The Philippine Star
Iran war over in 2 or 3 weeks – Trump
WASHINGTON ꟷ President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that US forces would end operations in Iran “very soon,” evoking a timeline of two to three weeks as his administration pursues talks with Iranian authorities while continuing its aerial...
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Phl sets talks with Iran on oil ships’ passage
The Philippines is set to hold talks with Iran to ensure the safe passage of Philippine-bound oil ships through the Strait of Hormuz, now effectively under Tehran’s control. Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro will meet...
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BBM orders gov’t offices: Reduce power, fuel use
President Marcos has directed all government agencies to strictly implement his order to sharply reduce power and fuel consumption, as the country grapples with rising oil prices spurred by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Executive Secretary...
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MANILA DOCTORS HOSPITAL AT 70: A LEGACY THAT HEALS ACROSS GENERATIONS
From a modest beginning to a modern medical institution, Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) marks seven decades of compassionate care while shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, expertise and global standards. For 70 years, MDH has built its...
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US: Iran war to last ‘weeks, not months’
DUBAI/ WASHINGTON/PARIS ꟷ The US expects its military operations against Iran to conclude within weeks, not months, and Washington can meet all its objectives without using ground troops, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday. Meanwhile, an...
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Marcos: Phl crude oil enough until June 30
The country has enough supply of crude oil until June 30, President Marcos has assured the public. Marcos made the remark on the sidelines of the opening of the new NAIAX off-ramp to Terminal 3 in Pasay yesterday. The government is also not...
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China open to talks on joint oil exploration, if…
China is open to restarting talks on a potential joint oil and gas exploration with the Philippines in the South China Sea, the Chinese embassy said yesterday, if there is “sincerity” in the initiative. “Setting aside differences and pursuing joint...
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BBM signs oil excise tax suspension law
President Marcos signed into law last night a bill granting him the power to suspend or reduce excise tax on petroleum products as part of the government’s initiatives to cushion the impact of soaring fuel prices. But even after signing Republic Act...
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State of nat’l energy emergency declared
He’s still not calling the situation a crisis, but President Marcos declared yesterday a “state of national energy emergency” as fuel prices continue to soar and as supply nears depletion. Through Executive Order 110, the President also ordered the...
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Trump puts off strikes on Iran power plants
WASHINGTON ꟷ US President Donald Trump backed down on targeting Iran’s power network on Monday, saying the US and Iran have held constructive talks and that he would postpone any strikes on power plants and energy infrastructure. Trump’s statement...
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Trump to Iran: Reopen Hormuz within 48 hours
WASHINGTON ꟷ US President Donald Trump on Saturday gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure, as Tehran launched its most destructive attack yet on Israel. The ultimatum, made...
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Filipino Muslims
pray during Eid’l Fitr marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan at the Quezon City Memorial Circle yesterday. Inset shows children celebrating at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
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Gov’t buys 300,000 barrels of diesel
The Philippine National Oil Co. bought the diesel from a Southeast Asian nation, which Energy Secretary Sharon Garin did not identify. The PNOC has been searching for oil reserves to help companies replenish stocks, which are expected to last until...
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Gov’t to release P21 B to cushion rising prices
More help is on the way for sectors most affected by skyrocketing fuel prices, President Marcos said yesterday, as he ordered the immediate release of P21.47 billion to keep infrastructure projects running, protect jobs and cushion the impact on...
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No need to hoard food supplies – BBM
President Marcos advised the public yesterday not to hoard food supplies as he gave assurance that the country has adequate stockpiles of basic commodities, including rice, amid rising global fuel prices and possible supply disruptions brought by the...
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Most fares going up
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved a provisional fare increase for several public utility vehicles, effective tomorrow. LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the adjustment was based on rising fuel prices, now ranging...
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More imports, price cap eyed to lower rice prices
The government is studying several measures to temper rising rice prices, including increasing state importation to sell cheaper rice and possibly imposing a cap on retail prices. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Department of...
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Rice prices also rise amid global oil crisis
Rice prices have increased and may continue to do so as market speculations swirl over supply disruptions and fuel price surges driven by the escalating war in the Middle East. Industry sources told The STAR that rice prices have increased by about P2...
