The Philippine Star - February 06, 2025

In this issue

February 06, 2025

More Pinays Prefer Live-In Setup to Marriage

More Filipino women now prefer live-in arrangements instead of getting married, a study of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) revealed.

1 min

Rice Retailers Fail to Follow P55 Max SRP - DA

Many retailers have failed to follow the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) of P55 per kilo of imported premium rice, according to the Department of Agriculture.

2 mins

Baste Duterte: Cornered animals become aggressive

Vice President Sara Duterte withheld comment, but her brothers yesterday issued warnings directed at President Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez after Congress voted to impeach her.

3 mins

Business groups buck P200 legislated wage hike

Business organizations yesterday expressed their opposition to the proposed legislated P200 across-the-board daily wage increase, warning of its damaging effects on the economy if implemented.

1 min

Mercado ponders cure for ailing PhilHealth

Likening the state-run health insurer to a sick patient, the newly appointed chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) yesterday vowed to address issues related to benefits management and financial reporting to enhance its delivery of services.

2 mins

Phl, US, Japan, Australia sail together in WPS

Demonstrating anew a united stand in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific region, naval and air force assets from the United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines sailed the waters of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) together yesterday.

5 mins

Senate Panel Recommends Prosecution of Persons Linked to POGOs

A Senate panel has recommended the prosecution of those involved in illegal activities related to Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) and in protecting dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

1 min

DA to proceed with pork max SRP

A maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for pork will be implemented as retail prices have reached P480 per kilo, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

1 min

Business groups call for transparency in budget process

Business groups yesterday pushed for reforms to make the budget process more transparent and to ensure it prioritizes the needs of the Filipino people amid the issues surrounding this year's national budget.

2 mins

Celebrities, influencers can endorse relatives in 2025 polls

Celebrities and social media influencers may freely endorse a family member or relative running in the May 2025 midterm elections, according to the Commission on Elections.

1 min

Australia's first Filipino bishop serves in Melbourne diocese

Rene Ramirez became the first Filipino bishop in Australia and will serve in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, the largest Catholic diocese in Oceania.

2 mins

Ex-treasurer gets 18 years for P43,675 graft case

A former treasurer of the Manila city government was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison for allegedly pocketing payment of P43,675 from a bank for mayor's permit and business license.

1 min

Makati referrals to companies yield 14,000 new hires

Over 14,000 jobseekers referred by the Makati government to private companies were hired last year, Mayor Abby Binay announced on Monday.

1 min

Pinoy Tourists Warned of Influenza in Japan

Filipino tourists visiting Japan must be cautious and avail themselves of travel insurance amid rising influenza cases, the Philippine embassy in Tokyo said yesterday.

1 min

QC Gov't Mulls Legal Suit vs Bestlink College

The Quezon City government is considering legal action against Bestlink College of the Philippines over the school's off-campus activity in Bataan last month, which endangered the safety of students.

2 mins

Stop abusing PWD discounts - DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday warned holders of fake PWD (person with disability) identification cards to stop using and abusing the benefits meant for people with special needs.

1 min

Contrived

After many days of warning us this was coming, the Department of Agriculture declared a \"food security emergency on rice\" last Monday. We are told this will be in effect for only a short period. It will very likely be ineffectual.

3 mins

Filipino students are dropping out of college

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

Sara Impeached

EDITORIAL

1 min

Reducing inequality is better economics

The issue of increasing the minimum wage has again become headline material.

3 mins

Saudi Arabia reiterates support for a Palestinian state

The Foreign Ministry's statement early Wednesday local time, which said that Saudi support for a Palestinian state was \"firm and unwavering,\" appeared to contradict Trump.

1 min

New Zealand and the Philippines: Shared journeys, boundless horizons

DIPLOMATIC POUCH

4 mins

Phl as an AI investment destination

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

Plebiscite for Sulu reinclusion in BARMM not feasible - Comelec

Holding a plebiscite to reinclude Sulu in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is no longer feasible this year, according to the Commission on Elections.

1 min

Cotabato mayor, aides nabbed for gun ban violation

A municipal mayor in Cotabato and his three security aides have been arrested for allegedly violating the election gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao City.

