The Philippine Star - April 21, 2025

In this issue

April 21, 2025

Arrest of all suspects in Que slay pushed

PNP chief: Case solved, justice served

4 mins

Pope Francis Appears on Easter to Cheers

Pope Francis appeared in front of thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for Easter, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health that has kept him from most Holy Week events.

3 mins

Phl elections: Is winning worth taking a bullet?

Election hopefuls like mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa have to ask themselves whether the job is worth taking a bullet.

3 mins

Marcos: Easter a call to action

Describing the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a \"call to action,\" President Marcos yesterday called on Filipinos to work together to ensure that no one is left behind and to rise not only in belief, but also in actions that would make a difference.

2 mins

ICC prosecutor: Probe still ongoing vs Duterte

Despite former president Rodrigo Duterte already being in International Criminal Court custody, the ICC's chief prosecutor confirmed that investigation into his administration's brutal war on drugs is still ongoing.

2 mins

China Opens Door for More PHL Exports Amid US Tariffs

Marking 25 years of consistently delivering technological progress and transforming everyday living in Filipino homes, TCL has achieved global dominance as the new Triple Global Top 1 TV Brand in Mini-LED, Google TV and Ultra-Large Screen TVs (85 inches and above), according to OMDIA’s 2024 report.

1 min

Comelec set to deploy ballots for May polls

The deployment of official ballots for the May 12 midterm elections will begin tomorrow, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

1 min

2 PMA Cadets Enter Japan National Defense Academy

Two Philippine Military Academy (PMA) exchange cadets officially entered the Japan National Defense Academy as full-fledged JNDA cadets to undergo rigorous academic and military training.

1 min

PhlPost Launches Carlos Yulo Olympics Stamp

Eight months after his historic feat, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhlPost) will honor two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo by featuring him on a stamp.

1 min

House Leaders Slam 'Weaponization of Disinformation'

Two leaders of the House of Representatives yesterday said that fake accounts supportive of former president Rodrigo Duterte are manipulating the election discourse and pose a serious threat to democracy and the public.

2 mins

Extreme heat recorded in Dagupan

Dagupan City in Pangasinan sizzled on Saturday after recording a heat index of 46 degrees Celsius, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

1 min

PCG appoints first female spokesperson

For the first time, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has picked a woman as spokesperson.

1 min

My cup of noodles

SKETCHES

4 mins

Road killed

CTALK

4 mins

'Case Solved'

EDITORIAL

2 mins

A long learning process

QWERTYMAN

4 mins

Prayer for travel travails

For our largely Catholic country, the long weekend that ended our Lenten observance has always been associated with the holiday travel rush.

4 mins

An Easter renewal and the entrepreneurial spirit

GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS

4 mins

A 'mistake' set off confrontation with Harvard

World view

2 mins

DHSUD to fast-track 4PH rollout in MM

The Marcos administration would speed up the rollout of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program in Metro Manila as other regions advance with the turnover of completed housing units under the 4PH program, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development said yesterday.

1 min

Victims of balikbayan box scheme to get aid - DMW

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were victims of a balikbayan box scam are getting financial assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers.

1 min

Valenzuela warehouse fire reignites

A fire that struck a factory in Barangay Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City on Friday reignited yesterday before being declared under control.

1 min

Manhunt on for suspect in physician's murder

Police have launched a manhunt for a man who stabbed to death a physician in Quezon City on Friday night.

1 min

DOLE: 37,000 Jobs Up for Grabs on Labor Day

To mark Labor Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mounting 63 job fairs nationwide.

1 min

Group bats for microfinancing for small businesses

More benefits for traffic enforcers sought

1 min

DA, DOTr to speed up P2-B Clark food hub

The Departments of Agriculture and of Transportation have agreed to fast-track the development of a food hub on land owned by the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) a move described as a game changer in Philippine agriculture and food logistics.

1 min

DOH reports 383 road accidents during Holy Week

The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 383 road traffic accidents during the observance of Holy Week.

1 min

SINKING OF MV HONG HAI 16 PCG recovers 2 bodies, 2 remain missing

The number of fatalities from the capsized MV Hong Hai 16 went up to nine, the Philippine Coast Guard said, after PCG divers recovered two more bodies from the ship yesterday.

2 mins

DOH Reports 383 Road Accidents During Holy Week

The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 383 road traffic accidents during the observance of Holy Week.

1 min

DA, DOTr to Speed Up P2-B Clark Food Hub

The Departments of Agriculture and of Transportation have agreed to fast-track the development of a food hub on land owned by the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) — a move described as a game changer in Philippine agriculture and food logistics.

1 min

More anti-Trump protests hit US cities

Despite Putin's Easter truce

2 mins

Star Wars series 'Andor' back for final season

If \"Andor\" — which returns from Tuesday for its second and final season — has been received as one of the very best \"Star Wars\" TV series, that is largely thanks to the grittier, more adult approach taken by its creator Tony Gilroy.

1 min

US Supreme Court intervenes to block Trump deportations

The US Supreme Court, in a dramatic nighttime intervention on Saturday, blocked US President Donald Trump's unprecedented use of an obscure law to deport Venezuelan migrants without due process.

1 min

NASA's Oldest Active Astronaut Returns to Earth on 70th Birthday

Cake, gifts and a low-key family celebration may be how many senior citizens picture their 70th birthday.

1 min

Creamline drubs Al Naser

On international stage, the Creamline Cool Smashers know what it takes to represent flag and country.

