The Philippine Star - April 15, 2025

In this issue

April 15, 2025

'BBM's Alyansa remains intact'

Camille Villar bolting coalition?

3 mins

Manila falls in list of smart cities

The country's capital continued its downward slide in the latest Smart City Index of Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

1 min

Gasoline prices down by P3.60/liter

Motorists can breathe a sigh of relief this Holy Week as fuel prices are set to drop by as much as P3.60 per liter today.

1 min

Antipolo church eyes Guinness record for 'Alay Lakad'

A Guinness World Record is being sought for this year's Alay Lakad pilgrimage in Antipolo, Rizal.

1 min

Security Tightened for Holy Week

The Philippine National Police as well as other government agencies are all hands on deck this Holy Week, with over 40,000 PNP personnel deployed nationwide to ensure public safety.

1 min

Former DSWD 4Ps Monitored Child Tops Electronics Board Exam

A former monitored child of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has topped the 2025 Electronics Technician Licensure Examination (ECTLE), a DSWD official said yesterday.

1 min

Ex-PCSO chief Garma seeking asylum in US

Detained in the United States since November last year for carrying a canceled visa, retired police Col. Royina Garma is applying for asylum to prevent her return to the Philippines, where she is facing criminal charges for the killing of a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) official.

2 mins

Phl Raises Concern Anew on WPS Situation

The Marcos administration again voiced concerns over \"actions by other countries\" that have endangered lives at sea and infringed on Philippine sovereignty, as it hosted the latest round of negotiations for an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

4 mins

DPWH, LGUs Prepare for 'Big One'

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to ensure strict compliance with seismic resiliency regulations as the country braces for the potential \"Big One,\" a major earthquake event.

1 min

Gov't to expand Walang Gutom Program

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is looking at increasing the current P3,000 monthly food credits provided to beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) as part of the agency's continued efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity in the country.

1 min

Kanlaon Volcano Spews Ash Anew, Causes Stress to Evacuees

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has reported fresh ash emission from Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island as the volcano remains under Alert Level 3.

2 mins

EU deploys election observers for May polls

For the first time, the European Union has deployed 72 long-term observers to the Philippines to study the May 12 midterm elections.

1 min

Phl tariff talks with US to proceed in May

While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is pushing for a regional response to the new tariffs imposed by the US on many countries, the Philippines will still proceed with negotiating the 17-percent tariff that the country faces beginning in May, Malacañang said yesterday.

1 min

63 'Campaign Violators' to Get Show-Cause Orders

Sixty-three candidates and party-list groups allegedly buying votes and abusing state resources will receive show-cause orders, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

2 mins

Expect hot, humid Holy Week, says Pagasa

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned of a sweltering Holy Week, with much of the country experiencing dangerous levels of heat.

2 mins

Half-day work in gov't offices tomorrow

Work in government offices will be suspended at noon tomorrow to allow state workers to travel to the provinces during Holy Week, Malacañang announced.

1 min

Kitty Duterte on US passport: I'm a private citizen

Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Veronica has maintained she has nothing to explain amid viral photos and video showing her holding a US passport.

1 min

Holy Week: BBM family time, healing for Sara

President Marcos will spend quality time with his family during the Lenten break, according to Malacañang.

1 min

Palace Condemns School Bullying

Malacañang condemned yesterday the recent cases of violence and bullying in schools that cost the lives of students, assuring the public that the government is working to address the problem.

1 min

BI deports 84 Chinese POGO workers

While Filipinos are patient and humble, the government will stand up against bullies who disrespect them, President Marcos said yesterday.

1 min

3,572 Jobseekers Hired on the Spot – DOLE

Over 3,000 job applicants were able to find employment after participating in government-initiated job fairs, the Department of Labor and Employment reported yesterday.

1 min

LTO Summons Jeep Driver in Fatal Road Crash

The driver of a public utility jeepney involved in a fatal traffic collision in Quezon City has been summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

1 min

EDSA rehabilitation pushed back to 2026

Initially set for the Holy Week, the rehabilitation of EDSA will start in late 2026, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

1 min

Recall cops deployed for poll duties — Ang See

Police deployed for election duties should be recalled to fight rising crimes, according to Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order founder Teresita Ang See.

