The Philippine Star - February 04, 2025

In this issue

February 04, 2025

DA declares food security emergency

Max SRP of 55/kilo for imported rice takes effect

5 mins

Beyonce finally wins top album at Grammys

Beyonce on Sunday finally won the Grammy for the year's best album for her culture-shaking \"Cowboy Carter,\" as rapper Kendrick Lamar posted a clean sweep on a night that served as a love letter to fire-ravaged Los Angeles.

3 mins

Lawmakers Trying to Fast-Track 3 Impeach Complaints vs Sara

With time running out, officials and members of the House of Representatives are trying to expedite the handling of three impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, an administrative official of the chamber said yesterday.

3 mins

Senate OKs 25-Year Meralco Franchise Renewal

The Senate approved on third and final reading yesterday a measure renewing the franchise of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for 25 years.

1 min

BBM, Sara trust ratings decline further - SWS

President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte both suffered further declines in their trust ratings in the latest commissioned survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

2 mins

Private Schools Group Withdraws From NTF-ELCAC

The largest network of private schools in the country has terminated its membership in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), more than two months since it joined.

2 mins

PCCI: Leave wage hike to tripartite boards

Decisions on wage hikes should be left to regional wage boards as they are best positioned to determine rates based on an area's cost of living, according to the country's largest business group.

2 mins

Taguig transport hub eyed in 2028

Over 160,000 passengers are expected to benefit when the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (TCITX) opens its doors in 2028, according to the Department of Transportation.

1 min

Comelec: Warrantless arrest OK for vote buying, selling

Those found engaging in vote buying or abusing state resources face warrantless arrest, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared in a resolution yesterday.

3 mins

Palace assures clergy: No graft, patronage in budget releases

Malacañang has assured the Catholic clergy that the disbursement of the 2025 national budget would be insulated from corruption and patronage politics.

1 min

CCG 'monster ship' driven away anew by PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) once again drove away the so-called monster ship of the China Coast Guard (CCG) that was caught sailing closer to the shores of Zambales province.

4 mins

Gas prices up, diesel down today

Diesel and kerosene costs are poised to go down today, but gasoline is on track for a price hike.

1 min

China envoy surprised by Romualdez's phone hacking story

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was \"surprised\" by the statement of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez that he had raised with Huang his concern over Chinese hacking of his phone and extracting information.

1 min

Impounding of P89.9-B PhilHealth 'excess funds' hit

As the Supreme Court (SC) is set to hold oral arguments today on the petitions opposing the transfer of the P89.9-billion \"excess funds\" of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury, personalities in the health sector continue to decry the fund transfer as unjustified.

2 mins

SMC Declogs Parañaque Rivers

Over 93,000 tons of silt and waste from Parañaque rivers have been removed amid efforts to reduce flooding at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the rainy season.

1 min

Judge in De Lima drug case guilty of misconduct - SC

The Supreme Court (SC) has found a Muntinlupa judge guilty of simple misconduct and neglect of duty for delaying the resolution of former senator Leila de Lima's petition for bail in 2020.

1 min

Metro index crimes down 20% - NCRPO

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) recorded a 19.61-percent decrease in index crimes in Metro Manila for January.

1 min

HPG Recovers 76 Stolen Vehicles

Forty-five suspected car thieves were arrested and 76 stolen vehicles were recovered in an intensified crackdown on car theft rings by the Philippine National Police.

1 min

Garma, 6 Others Charged for Barayuga Murder

Complaints for murder and frustrated murder were filed yesterday in connection with the 2020 killing of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

1 min

PNP: Party-list Nominee Not Kidnapped

A nominee of Magsasaka party-list was not kidnapped, but was arrested on murder charges in Pasig City on Sunday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

1 min

'A matter of national survival'

There is no other way of putting this. No doubt, it is a matter of national survival.

3 mins

Bearish

The sky is falling. Before this week is done, trillions of dollars in market capital will vanish across the world's markets. Entire economies will be thrown into disarray

3 mins

Ministerial duty

EDITORIAL

2 mins

A terrible silence

I was about to start celebrating my birthday. But instead, I ran a mile through the snow to the 14th Street Bridge.

2 mins

Kakistocracy, kleptocracy

February 1, 2025 Saturday column, \"Gutom Na, Tanga Pa,\" has gone viral. Of more than 250 reactions, 99 percent were angry, at the state of things - food in severe shortage and high in cost, and the exceedingly poor quality of public education.

4 mins

Winning the ground game

PEDDLER OF HOPE

4 mins

Unified and inclusive PWD ID system

TOWARDS JUSTICE

4 mins

Coast Guard Rescues Man Who Fell Overboard

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel rescued a 50-year-old man who fell overboard near the port of Lucena on Sunday.

