The Philippine Star - November 30, 2024

In this issue

November 30, 2024

Marcos tells House: Don't impeach Sara

On mending ties: Never say never

5 mins

OVP will not break, says Sara

Entangled in controversies and under investigation for grave threats, corruption and possible violation of the anti-terrorism law, Vice President Sara Duterte said she and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) \"will not break\" and will remain \"strong and resilient.\"

2 mins

No valid grounds to probe VP - ombudsman

For Ombudsman Samuel Martires, there are no valid grounds at this point to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte for her alleged threat to assassinate President Marcos or for her possible misuse of confidential funds amounting to P125 million.

2 mins

BBM to military: Don't be deceived, stay focused

Amid a worsening rift with the Dutertes, President Marcos reminded the military yesterday to remain true to its mission of protecting the Filipino people and not be distracted by the current political noise.

2 mins

Sara no-show at NBI, asks for rescheduling

Vice President Sara Duterte begged off yesterday from her scheduled appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to answer allegations of grave threat against President Marcos, and sent instead her lawyer to explain her absence and seek a rescheduling.

3 mins

BuCor OKs Taguba transfer from NBP to House

Citing security concerns, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has approved the temporary transfer of businessman Mark Taguba to the House of Representatives detention facility.

1 min

Angara: Defer teachers' loan payments in calamity areas

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has requested private and public financial institutions to grant a three-month moratorium on the payment of loans of teachers and non-teaching personnel affected by recent calamities.

1 min

DBM to release P1 B to DPWH for infra repairs

A P1-billion fund for rehabilitating infrastructure projects damaged by recent tropical cyclones has been approved for release by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

3 mins

Mixed pump movements seen next week

Following recent hikes, pump prices of petroleum products are expected to move in opposite directions next week.

1 min

Can Sara be removed as Army reservist?

Because of her recent statements against Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and President Marcos, the commander-in-chief, can Vice President Sara Duterte be delisted or removed from military rolls as an Army reservist colonel?

1 min

Smart blocks nearly 2 B malicious text messages

Malicious text messages blocked by Smart Communications Inc. this year have reached nearly two billion, as the company continues to intensify its crackdown against text scams.

1 min

Business groups: Prioritize nation's welfare over politics

Business groups are urging government leaders to make the nation's welfare a priority and to uphold the rule of law, as the rift between the Marcoses and Dutertes deepens.

1 min

Former senator Nina Rasul, 94

Santanina Rasul, the country's first Muslim woman senator, passed away on Nov. 28, the Senate announced yesterday. She was 94.

2 mins

Churches organize to monitor POGO ban

An organization of Christian churches in the Philippines will monitor the implementation of the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), as it expressed concern for victims of human trafficking employed in these companies.

1 min

DOT welcomes implementation of e-visa system for India

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the announcement of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that it has rolled out the electronic visa or e-visa system for citizens of India who wish to visit the Philippines.

1 min

Political noise

Economic managers are putting on a brave face amid the political turbulence that has swept the country.

2 mins

Decorum

As a matter of tradition, past presidents keep silent about their successors.

3 mins

Trash to cash

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

4 mins

Point of no return

THE BROADER VIEW

4 mins

I starred in 'Cabaret;' we need to heed its warning

The New York Times This past week marked the 58th anniversary of the opening night of the 1966 Broadway premiere of \"Cabaret.\"

4 mins

Marcoses asked to pay P203-B overdue estate tax

AT GROUND LEVEL

4 mins

A matter of security

ROSES & THORNS

1 min

Catholics may skip Dec. 9 mass

Filipino Catholics and workers are not obliged to attend mass on Dec. 9, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

1 min

PhilHealth to cover dental care

Preventive dental health care services will now be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

1 min

PNP boosts investigative, operational capabilities

The Philippine National Police has acquired equipment to boost the investigative and operational capabilities of PNP units.

1 min

Drug users down by 11.7% - DDB poll

The number of drug users under the Marcos administration dropped by at least 11 percent, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said in a survey released yesterday.

1 min

Veloso's sister home this week - DMW

The sister of Mary Jane Veloso is set to return home from Saudi Arabia possibly within the week, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said yesterday.

1 min

Chinese gets 2 life terms for POGO prostitution

A Pasay City court has convicted a Chinese national for running a prostitution den of Filipino women catering to foreign workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs.

1 min

BBM to public: Put up community gardens

To enhance access to nutritious food, President Marcos on Friday renewed his call for the public, especially in urban areas, to put up community gardens.

1 min

Radio commentator nabbed for extorting Cebu mayor

A radio blocktimer who is running for mayor in the 2025 midterm elections and his companion have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from the mayor of Talisay in Cebu.