1 min

Intersect

FIRST PERSON

3 mins

Red light, green light

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

Bullying capital

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Trump's big, not so beautiful, tariff wall

POLITICAL FUTURES - Globalization helped make the United States the most prosperous nation in history.

6 mins

Are you prepared for the big one?

PERCEPTIONS

3 mins

The end of globalization

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

4 Masbate bets face DQ for emergency alert misuse

Four local candidates in Masbate face possible disqualification and charges of election offense for allegedly using emergency alert messages in their campaign.

1 min

BBM vetoes Baguio charter

President Marcos has vetoed a bill amending the revised Baguio City charter due to what he deemed to be inconsistencies with law and jurisprudence that would undermine the authority of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

1 min

Salceda, Co Lead in Albay Provincial Race - SWS

Lakas candidates Joey Salceda and Diday Co are the top choices for governor and vice governor of Albay, a survey by the Social Weather Stations showed.

1 min

DOTr orders probe on ship overbooking

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon yesterday ordered the investigation of a shipping line for overbooking one of its vessels at Batangas Port.

1 min

4 Electrocuted to Death in Sibugay Artesian Well

Four people died from electrocution on Friday while draining an artesian well in Barangay Tiayon in Ipil, the capital town of Zamboanga Sibugay.

1 min

Preserve Chavacano Language - Ben Tulfo

Noting that the use of Chavacano is eroding among younger generations, senatorial candidate Ben BITAG Tulfo is pushing the preservation of the language.

1 min

Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel literature laureate, dies at 89

Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa (in photo), Nobel literature laureate and a giant of Latin American letters, died on Sunday. He was 89.

1 min

Trump: No one off the hook on tariffs

Especially China

1 min

Post Malone Wraps Coachella; Blackpink's Jennie Electrifies Stage

INDIO (AFP) — Post Malone thrilled Coachella as Sunday’s headlining set, melding his early rap hits with his recent country turn to close out the first weekend of the California desert festival.

1 min

China's Xi warns protectionism 'leads nowhere'

Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned that protectionism \"leads nowhere\" and that a trade war would have \"no winners,\" state media said, as he arrived in Vietnam on Monday on the first leg of a Southeast Asia tour.

1 min

Perry to roar into space on all-female flight

Pop star Katy Perry (in photo) will be the biggest name in an all-female group set to touch the edge of space on Monday, roaring into the cosmos on one of billionaire Jeff Bezos' rockets.

1 min

Meta Faces Landmark US Antitrust Trial

Social media juggernaut Meta stands trial on Monday facing serious US government allegations that it abused its market power to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp before they could become competitors.

1 min

Alcaraz Rules Monte Carlo Masters

Carlos Alcaraz made the best possible start to his preparations for the defense of his French Open title, burning past the Italian Lorenzo Musetti in three sets on Sunday to win his first Monte Carlo Masters.

1 min

Roaring Rory Completes Slam With Masters Win

Augusta (AFP) - Rory McIlroy completed golf's career Grand Slam with a tearful Masters victory on Sunday, sinking a tense four-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Justin Rose.

1 min

Proud daughter toasts PBA

There couldn't be anyone prouder than Karissa Marcial when her father, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, went on stage to thank the league's family and announce the new catchword \"Solid\" during the presentation of the PBA's 50 Greatest Players on its Golden Anniversary at a gala event in Solaire North last Friday.

1 min

Bugna scores treble in Iloilo netfest

Kathryn Bugna continued her impressive streak at the Semana Sang Iloilo National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Iloilo Sports Complex over the weekend, adding the girls' 18-under crown to her growing collection in the PPS-PEPP national circuit.

1 min

When numbers sometimes lie

If you failed to watch Phoenix' 109-97 win over Meralco and just relied on the stats to relive what happened in the PBA Philippine Cup game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Sunday, you wouldn't believe how the Fuel Masters did it.

2 mins

SBA presents Philippine Open

The NBA of billiards. That's how Sharks Billiards Association commissioner Hadley Mariano envisioned his group to be as they pursue their goal for the sport of billiards in the country with the staging of another major tournament - the Philippine Open on April 21-27 at the Sharks Arena and Sports Bar on Morato Ave., Quezon City.

