The Philippine Star - December 16, 2024

In this issue

December 16, 2024

DA: 6 M bags of NFA rice may rot

At least six million bags of National Food Authority rice have been stocked too long and may rot if not disposed of soon, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA), as Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged Congress to pass a law allowing the NFA to sell its stocks in the market.

2 mins

House quad comm probes Duterte drug war, EJKs

The House of Representatives was kept busy in 2024, dealing both with political drama and innovations in its legislative function.

3 mins

Marcos to fix DepEd budget cut – Angara

President Marcos has vowed to turn things around for the Department of Education, after both chambers of Congress cut DepEd's proposed 2025 budget by P12 billion, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said yesterday.

5 mins

Workers seek resignation of PhilHealth board members

After Congress allocated zero subsidy for 2025 to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. ostensibly for inefficiency in fund utilization, organized labor pushed yesterday for the immediate removal of PhilHealth board members for compromising public health.

3 mins

Cloud clusters outside PAR may turn into LPA

Cloud clusters outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) east of Visayas and Mindanao may develop into a low-pressure area (LPA) within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

1 min

Weak La Niña may develop in next 3 months

La Niña conditions may develop in the next three months, but are expected to be relatively weak and short-lived, according to the latest forecast from the United Nations weather agency.

1 min

Palace holds concert for film industry

It was the movie industry's turn yesterday to be honored by the Malacañang concert series that seeks to recognize the contributions of key sectors while promoting Filipino culture and talent.

1 min

JoyRide introduces new Airport Transfer Service at NAIA T3

In support of New NAIA Infra Corp.'s (NNIC) initiative to upgrade the Airport Transfer Service at NAIA Terminal 3, JoyRide launched its new Super Taxi Airport Edition service – a dedicated airport transfer service that is metered, designed for speed and unparalleled convenience.

1 min

PCG hits China 'misinformation'

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday condemned recent remarks by China's Ministry of Defense, calling them \"acts of intimidation and misinformation aimed at undermining the Philippines' sovereign rights in the disputed waters.\"

1 min

1,322 OVP fund recipients have no birth records

Nearly two-thirds of people listed by Vice President Sara Duterte as recipients of her P500-million confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) have no birth certificates, indicating that all of them are fictitious like \"Mary Grace Piattos\" of the Department of Education (DepEd).

2 mins

Tagaytay Highlands: Leading the way in luxury, sustainability, and modern living

Tagaytay Highlands, a name synonymous with exclusive mountain escapes south of Metro Manila, is pioneering a new era of integrated township living, where residents enjoy unparalleled ease and sophistication amidst a curated collection of world-class amenities.

3 mins

LTFRB starts PUV special permit applications

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) started accepting applications yesterday for special permits for public utility vehicles (PUVs) in anticipation of a surge in commuters during the holidays.

1 min

Road safety advocates back LTMS implementation

Road safety, transport and digitalization advocates have thrown their support behind the Commission on Audit and the COA's push for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to fully implement the P8.2-billion Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) to shield motorists from payment of unnecessary computer fees.

1 min

BOC: P81-B contraband seized this year

Over P81 billion worth of smuggled goods were confiscated this year, more than double what was recorded in 2022, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

1 min

PNP probes Makati shooting

A shooting in Makati involving two police officers and a motorcycle rider, witnessed by Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro last week, is being investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

1 min

'Heinous crimes convicts can now earn GCTA'

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have amended the rules for Republic Act 10592 or the Revised Penal Code, allowing heinous crime convicts to earn Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) for reduced sentences.

1 min

Cardinal David wears Romero cross

A wooden cross inspired by Salvadoran Saint Oscar Romero – patron of those who work for justice and peace – will be worn “most of the time” by Caloocan Bishop Pablo Cardinal David.

1 min

PNP: 636 child abuse victims rescued since 2022

Child exploitation victims rescued since 2022 totaled 636, including a four-month-old baby in Taguig City sold on the dark web, according to the Philippine National Police.

1 min

1 dead, 60 families homeless in Pasig fire

One person died and another was injured when a fire broke out at a residential neighborhood in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig at dawn yesterday.

