The Philippine Star - November 11, 2024

In this issue

November 11, 2024

47 Senate candidates declared nuisance

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared 47 senatorial aspirants as nuisance bets who may no longer be able to run in the May 2025 midterm polls.

1 min

House warns OVP execs: Attend probe or face arrest

Failure on the part of seven officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to face today's hearing of the House of Representatives committee on good government and public accountability could lead to their arrest, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua warned yesterday.

1 min

Duterte urged: Be a statesman, attend quad comm probe

Profanities notwithstanding, former president Rodrigo Duterte should show that he can be a statesman by attending this week's hearing of the House of Representatives quad committee investigating purported state-sanctioned summary executions during his term, according to lawmakers.

4 mins

Inflation still most urgent concern of Pinoys - OCTA

Controlling the increase in prices of basic goods and services remains the most urgent concern of Filipinos, a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group showed.

1 min

Nika becomes severe tropical storm; Signal No. 2 up

Severe Tropical Storm Nika has further intensified to near-typhoon category, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

6 mins

China releases baselines adjacent to Panatag Shoal

Following the Philippines' recent identification of its maritime zones, China yesterday released its own baselines and base points of the territorial sea adjacent to Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.

1 min

CLOSE TO 2K GENSAN YOUTH FLOCK TO GO NEGOSYO ENTREP EVENT

Close to two thousand Senior High School students in General Santos City participated in an entrepreneurship event conducted by Go Negosyo in partnership with the Department of Education in this city last November 8, 2024.

1 min

Check ballooning Phl debt - Pimentel

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III has raised concerns over the country's rising debt, urging economic managers to closely examine the country's actual financial situation to prevent long-term financial risks.

1 min

Climate agency, civil society meet ahead of COP29

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) met with civil society organizations in a consultation dialogue to strengthen the Philippines' stance in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan today.

1 min

DA chief: No sugar imports until mid-2025

There will be no importation of sugar until mid-2025 as the domestic supply of both raw and refined sugar remains stable and sufficient to meet projected needs, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said.

1 min

Labor leaders to BBM: Reconsider ICC withdrawal

Labor leaders have joined the call for President Marcos to reconsider the Philippines' withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

1 min

New law to create more jobs - Escudero

As President Marcos is expected to sign today a law that will lower corporate taxes and offer tax incentives to businesses, Senate President Francis Escudero expressed optimism of an influx of new investors, creating more new jobs in the country.

2 mins

Senate won't give PhilHealth additional subsidy

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito confirmed the plans of senators not to give the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) additional subsidy after the agency declared savings in 2024.

2 mins

Penalizing undue delay

SKETCHES

4 mins

'Mahirap mahalin;' body count continues

Every now and then, we Ecome across statements of exasperation from Filipinos online.

4 mins

Staying out of the ICC

A year ago this month, President Marcos said the return of the country to the International Criminal Court was \"under study.\" The nation awaits his final decision on rejoining the ICC, from which the Philippines withdrew in 2019 when Rodrigo Duterte was president.

2 mins

Alter egos on the go to...

COMMONSENSE

4 mins

A test for the ties that bind

GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS

4 mins

Wait lang - or run for your life?

Following Donald Trump's surprising, not really so surprising, come to think of it, landslide win, people are wringing their hands wondering what four more years of MAGA will mean for them personally, for the country, for the world.

1 min

The MAGA Universe

QWERTYMAN

4 mins

UNDP names ex-lawmaker as Phl's 'Champion of Change'

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has given a former member of the House of Representatives the distinction of being a \"Champion of Change,\" along with other global leaders, for championing biodiversity conservation in the Philippines.

1 min

Filipinos illegally in US worried about mass deportation

US president-elect Donald Trump will likely carry out his promise of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, and many Filipinos illegally staying in the US are now worried about the plan, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

1 min

BBM delivers aid to Marce-hit Cagayan, Ilocos

President Marcos brought various forms of assistance to areas hit by Typhoon Marce in Cagayan and his home province of Ilocos Norte yesterday, assuring the provinces of continuous support from the national government for their recovery needs.

3 mins

POGO employee allegedly assaulted by PAOCC agents

An employee working at One Central Bataan was allegedly assaulted by members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) during a raid on Oct. 31, the company's legal representative said yesterday.

