The Philippine Star - December 12, 2024

In this issue

December 12, 2024

Sara skips NBI probe, says no plan to hide

Vice President Sara Duterte says she will not flee the country or go into hiding if authorities issue an arrest warrant in connection with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s probe of her threats against President Marcos.

2 mins

UP, 4 other universities in QS world rankings

Five Philippine universities, led by the University of the Philippines (UP), landed in the third Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) World University Sustainability Rankings, which tracks higher education institutions' ability to tackle the world's most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges.

2 mins

Bicam keeps P1.3-B budget cut for OVP

No PhilHealth subsidy • AKAP retained in GAA • Unprogrammed ‘pork’ funds hit P531.66 B

6 mins

OP operating expenditures drop to P12.3 B

The Office of the President (OP) scaled back on expenses during President Marcos' first full year in office in 2023, having spent 43.4 percent less than its spending in 2022, according to the Commission on Audit.

2 mins

'Heatwave' most searched term in Google Phl for 2024

“Heatwave” was this year’s most searched term among Filipinos on Google, a confirmation of the extent of the extreme temperature experienced in most parts of the country earlier this year.

1 min

PNP command conference not a loyalty check

President Marcos will preside over a security command conference at Camp Crame today, which the Philippine National Police (PNP) maintained is not a loyalty check amid the stormy political climate in the country.

1 min

Kanlaon continues to spew ash - Phivolcs

Kanlaon Volcano continued to spew ash days after its eruption, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

1 min

Maritime talks: Phl, US, Japan tackle China's aggression

The Philippines, Japan and the United States expressed serious concerns about China's repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone during their first Trilateral Maritime Dialogue held in Tokyo yesterday.

5 mins

IP group files ethics rap vs Castro; VP's hand seen

A group of indigenous people (IP) filed on Tuesday afternoon a complaint against ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro before the committee on ethics of the House of Representatives for allegedly endangering 14 indigenous lumad children in 2018.

1 min

BSP ensures supply of fresh banknotes, coins for holidays

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has assured the public that it is ramping up production of fresh banknotes and coins to meet the expected surge in demand during the Christmas season.

1 min

Homecoming set for Cardinal David

A homecoming and thanksgiving mass have been scheduled for Pablo Cardinal David of Caloocan.

1 min

Comelec cancels Teodoro's 2025 congressional bid

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro's congressional bid in the 2025 midterm elections has been canceled by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for material misrepresentation.

1 min

Las Piñas taxpayers get 10% discount

Real property owners in Las Piñas will get a discount of 10 percent when they pay their taxes from Dec. 1 to March 31, 2025.

1 min

LTFRB extends operation of traditional jeepneys anew

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has again extended the provisional authority (PA) of traditional jeepneys and UV Express units to continue operations for another year.

1 min

Marcos vows to protect rights of migrant workers

President Marcos yesterday vowed to protect the rights of Filipino migrant workers and to undertake measures to make overseas work \"a choice rather than a necessity\" as he honored 13 groups and persons who brought honor to the Philippines and promoted the interests of Filipinos abroad.

1 min

Dismembered cop bore gunshot, stab wounds

The police officer whose dismembered body was found buried in Baguio City sustained gunshot wounds and was stabbed multiple times, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday.

1 min

MMDA: No mall-wide sale ban

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday clarified that the MMDA did not impose a ban on mall-wide sales to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas season.

1 min

Clemency for Veloso sought

Executive clemency for Mary Jane Veloso is being sought by the progressive Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.

1 min

Breakfast in Paris

One can now leave Manila at night and be in Paris the next day, in time for a warm Parisian breakfast.

3 mins

Teachers

Our educational system has many weaknesses. Perhaps the most important of them is a weak teaching corps.

3 mins

Again, price manipulation

With rice retail prices refusing to go down despite tariff cuts and the resulting flood of imports, the nation is again hearing officials talking about cartels and price manipulation.

2 mins

Canada and the Philippines: A winning partnership

Point of view

3 mins

Is the Philippines ready for Trump?

The incoming Trump administration in the US has promised that it would be radically different from the Biden administration.

