The Philippine Star - May 19, 2025

In this issue

May 19, 2025

Pope Leo Warns vs Exploitation at Inaugural Mass

Pope Leo XIV set the tone for his papacy Sunday with a call to stop exploiting nature and marginalizing the poor, before an audience including JD Vance and tens of thousands of pilgrims.

1 min

100 Lawmakers Who Signed Sara Impeachment Reelected

Most of the lawmakers who voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte were reelected in the midterm polls, debunking a scenario raised by some quarters that she would find vindication in the elections.

1 min

ICC Deputy Prosecutor May Handle Duterte Case

With International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan taking a temporary leave, one of his deputies is expected to take the lead in the ongoing proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

3 mins

Winning party-lists proclaimed today

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to proclaim today the winning party-list organizations in the midterm polls.

1 min

Grade 13 set? It's fake news, says DepEd

A viral social media post purportedly announcing the addition of Grade 13 to Senior High School in the coming school year is fake news, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.

1 min

Marcos: Alyansa bets could have done better

Despite Malacañang's declaration that President Marcos was satisfied with the results of the midterm polls, the Chief Executive on Saturday admitted that the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas could have done better

3 mins

Alleged brains in Que kidnap-slay nabbed in Boracay

Two more suspects in the kidnapping and murder of Filipino-Chinese steel magnate Anson Que and his driver were arrested at a high-end Boracay resort in Malay, Aklan on Saturday.

1 min

Grade 13

DepEd said on Facebook. \"DepEd once again reminds the public to be cautious and analytical against misinformation,\" it said.

1 min

Mongolian foreign minister to visit Phl

The foreign minister of Mongolia arrives in Manila today for a two-day official visit, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

1 min

Permanent POGO ban eyed

With just two weeks left before the 19th Congress adjourns, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for the passage of a bill seeking to permanently ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country — a measure that he says already enjoys strong support in the Senate.

1 min

ICC

Khan not stepping down

3 mins

100

Even in Mindanao, considered the bailiwick of the Dutertes and where critics predicted a backlash, 36 of the 44 pro-impeachment lawmakers are set to return to Congress on July 1—representing an 81.81 percent win rate.

1 min

DOT Proposes ASEAN Visa to Boost Tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has formally submitted a proposal for the establishment of a single-entry visa covering all member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), aiming to simplify cross-border travel and strengthen regional tourism.

1 min

DA to NFA: Ensure quality of P20/K rice

‘P20/K rice promise fulfilled’

2 mins

The Birthright Citizenship Case Could Split the Country in Two

World view

3 mins

The Independent Republics

EDITORIAL

2 mins

A shift in the tide

QWERTYMAN

4 mins

A Call To Action For Our New Leaders To Champion The Filipino Entrepreneur

GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS

4 mins

Trump Takes Aim at Critics Back Home

After spending much of the week touring the Middle East in the company of Persian Gulf leaders not known for tolerating dissent, President Donald Trump was reminded Friday that in his own country, people are free to say whatever they would like about their president.

2 mins

LTO Suspends License of Cop in Road Rage

During an altercation with a motorist on May 12, amid traffic jams, the policeman confronted a motorcycle taxi rider and kept tugging at his helmet.

1 min

Mandaluyong bettor wins P331-M lotto pot

A bettor in Mandaluyong City won the jackpot in the Grand Lotto 6/55 amounting to P331.3 million on Saturday.

1 min

QC to Distribute 420,000 School Kits

The Quezon City government will begin next month the distribution of over 420,000 learning kits to kindergarten to Grade 12 students enrolled in public schools in the city.

1 min

CSC Sets Career Service Exam on Aug. 10

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has opened the application for this year's second Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) to be held on Aug. 10.

1 min

CIDG Nabs 85 Fugitives

Eighty-five wanted people were apprehended by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last week.

1 min

San Juan Gets New Trucks, Vans

Barangays and city departments in San Juan will receive pickup trucks, vans, and buses as part of the local government's vehicle refl eeting program.

