The Philippine Star - April 28, 2025

In this issue

April 28, 2025

Local absentee voting starts today

Reject 'treasonous' pro-China bets, voters urged. Story on Page 5.

1 min

9 Dead in Phl Festival Road Crash in Vancouver

Nine people were confirmed dead after a speeding vehicle ran over attendees of a street party in Vancouver, Canada, the Vancouver Police Department said.

3 mins

Balikatan: US deploys NMESIS anti-ship missiles

The United States has deployed its Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) missiles for the ongoing Balikatan exercise in Luzon.

1 min

NFA Rice Stocks Repositioned to Visayas

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel yesterday ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to begin repositioning rice stocks to the Visayas in preparation for the implementation of the P20-per-kilo rice program.

1 min

Parents of woman linked to Que kidnap held

The alleged family of the Chinese woman linked to the kidnap-slay of steel magnate Anson Que was arrested in Boracay Island on April 25.

1 min

'China seizes Sandy Cay'

BEIJING — The Chinese coast guard (CCG) has seized control of a disputed reef near a major Philippine military outpost in the South China Sea, according to Beijing's state media, adding to longstanding territorial tensions with Manila.

2 mins

PH Agri Private Sector Prepares for ASEAN Collaborative Projects

The Philippines's biggest agriculture companies and organizations are coming together to prepare for the country's hosting of the ASEAN in 2026 and explore how it can create collaborative partnerships with their counterparts in the region.

2 mins

BBM: Pope Francis Made Pinoys 'Feel Seen'

President Marcos lauded Pope Francis for making Filipinos \"feel seen,\" as he joined fellow leaders and representatives from more than 130 countries in paying last respects to the late pontiff in Vatican City.

2 mins

After Pope's Funeral, All Eyes on Conclave

With Pope Francis laid to rest, all eyes turn now to the conclave, the secretive meeting of cardinals set to convene within days to elect a new head of the Catholic Church.

3 mins

Ayala Land Estates: Building the South the Way the Future Should Be

BROADFIELD - FIRST BUSINESS CAMPUS IN THE SOUTH

2 mins

Pinoys urged: Don't vote for pro-China candidates

Filipinos should vote for candidates loyal to the flag and not to China, an administration lawmaker urged, with exactly two weeks to go before the mid-term polls.

1 min

BBM Paid for Nora Aunor's Hospital Bills

President Marcos and his office shouldered the hospital bills of the late National Artist Nora Aunor, an official of the government's lead communication arm confirmed yesterday.

1 min

Palace Holds Concert for OFWs

The migrant workers sector, which has kept the economy afloat and has gained political spotlight in the rift between the Marcoses and the Dutertes, was honored during the latest installment of a Malacañang concert series that highlights nation-building efforts while promoting emerging artists.

1 min

No takers no money

CTALK - Once again, a reader reached out to give me a scoop regarding an ongoing PPP or public-private partnership project between realty developer DRK and the NKTI or the National Kidney Transplant Institute.

2 mins

An anarchy of parties

SKETCHES

4 mins

Lawmen, lawbreakers

EDITORIAL

2 mins

I or AI?

QWERTYMAN

4 mins

Hullabaloo over P20 per kilo rice

COMMONSENSE

4 mins

No legacy is better than integrity

Thoughts to guide us by

1 min

MM workers to get wage hike soon - DOLE

Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila could get a salary increase soon as a wage review is set to begin.

1 min

Bong Go Secures Solo Lead in Survey

Ahead of the midterm elections on May 12, Sen. Bong Go has once again emerged as the front runner in a survey of senatorial candidates.

1 min

3 Chinese, Pinoy caught with P4-M unregistered beauty product

Criminal cases have been filed by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against three Chinese nationals and a Filipino who were arrested in Malabon after they were caught with unregistered beauty products valued at P4.27 million.

1 min

Red Cross Opens 'Blood' Hospital in Parañaque

The Philippine Red Cross has inaugurated the PRC's first hospital-based blood collecting unit and station at the Ospital ng Parañaque.

