The Philippine Star - November 20, 2024

In this issue

November 20, 2024

Cool season is here - PAGASA

Expect cooler temperatures and dry air as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the onset of the northeast monsoon or amihan yesterday.

1 min

117 of 183 Senate aspirants declared nuisance bets

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared a total of 117 senatorial aspirants nuisance, possibly barring them from running in the May 2025 midterm elections.

2 mins

Palace to gov't agencies: Scale down Christmas parties

Malacañang has directed officials and employees of the government to \"scale down\" their Christmas celebrations and instead donate to communities devastated by the successive typhoons that hit the country.

1 min

DFA chief, G7 diplomats to tackle Indo-Pacific security

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will meet with his counterparts from seven industrialized nations during the expanded Group of Seven Ministerial Meeting in Italy next week, the DFA said yesterday.

2 mins

BBM, Trump discuss alliance in phone call

US president-elect asks Marcos: How's Imelda?

3 mins

Taguba gets life term for P6.4-B shabu smuggling

Seven years after authorities seized over half a ton of shabu worth P6.4 billion in a Valenzuela warehouse raid, a Manila court found alleged Customs \"fixer\" Mark Taguba and two others guilty of drug importation.

1 min

DA to import add'l 8,000 MT of fish

The government will import an additional 8,000 metric tons (MT) of fish amid the closed fishing season and the P1-billion damage to the fisheries sector due to successive typhoons, a ranking Department of Agriculture (DA) official said on Tuesday.

1 min

PNP: No quota on drug war killings, arrests

As far as the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police can recall, there was no quota on PNP killings or arrests in the implementation of the war on drugs during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

1 min

Sara, OVP execs' attendance key to Mary Grace Piattos,

House lawmakers yesterday urged Vice President Sara Duterte and her aides in the Office of the Vice President to attend today's hearing at the House of Representatives so they can shed light on the identity of \"Mary Grace Piattos,\" whose name appears in liquidation documents linked to the alleged misuse of OVP funds.

3 mins

POWERING CEBU: BUs INEss LEADERS TAc KLE ENERGY NEEDs

A pressing concern for the Philippines' economic growth is reliable energy.

1 min

Let Rody run again as president - Alvarez

Inspired by Donald Trump's reelection as US president, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez wants his friend, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to run again and be reelected as president in 2028.

3 mins

Sandigan upholds conviction of pork’ scam execs

The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of officials of three abolished state firms in connection with the pork barrel scam.

2 mins

PAWS: Include farm animals in National Disaster Preparedness Plan

Amid reports that cows were casualties of Super Typhoon Pepito in Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) believes that farm animals should also be part of the National Disaster Preparedness Plan.

1 min

Perseverance and dreams: SM scholars'key to rising above poverty

Youth from underserved communities, like Franz Santos and Kristina Tuazon, are no strangers to challenges.

3 mins

Foreign influences

While undertaking a series of corporate trainings and consultancies, I began to take note of certain changes in the business community that has slowly become the rule rather than the exception.

4 mins

Phl gov't probes Rody

Maybe it's just my imagination, but there seems to be something akin to panic and dismay in some quarters over the news that the Philippine government has finally launched an investigation of Rodrigo Duterte for possible crimes against humanitarian law.

4 mins

Minimum credible Comelec capability

The Commission on Elections has amended its rules on the registration of social media accounts that will be used in connection with the 2025 mid-term elections.

1 min

Linked to murder and money laundering, Garma seeking US political asylum

Ex-PNP Col. Royina Garma is linked to the 2020 assassination of a general. She was influential in Rodrigo Duterte's admin then.

3 mins

Try 'shock-and-awe' public alerts

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), not the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), is empowered to regulate and has the authority to audit firms engaged in business using financial technology.

4 mins

Struggling to fight negativity

The last few months have been rough. On radio and social media, we Filipinos have been inundated (and entertained) by legislative hearings that exposed the dastardly deeds of politicians and supposed spiritual leaders.