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Senate OK on fuel excise tax bill seen
The Senate is aiming to pass the proposed measure granting President Marcos the power to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes before this week’s congressional recess, with lawmakers hoping to skip the bicameral conference by directly adopting either the...
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Another double-digit spike in oil prices set
Another double- digit spike at the pump is looming next week amid the global oil crisis, threatening to push diesel above P100 per liter and gasoline close to the P90 mark. Diesel may surge by P19.30 to P22.30 per liter, while gasoline could jump by...
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Shipping lines cut trips, raise fares
Local shipping lines have resorted to trimming their daily trips and increasing passenger fares to cope with spiking fuel costs, affecting Filipinos planning to travel during the Holy Week. In an advisory, OceanJet, operator of high- speed watercraft...
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71 gas stations flagged for overpricing, early hikes
Seventy- one gas stations have been found violating fuel price regulations amid the global oil crisis, the Department of Energy said yesterday. Of 87 gas stations inspected, the DOE said 71 committed violations, including selling overpriced fuel and...
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Gov’t readies P3.5 B for transport subsidy
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is preparing P3.5 billion in subsidies for free rides to millions of commuters, and to finance part of the fuel costs of public utility vehicles (PUVs). The DOTr is employing a two-pronged approach in mitigating...
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DOE warns gas stations on unauthorized price hikes
Following reported daily price increases last week by numerous gasoline stations, the Department of Energy ( DOE) yesterday issued a warning against unauthorized or premature price hikes amid surging oil prices brought by the Middle East...
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Staggered fuel price hikes start next week
Oil players in the Philippines are “amenable” to staggered fuel price increases, which the Department of Energy ( DOE) plans to implement starting next week. This was one of the topics discussed during Wednesday’s meeting between the DOE and officials...
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‘Impeach raps vs Sara sufficient in substance’
The House committee on justice yesterday declared the two impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte sufficient in substance. With 54 affirmative votes, one negative vote of Quezon City 4th district Rep. Bong Suntay and zero...
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BBM eyes special power to reduce fuel excise tax
Amid the raging conflict in the Middle East and its anticipated impact on consumer oil prices, President Marcos is eyeing “special powers” from Congress to lower the excise tax on fuel. “I am going to talk to the leaders in both the House and in the...
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DOE holds emergency meeting on Iran crisis
The Department of Energy yesterday convened independent oil firms for an emergency meeting to assess the status of their supply as well as secure their commitment to implement measures aimed at mitigating the impact of sharp fuel price hikes in the...
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Iran’s supreme leader killed in US-Israel attack
TEHRAN ꟷ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack, sparking a new wave of retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran on Sunday. Iranian state...
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Iran missiles target several Gulf Arab states
DUBAI ꟷ Several Gulf Arab states said they were targeted by Iranian missiles on Saturday after Tehran pledged to retaliate against strikes by the United States and Israel, bringing conflict to a part of the Arab world that prides itself on relative...
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Prosecutor: Time for Rody to take responsibility
The International Criminal Court (ICC) wrapped up the confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night ( Manila time), with the parties making their final arguments as to whether the case should proceed to...
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‘No smoking gun vs Duterte’
There is “no smoking gun” that could prove the link between the “uniquely colorful and crusty” speeches of former president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defense lawyer told the International Criminal Court (ICC)...
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EDSA torch passed on to youth
Four decades after the 1986 revolt at EDSA, with corruption and trolls permeating society, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas challenged the youth to take up the mantle of people power and revive its fading spirit. “Those who stood up along...
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‘People power a democratic necessity, not just nostalgia’
As the country marks the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt today, the University of the Philippines- Diliman University Council reminded the public that the event is more than “nostalgia” ꟷ it is a democratic necessity. “Systemic...
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‘People’s president’ just wanted to instill fear
Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches threatening to kill drug peddlers and users did not have “lethal intent” but were meant only to “instill fear in the hearts” of criminals, his lawyer Nicolas Kaufman told the International Criminal Court...
