The Philippine Star - January 31, 2025

In this issue

January 31, 2025

Marcos Wants to Discuss Immigration, Aid With Trump

President Marcos wants to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss a number of issues, including Washington's freezing of foreign aid and its intensified crackdown on illegal immigrants.

2 mins

End sea harassment, I'll return Typhoon

Visibly irked by China's remark that the Philippines should pull out the US Typhoon missile launchers, President Marcos yesterday said he would heed the call if Beijing stops claiming Manila's territory and engaging in aggressive behavior.

4 mins

NBI arrests 5 Chinese nationals for espionage

Five more suspected Chinese spies were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Special Task Force after being allegedly involved in illegal intelligence gathering.

2 mins

BBM: Budget challenge part of destabilization

'I Can't Find Those Damned Blank Items'

2 mins

Edcel Lagman, fearless legislator, rights defender, 82

Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman died yesterday at the age of 82.

1 min

P2.5 B needed to reset BARMM polls - Comelec

Holding parliamentary elections for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) separately from the midterm polls in May will require P2.5 billion in additional funding, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said yesterday.

2 mins

ECOP Warns vs Legislated Wage Hike Consequences

The proposed measure for a P200 across-the-board increase in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers is counterproductive and could have unwanted consequences on the economy, according to the country's umbrella group of employers.

2 mins

CHR backs bill penalizing deadbeat dads

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports the passage of a bill that aims to punish fathers who refuse to pay child support.

2 mins

Married to a lawyer? Don't argue - BBM

\"I also learned a valuable lesson very early on - one that I carry with me to this day: never argue with your wife, especially if she is a lawyer. It is not a debate you will ever win,\" Marcos said, referring to First Lady Liza Marcos, during a gathering of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Cebu yesterday.

2 mins

Pork prices to decline - hog raisers

Pork prices are expected to decline in the next four weeks amid the spike in retail costs, according to pork producers.

2 mins

SWS: Satisfaction with gov't still high despite rising costs

Overall satisfaction with the Marcos administration remained high in the fourth quarter of last year despite poor public assessment on how it handled the rising cost of basic commodities, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

2 mins

Bandwagon effect?

In 2016, pollsters in the United States projected the wrong winner in the presidential race.

4 mins

The Dengvaxia boomerang

CTALK

4 mins

Populism

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Filipinos Suffering Under Government by the Worst

We're under kakistocracy, government by the worst. We've been so for nine years.

3 mins

The year of the snake

ROSES & THORNS

3 mins

8 party-lists leading SWS survey

Eight party-list groups, mostly incumbents, are leading the latest survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

2 mins

Paloma film not under review - MTRCB

Director Darryl Yap's controversial film \"The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma\" is not undergoing review by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) due to incomplete requirements.

1 min

Elderly Man Dies, 4 Hurt in Muntinlupa Fire

A 75-year-old man died and four others were injured when a fire razed houses in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa yesterday.

1 min

TNVS Rider Claims P19.4-M Lotto Prize

A Transportation Network Vehicle Service or TNVS rider from Valenzuela City turned up at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) central office in Mandaluyong City recently to claim his lotto winnings.

1 min

6 Students Hurt in Chemical Explosion

Six senior high school students were injured after a bottle of ethanol leaked, causing an explosion in a Makati private school on Wednesday.

1 min

Makati collects P24.15 B in revenue for 2024

The local government of Makati collected P24.15 billion in revenue last year, surpassing its target by 31 percent, Mayor Abby Binay announced on Monday.

1 min

'2 Comelec Appointees Under Palace Scrutiny'

Malacañang has started interviewing possible replacements for two retiring poll commissioners as part of the vetting process ahead of the midterm elections, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia announced yesterday.

2 mins

Marcos Inaugurates Cebu Runway

The tourism and trade industry of Cebu is expected to get a boost after President Marcos inaugurated yesterday a P2.55-billion runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the country's first parallel runway.

2 mins

Blueprints for Success: WORLDBEX Illuminates the Latest Trends in Construction and Design

As WORLDBEX geared up for another remarkable edition, WSI held its annual MOA signing with its sponsors and partners last January 28 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.

1 min

PNP: Engineering works needed to make Marilaque Highway safer

More than increasing police visibility, engineering works are needed along Marilaque Highway in Tanay, Rizal to instill discipline among motorists, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

1 min

Phl Logs Fewer ILI, Dengue Cases

Fewer cases of dengue and influenza-like illness (ILI) were recorded in the country this month, according to the Department of Health.

