The Philippine Star - May 06, 2025

In this issue

May 06, 2025

No proclamation for candidates facing DQ cases – Comelec

(Story on Page 5)

1 min

Pinoy Swiss Guard says Francis fondly called him 'El Filipino'

The first full-blooded Filipino to join the Swiss Guards remembers Pope Francis fondly referring to him as \"El Filipino\" (The Filipino).

1 min

Grief, anger over death of child at NAIA

As investigations continue on last Sunday's tragedy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, social media users have expressed outrage, raising questions over the structures meant to protect pedestrians at the airport.

2 mins

PNP: 2 junket operators received Que ransom

The P200-million ransom paid by the family of slain Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que ended up in 10 different e-wallet accounts and was converted to cryptocurrency after passing through two junket operators, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

2 mins

DepEd Clarifies Results of PSA Literacy Survey

The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified yesterday that the 18.9 million Filipinos identified in the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) as functionally illiterate do not refer specifically to high school graduates, but to Filipinos aged 10 to 64, regardless of educational attainment.

1 min

BBM to Attend ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

President Marcos will attend the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from May 26 to 27, Malacañang announced yesterday.

1 min

DOTr Orders Drug Testing for PUV Drivers Every Six Months

Drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) are now required to undergo mandatory drug testing every six months, as part of measures set in place by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to prevent a repeat of the recent deadly vehicular accidents.

3 mins

No proclamation for candidates facing DQ cases – Comelec

(Story on Page 5)

1 min

'5,000 mobile identities harvested by China spy gear'

Over 5,000 sets of personal data from mobile numbers had been harvested by the spy devices seized from a Chinese national's vehicle parked outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec)'s main office in Intramuros, Manila last week, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

4 mins

Go widens survey lead; 46 party-lists within winning margin

Sen. Bong Go has solidified his position as the most preferred Senate bet in Pulse Asia's recent survey.

2 mins

Dream realized: 1st e-jeepney factory opens in Lima, Batangas

A game-changing moment occurred last Wednesday when the Philippines' first e-jeepney assembly plant opened in Lima, Batangas, bringing the country a step closer to eco-friendly, cleaner and greener commutes.

2 mins

'5,000 mobile identities harvested by China spy gear'

Over 5,000 sets of personal data from mobile numbers had been harvested by the spy devices seized from a Chinese national's vehicle parked outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec)'s main office in Intramuros, Manila last week, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

4 mins

Marcos Cabinet goes on spiritual retreat from political noise

Amid all the political noise, President Marcos and members of his Cabinet received \"spiritual guidelines\" during a retreat at Malacañang over the weekend.

2 mins

DepEd

Mendoza explained that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)'s survey covers a broad segment of the population and is not limited to those who finished high school.

1 min

Marcos Cabinet goes on spiritual retreat from political noise

Amid all the political noise, President Marcos and members of his Cabinet received \"spiritual guidelines\" during a retreat at Malacañang over the weekend.

2 mins

DepEd

Mendoza explained that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)'s survey covers a broad segment of the population and is not limited to those who finished high school.

1 min

Target vessel sinks ahead of drill

A decommissioned Navy ship, originally scheduled to be sunk during this year's maritime strike (MARSTRIKE) as part of the Balikatan exercises, sank off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales yesterday ahead of the drill, the Philippine Navy (PN) revealed.

2 mins

MM crimes down 26%

Metro Manila police posted a 26-percent drop in index crimes in the first four months of 2025.

1 min

2 men robbing Japanese restaurant go viral online

Police are looking into the motive of two robbers who returned the cell phones that they had stolen from diners in a Japanese restaurant in Makati on Sunday.

1 min

LTO revokes licenses of 98 drug-positive PUV drivers

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the licenses of 98 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who tested positive for illegal drug use during Holy Week.

1 min

BBM elated by Phl rank in press freedom index

The country’s improvement in the World Press Freedom Index by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders shows President Marcos’ commitment in upholding press freedom, Malacañang said yesterday.

1 min

No proclamation for bets facing DQ cases - Comelec

Candidates facing disqualification complaints are less likely to be declared winners in the May 12 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced yesterday.

2 mins

Toxic

FIRST PERSON

3 mins

Eyes Wide Open

Tragic

3 mins

Responsible driving

EDITORIAL

2 mins

A conclave like no other

There are so many unfamiliar faces, cardinals are wearing name tags.

