The Philippine Star - May 16, 2025

The Philippine Star - May 16, 2025

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In this issue
May 16, 2025
BINI, other Phl achievers make Forbes '30 Under 30' list
Popular girl group BINI and six other Filipinos have landed in this year's 30 Under 30 Asia by Forbes, a list composed of 300 outstanding young entrepreneurs and innovators all under the age of 30 from across the Asia-Pacific region.
2 mins
Carpio Sees 'Dissonance' in Survey Results
Retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio pointed out a \"dissonance\" among Filipinos who still support former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is known to be \"very close\" to China, despite wanting to defend the Philippines' sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

1 min
CA nullifies De Lima acquittal
The Court of Appeals (CA) has declared null and void the acquittal of former senator Leila de Lima in one of the three dismissed drug charges against her, ruling that the Muntinlupa trial court judge in the case failed to substantiate the basis for the acquittal.

3 mins
Kiko on win: We're tired of losing
Hit by successive electoral defeats, Francis \"Kiko\" Pangilinan felt the 2025 midterm election was his final shot at reentering public service.
2 mins
Court Orders Arrest of Roque for Trafficking
A trial court in Angeles City, Pampanga has ordered the arrest of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Cassandra Ong, among others, on charges of qualified trafficking over their alleged involvement in the operations of an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in the province.
2 mins
Comelec to proclaim 'Magic 12' senators tomorrow
Three days after the May 12 midterm elections, the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) has completed the tally of election results and is set to proclaim the 12 winning senators by Saturday afternoon.
2 mins
81.65% voter turnout highest for midterm polls
Over 55 million voters trooped to polling precincts to cast their votes last Monday, the highest ever recorded in the country for a midterm electoral exercise, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
2 mins
'Disqualify candidates leaving cluttered posters'
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is amenable to the suggestion of disqualifying candidates who leave behind their junk, particularly campaign materials, once election season wraps up.
1 min
Phl, Germany ink defense cooperation agreement
Following the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany last year, the two nations signed on Wednesday a new defense agreement boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.
3 mins
Tiangco blames Sara impeachment for dismal Alyansa poll numbers
The campaign manager of the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas yesterday blamed the initiators of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte for the poor showing of the alliance's senatorial candidates in Mindanao.
3 mins
Kiko
Fighting the trolls
2 mins
Compensation expanded for victims of unjust imprisonment
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has expanded the coverage of compensation for victims of unjust imprisonment, detention and heinous crimes, to include victims of involuntary disappearance and their immediate families.
2 mins
Access to higher education up 47%
Access to higher education has increased to 47 percent from 32 percent as the government promotes the \"equity dimension,\" the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Wednesday.
1 min
Winning party-list groups proclaimed May 19
Party-list groups that won the midterm polls will be proclaimed on May 19, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
1 min
DA to sell P20/kilo rice in 50 Kadiwa sites
The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to roll out its P20 per kilo rice program to at least 50 Kadiwa sites by June to reach more Filipinos, especially those living in poverty.
1 min
DBM releases P63.7 B in midyear bonus of state workers
The government started releasing a total of P63.7 billion in midyear bonuses for state workers yesterday, the Department of Budget and Management said.
1 min
2 Dead, 5 Hurt in Caloocan Fire
Two people, including a 52-year-old man with disability, died in a fire that broke out at a residential area in Barangay 81, Caloocan City on Wednesday.
1 min
P543-M Vape Products Seized
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has confiscated 81,000 illegal vape products with tax liabilities amounting to P543.74 million.
1 min
DMW: 200 OFWs Returning From Saudi
Up to 200 \"runaway\" overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will soon be repatriated from Saudi Arabia, the Department of Migrant Workers said yesterday.
1 min
Lame duck?
SKETCHES

4 mins
A narrow but real window for US-Iran diplomacy
POLITICAL FUTURES

4 mins
Clean up your own mess
EDITORIAL
1 min
Fast flimsy alibis for Comelec flops
GOTCHA

