The Philippine Star - May 03, 2025

In this issue

May 03, 2025

Comelec: No ayuda, P20 rice distribution until after polls

The distribution of any form of financial aid or \"ayuda\" - even those earlier granted with exemptions is no longer allowed, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded all government agencies.

2 mins

Makati subway contractor seeks int'l arbitration

The private contractor of the $3.5-billion Makati City Subway Project has sought international arbitration after concluding that the project became unfeasible due to the Supreme Court's ruling on the jurisdiction of the 10 enlisted men's barrios or \"embos.\"

3 mins

Solid North bus operations suspended after SCTEX crash

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered a 30-day suspension of 15 Dagupan Bus Co. units following a fatal road crash at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza involving a Solid North bus.

1 min

Makati subway contractor seeks int'l arbitration

Lawyers of former president Rodrigo Duterte have challenged the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s jurisdiction and sought his \"immediate and unconditional release.\"

4 mins

PNP: Corrupt cops to be stripped of assets

Putting rogue police officers behind bars is not enough; Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil also wants them stripped of their wealth gained from illegal activities.

1 min

Phl Improves to 116th in Press Freedom Rankings

The Philippines remains a \"difficult\" country for journalists even as it improved to its highest ranking in over two decades in the annual press freedom index released by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières/RSF).

2 mins

PR Firm Denies 'Troll' Deal With Chinese Embassy

InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. has refuted accusations linking the company to trolling operations.

1 min

Comelec expects increase in vote buying, selling

With just 10 days remaining before the midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) expects the number of vote buying and abuse of state resources (ASR) activities by candidates to go up.

1 min

Akbayan calls for army of 'literacy tutors'

Akbayan party-list yesterday urged the government to hire emergency literacy tutors, in response to a recent study from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing millions of the country's students were functionally illiterate.

1 min

PNP

Apart from the 10 CIDG operatives, there are other police officers implicated in corrupt activities.

1 min

Solid

Deceased passengers are entitled to P400,000 each, while non-passenger victims may receive up to P200,000.

2 mins

Fuel price cut set next week

After two straight rounds of hikes, pump prices of petroleum products are poised to decline next week amid a sluggish demand outlook.

1 min

NCSC Official Dismissed for Dishonesty, Misconduct

Malacañang has dismissed an official of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

1 min

Duterte

The ICC prosecutor has yet to respond to the defense's challenge to the court's jurisdiction. The matter is expected to be resolved before the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled on Sept. 23.

3 mins

Torre surprised over charge

With Gen. Rommel Marbil retiring as chief of the Philippine National Police in June, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III is not discounting the possibility that the illegal detention case leveled against him and nine other CIDG officers might be related to politics within the PNP.

1 min

DHSUD Inks Deal to Speed Up Pambansang Pabahay Rollout

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has signed a memorandum of agreement with its key shelter agencies to accelerate the implementation of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino or 4PH program.

1 min

CCTV Program in QC to be Expanded

Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas and 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas are installing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in 14 barangays to boost safety measures.

1 min

2 MPD Station Chiefs Sacked

Commanders of two police stations in Manila were removed from their posts following incidents that include the ambush of the third nominee of an aspiring party-list group.

1 min

San Juan is Metro Manila's first drug-cleared city

San Juan was officially declared the first drug-cleared city in Metro Manila by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing yesterday.

1 min

PNP Eyes 3 Masterminds in Anson Que Kidnap-Slay

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has categorized David Tan Liao and two other people as masterminds in the kidnapping and murder of Chinese-Filipino businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo.

1 min

Bleaker

The world's economic outlook just got bleaker. Numbers show that the US economy contracted by 0.3 percent through the first quarter of this year.

3 mins

Natural body repair

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

4 mins

Literacy crisis

Study after study reaffirms what has become obvious in the past years: Philippine education is in crisis, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

2 mins

Trump Is About To Steal My Friend's Christmas – And Yours

I first met Dane Chapin, a San Diego-area entrepreneur, in 2012, when he gave me a ride in his Prius and told me I was dead wrong about climate change.

4 mins

A life well-lived

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

Polong Faces Assault, Threat Raps

Rep. Paolo \"Polong\" Duterte is facing complaints of physical injuries and grave threats before the Department of Justice (DOJ) over an alleged drunken assault in a bar in Davao City.

