The Philippine Star - January 02, 2025

In this issue

January 02, 2025

Teachers: Why are PMA, PNPA funds in education budget?

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) is reviewing whether the Marcos administration unlawfully lumped military and police academy funds with those of the education sector to meet the required amount under the Constitution.

2 mins

Drug war, POGOs, PhilHealth fund issues reach SC

Controversial issues plagued the nation throughout the year – from investigations into alleged human rights violations during the previous administration's drug war which reached the International Criminal Court, the uncovering of illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs that led to the downfall of the industry, and inquiries into the use of public funds by the country's second-highest ranking official in the country.

9 mins

Fabella Welcomes First Baby Girl of 2025

A healthy baby girl became the first member of the Philippines' so-called Generation Beta, or babies born from 2025 to 2039.

1 min

Heads of state not invited to Trump inaugural

President Marcos will not attend the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who will return to the White House this month after staging what has been described as one of the most remarkable political comebacks in modern history.

3 mins

Catholics told: Live in hope

Catholics should live with \"pag-asa\" and not in \"paasa\" or be \"palaasa.\"

1 min

Marcos Urged To Delay Release Of Budget 'Pork'

Until After 2025 Midterm Polls

4 mins

11 LEDAC priority bills signed last year - Palace

Eleven priority bills of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) were enacted last year, including measures that seek to generate additional revenues, assert the country's maritime rights and attract more investors.

2 mins

Angara reaffirms commitment to improve quality of education

Education Secretary Sonny Angara yesterday reaffirmed the Department of Education (DepEd)'s commitment to reforms and improving the quality of education in 2025.

1 min

Firecracker injuries on New Year's Eve down 64% - DOH

Over 140 people suffered firecracker-related injuries as the country welcomed the New Year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

3 mins

'House passed 166 laws since 2022'

The high legislative output of the House of Representatives, with 166 laws produced, has been hailed by the \"Young Guns\" group of neophyte lawmakers.

1 min

DHSUD to turn over more housing units in 2025

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is optimistic that more housing units under the Marcos administration's Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program will be completed and turned over to the beneficiaries in 2025.

2 mins

2025 Budget Includes 2nd Round of Gov't Wage Hikes

The 2025 national budget signed on Dec. 30 by President Marcos includes a salary hike for government workers, Bohol 3rd District Rep. Kristine Tutor said yesterday.

1 min

Phl envoys to Hungary, Ethiopia named

President Marcos has appointed new envoys to Hungary and Ethiopia, as well as officials to various government agencies.

1 min

Tropical cyclone could develop this month

A tropical cyclone could form within the Philippine area of responsibility this month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

1 min

2 bettors share P25.3-M lotto jackpot

Two bettors will start the New Year as millionaires as they split the P25.3-million jackpot in the 6/42 Regular Lotto drawn on Tuesday night.

1 min

Crimes in NCR down 10.6% in December

The crime volume in Metro Manila decreased by at least 10 percent last month, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yesterday.

1 min

3 MM Cities Register 'Unhealthy Air'

Some areas in Metro Manila registered \"unhealthy air\" yesterday as haze enveloped skies amid the New Year's Eve revelry, according to the monitoring of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)'s Environmental Management Bureau.

1 min

9 fires hit Metro on New Year's Day

Nine fires were recorded in Metro Manila during New Year’s Eve festivities, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

1 min

DOH: Holiday road accidents top 500

The number of road crashes during the holiday season has exceeded 500, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

1 min

SC Posts 22% Case Disposition Rate in 2024

The Supreme Court (SC) registered a higher case disposition rate in 2024.

1 min

Heated race for Manila mayor looms in 2025

An intense rivalry for the seat of Manila mayor is expected in the May 2025 midterm elections.

1 min

Risking financial resilience

The creative movement of public funds by the government has drawn the attention even of the International Monetary Fund.

1 min

Bifurcation

This young year will be a very political one. This happens every three years, given our short electoral cycle.

3 mins

New year wish list for the country

The so-called dead week after Christmas and before New Year is one of my favorite times of each year.

3 mins

Putin Declares 'Everything Will Be Fine' Despite Russia's Growing Challenges

A quarter century after assuming power, President Vladimir Putin told Russians in his New Year's Eve address Tuesday that their country was overcoming every challenge and moving forward.

1 min

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan starts in April

With 2025 finally upon us, I want to first wish everyone “Akemashite Omedetou,” or a prosperous New Year, on this joyous day.

