The Philippine Star - May 13, 2025

In this issue

May 13, 2025

Comelec receives 689 reports of vote buying

As of election day, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received nearly 700 reports of vote buying and abuse of state resources.

1 min

At least 10 dead, 15 injured in election day violence

At least 10 people were killed and 15 were injured yesterday as violence erupted in parts of the country during the midterm elections.

2 mins

Pink power? Bam, Kiko in Top 5 of Senate race

As partial, unofficial results were tallied last night, the surprise was the strong showing of former senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan.

1 min

BBM not spared from vote machine glitch

Even President Marcos was not spared the inconvenience — or frustration — that many Filipino voters probably experienced after a minor technical glitch prevented the automated counting machine (ACM) from taking in the ballot he fed into it.

4 mins

Comelec pulls out 311 vote machines

Despite supposed improvements in the automated election system, the same perennial complaints hounded yesterday's polls, as technical glitches, operational inefficiencies and questionable practices marred the voting experience for many Filipinos.

5 mins

Duterte's Headed for Landslide Victories in Davao

Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte is leading by a wide margin in the mayoralty race in Davao City, per the partial and unofficial results.

1 min

At least From Page 1

In Bayang town in Lanao del Sur, unidentified assailants gunned down Afganie Balt Taha, who was running for councilor in the municipality, as well as his brother Walid, chairman of Barangay Sumbag, also in Bayang.

2 mins

Napolcom to resolve cases ASAP vs erring cops

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has committed to resolve administrative cases against erring police officers within 60 days from the filing of complaints, in response to the directive of President Marcos and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to intensify efforts at cleansing the Philippine National Police.

1 min

28 Areas With 'Danger' Heat Index on Election Day

Some 28 areas in the country were expected to experience the \"danger\" heat index, from 42 degrees to 45 degrees Celsius, as warm and humid weather prevailed during the midterm elections yesterday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

3 mins

Fuel price cuts greet motorists today

Oil companies are set to roll back fuel prices today, bringing relief to motorists for the second straight week.

1 min

Senior Dies of Heart Attack After Casting Vote

An elderly man died of a heart attack after casting his vote in Oas, Albay yesterday morning.

1 min

Outstanding Workers Recognized at RCM's 2025 TOWER Awards

The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM), together with the Department of Labor and Employment and the People Management Association of the Philippines, honored exceptional Filipino workers for their contributions to productivity and innovation at the 2025 TOWER (The Outstanding Workers of the Republic) Awards held last May 1.

1 min

Mixed reviews for Meta takedown of fake news

While the Department of Information and Communications Technology conceded some improvement in the response time of Meta to take down election-related fake news and disinformation posted on Facebook, the DICT's Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) said it remains dissatisfied with the \"context-based\" review process that delayed action on false information.

2 mins

Task force tackles media harrassment during polls

President Marcos' media security task force yesterday expressed \"serious concern\" over the reported incidents of harassment that targeted journalists during the midterm polls and vowed to pursue charges against those who put the lives of members of media at risk.

2 mins

900 Bilibid inmates cast votes

Up to 900 inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa exercised their right to vote yesterday.

1 min

DA: P20/kilo rice in Metro starts today

As the 10-day ayuda ban distribution ended after the midterm elections, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will roll out rice for P20 per kilo in Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila today.

1 min

DepEd Unveils Poll Command Center in Makati

The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched its election command center at TechZone in Makati to provide round-the-clock assistance to teachers and school personnel serving in the midterm polls.

1 min

Belmonte Headed for Landslide Win

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto are poised to win their third and final term as official canvassing of votes began last night.

2 mins

Man Nabbed in Marikina for Fake News vs Teodoro

Police arrested a man who was caught distributing fraudulent tabloids with banner stories that suspended Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro had been disqualified by the Commission on Elections.

1 min

High stakes

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

Defused

India and Pakistan have been warring for decades over competing claims over the Kashmir.

3 mins

No Empty Threat

EDITORIAL

2 mins

The greatest Leo, AI and wars

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

Zelensky says he will meet Putin for talks

World views

1 min

Increased seismic activity logged in Kanlaon

State seismologists have noted an increase in the seismic activity of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, recording 72 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.

1 min

10 Nabbed for Hazing in Cavite

Ten people were arrested after they allegedly beat up two minors in a fraternity hazing in Noveleta, Cavite yesterday.

1 min

Stable Power Supply Recorded During Elections

Power supply was stable and reliable during the conduct of the midterm elections yesterday, according to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

1 min

Political Families Cast Votes Early

Members of known political families were among those who trooped early to polling centers to cast their ballots as soon as voting opened yesterday.

2 mins

LTO suspends driver in Baguio road crash

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for 90 days the driver of a minibus that figured in a road accident in Baguio City on Saturday.

1 min

Taiwan Holds First Live-Fire of US Rocket Systems

Taiwan conducted yesterday its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack.

1 min

Trump Ready to Accept Luxury Jet from Qatar

US President Donald Trump is ready to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar during his trip to the Middle East this coming week, and US officials say it could be converted into a potential presidential aircraft.

1 min

Heard Reveals Names of Babies in Mother's Day Post

Amber Heard (in photo) is now a mother of three. The actress on Sunday wrote on Instagram that she has welcomed twins into the family, a son named Ocean and a daughter named Agnes.

1 min

US, China Agree to Tariff Pause for 90 Days

GENEVA (AP) — The United States and Chinese officials said on Monday they had reached a deal to roll back most of their recent tariffs and call a 90-day truce in their trade war for more talks on resolving their trade disputes.

