The Philippine Star - May 07, 2025

In this issue

May 07, 2025

12% digital VAT raises Phl Netflix rates

Filipinos would have to pay as much as P70 more to watch films, series and shows on streaming giant Netflix, following the application of a 12-percent value-added tax (VAT).

1 min

PCG escorts Chinese research vessel out of Phl waters

A Chinese research vessel believed to be engaged in deep sea mapping to support submarine operations was escorted out of the waters of Ilocos Norte on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.

3 mins

BBM Declares May 12 a Holiday for Elections

President Marcos yesterday declared May 12 as a special non-working holiday nationwide.

5 mins

Meralco Rates Seen Lower This Month

Relief may be in sight for Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)'s eight million customers as power rates are likely to drop this month despite the heat.

1 min

Anti-red tape body poises raps vs 131 LGUs

Around 131 local government units (LGUs) across the country will face charges over non-compliance with the Ease of Doing Business law, the Anti-Red Tape Authority said yesterday.

1 min

PCG escorts Chinese research vessel out of Philippine waters

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has set up a \"war room\" with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to monitor and stamp out online misinformation and disinformation in the run-up to the May 12 midterm polls

1 min

Palace Defends Drug Testing for PUV Drivers

Malacañang yesterday defended the mandatory drug testing for drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

1 min

BI chief slams delays in P1.9-B e-gates procurement

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has expressed frustration over the prolonged procurement process for 101 electronic gates (e-gates) for airports worth P1.9 billion.

1 min

NAIA bollards not deep enough? Marcos orders probe

Bollards that weren't buried deep enough contributed to the car crash incident on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

3 mins

Cardinal David asks what people expect from next pope

As he prepares for the task of electing a new pope, Kalookan's Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David takes with him people's suggestions on what they hope their next pope will be.

2 mins

PNP: End of the road for Que killers

It's the end of the road for David Tan Liao as far as the Philippine National Police (PNP) is concerned, as it claims to have the evidence to pin the Chinese down in the kidnapping and killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que and his driver last March.

1 min

Ombudsman to probe officials over Rody arrest

The Office of the Ombudsman has launched an investigation on five top officials of the Marcos administration over allegations of irregularity in the arrest and turnover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

2 mins

Calls aired for class suspensions, election overtime pay, leaves

Students are urging the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to suspend classes from May 10 to 13 to help increase youth voter turnout on May 12, election day.

3 mins

LRT-1 Rehab Cost Doubled to P1.48B

The government has doubled the funding for the rehabilitation of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 to P1.48 billion as it sets out to upgrade some of the LRT-1's busiest stations.

1 min

Court orders turnover of 'embo' facilities to Taguig

A Taguig court has ordered the city government of Makati to stop obstructing Taguig's access to public facilities in the 10 enlisted men's barrios or \"embo\" barangays.

1 min

DHSUD hears urban poor's housing concerns

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development recently held a dialogue with leaders of an urban poor group to address their concerns and hear their proposals on how the DHSUD can improve its in-city housing projects.

1 min

DOTr: 4.3M commuters benefit from free train rides

Nearly 4.3 million passengers availed themselves of free rides on three rail lines in Metro Manila from April 30 to May 3 under President Marcos' \"libreng sakay\" program for Labor Day, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported yesterday.

1 min

NBI Cited in PH Exit from FATF Gray List

President Marcos on Monday recognized the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for its role in helping the country exit the money laundering gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

1 min

Driving dangerously

This is the cost of irresponsible driving:

4 mins

Taking charge with compassion and transparency

CTALK

3 mins

Follow the money

EDITORIAL

1 min

China's salami slicing operations

Four disturbing incidents occurred in the last two years, all of which destroyed critical global infrastructure. In each case, Chinese \"civilian\" maritime vessels were involved. China's salami slicing operations are in full swing.

4 mins

Apples and oranges, or lemons?

COMMONSENSE

4 mins

May your kids grow up to be like the persons you elect

GOTCHA

3 mins

Spain in the dark

World view

3 mins

Hot, humid weather to persist

The easterlies will continue to bring hot and humid weather even as a low-pressure area (LPA) has entered the Philippine area of responsibility, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

1 min

More poll bets issued show-cause orders, disqualified

With only a few more days left before the May 12 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified a gubernatorial aspirant and issued show-cause orders to three other candidates.