4 mins

Wishes for the New Year

Today we are at the beginning of a new year, 2025. In one of my recent columns, I highlighted the major events of the past that had history-changing effects on the Philippines and Asia. Today, I want to write on the future of the coming year.

3 mins

Money, money

The government did two things with our money in 2024. Both will impact on our political and economic consciousness in 2025 and perhaps, beyond.

4 mins

2 Alleged Contract Killers Slain in Zambo 'Shootout'

Two suspected contract killers were killed in a shootout with a police officer, who was wounded in the incident that occurred in this city on Tuesday night.

1 min

ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Two vital infrastructure projects in Mindanao were completed before 2024 ended, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

1 min

2 Die as Boat Sinks Off Northern Samar

Two women died while six others were rescued when a motorized boat capsized in the waters off Laoang town in Northern Samar on Monday.

1 min

SC Ruling on Fishing in Municipal Waters Hit

The Department of Agriculture has been asked to appeal a decision of the Supreme Court (SC) allowing commercial fishing within 15 kilometers of municipal waters.

1 min

Underwater drone recovered in Masbate

An underwater drone believed to be from China was recovered in the waters off San Pascual, Masbate on Monday, the Bicol police reported yesterday.

1 min

Musk flummoxes internet with 'Kekius Maximus' persona

Billionaire Elon Musk adopted the moniker \"Kekius Maximus\" on his social media platform X on Dec. 31, sparking speculation among his 210 million followers about his mysterious new handle that is a mash-up of an alt-right symbol, a memecoin and the lead character of the movie \"Gladiator.\"

1 min

World Welcomes 2025 With Light Shows, Embraces, Ice Plunges

From Sydney to Mumbai to Paris to Rio de Janeiro, communities around the world welcomed 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.

1 min

Car plows into crowd in New Orleans; 10 dead

At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured when a vehicle plowed into a crowd in a popular tourist district in the US city of New Orleans, city authorities said Wednesday.

1 min

£1.5-M reward offered after London gem raid

Victims of a £10-million London jewelry raid have offered rewards of up to £1.5 million to help recover the gems and catch the thief.

1 min

Man pushed in front of subway train survives

A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted murder on the night of Dec. 31, hours after a man waiting on a Manhattan, New York subway platform was violently shoved into the path of an oncoming train.

1 min

Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Director, Alleging Harassment

Actor Blake Lively sued \"It Ends With Us\" director Justin Baldoni and several others tied to the romantic drama on Tuesday, alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation for coming forward about her treatment on the set.

1 min

Probers Extract Data From Jeju Air Black Box

Investigators probing a Jeju Air crash which killed 179 in South Korea's worst aviation disaster on home soil have extracted the initial data from one of the Boeing 737-800's black boxes, an official said on Jan. 1.

2 mins

KQ to pursue degree

Two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao will stay enrolled at De La Salle University to finish his course in Sports Management while playing for the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League.

1 min

Eala powers way to Canberra Last 8

Australian Open-bound Alex Eala started the New Year with a bang, barging into the quarterfinals of the Workday Canberra International yesterday.

1 min

Phl bets bracing for Asian Winter Games, SEAG, AIMAG

With a massive war chest, Filipino athletes will be well equipped when they plunge into action in several huge international tournaments in what many expect to be an exciting 2025.

1 min

AIA Elevates RnR Running Series Manila

The Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Manila, with AIA as its new title sponsor, is set to deliver an unparalleled experience in its fourth staging on Nov. 30, promising bigger scope and expanded participation.

1 min

LeBron beaten in first game at 40 years old

The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers spoiled LeBron James’ first game as a 40-year-old, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 122-110 on Tuesday, as the NBA champion Boston Celtics closed out 2024 with a 125-71 demolition of the Toronto Raptors.

1 min

Five Phl Open slots disputed in Cangolf qualifier

A lean but talented field made up of seasoned professionals and the upcoming guns will be teeing it up tomorrow to chase as many as five slots to the Philippine Open, Asia's oldest national golf championship, which will have its revival later this month.

1 min

PBA's top guns

The race is on to determine who'll emerge the PBA Commissioner's Cup top local gun.

2 mins

Tourism sector soars in 2024

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported robust growth in the tourism sector for last year, attributing the progress to reforms and flagship programs under the Marcos administration.

4 mins

SEC Issues Regulatory Framework for Islamic Bonds

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) wants to help boost the development of Islamic banking and finance in the country through the release of a regulatory framework for sukuk issuance.