3 mins

The winners and losers following the fall of Assad

The stunning collapse of the brutal Assad regime in Syria, a family business since the 1970s, is a geopolitical earthquake creating winners and losers around the world. First, the losers:

2 mins

Uncertainty

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

House OKs BARMM poll postponement bill on second reading

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading a proposal to defer the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

1 min

Shear line improves Angat Dam's elevation

The water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan has improved by almost one meter following rainfall spawned by the shear line.

1 min

ILI cases up in 6 regions

Six regions in the country have posted an increase in cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the past few weeks, according to the Department of Health.

1 min

Comelec sets 2025 poll campaign rules

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued the rules and regulations governing campaign activities for the 2025 midterm elections.

1 min

NY gunman had manifesto railing vs health insurance

The man charged with brazenly gunning down a top health insurance CEO in New York carried a handwritten manifesto of grievances against the industry, police said Tuesday, giving a possible motive for the first time.

1 min

SoKor police raid president's office

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean police raided President Yoon Suk-yeol's office yesterday as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathered pace.

1 min

Gomez spotlights mental health at women's event

While surveying a room packed with Hollywood's most influential figures, \"Emilia Perez\" star Selena Gomez took center stage to spotlight a critical issue: prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation.

1 min

New Syria PM calls for 'stability, calm'

Syria's new transitional prime minister on Tuesday said it was time for \"stability and calm\" in the country, two days after longtime president Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels in a lightning offensive.

1 min

S. Korean ex-defense minister tries to kill himself

South Korea's former defense minister tried to kill himself shortly before he was formally arrested over his role in this month's martial law operation, a senior prisons official said yesterday.

1 min

Arca is Asian Youth blitz champ

The Philippines' Christian Gain Karlo Arca continued to make the country proud in the international stage as he emerged the blitz champion of the 18th Asian Youth Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday night.

1 min

Phl booters tackle Myanmar counterparts

Match tonight (Rizal Memorial Stadium) 6:30 p.m. - Philippines vs Myanmar It's time for the Philippine men's football team's redemption tour in the Asean Championship-Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

1 min

Oftana, RHJ power TNT over Magnolia

Riding on Calvin Oftana’s furious bombardment and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s usual brilliance, TNT stopped the bleeding in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

1 min

ARCHERS FORCE DECIDING GAME 3

Kevin Quiambao proved that he's the back-to-back MVP for a reason. La Salle reminded everyone that it's still the reigning champion, too.

1 min

Bucks hold off Magic, Thunder roll past Mavs

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks edged the depleted but determined Orlando Magic 114-109 to reach the NBA Cup semifinals on Tuesday as Oklahoma City cruised past Dallas.

1 min

Quibol, Eastridge pals zoom ahead

Eastridge Primehomes bounced back in a big way behind Jhondie Quibol's exceptional 45 points as it pooled a superb second-round 158 points to wrest a five-shot advantage in Fil Championship of the 74th Januarius Fil Am Invitational at Camp John Hay here yesterday.

1 min

JB, DJ reunion unlikely

Meralco's replacement import DJ Kennedy and Ginebra's Justin Brownlee were teammates for two years at St. John's University in New York, but their highly-anticipated reunion isn't likely to happen in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

2 mins

Lady Blue Hawks complete UCAL Cinderella feat

Newcomer Immaculada Concepcion College rediscovered its form in time and completed a remarkable reverse sweep of University of Batangas in their sudden death, 13-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 15-13, in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PGFlex Season 7 Volleyball Finals last Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

1 min

ADB lowers Phl inflation forecast for 2024 to 3.3%

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has trimmed its inflation forecast for the Philippines this year, but retained its growth outlook.

1 min

More Pinoys taking up AI courses

Filipinos are flocking to online channels to boost their skills on artificial intelligence, as they prepare for a future where employers would demand from employees a certain level of AI capability.

1 min

Banks' bad loans ratio rises to over 2-year high

The share of soured loans to the banking sector's total loan book increased to its highest level in over two years amid elevated borrowing costs, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

1 min

Jollibee marks milestone, opens 200th store in Vietnam

Homegrown fast food giant Jollibee is marking a new milestone in the brand's largest international market outside the Philippines.

1 min

PSEi tumbles ahead of US inflation report

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 1.22 percent or 82.11 points to close the session at 6,642.71.

