The Philippine Star - January 11, 2025

The Philippine Star - January 11, 2025

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In this issue
January 11, 2025
BBM's Aussie 'half-sister' charged with drunken disturbance
An Australian woman who says she is the half-sister of President Marcos appeared in a Sydney court on Friday on charges of causing a drunken disturbance on an airliner and pledged not to drink alcohol at airports or on planes while she is on bail.

1 min
Senate to prioritize passage of 4 key bills
The Senate will prioritize the passage of four key bills, including the postponement of barangay elections to 2029, before the session adjourns, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino announced.
1 min
DSWD: Comelec personnel to be invited to ayuda payouts
To prevent or discourage politicians and candidates from attending aid distribution activities in violation of election rules, representatives from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be allowed to witness such events and take action against violators.
3 mins
Fuel Prices Up Again Next Week
Motorists should brace for another round of fuel price hikes next week amid strong consumer demand and low oil supply in the global market.
1 min
Poor families lowering living standards - SWS
Self-rated poor Filipino families significantly increased last year despite indicators showing that they have already lowered their living standards, the fourth quarter survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
1 min
PCG continues to challenge China 'trespassing'
After withdrawing its biggest vessel nicknamed the “monster ship” from the waters of Zambales, the China Coast Guard (CCG) sent two ships to take over its illegal patrol in the West
2 mins
PCG Continues to Challenge China 'Trespassing'
The maximum suggested retail price (SRP) of P58 per kilo on imported rice will take effect on Jan. 20, after Executive Order 62 which allowed a 15 percent tariff on the outsourced staple – failed to bring down the cost of rice.

5 mins
SMFI's new building brings hope anew to school in Zamboanga
The SM Foundation and SM Prime recently turned over a newly built two-story school building to Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School in Zamboanga City, which was heavily ravaged during the Zamboanga siege in 2013.

3 mins
Japanese Foreign Minister to Visit Manila Next Week
The Philippines and Japan are again scheduled to hold high-level talks next week to discuss matters of mutual concern, including defense and security.
1 min
BI discovers name used by Matobato to leave Phl
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has identified the name used by self-confessed former Davao Death Squad hitman Edgar Matobato that enabled him to slip out of the country.
1 min
House sec-gen ready to transmit impeachment articles vs VP
The Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives is ready to transmit the three impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte anytime, House secretary general Reginald Velasco said yesterday.
2 mins
House Welcomes Public Support for Quad Comm Probe
The leaders of the quad committee of the House of Representatives yesterday welcomed the results of a nationwide survey, which showed that a majority of Filipinos support their efforts to uncover the truth and hold those involved in illegal activities accountable.
2 mins
Sandigan denies bail for 'undead' businesswoman in textbook scam
For faking her own death, assuming false identities and repeatedly fleeing from authorities, the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan maintained that businesswoman Mary Ann Tupa Maslog, who also goes by the name Jesica Sese Francisco, must remain in detention despite facing a bailable offense of graft in connection with the P24-million textbook scam in 1998.
2 mins
Lao, Pharmally execs face new graft raps over PPE
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of another graft case against former Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM) executive director Lloyd Christopher Lao, erstwhile overall deputy ombudsman (ODO) Warren Lex Liong and several officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., this time over the alleged anomalous procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) worth over P4 billion.
1 min
QC takes down election materials
The Quezon City government yesterday took down election paraphernalia and other advertising materials posted in prohibited areas in the city.
1 min
No gov't work, classes in Manila, Pasay on Monday
Malacañang has ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes at all levels in both public and private schools in Manila and Pasay cities on Monday for the \"National Rally for Peace\" of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).
1 min
60 Injured in Two Vehicular Mishaps in QC
At least 50 people were injured when three buses collided along the EDSA Bus Carousel yesterday and another 10 got hurt after a dump truck hit a van in Barangay Bahay Toro.

1 min
Mary Jane Veloso Celebrates 40th Birthday
After celebrating Christmas with her family last month, Mary Jane Veloso again got a chance to reunite with her loved ones during her 40th birthday yesterday.
1 min
2 Suspects in Kidnapping, Killing of QC Businessman Nabbed
Two men who were among the six suspects in the kidnapping and killing of a businessman from Quezon City were arrested Wednesday night.
1 min
Over 8 Million Devotees Join Nazarene Feast
More than eight million devotees participated in the 2025 Feast of Jesus Nazareno, with about four million of them joining the procession on Thursday, Quiapo Church spokesman Fr. Robert Arellano said yesterday.

2 mins
Eat less... and other table manners
In the vernacular it's called \"tikim\" or to taste. I find that this method is a good way to try many different foods but avoid the calories and avoid too much sugar, too.