1 min

Search on for Missing British Diver in Negros

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to search for a British diver who has been missing for more than a week now since he went on a diving expedition in Negros Oriental.

1 min

Vlogger Summoned Over Zambales Road Rage Incident

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show-cause order against a motovlogger who figured in a viral road rage incident in Zambales.

1 min

Marcos Won't Meddle in Garcia's Suspension

Malacañang will not intervene in the preventive suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman on Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday.

1 min

Trump Ousts National Security Adviser

Waltz Criticized for Signal Scandal

1 min

Workers install chimney atop Sistine Chapel for conclave

Firefighters at the Vatican installed a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel to be used during the conclave that begins on May 7, an AFP reporter witnessed on Friday.

1 min

Rio goes Gaga for US singer ahead of concert

Behind his large studded sunglasses, Victor Faro's eyes were glued on the luxury hotel overlooking Copacabana beach where US superstar Lady Gaga is staying ahead of her free mega-concert in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

1 min

Brand Arrives at London Court to Face Rape Charges

Actor-comedian Russell Brand arrived at a London court on Friday to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women.

1 min

Cat sole survivor of 115-meter fall in US canyon

A cat that fell alongside a couple into a 115-meter-high canyon was the only survivor of the incident in the western United States, an animal protection organization said Thursday.

1 min

'World war anniversaries to be renamed Victory Day'

US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his intent to rename both May 8 and Nov. 11 \"Victory Day\" in his latest attempt to alter the country's nomenclature.

1 min

Zelensky hails Ukraine-US mineral deal as 'truly equal'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday hailed a minerals deal that Kyiv had signed with Washington, saying the reworked agreement was \"truly equal.\"

1 min

NLEX WINS 3RD STRAIGHT

With Robert Bolick going on full-automatic fire mode in the crunch, NLEX secured its third straight win in the PBA's new playground in Rizal.

1 min

Phl lifters add 5 more golds

Jhodie Peralta swept all three gold medals in the women's 55-kilogram Youth division to cap the Philippines' impressive 10-gold haul in the IWF Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru Thursday.

1 min

Gauff ousts Swiatek, meets Sabalenka in final

Reigning champion Iga Swiatek suffered a crushing 6-1, 6-1 semifinal defeat by Coco Gauff on Thursday, with the American to face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for the Madrid Open title.

1 min

Knicks march on; Clippers stay alive

Jalen Brunson scored 40 points as the New York Knicks clinched a series victory over the Detroit Pistons while the Los Angeles Clippers downed the Denver Nuggets to set up a titanic NBA playoff decider on Thursday.

1 min

Brown stuns Hoffman in 400m hurdles

Robyn Brown achieved a golden breakthrough against fancied Paris Olympian Lauren Hoffman late Thursday, ruling the women's 400-meter hurdles in the second day of the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium here.

1 min

Collector's edition

The Game Of My Life

2 mins

UAAP Final Four battles begin

Reigning champion National U and former titlist La Salle want no less than a trilogy in just one attempt against separate foes.

1 min

Hoey stalks Scheffler in Texas

Rico Hoey sizzled with an eagle-spiked eight-under 63 to grab joint second behind American world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in the opening round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson Thursday in McKinney, Texas.

1 min

Bigger, longer Tour of Luzon eyed

The MPTC Tour of Luzon will make a smashing reprise as race officials promised a bigger, better race next year.

1 min

Phl Seeks Bigger Role in Global Fund for Climate Change

The Philippines is seeking a bigger role in a global fund mechanism that helps developing economies address the impacts of climate change.

1 min

Infra spending hits P148 B in 2 months

The government increased its infrastructure spending by 23 percent to reach P148 billion from January to February on the back of higher disbursements for road projects, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

2 mins

UNDP Reaffirms Support for Philippines, Middle-Income Countries

The UN Development Program has reaffirmed its support for middle-income countries (MICs), including the Philippines, with United Nations Undersecretary General and UNDP Associate Administrator Hao Liang Xu concluding a two-day visit to Manila.

2 mins

Factory activity rebounds in April

Philippine manufacturing activity bounced back in April after a contraction in the previous month, supported by a pick-up in demand.

