The Philippine Star - February 17, 2025

In this issue

February 17, 2025

NBI Urged: Probe Rody's 'Kill Senators' Remark

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should also investigate former president Rodrigo Duterte for saying he would have incumbent senators killed to pave the way for a takeover by his favored senatorial candidates, a congressman said.

2 mins

Poll bets told: Disclose SOCE, campaign materials

PNP help sought vs violators

1 min

Brace for toll hikes - TRB

Motorists must brace for higher costs of traveling this year, as the government is poised to approve a set of rate hikes for some of the busiest tollways in Luzon.

1 min

No Filipino journalist killed in 2024 - report

For the first time in 20 years, no Filipino journalist was killed in 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a special report.

2 mins

DepEd Distributing 62,000 Laptops, TV Sets in Q2

The Department of Education (DepEd) will roll out 62,000 laptops and smart TV packages worth P1.8 billion for public schools across 16 regions by the second half of the year as part of its computerization program.

1 min

Three new PCG officers take oath

Days before he steps down, outgoing Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista led the donning of ranks and oath-taking ceremonies for three newly promoted officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

1 min

32 M Votes for Sara; 215 House Signatures

The 32 million votes that Vice President Sara Duterte obtained in the May 2022 elections—a million more than President Marcos’—carry more weight than the votes for her impeachment by members of the House of Representatives, senatorial candidate and lawyer Raul Lambino said over the weekend.

3 mins

Alyansa bets offer solutions to Mindanao power issues

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates have offered some solutions to power concerns in Mindanao, such as investing in renewable energy, establishment of a nuclear power plant, stricter implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act and a review of existing franchises of non-performing cooperatives.

2 mins

G7 hits China's coercive actions in SCS

Foreign ministers from the world's leading industrialized nations have voiced their strong opposition to China's attempts to restrict freedom of navigation through militarization and coercive activities in the South China Sea.

2 mins

Taiwan seeks more Pinoy tourists

Taiwan is on a vigorous tourism drive as it invites Filipinos to visit the self-ruled island.

3 mins

Closer military ties being worked out between PhL, Germany

The chiefs of Philippine and German defense forces held high-level discussions in Munich on strengthening military ties, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday.

1 min

Prison reforms sought at 2nd ARCC

The 2nd ASEAN Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC) hosted by the Philippines concludes today after bringing together top correctional officials and experts from across Southeast Asia to enhance regional cooperation and advance prison system reforms.

1 min

Phl, US Discuss Foreign Aid Freeze Impact

The Philippines and the United States discussed the value of the two countries' development work, in the wake of the Trump administration's order freezing US foreign aid.

1 min

'VIP treatment' for Quiboloy hit

A human rights group has slammed what it called \"VIP treatment\" given to alleged sex offender and senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy following his recorded campaign message aired at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) proclamation rally on Feb. 11.

1 min

BI: 3 arrested Chinese 'spies' hold visas

Two of the three suspected Chinese spies arrested by authorities on Friday have tourist visas but lacked valid documentation, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

1 min

Olivarez running unopposed

Running unopposed for Congress in the May midterm elections, Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez on Wednesday bade farewell to his constituents.

1 min

LTO: Attach license plates or pay P5,000

Motorists will be fined P5,000 for driving without a license plate, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said.

1 min

Valenzuela Boosts Emergency Response

The local government of Valenzuela has acquired 33 new rescue boats and two mobile water filtration trucks to strengthen efforts in disaster response.

1 min

PCSO Eyes Level 3 Gaming Certification

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is eyeing a Level 3 certification for responsible gaming by May.

1 min

Manila Seeks Yulo, Obiena Help in 'Palaro'

The Manila city government wants the help of Olympians Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena in preparing for the Palarong Pambansa in April.

1 min

Pasig River rehab's third phase unveiled today

The Marcos administration will launch today the third phase of the P18-billion \"Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli\" project, which aims to revive the Pasig River while generating economic opportunities for local communities.

1 min

Polluted Misimpressions About the Pasig River

I recently conducted an informal survey among several friends and asked them, \"What comes to mind when you hear 'Pasig River?'\" I asked mostly media people, and they all gave similar replies.

4 mins

Stopping Duterte 2.0

Marcos 2.0, worried about a Duterte 2.0 in 2028, is throwing everything including the kitchen sink at Vice President Sara Duterte.

