins

HARI salutes Biyahenyo and Biyahero transport entrepreneurs

Introduces key advocacy to empower operators

2 mins

Petrochem jobs slashed

JG Summit Holdings Inc. (JGS), the flagship of the Gokongwei Group, is directly shouldering the debts of its petrochemicals subsidiary, which will soon be letting go of its workers due to a two-year plant shutdown and possible disposal.

1 min

Shoppers return to brands as inflation cools

As inflation continues to ease, the Gokongwei Group’s food and beverage unit, Universal Robina Corp. (URC), reported that consumers are now less likely to purchase cheaper alternatives to their preferred products.

2 mins

Dennis Trillo channels Joan Crawford

A revelation made by Dennis Trillo during a recent media event brought me back to 1981, when I first saw the Hollywood film \"Mommie Dearest.

2 mins

Kang Ha-neul, Go Min-si cook up chemistry in new foodie romance

Actors Kang Ha-neul and Go Min-si team up in the new Genie TV original drama “Tastefully Yours,” which premiered on Monday.

2 mins

Maria Ozawa reveals exciting career move, newfound love

International star and entrepreneur Maria Ozawa is excited to explore various thrilling opportunities in the Philippines.

3 mins

Delia is one bold dreamer

Newport Performing Arts Theater to witness the spectacle of this homegrown production.

2 mins

Craft brews, culture talks, and creative finds

Spend your day off with a little magic, a lot of fun, and something that feeds the soul

2 mins

Join the fight to save endangered wildlife

SM unveils new merch to strengthen support for DENR's \"Save from Extinction\" campaign

1 min

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