4 mins
Abuse of state resources
Politicians taking personal credit for tax-funded social services is an \"abuse of state resources\" that could constitute an election offense.
1 min
Non-candidates
We have some of the most bizarre election practices in the world.

3 mins
Revisiting the CCP's mandates
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently celebrated the 55th anniversary of its inauguration.
3 mins
People power in South Korea
Filipinos love South Korea for its K-drama, BTS, K-beauty and fashion trends and Korean food.

4 mins
How to evacuate a 300-pound pig
As wildfires blazed through Los Angeles on Wednesday, Ellen Marie Bennett shared a plea with her Instagram followers: could someone, ideally someone with a spare trailer, help evacuate her roughly 300-pound potbellied pig?
2 mins
Two bits of good news lighten up the start of 2025
In the fourth quarter of 2024, about 63 percent of Filipino families (17.4 million families) considered themselves poor.

4 mins
Speaker's Challenger Disqualified in May Polls
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified a political aspirant who wants to challenge House Speaker Martin Romualdez as representative of the first district of Leyte in the May elections.
1 min
Governor's COC valid - Comelec
Meanwhile, the Comelec denied a petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. for lack of merit.
1 min
PAOCC Tracking Down 100 Small-Scale POGOs
More than 100 small-scale Philippine offshore gaming operators are being tracked down by authorities to completely rid the country of POGOs, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
1 min
2 Dead in Calabarzon Gun Attacks
A man and a woman were killed in separate gun attacks in Batangas and Laguna on Thursday.
1 min
Go Turns Over Super Health Center in Midsayap
Sen. Bong Go led the turnover of a Super Health Center to the local government of Midsayap in North Cotabato on Thursday.
1 min
30 N. Mindanao Areas Tagged as Poll Hotspots
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 30 municipalities and cities in Northern Mindanao as election areas of concern for the coming May elections.
2 mins
Trump Arranging Meeting with Putin
US president-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin wanted to meet and that a rendezvous between the pair was being arranged.
1 min
Canada's Liberal Party to Announce Next PM on March 9
Canada's governing Liberal Party will announce the country's next prime minister on March 9 after a leadership vote that follows the resignation of Justin Trudeau (in photo) this week, party leaders said late Thursday.

1 min
Los Angeles Fire Deaths Reach 10
Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people, authorities said, as California's National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder.

1 min
Pope Warns About AI, Fake News, and 'Manipulating Minds'
Pope Francis warned on Thursday of the dangers of misinformation and its spread via social media and artificial intelligence (AI), cautioning it could be \"misused to manipulate minds.\"

1 min
Jimmy Carter briefly unites US as presidents attend funeral
Jimmy Carter brought a fleeting moment of national unity to a divided America on Thursday as all five living US presidents gathered for their predecessor's moving state funeral in Washington's National Cathedral.

1 min
Baldwin Sues for Malicious Prosecution After 'Rust' Case Dismissal
Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie \"Rust.\"
1 min
Zverev vows to win it all this time
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev insisted Friday he has the mindset to win a first Grand Slam - but admitted Jannik Sinner was red-hot favorite to defend his Australian Open title.
1 min
HOTSHOTS HOLD ON
It wasn't pretty but Magnolia gladly took this one.

1 min
Lakers game called off; Kerr loses home to wildfires
The NBA has postponed Thursday's scheduled game between the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers due to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

1 min
PSC to expand youth program
There's a lot on PSC chairman Dicky Bachmann's plate for the new year but the challenge to get things done is a rallying cry for the government agency whose mandate is to provide direction for a national sports development program with emphasis on grassroots development.
1 min
Phl bowlers bow out
Filipino bowling ace Grace Gella's magical run in the IBF World Cup in Hong Kong ended yesterday after falling to a big-swinging Singaporean Daphne Tan, 2-0 (202-182, 245-207), in the quarterfinals.
1 min
Unsung heroes
Unbeknownst to most of us, the concept of being an overseas Filipino worker does encompass sport, and not just athletes.

