The Philippine Star - May 04, 2025

In this issue

May 04, 2025

Play your cardinals right: Betting on next pope gains popularity

This week's conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is a solemn affair steeped in centuries-old traditions.

2 mins

PNP on full alert status for mid-term elections

Security measures are in place for the May 12 mid-term elections, with the 235,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) going on full alert status beginning midnight yesterday until May 15 or three days after the polls.

2 mins

Duterte ICC challenge a desperate tactic

Human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares yesterday criticized the move by the legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte to challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration's \"war on drugs,\" calling it a desperate attempt to evade accountability.

1 min

DepEd Urged to Provide Alternative Learning for Comprehension

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide alternative learning to students with poor comprehension skills following a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) survey which found close to 19 million \"functionally illiterate\" graduates in 2024.

1 min

Phl, US troops team up anew in Batanes

Complementing their training in weaponry, Filipino and US troops engaged in martial arts in Basco, Batanes as part of their joint drills last week, which included mortar firing, on day 12 of the Balikatan exercises.

1 min

BBM, Anwar Discuss ASEAN Economic, Security Issues

President Marcos received a call on Friday from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who engaged him in discussions about the Trump administration's tariff policy and the ceasefire in Myanmar.

2 mins

PNP

and strictly adhere to police operational procedures and refrain from engaging in any form of illegal activity.

2 mins

Fake documents void even when notarized

Even though notarized documents are presumed authentic, they will be voided if proven to be fake or forged, according to the Supreme Court (SC).

1 min

Toddler survives SCTEX tragedy

In the twisted wreck of metal and broken glass at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza on Labor Day, a quiet miracle was found: a two-year-old boy, strapped to his car seat, alive.

2 mins

LPA to bring heavy rains in Visayas, Mindanao

A low-pressure area (LPA) spotted west of Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte is forecast to bring widespread rains and thunderstorms over parts of the Visayas, Mindanao and Southern Luzon today.

1 min

DMW to support quake-affected Myanmar OFWs

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has deployed a team to Myanmar to give support to Filipinos seriously affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

1 min

Tolentino to InfinitUs: Attend next Senate probe

Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino dared the Makati marketing firm InfinitUs Marketing Solutions to attend the next Senate probe on its alleged role in helping Beijing push its South China Sea narrative and influence the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.

1 min

VP Not Campaigning to Get Senate Numbers in Trial

Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed speculation that she is campaigning for her senatorial candidates to ensure a good number of allies in the Senate in time for the impeachment trial against her.

1 min

Batang Quiapo party-list urges gov't support for small businesses

The Batang Quiapo party-list yesterday urged the government to recognize the role of micro- and small businesses in the country's socio-economic development, especially on generating millions of jobs and livelihood opportunities despite little support.

1 min

Pier 3 Expansion Boosts Manila South Harbor Capacity

With an expanded berth and two new electric-powered cranes, the Manila South Harbor is expected to become more efficient and handle more cargo ships.

1 min

QC vlogger cop Fontillas resigns

The police vlogger who is facing criminal and administrative cases for his online tirades against President Marcos over the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte has resigned from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

1 min

PNP Revokes David Tan Liao's Gun Licenses

Six of the eight firearms registered under David Tan Liao, a principal suspect in the kidnapping and murder of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo, have been secured by the Philippine National Police.

1 min

Fake, fake, fake!

BABE'S EYE VIEW

4 mins

Press freedom

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

Enforcing a total ban

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Bulusan evacuees return home

Residents displaced by the eruption of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon have returned home, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

1 min

Family of 3 Shot Dead in Negros

A couple and their son were found dead with gunshot wounds in Murcia, Negros Occidental on Friday morning.

1 min

Banksy's 'Broken Heart' painting up for sale

When the enigmatic street artist Banksy spray-painted a heart-shaped balloon covered with a Band-Aid on the wall of a Brooklyn warehouse, the nondescript brick building was instantly transformed into an art destination and the canvas of an unlikely graffiti battle.

1 min

Singapore Votes Amid Tariff Turmoil

SINGAPORE (AFP) - Singaporeans cast their votes yesterday in an election where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong faces his first major test against a rejuvenated opposition in uncertain economic times for the trade-centered nation.

1 min

Prince Harry says no UK return but seeks reconciliation

Prince Harry (in photo) said on Friday he wanted to reconcile with Britain's royal family, but was \"devastated\" at losing a court battle over his security that meant he felt unable to return to the country with his family.

1 min

Major offshore quake causes tsunami scare in Chile, Argentina

A strong offshore earthquake caused a tsunami scare in the far south of Chile and Argentina on Friday, with authorities evacuating residents of coastal areas for hours before scaling back the threat level.

1 min

TikTok Fined 530 Million Euros Over China Data Transfer

A European Union privacy watchdog fined TikTok 530 million euros ($600 million) on Friday after a four-year investigation found that the video-sharing app’s data transfers to China put users at risk of spying, in breach of strict EU data privacy rules.

1 min

Thailand Urges Calm After First Anthrax Death in Decades

Thailand's health ministry urged calm on Friday after the kingdom reported its first anthrax death in more than three decades, with a second infection already confirmed.

1 min

Trump posts spoof picture dressed as pope

US President Donald Trump posted on Friday a spoof picture of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform after joking that he would like to be the next Catholic pontiff.