1 min

Sugar price drop alarms sugarcane planters

BACOLOD CITY - A large drop in the prices of sugar, or by an average of P100 per 50-kilo bag this week, has prompted sugarcane planters to seek help from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

1 min

Go provides aid to displaced Cavite workers

Sen. Bong Go has provided assistance to displaced workers in Bacoor, Cavite.

1 min

DBM urged to secure funding for Sulu

House Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman has asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to secure the budget for Sulu in order to prevent disruption of services to the people.

1 min

Israel, Hezbollah trade accusations of ceasefire violations

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Israeli military said its air force struck a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon on Thursday, after both sides accused each other of breaching a ceasefire that aims to halt over a year of fighting.

1 min

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving after bitter election

Parades, football and feasts were on the menu on Thursday as Americans celebrated the annual Thanksgiving holiday, with stormy skies and the bitterly fought election hanging over many families' festivities.

1 min

Chinese, Russian military planes enter SoKor's air defense zone

Eleven Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone yesterday over a period of four hours, prompting South Korea to launch fighter jets, South Korea's military said.

1 min

Social media companies slam Australia's under-16 ban

Social media giants yesterday hit out at a landmark Australian law banning them from signing up under-16s, describing it as a rush job littered with \"many unanswered questions\".

1 min

Ireland votes in closely fought general election

Ireland began voting yesterday in a closely fought general election, with the incumbent coalition neck-and-neck with opposition party Sinn Fein after a campaign marked by rancor over housing and cost-of-living crises.

1 min

Flood-hit Spain introduces 'climate leave' for workers

Spain's leftist government on Thursday approved a \"paid climate leave\" of up to four days for workers to avoid traveling during weather emergencies, a month after floods killed 230 people.

1 min

Embattled Japan PM vows to cooperate with opposition

Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who survived as leader after a major election loss by his governing coalition, promised yesterday to work closely with the long-ignored opposition that is now the only way his minority government can stay in power.

1 min

'The Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers up for auction

Ruby slippers worn by actress Judy Garland in classic film \"The Wizard of Oz\" will be sold at auction next month, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.

1 min

Singapore hangs 4th person in three weeks

Singapore hanged a 35-year-old Singaporean-Iranian man for drug trafficking yesterday, its fourth in less than a month, despite appeals from Tehran to \"reconsider\" his execution.

1 min

K-pop group NewJeans leaves label over mistreatment

Chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans announced on Thursday their decision to leave their label ADOR, accusing the company of \"mistreatment.\"

1 min

Eastern passes initial test

The jury's still out on PBA Commissioner's Cup guest team Eastern but even as the Hong Kong team isn't as formidable as the Bay Area Dragons on paper, it's competitive and a serious playoff contender.

1 min

Girls coming up

THE GAME OF MY LIFE

1 min

Bisera, Villacencio rule ICTSI Match Play

Florence Bisera mirrored Arnold Villacencio's success in the men's division of the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational as they added some personal touch on their victories yesterday.

1 min

Siklab Awards honors Petecio as Sports Idol

Boxer Nesthy Petecio has inspired young Filipino athletes to strive for excellence, making it a breeze for the two-time Olympic medalist to be installed as this year's Sports Idol in the 2024 Nickel Asia Corp. Siklab Youth Sports Awards.

1 min

Swiatek suspended

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced Thursday.

1 min

Archers, Maroons seek finals berths

Reigning champion La Salle and host University of the Philippines eye a rematch by attempting to make short work of their separate rivals in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Final Four today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

1 min

BRIGHT START

Meralco beats Phoenix after trailing by 23

2 mins

Tolentino, Panlilio clinch top POC posts

Abraham Tolentino of cycling received a fresh four-year mandate as Philippine Olympic Committee president after beating Chito Loyzaga of baseball in elections held at the East Ocean Palace in Parañaque yesterday.

1 min

AcroCity, Mighty reach XABL final

AcroCity inched closer to history in the Xavier Alumni Basketball League (XABL) by downing Uratex 2018, 76-67, recently to advance to the winner-take-all final at the Xavier School Sports Center in San Juan.

1 min

Phl ranks sixth in video game time

The Philippines placed sixth globally in terms of time spent on gaming, according to online gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL).

1 min

NEDA sees economy growing faster in Q4

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) expects the economy to grow faster in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter, bolstering optimism that the full-year economic growth can still be achieved.

2 mins

Credit growth slows to 10.6% in October

After accelerating for three straight months, credit growth slowed to 10.6 percent in October from 11 percent in September, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

1 min

Slight push in Nov inflation likely - BSP

Higher prices of key food items, costlier electricity rates, rising oil prices and the depreciation of the peso against the dollar may have pushed inflation upward in November, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

1 min

Stocks stumble for 4th straight day

Share prices fell for a fourth consecutive session yesterday on lack of positive catalysts.

