The Philippine Star - February 12, 2025

In this issue

February 12, 2025

Crackdown on illegal campaign posters begins

Starting today, failure to remove illegal campaign materials could lead to the disqualification of candidates and party-list groups even if they win in the polls, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

3 mins

NBI raid uncovers alleged rice repacking scam

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to file charges against several people arrested in a raid on a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan for allegedly repacking old rice with imported rice and selling it as new.

1 min

Gaita Fores, chef, restaurateur dies in HK

\"After Morocco and Madrid, what a way to come home,\" Margarita \"Gaita\" Fores wrote on her Instagram account from Hong Kong.

1 min

PhlPost to launch perfect match stamps

Illustrations of a \"perfect match\" of traditional Filipino dishes will be featured in the Valentine's Day special stamps of the Philippine Postal Corp.

1 min

Marcos Campaigns for Admin Senate Bets

The usually diplomatic President Marcos was in fighting mode during the kickoff rally of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas yesterday as he took a swipe at his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte over a number of issues that hounded the previous administration, including its brutal drug war and its pivot to China.

8 mins

Meralco Rates Up 28 Cents/kWh This Month

Customers of power utility giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) can expect an increase of P0.2834 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in their electricity bills this month due to higher generation costs.

2 mins

P12.2 B disallowed DepEd funds eyed as evidence vs VP

Some P12.2 billion worth of questionable transactions in the Department of Education (DepEd) flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) but remain unresolved could also be used as evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, an administration lawmaker said yesterday.

3 mins

Tulfo brods still leading OCTA poll

Two brothers of Sen. Raffy Tulfo are leading the latest pre-election survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.

1 min

Senator supports DICT, DOST decision not to ban DeepSeek

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the Philippines will be in a stronger position to drive economic growth and development by harnessing advancements in technology, such as those offered by DeepSeek and other AI chatbots.

1 min

Marcos thanks Cambodian king for pardoning 13 Pinay surrogates

President Marcos personally conveyed his gratitude to the Cambodian government for granting royal pardon to 13 Filipino surrogates, during his meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet at Malacañang yesterday.

2 mins

Highlights

Parañaque was converted as the eleventh city of Metro Manila on February 13, 1998, and was chartered and urbanized through President Fidel V. Ramos during the celebration of the city's 418th Founding Anniversary. Actor-turned politician Joey Marquez became its first city mayor.

1 min

National Shrine

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, also known as the Redemptorist Church (Iglesia Redentorista) and colloquially as Baclaran Church (Simbahan ng Baclaran), is a national shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help located along Roxas Boulevard.

1 min

Marquez, Viduya gunning for Parañaque councilor

Former sexy actress Abby Viduya will run for councilor in Parañaque City's first district in the May midterm elections.

2 mins

Waste Management Program

As one of the grantees of the USAID's Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) Program, the city government led by Mayor Eric Olivarez and 1st District Rep. Edwin Olivarez conducted a dry run of its waste sorting line (WSL) at the material recovery facility (MRF) along C5 Extension, Barangay La Huerta, last January 20.

1 min

Top-performing city mayor

Mayor Eric L. Olivarez was recognized by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) as one of the top performing mayors of the entire country for the second quarter of the year 2024.

2 mins

Election anarchy

One of the worst illustrations of institutional failure in this country is the conduct of elections.

4 mins

Assorted concerns

CTALK

4 mins

VIP disease

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Trillanes black propaganda divides opposition, but favors BBM, Sara

\"Trapos\" - traditional politicos - go by personas, not principles. That showed anew in last week's mad rush to impeach VP Sara Duterte.

3 mins

'Judicial' legislation

COMMONSENSE

4 mins

The axis of evil

THE CORNER ORACLE

4 mins

Trump killed a major report on Nature; they're trying to publish it anyway

World view

1 min

PNP general in P6.7-B shabu haul surrenders

A retired Philippine National Police (PNP) general wanted for alleged irregularities in the seizure of P6.7 billion worth of shabu in Tondo, Manila in 2022 surrendered yesterday.