4 mins

A foul fireside chat

It was such a cozy moment in the Oval Office on Wednesday morning, with the roaring fire and the warm handshake and the past presidents - including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and FDR - looking down benignly on the scene.

2 mins

Chinese man found dead inside car in Manila

A 46-year-old Chinese national was found dead with multiple stab wounds inside his Vehicle parked at the corner of Padre Algue Street and Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Tondo, Manila, early yesterday morning.

1 min

Teachers score NTF-ELCAC for recruiting COCOPEA as private partner

Private school teachers yesterday scored the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for recruiting the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) as its private partner academic institution.

1 min

Man convicted for sexual abuse, exploitation of children

A man known for producing, possessing and selling videos of children being sexually abused has been convicted for sexual abuse and exploitation of children by a Manila court.

1 min

SC honors retired Sandiganbayan presiding justice

Firm yet compassionate.

1 min

Kanlaon eruption destroys P194-M crops in Negros town

The eruption of Kanlaon Volcano has destroyed up to P194 million worth of agricultural produce in La Castellana, Negros Occidental alone, according to the municipal government.

1 min

Vatican designates Ilocos Sur church as minor basilica

Pope Francis has granted an 18th-century church in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur the title of minor basilica.

1 min

Marcos provides P50-M aid for Catanduanes typhoon victims

Days after Super Typhoon Pepito battered Catanduanes, President Marcos visited the province yesterday to assess the extent of damage caused by the calamity and distribute aid to affected communities.

1 min

E. Visayas workers to get pay hike

Minimum wage earners in Eastern Visayas are expected to receive a higher take-home pay after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved a petition to increase the daily rate in the region.

1 min

Multiple children injured in car crash at China school

Multiple children were injured on Tuesday when a car crashed outside a primary school in central China, state media said yesterday, without providing more details about the number of casualties or the person responsible.

1 min

Do the Donald! Trump dance takes US sport by storm

As sporting celebrations go, it doesn't quite have the charm of Roger Milla's hip-wiggling shimmy with a corner flag at the 1990 World Cup or the imperious swagger of Usain Bolt's iconic lightning pose.

1 min

Priest who allowed Carpenter to shoot video in church fired

The leader of a New York City church where pop star Sabrina Carpenter (in photo) filmed provocative scenes for a music video was stripped of his duties on Monday after church officials said an investigation revealed other instances of mismanagement.

1 min

Deadly triple stabbing shocks New York

A man went on a deadly stabbing spree in New York on Monday, police and the mayor said, killing two people and critically injuring a third.

1 min

Lebanon, Hezbollah agree to US proposal for ceasefire with Israel

Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a US proposal for a ceasefire with Israel with some comments on the content, a top Lebanese official told Reuters on Nov. 18, describing the effort as the most serious yet to end to the fighting.

1 min

Trump to use military in mass deportations

US president-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he intended to declare a national emergency and use the military in some form to assist in his plans for mass deportations of immigrants who do not have legal residency status.

1 min

Russia begins mass production of radiation-resistant bomb shelters

Russia has begun mass production of mobile bomb shelters that can protect against a variety of man-made threats and natural disasters, including radiation and shockwaves, the emergency ministry's research institute said.

1 min

Biden out of the picture as world leaders meet

If there was any doubt that Joe Biden is no longer in the picture for many world leaders, his final G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro provided a sure sign.

1 min

HK court jails 45 democracy campaigners

A Hong Kong court yesterday jailed all 45 defendants convicted of subversion in the city's largest national security trial, with \"mastermind\" Benny Tai receiving the longest term of 10 years.

1 min

Divided G20 fails to agree on climate, Ukraine

G20 leaders failed on Monday to break a deadlock in UN climate talks at a summit in Rio that was dominated by divergences over the war in Ukraine and Donald Trump's impending return to the White House.

1 min

Canada foils Iran plot to assassinate former minister

Canadian authorities recently foiled an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Irwin Cotler, a former justice minister who has been a strong critic of Tehran, Cotler's organization said Monday.

