The Philippine Star - May 12, 2025

In this issue

May 12, 2025

Pope Leo identifies AI as challenge for humanity

Pope Leo XIV laid out the vision of his papacy Saturday, identifying artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity and vowing to continue with some of the core priorities of Pope Francis.

4 mins

Comelec tells PNP: Arrest vote buyers

'Warrantless arrest allowed'

7 mins

BBM tells Pinoys: Vote, uphold democracy

President Marcos called on Filipinos to exercise their right to vote and protect the integrity of the country's democratic process.

2 mins

Marcos, Sara praise mothers' sacrifices

On Mother's Day, President Marcos paid tribute to Filipino mothers, whom he described as \"the quiet strength behind every family.\"

2 mins

Millennials, Gen Z make up 60% of voting population

Nineteen-year-old Alyssa Ibones, a college student enrolled at a university in Quezon City, flew back to her hometown in Cebu last Saturday to vote for the first time in today's midterm elections.

3 mins

Election Day Warm, Humid

Warm and humid weather is expected this election day, but thunderstorms may be expected in the afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said as it advised the public to bring umbrellas and water.

1 min

Marcos

VP: Unmatched love

1 min

Millennials

\"I think it's something I owe to myself and society. The act of voting means choosing to stand up and try to make a change.

2 mins

Blackouts hit Boracay, other PH tourist spots

Amid extreme summer heat, Filipinos have expressed their frustration online over power outages in popular tourist destinations like Boracay and Siargao.

2 mins

4Ps Beneficiary Ranks 2nd in Electrical Engineering Board Exam

A beneficiary of the government's flagship anti-poverty program has brought pride to Marinduque after securing the second-highest spot in the April 2025 Licensure Examination for Registered Electrical Engineers.

1 min

Rody, Nograles Face Off in Davao Mayoralty Race

Over three million Davao City voters will choose today between former president Rodrigo Duterte and lawyer Karlo Nograles to be the next mayor of this southern metropolis.

1 min

Pagasa: Water levels drop in 6 Luzon dams

The water levels of six Luzon dams have dropped amid hot temperatures based on latest monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

1 min

Phl to Pledge More Support for UN Peacekeeping

The Philippines is expected to present substantial pledges to further support global peace operations.

1 min

No work, no pay today - DOLE

Employees from private firms who choose not to report for work today will not be paid, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced.

1 min

San Juanico Bridge shows more structural weaknesses

The 2.16-kilometer-long San Juanico Bridge is now subject to enhanced restrictions following recent assessments indicating structural vulnerabilities, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday.

2 mins

BBM tells

The President urged voters to choose candidates with integrity, compassion and genuine capacity to serve.

1 min

P197-M shabu labeled as dried durian seized

Twenty-nine kilos of shabu valued at P197.2 million were confiscated by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Parañaque City on Saturday.

1 min

NBI: 15 victims of illegal recruitment, trafficking rescued

Authorities have arrested two people for alleged large-scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to the National Bureau of Investigation.

1 min

LTO Eyes Sanctions vs 3 Bus Firms

For allegedly operating substandard terminal facilities in Cubao, Quezon City, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) wants sanctions imposed on three bus companies.

1 min

Probe immigration records of Que kidnap suspects, BI told

Immigration records of three Chinese suspects in the kidnapping and murder of steel magnate Anson Que should be looked into by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said over the weekend.

1 min

Lawmaker Lauds QC Cancer Care

Quezon City 5th District Councilor Alfred Vargas has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming cancer care in the city.

1 min

Voting for the future

Lawyers are required to have a law degree, but not lawmakers. That meme circulated over the weekend as the nation braced for the final frenzy of vote buying, gimmickry and squid tactics related to the elections.

3 mins

Man over God

CTALK

4 mins

Make your vote count

EDITORIAL

1 min

The mothers who inspire us

GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS

4 mins

The devil on my shoulder

QWERTYMAN

4 mins

Long before their ascensions, Francis and Leo were friends

World view

2 mins

4 Killed as Basilan Poll Bets' Supporters Clash

Four people were killed in an alleged encounter between supporters of two election candidates in the municipality of Hadji Mohammad Ajul in this province yesterday morning.