1 min

DepEd, NEA Sign School Electrification Program

No student will study in the dark again after the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) agreed to energize schools in remote areas using solar power.

1 min

Laguna School Clarifies English-Only Policy

Officials of the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao (PNC) in Laguna yesterday clarified issues surrounding a policy requiring students, employees and visitors to communicate exclusively in English.

1 min

Despite Beyoncé, Carpenter, ratings for the Grammys fall

Ratings for the Grammy Awards dipped from last year, despite the nail-biting tension of whether Beyoncé would win album of the year and a surprise appearance by The Weeknd.

1 min

US Will Take Over Gaza, Says Trump

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Donald Trump revealed an extraordinary plan on Tuesday for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip, resettle Palestinians in other countries — seemingly whether they wanted to leave or not — and turn the territory into \"the Riviera of the Middle East.\"

1 min

Trump to Sign EO Barring Transgender Athletes From Competing

US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday designed to prevent people who were biologically assigned male at birth from participating in women's or girls' sporting events.

1 min

Pope Francis Suffers From 'Strong Cold' During Weekly Audience

Pope Francis said yesterday he was suffering from a \"strong cold,\" and asked an aide to read his prepared message for his weekly general audience at the Vatican.

1 min

10 Dead in Sweden's Worst Mass Shooting

Ten people were killed in a shooting by a gunman, who also died, at an education center in Sweden, police said yesterday, adding that no motive had been established.

1 min

CONVERGE, GINEBRA AHEAD

Move One Win Away From Semis

2 mins

Cool Smashers Tackle Crossovers

Games today (PhilSports Arena) 4 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo 6:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Capital1

1 min

Magnolia on the upswing

Sporting Chance

2 mins

Philippine Curling Pair Nears Semis

The Philippines' Marc Pfister and Kathleen Dubberstein smashed Qatar's Mabarka Al-Abdulla and Nasser Abdulrahman Alyafei, 11-3, yesterday to remain unscathed in the curling's mixed doubles event of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.

1 min

Tatum Leads Celtics Past Cavs; Lakers Maul Clippers

Jayson Tatum scored 22 points as the Boston Celtics laid down a postseason marker against the high-flying Cleveland Cavaliers with a 112-105 victory on the road on Tuesday.

1 min

Gov't lifts moratorium on new bioethanol plants

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is now encouraging the establishment and expansion of molasses-based bioethanol plants as it seeks to boost local production of the fuel blend ingredient and of sugarcane.

2 mins

DBCC to review possible changes in growth targets

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will review economic data in March before deciding on possible revisions to the country's growth targets for 2025, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

2 mins

Inflation steadies at 2.9% in January

Headline inflation in the Philippines, all items (2018 = 100)

3 mins

BSP: Lower rice tariffs, negative base effects to support disinflation

The reduction in rice tariffs and negative base effects are expected to help keep inflation within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)'s target range of two to four percent this year, as inflation remains below three percent in January.

2 mins

PSEi Gets Boost From Inflation Data

Share prices climbed for the third consecutive session after the country's January inflation came within expectations.

1 min

Majority of Maya Bank customers from regional areas

More than two-thirds of the customers of Maya Bank reside outside of Metro Manila as its digital services give more Filipinos access to financial services.

2 mins

Figaro selling stake to new investors

Figaro Coffee Group Inc. is looking to sell a portion of its stake to welcome new investors in the company.

2 mins

DoubleDragon's Hotel101 Global listing at Nasdaq

DoubleDragon Corp., the property venture of tycoons Edgar \"Injap\" Sia and Tony Tan Caktiong, has moved a step closer toward listing Singapore-headquartered Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd. on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

1 min

Converge's Caloocan Data Center gets rare Tier 3 certification

Tech innovator Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has secured a rare certification for its data center in Caloocan City that is scheduled to go online within the first quarter of the year.

1 min

Milking opportunities in agri sector

With geopolitical uncertainties shaking economies globally, nations must strengthen local industries and build resilience to withstand trade tensions and supply chain disruptions.

2 mins

Gov't From B1

In areas with surplus of molasses, would lift the prices of the commodity to the benefit of sugarcane planters.

