The Philippine Star - December 30, 2024

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December 30, 2024

US Navy ship spotted near Panatag amid China patrols

A United States Navy ship was sighted around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal yesterday morning while a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship was conducting patrol in the area, a maritime security expert said.

1 min

13 Pinay surrogates jailed in Cambodia back in Phl

Thirteen Filipinas convicted in Cambodia for acting as surrogate mothers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday and will have a place to stay, courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

3 mins

Marcos to sign 2025 nat'l budget bill today

President Marcos is scheduled to sign into law today the 2025 national budget that has been “refocused” to reflect the priorities of his administration.

2 mins

3 Weather Systems Continue to Bring Rain

Three weather systems will continue to bring rain in different parts of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

1 min

DOH Logs 418 Road Crashes During Holidays

Road traffic accidents this holiday season continue to rise, according to the Department of Health.

1 min

House eyes probe on fake, malicious social media posts

Seven officials of the House of Representatives are eyeing an investigation that will identify sources of fake news on social media platforms, with the aim of \"safeguarding freedom of speech and ensuring digital safety.\"

2 mins

Comelec slammed for allowing Quiboloy in 2025 polls

The Workers' and Peasants' Party (WPP) yesterday criticized the Commission on Elections for ruling in favor of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is currently in detention on charges of alleged human trafficking and child sex abuse.

1 min

Firecracker injuries rise to 142 ahead of New Year

As the New Year celebration approaches, the number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) nationwide rose to 142.

2 mins

Senate Blue Ribbon panel marks 2024 with successes

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee exemplified its commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance in 2024, according to its chairperson Sen. Pia Cayetano.

1 min

Remove medicine booklet requirement for PWDs, too

After removing the senior citizens' purchase booklet requirement on their 20-percent discount for medicines, former senator Francis Pangilinan has urged the government to do the same for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to help alleviate their burden in purchasing medicines.

1 min

Phl to aid Pinoy in Kuwaiti child's killing

The Philippine government is extending assistance to a Filipino domestic helper allegedly involved in the murder of her employer's child.

1 min

NSA to China: Phl has right to defend itself

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año yesterday rejected China's claims that the Philippine Army's decision to acquire the Typhoon mid-range missile system from the United States may trigger an arms race and cause more trouble in the region.

1 min

Comprehensive programs vs classroom shortage sought

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to tackle the classroom shortage problem with more comprehensive and sustained programs instead of \"band-aid\" solutions.

1 min

3 Pinoys Slain by Kin in California

Three members of a Filipino family were stabbed to death in Baldwin Park, California.

1 min

Ombudsman affirms ex-BFAR exec's indictment

Former fisheries undersecretary Eduardo Gongona has failed in his bid to reverse his graft indictment over alleged irregularities in the awarding of a P2.1-billion contract for vessel monitoring system (VMS) transceivers to a British company in 2018.

1 min

DA to finalize rice branding issues in January

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will lead a meeting on Jan. 3 that will finalize a plan to remove branding on rice after he said that retailers and traders are intentionally confusing consumers with premium rice imports to justify the high prices of the grains.

5 mins

Department of Migrant Workers unveils its official logo

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) proudly unveiled its official logo on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

1 min

The home of OFWs in the government

The Department of Migrant Workers continues to expand in reaching OFWs and their families

4 mins

God 'delivers'

Before I go to my year-end topic, I just want to call out to the MIAA, DOLE, as well as a company called D'Frada regarding the lamentation of baggage porters at the NAIA.

3 mins

Tribute to Rizal

In my travels overseas, among the most pleasant surprises I have encountered, particularly in Europe, are the memorials or markers paying tribute to a Filipino, Jose Rizal.

4 mins

No RIP for Rizal

It's regrettable that the nation is commemorating the 128th anniversary of the execution of Jose Rizal amid protests over the insufficiency of funding for the education sector.

2 mins

OpenAI Details Plans for Becoming a For-Profit Company

OpenAI revealed details last Friday about its plans to adopt a new corporate structure that will remove the company from control by a nonprofit that has been the focus of contention.

1 min

The young Dodong Nemenzo (2)

This week I continue with excerpts from my interview with the late Francisco \"Dodong\" Nemenzo, on his recollections of his genesis as a young intellectual and activist at the University of the Philippines in the 1950s.