1 min

Rockets drag Warriors into Game 7

The Houston Rockets rode a crushing fourth quarter to a 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday to set up a Game 7 showdown in their NBA Western Conference playoff series.

1 min

Lady Blazers hold on to No. 2

Singapore's Marc Brian Louis and Jessica Laurance from Australia emerged as the fastest man and woman in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium late Friday night.

1 min

Anybody's Game at ICTSI Mactan

A fierce showdown is expected in the girls' 11-14 division as the ICTSI Junior PGT Visayas-Mindanao series kicks off tomorrow at the Mactan Island Golf Course, with Brittany Tamayo and Rafella Batican poised to spark a rivalry in what promises to be the tournament's most anticipated clash.

1 min

Darkness stalls Hoey at CJ Cup

Rico Hoey had a one-over card through seven holes when play in the second round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson was suspended due to darkness Friday in McKinney, Texas.

1 min

It's who's hot vs who's not at Ynares

It's essentially a hot-versus-not battle but unbeaten leader Magnolia has no intention to lower its guard against skidding Terrafirma.

1 min

Amazing Tour in historic return

After a five-year hiatus, the Tour of Luzon raced back with a bang in a \"Great Revival\" that was highlighted by a dramatic finish to cap an eight-day odyssey starting in Paoay and ending in Baguio last Friday.

1 min

Chipmakers See Modest Export Growth in 2025

The country's electronics sector is projecting a modest export growth of one to two percent this year, following two years of contraction.

2 mins

Phl Digital Economy Balloons to P2.25T

The value of the Philippine digital economy went up by 7.7 percent last year amid increasing use of digital services.

1 min

Local travel tops plans of most Pinoys this year

Filipinos are proving that the travel surge in recent years is more than just a post-pandemic spike, as they plan to visit more domestic destinations this year.

1 min

How PH Banks Are Steering Sustainable Finance Forward

In a financial landscape where profit and purpose are increasingly intertwined, the banking sector is emerging as a critical enabler of sustainability.

2 mins

GoTyme Payment Volume Jumps to P6.1B in 2024

The total payment volume of GoTyme Bank surged by 153 percent to P6.1 billion last year, driven by robust holiday spending and an uptick in travel.

1 min

RLC's Robinsons Malls and Dole Bring Thousands of Job Opportunities Closer to Communities Nationwide This Labor Day

Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC)'s Robinsons Malls is once again leading the way in promoting economic empowerment and community development through its expansive Nationwide Job Fair Initiative.

1 min

Creating first impressions

Zig Ziglar, the legendary motivational speaker and author of books, said, \"You will not get another chance to establish the first impression.\" The statement has continued to resonate with me throughout the years.

3 mins

HARI Unveils Electric CVs to Support Green Transport Push

The official distributor of Hyundai trucks and buses in the Philippines has rolled out two electric commercial vehicles (CVs) as part of the push for clean and sustainable transport.

1 min

Phl ranks second in global digital fraud

The Philippines posted a suspected digital fraud rate of 13.4 percent in 2024, more than double the global average of 5.4 percent and the second highest among surveyed countries, according to global information solutions provider TransUnion.

1 min

Chipmakers

From B1

1 min

Unnecessary fees

Hidden Agenda

4 mins

Megawide profit doubles in 2024

Engineering and infrastructure company Megawide Construction Corp. has doubled its profit last year following strong revenue contributions from its business operations.

1 min

ALI positions Southern Luzon as vital growth hub

Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has positioned Southern Luzon as a significant growth center through its four large-scale estates forming part of the company's strategy to expand its footprint outside Metro Manila.

1 min

Make Memories Around the Table

This Mother's Day, we're honoring everything that makes Mom extraordinary.

1 min

Saigon on My Mind & In My Heart

Time-traveling with images of Lea Salonga, Venice and the Vietnam War

3 mins

Saigon On...

To feel the soul of a place and its people, I usually visit the markets.

2 mins

A GLAZED REBELLION: SCOTT GARCEAU'S HOLE-HEARTED ART AT THE CRUCIBLE GALLERY

It's going to be a quiet riot. Think of distressed American flags, tattered and oozing with blood, bulleted by skulls, dollar signs, upside-down crosses and sad emojis in lieu of white stars.

4 mins

'America's Got Talent' marks 20 seasons with surprise return of a fan favorite

After two decades of discovering stars, changing lives and redefining entertainment television, NBC's \"America's Got Talent (AGT)\" is pulling out all the stops for its landmark 20th season premiering on May 27.

3 mins

RICHARD YAP AND ALLEN DIZON

It's only a few days until the country's midterm elections, and it is common knowledge that showbiz personalities are among those running for public office.

3 mins

AHTISA MANALO 'FALLS THEN RISES'

SHE'S \"OK.\" NEWLY CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES (MUPH) 2025 MARIA AHTISA MANALO ASSURED EVERYONE SHE WAS UNHARMED — AT LEAST, AS OF THE POST-EVENT INTERVIEW — AFTER STUMBLING ON STAGE DURING THE EVENING GOWN SEGMENT AT THE JUST-CONCLUDED PAGEANT HELD FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE SM MALL OF ASIA ARENA.

3 mins

Blitz review

First I heard the song Superstar, written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett back when your mother wasn't yet born, was on the radio, fittingly enough, and the voice was Karen Carpenter's.

3 mins

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