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Sara: I have recruited my 2028 running mate
Days after declaring her intention to run for president in 2028, Vice President Sara Duterte said she has chosen her potential running mate whose main task, if elected, would be to exact accountability from corrupt officials in government. But Duterte...
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BBM: No politics in Naga
President Marcos did not talk about politics or a possible alliance with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo during his visit to his former political rival’s bailiwick yesterday, but the Chief Executive wore pink socks in honor of the local chief...
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‘EDSA at 40: Moral fatigue threatens Phl’
Four decades since the EDSA people power revolt, where do Filipinos stand today? This was among the questions posed by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera in his homily on Thursday,...
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Marcos, Robredo set to meet in Naga
Will President Marcos and his former political rival Leni Robredo bury the hatchet to counter a common opponent? Speculations mounted that the Marcos administration and the Robredo camp may forge an alliance for the 2028 elections after Malacañang...
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VP Sara: I’m running for president in 2028
After skirting the issue for months, and ahead of the expected referral of the impeachment complaints against her to the House committee on justice, Vice President Sara Duterte formally declared her presidential bid for 2028 yesterday. “I cannot kneel...
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Abstain from stealing public funds, pols told
As the Catholic Church begins the observance of Lent, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday advised corrupt politicians to fast and abstain from stealing public funds. CBCP-Public Affairs Committee...
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Phl ready to cooperate with Interpol – Palace
Although there are no talks yet on the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court, the government is ready to cooperate with the Interpol if the ICC issues arrest warrants for Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa and former officials named...
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ICC arrest orders vs Rody ‘co-perpetrators’ pushed
Human rights organizations are pushing for the immediate arrest of Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and other individuals identified as alleged co- perpetrators of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case filed...
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ICC names Bato, Bong Go as Rody co-perpetrators
Will two close allies ꟷ now both sitting senators ꟷ soon join former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague? Sen. Bong Go, long- time aide of the former president, has been named one of the “coperpetrators” along with Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and...
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Japan seizes China fishing boat, arrests captain
TOKYO ꟷ Japan seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its skipper, authorities said Friday, an incident that could deepen a spat between the Asian giants. The episode on Thursday off southern Japan came three months after Prime Minister Takaichi...
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Biz, civil society groups want tough dynasty law
Thirty-one business groups and civil society organizations are calling for a genuine law against political dynasties, with tougher safeguards to fight corruption. In a joint statement yesterday, the groups said that House Bill 6771 falls short of what...
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Chinese envoy tells Phl gov’t: Let’s talk
China’s top diplomat urged the Philippines to talk with China in order to find ways to manage differences, while admitting that winning a confrontation with a smaller neighbor risks losing a long- term relationship. In his remarks at a Lunar New Year...
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House throws out BBM impeach cases
Efforts to impeach President Marcos are now dead. Voting 284- 8- 4, House lawmakers yesterday upheld the dismissal of two impeachment complaints filed against the President. No impeachment complaints against Marcos will be accepted for a whole...
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Senate adopts resolution vs China diplomats
After two weeks of being held back by colleagues, senators pushing for a measure condemning Chinese diplomats for their hostile statements against Filipino officials have finally secured victory. The Senate ꟷ without any objection ꟷ adopted yesterday...
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Blue Ribbon to reexamine Marcos’ role in flood mess
The Senate Blue Ribbon committee is set to reexamine today President Marcos’ possible liability in the flood control corruption mess, as the panel prepares to introduce significant amendments to its draft committee report to secure the necessary...
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Basyang deaths rise to 12
The number of reported casualties due to Tropical Storm Basyang has risen to 12. Apart from the four fatalities, including two children, due to a landslide in Cagayan de Oro City, four more deaths were recorded in Mindanao, the National Disaster Risk...
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‘No power sharing in Senate’
Senators from the majority bloc are eyeing Sen. Loren Legarda as a future Senate president, but this is not a power sharing or term sharing scheme, Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified yesterday. In an interview over True FM, Sotto said it was...
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House panel junks 2 impeach raps vs BBM
Through votes from overwhelmingly administration allies, the impeachment complaints against President Marcos have been scrapped for “insufficiency in substance” by the House of Representatives’ committee on justice. The development has effectively...