1 min

FDA Recalls Oral Drops

The Cathay Drug Company initiated the recall of the oral drops after specific lots did not meet product specifications, based on chemical tests performed by a third-party laboratory, the FDA noted.

1 min

No games for foreign gamblers - Pagcor

Foreign gamblers are not allowed to play online games offered by licensed electronic gaming operators, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

1 min

JBC opens applications for SC post

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened the applications for a Supreme Court seat that will be vacated by Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who will retire on June 4.

1 min

Taguig cops relieved for 'abuse of authority'

Police officers in Taguig involved in alleged abuse of authority have been relieved from their posts.

1 min

Senate transfer to Taguig building eyed by 2028

If Senate President Francis Escudero could have his way, he would like the Senate to move to its new building in Taguig City by 2028.

1 min

3 Nabbed for Offering ‘Poll Victory’ for P90M

Police apprehended three people posing as information technology or IT specialists in Marikina on Monday for allegedly offering two local candidates guaranteed victory in the May midterm elections in exchange for P90 million.

1 min

Heavy rain inundates 7 Palawan barangays

Heavy rains and flooding spawned by a shear line have submerged seven barangays in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan since Sunday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

1 min

Cop Run Over at Comelec Checkpoint

A police officer was injured after he was allegedly run over by a tricycle at a checkpoint of the Commission on Elections in San Marcelino, Zambales on Sunday.

1 min

Ex-Agusan Sur lawmaker, Napoles cleared of graft

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Agusan del Sur congressman Rodolfo Plaza and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles of graft and malversation in connection with the pork barrel scam.

1 min

Cops May Serve as Poll Workers in Kanlaon-Hit Areas

BACOLOD CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will train police officers to serve as poll workers in case the activity of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros escalates and prevents teachers from doing the job.

1 min

DSWD: 677,658 4Ps household grantees now self-sufficient

Up to 677,658 household beneficiaries of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program have attained self-sufficiency since the 4Ps was institutionalized in 2019, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

1 min

167th Malasakit Center Opened in Lanao Sur

The country's 167th Malasakit Center has been opened to serve residents in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur.

1 min

Ceasefire only way to bring Israeli hostages home Hamas

A Hamas official said yesterday Israeli hostages can be brought home from Gaza only if a fragile ceasefire is respected, dismissing the \"language of threats\" after US President Donald Trump said he would \"let hell break out\" if they were not freed.

1 min

Trump warns Hamas: Free all hostages by Saturday

US President Donald Trump set a Saturday deadline for all hostages to be released from Gaza, saying that otherwise “all hell” would break out and he would call for the Israel-Hamas ceasefito re to be canceled.

1 min

NY jury hears attacker 'dangerously close' to killing Rushdie

Prosecutors in the trial of the man accused of attacking Salman Rushdie told jurors on Monday that the author came \"dangerously close\" to dying in a frenzied assault that left him blind in one eye.

1 min

Musk-led group makes $97.4-B bid for control of OpenAI

A consortium led by Elon Musk said on Monday it has offered $97.4 billion to buy the non-profit that controls OpenAI, another salvo in the billionaire's fight to block the artificial intelligence startup from transitioning to a for-profit firm.

1 min

Venezuela Sends Planes to Fetch Migrants From US

Venezuela sent two planes on Monday to bring nearly 200 undocumented migrants back from the United States, saying it hoped for a \"new beginning\" in ties with Washington, which does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president.

1 min

YouTube Turns 20

YouTube has evolved from a dinner party lark 20 years ago into a modern lifestyle staple poised to overtake US cable television in paid viewership.

1 min

Yoon blames 'malicious' opposition for martial law bid

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol blamed the \"malicious\" opposition for his decision to declare martial law, telling a court yesterday that their refusal to applaud him or shake his hand exposed their plans to \"destroy\" his government.

1 min

Kanye West's X account goes dark after hate-filled rant

Kanye West's account on X has been deactivated after a days-long rant on the platform that included vitriolic, anti-Semitic outbursts.

1 min

Trump Floats Ukraine 'May Be Russian Someday'

US President Donald Trump floated the idea that Ukraine \"may be Russian someday,\" as his Vice President JD Vance gears up to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later this week.