1 min

THE DISRUPTOR

PNP Chief Rommel Marbil is not afraid to go against the flow

4 mins

Catalysts for change

The country has 3,962 new lawyers, accounting for 37.84 percent of the 10,490 who took the Bar examinations this year.

1 min

Nailed to trees

SKETCHES

4 mins

Be kind to Grab drivers

CTALK

4 mins

Beaten to the draw again

COMMONSENSE

4 mins

World view - Brian Thompson, not Luigi Mangione, is the real working-class hero

One of the more moving stories in The New York Times last week is an account of the life of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was gunned down on Dec. 4 outside of a New York hotel.

2 mins

In sin and error pining

OWERTYMAN - It was at an early Christmas lunch when a friend asked if I thought that Vice President Sara Duterte would be impeached, with all the motions now on the table to that effect. I wasn't expecting politics to be taken up over the merrymaking, but this is the Philippines where we breathe politics, so I obliged.

4 mins

16,268 residents evacuated from Kanlaon danger zone

BACOLOD CITY - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas reported that 81 percent of residents within Kanlaon volcano's six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) in Negros have been evacuated as of 10 a.m. yesterday.

1 min

Keep the world green - Villar

Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar urged Filipinos to work together to keep the world green, during the inauguration of an electric vehicle charging facility at Vista Mall Bataan.

1 min

Palace tells suspended Abra officials to man up

Malacañang yesterday called on the suspended local executives of Abra to \"man up\" as it maintained that their suspension was in line with existing rules.

1 min

Angat Dam water level up by 2.36 meters

The water level of Angat Dam has increased by 2.36 meters in the last nine days amid the rains brought by the shear line.

1 min

Storms across US bring snow, ice, tornado in California

OMAHA (AP) — Inclement weather plagued areas of the US in the first half of the weekend, with dangerous conditions, including heavy snow in upstate New York, a major ice storm in Midwest states, severe weather warnings around Lake Tahoe and unusual tornado activity in Central California.

1 min

Former Manhattan prosecutor to represent Mangione in CEO's murder

NEW YORK (AP) - The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has added a prominent defense lawyer to his legal team as Manhattan prosecutors work to return him from Pennsylvania to face a murder charge.

1 min

Francis makes first visit by a pope to Corsica

Pope Francis will visit Corsica, a stronghold of the Catholic faith, today, with locals hotly anticipating the first-ever trip by a pontiff to the French Mediterranean island.

1 min

Producers of 'Love is Blind' accused of labor violations

The producers of Netflix's hit reality dating show \"Love is Blind\" have been accused by a US labor board of attempting to strip cast members of their rights to discuss working conditions and speak publicly about their experiences.

1 min

S. Korean leader seeks calm after Yoon's impeachment

SEOUL (AP) - South Korea's opposition leader offered yesterday to work with the government to ease the political tumult as officials sought to reassure allies and markets, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law.

1 min

Magsayo closer to title shot

It didn't take long for WBC/WBO No. 3, WBA No. 4 and IBF No. 5 superfeatherweight contender Mark Magsayo to demolish Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado in their six-round bout at Thunder Studios, Long Beach, California, Saturday night (yesterday afternoon, Manila).

1 min

Another draw for Pinoy booters

Just like its opening match at home, the Philippines settled for another disappointing draw against an opponent it was supposed to beat.

1 min

Basketball for all

THE GAME OF MY LIFE

1 min

MAROONS BACK AS CHAMPS

The UAAP crown finally found its way back to Diliman after taking Il-turns in hack-to-back seasons

2 mins

Junior Altas rule NCAA Street Dance tilt

The troupe of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta - Dance Company showed their dancing skills and emerged champions in the inaugural NCAA Street Dance Competition at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, Thursday night.

1 min

Bucks, Thunder dispute NBA Cup

A dominating performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo on Saturday led the Milwaukee Bucks into the NBA Cup final, where they will face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder for the title.

1 min

Ayala Land embarks on major redirection

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the listed property giant of the Ayala Group, has commenced a shake-up of sorts as part of a major reinvention deemed necessary to adapt to the changing times.

2 mins

Phl ranks second in Asean stat race

The Philippines maintained its position as second in Southeast Asia in the World Bank's Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI) for 2023.

1 min

Gov't settles 91.6% of debt service for 2024

The Marcos administration increased its debt payments to P1.86 trillion as of end-October, settling more than 90 percent of its programmed obligation for the year.