1 min

BOC Lauded for Seizure of P83.7-M Smuggled Cigarettes

Tobacco firms in the United States and Japan have commended the Bureau of Customs for confiscating smuggled cigarettes worth P83.7 million in Bulacan.

1 min

3 Caloocan Cops Held for Extorting from Inmates' Kin

Three police officers in Caloocan City were arrested on Saturday for allegedly demanding visitation fees from the relatives of detainees.

1 min

Fake LTO chief nabbed for extortion scheme

Intelligence agents of the Land Transportation Office and the police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) arrested a man who introduced himself as the LTO chief and extorted money in exchange for the release of impounded colorum buses.

1 min

PNP Intensifies Visibility in Areas With Intense Rivalries

After a reelectionist mayor in Cagayan was shot dead during a campaign sortie, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its visibility in areas with intense political rivalries with just over two weeks before the May 12 election.

1 min

Heart Care for Moms: When We Are Healthy, Our Family Is, Too

Dr. Maria Teresita B. Pangilinan-Ikeda guides us on where to get started with heart health

2 mins

Kerwin files raps vs 7 cops

BAYBAY CITY - Even before investigators could close their probe on an assassination attempt, Albuera town mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa filed frustrated murder charges against seven members of the Ormoc City police.

1 min

Pagasa: LPA May Form, Become Typhoon in Mindanao

A low-pressure area (LPA) may develop and progress into a typhoon in Mindanao on the first day of May, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

1 min

Man Faces Raps for Beating Dog to Death

A construction worker who beat a dog to death and then burned it was charged for violation of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act, the Bulacan police said.

1 min

Trump's First 100 Days: America First President Overturning World Order

US President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants a peace deal, shortly after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the hush of St. Peter's Basilica before Pope Francis' funeral Saturday.

2 mins

Screens, drones, massages: Shanghai flaunts future of cars

At the huge Auto Shanghai industry show this week, the chatter was less about powerful engines and more about cutting-edge technology and passenger comfort.

1 min

Massive explosion at Iranian port kills 25, injures hundreds

Fires were still blazing on Sunday after a massive explosion tore through Iran's largest commercial port the day before, killing at least 25 people and leaving hundreds more injured, according to local media.

1 min

Catholic faithful begin visiting Pope Francis' tomb

Roman Catholic faithful began visiting the tomb of Pope Francis on Sunday, filing past the simple white tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica, a day after he was bade farewell by the powerful of the world and a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

1 min

Palestinian President Abbas Appoints Aide as Potential Successor

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (in photo) appointed a close aide as the first ever vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Saturday, positioning him as a potential successor to the veteran leader.

1 min

US girl, 2, deported to Honduras - report

A two-year-old US girl has been deported with her undocumented mother to Honduras, a federal judge in Louisiana has said, but the administration of US President Donald Trump contends the woman asked for her child to be sent with her.

1 min

Israel Intercepts Missile Fired by Yemen's Houthis

The Israeli military said on Sunday it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, where the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the launch, saying it targeted an air base in southern Israel.

1 min

US Journalists Use Press Dinner to Celebrate First Amendment

There was no president. There was no comedian. What remained at the White House Correspondents' Association's annual dinner on Saturday night were the journalists and the First Amendment.

1 min

NU sends UST to a logjam with La Salle

Reigning champion National U denied Santo Tomas an outright twice-to-beat edge while shoring up its own bid with a gutsy 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9 win at the close of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball eliminations yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

1 min

Shared wisdom

The Game of My Life

2 mins

Thais earn Champs League bronze

Nakhon Ratchasima rose above a height disadvantage with a dazzling display of power and grit, pulling off a hard-fought 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19 victory over Beijing Baic Motor to secure the bronze medal in the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Champions League yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.

1 min

Thunder sweep Grizzlies, Cavs on brink

The Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by 38 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, held off the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 on Saturday to complete a 4-0 sweep in their NBA Western Conference playoff series and become the first team to reach the second round.

1 min

Shorthanded ROS stuns Meralco

Short in manpower but not lacking in heart. Rising to the challenge after Caelan Tiongson joined the growing list of injured players, Rain or Shine stunned titleholder Meralco, 128-116, in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ynares Center.