1 min

Ukraine vows no surrender.jp Kremlin issues nuke threat

Ukraine said yesterday that its forces would never surrender to Russia, 1,000 days after Moscow launched its brutal invasion, while the Kremlin also pledged victory and escalated its nuclear saber-rattling.

1 min

Stage set for ASICS RnR Manila

The streets of Manila will pound with energy, music and cultural pride as the city hosts the third ASICS Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Manila presented by AIA on Nov. 23-24.

1 min

Volley Angels force rubber

Biñan Tatak Gel 1-Pacman party-list stunned second-ranked Bacoor, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16, in a big road win to force a deciding Game 2 in their Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) semifinals showdown Monday night at the Bacoor Strike Gym in Cavite.

1 min

BUILDING MOMENTUM

GILAS TRIMS BOLTS AHEAD OF ASIA CUP QUALIFYING TIFFS

2 mins

Ex-PBA import in Kiwi lineup

Former PBA import Tom Vodanovich returns to Manila with the New Zealand national team playing against Gilas in the second FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window at the MOA Arena tomorrow night.

1 min

Gonzaga scores twin kill

Ayl Gonzaga achieved a remarkable twin kill at the Dipolog City National Juniors Tennis Championships at the RGS and Mibang courts in Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend.

1 min

Are Cavs for real?

Cleveland is the only remaining unbeaten team in s : focus on three-point shooting.

2 mins

4 POC electoral protests up for resolution

The Philippine Olympic Committee electoral commission vowed to resolve protests filed by opposing parties running for the POC polls set Nov. 29.

1 min

Thunderbelles break through

It took a battle-scarred spiker and a talented rookie for ZUS Coffee to claim its breakthrough Premier Volleyball League victory.

1 min

BSP, IMF concerned over risks tied to non-bank financial sector

MACTAN, Cebu - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised concerns over the growing risks tied to the expansion of the non-bank financial sector and emerging technologies.

1 min

Chinese firm bags contract for Terra Solar dev't

The development of the world's largest solar farm has taken a major leap forward with the award of a construction contract to China Energy Engineering Group Co. Ltd.

1 min

Gov't keen on keeping rice tariff at 15%

TO OFFSET IMPACT OF WEAKER PESO

2 mins

Remblomu Another rate cut possible

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has signaled a possible interest rate cut in December, following the slower-than-expected economic growth in the third quarter and the within-target inflation print in October.

2 mins

Potential BSP rate cut lifts stocks

The stock market sustained its winning streak following the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)'s indication of a third rate cut.

1 min

DoubleDragon ends P10-B bond offer ahead of schedule

DoubleDragon Corp., the listed developer chaired by Edgar \"Injap\" Sia II, cut short its P10-billion retail bond offering after surpassing the available allocation due to high volume of orders.

1 min

Hans Sy bags ICD's highest distinction

Hans Sy, the executive committee chairman of integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc., has bagged the prestigious title of Honorary Fellow by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Philippines, cementing his legacy as a champion of sustainable business practices and corporate social responsibility in the country.

1 min

MICT posts record high volume in October

The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the country's sole dedicated container handling facility and flagship of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), saw record high monthly volume in October with 275,028 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled during the month.

1 min

Fruitas acquires majority stake in Mang Bok's

Fruitas Holdings Inc. is venturing into the roasted chicken segment with the acquisition of a majority stake in the owner of the Mang Bok's brand for P8.86 million.

2 mins

Toyota export revenues hit $665 M in 2023

Toyota Group generated over $600 million worth of revenues from exports of automotive parts from the Philippines last year.

1 min

ERC OKs P38-B NGCP projects

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has cleared three transmission projects of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) worth around P38.09 billion.

1 min

LBC gears up for 75th year of operations

LBC Express Holdings Inc., the largest logistics and money services company in the country, is heading into its 75th year of operations next year with sustained optimism.

1 min

Businessworld Forecast 2025 to explore Phl's path toward steady growth

An observed steady and stabilizing growth for the global economy, albeit at a sluggish pace, is seen to translate into sustained growth for the Philippine economy.

4 mins

A nightmare

It would be totally understandable 1r Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. is having nightmares wondering whatever made him agree to take on a mission impossible in Philippine agriculture.

