The Philippine Star - May 20, 2025

In this issue

May 20, 2025

Marcos willing to reconcile with Dutertes

With some groups blaming the defeat of administration candidates on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, President Marcos said yesterday he is open to reconciliation with his political foes.

5 mins

Comelec Renews Call for Party-List Law Overhaul

With the party-list winners proclaimed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated calls to overhaul the existing Party-list Law.

2 mins

Submissions for 2026 budget reach P11 trillion

Government agencies have proposed P11 trillion in funding for their programs next year, with the budget department taking a cautious stance in the face of a still limited fiscal space.

1 min

Stronger collaboration eyed vs gambling addiction

Gambling addiction should be mitigated through stronger collaboration among industry stakeholders, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

1 min

More heads to roll after performance review - BBM

While a number of names have already come and gone, President Marcos yesterday raised the possibility of more heads rolling after the performance review of his Cabinet.

1 min

Sandiganbayan orders release of Romualdez kin's sequestered assets

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the release of millions of pesos in assets and earnings of the family of the late ambassador Benjamin Romualdez, which was held in escrow from a firm sequestered by the government.

1 min

Gov't allots P760 M for extra honorarium of poll workers

The government has allocated nearly P760 million to provide an additional P1,000 honorarium to teachers and poll workers who served during last week's midterm elections.

1 min

Phl, US to hold annual ‘Kamandag' exercises

The Philippine Marines and the US Marine Corps will lead contingents from the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea from May 26 to June 6 in joint military exercises under Kamandag or Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat (alliance among the warriors of the seas).

2 mins

Safety Issues Spooking SoKor Tourists

Fewer South Korean tourists are visiting the Philippines this year due to factors beyond the government's control, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

1 min

PPCRV: Audit of Midterm Polls Continues

Audits of the midterm elections will continue even after the winning candidates have been proclaimed, according to poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

1 min

DA: P20/K rice in Mindanao by July

The P20-a-kilo rice program will be available in Mindanao by July, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday.

1 min

Lacson eyes expansion of 4Ps, review of 2025 budget

Incoming senator Panfilo Lacson yesterday said his top legislative priority in the 20th Congress would be to integrate all government cash assistance programs under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

2 mins

Diesel prices up by P1.70, gas by P1.20

Motorists can expect an increase of as much as P1.70 per liter at the pump starting today, following two rounds of price cuts.

1 min

Marcos Willing

A week after the midterm polls. Only six senatorial candidates endorsed by Marcos made it to the Senate.

4 mins

Self-inflicted

It is important to listen to what Toby Tiangco is telling us. He has the ultimate insider's view of the dynamics explaining the administration's midterms debacle. For a politician, he is unusually candid.

3 mins

The Gokongweis' legacy: Investing in Filipino students

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

Failed experiment

EDITORIAL

2 mins

A pope for the environment

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has been very outspoken about the climate and environmental crisis as well as human rights, through his deep faith and leadership.

3 mins

BBM a lame duck? Hell, no.

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

UK-EU summit: Officials talk defense, trade and more

Top officials from the European Union and Britain gathered in London yesterday, as the two allies pivot toward a post-Brexit future.

3 mins

Lower tax won't stop illegal vape trade

Lowering the excise tax on tobacco products will not stop its illegal trade, a Senate panel said yesterday.

1 min

Isko sworn in as Manila mayor?

Manila mayor-elect Isko Moreno has reportedly taken his oath of office ahead of the supposed oath-taking on June 30.

1 min

Attempted break-in disrupts services for Marikina elderly

The Marikina government yesterday reported an attempted theft and forced entry into the city's office for senior citizens affairs (OSCA) building.

1 min

Marcos to name Marbil successor

With Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil's term extension ending in June, President Marcos is expected to announce the next PNP head soon, Malacañang said yesterday.

1 min

DOTr chief's confirmation hearing set

Transport Secretary Vince Dizon will appear before the Commission on Appointment (CA) on June 3 for his confirmation hearing.

1 min

BI to Deport 9 Foreigners Caught with ₱440M

Nine foreigners who were arrested recently for transporting ₱440 million in undeclared cash will be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported yesterday.

1 min

PNP Logs 97 Cases of Poll-Related Violence

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil has ordered PNP units nationwide to expedite the investigation and resolution of all validated election-related incidents (ERIs) following the midterm polls.

