The Philippine Star - April 06, 2025

In this issue

April 06, 2025

Retaliation? Arrest of Pinoys in China alarms NSC

The arrest in China of three Filipinos for alleged spying may be in retaliation for the recent arrest for espionage of several Chinese nationals in the Philippines, the National Security Council (NSC) said yesterday.

2 mins

La Niña Has Ended; Neutral Conditions Seen Until Late 2025

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has confirmed that La Niña conditions have dissipated in the central and equatorial Pacific.

1 min

Military joins clean election campaign

With just over a month before the May 12 midterm elections, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Elections (Comelec), and Philippine National Police (PNP) have intensified their coordinated efforts to ensure a secure and credible electoral process.

2 mins

5 Dead, 9 Hurt as Tourist Van Falls into Mt. Province Ravine

Five people died and nine others were injured after their vehicle fell off a cliff in Sadanga, Mountain Province Friday night.

1 min

AFP eyes more missiles, warships, fighter jets

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has revealed the military's plans to acquire more missile systems, warships and multi-role fighter jets to boost the country's defense capabilities.

1 min

DBM OKs P1-B funding for child dev't centers in low-income LGUs

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P1 billion to fund the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs) nationwide.

1 min

Rody wants to go home ASAP — Sara

Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte wants to go home as soon as possible, after nearly a month in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte told reporters outside the detention facility on Friday.

2 mins

Chavit backs Phl robotics team in world tilt

Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson has backed a team of young robotics engineers who will represent the Philippines at a global robotics contest in Sofiko, Greece next month.

1 min

Marcos Vows Support for Law Enforcers

Amid heightened political noise, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to supporting law enforcers and the Filipino people in the pursuit of lasting peace in the country.

1 min

DOH ready to send more medical teams to Myanmar

The Department of Health (DOH) is ready to send additional medical teams to quake-battered Myanmar if needed.

1 min

DOT: New direct flights from Canada expected to boost Phl tourism

With the launch of direct Air Canada flights between Vancouver and Manila, the Department of Tourism (DOT) anticipates more Canadians will be able to visit the country for business and leisure.

1 min

Phl to establish first onion research center

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the establishment of the Philippines' first Onion Research and Extension Center, a move to improve the country's onion industry.

1 min

Sia's fate up to Pasig voters - DSWD chief

Following congressional candidate Christian Sia's apology over lewd remarks against single mothers, it is now up to Pasig voters on May 12 to determine whether he is forgiven or not, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said yesterday.

3 mins

Chinese-owned 'bomb factory' raided

Bomb factory in Bulacan? The National Bureau of Investigation thinks so.

1 min

Marcos denies funds of PhilHealth already depleted

President Marcos yesterday denied that the funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) were already depleted with the transfer of P89.9 billion in unused funds to the national treasury.

1 min

Phl, US coast guards hold joint Balikatan maritime exercises

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and its American counterpart held their eight-day Balikatan Exercise 40-25 Integration Training, which focused on maritime law and tactical enforcement.

1 min

NCRPO Relieves EPD Chief

To give way to an impartial investigation, Eastern Police District chief Brig. Gen. Villamor Tuliao was relieved from his post Friday night after police officers assigned with the EPD's District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) allegedly stole P75 million in cash and valuables of a Chinese businessman in Las Piñas City.

1 min

QC Updates Class Suspension Guidelines

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued an updated localized guideline for suspensions of face-to-face classes during inclement weather, extreme heat, earthquakes and poor air quality.

1 min

MMDA Decision on Go's Case Out Monday

The decision on the administrative case against the Special Operations Group Strike Force head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will be made public tomorrow, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said yesterday.

1 min

AFP modernization in full swing

BABE'S EYE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

4 mins

'A light has gone out in Mindanao'

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

Fall guys?

EDITORIAL

1 min

Tariffs thousands of miles away could threaten clean energy innovation in the Philippines

Point of view

3 mins

Oysters and their wonders

Point of view

4 mins

ICE detains British citizen for 19 days for doing household chores

IMMIGRATION CORNER

2 mins

Comelec orders removal of poll devices from Davao house

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the removal of satellite devices and solar panels that will be used in the May 12 elections from a house in Davao City that serves as a temporary storage for the devices.

1 min

Porac mayor sacked over POGO

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed Mayor Jaime Capil of Porac, Pampanga for allegedly failing to stop the operation of an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in his jurisdiction.

1 min

Tom Cruise Pays Tribute to Val Kilmer

Tom Cruise paid tribute to late \"Top Gun\" co-star Val Kilmer on Thursday, leading movie theater owners in a moment's silence at the CinemaCon event before unveiling new footage from his latest \"Mission: Impossible\" movie.

1 min

Catholic Church Denounces Online Sale of Carlo Acutis Relics

With the upcoming canonization of its first millennial saint, the Catholic Church has turned to police in Italy to investigate the online sale of some purported relics of Carlo Acutis, who already has been drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to his shrine.

1 min

Trump Gives TikTok Extra 75 Days to Find Buyer

US President Donald Trump on Friday extended the deadline for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the United States, allowing 75 more days to find a solution.

1 min

Myanmar Quake Death Toll Passes 3,300

The death toll from a major earthquake in Myanmar has risen above 3,300, state media said yesterday, as the United Nations aid chief made a renewed call for the world to help the disaster-struck nation.

1 min

Israel Expands Ground Offensive in Gaza

GAZA CITY (AFP) - Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive in Gaza City, the military said on Friday, expanding their operations as rescuers reported at least 30 killed across the Palestinian territory since dawn.