1 min

Comelec Preparing for BARMM Polls

With the 2025 midterm elections over, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now preparing for the first parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which will be conducted in October.

1 min

4 Rescued From Distressed Boat

Four Norwegians were rescued after their boat developed engine trouble as they were sailing in the waters off Virac in Catanduanes over the weekend.

1 min

Storms, Tornadoes Kill More Than 25 in South-Central US

Severe storms that tore through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, leveling homes and businesses while knocking out power for tens of thousands, authorities said.

1 min

Mexican Navy Ship Crashes into Brooklyn Bridge

People watch as a Mexican Navy training ship is pulled away after it slammed into the nearby Brooklyn Bridge in New York on May 17. AFP

1 min

FBI: Deadly California clinic bombing an act of terrorism

A bomb exploded on Saturday outside a California fertility clinic, killing one person in what the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) labeled a terror attack.

1 min

Johansson Brings 50th Season of 'SNL' to Low-Key Close

\"Saturday Night Live\" was more reflective than festive in the final episode of its 50th season.

1 min

Brain-dead pregnant woman kept alive due to abortion ban

A 30-year-old pregnant woman in the southeastern US state of Georgia has been kept on life support for three months — despite being declared brain-dead — due to the state's abortion restrictions, the woman's mother says.

1 min

Gaza rescuers say children among 33 killed in Israeli strikes

Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed at least 33 people, more than half of them children, a day after Israel announced an expanded military campaign.

1 min

Tamayo Champ Again

Carl Tamayo displayed his Midas hands once again.

1 min

Hot Third Round Sends Scheffler Up On Top

Five months after cutting his right hand preparing a Christmas dinner, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has himself on the verge of a third major title at the PGA Championship.

1 min

Three Filipino climbers reach Mt. Everest summit

The list of Filipino mountaineers reaching the summit of Mt. Everest has grown with the addition of Ric Rabe, Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad.

1 min

NU's ultimate goal...

\"Sobrang thankful lang din sa sitwasyon kasi pinaghirapan talaga mula sa simula. 'Yung umpisa mahirap mag-recruit kasi 'di kilala yung team. Talagang hindi kami pinapansin. Sobrang thankful lang na 'yung pinagtrabahuhan namin is nagbubunga na,\" shared the teary-eyed mentor, dedicating the feat to his brother who passed away in the middle of the UAAP Final Four this month.

1 min

Lady Pirates pump life on sagging bid

Lyceum of the Philippines University came alive in the last three sets as it edged Emilio Aguinaldo College, 15-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-13, yesterday to rekindle its dimming Final Four hopes in NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball at the EAC Gym.

1 min

Hot third round sends Scheffler up on top

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have reached a moment of truth.

2 mins

Joyous Paolini makes history

Jasmine Paolini made Italian tennis history on Saturday by winning the Italian Open, convincingly beating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 to claim her second 1000 series title ahead of Roland Garros later this month.

1 min

Suarez aches for rematch with Navarrete

Robbed of a win and the world title in San Diego, Filipino boxer Charly Suarez only wants one thing: an immediate rematch with his Mexican tormentor, Emmanuel Navarrete.

1 min

No glass ceiling

A week after the warm reception received by our new channel \"Basketball Universe,\" The Nest Studios embarks on another adventure.

2 mins

Foreign Debt Servicing Drops 35% in 2 Months

The country's external debt service burden further declined in the first two months of 2025, dropping by 34.8 percent to $1.59 billion from $2.44 billion in the same period last year, preliminary Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data showed.

1 min

BusinessWorld Economic Forum 2025 to highlight PHL's underlying potential

The Philippines is setting a more determined course ☐ toward building a larger and more competitive economy, with government initiatives, private sector investments, and international interest coming together to create new opportunities for millions of Filipinos.