1 min

Political detainee tops UP student council election

Jailed activist Amanda Echanis, 36, topped the University of the Philippines-Diliman election for councilors on May 16.

1 min

PNP: Que Kidnap Case Solved, But Not Closed

With the capture of key suspects, the kidnap and murder of Filipino-Chinese steel magnate Anson Que is considered \"solved\" but not closed as efforts to recover the P200 million in ransom paid by the businessman's family continues, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

1 min

17 Taiwanese Nabbed in Cebu Love Scam

Seventeen Taiwan nationals, believed to be members of a Taiwanese criminal ring involved in a love scam operation, were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Cebu.

1 min

Maguindanao del Sur Gun Attacks: 3 Killed, 2 Hurt

Three people, including a volunteer community watchman, were killed while two others were wounded in a string of gun attacks across three towns in Maguindanao del Sur over just three days.

1 min

1 Dead in Antique Bus, Van Collision

A driver was killed after his van collided with a passenger bus in Pandan town in Antique yesterday morning.

1 min

$TRUMP Dinner Blurs Lines Between Profit, Politics

More than two hundred guests on Thursday will make their way to a ritzy country club just up the Potomac River from Washington, ready for a sumptuous dinner hosted by the president of the United States.

1 min

Gael Garcia Bernal retells Philippine history in new film

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal (in photo) stars in a new film, which re-examines the discovery of the Philippines by European explorers and questions the existence of a national resistance hero.

1 min

Biden Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his office said on Sunday.

1 min

Pope Receives US VP Vance, Rubio

Pope Leo XIV received US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Monday, a day after the new US pontiff's inauguration mass.

1 min

Israel Strikes Gaza After 'Basic' Food Aid Pledge

Israeli strikes killed at least 22 people in Gaza on Monday, rescuers said, after Israel pledged to let a \"basic amount\" of food into the territory to avert a hunger crisis.

1 min

UK Forges New Ties With EU In Post-Brexit Era

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed a new partnership with the European Union (EU) on Monday, forged at a landmark summit and opening a new chapter in ties after Britain's acrimonious exit from the bloc five years ago.

1 min

Romania's Pro-EU Candidate Wins Presidential Race

BUCHAREST (AFP) — Nicusor Dan, the centrist mayor of Bucharest, won a tense rerun of Romania's presidential election on Sunday, beating nationalist George Simion in a vote seen as crucial for the direction of the European Union and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine.

1 min

Man Arrested for Stabbing 4 in S. Korea

South Korean police said on Monday a man was arrested after stabbing four people, leaving two dead.

1 min

Indonesia Volcano Erupts With High Ash Cloud

A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on Monday, spewing an ash cloud more than a kilometer high after authorities raised the country's highest alert level.

1 min

Pacman in LA to announce ring return

Manny Pacquiao, now 46 years old and who last fought professionally four years ago, is about to officially announce his boxing comeback.

1 min

Thunder Crack West Finals

LOS ANGELES (AFP)—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder thrashed the Denver Nuggets 125-93 to book their place in the NBA Western Conference finals on Sunday.

1 min

Scheffler Wins PGA in Smashing Fashion

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler captured his third major title on Sunday, outdueling Spain's Jon Rahm down the back nine in the final round to win the PGA Championship by five strokes.

1 min

Malixi Holds Clinic at Royal Northwoods

It's all systems go for reigning US Women's Amateur and US Girls Junior Champion Rianne Malixi's The Big Leap Camp – a groundbreaking effort of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) slated May 20-23 at the Royal Northwoods Golf Club in Bulacan.

1 min

Garcia Rules Lomibao Open Chess

Filipino International Master Jem Garcia ruled the Woman FIDE Master Sherie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament at the Pavilion of the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong over the weekend.

1 min

Who Is Mario Barrios?

There is no official announcement, but the boxing world is buzzing with talk that Manny Pacquiao is coming back from retirement to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on July 19.

2 mins

SMB guard going places with Guam quintet

Like his San Miguel Beer teammates June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez with Gilas Pilipinas, Jericho Cruz is looking ahead to a busy international slate with Guam.

1 min

Vehicle Sales Slow Down 10% in April

The automotive industry's monthly sales declined year-on-year in April, the first time in over three years, as consumers held back on purchases amid market uncertainties.

2 mins

Phl logistics industry grows 11% in 3 months

The Philippine logistics industry grew by double digits in the first quarter of the year, building up confidence that it can withstand external risks from the Trump tariffs.