1 min

Team formed to probe journalist's slay

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formed a special investigation team to probe the killing of former mayor and veteran journalist Juan \"Johnny\" Dayang, who was shot dead in his residence in Kalibo, Aklan on April 29.

1 min

Study for Relocation of Zambo Airport Underway

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is laying the bedrock for the relocation of the airport in Zamboanga, bidding out a P93-million contract for the project's new master plan.

1 min

Ukraine Targets Moscow With Drones For 2nd Straight Night

Russian air defense units destroyed a swarm of Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow in a second night attack in a row, prompting the closure of all airports in the capital for several hours, officials said early on Tuesday.

1 min

Rihanna reveals 3rd pregnancy on Met Gala night

Rihanna (in photo) loves to make an entrance at the Met Gala, and she certainly did it again on Monday — this time, announcing to the world that she is pregnant with her third child with rapper A$AP Rocky.

1 min

US offers $1,000 to migrants who self-deport

The Trump administration said Monday it will pay for the travel and give $1,000 to undocumented migrants who \"self-deport\" back to their home country.

1 min

Eala faces world No. 27 Kostyuk

Alex Eala faces a tall order against world No. 27 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in Round 1 of the star-studded Italian Open today in Rome.

3 mins

Cojuangco-Jaworski named to key IOC post

Filipina sports official Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski has been appointed the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission new chair for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia.

1 min

Tamayo, Batican Top JPGT Mactan

What began as closely contested matchups turned into decisive victories as Brittany Tamayo and Ralph Batican stamped their class in the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championships.

1 min

Perseverance pays off

Before the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, Jayson David hadn't played in the previous two conferences.

2 mins

Inflation Eases to 1.4% in April

Inflation continued its downtrend in April, easing to its lowest level since 2019, due to the slower uptick in food prices.

2 mins

HARI launches first fleet of Hyundai electric commercial vehicles

Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the Philippine distributor of Hyundai commercial vehicles, officially introduced its first line of electric commercial vehicles (ECVs) at the Hyundai Truck and Bus Mobility Expo 2025 held on May 2 at the Filinvest Tent, Alabang, Muntinlupa.

2 mins

More Rate Cuts Likely After Inflation Slows to 5-Year Low

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to continue its accommodative monetary policy stance after inflation dropped to its lowest level in over five years.

1 min

Slower April Inflation Lifts Stocks

A slower inflation in April boosted investor sentiment, enabling the local stock market to reach its highest level in nearly four months.

1 min

From Masterplan To Metropolis: The Rise Of Villar City

Most emerging cities follow growth, but Villar City writes the blueprint.

1 min

Gross national happiness

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto welcomed Fitch Ratings' recent affirmation of our BBB credit rating with a 'Stable' outlook.

4 mins

Puregold Nets P2.64B

Puregold Price Club Inc., the flagship retail chain of businessman Lucio Co, saw its earnings rise in the first quarter, driven by strong revenue growth and stable gross margins.

1 min

Toyota, JoyRide partner for long-term car rental services

The official car rental service of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) has teamed up with ride-hailing app JoyRide to offer travelers long-term car rental solutions.

1 min

First Gen profit climbs to $82 M in 1st quarter

First Gen Corp. posted higher earnings in the first quarter, as lower expenses helped offset the impact of softer power sales.

1 min

DigiPlus Incorporates Singapore Unit to Accelerate Global Growth

Digital entertainment company DigiPlus Interactive Corp. is poised to advance its global growth with the official incorporation of DigiPlus Global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.

1 min

ALI Posts Double-Digit Profit Growth in Jan-March

Resilient property development bookings and healthy leasing operations buoyed the earnings of property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) to a double-digit growth in the first quarter.

1 min

Aquino Hopeful Successor Will Continue Digital Innovations

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Emilio Aquino is hopeful that his successor will continue the digital initiatives implemented under his term which helped improve the country's business environment.

1 min

PSE Partners With IBP To Promote Investor Rights

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is stepping up its efforts to promote investor rights and uphold the integrity of the capital market as it partners with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

2 mins

Phl industrial policy needs to change

This was the urgent advice of Rafaelita Aldaba, who recently retired from the Department of Trade and Industry as undersecretary for competition and innovation, and who is now a strategic advisor for the Department of Education and an emeritus researcher for the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, or PIDS.