4 mins

Indispensable Rizal coins

Today we commemorate the 128th death anniversary of our country's national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

4 mins

The hero in the entrepreneur

GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS

4 mins

SMC Opens New Skyway Exit in QC

Motorists headed out for the New Year can expect lighter traffic along the Quezon Avenue segment of the Skyway Stage 3, with the opening of a new exit for northbound motorists.

1 min

Advincula Holds Mass Today for Yearlong Jubilee

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will hold mass today for the opening of the Catholic Holy Year, also known as Jubilee.

1 min

PUVMP consolidation rate hits 85.6% - LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board concluded 2024 with the consolidation for the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) reaching 85.6 percent by the end of the year, the LTFRB announced yesterday.

1 min

PGH Eyes AI for Brain Tumor Detection

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is studying the viability of using Taiwanese artificial intelligence (AI) software that can detect brain tumors in five minutes.

1 min

Marbil: Ensure public safety during New Year revelry

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed all PNP units nationwide to implement safety and security measures as the country prepares to celebrate the New Year.

1 min

Tourists Enjoy Cooler Baguio Air

Residents and tourists enjoyed a cool climate in Baguio City after the temperature dropped to 15.6 degrees Celsius yesterday, amid the effect of the northeast monsoon or amihan.

1 min

Drunk Cop Kills Bus Passenger, Wounds 2 Cops

COTABATO CITY – A policeman was arrested after shooting a bus passenger and wounding two responding policemen at the border of Cotabato and Davao del Sur provinces before dawn Saturday.

1 min

Villafuertes Lead in CamSur Survey

If elections were conducted today, the Villafuertes would be lording it over Camarines Sur, a Pulse Asia survey showed.

1 min

Lone bettor wins P202-M lotto pot

A bettor in Legazpi City, Albay was the solo winner of the Grand Lotto 6/55 jackpot prize of P202.5 million on Saturday.

1 min

BARMM residents mourn death of Maranao leader

Residents of Lanao del Sur's 39 towns and capital city, Marawi, are mourning the demise of former governor Soraya Alonto-Adiong on Friday.

1 min

Winning Ticket for $1.22-B Lottery Jackpot Sold in California

At least one Mega Millions player has plenty of dough to ring in the New Year after drawing the winning number.

1 min

All but two feared dead in Sokor plane crash

MUAN (AFP) - A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival on Sunday, smashing into a barrier and bursting into flames, leaving all but two feared dead.

2 mins

Trump Sides With Musk in Debate Over Worker Visas

Donald Trump weighed in on Saturday in a bitter debate dividing his traditional supporters and tech barons like Elon Musk, saying that he backs a special visa program that helps highly skilled workers enter the country.

1 min

Gaza hospital chief held in raid - Israel military

Israel's military yesterday said a hospital director is being held as a suspected Hamas militant after a north Gaza raid that the World Health Organization (WHO) said left the area's last major health facility emptied of patients and staff.

1 min

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits tournament over jeans dispute

Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition, the International Chess Federation said.

1 min

Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in Arizona Bowl

Snoop Dogg climbed to top step of the bandstand and raised his arms, setting off a roar from the crowd.

1 min

Belgium to ban sale of disposable e-cigarettes

Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds, in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations.

1 min

Putin apologizes to Azerbaijan over 'tragic' plane crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized on Saturday over the crash of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane, though he stopped short of accepting that it might have been hit by Russian fire.

1 min

Impeached Sokor president defies summons for 3rd time

SEOUL (AFP) – South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol refused a summons to appear for questioning on Sunday, the third time he has defied investigators’ demands in two weeks.

1 min

Universal Studios, hotel halt drones in shows

A theme park resort and a huge hotel in central Florida either have stopped using drones or canceled their drone-based shows after several drones collided and fell from the sky during a separate holiday celebration in downtown Orlando.

1 min

Model Dayle Haddon Dies From Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist, and trailblazing former Sports Illustrated model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning.

1 min

ROARING 2024

The Year of the Dragon, in Chinese beliefs, symbolizes honor, power, luck and success. For Philippine sports, 2024 meant all of the above.