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‘First impeach case vs BBM likely to be junked’
Even after hurdling its first test by being declared “sufficient in form,” the first impeachment complaint against President Marcos is doomed to fail, according to Manila Rep. Benny Abante. He said several claims in the complaint filed by lawyer Andre...
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VP Sara hit with 2 fresh impeachment complaints
Although the one- year bar rule on any impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was originally set to lapse on Feb. 6, two new cases were filed with the House of Representatives yesterday, one of which includes corruption allegations...
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House tackles Marcos impeachment rap today
The House committee on justice will hold its first hearing today on the two impeachment complaints filed against President Marcos, with the four lawmakers who endorsed them expected to defend the cases. Pusong Pinoy party- list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay,...
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Sotto laments pro-China stance of some officials
Despite China’s repeated acts of aggression at sea targeting Filipino vessels, some senators sounded more supportive of the Chinese ꟷ a situation Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he finds deplorable and lamentable. He was reacting to...
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DOT: Phl tops Asean neighbors in tourism GDP, job generation
The Philippines stood out among its neighbors in Southeast Asia when it comes to the impact of tourism on economy and employment, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday. In a statement, the DOT said the Philippines “ranked first in terms of...
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SC junks House appeal on Sara impeachment
The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld its ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar rule, denying with finality the motion for reconsideration of the House of...
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‘BBM can expel China envoy’
There is no need for a Senate resolution declaring the deputy spokesperson of the Chinese embassy persona non grata over the word war that has erupted with Philippine government officials, the embassy said yesterday. President Marcos can simply...
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Shipping firm’s fleet grounded over sinking
ZAMBOANGA CITY ꟷ The Department of Transportation ( DOTr) has grounded the entire passenger vessel fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines following Monday’s sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 off Basilan that left 18 people dead and 10 others missing. At...
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Ferry sinks off Basilan: 18 dead, 24 missing
ZAMBOANGA CITY ꟷ A passenger vessel sank yesterday off the coast of Basilan, leaving 18 people dead and 24 others missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Authorities rescued 317 people after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 encountered trouble amid...
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Second impeach case vs BBM refiled today
The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives along with other opposition groups will refile today the impeachment complaint against President Marcos, following the absence of the receiving official last week. “We hope that there would be no more...
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Senate to tackle party-list reforms, anti-dynasty bill
The Senate is set to take up proposed party-list reforms and an anti-political dynasty bill ꟷ both seen as having a strong chance of passage ꟷ when session resumes tomorrow after the chamber’s recess, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said...
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2 Pinoys dead as vessel capsizes off Scarborough China Coast Guard rescues 15 crewmen; 4 still missing
Two Filipino sailors were reported dead while four are still missing after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel with 21 all-Filipino crew members capsized yesterday near Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, the Chinese embassy confirmed. The Chinese People’s...
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Marcos after ailment: Don’t get too excited
President Marcos was brought to hospital Wednesday night after experiencing “discomfort,” but returned to work a few hours later, even teasing his critics who want him out not to get “too excited” because his condition is not serious. Speaking at a...
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After Bong Revilla, Villanueva next?
Following the arrest and detention of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in connection with the flood control scandal, could Sen. Joel Villanueva be next? According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Villanueva is facing three malversation...
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Sandiganbayan sends Bong Revilla to QC jail
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the temporary detention of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. at the Quezon City Jail male dorm in connection with the malversation case against him over a P92.8million ghost flood control project in...
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Marcos bares major Malampaya gas find
President Marcos yesterday announced the discovery of natural gas at the Malampaya East-1 (MAE1) well, the first in over a decade. Located five kilometers east of the existing Malampaya gas field, the reservoir is expected to significantly boost the...
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Ex-DPWH secretary Bonoan back in Phl
After more than two months in the United States, former Department of Public Works and Highways ( DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan returned to the country yesterday. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Bonoan arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International...
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‘ICI has done its part, let ombudsman take over’
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has already fulfilled its mandate and may now have to give way to the Office of the Ombudsman in the investigation of corruption in flood control projects, according to Deputy Speaker and Antipolo...
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