1 min

Eala Leads Rain-Hit Match

The Philippines' Alex Eala got off to a strong start and was leading the Netherlands' Anouk Koevermans, 6-3, 2-4, a little over an hour into their match when a downpour forced suspension of play in the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal yesterday.

1 min

Another rate cut looms in June - BMI

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to deliver another 25-basis-point (bp) interest rate cut in June following its latest monetary easing move, according to BMI Country Risk & Industry Research.

1 min

Vehicle Sales Up 6.8% in Q1

Vehicle sales in the country rose by 6.8 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, supported by strong demand for commercial vehicles.

1 min

Tariff Issue Clouds PH Growth Outlook

Highest of Target Now Less Likely

2 mins

Stocks sustain climb, up for 4th straight session

The local stock market was off to a strong start this shortened trading week, sustaining its momentum from last week, buoyed by Wall Street's rebound last Friday.

1 min

Reciprocal tariffs: The US and the Philippines

First of two parts

4 mins

Bad system, lost business opportunities

Here's another example of how a bad system can cause more trouble than you can imagine.

4 mins

PPA shifting to e-ticketing

TO CUT FIXERS, OVERLOADING

1 min

Elbonomics

From B4

1 min

ERC defers approval of NGCP power supply deals

Despite surging power demand driven by the summer heat, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has pushed back its decision on the grid operator's critical backup power contracts.

1 min

Manila Water Keeps Lid on NRW

Razon-led Manila Water, which holds the east zone water concession, has successfully maintained its non-revenue water or NRW at an average of 13.51 percent as of last year, according to Jose Victor Emmanuel de Dios, president and CEO of Manila Water.

4 mins

Top Of Mind

From B4

2 mins

BPI Ramps Up 'Phygital' Transformation

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is fast-tracking its \"phygital\" transformation strategy, aiming to roll out 70 more hybrid branches in 2025 as part of its broader goal to modernize its entire branch network within five years.

1 min

Pag-IBIG falls 10% short of 2024 home loans target

The Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG, is banking on the government's flagship housing project and low-cost program to help boost loan releases after falling short of its target by 10 percent last year.

1 min

Chinese Luxury Car Brand Rolls Out PH Expansion Plan

Hongqi, Asia's premier luxury car brand, is set for a major expansion in the Philippines as it continues to redefine the automotive landscape in the country.

1 min

WORTH THE WAIT: J-HOPE OF BTS BRINGS SOLO TOUR TO MANILA

\"IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME,\" said j-hope, dance leader of South Korean supergroup BTS, as he addressed the crowd at the first of his two sold-out concerts in Manila.

3 mins

Cup of Joe makes the global chart

I wonder how the boys of Cup of Joe felt when they woke up one morning and found out that their pop rock song, Multo, has entered Spotify's Global Chart.

2 mins

Mariah Carey on new music, Rihanna, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her lost grunge album

It may be hard to conceive of now, but there was once a lull in Mariah Carey's superstar career.

3 mins

How Maki Comes Up With Color-themed Anthems

From Dilaw to his latest release Bughaw, Maki has an obvious fascination with colors, blending them into his music.

3 mins

Our Lady of Fatima on my mind

Because the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is a relatively modern-day shrine—it is very relatable. It is a 20th-century phenomenon.

4 mins

A new French Bistrot in Manila

Bistrot Le Coucou brings the allure of a Parisian bistrot to Manila. It is a charming restaurant that offers traditional French bistrot fare and other European dishes.

2 mins

A feast for the faithful

From the quiet reflection of Lent to the festive joy of Easter, Newport World Resorts offers a selection of experiences that embrace the essence of this season.

1 min

Would You Trust a Robot to Save Your Life?

\"In gynecology, we have the perimenopausal, the menopausal, and the reproductive age groups. All of these women benefit from this kind of procedure,\" Dr. Jose added.

3 mins

FORGIVING HEALS YOUR HEART

In this season, when the sacrament of reconciliation is in focus, let us revisit how the act of forgiving actually heals your heart.

3 mins

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