1 min
PSA Honors Pinoy World Champions
Two world champions in boxing and billiards lead the major awardees in the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on Jan. 27 at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel.
1 min
Phl Current Account Deficit Seen Rising in Next 2 Years
Nomura Global Markets Research has raised its current account deficit (CAD) forecast for the Philippines over the next two years, citing external pressures expected to weigh on the country's economy.
2 mins
FDI Inflow Hits $1.02 B in October
The net inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) surged by 50.2 percent to hit an eight-month high of $1.02 billion in October last year from $681 million in the same month in 2023, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

2 mins
Gov't urged to lower tobacco excise tax rate
The government should lower the tobacco excise tax rate and strengthen the enforcement of laws against illicit trade to address declining tobacco tax revenue, according to a think tank.
3 mins
Credit Growth Rises to Near 2-Year High
Loans disbursed by big banks accelerated to their highest level in nearly two years, fueled by strong growth in credit for both production activities and consumer borrowing, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.
2 mins
PSEi slips below 6,500 on cautious trading
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 0.23 percent or 15.25 points to close at 6,496.32.
1 min
Lexus Manila Names New President
Lexus Manila has named Carlo Ablaza as its new president.

1 min
Cheerleaders, coaches and fake gurus
The rise of social media has given everyone with a ring light and a catchy tagline the illusion of expertise.

3 mins
The Advent of AI
A new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has painted a bleak picture of the future with the advent of artificial intelligence or AI, which refers to computer systems and models capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence.

4 mins
Megawide Acquires Full Control of Clark Airport Developer
Infrastructure builder Megawide Construction Corp. is spending P79 million to fully own a joint venture that designed and developed the Clark International Airport.
1 min
GCash to market IPO to foreign investors
E-wallet pioneer GCash may sell its initial public offering (IPO) to foreign investors following its decision to work with overseas banks in arranging its share sale, according to experts.
2 mins
RFM Declares P200M Dividends
RFM Corp. is kicking off the year on a high note by rewarding its shareholders with P200 million in cash dividends.
1 min
Indonesia's Pertamina buys 20% of CREC for $115 M
Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC), chaired by tycoon Edgar Saavedra, has sealed a $115-million (P6.7 billion) investment from Indonesia's state-owned energy firm Pertamina.
1 min
BSP considering subscription fee on digital transactions
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is considering a fixed subscription fee model for digital transactions as an alternative to the current per-transaction fee structure, according to BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr.
1 min
IF ONLY YOU CAN FLY, DELTA ONE STYLE
I'm enjoying my fruit and cream croissant and bloom tea while aircraft spotting when someone walks up to me and says that my ride (a black Porsche Cayenne) is waiting downstairs.

4 mins
A FABULOUS BIRTHDAY FÊTE
The closely-knit JL & Co. group gathered at the elegant Shang Palace restaurant in Makati Shangri-La, Manila in Makati City, for a memorable birthday bash for lovely celebrants Arlene Chan, Maru Go, Beth Lee, and Ofelia Wadle.

1 min
Why Such Devotion to the Black Nazarene?
The devotion to the Black Nazarene springs from a pre-colonial belief in miracles—that a fleeting touch can summon divine healing. The sight is humbling, almost otherworldly: a centuries-old statue of Christ, hewn in Mexico and darkened by the hands of time, borne on the shoulders of the faithful.

3 mins
Oops, I Did It Again
Why do we keep making New Year's resolutions? Psychologists say it's about hope, a chance to wipe the slate clean, like pressing the reset button.

4 mins
Jennifer Lopez Identifies With Real-Life Mom in 'Unstoppable' Film
Jennifer Lopez found herself in tears as the real-life mom Judy Robles, whom she portrayed in the sports drama film \"Unstoppable,\" showered her with compliments for her performance.

1 min
Global boy group search 'Be the Next: 9 Dreamers' premieres on TV5
This February, the biggest K-pop stars and makers, together with the Kapatid network, will finally open the doors to \"Be the Next: 9 Dreamers,\" the global collaboration between MLD Entertainment PH and TV5.

1 min
Paolo Sandejas Sings About Saving LDR in a Happy, Hopeful Way
Singer-songwriter Paolo Sandejas has given his two cents on how to save a long-distance relationship, or LDR, in the single, manila to LA.

3 mins
Dani Barretto Is Setting the Best Example for Siblings and Mom Marjorie
They say fortune favors the bold and this 2025, Dani Barretto is entering the year with a bang!

2 mins
MELAI CANTIVEROS ON BISAYA
MELAI CANTIVEROS ADMITTED THAT SHE WAS often teased because of her Bisaya accent, but she would just laugh it off.

2 mins
The Philippine Star Newspaper Description:
Publisher: Philstar Daily Inc.
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
The Philippine STAR is the flagship title of the country's largest and most successful print media enterprise, the Philstar Media Group. Owned and published by Philstar Daily Inc., The Philippine STAR is a vaunted pillar of Philippine journalism whose integrity is anchored on the Biblical motto, “Truth Shall Prevail”. The Philippine STAR is a two-time winner of the prestigious Newspaper of the Year award given by the Rotary Club of Manila.
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