6 mins

Why BBM Can Deliver P20 a Kilo Rice

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

Undoing patriarchy

A few months ago, I had the privilege of participating in two interactive dialogue sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of the Philippine government – the first was on Poverty Eradication, Social Protection and Social Services, while the second focused on Freedom from Violence, Stigma and Stereotypes.

4 mins

Dangerous Heat Index Recorded in 21 Areas

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a heat index warning for 21 areas across the country as temperatures and humidity pushed conditions into the danger level, with some locations feeling as hot as 45 degrees Celsius.

1 min

PNP to obtain CCTV footage of Polong's bar incident

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to secure a copy of the closed-circuit television footage showing the altercation involving Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte at a bar in Davao City, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said yesterday.

1 min

Benguet vice gov faces DQ complaint

For allegedly using a government vehicle to promote his candidacy, Benguet Vice Gov. Ericson Felipe may be barred from running in the May 12 congressional race.

1 min

Cebu Gov Endorses Alyansa Senate Bets

A week before the midterm elections, the One Cebu party led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia endorsed the senatorial candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas during a campaign rally attended by President Marcos yesterday.

2 mins

Trump to Extend TikTok Deadline

US President Donald Trump said he would extend the June 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of TikTok, the short video app used by 170 million Americans, if no deal had been reached by then.

1 min

Kardashian ready to 'confront' Paris attackers in court - lawyers

Kim Kardashian (in photo) is ready to \"confront\" her Paris attackers as the US celebrity prepares to testify in person next week at a trial over an armed robbery of her jewelry in 2016, her lawyers said on Monday.

1 min

Israel Approves Plan to Capture All of Gaza

TEL AVIV (AP) — Israel approved plans on Monday to capture the entire Gaza Strip and remain in the territory for an unspecified amount of time, two Israeli officials said, in a move that if implemented would vastly expand Israel's operations in the Palestinian territory and likely bring fierce international opposition.

1 min

Alcatraz prison to be reopened, says Trump

US President Donald Trump says he is directing his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the notorious former prison on a hard-to-reach California island off San Francisco that has been closed for more than 60 years.

1 min

Eala cracks WTA Top 70 ranking

There is no stopping Alex Eala's progress.

1 min

Warriors Shoot Down Rockets

Curry, Pals Line Up 2nd-Round Clash With T'Wolves

1 min

'Different' TNT team to write own story

Those three losses right off the gates pushed TNT to get its act together and embrace the right mindset as it tries to save its PBA grand slam aspirations.

1 min

Balangauan, Go share lead

Local standouts Niña Balangauan and Lois Laine Go carded identical five-over 73s under sweltering conditions to share the top spot in the girls' 15-18 category in the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship kickoff yesterday.

1 min

EJ to grace Vermosa meet

EJ Obiena will attend the invitational pole vault meet at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite, this afternoon but isn't sure if he'll jump or not.

1 min

HD Spikers enlist Tiamzon

The Cignal HD Spikers have tapped former La Salle and defunct F2 Logistics standout Tine Tiamzon as part of their revamp in preparation for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League season.

1 min

More basketball vocabulary

Last Friday's column took up 10 terms in basketball's evolving vocabulary. Here are 10 more terms to add to the list.

2 mins

Nicolas, Lorana triumph

Fil-Am Alyana Nicolas underlined her status as the country's premier female pole vaulter late Sunday night in retaining her title with a jump of four meters flat at the close of the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at New Clark City Athletic Stadium.

1 min

DTI: Phl to follow up tariff talks with US

The Philippines is set to hold follow-up meetings with the United States to lower the reciprocal tariffs on the country's exports, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

1 min

LTFRB: More motorcycle taxis to harm PUV earnings

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has thumbed down calls to ramp up the motorcycle taxi fleet in Metro Manila, warning that doing so could shrink the earnings of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

2 mins

Gov't Rolls Out 10-Year Job Creation Program

The government has launched a long-term masterplan for job creation that aims to bring down the unemployment rate and increase the labor force participation rate (LFPR) by 2034.

3 mins

Profit-Taking Snaps Market's 3-Day Rally

The local stock market snapped its three-day winning streak as investors succumbed to profit-taking following recent gains that saw the benchmark index climb back above the 6,400 territory last week.

1 min

Vista Land Unit Secures $150-M Loan Facility

Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. has secured a $150-million syndicated term loan facility to fund the group's working capital.