3 mins

77,000 jabs given to Metro students

Over 77,000 doses of vaccines against infectious diseases have been administered to public school students in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) reported over the weekend.

1 min

PNP: Duterte drug war affected 1,286 cops

Philippine National Police personnel affected by the Duterte administration's war on drugs need support and protection, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said yesterday.

1 min

DepEd promotes 47 OIC field officers

Forty-seven field officers of the Department of Education have been sworn in as part of the DepEd's efforts to end the culture of leaving deserving candidates as officers-in-charge (OICs) instead of promoting them to the post in an official capacity, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said over the weekend.

1 min

25 Phl universities in 2025 Asia rankings

Philippine universities and colleges' increased presence in world rankings indicates the growing profile of the country's tertiary education offerings, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

1 min

DA addressing high chicken, egg prices

Efforts are being done by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to address the high retail prices of chicken and eggs amid complaints from poultry raisers that the drop in farmgate prices does not reflect retail prices in the markets.

1 min

Report scams to hotline 1326 - CICC

Instead of ranting on social media, Filipinos should report scams and cybercrimes to the Inter-Agency Response Center hotline 1326, according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

1 min

109 file COCs for BARMM parliamentary polls

Up to 109 aspirants have filed certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

1 min

Kanlaon volcanic ash emission persists

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island continued to spew ash yesterday, a day after showing an elevated similar activity, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

1 min

Couple, daughter die in Iloilo road mishap

Three members of a family died when a pick-up truck rearended their motorcycle in San Dionisio, Iloilo on Saturday night.

2 mins

King Charles, Kate slowly return to duty

King Charles III and the princess of Wales both plan to attend the United Kingdom's annual ceremony honoring fallen service personnel on Monday, a sign that the royal family is slowly returning to normal, after a year in which two of the most popular royals were sidelined by cancer.

1 min

Qatar suspends Gaza mediation, in sign of impasse

Qatar has suspended its role as a key mediator for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until Hamas and Israel show \"seriousness\" in talks, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

1 min

Biden, Trump to meet at White House

Joe Biden will meet with president-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday after the US leader pledged an orderly transfer of power following the Republican's decisive election victory.

1 min

Canada reports 1st case of bird flu in human

A teenager in British Columbia has become the first person in Canada to test positive for bird flu, authorities said on Saturday.

1 min

Musk joins Trump-Zelensky call amid concerns for Ukraine

Donald Trump won the state of Arizona in this week's US presidential election, US TV networks projected on Saturday, completing the Republican's sweep of all seven swing states.

1 min

Trump completes swing state sweep by taking Arizona

Donald Trump won the state of Arizona in this week's US presidential election, US TV networks projected on Saturday, completing the Republican's sweep of all seven swing states.

1 min

US warplanes attack Houthi targets in Yemen

US warplanes staged multiple strikes on Saturday night on Iran-backed Houthi advanced weapons storage facilities in Yemen, the Pentagon said.

1 min

Batangas takes opener of MPBL South finals

Batangas ruled the boards and subdued Quezon Province, 75-69, on Saturday in Game One of their South Division Finals in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Lucena City Convention Center.

1 min

Suspicious behavior

You can never prove game-fixing or point-shaving.

2 mins

Escamis lifts Mapua over CSB

With a defensive gem and the winning three-pointer from Clint Escamis in the last four seconds, Mapua squeezed past St. Benilde, 75-73, to forge a tie in the lead in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena yesterday.

1 min

Lady Bulldogs, Lady Spikers dispute SSL crown

Back-to-back champion National U booked a finals return in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship with a 25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22 win over previously undefeated Far Eastern U in their duel over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

1 min

Forest Hills Chairman's Cup up

After undertaking several rehabilitation efforts on the golf course and upgrading facilities at the clubhouse, Forest Hills Golf and Country Club is all set to thank its membership with the staging of the 20th BPI Gold Chairman's Cup set Nov. 16 to 17.