1 min

US starts collecting Trump's new 10% tariff

US customs agents began collecting President Donald Trump's unilateral 10 percent tariff on all imports from many countries yesterday, with higher levies on goods from 57 larger trading partners due to start next week.

1 min

HOTSHOTS GET BALL ROLLING

Title-less since 2018 and out early in the playoffs of the last three conferences, Magnolia views the PBA Philippine Cup as a redemption campaign.

1 min

Filipinas win Dubai friendly

With striker Chandler McDaniel as spearhead, the Philippine women's football team routed the United Arab Emirates, 4-1, in a friendly Friday night in Dubai.

1 min

Mapua prevails, joins CSB on top

Mapua continued its giant-slaying ways as it brought down University of Perpetual Help, 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, yesterday and grabbed a piece of the lead in NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball at the UPHSD Gym.

1 min

Aussies take bronze after Pinays bow out

Elizabeth Alchin and Georgia Johnson of Australia survived Japan's Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami, 21-17, 17-21, 15-11, to claim the bronze medal in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open yesterday in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

1 min

SEC readies reforms to boost capital market

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is readying reforms to help further unlock the potential of the country's capital market.

1 min

Investors told to step up for Phl energy transition

With the government playing a supporting role, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla is urging investors to take the wheel and drive the Philippines toward its energy transition goals.

2 mins

UnionBank optimistic on the future of PH banking

Union Bank of the Philippines is betting on a resilient financial system, a digital-first strategy and a booming consumer market to drive the next chapter of banking in the country.

2 mins

How to scale leadership development

A suicide bomber was training his recruits: \"Now, listen up, I'll only do this once.\" And that was the end of the story. Does training play a role? Without a doubt, especially in times of change. But leadership training? Even more so.

3 mins

PDIC Engages Stakeholders on New Deposit Insurance Coverage

State-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. has initiated consultations with key industry stakeholders to update the existing guidelines on bank advertisements and the proper use of the PDIC seal, insurance statements and signages after the doubling of the maximum deposit insurance coverage (MDIC) to P1 million per depositor.

1 min

A new approach to socialized housing

Back in 2022, government launched the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipinas (4PH) program or the country's national flagship housing project with the goal of having zero informal settlers by 2028.

4 mins

Rising From B3

While there are still SSG funds for coffee, Juan proposed that the government use them for research and development (R&D).

2 mins

The Scala Santa: My Sacred Journey in Rome

Pilgrims climb the steps seeking solace, forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

3 mins

Eraserheads Set Electric Fun Music Festival For May 31

After a series of sold-out shows across key cities worldwide, the Eraserheads are back with the first-ever Electric Fun Music Festival, conceptualized and initiated by the band members themselves.

2 mins

Siddhartha The Musical At The Met

Siddhartha The Musical, an original Filipino production that has been running from 2007 to 2025, celebrates its 18-year global journey with a performance on April 13, 3 p.m. at The Metropolitan Theater Manila, Padre Burgos Ave., Ermita, Manila.

1 min

SINING FILIPINA: EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN

Into a patchwork quilt, lovingly sewn together by women workers, are woven the hopes and dreams of a community coming alive in the artwork by Jou'ee Anne Aguinaldo titled \"Panatagpi-tagpi\" that won first place at the Sining Filipina \"Her Earth, Her Future\" art competition.

3 mins

FACIAL DISCRIMINATION

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but let's be real — some people just behold a little more favorably when the subject has a symmetrical face and good bone structure.

4 mins

New Light On (And From) The Philippine Short Story

What Light It Can Hold

4 mins

GIRLS RULED AT SHE SLAYS 2025: GIRLCODED CONVENTION

An annual Women's Month event that champions pop culture, sports, and authenticity

3 mins

SM Empowers Women Artists With Sustainability-Themed Sining Filipina Exhibit

On March 27, 2025, ten women artists were celebrated as the best of the best at SM Aura as Sining Filipina held its awarding ceremony and opened its exhibit.

1 min

Robinsons Malls Is Now in Zamboanga With New Mall in Pagadian City

Pagadian is abuzz with excitement and celebration as Robinsons Malls brought a fresh wave of shopping, dining and amusement selections to the City.

1 min

THERE'S A REASON FOR SEASONS

Arriving at Four Seasons Hotel Houston for my first city stay, I was mentally equipped for a cool city vibe; instead, it was a warm and an open embrace right there that made me feel closer to home.

3 mins

WHAT KEEPS KIMJE TOGETHER DESPITE THREE BREAKUPS

Newly engaged couple Jerald Napoles and Kim Molina revealed that they've broken up several times but always find their way back to each other.

2 mins

Jason Momoa shines in 'A Minecraft Movie'

The latest IP to be mined into a Hollywood blockbuster is appropriately a video game that celebrates digging: \"A Minecraft Movie.\"

2 mins

Dolly de Leon is one of the 'Nine Perfect Strangers' on Prime Video

First Filipino Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon is starring in the second season of the thriller series \"Nine Perfect Strangers,\" alongside Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and \"Crazy Rich Asians\" actor Henry Golding, among others.

1 min

RAYVER, MATT AND GLAIZA PURSUE MUSICAL SIDE IN 'SINAGTALA'

\"SINAGTALA\" ISN'T JUST another musical drama as the actors playing the band bring their real-life musicianship to the inspirational film directed by Mike Sandejas.

5 mins

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