1 min

Leni caps campaign period with rally for Kiko, Bam

Former vice president Leni Robredo capped the last day of the campaign period with a rally for her local slate and senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino on Saturday.

1 min

ASF-affected barangays down, but...

The number of barangays affected by African swine fever (ASF) has been dropping, but retail prices of pork remain high, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry.

1 min

Garcia files complaint vs Martires over suspension

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia has filed a complaint against Ombudsman Samuel Martires for suspending her over a special permit she issued to a quarry operator without the required environmental compliance certificate and other pertinent documents.

1 min

Passenger bus skids off cliff in Sri Lanka; 21 dead

A passenger bus skidded off a cliff in Sri Lanka's tea-growing hill country on Sunday, killing 21 people and injuring at least 14 others, an official said.

1 min

Zelensky expects Russia to commit to ceasefire

Ukraine 'ready' for talks

1 min

Berlin: Situation in Gaza Unbearable; Truce Needed

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul called on Saturday for \"serious discussions for a ceasefire\" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation \"is now unbearable.\"

1 min

Swift slams Lively-Baldoni court summons

Taylor Swift's representatives have told the BBC she is being brought into a legal row between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively to create \"tabloid clickbait,\" according to a report in BBC on Sunday.

1 min

India, Pakistan trade accusations of ceasefire violations

India and Pakistan traded accusations of ceasefire violations early Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the nuclear-armed neighbors had stepped back from the brink of full-blown war.

1 min

Trump Family's Middle East Business Booms

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's Gulf visit next week, his son Eric was promoting his crypto firm in Dubai, while Don Jr. prepared to talk about \"Monetizing MAGA\" in Doha.

1 min

Tourists boost sales at Japan's Don Quijote stores

Business is booming at Japanese discount chain Don Quijote, which sells everything from nostril-hair wax to compact gadgets and colorful party costumes, thanks to its cult status among tourists, but also inflation at home.

1 min

Five silvers for Phl lifters

The Philippines continued to miss out on striking gold and have settled for four silver medals for now in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jiangshan, China.

1 min

Mighty rebound for Beermen

San Miguel Beer imposed its will and clobbered Phoenix, 111-92, for a quick pull-around in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

1 min

Wolves seize control; Celtics strike back

Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and rallied the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 102-97 victory over Golden State on Saturday to seize the lead in their NBA playoff series.

1 min

Sabalenka rallies to Last 16

Aryna Sabalenka reached the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday after battling back from a set down to beat Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

1 min

Nanay Ginebra

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan - Just a stone's throw away from the famous Barasoain Church, and literally down the street from the provincial governor's home, lives a simple, humble old lady who is the Mother Of All Robert Jaworski fans: Nanay Maria Elena Lucasan Fernandez.

2 mins

NU BELLES ON CUSP OF TITLE REPEAT

A new volleyball dynasty is on the horizon. Reigning champion National U walloped modern-day rival La Salle, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, to move on the cusp of yet another title in an emerging queendom in the UAAP women's volleyball.

2 mins

Homegrown talents out to defend turf

After a dominant showing by Mindanao-based players in the Mactan kickoff, the spotlight shifts to the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club as Visayan hopefuls, led by Bacolod's rising stars, gear up to defend home turf in the second leg of the ICTSI Junior PGT Visayas-Mindanao Series on May 14-16.

1 min

3rd generation Ty takes driver's seat at Toyota Motor PhI's marketing unit

Andrew Ryan \"Andy\" Ty, grandson of the late banking and automotive tycoon George Ty, has taken the driver's seat at Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP)'s Marketing Services Department as its assistant vice president — and he's loving it.

2 mins

Despite fresh headwinds, PSE sees more IPOs this year

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) remains optimistic that the country's initial public offering landscape will surpass last year's performance despite a fresh wave of headwinds that could make market conditions unattractive for some IPO aspirants.