4 mins

S&P Optimistic on Phl Credit Rating Upgrade

S&P Global Ratings is optimistic on the Philippines' credit rating upgrade despite the impacts of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, as the country remains among the least affected in the region.

2 mins

BSP enhances supervision of pawnshops, money service businesses

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is adopting a smarter approach to supervise money service businesses (MSBs) and pawnshops to boost financial integrity and prevent financial crimes.

1 min

Nationwide rice inventory at 4-month high in April

The country's total rice stocks in April rose by a quarter on an annual basis to over 2.3 million metric tons (MT) on the back of higher supplies held by households and the National Food Authority (NFA), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

1 min

Ayala, Metro Pacific Partner for El Nido Greenhouse Project

The Ayala and Metro Pacific groups are teaming up for a greenhouse project in El Nido, Palawan to promote sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly tourism.

1 min

The Isuzu D-MAX EV is now in production, deliveries start Q3 2025

Isuzu has announced that the fully-electric version of the D-MAX is now moving into production in Thailand.

1 min

Toyota RentaCar partners with JoyRide to deliver value-added mobility service to Travelers

Toyota RentaCar, Toyota Motor Philippines' official car rental service, has officially partnered with JoyRide, the leading mobility superapp, to offer travelers convenient long-term car rental solutions.

1 min

New 800-hp Lamborghini Urus SE hybrid marks next chapter of performance

Since its debut, the Lamborghini Urus has redefined the SUV landscape and has accelerated the Raging Bull brand's charge toward record-breaking performance.

2 mins

Valenzuela unveils its pod of BYD Dolphins for police force

Valenzuela is now the first city in the Philippines to have a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) as BYD Cars Philippines turned over 41 units of the BYD Dolphin to the Valenzuela LGU.

1 min

Petron Income Hits P4 Billion in 3 Months

The earnings of oil giant Petron Corp. inched up by 2.5 percent to P4.03 billion in the first quarter from P3.93 billion in the same quarter last year.

1 min

PSE From B6

Monzon compared the PSE's agreement with the IBP to health insurance.

1 min

Inflation

Apart from food, the transport commodity group also contributed to the downtrend in overall inflation, as it registered a faster drop of 2.1 percent in April from a 1.1-percent decline in March.

1 min

MUJI OPENS ITS FIRST FLAGSHIP STORE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Muji, the Japanese brand beloved by minimalists (and many who aren't), launched its first flagship store in the Philippines on April 24 in Glorietta 3, Makati.

3 mins

BOGGI MILANO DEFINES SPREZZATURA

There is something about Italian men and the way they manage to look so stylish yet relaxed, smart yet at ease. \"Effortless\" is the word that I think best describes the way they throw wardrobe pieces, colors and accessories together for an instantly polished look.

4 mins

NOELLE AND GABBIE SOONG'S FASHION MOMENT

Seventeen-year-old twins Noelle and Gabbie Soong's youthful fashion line In the Moment is perfect for the current sizzling summer season.

1 min

TOKYO-BOUND DESIGN WINNERS TELL STORIES

As summer sizzles in Manila, fashionistas of all persuasions eagerly await the annual Bench Fashion Week where both established brands and the next wave of breakthrough designers showcase what's new and what's hot.

4 mins

Next-gen filmmakers take spotlight in 2025 QCShorts program

A fresh wave of young and diverse storytelling talent is set to take the spotlight as the QCinema International Film Festival unveils the official lineup of filmmakers for its 2025 QCShorts program.

4 mins

'UNTOLD' PARTNERS WITH ABS-CBN INT'L AND TFC FOR WORLDWIDE PREMIERE

Actress Jodi Sta. Maria and director Derick Cabrido first worked together in 2018 when they did the horror-drama, \"Clarita,\" based on the alleged possession of a real-life lady back in the 1950s.

2 mins

ISOLATED' TAKES YASSI PRESSMAN OUT OF HER COMFORT ZONE

FOR THE FIRST TIME in her acting career, Yassi Pressman stepped out of her comfort zone for the psychological thriller \"Isolated,\" directed by Benedict Mique.

1 min

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