1 min

TNT'S NEXT GOAL: TWIN KILL

TNT coach Chot Reyes said a highlight of the Tropa's celebration after clinching the PBA Governors' Cup championship last Friday was PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan's presence in a post-game dinner with players, coaches, staff, families and fans at Sambo

2 mins

Bianca flirts with Top-10 windup

Bianca Pagdanganan narrowly missed a Top 10 finish in the Lotte Championship as her closing two-under 70 and 279 total was good for joint 11th in the final standings Saturday in Oahu, Hawaii.

1 min

Falcons boot out Bulldogs

Adamson kept its flickering Final Four hopes while showing perennial contender National U the exit door with a convincing 53-41 win in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

1 min

Credit growth picks up after BSP rate cut

Credit growth improved for the third straight month to 11 percent in September as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) lowered borrowing costs and hinted at additional rate cuts, fueling optimism for continued economic expansion.

2 mins

STAR reporter bags EJAP journalism award

The Philippine STAR's Richmond Mercurio was recognized as the \"Energy Reporter of the Year\" during the 33rd Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines' (EJAP) Business Journalism Awards held last Friday in Makati.

1 min

Maynilad IPO set next year

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is finally pushing through with its initial public offering (IPO) next year.

1 min

Market volatility to continue this week

Market volatility may continue this week following last week's slump that brought the benchmark index below the 7,000 level.

1 min

Trump 2.0 raises risks for Phl, Asean

Nomura Global Markets Research warned that a second Trump presidency could bring adverse impacts for Southeast Asia, particularly affecting the Philippines' growth trajectory due to heightened geopolitical risks, volatility in remittances and vulnerabilities in the outsourcing sector.

1 min

Trump victory sows fear in Phl stocks

Philippine stocks and peso under pressure

3 mins

SEC to boost sustainability among SMLEs

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is working on ways to further boost sustainability among small, medium, and large enterprises (SMLEs) in the country.

2 mins

Gov't set to award 1st hydrogen contracts

The government is on track to award the country's first service contracts for native hydrogen exploration that are still subject to President Marcos' approval, according to a Cabinet official.

1 min

ERC urged to resolve Meralco's rate reset

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) should promptly resolve Manila Electric Co.'s (Meralco) rate reset, as further delays could hurt consumers and undermine investor confidence, a think tank said.

2 mins

Ovialand embarks on 2nd project with Japan's Takara Leben

Ovialand Inc., a property developer led by the Olivares family, is embarking on its second project with Japan's Takara Leben Co. Ltd. following the success of the partnership's first residential joint venture.

2 mins

Cebu Pacific to mount direct flights to Sapporo

Filipinos can reach Sapporo through direct flights again, but this time with low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, marking the airline's fifth destination in Japan.

1 min

HSBC helps propel Phl to 'superstar' status

HSBC Philippines, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in the Philippines next year, remains steadfast in its support to help propel the country to superstar status in the next decade.

3 mins

Gut issues

In the end, American voters, like voters everywhere, voted based on their fears and their anger. Gut issues gave Trump a rousing victory. Americans were more worried about grocery bills and paying rent than the end of democracy.

4 mins

German firms see improved business conditions

Over 50 percent of German firms in the Philippines are upbeat that business conditions will improve, as they anticipate increases both in investments to be made and the workforce count, according to a survey of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI).

1 min

Phl to import 5 MMT rice

Five million metric tons. Or five billion kilograms. That is the total volume of rice that the Philippines may import this year, according to the latest projections of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

2 mins

Easy... Like Sunday Morning

Not long ago, a company using a bank's payroll package was simply passing on the responsibilities of accounting, payroll preparation, and disbursement responsibilities. For employees, from management to rank and file, the priority was getting paid on time and accessing their money quickly.

1 min

Innovations follow regulations

In the rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech, we urgently ask: should innovation come before regulation or is it the other way around?

3 mins

More Waltermart malls shift to clean energy

Community mall pioneer WalterMart has strengthened its partnership with Lopez-led First Gen Corp. to energize its retail centers with solar power.

1 min

Manila still lags in internet speed, quality

Manila is still one of the poorest cities in Asia-Pacific to connect to the internet, ranking in the lower half of the region for reliability and consistency.