4 mins
Random manual recount of votes
COMMONSENSE

4 mins
Real opposition vs unity
ROSES & THORNS

2 mins
5,101 HIV Cases Logged This Year
As the country prepares to mark International AIDS Memorial Day on Sunday, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported that over 5,000 cases of HIV or human immunodeficiency virus have been recorded during the first three months of the year.
1 min
Lightning Kills 2 Cops
Two police officers died after they were struck by lightning in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday night.
1 min
Arrest of poll bet's aide defended
The arrest of a driver of an election candidate in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan for alleged vote buying is legal, according to the Philippine National Police.
1 min
Ex-PNP chaplain elected mayor in Southern Leyte
A former head of the chaplain services of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been elected mayor of Francisco town in Southern Leyte.
1 min
P686.6-M shabu came from Chinese syndicate
The 101 kilos of shabu seized in Angeles City, Pampanga on Wednesday may have originated from the Chinese-run Golden Triangle syndicate, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
1 min
Cassie Testifies Sean 'Diddy' Combs Raped Her
The R&B singer Cassie Ventura (in photo) testified Wednesday that Sean \"Diddy\" Combs raped her when she ended their relationship, after he locked her in a life of physical abuse by threatening to release degrading sexual videos of her.
1 min
Israel strikes kill scores in Gaza, medics say
Israeli military strikes killed at least 60 people in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Palestinian medics said, as the United States and Arab mediators pushed for a ceasefire deal and US President Donald Trump visited the Middle East.
1 min
Trump Visits Main US Military Base in Middle East
US President Donald Trump on Thursday visited a US base installation at the center of American involvement in the Middle East as he uses his four-day visit to Gulf states to reject the \"interventionism\" of America's past in the region.
1 min
SoKor fines China's Temu for user data violations
South Korea has fined Chinese e-commerce giant Temu nearly $1 million for illegally transferring Korean users' personal information to China and other countries, a data protection watchdog said on Thursday.
1 min
Mexican influencer shot dead during live stream
A Mexican social media influencer was shot dead during a live stream on TikTok, where she had tens of thousands of followers, authorities said on Wednesday.
1 min
Putin Snubs Istanbul Talks on Ukraine Peace
ISTANBUL (Reuters)—Russian President Vladimir Putin sent aides and deputy ministers to hold peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday, spurning Kyiv's challenge to go there in person to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
1 min
Larga Pilipinas returns, heavy in climbing stages
A total of 10 professional teams and over 10,000 cyclists see action in various categories as Larga Pilipinas returns with a short but sweet six-stage race starting in Cabanatuan on Aug. 2 and ending in Baguio City on Aug. 7.
1 min
NEXT QUEEN DOGS TO RISE
Two National U royalties are leaving their queendom with a great history made and legacy achieved.
2 mins
PBA Probing H'shots-Bolts Altercation
Possible sanctions loom as the PBA investigates the commotion that marred Wednesday's Philippine Cup duel between Magnolia and Meralco.
1 min
Larga Pilipinas returns, heavy in climbing stages
Their participation – Go for Gold, Excellent Noodles, Standard Insurance-Navy, D-Reyna Orion Cement, and reigning Tour of Luzon team champion Metro Pacific Tollways Drivehub.
1 min
Spotlight on McIlroy, Scheffler, Schauffele
Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Xander Schauffele — the world's highest-ranked golfers — tee off together Thursday morning in a showcase group certain to seize the spotlight at the PGA Championship.
1 min
T'wolves oust Warriors, Celtics stay alive
The Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Golden State Warriors to advance to the NBA Western Conference finals on Wednesday as the Boston Celtics kept their playoff campaign alive with a blowout victory over the New York Knicks.