1 min

Teacher fatally stabs student, 8, at Sokor school

A teacher stabbed an eight-year-old student to death at an elementary school in South Korea yesterday, local media reported, citing authorities.

1 min

55 dead after Guatemala bus plunges into ravine

At least 55 people were killed in Guatemala on Monday when a bus crashed through a guard rail and plunged into a ravine, authorities said, in one of the worst road accidents in Latin America in years.

1 min

Strongest-yet quake hits Greece's Santorini island

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit the Greek island of Santorini late Monday, officials said, the strongest yet of the thousands of tremors that have shaken the area, prompting thousands to leave.

1 min

Doncic a Winner in Lakers Debut

LOS ANGELES (AFP)—Luka Doncic made a winning start to his Los Angeles Lakers career on Monday, returning from injury with 14 points for his new team in a 132-113 drubbing of the Utah Jazz.

1 min

Pablo whips up storm for Petro

Myla Pablo isn't nicknamed \"Typhoon Pablo\" for nothing.

1 min

Pablo whips up storm for Petro

Myla Pablo isn't nicknamed \"Typhoon Pablo\" for nothing.

3 mins

Bacolod Golf Club stuns heavyweights

The Bacolod Golf Club got to a position to make history as the first senior team to win the PAL Interclub title while competing in the Founders Division.

1 min

Night of fireworks

Sporting Chance

2 mins

Metro Pacific growing agri portfolio with P1-B buyout of Franklin Baker

The Metro Pacific Group is jumping into another venture in the agriculture sector, this time eyeing a P1-billion buyout of one of the world's oldest manufacturers of coconut products.

2 mins

Phl to Push for Critical Minerals Deal with US

The Philippines, which sees a greater chance of securing a sector-specific trade agreement with the United States rather than a full free trade agreement (FTA), will actively push for a critical minerals deal under Trump 2.0.

3 mins

PSEi Sinks Below 6,000 Anew

The local stock market fell below the 6,000-level anew as investors continued to tread with caution while waiting for catalysts.

1 min

Mischief is afoot

It seems that there is a campaign anew to unseat Transportation Secretary Jaime \"Jimmy\" Bautista just because he is not swayed by influence peddling, corruption, or a desire to hang on to power through shady deal making.

3 mins

Ayala's KonsultaMD Acquired by mWell

Metro Pacific Health Tech Corp. (mWell) is poised to become a powerhouse in the country's digital health care ecosystem as it acquires the Ayala Group's KonsultaMD.

2 mins

Kaya natin! Parang hindi!

There are now a lot of articles on the internet about how investors are looking at ASEAN for manufacturing, fleeing China to escape the Trump tariffs.

4 mins

MPIC to buy add'l 30% stake in MPH

Conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is looking to secure another 30 percent stake in the largest private hospital group in the country as part of the stake sale being undertaken by its majority shareholders.

1 min

MINI PH ACE-SERTS ITSELF IN EVS

Electric Aceman, all-new Five-Door Cooper now here

4 mins

Seaoil breaks ground for biggest station in Luzon

Seaoil, a leading independent fuel provider in the Philippines, continues its expansion efforts in the north with the groundbreaking of a new station in Bauang, La Union, its biggest one in Luzon.

1 min

Experience Lexus at The Mall at NUSTAR Cebu City

Experience the luxury and innovation of Lexus at The Mall at NUSTAR Cebu City, where the LM, RX, and LBX are now on display until February 17.

1 min

BAIC Expands Central Luzon Footprint With New BAIC Bacolor Dealership

The road to expansion is in full throttle for BAIC Philippines.

1 min

Phl logs record renewable energy installations in 2024

PMG's Nakakalocal G3n Y to Z, together with Mercato Centrale treated MSMEs with the Spark Up, Scale Up food workshop

1 min

PPP Projects in Pipeline Now at P2.47T

The Philippines has a total of 176 projects worth P2.47 trillion in its pipeline of public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

2 mins

Why CFOs and CEOs See PR as a Cost Center—and How to Change That Perception (First of two parts)

It remains the case that a majority of CFOs and CEOs treat PR as an afterthought—a cost center rather than a value-contributor to the business's performance.