1 min

Second Kanlaon baby evacuee dies

Another baby who had been staying in an evacuation center in La Castellana, Negros Occidental has died while being treated in a hospital for respiratory diseases.

1 min

Go Cites Iloilo's Progress During Dinagyang

Sen. Bong Go showed solidarity with Ilonggos when he attended the Dinagyang Festival held on Sunday at the Freedom Grandstand and provincial capitol in Iloilo City.

1 min

White House revokes spending freeze amid legal setbacks

US President Donald Trump's administration appeared to abandon its proposed freeze on hundreds of billions of dollars in aid on Wednesday in the face of legal setbacks and widespread opposition, though officials said they still planned to cut funds for activities opposed by Trump.

1 min

US Military Deportation Flight Costs More Than First Class

US President Donald Trump's military deportation flight to Guatemala on Monday likely cost at least $4,675 per migrant, according to data provided by US and Guatemalan officials.

1 min

Japan pulls ads from scandal-hit Fuji TV

The Japanese government said Thursday it has pulled advertisements from Fuji Television in the wake of sexual assault allegations lodged against its celebrity host, as the company slashed profit forecasts.

1 min

Survivors of India festival stampede recount deadly crush

Hindu pilgrim Parvati Gupta braved jostling crowds to be at the world's largest religious festival in India, but will leave with injuries that will keep her bedridden for months.

1 min

Koran burner shot dead in Sweden

A man who repeatedly burned the Koran in 2023 in Sweden, sparking outrage in Muslim countries, has been shot dead south of Stockholm, investigators said yesterday, adding that five people had been arrested.

1 min

Hamas hands over woman hostage as 3rd exchange begins

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday handed over Israeli woman hostage Agam Berger, a soldier, as a third hostage-prisoner exchange got under way, an AFP journalist reported.

1 min

5.6 magnitude quake shakes buildings in Taiwan

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook buildings in Taiwan yesterday morning, as a series of temblors hit the island, causing little damage but possibly portending more seismic activity in the near future.

1 min

Plane carrying 64 collides with helicopter, crashes in Washington

A passenger jet carrying 64 people crashed into Washington's Potomac River Wednesday after colliding midair with a military helicopter, with US media reporting multiple bodies pulled from the dark, near-freezing water.

1 min

Rihanna Makes First Court Appearance at Partner A$AP Rocky's Trial

Rihanna appeared for the first time at the trial of her longtime partner A$AP Rocky, on the day of its most important testimony — the description by a former friend of the moment Rocky allegedly fired a gun at him.

1 min

Trump wants to detain 30,000 migrants in Guantanamo

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he planned to detain 30,000 \"criminal illegal aliens\" at the notorious Guantanamo Bay military prison, used for holding terrorism suspects since the 9/11 attacks.

1 min

Sacred New Zealand mountain granted personhood

A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people was recognized as a legal person on Thursday after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being.

1 min

Japan tries to rescue man stuck in sinkhole

A truck that fell into a sinkhole that suddenly opened on a road near Tokyo has captured national attention as attempts to rescue the elderly driver drag on.

1 min

Van der Valk chalks 70, grabs solo lead

STA. ROSA, Laguna - Guido van der Valk shouldered himself past a competitive field by firing the day's best of two-under-par 70, highlighted by an eagle and a monster birdie putt, as he wrested a twostroke lead in the third round of The Country Club Invitational on Thursday here.

1 min

MERALCO BIG TEST FOR MAGNOLIA

Needing to win its assignment in the final day of the eliminations just to earn the right to play in a KO for the eighth and last berth to the playoffs, this is unfamiliar territory for perennial contender Magnolia.

2 mins

Eastern faces huge dilemma

Guest team Eastern is in danger of falling to No. 7 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup standings and will avoid a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarterfinals only if TNT beats Rain or Shine in the final elimination game at PhilSports Arena tonight.

1 min

NBA Mulls 10-Minute Quarters

NBA commissioner Adam Silver raised the possibility that the US basketball league could someday switch from 12-minute to 10-minute quarters to court a changing television audience and align with international rules.

1 min

Olivarez notches 2nd straight win

Olivarez College notched its second straight win with an 88-77 drubbing of Manila Central U, 88-77, in the UCAL-PGFlex Linoleum 7th Season yesterday at the Paco Arena.