1 min
Italian Pair Outlasts Eala, Gauff
Alex Eala and Coco Gauff fumbled a huge lead in the first set and ultimately bowed to reigning champion Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy, 5-7, 6-3, 7-10, in the doubles quarterfinals of the 2025 Italian Open yesterday in Rome.
1 min
Cebu Juniors Netfest Up
Keen competition across various age-group divisions is expected as the Varca Cebu City National Juniors Tennis Championships gets under way tomorrow at the Villa Aurora Tennis Courts.
1 min
Reaching beyond limits
Sporting Chance
2 mins
Remittances rise to $3.1 Billion in March
Personal remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rose by 2.6 percent to $3.13 billion in March from $3.05 billion in the same month last year amid sustained demand for Filipino labor abroad.
2 mins
Foreign Investment Pledges Drop 82%
Investors Cautious Amid Global Trade Headwinds
1 min
Lack of fresh catalysts drags down index
Share prices retreated yesterday on the lack of fresh catalysts and mixed corporate earnings results.
1 min
New World Bank Country Partnership Framework for Philippines Out Next Week
The World Bank is set to approve next week the new country partnership framework (CPF) covering programs it will support in the Philippines in the next six years.
1 min
Inflation seen staying within target
Inflation expectations remain anchored within the two to four percent target over the medium-term, giving the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) more room to gradually unwind its tight monetary stance as growth headwinds loom.
1 min
Foreign
From B1
1 min
Strong sales buoy Axelum's Q1 profit
Earnings of Axelum Resources Corp. rose by 29 percent to P138 million in the first quarter as sales for the period surged due to higher volume and average selling prices across core product segment.
1 min
PCC Approves P2.31-B Sale of ECPay to GCash Parent
E-wallet leader GCash is set to become stronger by capacity and reach after its operator received approval to buy out payment platform Electronic Commerce Payments Inc. (ECPay).
1 min
Robinsons bullish on mall expansion
BANKING ON UNIQUE TENANT MIX

2 mins
Answered prayer
I wrote that we needed a miracle. I didn't sound too hopeful that a miracle would happen. But it did.

4 mins
PLDT non-telco units driving growth
Telco leader PLDT Inc. is seeing more growth from its non-telco units, particularly from digital bank Maya Group, at a time when demand for connectivity products is approaching saturation.
1 min
Remittances From B1
Based on BSP data, cash remittances coursed through banks rose by 2.6 percent to $2.81 billion in March from $2.74 billion a year earlier.
1 min
Converge eyes new unit to raise asset utilization
Broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. may spin off its fiber backbone by as early as this year to maximize the nine million ports it had built across the Philippines.
1 min
Remittances
The Supreme Court's decision to nullify the mining ban in Occidental Mindoro creates a \"more secure\" investment climate for the industry, removing uncertainty caused by local bans, a nickel industry group said.
1 min
SMC Is Now RSA's Brand
In a span of about 25 years, Ramon S. Ang, or RSA, has truly reshaped San Miguel Corp. as his brand.

3 mins
Making Healthcare More Accessible, Affordable, and Inclusive
Watsons' Great Health Fest 2025 features over 40 trusted health and beauty brands offering up to 80-percent discount and freebies on health and wellness essentials.

3 mins
Peder Elias goes where the music takes him
The Norwegian singer-songwriter chats with Young STAR about his new single 'Call My Name,' music as a shared experience, and feeling 'kilig.'

3 mins
Where To, Young Writer?
'As long as there's an educational crisis and a government that is inhumane to the merits of the humanities, there will be little to no true opportunity for writing that is freeing.'

5 mins
Couture Brands for the Home
With the number of exhibits and events hosted by fashion houses during Milan Design Week, which coincides with Salone del Mobile, it could very well have been Fashion Week.

2 mins
Bam Aquino on his resounding win: 'Totally unexpected but we will take it!'
This was the reaction of newly elected Sen. Bam Aquino when I congratulated him over the phone Tuesday, when 97 percent of election returns were already in.

