The Philippine Star - January 09, 2025

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January 09, 2025

Chinese helicopter also patrolling Panatag – PCG

Aside from the so-called “monster ship” of the China Coast Guard (CCG), a helicopter of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) was also spotted patrolling the area of Panatag Shoal, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela has reported.

2 mins

DOH allays public fears over HMPV

There is no reason to panic despite the detection in the country of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is now causing a spike in respiratory infections in China, according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante.

2 mins

Meta Ends US Fact-Checks Ahead of Trump Term

Social media giant Meta on Tuesday slashed its content moderation policies, including ending its US fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram, in a major shift that conforms with the priorities of incoming president Donald Trump.

3 mins

41% for, 35% against VP impeachment - survey

More Filipinos support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte than those who are against it, a commissioned survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

4 mins

AKAP, AICS exempted from poll ban - Comelec

'But pols should keep out of ayuda distribution'

4 mins

Heavy rainfall expected due to shear line

Heavy to intense rains are forecast today in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas due to the effects of the shear line, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

1 min

BI to probe Matobato's departure

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to conduct an investigation into reports that self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitman Edgar Matobato left the country during the second quarter of 2024.

1 min

Vasquez of 'The Voice' brings BBM, Liza to tears

\"The Voice USA\" Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez III's heartfelt performance of his winning piece, \"A Million Dreams\" at Malacañang yesterday brought President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos to tears.

1 min

SWS: Self-rated poverty highest in 21 years

An estimated 17.4 million Filipino families deemed themselves poor in the last quarter of 2024, the highest in over two decades, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found.

2 mins

Senate to Probe Banks on POGO Money Laundering

The Senate will pursue its probe on the failure of banks to detect the money laundering activities of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

3 mins

Marcos orders strict compliance with Magna Carta for Seafarers

President Marcos ordered concerned government agencies on Wednesday to ensure stakeholders' strict compliance with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and ensure that Filipino seafarers get the maximum benefits of the law.

2 mins

DepEd to build 100,000 classrooms with private sector help

The Department of Education (DepEd) is planning to build over 100,000 classrooms with private sector help in a bid to thin out the classroom backlog of 165,000.

2 mins

PH'S DREAM FOOD PROGRAM GETS REAL

A world full of convention and free market exchange sometimes neglects real services and programs actually designed to benefit the poor or those who have less in life.

6 mins

Probe SSS contribution hike - Gatchalian

A resolution seeking to probe the mandated contribution rate hike of the Social Security System (SSS) will be filed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

1 min

Report on hacking activities unjustified, groundless - Chinese embassy

The Chinese embassy in Manila yesterday downplayed the reported Chinese hacking and stealing of sensitive data of the Philippines, calling the allegations \"unjustified,\" \"groundless\" and a smear campaign for geopolitical purposes.

1 min

'Maximum SRP on imported rice may drop to P47/kilo'

The maximum suggested retail price for imported rice may still go down to P47 per kilo, Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said yesterday, after farmers' group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said the plan of the DA to impose a maximum SRP on imported grains not exceeding P60 per kilo is still high.

2 mins

Garbage piles in Manila remain uncollected

Manila residents should submit complaints over uncollected garbage in the city, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

1 min

PNP Reshuffles 6 Top Cops

Six senior officials of the Philippine National Police were included in the first major revamp implemented by the PNP for 2025.

1 min

4 NBI Employees, 7 Clearance Fixers Nabbed

Four National Bureau of Investigation employees were arrested for allegedly conniving with seven fixers at the NBI clearance center on Monday.

1 min

Repatriation of pardoned OFWs in UAE underway

The Philippine government is readying the repatriation of 220 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were pardoned by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month.

1 min

22,000 Black Nazarene devotees join pahalik

Over 22,000 devotees joined the pahalik or kissing of the Black Nazarene's image at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday.

2 mins

2 Chinese with fake visas nabbed

Two Chinese nationals with counterfeit visas were apprehended on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

1 min

Actress Surrenders to NBI Over Fraud

Actress Rufa Mae Quinto yesterday surrendered to authorities following allegations of securities fraud.

1 min

LRT-1 files petition for another fare hike

Commuters will have to pay as much as P60 to ride the Light Rail Transit Line 1 from Roosevelt, Quezon City to Parañaque if the government approves the proposed fare increase filed by the LRT-1 operator.

1 min

DA chief names new undersecretary

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has appointed a new undersecretary following the passing of Deogracias Victor Savellano.

1 min

Guarding our bank savings

We already knew as early as July that the Marcos administration was siphoning a significant amount of the funds of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC), along with so-called idle funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

3 mins

Crippling

Harsh as it may sound, fiscal management the past two years seems to have put short-term political expediency ahead of long-term institutional stability. It is as if policy is intentionally designed to cripple whatever gives our national economy stability and vigor.