1 min

Pope Calls for Peace in Ukraine, Gaza on Mother's Day

Pope Leo XIV (in photo) called for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff that featured some symbolic gestures suggesting a message of unity in a polarized Catholic Church.

1 min

Hamas to release US-Israeli hostage

Israel says no ceasefire

1 min

Alinsug poised to take over NU queendom

The Lady Bulldogs may have found a capable and qualified homegrown talent to take over the NU queendom from Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon: Vange Alinsug.

1 min

Ando pockets 3 silvers in China

Two-time Olympian Elreen Ando showed why she's the country's best hope for another Olympic medal in weightlifting after she scooped up three silvers in the Asian Weightlifting Championships last Sunday in Zhejiang, China.

1 min

Frayna stays in hunt for World Cup berth

Desperately needing a victory to storm back into contention, Filipina GM Janelle Mae Frayna delivered one as she smashed Mongolian Enkh-Amgalan Enkhrii Sunday in the women's side of the Asian Individual Chess Championships in Al Ain, UAE.

1 min

Alcaraz, Zverev Lead Last 16 Cast

Carlos Alcaraz joined reigning Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev in the Last 16 in Rome after seeing off Laslo Djere, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, on center court on Sunday.

1 min

SEASON ON THE BRINK

The Indiana Pacers thrashed the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 to take a 3-1 stranglehold on their NBA playoff series on Sunday as Oklahoma City edged Denver to level their series at two games apiece.

1 min

Injustice in San Diego

WBO superfeatherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete did an acting job in making it appear a slight head clash with Charly Suarez in the sixth round of their title fight in San Diego last Saturday was severe.

2 mins

Bolts brace for Champions League Asia

While in the middle of its PBA Philippine Cup title-retention drive, Meralco is plotting its buildup for next month's Basketball Champions League Asia.

1 min

Corruption hinders efforts vs illicit trade

The country's poor performance in addressing corruption is hindering its ability to combat illicit trade despite ongoing tax efforts.

2 mins

Gov't seeks another Japan loan for MRT-3

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has requested for another loan tranche from Japan to extend the maintenance contract of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) for at least 30 months.

2 mins

FDI inflow declines sharply in February

Foreign direct investments (FDI) in the Philippines declined sharply in February as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) registered net inflows of $529 million, the lowest in two months or since the $110 million posted in December.

1 min

SEC to Launch 3 Sandbox Participants

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking at potentially three sandbox participants launching their products and services in the local market soon.

2 mins

RR 8-2025: Stricter Framework for Requests for Reconsideration of Denied Refund Claims

On Feb. 27, 2025, the Bureau of Internal Revenue issued Revenue Regulations (RR) 8-2025, to streamline the procedure for handling requests for reconsideration of fully or partially denied claims for refund of creditable input taxes under Section 112(A) and (B) of the Tax Code; and excise tax paid on petroleum products under Section 135-A of the Tax Code.

3 mins

US, China Reach 'Important Consensus' in Trade Talks

Deal or no deal? That's what financial markets and businesses are waiting to learn.

2 mins

PSE targets 97% stake to complete PDS takeover

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is putting the finishing touches on its takeover of the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDS), with a few more acquisitions on the table that will boost its stake to as high as 97 percent.

2 mins

Gov't From B1

Investments Corp. (MPIC) may refile a previous offer to manage MRT-3 and integrate it with the Light Rail Transit Line 1.

1 min

RLC Opens First Ultra-Luxury Pinoy-Branded Hotel

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the real estate development arm of the Gokongwei Group, has launched the first ultra-luxury Filipino-branded hotel in the country.

1 min

The 'Invisible Gorilla' Explains Man's Frailty

The secret behind this is what Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics Daniel Kahneman (1934-2024) says in his 2011 book Thinking, Fast and Slow.

4 mins

Red onion stocks seen to last until 2026

The country's red onion stocks are projected to last until early next year as total supplies are estimated to reach over 150,000 metric tons (MT) by the end of the month, latest government estimates showed.

1 min

MavX Plan More 'Love Notes' Projects

Joe D' Mango, the beloved radio DJ and relationship guru who now serves as a missionary pastor in Australia, is set to collaborate with MavX Productions for more \"Love Notes\" projects, following the recently released romantic drama, \"The Last Goodbye.\"

3 mins

Rediscovering 98 Degrees

Although the members were more into vocal harmonies than dance moves, 98 Degrees is considered one of the most successful entries into the boy band phenomenon of the late '90s era.

3 mins

Alma Moreno returns to acting via TV5's 'Para sa Isa't Isa'

Alma Moreno shared the advice she has been giving her sons, Vandolph Quizon and Yeoj Marquez, who are also into politics.

1 min

Easy Jazz Listening in New Music

Good music comes from different directions around the world with beat and lyrics that hold a listener's attention.

2 mins

The Lion of the Vatican

This lion emerged in the spring.

4 mins

Picture-perfect Prague

As I mentioned in the previous column, there were several new things I did and revisited old haunts in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City of Prague in the Czech Republic.

2 mins

Perpetual Help Medical Center - Las Piñas Wins at Healthcare Asia Awards 2025

Perpetual Help Medical Center - Las Piñas won the Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Philippines category in the prestigious Healthcare Asia Awards 2025 for its CARE Program, which has provided a holistic approach to psychosocial support for hospital employees and patients.

1 min

Here's what you can do to keep your BP down

Isn't it ironic how the modern conveniences that make our lives so much fun and easier — cars, smartphones, the Internet— are the very things that can have a negative impact on our health?

3 mins

Heart Attack vs. Stroke: What's the Difference?

Two and a half weeks ago, AD experienced a stressful situation that caused him to lose sleep for two consecutive nights.

5 mins

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