1 min

Gov't urged to consider listing GOCCs at PSE

The Philippine capital market can broaden its investor base if it emulates regional neighbors by enlisting state-owned firms on the stock exchange as proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

1 min

Families in Bairan, Cebu celebrate Christmas with electricity for the first time

AboitizPower, Visayan Electric help brighten homes through Sitio Electrification Program

4 mins

No plan to regulate imports of sugar alternatives - SRA

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) clarified that its plan to impose clearance fees on imported sugar alternatives is intended to monitor the volume of shipments and not to regulate the importation of so-called \"other sugar\" products.

2 mins

Robinsons Malls scores win at QC Green Awards

Robinsons Novaliches is now a Certified Green Mall Awardee after winning the \"Excellence in Climate Action\" award presented by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte during the recent Quezon City Green Awards ceremonies held at the Quezon City MICE Center.

1 min

UnionBank to dissolve dormant subsidiary

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Union Data Corp. (UDC), would be dissolved after receiving regulatory approval to amend its corporate term.

1 min

Phl trails Asean neighbors in capital market viability

The Philippines may be one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, but the country is lagging behind regional peers in terms of overall viability of its capital market, according to a report.

1 min

Group pushes for health technology assessment

The Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) emphasized the vital role of health technology assessment (HTA) in advancing universal health care (UHC), highlighting its impact on equitable access to healthcare.

1 min

Paskong Pinoy

The Filipino Christmas celebration is truly one of a kind. We are known for having the longest holiday season in the world, with the festivities beginning as early as September.

3 mins

Gas power in Asia and Pacific Light

In Part 1 of this topic last Nov. 28, I discussed the countries with the highest natural gas power generation/total power generation ratio. The top three are Singapore, Iran, and Egypt.

4 mins

Rice self-sufficiency ratio recovers to 78.5% in 2023

The country's rice self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) recovered to 78.5 percent last year, following a 24-year low of 77 percent in 2022, as a result of lower imports and higher domestic output.

2 mins

SPNEC seeks ERC OK for MTerra Solar integration

SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), chaired by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, is seeking regulatory approval to build a transmission system that will connect the $4-billion MTerra Solar project into the national grid.

2 mins

Easing inflation, policy rates to support residential market

Softer inflation and lower policy rates would be favorable for the residential market, according to a professional services and investment management company.

2 mins

Visa simplifies money transfers for OFWs, SMEs

Global payments platform Visa is strengthening its commitment to simplifying and securing digital money transfers for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), digital workers, and small and medium enterprises (SME) owners especially this holiday season when remittances peak.

3 mins

NGCP's P2.6-B Capas project gets ERC nod

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) the green light to develop a P2.59-billion transmission project in Capas, Tarlac.

1 min

Lunches with Cedie

It was November of 1986, and Mom and I had gotten home from an extended trip visiting relatives in the States.

6 mins

All the Light Rail we can see

The Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project will increase the total number of LRT-1 stations from 20 to 28, covering several major cities including Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque, all the way to Bacoor, Cavite.

4 mins

RUPERT JACINTO'S 'FAAABULOUS XII' GALA NIGHT

Rupert Jacinto's \"Faaabulous XII,\" a photo exhibit, book launch and fabulousity gala night, was held recently at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

1 min

Ricky Lee: Direk Ishmael Bernal will be happy and amused with 'Isang Himala'

Essaying the role of Elsa, the barrio lass who witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary that changed her life in director Ishmael Bernal's \"Himala\" (1982), is a huge challenge for any actress who will portray it, especially since it was originated by Nora Aunor.

3 mins

ATE VI AS A GATECRASHER AND HER DREAM GUEST LIST

After six decades (and counting) in the biz, Vilma Santos practices quality control in the movies she puts her full emotional investment into.

3 mins

SOFRONIO VASQUEZ'S PASSION AND DETERMINATION LEAD TO HISTORIC 'THE VOICE USA' VICTORY

DREAMS DO COME TRUE. However, there's a caveat or condition for one to make it happen.

3 mins

OPM icons take pride in Sofronio Vasquez's big win

Sofronio Vasquez became the first-ever Filipino and Asian to win the hit US talent search \"The Voice USA.\"

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.