3 mins

Preparing for the next pandemic

Are we ready for the next pandemic? Five years since the onset of COVID-19, the World Health Organization says the world is not.

2 mins

A brighter 2025 for Israel and the Philippines

Looking back at 2024, it's hard to believe how much we accomplished.

3 mins

Philippines and China at a crossroads

The current front pages of Philippine dailies are again headlining the incursions of China's biggest Coast Guard vessel in Philippine waters.

3 mins

Saying au revoir to a Trudeau - for now

In politics, the pendulum never stops, and yesterday's excitement becomes tomorrow's handicap. Justin Trudeau should have known that.

2 mins

Three BBM gains in 30 months

After 30 months as president, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. has scored three remarkable achievements:

4 mins

Cagayan de Oro Celebrates Own Traslacion

Aside from Quiapo in Manila, the Feast of the Black Nazarene is also being celebrated in this city today, and is expected to draw thousands of devotees.

1 min

Person of Interest Eyed in SEAG Gold Medalist's Slay

Police are tracking down a person of interest in the killing of Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)'s double gold medalist Mervin Guarte in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

1 min

Kanlaon evacuees return home

Evacuees residing outside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental yesterday started returning home in La Castellana and La Carlota City.

1 min

Cancellation of ex-Albay governor's COC affirmed

Former Albay governor Noel Rosal can no longer run in the gubernatorial race as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the coming elections.

1 min

Wildfire rips through LA suburb

A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations on Tuesday, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region.

1 min

Second Accused in Liam Payne Drug Death Surrenders

The second of two men accused of supplying drugs to British singer Liam Payne (in photo), who plunged to his death from a third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires last year, has turned himself in, Argentine police said on Tuesday.

1 min

Appeals court rejects Trump bid to delay hush money sentencing

A New York appeals court judge on Tuesday rejected US president-elect Donald Trump's request to delay this week's sentencing in his hush money case.

1 min

Tibet quake toll rises to 126; rescuers search for survivors

Thousands of rescuers were searching for survivors in freezing conditions after a devastating earthquake in China's remote Tibet region killed at least 126 people.

1 min

No proof fentanyl produced in Mexico, president says

Mexico has found no proof that fentanyl is being produced in the country, its president said on Tuesday, following threats from US president-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs over drug trafficking.

1 min

UK's Catherine turns 43 hoping for better year

Catherine, princess of Wales, celebrates her 43rd birthday today, seeking to turn the page on a turbulent year which saw her retreat from public life to fight cancer.

1 min

New winter storm threatens snow for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

A developing winter storm threatens to drop snow, sleet and freezing rain on parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas as frigid air that escaped the Arctic plunges temperatures to sub-freezing levels in some of the southernmost points of the US.

1 min

OpenAI chief Sam Altman denies sister's sexual abuse accusations

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (in photo) denied on Tuesday allegations from his sister Annie Altman, who has filed a complaint accusing him of childhood sexual abuse.

1 min

Hamas Stands by Demand to End Gaza War Under Hostage Deal

Hamas stood by its demand on Tuesday that Israel fully end its assault on Gaza under any deal to release hostages, and said US president-elect Donald Trump was rash to say there would be \"hell to pay\" unless they go free by his Jan. 20 inauguration.

1 min

Hundreds rally for SoKor's Yoon; new arrest bid beckons

Hundreds of supporters of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol rallied outside his home yesterday in a bid to protect him as investigators prepared a fresh arrest attempt.

1 min

Trump ramps up threats to control Greenland, Panama Canal

US president-elect Donald Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out using military or economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, part of a broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the Nov. 5 election.

1 min

Eala hits career-high ranking of 138

Alex Eala zoomed to a new career-best in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings despite an early exit in the qualifying round of the Australian Open.

1 min

‘Pasko Sa Enero’ winners

Here's the list of 20 winners in our “Pasko Sa Enero” presented by the PSC contest.

2 mins

It's Still Pouring for Rain or Shine

The merry and bright days of December may be over, but the stellar win streak that Rain or Shine started during the Christmas holidays stretches on.

1 min

KAI SUFFERS TORN ACL

Gilas Pilipinas' worst fears became a reality as big man Kai Sotto was diagnosed with a torn ACL that will force him out of action for a lengthy period.

1 min

POC Sets Wishes for New Year

Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino yesterday called on the private and public sectors to increase their support in improving the quality and development of athletes and coaches as the country gears to participate in the World Games on Aug. 7-17 in Chengdu, China and SEA Games on Dec. 9-20 in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla, Thailand.