1 min

Chua Group starts tender offer for Asiabest shares next month

The group led by businessman Francis Lloyd Chua targets to start by next month its P255 million tender offer for the shares held by minority stockholders of listed Asiabest Group International Inc. (ABG).

1 min

One-lane farm-to-market roads under study - BAFE

The Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) plans to pilot the construction of one-lane farm-to-market roads (FMRs) to stretch the government's funding for the critical infrastructure project and address the road backlog nationwide faster.

2 mins

Sunlight going big, plans jet purchase

Boutique carrier Sunlight Air is planning to purchase its first jet soon as it continues to build up its fleet and route network as demand for air travel grows.

1 min

Vivant Gets Great Place to Work Recognition for 2nd Straight Year

Cebu-based utilities conglomerate Vivant Corp. has earned a Great Place To Work® (GPTW) certification for the second straight year, reflecting an exceptional workplace culture that it continues to foster.

1 min

Ang's daughter named SMFB chief finance officer

Monica Ang-Mercado, daughter of tycoon Ramon Ang, is taking over the role of chief finance officer (CFO) of listed San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB).

1 min

Mongolia encourages partnerships with Phl firms

Philippine businesses are urged to tap potential opportunities for collaboration in the Mongolian market as this will allow them to penetrate Central Asian countries for multilateral businesses.

2 mins

Foreign banks mull entry into digital Islamic banking

Two financial institutions are interested in putting up digital Islamic banks in the Philippines, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier.

1 min

Wildflour eyes up to 14 new locations this year

Premium casual restaurant operator Wildflour Hospitality Group is planning to expand in the country by opening 12 to 14 outlets this year.

1 min

SMC's eastern skyway to cost an add'l P11 B

Tollway builder San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will spend nearly P11 billion more to construct the new expressway that runs through the eastern section of Metro Manila.

1 min

Search Up for PITX Counterpart in Northern NCR

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is searching for possible sites where it can put up the northern counterpart of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

1 min

DigiPlus Bags Honors at 60th Anvil Awards

DigiPlus Interactive, the company behind leading digital entertainment platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, recently secured three honors at the 60th Anvil Awards.

1 min

TJ Monterde Delivers 'Most Romantic' Night in PHL Concert Scene

Whatever magic spell TJ Monterde's hit song Palagi holds, the air at the Big Dome was so filled with romance that multiple wedding proposals took place during his duet with wife, KZ Tandingan, on the last of his three-night \"Sarili Nating Mundo\" concert.

3 mins

ADVICE FOR MARIS AND ANTHONY

Baron Geisler has changed for the better on and off cam.

4 mins

The Hollywood Orchestra brings Hans Zimmer's masterpieces to Manila

The Hollywood Orchestra presents \"The Music of Hans Zimmer & Others,\" a spectacular live concert celebrating the timeless and iconic film scores of the legendary composer, happening on July 7 and 8 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

1 min

Manny Pacquiao represents PHL in Netflix's 'Physical: 100' spin-off

The hit survival reality competition show \"Physical: 100,\" which dominated Netflix's Global Top 10 TV Series (non-English) rankings for two years in a row, is back with a monumental twist.

1 min

Cooking 'Cinegang'

You read that right, no typographical errors there. This isn't about the iconic Filipino sour broth or stew, though, but about a soon-to-be iconic mover in the Filipino film industry and even the world.

2 mins

Last Dinosaurs Gave Their All

What impressed us most about Last Dinosaurs, when they breezed into Manila for a show before the end of the year, was their work ethic.

3 mins

THREE DAYS TO PERFECT: JOLLIBEE GROUP BRINGS SINGAPORE'S MOST COVETED CROISSANT TO MANILA

Every perfectly flaky croissant at Tiong Bahru Bakery tells a story of patience.

3 mins

John Concepcion Wants To Give Unlimited Happiness At Yabu

I like this guy John Concepcion. Not only because at 63, he is lovably handsome. You can see the silver streaks of wisdom in his hair, and the faint creases of hard work on his face.

4 mins

Haidilao Hot Pot Opens at Robinsons Galleria

Haidilao, a popular hot pot chain, opens its second Philippine branch at Robinsons Galleria.

1 min

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