The Philippine Star - April 12, 2025

In this issue

April 12, 2025

Bet ordered: Explain free movie tickets

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show-cause order to a congressional candidate in Palawan for offering free movie tickets to the public.

3 mins

Honeylet on Imee probe: Just pa-ekek

After three hearings, the Senate inquiry on the arrest and turnover of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) has failed to impress his partner, Honeylet Avanceña.

3 mins

PNP to Fil-Chinese traders: Stay calm

In the wake of the recent kidnap-slay of Filipino-Chinese steel magnate Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil assured members of the Filipino-Chinese community of their safety and security.

4 mins

Call it DEPDev: NEDA now a department

President Marcos has signed into law a bill reorganizing the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

1 min

Marcos Vetoes Naturalization of POGO-Linked Chinese National

President Marcos has vetoed a bill seeking to grant Filipino citizenship to Chinese national Li Duan Wang due to his alleged ties to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities, Malacañang announced yesterday.

1 min

BBM hails PH-France shared adherence to int'l law

President Marcos hailed the Philippine and French governments' deepening relations, which he stressed are founded on shared values and adherence to international law.

2 mins

Complaint filed vs 'polvoron' video uploaders

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a complaint before the Department of Justice against those responsible for the circulation of the fake \"polvoron\" video involving President Marcos.

1 min

TikTok: Actions Taken vs 'Harmful' Misinformation

Social media platform TikTok has taken steps to address the spread of false information online, especially ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

2 mins

Meralco Rates Up by P0.72/kWh This Month

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is increasing its rates by about P0.72 per kilowatt-hour in April, bringing the overall rate to P13.01 per kWh from last month's P12.29 per kWh.

1 min

Phl participates anew in PISA; better results seen

The Department of Education (DepEd) is optimistic that the country will achieve better results in the recently concluded 2025 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

2 mins

Galunggong price drops before expected Holy Week increase

The retail price of galunggong or round scad has dropped just days before the anticipated price hike during Holy Week, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

1 min

Rody allies surge in Senate race - Pulse Asia

Weeks after former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and surrender before the International Criminal Court, some of his allies have shown significant gains in the latest Pulse Asia pre-election survey.

1 min

Marina Grounds 4 'Unsafe' Vessels

Amid an expected surge of passengers traveling this Holy Week, four vessels were suspended for not following safety standards, the Maritime Industry Authority reported.

1 min

DA Starts Crackdown on Non-Compliance With Max SRP

The Department of Agriculture (DA) started yesterday its crackdown on violators of the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for imported rice and pork products.

1 min

84 Chinese POGO workers repatriated to China

Up to 84 Chinese caught in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs in the country were repatriated to China yesterday.

1 min

2 Hurt in Five-Vehicle Smashup

Two people were injured yesterday after a sport utility vehicle (SUV) crashed into several vehicles along N. Domingo Street in San Juan City.

1 min

Sandra Cam, ex-PCSO member, 64

Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member and jueteng whistle-blower Sandra Cam died on Thursday. She was 64.

1 min

Small scale farming is our solution

Sarah Claudio is a seasoned entrepreneur in the retail businesses in Davao City.

4 mins

Broken

FIRST PERSON

3 mins

Support for agriculture

EDITORIAL

1 min

Wave away crime

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

From Third World to Middle Powers: A common future to celebrate 50 years of Philippine-Morocco relations

April 10, 2025 marks a milestone in the long-standing ties between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Morocco as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

2 mins

A struggle to survive Trump's tariffs

As President Donald Trump ratcheted up new tariffs on goods from China to 125 percent this week, the mood in the dusty streets and small factories of southeastern China was a mixture of anger, worry and resolve.

1 min

Blue Ribbon probes scrapped Masungi project

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee yesterday mediated between officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Masungi Georeserve Foundation in a land dispute involving the biodiversity site.

1 min

Marcos Grants Safe Conduct Passes to Amnesty Applicants

To encourage rebels and communist insurgents to avail themselves of the government's amnesty program, President Marcos on Friday ordered the issuance of safe conduct passes to applicants.