1 min

BSP expected to cut rates by 25 bps anew

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is widely expected to bring down its key policy rate by 25 basis points (bps) at its upcoming Monetary Board meeting on Thursday, according to a poll of analysts conducted last week.

2 mins

Good tidings for christmas

After a spate of bad news in recent weeks, the holiday season brings good tidings for Christmas.

3 mins

Jollibee sees 2024 as another banner year

Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) sees 2024 as another banner year for the company and looks forward to a stronger growth by next year.

2 mins

More digital PPPs needed

The government should undertake more public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the connectivity industry to expand usability among Filipinos, network provider Globe Telecom Inc. said.

1 min

Sideways trading seen as policy rate decisions loom

Local stocks are seen moving sideways this week as investors keep an eye on key policy rate decisions by the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

1 min

Still struggling as always

One major reason why foreign investors avoid putting up manufacturing plants here is our iffy power situation.

4 mins

ACEN cited for clean energy contributions

The Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized Ayala-led ACEN Corp. for its significant contributions to advancing the country's ambitious energy transition push.

2 mins

Philip Morris leverages tech, innovation for smoke-free world

ABU DHABI - Philip Morris International (PMI) continues to leverage technology and innovation as it ramps up the shift of over a billion smokers worldwide to smoke-free products.

2 mins

Gov't mulls voluntary purchase of raw sugar

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is mulling a new round of voluntary purchase program that would siphon off a certain level of raw sugar from the market to arrest falling prices of the commodity.

2 mins

Phl firms seen tapping US market in 2025

The Philippines is likely to tap the US credit market anew next year as it sees possible opportunities to diversify its sources of funding, according to US investment bank J.P Morgan.

4 mins

Angkas chief pushes inclusion of motorcycles in transport plan

The head of the country's biggest motorcycle ride-hailing firm is pushing for the inclusion of the two-wheeled vehicle in the government's National Transport Plan.

1 min

PetroWind eyes to complete Nabas wind farm in 2025

AKLAN - Yuchengco-led PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI) is set to complete the second phase of its wind project here by 2025, boosting power supply for Boracay and Panay islands.

1 min

LITO LAPID SHARES FAMILY'S REACTION TO 'LOVE TEAM' WITH LORNA TOLENTINO

Sen. Lito Lapid is most grateful for this 2024 is an enduring acting career, bolstered by his \"love team\" with Lorna Tolentino in the primetime series \"FPJ's Batang Quiapo.\"

3 mins

Kuya Kim Atienza's Christmas wish is for his kids

TV host and health advocate Kim Atienza, fondly called Kuya Kim to most who know him, is prepared to spend a white Christmas in Vale, Colorado with his family — wife Fely and three children, Jose III, Eliana and Emman.

2 mins

Visions of Madrid in monochrome

Artist Arnold Lalongisip presents \"The Madrid Collection,\" an intimate photographic series born from his journey to Madrid, Spain.

1 min

Blackpink's Jisoo, Park Jeong Min unite in K-zombie series 'Newtopia'

Prime Video has announced the release of \"Newtopia,\" a Korean zombie apocalypse series starring award-winning Korean actor Park Jeong Min and K-pop star Jisoo of BLACKPINK.

1 min

Christmas is the perfect time for healing

It's exactly nine days till Christmas day and we've been experiencing holiday traffic all over Metro Manila since December began.

3 mins

Horror fiction writer Joseph Anthony Montecillo launches book

Fiction author Joseph Anthony Montecillo celebrated the release of his debut book, In the Blood and Other Stories, a compilation of short horror fiction, at Palm Tree Abbey last Nov. 24 with a reading from the collection and book signing.

1 min

CCP launches first animated short film

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) harnesses the power of storytelling to raise social awareness and advocate for environmental preservation with the launch of Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang: Ang Mahiwagang Bantay ng Bundok Arayat—a captivating animated short film that transports viewers into the enchanting world of Filipino folktales while emphasizing the importance of protecting the Philippine natural heritage.

1 min

VINTAGE MARITIME ACCOUNTS DEBUNK CHINA'S CLAIM

Libreria Filipiniana often appears on FB to offer titles that are scarce.

4 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.