2 mins

IMF: Phl faces challenges in business, demographics

The Philippines is grappling with critical gaps in its business environment, infrastructure and labor market, which threaten its potential to attract private investment and boost productivity growth, according to the International Monetary Fund.

2 mins

Rice, corn mills close shop in over 1,000 barangays

Small-scale rice and corn millers in over 1,000 barangays closed shop in a span of a decade after they were dominated by bigger players amid the influx of cheaper imported grain supplies.

2 mins

Top 10 investments and infrastructure news of 2024

Here is my list of five global investment and five Philippines infrastructure stories of 2024.

3 mins

Net external liability position widens in Q3

The country's net external liability position stood at $74.2 billion as of end-September 2024, 33 percent higher than the $55.7 billion recorded in end-June, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

1 min

Longer foreign land lease to benefit REIT market

The move to extend the lease term allowed for foreign investors to 99 years is seen to benefit the country's real estate investment trust (REIT) market as it will allow the expansion and diversification of property portfolios.

3 mins

LRTA on track to book record-high fare income

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) will post another record income from fare collection at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), boosting its war chest for spending requirements this year.

1 min

DMCI Homes bolsters sustainability initiatives

DMCI Homes, the property development arm of the Consunji Group, is advancing its good governance and sustainability initiatives by joining forces with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).

1 min

Genuine advocacy within the party-list system

The 2025 midterm elections, one of the year's most anticipated events, has ignited political activity nationwide.

3 mins

DOE Jacks Up Pumped-Storage Hydropower Capacity for GEA-3

The Department of Energy (DOE) has set a new installation target for pumped-storage hydropower (PSH), which will take center stage in the upcoming third round of the green energy auction (GEA).

2 mins

Green spaces to fuel demand for offices

Healthy and sustainable office spaces are seen to play a significant role in fueling office space demand in Metro Manila starting this year, according to a professional services firm.

1 min

BOC, Maya renew partnership

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has renewed its partnership with Maya Philippines Inc. to further enhance electronic payment systems for its stakeholders.

1 min

China's factory activity slows in December as trade risks grow

China's factory activity expanded at a slower pace in December, official data showed on Tuesday, despite recent stimulus measures and in the face of increasing trade risks.

1 min

Small Businesses Brace Themselves for Potentially Disruptive TikTok Ban

A looming TikTok ban could affect the millions of small businesses that use the short-video social media app to help them grow their business.

2 mins

Global markets ride Al, interest rate roller coaster in 2024

Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI), falling interest rates, and hopes of tax cuts.

3 mins

'Green Bones' triples cinema slots after MMFF awards

After winning Best Picture at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), \"Green Bones\" saw a dramatic rise in screenings—from 60 cinemas one day before the Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 27 to an impressive 180 to date.

2 mins

'MUTYA NG SECTION E' CAST TACKLES PRESSURE OF MEETING FANS' EXPECTATIONS

The lead cast of Viva One's \"Ang Mutya ng Section E\" assured the viewers that they would live up to the expectations of the fans of the Wattpad original series.

3 mins

Christopher Nolan's Next Film Is Based on 'The Odyssey'

Christopher Nolan is following his Oscar-winning \"Oppenheimer\" with a true epic: Homer's \"The Odyssey.\" It will open in theaters on July 17, 2026, Universal Pictures said Monday.

1 min

LIMBAGA 77: COMFORT FOOD IN THE HOOD

Where I live in Quezon City can rightly be described as restaurant row—or more accurately, rows of restaurants—as dozens of them fill not just Tomas Morato Avenue but also its crisscrossing and parallel streets.

2 mins

WISP: The Next Wave of Shoegaze

Shoegaze singer Natalie R. Lu, better known as WISP, made her Manila debut last Dec. 6 at the Skydome, SM North EDSA.

2 mins

Ceviche and the Vibrant Flavors of Peruvian Cuisine

Peru has over 3,000 varieties of corn, declared chef Carlo Huerta proudly, during a recent cooking demonstration at the Albertus Magnus Building in UST.

2 mins

CLARK N' ROLL, THE HARD ROCK CAFE WAY

I walked into the men’s room as the frontman of one of the bands for the night, Pyromania, blasted Guns N’ Roses’ Nightrain from his mobile phone at modest mayhem levels.

4 mins

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The Philippine Star Newspaper Description:

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.