1 min

Cop, Poll Bet Die in Road Mishaps

A police officer and a candidate for a municipal council seat died in separate road accidents in Negros Occidental this week.

1 min

Phl, US troops hold pre-Balikatan programs

Filipino and American soldiers are currently engaged in non-military activities nationwide as part of socio-civic programs being carried out ahead of this year's Balikatan Exercises.

1 min

Kabataang Barangay marks 50th year

The Kabataang Barangay (KB) will mark its 50th founding anniversary tomorrow with a gathering of former youth leaders from Metro Manila and various provinces who will relive the spirit of service, unity and leadership that shaped their lives.

1 min

7 Leyte Cops Tagged in Kerwin Slay Try

ALBUERA, Leyte – The chief of police of Ormoc City and six of his men have been tagged as persons of interest in connection with an attempt to kill Kerwin Espinosa, who was shot while campaigning in this town on Thursday afternoon.

1 min

Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone headline Coachella

Music fans were descending on California's Coachella Valley for the premier arts festival that begins on Friday and features headliners Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone.

1 min

China hits back at Trump tariff hike

Beijing on Friday increased its tariffs on US imports to 125 percent, hitting back against US President Donald Trump's decision to hike duties on Chinese goods to 145 percent and raising the stakes in a trade war that threatens to upend global supply chains.

1 min

Catholics Prepare for Unusual Easter, With Absent Pope

The Catholic Church starts its busiest week of the year on Sunday with the countdown to Easter, but Pope Francis remains out of public view after surviving double pneumonia and it is unclear whether he will take any part in the celebrations.

1 min

Zelensky Accuses Russia of Systematically Recruiting Chinese Fighters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia on Friday of working systematically in China to recruit fighters for its war in Ukraine, days after announcing Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese men fighting for Moscow.

1 min

Over 100 killed as rain hits India, Nepal

More than 100 people have died since Wednesday after unseasonably heavy rain lashed parts of India and Nepal, officials said, as the weather department predicted more rain for the region.

1 min

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL

A Game 3 that will decide whether Creamline gets to extend its dynastic reign or Petro Gazz manages to rewrite what had been a prevalent script for the past years as the two face off one last time today in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

1 min

Morant tries invisible grenade

Ja Morant got in trouble again for aiming an imaginary gun to celebrate three-pointers, so he has gone to a different make-believe violent way to mark a long-distance shot.

1 min

Romanian diver shows way

Constantin Popovici of Romania ushered in his throne redemption with a splash, topping the first round of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Philippine leg yesterday here.

1 min

Lone rider Lucydopolis

The Game Of My Life

2 mins

NorthPort, ROS back in action

After their semifinal stints in the previous conference, NorthPort and Rain or Shine now face the challenge of sustaining their gains and even outdoing themselves in the PBA Philippine Cup.

1 min

Junior Altas near crown

University of Perpetual Help survived a feisty La Salle-Greenhills, 100-96, yesterday to move on the cusp of claiming a breakthrough NCAA high school basketball crown at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

1 min

Rose blooms, leads Masters

Justin Rose fired a scorching seven-under-par 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Masters, three strokes clear of a trio led by defending champion Scottie Scheffler.

1 min

BSP Reviews 2-4% Inflation Target

Monetary authorities are reassessing the current inflation target range of two to four percent, with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. hinting that the three percent midpoint may no longer be appropriate given evolving domestic and global conditions.

2 mins

90-Day Tariff Pause to Help Recalibrate Phl Export Strategy

US President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff pause should be used as a period to strengthen the export sector, according to business groups.

3 mins

FDI Inflow Slows to $731 Million in January

The inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) contracted by 20 percent to $731 million in January from $914 million in the same month last year amid persistent global economic uncertainty and escalating geopolitical tensions, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

1 min

Stocks End Week Higher on Dovish BSP Stance

The local stock market sustained its winning streak, closing the week with minimal gains driven by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)'s dovish monetary policy outlook.