1 min

Listen like a leader

One day, a conversation took place between husband and wife: Husband: I was just listening to the radio on my way into town. Apparently, an actress just killed herself. Wife: Oh my! Who?! Husband: Uh, I can't remember...I think her name was Reese or something. Wife: WITHERSPOON!!!!!!! Husband: No, it was with a knife! You have a funny feeling this conversation is not going anywhere.

3 mins

SMC warns public vs fake suppliers

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is urging project suppliers to be vigilant against unscrupulous individuals introducing themselves as \"accredited\" suppliers with \"valid\" contracts with the company.

1 min

PLDT service unaffected by CBA talks

Telco giant PLDT Inc. has assured the public that its service remains unaffected as the company continues its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with its rank-and-file employees.

1 min

Improved OTP at NAIA

A recent report released by the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private sector consortium that took over the management and operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), revealed very interesting findings on the cause of flight delays in the country's premier gateway.

3 mins

SUN, SEA, AND SANCTUARIES

Our waters and marine life are also impacted by the climate crisis. What can we do to save them?

5 mins

SCUBASUREROS DISCOVER THRIVING MARINE LIFE BENEATH THERMA VISAYAS JETTY

At the western coast of Cebu Island, a coastline bordering Toledo City and facing the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, stands the Therma Visayas power plant's jetty that receives Panamax ships carrying fuel for its power generation operations.

3 mins

TransUnion forms anti-fraud task force

Global information and insights company TransUnion has launched an anti-fraud task force as part of efforts to create a safer environment for businesses and consumers.

2 mins

First Gen borrows P7 B to boost hydro unit

First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group has secured P7 billion in financing from three local banks to fuel the operations of its hydropower business.

1 min

Security Bank takes in 25% stake in Home Credit Phl

Security Bank Corp. has entered into an agreement to acquire a 25 percent ownership stake in HC Consumer Finance Philippines Inc., also known as Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), from MUFG Bank Ltd.

1 min

GCash ties up with UAE remittance firm

E-wallet giant GCash is making international remittances more accessible as it teams up with one of the largest remittance networks in the United Arab Emirates.

1 min

Factory gate prices fall at softer pace

Producer prices declined at a slower pace in October from the previous month due mainly to the increase in prices of computer and electronic products.

1 min

NTA recalibrates marketing plan to boost tobacco exports

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) said it would strengthen its marketing drive to hike the export of the country's tobacco and take advantage of the growing demand of the commodity in the global market.

1 min

How Chiang Mai Melted My Heart

Cebu Pacific recently inaugurated a direct flight to Chiang Mai, a historical place with a hundred temples whose walls date back to the 13th century.

5 mins

WILCON DEPOT BAGS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS ANEW

Wilcon Depot shone brightly at the 3rd Rising Tigers Charity Ball held at Shangri-La Makati, receiving the prestigious Company of the Year award.

1 min

A JOYFUL CWC BIRTHDAY BASH

The dynamic quartet of Dr. Esther Dee, Lit del Rosario, Baby Ortiz, and Sol Tan Gatue hosted a joyous birthday fellowship luncheon for their close friends from the Catholic Women's Club (CWC) at the social hall of the Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Makati City.

1 min

ASIAN HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS INNOVATIONS IN SKIN HEALTH

The Asian Hospital and Medical Center's (AHMC) Department of Dermatology hosted its highly anticipated Beauty & Beyond Anti-Aging and Aesthetics lecture series, in celebration of Dermatology Week 2024, dubbed \"LoveyourSkin@AsianDerm.\"

1 min

Flowers for Mary

It all began as a promise to a dying friend. Remy Ignacio held the hand of Sister Ludgeris as she lay on her deathbed and asked, \"What is worrying you? Is it your calendar?\"

3 mins

Filipino students sweep Singapore Challenge Cup

Young Filipino dance students swept gold and silver recognitions at the recently concluded Singapore Challenge Cup, a multi-genre competition for classical and modern protégés and professionals from across the globe.

1 min

'Pulang Araw,' OPM, P-pop music among Filipino cultural works to be sent to the moon

Several Filipino creations are set to soar into new heights, with their legacies to be preserved in a time capsule destined for the moon.

2 mins

ALEXA MIRO CROSSES THE LINE BETWEEN REAL AND REEL IN HORROR FILM

Alexa Miro straddles between real and reel in \"Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,\" an official entry at this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

3 mins

ANNE CURTIS TO SURPRISE DAUGHTER DAHLIA WITH HER WAX FIGURE IN HONG KONG

IT WAS LIKE A FAMILY AFFAIR OF SORTS DURING the grand unveiling of multimedia superstar Anne Curtis' Madame Tussauds wax figure just last Wednesday in Makati.

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.