1 min

ZUS Coffee breaks Chery

Games tomorrow (PhilSports Arena) 4 p.m. - Capital1 vs Akari / 6:30 p.m. - Cignal vs Creamline

1 min

EJ Nails Silver in Germany

Back in full strength after nursing a bad back, Olympian and Asian pole-vault record-holder EJ Obiena captured a silver medal in the International Jump Meeting Cottbus 2025 in Germany to jumpstart his indoor campaign.

1 min

Cone rues Sotto's absence

As crushing the absence of ACL-hit Kai Sotto is, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone sees a lot to look forward to when the Nationals reconvene next month.

1 min

Do or Die for Hotshots

Magnolia is in a must-win situation against Meralco at the PhilSports Arena tonight to stay alive for a shot at a playoff spot.

2 mins

Mining groups buck export ban on raw ore

Mining industry groups are opposing a provision in a Senate bill that will impose an export ban on ore, arguing it will do more harm than good for the country's mineral sector.

2 mins

ADB OKs $1B loan for labor, disaster plans

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1 billion policy-based loan to support the Philippine government's efforts to improve the employability of the workforce and strengthen disaster resilience and response.

2 mins

Economy Grows by 5.6% in 2024

The Philippine economy grew by 5.6 percent in 2024, below the government's growth target as extreme weather disturbances, geopolitical tensions and weak global demand dampened economic activity in the last quarter of the year.

2 mins

BSP: Peso Seen to Weaken Further

The peso may weaken further in 2025 and 2026, settling slightly above the government's foreign exchange rate assumptions, as the US Federal Reserve might take a slower approach to monetary policy easing.

1 min

Rules proposed on temporary holding of disputed funds

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a draft circular outlining proposed regulations for the temporary holding of funds involved in disputed transactions, as part of its efforts to combat financial fraud and cybercrime.

1 min

Stocks Dive to Lowest in Nearly 15 Months

The local stock market suffered another crushing blow, plunging to its lowest level in almost 15 months following the US Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged and a softer-than-expected Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) data.

1 min

Pagcor profit hits P16.8 B in 2024

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) reported a net income of P16.77 billion in 2024, more than double the P6.81 billion in 2023, as revenues soared to an all-time high of P112 billion.

1 min

BDO's P52.7 B bonds used for environmental projects

BDO Unibank Inc. has spent the P52.7 billion proceeds from its first ASEAN Sustainability Bond (ASB) on projects that address environmental and social challenges.

2 mins

JG Summit Shuts Down Petrochemicals Business

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. is shutting down indefinitely its petrochemicals unit amid industry challenges.

1 min

ALI hiking rates on Seda, Lagen

Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is poised to increase rates for some of its hospitality properties that are currently undergoing renovations.

2 mins

ASEAN unity

Recent Philippine visitor - Malaysia's House of Representatives Speaker Johari Abdul, is calling for more unity and cooperation among the 11-member nations/states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, which comprises almost 700 million people.

3 mins

New Cold War

We closed down US military bases here following the EDSA People Power Revolution after the Senate voted against the proposal of then president Corazon Aquino to renew the bases agreement.

4 mins

SRA defers import clearance fee on sugar alternatives

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has deferred the imposition of clearance fee on imported sugar alternatives after certain quarters led by candy and beverage makers opposed the measure for its detrimental effects.

1 min

Prospects for growth and development: Business trends to take note of in 2025

The global economy is in constant flux, and 2025 promises to be no exception. Businesses that fail to adapt to emerging trends risk being left behind.

2 mins

Own your future: Build your wealth through these three investment tips

Many Filipinos struggle to keep up with their bills. Some exhaust themselves juggling multiple jobs, only to live paycheck to paycheck. This is the impact of increasing inflation and other economic challenges. Achieving financial freedom becomes more difficult, but it's not impossible if you know how to spend and save your money wisely.

2 mins

Prospects for growth...

From B5

1 min

Investing Your Way: A Guide to Choosing Your Investments

Sun Life Investment Management's Michael Enriquez on finding the right investment for you

2 mins

Time: The best element in building wealth

Long-term investment strategies that amplify returns

2 mins

Phl importing thousands of goats, sheep

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be importing over 1,500 goats and at least 4,300 sheep to upgrade the domestic herd and improve the country's meat production.

1 min

Motolite cranks up sustainability drive

Motolite, the country's leading brand in battery technology and product innovation, shifted its sustainability drive to a higher gear as it started deploying to key outlets eco-friendly e-bikes for the delivery of batteries to customers.

1 min

Security Bank eyes stronger profitability

Security Bank Corp. aims to sustain its profitability this year, targeting a return on equity (ROE) of around 10 percent for 2025, while continuing to expand its physical and digital presence.