1 min

SM MOA Arena posts strong 2024 performance

SM Prime Holdings Inc.'s investment of over $10 million for SM MOA Arena's modernization has borne fruit with its robust 2024 performance that reinforced its status as the Philippines' premier venue for large-scale events and international artists.

1 min

Axelum Swings to Profitability in 2024 on Strong Sales

Axelum Resources Corp., a listed integrated manufacturer and exporter of premium coconut products, swung to profitability in 2024 on the back of record high sales.

1 min

East West upbeat on growth this year

East West Banking Corp. remains bullish on its growth trajectory this year, banking on its expanding product segments, improved digital capabilities as well as a potential lending boost from new credit cards and lower interest rates, its top executive said.

1 min

BYD Targets Higher Sales in 2025

BYD Cars Philippines is aiming to achieve higher sales this year amid rising consumer demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs).

1 min

Ex-Smart, Dito exec named interim PT&T head

Connectivity provider PT&T Corp. has appointed its revenue strategist as acting president in line with a leadership shakeup ahead of its plan to resume the trading of its shares.

1 min

AI and marketing

AI here, AI there, AI everywhere. AI is everywhere—but the real challenges in marketing aren't about AI. They come from human behavior, cultural shifts and a crowded media landscape.

3 mins

Huge gamble

After shocking the world with an announcement of reciprocal tariffs on many of its trading partners, including the Philippines, US President Donald Trump had a change of heart and announced that he was postponing for 90 days the imposition of hefty reciprocal duties on exports of a number of countries into America.

4 mins

Thailand's PTT allots P1.5 B for PH expansion

The local subsidiary of Thailand's PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Co. Ltd. is spending over P1.5 billion to further strengthen its foothold in the Philippine market.

1 min

BOC, SBMA partner to spur investments in Subic

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have joined forces in a bid to spur investments in the freeport zone and boost revenue collection.

1 min

Gov't urged to consult farmers over US tariff issue

The Philippines should not leave farmers behind in its trade negotiations with the United States regarding reciprocal tariffs to ensure that producers' concerns are heard, according to agriculture groups.

2 mins

Filipinos Expect US Tariffs To Hurt Economy

Close to 80 percent of Filipinos expect the United States’ reciprocal tariffs to negatively impact the economy, according to a survey from Milieu Insight.

1 min

Cardinal Chito Tagle and Fr. Boni Lopez walking in procession during the Feast of the Holy Veil through the streets of Manoppello

For Christians, to see the Face of Christ is the ultimate goal if one gets to heaven. But how about the possibility of getting a glimpse of it here and now?

4 mins

A Toast to Lifelong Peers

The well-loved Nene Leonor hosted an enchanting evening at Shang Palace restaurant in Makati Shangri-La, Manila in honor of the lovely Edna Lhuillier and her husband Amb. Philippe Lhuillier.

1 min

Color, Collaboration and Community at ARTablado

Batanguenong Grupo sa Sining at Kultura (Bagsik) and Baras Art Group (BAG) hold group shows — \"Mga Kulay ng Sining\" and \"Art Flow,\" respectively — on view until April 15 at Artablado in Robinsons Galleria.

1 min

The Return of the Boljoon Panels: A Journey of Heritage and Restoration

In the late 1980s, the Boljoon Church in Cebu suffered a heartbreaking loss.

4 mins

Surprise: Jo Koy Makes Sure To Secure Spot In Filipino-produced Hollywood Film 'The Last Resort'

Let's get one thing straight: Jo Koy isn't just cracking jokes anymore. He's building roads, funding schools, and now, starring in a Filipino-produced Hollywood movie.

4 mins

Why Viva's Vic and Vincent Del Rosario Trust Alden Richards as Business Partner

Alden Richards has found not just business partners but also mentors in Viva's father-and-son tandem of Vic and Vincent del Rosario.

6 mins

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