1 min

Robinsons Land charts path to 50th year

Eyes P25-B earnings by 2030

1 min

Shari'ah board sets guidelines on Islamic finance opinions

The Shari'ah Supervisory Board (SSB) in the Bangsamoro region has released the guidelines on the submission of requests for Shari'ah opinions, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

1 min

ICTSI shrugs off tariff war, boosts profit in Q1

Logistics giant International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) shrugged off uncertainties in world trade as it opened the year with a double-digit growth in both profit and revenue.

1 min

Century Pacific Food Earmarks Up To P4 Billion For Expansion This Year

Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF), the listed food and beverage company of the Po family, plans to spend as much as P4 billion this year to fund expansion initiatives that will support its sustained growth trajectory.

1 min

Simplifying VAT Refunds and Expanding Incentives with CREATE MORE

In keeping with its mandate to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act (CREATE MORE), the Bureau of Internal Revenue has released Revenue Regulations (RR) 10-2025 last Feb. 25, 2025.

3 mins

Century Pacific Food Earmarks Up To P4 Billion For Expansion This Year

Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF), the listed food and beverage company of the Po family, plans to spend as much as P4 billion this year to fund expansion initiatives that will support its sustained growth trajectory.

1 min

Dr. Seuss' Creative Path to Kaizen 101

At first glance, putting Dr. Seuss and Kaizen in the same sentence might sound like pairing green eggs and red peas with a corporate handbook—impossibly odd and an eyebrow-raiser.

3 mins

Borrowings dip 31% to P745B

The government ended the first quarter borrowing 31 percent less at P745 billion, with local obligations reduced on the back of better tax collections.

1 min

Warning Out vs Financing Firm Using BSP to Collect Fees, Data

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a warning after a certain financing entity has been found fraudulently using its name and logo to collect fees and personal data.

1 min

Caritas Financial placed under liquidation

Pre-need firm Caritas Financial Plans Inc. (CFPI) has been declared under liquidation by the government.

1 min

LTFRB

From B1

1 min

Wilcon Profit Drops in Q1

Home improvement and finishing construction supply retailer Wilcon Depot Inc. expects to bounce back strongly in the latter part of the year after its earnings fell by 27.5 percent to P536 million in the first quarter due to lower gross profit and higher operating expenses.

1 min

PHILIPPINES AND THAILAND: THE TIES THAT BIND

\"It's the friends you meet along the way who make the journey worthwhile.

5 mins

WHAT MAKES A GREEN STORE?

In line with its commitment to sustainable retailing, Watsons just transformed its four branches—BGC High Street Plaza, Eco Tower, Bonifacio Technology Center, and Forbeswood Parklane—in Bonifacio Global City into Watsons Greener Stores.

3 mins

Philippines and Thailand...

Grounded in love. She actively pursued a labor agreement with Thailand to protect Filipino migrant workers.

3 mins

An Awesome App for 'Ausome' Kids!

what a tech dad got to do when he finds out that his dear son is on the (autism) spectrum? Develop an awesome app, of course!

4 mins

The Mother of All Loves

That people say \"motherhood\" statements to describe something encompassing and positive is a statement on the epic love of a mother.

3 mins

Picture-perfect Prague

Prague is definitely one of my favorite cities. I thought I had seen everything that had to be seen in this relatively small city since I had been there a couple of times but I was so wrong! There are so many spots I've actually missed and these are spots tourists actually go to!

3 mins

MULTO BEFORE THE WORLD

It has finally happened. There is a Filipino recording, a Filipino song in Tagalog in the list. Multo by Cup of Joe is at No. 100 in the Billboard Global 200. It is in between Numb by Linkin Park and Counting Stars by OneRepublic. Over at Spotify Global, Multo is at No. 56, in between Gata Only by Floyy Menor and Loco by Neton Vega. And it feels really grand.

3 mins

Ahtisa Manalo's mom proud of daughter's MUPH feat

The mother of newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2025 Maria Ahtisa Manalo described how kind and loving her daughter is.

2 mins

Joel Torre Hopes to Star in a Film that Embraces PHL's Many Languages

\"Isolated\" star Joel Torre dreams of a film where characters speak in different Filipino dialects and languages as an authentic reflection of the country's cultural diversity.

3 mins

Read all stories from The Philippine Star

The Philippine Star Newspaper Description:

The Philippine Star is your go-to source for reliable, up-to-date news on politics, business, sports, entertainment, and global affairs. As one of the Philippines' most respected newspapers, it provides in-depth reports, expert opinions, and exclusive interviews, keeping you informed on the nation’s most important developments. Whether it’s breaking news, government policies, financial updates, or lifestyle trends, The Philippine Star ensures you stay ahead with accurate and insightful journalism.

Stay informed—subscribe today!