1 min

Business Snippets From B4

On bilateral relations with the Philippines, Johari cited \"a lot of opportunities for tourism to grow between Malaysia and the Philippines.\"

1 min

Gov't completes 7 priority infra in 2024

The government has completed seven priority infrastructure projects under the infrastructure flagship project (IFP) list as of last year, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

1 min

ADB From B1

Meanwhile, the disaster resilience program is a multi-year contingent disaster financing program that can be replenished twice, upon the ADB Board's approval.

1 min

PPA profit surges to P7.4 B in 2024

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) hiked its profit by 26 percent to breach the P7-billion mark anew, arming it with enough resources to increase dividends to the government.

1 min

The Best of Iloilo at the Centerstage of Dinagyang 2025

The vibrant city of Iloilo readily welcomed visitors to the much-anticipated Dinagyang Festival 2025.

2 mins

TERNCON AT ITS BEST

Ternocon is the most anticipated fashion event that draws its main inspiration from Philippine design and culture.

1 min

THE STREETS ARE IN O SIDE MAFIA'S DNA

'Kung ano 'yung nira-rap namin, 'yun 'yung nararanasan din namin talaga.'

6 mins

'Life is better when you drink fresh milk'

In a country like the Philippines where malnutrition and undernutrition are still an issue, fresh milk is a key component to a healthy and balanced diet.

4 mins

All's well with Carlos, Chloe & Karl

It's good to know that Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and his 17-year-old brother Karl Eldrew, a rising star in the gymnastics firmament, are not just civil—they're brotherly sweet.

3 mins

TJ MONTERDE ON HISTORIC 'SARILI NATING MUNDO' CONCERT: 'IT'S REALLY ABOUT GOD'S TIMING'

FOR SINGER-SONGWRITER TJ MONTERDE, THE IDEA OF HEADLINING A concert at the Araneta Coliseum felt surreal. Selling it out for three consecutive nights? Even more unimaginable. But that's exactly what happened with his \"Sarili Nating Mundo\" concert series happening this Feb. 1, 2 and 3, making the 35-year-old Cornerstone artist the first male local solo act to achieve this feat at the Big Dome.

6 mins

Rediscovering the BMW X5 With a Plug-in Hybrid Version

I Come from that generation of journalists who have been in the automotive beat for a quarter of a century (i.e., old). Age, however, enables me to compare the experiences of a new car with its predecessors—not just the immediate forebear, but even from earlier generations.

4 mins

Boosted by T2 sales, Jetour PH marks 67% growth in 2024

Jetour Auto Philippines Inc. (JAPI) continues its strong and steady growth in its second year of operations, achieving sales of 1,702 vehicles in 2024.

1 min

A new era begins: The all-electric Porsche Macan takes center stage

AT THE 20TH ENRIQUE ZOBEL MEMORIAL POLO CUP

3 mins

Isuzu PH marks 25 years as the no. 1 truck brand

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) proudly celebrates a historic milestone: it has maintained its position as the no. 1 truck brand in the Philippines for 25 consecutive years, a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

3 mins

Reimagining a legend: The Lexus Electrified Sport Concept shines in Manila

About twenty years ago, Lexus stunned the world when it first unveiled its LFA Concept Car at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

2 mins

Honda Cars PH Upgrades Aftersales Experience for Body & Paint Customers

For those interested in rejuvenating or restoring their vehicle, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has announced the availability of its Body and Paint Estimation Tool.

1 min

Bay Benefits: The Science of Living Well at SMDC Spaces by the Bay

What if your home could be more than a space to rest? What if it could be a sanctuary that naturally nurtures your well-being, day in and day out?

2 mins

BIG BETS, BIGGER GAINS: THE PH REAL ESTATE GAME THIS 2025

Part 1 of 2: Investors Edition

2 mins

Harnessing Feng Shui for a harmonious and prosperous home in 2025

The Year of the Wood Snake brings opportunities for renewal, transformation, and growth—a time to be mindful of energy flows in both our lives and living spaces to attract positivity, abundance, and well-being.

2 mins

Torre Lorenzo Charts Bold Path in 2025 After Landmark 25th Anniversary

024 marked the 25th anniversary of Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC), highlighting over two decades of being a proven leader in innovative design and elevating lifestyles through its premium university residences and world-class hospitality ventures.

3 mins

I Speak To My Space. Do You? The Energy You Give To Your Surroundings Comes Back To You

GOOD SPACES, GOOD VIBES

3 mins

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