1 min

DOE, Meralco Turn Up Summer Heat

Metro Manila's heat index hit as high as 42 degrees Celsius last Thursday, but tensions inside the air-conditioned The Fifth at Rockwell in Makati made summer even hotter.

3 mins

SEC readies guidelines on crypto asset services

Balancing innovation, investor protection

2 mins

Phl can withstand impact of new US tariffs

JAZA confident Ayala Group resilient enough to weather volatility

2 mins

To keep Lufthansa in NAIA, DOTr open to flexible lease

The government is willing to offer aviation support firm Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) several lease options to compel it to stay in Manila given its importance in investment attraction and job creation.

2 mins

Sideways trading seen as market seeks fresh leads

Local stocks are expected to continue trading sideways this week as investors search for fresh leads that could support a stronger market rally.

1 min

- Netbank, JuanHand partner for financial inclusion program

Netbank Inc., a leader in rural banking, has partnered with JuanHand, the country's leading pure fintech lending app, to broaden its reach to the unbanked and underserved communities across the nation.

1 min

SEC

Aquino said fintech companies and other players in the digital space have a crucial role in the road ahead, especially in the next round of mutual evaluations in 2027.

1 min

CIMB Bank fixes unauthorized fund transfers after complaints

CIMB Bank Philippines said it has returned the funds to customers affected by unauthorized transactions that occurred on Saturday night, while the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) vowed to continue monitoring the situation to protect consumer welfare.

1 min

Phil From B1

So with everything that's happening in the market, all things considered, I think we're in reasonable shape,\" he said.

1 min

Are We Filipinos Poor?

Filipinos always seem to have a unique way of coping with economic difficulties, so much so that it is often hard to tell if the economy is tanking, especially if you live in the bubble of centric Metro Manila.

4 mins

National priorities

Demand And Supply

4 mins

Japanese partner eyes higher stake in MPTC

A Japanese joint venture is planning to raise its stake in Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) in a transaction that could lay the groundwork for one of the biggest mergers in the Philippines.

1 min

Rice tariff collections plunge 63% to P4.2 B

The country's rice tariff collections in the first quarter plunged by 63 percent on an annual basis to a little over P4.2 billion, Bureau of Customs (BOC) data showed.

2 mins

Pop Mart Mulls Entry into Phl Food Market

Filipino consumers could be unboxing not just toy blind boxes, but even Labubu-themed pastries in the future as Pop Mart International Group is looking to enter the Philippine food market.

1 min

Foreign borrowings more than doubled in Q1

Foreign borrowings approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) surged by 118.91 percent in the first quarter as the government ramped up efforts to fund priority programs and meet maturing obligations.

1 min

Why Baguio Is the Ideal Place for Bonding, Reminiscing, and Eating

I was having lunch with cousins last month when we started talking about our plans for Holy Week.

4 mins

SANDWICH GOES 'KASWAL' IN NEW ALL-TAGALOG EP

Drawing from a stockpile of songs created before and after the pandemic, the long-standing alt-rock band—lead vocalist Raimund Marasigan, guitarists and backing vocalists Diego Castillo and Mong Alcaraz, bassist Myrene Academia and drummer Mike Dizon—bundled these tracks into a six-song EP that reflects their \"more relaxed\" songwriting process for this release.

4 mins

Two journalists write COVID diary based on years in China

Filipino-American journalists Rene Pastor and his wife Cristina DC Pastor did not expect the heavy knock on the door of their Beijing apartment one night in 2020. It was time for midnight COVID-19 tests.

1 min

There's Too Much Entertainment: Advice for Young Indie Filmmakers

The process of making a film here in the Philippines is possibly akin to threading a needle while wearing boxing gloves.

3 mins

LITERARY LUMINARIES

Individuals and a literary organization received this year's 38th Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas during the 51st National Writers' Congress of UMPIL or Writers Union of the Philippines held last Saturday at the Gimenez Gallery in UP Diliman.

5 mins

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