1 min

Scottie, Kings hopeful of great things

Bridesmaids twice in Season 49, Barangay Ginebra is hell-bent on finally getting the ring for itself in the PBA Philippine Cup.

1 min

Shopwise Bike Fest at Vermosa slated

Riding the wave of its transformative efforts in the retail sector, Shopwise is once again shifting gears — on two wheels — as it launches the second edition of the Shopwise Bike Fest on May 18 at Vermosa, Cavite.

1 min

Nitura promises bigger show

Super rookie Shaina Nitura vows a stronger sophomore season — not only for herself but for the entire Adamson Lady Falcons — after her rise as the new single-season record holder for total points in UAAP women's volleyball history went for naught with an early exit.

1 min

T'WOLVES STRIKE FIRST BLOW

NUGGETS, KNICKS, PACERS ALSO VICTORIOUS AS NBA PLAYOFFS START

1 min

Politics hurting NBA

The National Basketball Association is plagued with politics, on a larger scale than most other institutions.

2 mins

DOTr pushes for creation of transport safety body

Following the series of aircraft issues experienced by local airlines, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) wants the next Congress to prioritize forming an independent body tasked to investigate mobility accidents.

2 mins

China Opens Door for More PH Exports

Amid Steep US Tariffs

2 mins

PCA Mulls Retention Policy, Price Ceiling on Coconut Oil

The government is considering a policy that will keep a portion of the country's coconut oil for domestic use to ensure supply and prevent further price spikes while shipping out excess stocks to sustain the prized export market.

1 min

Investing in sentiment

Even actions like raising tariffs on exports by an increasingly isolationist economy can quicken the pulse of the global economy.

3 mins

Stock Traders to Take Cues From Abroad

The local stock market seeks to regain its momentum as it returns from the Holy Week break, with investors expected to take their cue from overseas developments this week.

1 min

Raw sugar output seen flat next year

The country's raw sugar output in the upcoming market year (MY) 2026 may remain flat at 1.85 million metric tons (MT) as planted areas are expected to stagnate amid land conversions, according to an international report.

1 min

PCA

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) vegetable oil price index in March rose by nearly 24 percent year-on-year to 161.8 points from 130.6 points in the same month last year.

2 mins

BDO's sustainable financing breaches P1-T mark in 2024

Cuts emissions equal to 1 M cars

2 mins

Ani ng Tagumpay: KSK Farmers Reap the Rewards of Henry Sy, Sr.'s Ideals

The SM Foundation's Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program was established in line with SM Group founder Henry Sy, Sr.'s mission to help Filipino farmers become more self-sufficient and productive while contributing to local food security.

2 mins

Our economic elites

We have reached a point where depending mainly on the government to lift our nation from the pits is no longer realistic. Every Filipino with the ability and resources to do something that will make a positive difference should not hesitate to do so.

4 mins

Pru Life UK targets partnerships with banks, fintechs

Leading insurance firm Pru Life UK is looking at banks and non-traditional players to partner with in a bid to boost its distribution network and include more Filipinos into the social protection system.

2 mins

After strong 2024, Italpinas expanding to new locations

Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC), a listed real estate developer of sustainable properties in the Philippines, intends to expand into several new prime locations across the country as it looks to sustain its growth after more than doubling its profit last year.

1 min

Meralco Sees Power Sales Heating Up in 2nd Quarter

Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) expects its energy sales to heat up in the second quarter, fueled by midterm election activity and a positive economic outlook.

2 mins

J.P. Morgan to Launch AI-powered Service in Phl

Global financial services giant J.P. Morgan is set to launch its cutting-edge AI-powered invoice reconciliation service in the Philippines this May, a move aimed at further accelerating the country's digital payments transformation.

1 min

NEDA: Upper middle-income status for Phl possible next year

The Philippines may attain upper middle-income status next year if the economy expands by at least six percent, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

2 mins

DOTr From B1

Haneda, Japan after smoke emitted from one of its two air conditioning units.

1 min

Foreign Debt Payments Halved to $799M

The Philippines' external debt service burden significantly dropped to $799 million in January, nearly half of the $1.75 billion recorded in the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

1 min

Chavit Singson's son Christian embraces the acting bug

You probably know that Luis \"Chavit\" Singson is a businessman, politician and former governor of Ilocos Sur. He had his eyes set on running for a senatorial seat in the May 12 midterm elections, but dropped out last January following a bout with pneumonia.

3 mins

TALK REEL-TO-REAL CHEMISTRY

FYANG SMITH AND JM IBARRA FIRST CAPTURED the hearts of the audiences with their strong chemistry and genuine bond inside the \"Pinoy Big Brother\" house during the \"Gen 11\" edition of the show. Their newly minted loveteam gained a cult following. But what's the real score between the two?

3 mins

Time to 'Ascend' with the Far Eastern University Bamboo Band

The Far Eastern University Center for the Arts (FCA) presents the Far Eastern University Bamboo Band (FBB) in \"Ascend: Reaching New Heights in Music,\" a special concert on Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. in the historic FEU Auditorium.

1 min

BEING TRUE TO HERSELF IS ILLEST MORENA'S STRONGEST TRAIT

\"I'm a songwriter and a rapper.\" That was Pinoy artist Illest Morena talking and describing herself in a recent virtual chat with The STAR.

4 mins

The Imagination Peoples the Air': PHL Prepares for Literary Spotlight at Frankfurt Book Fair

'Literature,' according to Senator Loren Legarda, 'does not flourish in isolation.' It thrives with the nurturing of a nation that values its storytellers.

3 mins

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