4 mins

Insurance industry nets P4O B in 9 months

The country's insurance industry saw its net income inch up by 4.2 percent to P39.93 billion as of end-September, mainly driven by earnings from the non-life sector.

2 mins

Phl Cumbodiu set Io sign double quution deul in 2025

The governments of the Philippines and Cambodia are set to sign a bilateral agreement early next year aimed at preventing double taxation that would allow Filipino businesses to become more competitive abroad, the Department of Finance said.

1 min

PSE sees recovery of capital raising activities next year

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) expects a recovery in capital raising activities in 2025, with this year's total capital raised seen finishing below last year's outcome.

2 mins

Christmas trees are lit up

Our country has already been recognized as having one of the longest Christmas seasons in the world, with Christmas decors appearing as soon as the \"ber\" months roll in.

5 mins

DBM releases guidelines for govt, e Marketplace

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released revised guidelines for the pilot launch of the government's electronic marketplace, a digital platform that will facilitate faster procurement of common-used supplies and equipment by government agencies.

1 min

10 REASONS WHY THE MAZDA FAN FESTA IN JAPAN IS THE ULTIMATE PILGRIMAGE FOR MAZDA FANS

All car brands have car clubs of every size—from small clubs for a specific model in a particular town or city to a huge gathering of various models that span a whole nation.

3 mins

Audi Q8 e-tron takes Manila-Baguio-Manila drive on a single charge

Journalists, EV advocates experience the 100% electric SUV's long-range capability

2 mins

Filipinos show growing interest in electrified Vehicles, but infrastructure challenges persist, accdg. to Ford study

Contrary to what many Filipinos may have once thought, there already exists a significant interest and a growing demand for electrified vehicles within the local car buying market.

2 mins

LIVING YOUR LIFE IN AMERICAN OUTFITS

American Eagle shoppers, including a number of celebrities and beauty queens, trooped to the branch at SM Aura recently to get their favorite pair of AE jeans customized with chains, charms and colorful waist tighteners.

3 mins

WILLIAM KLEIN: A HUNGER FOR LIFE

If the photographs of the late William Klein draw you in, it's because he always had that relentless curiosity both for people and for life itself – a trait that shone through and was infectious when viewing the exhibit, \"All the World's a Stage\" at the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology).

4 mins

THE GOLD STANDARD

Did you know that the owner of the fastest-growing and leading pawnshop and remittance companies in the country isn't even into jewelry?

3 mins

AND NOW, CLOTHING GEMS

I have always known Tim Tam Ong as a passionate jeweler whose craftsmanship with gems is exquisite. So pleasantly surprised was I to see her displaying handpainted clothes at the Bench-Katutubo pop-up event a few weeks ago.

1 min

LOVI POE PAYS TRIBUTE TO TALENT MANAGERS

Lovi Poe exuded beauty, grace, and confidence during her recent guesting on \"Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.\" She takes good care of her health by running every morning despite her hectic schedule here and abroad.

2 mins

Gwen Stefani's Bouquet is a romantic return to mellow rock - with an ageless voice

Words and phrases like \"nostalgia\" or \"back to her roots\" come to mind when listening to Gwen Stefani's fifth studio album, Bouquet—and it is in no way negative.

1 min

Belle Mariano grateful to work with Disney for 'Moana 2' theme song

Kapamilya star Belle Mariano was handpicked to reinterpret in Filipino the song Beyond from Disney's animated film ''Moana 2.\"

1 min

David Young turns heartbreak stories into debut single

For any songwriter, both newbie and an established one, a composition begins with toying with an idea and following its lead. Once the rhythm to create music has been set, the tune-smith can complete such a task in days or even weeks.

3 mins

KATHRYN AND ALDEN PROVE LOVE FINDS A WAY IN 'HELLO, LOVE, AGAIN'

IN \"HELLO, LOVE, AGAIN,\" THE LOVE STORY OF JOY AND Ethan — portrayed by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards — once again brings kilig and tears while also offering valuable lessons to moviegoers.

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.