1 min

Alternergy buys out Shell's stake in wind projects

Alternergy Holdings Corp. has acquired the 40-percent interest of its strategic partner, Shell Overseas Investment B.V., in Tablas Strait Offshore Wind Power Corp. (TSOWPC).

1 min

Daily nutrition recipe book to be distributed nationwide

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) recently received over 500 copies of a recipe book on daily nutritional needs, turned over by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

1 min

Asialink secures $50-M loan from ADB for SME lending

Asialink Finance Corp. (AFC) has secured a $50-million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to be used to provide financing to more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

1 min

Metro Pacific Health lands 27th hospital investment

Metro Pacific Health Corp. (MPH)'s buying spree continues, expanding its hospital network with the acquisition of its 27th hospital.

1 min

Gov't settles 81% of debt service as of Q3

The Marcos administration increased its debt payments to P1.6 trillion as of end-September, settling more than 80 percent of its programmed obligation for the year.

1 min

Apparel exports seen to hit $1 B next year - FOBAP

The country's apparel exports are projected to reach the $1 billion mark in 2025, thanks to an expected boost from the free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea anticipated to take effect in the first quarter.

1 min

Phl defers add'l sugar import plans until mid-2025

The government deferred any sugar importation plans until the middle of next year or until after the harvest season to protect domestic producers as nationwide stocks of the commodity remain ample to prevent any retail price spikes.

2 mins

Meralco-backed power coop fires up substation

An electric cooperative co-managed by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan's Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is now operating its first mobile substation in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

1 min

BSP, CDA prepare joint circular on e-money issuers, payment operators

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) are finalizing the guidelines for cooperatives that are currently involved or interested in operating as electronic money issuers.

2 mins

PIO ABAD'S ART LISTED FOR TURNER PRIZE

LONDON — It's not often that we encounter works of art by kababayans in our visits to museums abroad so when we came upon Pio Abad's work at Tate Britain, we were thrilled; even more so when we realized that he was one of four finalists for the prestigious Turner Prize, commended by jurors for his \"precision and elegance with which he combines research and new artistic work to ask questions of museums and bring history to the present with sensitivity and clarity.\"

3 mins

A GRAND SPIKE OF CREATIVITY

An undeniable spike of creativity continues to grab attention towards the yearend.

4 mins

Timeless cinematic moments brought to life by Filipino luminaries

With \"Music, Movies, Magic,\" the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI) recaptures that magic.

2 mins

WHAT WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM POWER COUPLE RICCO AND TINA OCAMPO

I have known Ricco Ocampo and his wife Tina Maristela Ocampo for over 30 years. Thanks to their entrepreneurial know-how, stores like Sari-Sari Store, Mix, The Black Shop, Anonymous, Dalagita and Pambahay came to life and dominated the retail scene in the '90s until the early 2000's.

4 mins

'Saturday Night Live' to Trump: 'We've been with you all along'

The first \"Saturday Night Live\" since Donald Trump's election victory began with the most somber of tones as a group of plainly dressed cast members, primarily women and minorities, described their new reality.

3 mins

'KMJS' turns 20 with BINI and KathDen

\"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho\" has just turned 20 and aired its anniversary episode yesterday, highlighting the show's two decades of impactful stories that entertain, inspire and influence change.

2 mins

LOVI POE WANTS WOMEN TO FEEL EMPOWERED WITH MAKEUP LINE

FOR LOVI POE, COMING TO TERMS WITH HER looks didn't happen overnight. She recalled being criticized for being \"too dark\" and, consequently, having to wear heavy makeup just to lighten her skin color for on-screen roles.

4 mins

MART: A STEADY HAND GUIDING THE PHILIPPINE BOND MARKET

For over five decades, the Money Market Association of the Philippines (MART) has been a cornerstone of the country's financial landscape, playing a pivotal role in shaping and fostering the growth of the domestic bond market.

2 mins

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The Philippine STAR is the flagship title of the country's largest and most successful print media enterprise, the Philstar Media Group. Owned and published by Philstar Daily Inc., The Philippine STAR is a vaunted pillar of Philippine journalism whose integrity is anchored on the Biblical motto, “Truth Shall Prevail”. The Philippine STAR is a two-time winner of the prestigious Newspaper of the Year award given by the Rotary Club of Manila.