3 mins

Banks' bad loans ratio eases to 3-month low

The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of Philippine banks eased to a three-month low of 3.30 percent in March, from 3.38 percent in February, as the growth in total loan portfolios outpaced the increase in bad debts.

2 mins

Business World Economic Forum 2025 to Highlight PHL's Underlying Potential

The Philippines is setting a more determined course toward building a larger and more competitive economy, with government initiatives, private sector investments, and international interest coming together to create new opportunities for millions of Filipinos.

1 min

Stocks Seen to Trade Sideways

With an upward bias, stocks are expected to trade sideways this week as investors scout for fresh market leads.

1 min

Shakey's adding 430 stores to global network

Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (SPAVI) will continue with its aggressive network expansion this year, with plans to add at least 430 new stores across its portfolio of brands.

1 min

US Market's Epic Comeback

US stocks have staged an epic comeback, erasing $8 trillion of losses in what has become the fastest recovery pace since the 1980s.

3 mins

SEC Issues Guidelines to Detect Scams

With the alarming rise in the use of deepfake technology to promote fraudulent investment opportunities, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a set of guidelines to help the public detect scams.

1 min

Gokongweis bet big on airport expansion

Expect the Gokongwei Group to participate in more public-private partnerships (PPP) on airport projects as it seeks to maximize its expertise in managing malls and the country's largest airline.

2 mins

Trump to tax remittances

First, they dismantled USAID and obliterated foreign aid. Then they indiscriminately imposed higher tariffs that placed impoverished countries on edge. Now they want to tax remittances of workers that make poverty-stricken lives in the Third World bearable.

4 mins

Gokongweis

Gokongwei said JG Summit is competent in managing an airline and malls, and this expertise is what gives him confidence that the group can become a bigger player in airport operations.

1 min

Phl to halt Brazil poultry imports

The Philippines is set to temporarily halt poultry imports from Brazil after the South American nation, the country's top meat supplier, confirmed its first bird flu outbreak in a commercial farm.

2 mins

DOTr: Improvements underway for Busuanga, Naga, Laoag airports

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is spending nearly P600 million to improve airports in Busuanga, Naga and Laoag, expediting projects that would enhance the viability of air travel in the regions.

1 min

Foreign

From B1

1 min

Prime Infra, CEO Bag Top Honors at 2025 APAC Stevie Awards

Prime Infra earned top recognition at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, winning the Grand Stevie Award for having the highest-scoring nomination among all Philippine entries.

1 min

Raw sugar output exceeds forecast

The country's raw sugar output in the current crop year reached over 1.8 million metric tons (MT), surpassing the government's initial estimate of 1.78 million MT, latest figures showed.

1 min

Thai band Slot Machine recalls PH crowd, wants collabs with OPM acts

One of Thailand's premier rock bands, Slot Machine, has collaborated with Grammy-winning OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder for their latest single, Skyline.

3 mins

Why Helen Gamboa-Sotto's Birthday Bash Is A Quintuple Celebration

just two days before the midterm elections—close friends and family gathered for an intimate and meaningful celebration in honor of the ever-graceful Tita Helen Gamboa-Sotto.

3 mins

Rhaila Tomakin moves past Kyline-Kobe issue to focus on career

After setting the record straight on her alleged involvement in the Kyline Alcantara-Kobe Paras breakup controversy, Rhaila Tomakin is moving forward and focusing on her showbiz career.

2 mins

Where the Personal Meets the Political

When Marvin B. Aceron introduced the pilot issue of the quarterly art and literature journal Santelmo in June 2022, he couldn't have envisioned that the small company of editors could keep it going for as long as it has.

4 mins

'ART' FOR ART'S SAKE

So far, art has played a centerstage role in two Repertory Philippines productions helmed by New York-based, UK-trained Filipino director Victor Lirio.

4 mins

MSO OPENS EXCITING 99TH SEASON WITH MUSIC FOR PEACE

Who would think that with World War II still raging in 1945, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) was actually organizing a concert?

4 mins

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