1 min

Phl Emerging as 'Friendshoring' Hub

For US Global Investors - HSBC

2 mins

Market Extends Losing Streak

The local stock market opened the week in negative territory, extending its decline to a fourth consecutive session after Moody's Ratings downgraded the sovereign credit rating of the US because of its failure to stem a rising tide of debt.

1 min

Vehicle

Ricafort said the announcement of US reciprocal tariffs on trade partners somewhat weighed on consumer and business sentiment, as higher US import tariffs or reciprocal tariffs could slow down global trade, investments, employment and overall economic growth worldwide, which could indirectly slow down the local economy as well.

1 min

Top Retailers Gear Up for Nat'l Conference, Expo

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) will hold the 31st edition of the National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) on July 31 to Aug. 1 at the SMX Convention Center Manila — the largest and most significant retail event in the country, where top retailers and industry leaders converge.

1 min

BOP deficit widens to $2.6 B in April

The Philippines incurred a balance of payments (BOP) deficit of $2.6 billion in April, as the government tapped foreign reserves to service debt and cover spending, while the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas intervened in the foreign exchange market.

1 min

Vape products should be taxed higher than cigarettes

The government should consider imposing higher taxes on vape products than traditional cigarettes as consumption continues to worsen especially among the youth.

2 mins

Solve problems with low-cost, commonsense solutions

\"Problem-solving is not progress if we spend money on the solution.\"

4 mins

Back to business please

With the national election done and over with and most of our newly elected lawmakers and local government officials proclaimed and sworn into office, can we please all get back to business?

4 mins

Owning the First Men's Nail Bar in Phl

The country's first men's nail bar just opened in the Philippines—Pennyworth's Nail Bar.

1 min

Import ban on Brazilian poultry won't affect supply, price trend

The forthcoming country-wide ban on Brazilian poultry products will not result in supply woes and price spikes in the market as local production is on the rise while importers can easily shift to other foreign suppliers, officials and industry players said.

2 mins

URC's P10-B Malvar plant set for commercial run this year

Food and beverage company Universal Robina Corp. (URC) is investing at least P10 billion for its new production plant in Batangas, with the first commercial run expected this year.

1 min

King of K-Pop' G-Dragon Finally Returns to PHL With First Solo Show in 8 Years

Guess Who's Back? It's No Other Than K-Pop Icon G-Dragon.

3 mins

How PLDT Home and Netflix's New Partnership Impacts Home Entertainment

\"We are living the dream — the future of home entertainment is now: It's unlimited, always on, always accessible and always evolving,\" stated PLDT Home vice president for digital products and services Evert Chris Miranda during the partnership launch of PLDT Home and Netflix held recently at the Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge in Makati City.

2 mins

KITCHIE NADAL BREAKS NEW GROUND AS CONCERT ARTIST

Embarking on a new path or breaking new ground is in an artist's DNA, regardless of their chosen medium or creative hub.

3 mins

Kristen Stewart Has Always Been Ready to Direct

Kristen Stewart has been talking about directing as long as she's been acting. Not many people encouraged it.

2 mins

A nostalgic ode to the arts

There is something about old recipes. Food of the present is, after all, an innovation or reimagining of food from the past.

2 mins

A beacon rising above the water

It's Cebu's NU-west star, and in many ways, the Philippines', too. In the midst of the election campaign, NUSTAR Hotel had a proclamation of its own. \"NUSTAR is like a beacon rising above the water, which is guiding travelers coming to Cebu,\" said its general manager Roel Constantino.

3 mins

REVISITING SYDNEY WITH FAMILY MEMORIES AND A LOVE FOR HERITAGE-BUILDING

Have you ever felt the magic of reconnecting with an old flame? It's that familiar bond you've known for life—comforting, even a bit predictable. But then, when you meet again, you notice they've transformed in such beautiful, graceful ways that your connection feels renewed, deeper, and more meaningful than ever.

3 mins

Speech Therapy @ Sunshine Place

Ms. Ma. Carissa Anica Dy, RSLP conducts Speech Therapy sessions at Sunshine Place on Mondays from 9 am to 12 noon by appointment.

1 min

How John Cena Got Into Wrestling

The 2025 Annual Global Leadership Conference of Gold's Gym took place at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington DC, offering the usual excellent networking opportunities with old and new colleagues.

5 mins

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