1 min

Albay trader wins P202.5-M lotto 6/55 jackpot

A trader based in Legazpi City in Albay was the sole winner of the P202.5 million Grand Lotto 6/55 prize drawn on Dec. 28, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said.

1 min

Pope Names Billones Archbishop of Jaro

Pope Francis has appointed Cebu bishop Midyphil Billones as the new archbishop of Jaro in Iloilo.

1 min

Senate Approves BARMM Election Reset

The Senate approved on third and final reading yesterday a bill postponing the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by five months, moving it to October.

1 min

Israel blows up buildings in West Bank refugee camp

The Israeli military blew up buildings in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Sunday in an operation that the Palestinian state news agency said leveled around 20 buildings.

1 min

Trump talks with Canada, Mexico over Trump sweeping tariffs

US President Donald Trump said he will discuss the punishing tariffs he has levied on Canada and Mexico with both countries today, after arguing that Americans may feel economic \"pain\" from the 25 percent duties but that it will be \"worth the price.\"

1 min

Rubio Lays Down Ultimatum to Panama Over Canal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday threatened action against Panama without immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the canal, but the country's leader insisted he was not afraid of a US invasion and offered talks.

1 min

Where's Bennie?

Would-be naturalized player Bennie Boatwright has postponed his return to the country twice and is still undergoing treatment to recover from heel surgery last August.

1 min

HOTSHOTS DETERMINED TO GET GOING

Magnolia forward Zav Lucero looks forward to helping the No. 8 Hotshots take down his old team, top-seeded North Port, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.

1 min

Pacquiao growing MPBL brands

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is nowadays focused instead on the sport he first fell in love with - basketball.

1 min

Perfection gone wrong

NLEX coach Jong Uichico called Mike Watkins \"the perfect import for us\" but when it came down to showing up in a win-or-go-home game, the only player to average a 20-20 statline in the PBA Commissioner's Cup was a bust.

2 mins

Philippine team departs for Asian Winter Games

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham \"Bambol\" Tolentino flies to Harbin today to lead a 20-athlete delegation to the 9th Asian Winter Games.

1 min

Cavs crush Mavs; Celtics trip Sixers

The Dallas Mavericks, rocked by the sudden trade of superstar Luka Doncic and wracked by injuries, were blown out 144-101 by the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

1 min

Supremos stun Scorpions

Dennis Laconsay and Mark Joel Joson struck hardest in the crunch and Manila Central University handed three-peat seeking Centro Escolar University its third straight loss, 73-68, in the UCAL-PGFlex Linoleum 7th Season yesterday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

1 min

Interclub bets brace for Bacolod war

The excitement is building as the prestigious 76th PAL Interclub prepares to return in a week's time, and golfers from across the country are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events in the Philippine golfing calendar.

1 min

Factory Activity Slows in January

Growth in new orders ease

1 min

What bubble? Real estate stays strong, experts say

The Metro Manila property scene has been buzzing with reports of a significant amount of unsold residential units as well as high vacancy rates in the office market.

7 mins

Aboitiz Foundation Expands Impact In 2025

Aboitiz Foundation, the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group, celebrates its achievements in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to creating positive impacts through its strategic pillars: Future Leaders, Jobs, and Climate Action.

1 min

Bargain hunting helps stocks snap five-day losing streak

Share prices recovered following last week's successive losses as investors took advantage of bargain stocks.

1 min

New GSIS Loan Buyout Program Offers Debt Relief

State-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has introduced a loan buyout program that allows government employees to consolidate their debts at significantly lower interest rates, providing much-needed financial relief for state workers.

1 min

BSP Urges Banks to Move Beyond OTPs

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is pushing banks to adopt more advanced security measures and move away from one-time passwords (OTPs) as the primary form of authentication.

1 min

SM Group bags 13 Anvils for excellence in public relations

The SM Group, led by its parent company SM Investments Corp., with SM Foundation, China Banking Corp. and Watsons, earned 13 accolades at the 60th Anvil Awards which recognized the group's outstanding public relations programs in investor relations, financial communications, branding, social good, sustainability and governance.

1 min

Nickel Asia formalizes exit in Coral Bay

Zamora-led Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) has signed a share purchase agreement with its Japanese partner Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. (SMM) to formalize its exit in Coral Bay Nickel Corp. (CBNC).

1 min

The Cost of Ignoring Waste in HR

When I give free management consultations to bankrupt companies, I feel happy and fulfilled, but my wife does not.