4 mins

Phl booters eye upset for ages

After breaking a 52-year winless streak against Thailand, is a breakthrough finals stint in Southeast Asia's centerpiece football tournament up next for fearless Philippines?

1 min

Vargas named to Asian body

ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas was recently named to join a high-powered Board of the interim Asian Boxing that is affiliated with World Boxing, the international federation seeking to gain IOC recognition for the purpose of retaining the sport in the Olympics.

1 min

Housing Prices Drop for 1st Time in 3 Years

Property prices declined for the first time in three years as prices of duplex housing and condominium units slumped in the third quarter, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

2 mins

More 'hot money' enters in November

More speculative funds flowed into the Philippines, yielding a net inflow of $96.59 million in November and reversing the $529.68 million outflow seen a month ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

2 mins

Renewable Energy Dominates Green Lane-Certified Projects

The Board of Investments (BOI) has endorsed 176 projects worth P4.54 trillion for expedited licensing and permit processing, with renewable energy (RE) developments leading the way.

1 min

Pineapple exports may hit record high this year

The Philippines' pineapple exports may hit a record high of over 690,000 metric tons (MT) this year, driven by better output and higher demand abroad, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

1 min

PSE Sees Trump Economic Policies Impacting Market Trajectory in 2025

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) expects the economic policies of the incoming administration of US president-elect Donald Trump to play a key role in the trajectory of the local stock market in 2025.

1 min

Meralco's 5RP begins in July - ERC

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has moved the start of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)'s fifth regulatory period (5RP) to July 2025, delaying it by six months from the earlier approved date.

1 min

Sideways Trading Likely on Shortened Week

Stocks are expected to trade sideways with a slight upward bias to open the year on another shortened trading week.

1 min

2024 Philippine Equities: A Year of Volatility

Philippine stocks ended 2024 virtually unchanged.

2 mins

Doing housing right

Just got back from spending the Christmas holidays with my son and his family in Singapore.

4 mins

BDO, Asia's Premier Banks Release New Report to Support Climate Transition

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), along with leading Asian banks, has published the Asia Transition Finance Annual Report 2024 to help Asian economies achieve a \"just and orderly transition\" toward a more sustainable future.

1 min

SEC Issues Draft Rules on PHL Green Equity

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a framework for green equity offerings to provide companies with greater visibility of their activities that make substantial contribution to an environmental objective.

2 mins

Embracing AI

As we close 2024 and move forward to 2025, I have become more anxious about embracing artificial intelligence (AI), fearful as with all other technological advancements, that I will become so dependent on it that even in writing my column I may fall into the habit of using AI, especially when my muse eludes me or when I become too lazy to do my own research.

4 mins

Cebu Pacific bringing in 7 jets this year

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is far from being done with its short-term expansion, as the airline plans to add seven aircraft to its fleet in 2025 to keep up with demand.

1 min

Dennis Trillo donates 50th MMFF Best Actor winnings to PDLs

Dennis Trillo has decided to donate his winnings from being named Best Actor at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), who served as the inspiration for the prison drama \"Green Bones.\"

4 mins

'THE KINGDOM' INTRODUCES A FILIPINO NATION NEVER COLONIZED

ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WATCHED \"THE KINGDOM\" will agree that it deserves the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal.

4 mins

'Somewhere in France' exhibit at Alliance Française de Manille

The Alliance Française de Manille is honored to present \"Somewhere in France,\" an exhibition that showcases the remarkable artistic journey of renowned Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor.

1 min

Welcome to Isla Pambata

Museo Pambata, the Philippines' first children's museum, proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary, reopening its doors on Dec. 6 with a reimagined, interactive space designed to inspire, educate and spark the imagination of all who visit.

2 mins

How Mike Tuviera Came Up With a Provocative Winner of a Film

Be warned: in this article, I will gush about the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 entry \"The Kingdom,\" which was directed and co-produced by my brother-in-law, Mike Tuviera, who is married to my bunso sister Penny.

4 mins

TRAINS, BOATS, PLANES AND BUSES: THE LAKARAN LECTURE SERIES TOURS ITALY

\"You wouldn't think it,\" a Filipina OFW named Alice tells us, referring to her modest attire while holding a mic in a Napoli church hall, \"but I was earning P200,000 a day. But I wasn't showy about it; I would just hide all this money away.\"

8 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.