4 mins

PSEi seen at 7,000-7,500 range this year

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) is expected to trade between 7,000 and 7,500 this year, with market direction largely influenced by interest rate cuts, inflation trends and external risks, according to Insular Life (InLife).

2 mins

JuanHand Disburses Over P45 B in Loans in Six Years

Local fintech lending app JuanHand has disbursed over P45 billion worth of loans in its six years of operations.

1 min

Lopez-led FPH, other firms feted for UN-Phl disaster risk reduction confab

First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH) has received a plaque of recognition from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for valuable support FPH provided to assure the successful hosting in Manila of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

1 min

SMIC upbeat on long-term growth

SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the investment holding company of the Sy family, has expressed confidence on its long-term growth trajectory as the group expects to remain resilient amid growing synergies across its business.

1 min

Gov't eyes ADB loan for geothermal risk reduction

The Marcos administration wants to secure a loan from the Asian Development Bank this year to bankroll its geothermal risk reduction strategy, a senior energy official said.

1 min

PAL named Phl's best travel brand

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has emerged as the best travel brand in the country and the second best in Southeast Asia in recognition of the service quality it provides to its passengers.

2 mins

Gov't Eyes ADB Loan for Geothermal Risk Reduction

The Marcos administration wants to secure a loan from the Asian Development Bank this year to bankroll its geothermal risk reduction strategy, a senior energy official said.

1 min

Phl, Thailand Partner for Competition Law Enforcement

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has teamed up with the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) to step up competition law enforcement.

1 min

IDC Appoints Two New Directors

Listed property developer Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) is beefing up its leadership team with the appointment of two new directors who are expected to make substantial contributions to the company's continued growth.

1 min

Valentine's Day Is Made More Special Only At Robinsons Malls

This February, Robinsons Malls invites you to Celebrate Love with the most exciting dining, shopping, and amusement choices and a range of special events and exclusive promos that will surely make your Valentine's Day truly unforgettable.

2 mins

A Gateway to Authentic Japanese Living at The Seasons Residences

TADAIMA! WELCOME HOME TO YOUR PIECE OF JAPAN The Seasons Residences offers more than just a home—it delivers a lifestyle deeply rooted in Japanese elegance and functionality. With MITSUKOSHI BGC enhancing everyday convenience, residents enjoy an elevated way of living that embraces authenticity, quality, and innovation.

2 mins

Patrick Coard and Kifu Augousti's beautiful evening of love

It took almost 10 years of togetherness for beautiful Kifu Augousti and Patrick Coard to tie the knot.

1 min

The New Fizz in our Feast: Vikings Group Introduces Nutrifizz—A Fresh Fizz for Health-Conscious Dining

Vikings Group of Companies, a leader in the Filipino dining scene and renowned for its impressive array of restaurant brands, has announced an exclusive partnership with Pacific Synergy Food & Beverage Corporation to launch Nutrifizz, a prebiotic drink designed to support digestive health.

1 min

Movies Under The Stars In A Mansion's Backyard

The weather on the evening of Feb. 2 was cooperative, with cool winds gently blowing through the widespread leaves of the age-old trees.

3 mins

Sofia Zobel Elizalde on the future of Philippine dance

Philanthropist and arts patron Sofia Zobel Elizalde will discuss the evolving landscape of Philippine dance in \"HistophTV,\" a virtual talk show exploring the country's dance heritage and future.

1 min

Why Pokwang's Latest Role Feels Very Personal

Among the roles she has played with ease and depth, the one she knows best—like the back of her hand—is that of a mother. Pokwang, a mom of two daughters, takes on that familiar role once again as Mayumi in the GMA Afternoon Prime series \"Binibining Marikit,\" with Herlene Budol in the titular role.

3 mins

Why Was Taylor Swift Booed at the Super Bowl?

There was no on-field celebration for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce after this Super Bowl. Only consolation far away from the prying TV cameras.

3 mins

Marian Rivera confirms primetime TV comeback

Marian Rivera is excited about her projects this year that her management approved for her.

4 mins

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