4 mins
MATTEO GUIDICELLI TAKES ON MISSION TO TELL STORIES OF THE 'PHILIPPINE DEFENDERS'
MATTEO GUIDICELLI IS HOSTING \"PHILIPPINE DEFENDERS,\" a new GMA Public Affairs documentary that puts Filipino soldiers' stories front and center. For the host/actor, it's more than just another TV assignment — it's a chance to honor their heroic work and sacrifices he's seen firsthand since becoming a reservist with the current rank of second lieutenant.

5 mins
How Did Showbiz Folks Fare in the Midterm Elections?
Several celebrity candidates in the 2025 midterm elections experienced mixed outcomes, with a few emerging victorious, while many others fell short in their bids for government positions across various cities and provinces.
4 mins
Vista Land Unveils Cascaia by Vista Estates: A Spanish-Inspired Master Planned Development in San Fernando City, Pampanga
In a shining celebration of vision, vitality, culture, and community, Vista Land officially unveiled Cascaia by Vista Estates, its newest Spanish-inspired master planned development in the heart of San Fernando City, Pampanga.

2 mins
Vista Land Unveils...
Communal areas, creating a lifestyle that blends modern comforts with a classic European charm.
1 min
San Fernando, Pampanga: Culture, convenience, and charm
While San Fernando, Pampanga is globally recognized for its famous Giant Lantern Festival, it's also an increasingly attractive location for homebuyers who want to enjoy its rich culture and modern conveniences, creating a lifestyle that's both fulfilling and fascinating.
2 mins
Alabang: Enjoying city comfort in the South
For those who want a break from the fast-paced lifestyle brought about by city living in Metro Manila's central hubs but still prefer to enjoy urban conveniences, look no further than Alabang.
3 mins
Discover Spaces of Distinction: Two Botanika Topping Off Soon
Imagine beginning your mornings not in the rush of traffic or noise, but in an exclusive vertical village designed for calm, clarity, and connection.
3 mins
Home sweet home: How to safeguard women buyers
Women are a major force in the Philippine housing market, making important decisions and contributing more financially than ever before.

3 mins
FIABCI-PHIL DEFINES EXCELLENCE IN TODAY'S GLOBAL ECONOMIC SENSE
As we live in a world where almost everything can be done in an instant, it's so easy for quality to be overshadowed by the preference for accomplishing things faster. However, for the real estate sector, excellence grounded on integrity remains paramount.
2 mins
Hausland Development Corporation Wins Gold at FIABCI-Philippines Awards for The Hauslands Bataan
Residential Affordable | The Hauslands Bataan Outstanding Developer Gold Winner - South Western Luzon
2 mins
More than a trophy: Why property awards matter
In the glitzy world of real estate, the awards season often draws glances of admiration—and sometimes, a bit of skepticism. But beyond the red carpets, trophies, and speeches lies a deeper truth: property awards are powerful markers of excellence, responsibility, and forward-thinking.
3 mins
John Hay Hotels Shares Value for Employee Welfare
In a landmark move to support its loyal and long-serving employees, John Hay Hotels in Baguio—formerly known as The Manor and The Forest Lodge—has begun implementing a 5% service charge for the first time in its history, effective March 1, 2025.
1 min
CRASHING CARS: HOW MANUFACTURERS ARE MAKING CARS SAFER
Witnessing 2 live crash tests of the flagship Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV

4 mins
2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+: Audi Q6 e-tron with self-driving, voice command features
Array of intelligent safety and driver-assist systems key to earning US organization's highest rating

2 mins
Isuzu PH breaks ground for landmark 50th dealership
Isuzu Mandaluyong to open along Shaw Blvd.

1 min
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines joins SILAKBO Fun Run 2025 in support of environmental advocacy
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) participated in the SILAKBO (Sikad-Lakad-Takbo) Fun Run 2025, held at South Evozone, Nuvali in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

1 min
Prancing at 40 km/h in the Ferrari 12Cilindri
There's something surreal about driving a V12-powered Ferrari at no more than 40 kilometers per hour.

3 mins
The Philippine Star Newspaper Description:
Publisher: Philstar Daily Inc.
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
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.
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