1 min

Trae nails buzzer-beater beyond halfcourt line

Trae Young hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from beyond the halfcourt line to give the Atlanta Hawks a 124-121 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.

1 min

Jobless rate declines to 3.2% in November

The country saw a drop in unemployment in November as more people secured jobs due to greater labor demand by certain sectors during the holiday season, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

2 mins

Peso seen to breach 59:$1 level by Q2

The peso is expected to weaken past 59 against the dollar by the second quarter of 2025, according to HSBC, which attributed the likely depreciation to seasonal and external factors.

2 mins

Shares Drop on Wall Street Cues

Share prices fell for a second straight day as the local market took cues from declines in US equities.

1 min

Further decline in inflation seen

Inflation is expected to decline further this year as analysts project a slowdown driven by favorable supply-side factors, allowing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut interest rates further.

2 mins

Cebu Pacific lands maiden green loan, first in SE Asia

Cebu Pacific has become Southeast Asia's first low-cost carrier to secure a sustainability-linked loan (SLL), reinforcing its commitment to reduce carbon waste across the business.

1 min

RFM Sees Strong 2024 Finish With Double-Digit Profit Growth

Listed food and beverage company RFM Corp. ended 2024 on a high note, with double-digit growth seen in its full-year profit on the back of robust sales performance from branded consumer and institutional businesses.

1 min

Idle RE Projects Risk Termination

The government is moving to terminate additional renewable energy (RE) projects that fail to meet established work timelines, according to energy officials.

1 min

Mspectrum Fires Up Cavite Solar Facility

MSpectrum, the solar energy arm of power giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has activated the new solar rooftop facility of General Trias Water Corp. (GTWC), a water utility in Cavite.

1 min

Toward More Gas Power Development in the Phl

The fastest-growing major economies in the world—those in the top 50 largest GDP size—are mostly Asians.

3 mins

New year, new hope for Phl

Optimism is high for the Philippines this 2025 as the country continues to build on the economic gains of the past year and at the same time, finds itself at a critical juncture politically with the upcoming midterm elections.

2 mins

Measure renewing ABS-CBN franchise filed in House

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda has joined five of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in pushing for the renewal of the legislative franchise of TV giant ABS-CBN.

2 mins

Fuel Efficiency Labels, Stickers Now Required on New Vehicles - DOE

Makers, importers, distributors, dealers and rebuilders of all public and private vehicles are now required to secure fuel efficiency labels and stickers, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.

1 min

PNR eyes reopening of Calamba-Legazpi line

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is on track to reconnect Calamba, Laguna and Legazpi, Albay this year, but efforts to revive the old line to Manila have to wait due to lack of funding.

1 min

GCash, Ria Money Forge Tie-up for International Remittances

E-wallet giant GCash is making further efforts to widen its overseas presence, this time teaming up with Ria Money Transfer, one of the biggest cash remittance platforms in the world.

1 min

JERICHO, JANINE OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR 'UNEXPECTED, LIGHT' RELATIONSHIP

JERICHO ROSALES AND JANINE GUTIERREZ SPENT Christmas and New Year celebrations together, and they were able to meet each other's families.

3 mins

A rundown of fashion moments at the 2025 Golden Globes

The 2025 Golden Globes red carpet was everything we hoped it would be and more.

3 mins

The Future Is Bright For FranSeth

Both Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin were nominated for their portrayals in Regal Entertainment's \"My Future You,\" as Lex and Karen—two young people who connect despite living in different timelines (15 years apart to be exact). Seth, in particular, went on to win the Breakthrough Performance Award for pulling off practically two versions of his character. It would be a waste not to see FranSeth in a followup project soon.

4 mins

Hope for the new year

I'd like to carry with me a message of hope at the start of this new year 2025.

4 mins

STATE OF QATAR CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY AT SHANGRI-LA BGC

The State of Qatar recently celebrated its National Day at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La, Bonifacio Global City with a reception attended by a large number of dignitaries and guests, including Philippine government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

1 min

PANCIT 101: OODLES OF NOODLES

Off the main highway leading to Batac is an alley that draws students from the Mariano Marcos State University into a carinderia hidden this side of Ilocos Norte.

4 mins

The Art Of Cognac At The Whisky Library

Indulge in an extraordinary experience with one of France's most renowned cognac houses at Newport World Resorts for this year's first masterclass.

1 min

NEW YEAR, NEW BOD: 5 TIPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR FITNESS GOALS

The new year is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and recharge your health goals.

1 min

JAPAN'S CLOUD-LIKE MOCHI EMPIRE BRINGS ITS ROYAL HERITAGE TO MANILA

From Tokyo to Hong Kong, Seoul to Sydney, crowds gather daily outside Warabimochi Kamakura's sleek storefronts.

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.