1 min

PSEi Climbs Back to 6,400

The local stock market sustained its strong momentum prior to the Labor Day break, climbing its way back above the 6,400 level for the first time since early January.

1 min

A case for entrepreneurial leadership

I introduced this case study to students at my leadership seminar more than a year ago to illustrate Taylor Swift's entrepreneurial leadership approach.

3 mins

Security Bank Acquires MUFG's 25% Stake in Home Credit Ph

Security Bank Corp. has completed the acquisition of a 25-percent stake in Home Credit Philippines, marking a significant step in its strategy to boost consumer lending and broaden its market reach.

1 min

Chinabank profit climbs 10% to P6.5 B in Q1

Sy-led China Banking Corp. sustained its growth trajectory in the first quarter, as its net income rose by 10 percent to P6.5 billion on the back of strong core business expansion.

2 mins

PSBank Earns P1.2 B in Q1 on Strong Loan Growth

Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) reported a net income of P1.21 billion in the first quarter as the bank benefited from robust lending activities and tighter cost controls.

1 min

Pag-IBIG Allocates P12B to Build 7,500 Homes

The Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, will allocate P12 billion for the construction of over 7,500 homes as part of the flagship housing program of the government.

1 min

Legalizing MC taxis

Recently, motorcycle (MC) taxi service provider Move It asked the government to reconsider its decision to cut by more than half its current driver fleet.

4 mins

FNI Completes Nickel Shipment to Indonesia

Platinum Group Metals Corp., the operating arm of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI) in Surigao, successfully made its first shipment for the year—bound for Indonesia—as the mining firm seeks to diversify its client base.

1 min

Phi From B1

It also involves supplying local capacity building for sustainable water management, building local communities' resilience and strengthening their livelihoods and providing knowledge management.

1 min

Acciona champions safer workplaces through digitalization, AI

Global sustainable infrastructure company Acciona is strengthening its call for safer workplaces by championing the use of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in occupational safety.

2 mins

Lower coal prices cut Semirara profit

Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) registered lower earnings from January to March, mainly due to weaker coal selling prices.

1 min

RE to shield Phl from global trade shocks

A stronger renewable energy (RE) push could provide the Philippines with a critical buffer against global trade shocks sparked by US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, according to experts.

2 mins

Coco export earnings surge 76% to $868M

The country's exports of coconut-based products expanded by 76 percent to $868 million in the first quarter from $492 million a year ago as prices of coconut oil remained elevated amid growing demand and tighter supply, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

1 min

Domestic claims of non-banks hit over P10 T

Domestic claims of other financial corporations (OFCs) in the country surged by almost 13 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

2 mins

BOI: Only 5% of Projects Certified for Green Lanes Operational

Only around five percent of projects certified for green lane processing are operational as of April, according to the Board of Investments.

1 min

THELA GEMS SHINES AT THREE

Sparkling with purpose and passion, former international flight attendant Kristine Joy \"Tinjoy\" Agcopra is the dazzling force behind Thela Gems, a proudly Filipina-owned brand now celebrating three radiant years in store and a decade of online brilliance.

1 min

CWC Welcomes New Set Of Officers

The elegant ladies of the Catholic Women's Club (CWC) gathered for a solemn and spirit-filled morning at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish (SSAP) in Forbes Park, Makati City, for their Holy Mass and induction ceremony of the 2025 officers.

1 min

NEW WAYS OF MOVING AND SEEING AT IDDF 2025

art de vivre

5 mins

How Sweet It Is: A Surprise for Excy Robles

It was an evening of sparkle, sentiment, and gratitude as Sta. Lucia Land president Exequiel \"Excy\" Robles walked into the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La The Fort on April 6, unaware that a grand surprise awaited him.

2 mins

'Isang Komedya Sa Langit' fuses comedy, faith and love for country

The historical fiction film, \"Isang Komedya sa Langit,\" written and produced by Rossana Hwang of Kapitana Entertainment Media, is a period flick staged in the Spanish colonial period in the year 1872.

4 mins

TALES OUT OF THE BOOK OF OPM

Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor, and Hajji Alejandro, three pillars of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), passed away one after the other a few weeks ago.

3 mins

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