3 mins

Yuchengco firm lone bidder for PSALM's Maibarara property

State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has completed the bidding for its Maibarara property, securing close to a P480-million offer from the Yuchengco Group.

1 min

DoubleDragon starts P10-B bond offer

DoubleDragon Corp., the listed property developer owned by Edgar \"Injap\" Sia II and Tony Tan Caktiong, commenced with the company's only peso retail bond offering for the year, with hopes of raising as much as P10 billion.

1 min

Ayala's AC Health stake sale in process

Ayala Corp., the country's oldest conglomerate, is hoping to seal the entry of a strategic partner in its health care unit within the year.

1 min

BPI profit hits record-high P62 B in 2024

Profit of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) jumped by 20 percent to hit an all-time high of P62 billion in 2024 from the previous year's P51.7 billion, driven by higher revenues.

1 min

Bidding War Expected for EDSA Busway PPP

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects some of the country's biggest companies to take part in the bidding for the operations and maintenance of the EDSA Busway.

1 min

Cebu Pacific rules out return to Beijing in route expansion

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is keen on expanding its overseas reach this year once it takes in new widebody jets from Airbus, but the airline is doubtful about making a return to Beijing.

1 min

Government securities for the non-resident foreign investor

Column Title

2 mins

New SMC tollway to open in three years, says DOTr

Tollway developer San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has been tasked to complete in three years the first phase of a new expressway that would bridge the north and south of Metro Manila.

1 min

IntouchCX Keen on Expanding in Phl

A strong business growth and employee engagement in 2024 are reinforcing IntouchCX's drive to continue expanding its footprint globally and in the Philippines.

2 mins

IntouchCX keen on expanding in Phl

A strong business growth and employee engagement in 2024 are reinforcing IntouchCX's drive to continue expanding its footprint globally and in the Philippines.

1 min

GCash, PCIC partner for faster farmer indemnification

E-wallet giant GCash and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. have teamed up for a faster and more efficient rollout of indemnity payments to insure farmers nationwide.

1 min

PSE Closes Another PDS Share Purchase Deal

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) has closed another share purchase deal with one of the shareholders of the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDS).

1 min

Criminal Complaint Filed vs E-commerce Platform

In its continuing efforts to protect investors from illegal investment schemes, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a criminal complaint against an entity operating a dropshipping e-commerce platform.

2 mins

SHAIRA DIAZ: NO ‘BRIDEZILLA' MOMENTS, JUST EXCITEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD

KAPUSO ACTRESS AND PUBLIC affairs host Shaira Diaz is set to tie the knot with actor Edgar Allan \"EA\" Guzman this year, and according to GMA News, it's happening in August in Cavite.

4 mins

'This Is Taylor Swift: A Spotify Playlist Experience' coming to Manila

Swifties in Asia, get ready for an unforgettable experience!

1 min

MISS WORLD QC CANDIDATES EXPRESS DESIRE TO JOIN SHOWBIZ

One of the challenges in mounting a contest like Miss World Quezon City is the schedules of the ladies, especially their studies for those who are still in school, insisted Jeannie Jarina, national director of Miss World Quezon City.

4 mins

PVL stars tapped as faces of beauty and wellness campaign

Given their stunning beauty, good physique and impressive volleyball skills, it was no surprise that Premier Volleyball League (PVL) stars Kim Kianna Dy, Jolina dela Cruz, and Fifi Sharma were selected as the faces of a health and beauty shop's new campaign.

2 mins

HSBC's Sweet Success in the Philippines

HSBC Philippines opened its doors in Binondo, Manila in 1875 on a sweet note.

2 mins

Covered Truths

León Gallery International opened its first exhibition year of 2025, organized by Metro Gallery.

2 mins

High-speed adventure at Uptown Tempur Cinema

The fastest blue hedgehog is back in action, and there's no better place to experience the high-speed adventure of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 than inside the luxurious Uptown Tempur Cinema.

1 min

Another milestone for MakatiMed

Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) has reached another milestone with the successful performance of its first facial reanimation surgery, a groundbreaking procedure that restores movement and symmetry to the face in patients with facial paralysis.

1 min

Owning an iPhone 16 Is Now Within Reach

Globe is bringing Apple's iPhone 16 within reach of every Filipino via unbeatable deals, flexible payment options, and an array of exclusive benefits.

2 mins

Pain management, IV therapy, massage, acupuncture, and food as medicine are offered at Sonya's Garden by the Sea.

In life, we find magical places where kindness and perfection reign supreme. A romantic venue by the azure sea with caramel-crusted sand and whistling wind kisses your face.

3 mins

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