4 mins

Not so lovable cities

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Seeking a Mar-a-Lago vibe, Trump considers paving over grass in Rose Garden

World view

1 min

Kanlaon Volcano ashfall hits 9 barangays

Ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano hit nine barangays in Bago City, Negros Occidental, where water rationing is being implemented following the contamination of several spring water sources on Saturday.

1 min

Villafuerte denies suppressing news article

Embattled Rep. LRay Villafuerte defended himself from a student organization's accusations that he censored their survey, saying he is \"a press freedom advocate\" who also has the right to question published reports.

1 min

Pagcor to help fund PMA upgrade

State gaming operator and regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will provide full funding support to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in its infrastructure buildup and facilities upgrade.

1 min

4 US Navy Personnel Safe After Polilio Emergency Landing

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—Four US Navy personnel, including the pilot and co-pilot, cheated death after making an emergency landing on Polilio Island in Quezon province on Saturday.

1 min

18 Dead in India Train Stampede

At least 18 people died during a stampede at a railway station in India's capital late Saturday when surging crowds scrambled to catch trains to the world's largest religious gathering, officials and reports said.

1 min

Pope spends another night in Rome hospital

Pope Francis, who is receiving treatment for a respiratory tract infection, had a peaceful night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, Italy's ANSA news agency reported on Sunday.

1 min

Chastain Tackles US-Mexico Politics in 'Dreams'

Academy Award-winning US actor Jessica Chastain (in photo) on Saturday said her latest movie, about a Mexican ballet dancer who longs to move to the US, was \"undeniably political\" as it premiered at the Berlin film festival.

1 min

SULTAN OF SLAMS REIGNS

MCCLUNG WINS DUNK CONTEST A THIRD TIME; HERRO IS THREE-POINT KING

2 mins

Big-Ticket REIT IPOs Unlikely to Push Through This Year

Real estate investment trust (REIT) listings from Lucio Co's Cosco Capital and the Sy family's SM Prime Holdings are not likely to take place this year.

3 mins

Gov't proposes ship-out deadline for salt imports

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) wants the country's salt imports to be shipped out from their countries of origin within two months from approval of their sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs).

2 mins

SSS Lays Out Key Reforms for Pensioners

The Social Security System (SSS) will implement key reforms in 2025, including enhanced services for pensioners, lower interest rates on salary and calamity loans, as well as expanded coverage for self-employed professionals.

1 min

BSP Expected to Cut Banks' Reserve Ratio

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to push ahead with a planned 200-basis-point (bp) cut in banks' reserve requirement ratio (RRR) as early as April, following its decision last week to keep policy rates steady.

2 mins

SMIC Posts 'Strong' Profit Growth in 2024

SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the investment holding company of the Sy family, sees profit growth continuing this year after recording a robust performance in 2024.

1 min

Sta. Lucia Launching Over 20 Projects, Opening 2nd Mall in 2025

Listed real estate developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc. is gearing up for another banner year as it prepares to launch a slew of residential projects as well as its second mall this 2025.

1 min

SM Foundation, German-Phil businesses partner to boost jobs

The SM Foundation and the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently forged a partnership to help boost employment and upgrade the country's workforce.

1 min

Yanson re-elected chair of Mindanao transport firm

Businessman Leo Rey Yanson was re-appointed chairman and president of Rural Transit (Mindanao) Inc. (RTMI) during the company's annual stockholders' meeting on Feb. 12, 2025.

1 min

DigiPlus Spending Up To P3B For Upgrade, Expansion

Digital entertainment company DigiPlus Interactive Corp. is looking to spend between P2.5 billion and P3 billion in capital expenditures this year as it pursues growth opportunities both here and abroad.

1 min

BIANCA UMALI ON WORKING WITH NORA AUNOR IN 'MANANAMBAL': IT WAS A MASTERCLASS

BIANCA UMALI HAS CLARIFIED the alleged billing issue with National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor on the poster of VIVA Films \"Mananambal.\"

2 mins

ISAIAH CACNIO: CODING AND DECODING THE LANGUAGE OF ART

Manila-based motion graphics artist and multimedia engineer Isaiah Cacnio is at the forefront of a growing movement redefining the contours of artistic expression.

3 mins

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