2 mins

Gov't debt payments slashed by 65% in Q1

The Marcos administration slashed its debt payment by 65 percent to P342 billion in the first quarter, largely on lower settlement of the loan principal borrowed by the government.

1 min

Analysts Trim GDP Outlook After Poor Q1

BSP rate cuts seen supporting growth

2 mins

Stocks set sights on 6,500 level

The local stock market has now set its sights on the 6,500 level as its next target, making it vulnerable to potential profit taking this week.

1 min

3rd generation From B1

Andy definitely knows his stuff. He's personable and energetic. As one Road Trek participant puts it, \"Andy is like an EV that's always fully charged.\"

1 min

RLC's REIT eyes more mall, office asset infusions

Gokongwei-led RL Commercial REIT Inc. (RCR) is looking at adding more mall and office assets of its sponsor Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) to bolster its portfolio in the near term, as the infusion of hotels is expected to still take a while.

1 min

SEC Lauded for Role in Phl's Gray List Exit

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been recognized by the Office of the President for its role in the successful exit of the Philippines from the gray list of global financial crimes watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

2 mins

DOTr: Regional airports to be privatized in bundles

The government will start turning over regional airports in bundles to the private sector by 2026, with the P12.9-billion expansion of Davao's gateway the first to undergo the process.

2 mins

Globe Banks on GCash for Profit Hike in Q1

Network giant Globe Telecom Inc. relied on its non-telco ventures, particularly GCash, to grow its profit in the first quarter of the year, as the company suffered revenue declines across its core services.

1 min

Meralco unit scaling up LNG operations in S'pore

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), a key force behind the multibillion-dollar power venture in Batangas, is \"steadily\" scaling up its liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations in Singapore.

1 min

Vote wisely

Today is election day for us Filipinos as we choose our new or reelect our local government officials, our representatives in the House and half or 12 senators in the Senate.

4 mins

We need a miracle!

We are voting today for 12 senators, 254 congressmen, 63 party list representatives and thousands of LGU officials.

4 mins

Maya rolls out credit program for market vendors, PUV drivers

Digital bank Maya has rolled out a new credit program for market vendors and public transport drivers under the Paleng-Kita initiative, linking their QR payment activity to collateral-free loans.

1 min

Retailers Push for De Minimis Removal, Gradual Reforms

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), which is pushing for the removal of the de minimis rule on low value goods, is proposing gradual reforms including lowering the threshold or limiting its usage to ensure the government is prepared for policy changes.

2 mins

Business Snippets From B4

But even in one desperate, last-minute appeal, I hope that parents and employers who will bring their household members to the polling booths today will advise their children and household staff to prioritize candidates whose views support education and employment instead of those who offer assurances of ayuda and dole-outs in one form or another, enticing voters to remain dependent on assistance.

1 min

Despite

From B4

1 min

DA to import gilts for swine repopulation

The government is spending over P460 million to import nearly 3,000 gilts as part of its efforts to repopulate the domestic pig population decimated by African swine fever and boost pork supply.

2 mins

Holistic employee programs vital to business growth

BEYOND SALARIES:

1 min

Winwyn Marquez ends pageant journey with MUPH

Fresh from her stint at the Miss Universe Philippines (2025) pageant, where she placed first runner-up, Winwyn Marquez spent quality time with her family on Mother's Day.

2 mins

'ONLY WE KNOW' DIRECTOR ON CHARO SANTOS AND DINGDONG DANTES' 'SURPRISING' CHEMISTRY

CHARO SANTOS AND DINGDONG DANTES ARE PAIRED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN \"ONLY WE KNOW,\" A FILM ALREADY GENERATING ONLINE BUZZ FOR THE ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY THAT SURPRISED EVEN ITS DIRECTOR, IRENE VILLAMOR.

3 mins

Tips on how to make our votes count

Today is May 12th, the day of the Philippine midterm elections, so please make sure to go out and exercise your right to suffrage. Your vote matters!

3 mins

FERAL FREQUENCIES

If you have been to the mountains of Rodriguez, Rizal, you may have seen signs warning of occasional \"blasts\" from the many quarry sites throughout the municipality.

3 mins

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