Category: Philippine Star

Over 396,000 low-income households could slip below the poverty line due to rising food and transport costs, according to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department.

Under the worst-case scenario, the CPBRD said the Middle East oil shock could push 396,067 households into poverty.

It said even under milder shocks, 293,152 households would be classified as ‘poor’ under scenario two and 185,654 in scenario one.

The policy think tank has urged the Marcos administration to expand its cash aid program to include low-income families.

‘A relief measure limited to the officially poor provides no protection to the households the shock itself pushes into poverty and that extending coverage to the low-income class is both more effective and more fiscally efficient,’ the CPBRD said.

This strategy protects 3,174 newly poor households per billion pesos spent, while a universal program registers less than one-third this efficiency at more than three times the cost, the CPBRD noted.

Meanwhile, fuel supply continues to hover within the Department of Energy (DOE)’s 50-day target.

As of May 8, the country’s inventory can last an average of 50.70 days, DOE data showed.

‘Despite this level of comfort, let’s continue fuel and energy saving habits,’ Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.

Diesel price down

With the rollback in diesel prices today, the fuel commonly used by jeepney drivers is once again set to cost less than gasoline.

Diesel and kerosene prices are expected to decline by at least P9.57 and P13.30 per liter, respectively, the DOE said.

Gasoline prices will rise by as much as P0.47 per liter.

This week’s adjustments place diesel prices at an estimated range of P71.19 to P89.91 per liter in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities.

With this shift, diesel has once again edged below gasoline, which now ranges higher at roughly P72.47 to P106.97 per liter.

Diesel and kerosene prices are set to fall today, but the rollback is an uneven breather at the pumps as gasoline is still expected to climb.

The rollback lands after weeks of fuel volatility tied to the Iran war and fears of supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, pressures that have pushed energy security from gas stations to the ASEAN agenda.

But the relief is not broad-based. Analysts warn that oil-price swings are still clouding the country’s relatively rapid inflation, while electricity costs remain under strain from hotter weather, stronger demand and pass-through charges despite temporary collection relief measures for consumers.

Here are the estimated fuel prices for Tuesday, May 12.

Production outfit CreaZion Studios has unveiled the lead cast of the upcoming horror movie “Knock Three Times” to be directed by “Bayani-verse” filmmaker Jerrold Tarog.

The project was previously announced in Singapore’s Asian TV Forum last year, becoming a finalist at the EST N8 Horror Pitch and signaling early industry interest.

Julia Barretto, Charo Santos-Concio, Christopher de Leon and Tony Labrusca are the first names on the cast list.

Additional casting announcements, production timelines, and other details will be shared once available.

“This casting marks an exciting step forward for ‘Knock Three Times’ as we bring together an exceptional team of artists,” said CreaZion president Anter “RJ” Agustin in a statement. He also reiterated the studio’s commitment to “championing bold, filmmaker-driven works that elevate Southeast Asian storytelling – stories that are deeply rooted in our culture yet resonate with audiences everywhere.”

Barretto is no stranger ot horror, having previously headlined Mikhail Red’s “Block Z” and Brillante Mendoza’s “Bahay na Pula” as well as starred opposite Labrusca in the mini-series “I Am U.”

Labrusca’s horror entries include “ML,” “U-Turn,” “What You Did,” and the series “La Luna Sangre.”

Veterans Santos-Concio and de Leon have appeared in numerous genre projects over the years including horror, the former making her debut in Mike de Leon’s “Itim” before going on to star in the likes of “Kisapmata” and “Eerie.”

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded a 12-percent decrease in focus crimes nationwide from April 6 to May 6.

Data released yesterday by the PNP showed that crimes dropped from 3,047 to 2,684, or 363 fewer cases during the monitoring period.

Rape cases posted the biggest drop at 25.4 percent, from 519 to 387. Physical injury cases went down by 24.3 percent, from 489 to 370.

Homicide cases decreased by 14.1 percent, from 99 to 85 while theft cases dropped by five percent, from 1,066 to 1,014.

Murder and robbery cases both decreased by 7.4 percent, with murder dropping from 339 to 314 and robbery from 363 to 336.

Police said crime clearance efficiency reached 87.15 percent, while crime solution rate improved to 68.19 from 64.92 percent.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed the drop in crimes to intensified police operations as well as support from communities and local government units.

As a promising French rider during his teenage years, Antoine Huby almost lost heart waiting for a team to call him.

And then 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, a continental team, made the call that quashed all the doubts and helped him get back on his feet.

That is why the 25-year-old Uzel, France native is making sure to reciprocate the trust his team has shown him by claiming his second lap victory in the last three days in Stage 12 that unfolded in Agoo, La Union and culminated in Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem, Pangasinan yesterday.

The 2018 French national junior and 2020 Under-23 champion flexed his unmatched climbing power anew in topping the 141.4-kilometer in three hours, 17 minutes and 37 seconds, or a minute and 20 seconds ahead of yellow jersey wearer Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE.

D’Reyna Orion Cement’s Erickson delos Santos checked in third 1:41 minutes off the pace in the lap, a relatively flat stage that featured a steep 7.4 km, Category 2 ascent to the finish.

They all tried, but failed, to catch Huby on the way up to the finish.

When Huby reached the line, he was like a diamond in the sky and celebrated by raising his left hand showing two fingers.

‘I now have two stages in my pocket,’ he said.

It was another spectacular performance for Huby that came two days after his Stage 10 brilliance wherein he conquered the brutal Bessang Pass – the second toughest climb in this 14-stage race next only to that final lap in Baguio.

It was his way of saying thank you to the Bong Sual-owned and Ric Rodriguez-coached 7-Eleven team that gave him a second chance.

‘It’s really important for me because I have not competed for a long time and I was really out of my mind,’ said Huby, who last suited up for world team Soundal Quick-Step. ‘I just want to say thank you to my team for bringing me here and my family and all who showed confidence in me.’

‘Now I just want to show everybody my place in general pro cycling,’ he added.

For his recent feat, Huby leapfrogged from third in the overall individual race to second, or just 2:30 minutes behind Shulchenko from 3:54 the day before.

The Russian managed to protect the lead after checking in second in the lap.

He currently has an aggregate time of 36:16:21.

Bumped off from No. 2 to 3 was Shulchenko’s teammate Ibrahiem Alrefai, who was now 4:29 minutes slower than the former and a 1:59 minutes off Huby.

For six months, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa lived knowing an International Criminal Court warrant was hanging over him.

On Tuesday, May 12, the senator even thanked former Justice Secretary, now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, for publicly disclosing the warrant’s existence months before the ICC formally confirmed it.

Remulla’s pronouncement gave him six months to “enjoy,” he said, amid concerns over being paid a full salary without appearing at the Senate.

“Yung sabi ni DOJ Secretary salamat ako sayo sir. Salamat at bigyan mo ako ng advance info na meron akong warrant,” Dela Rosa said. (Regarding what the DOJ Secretary said-thank you, sir. Thank you for giving me advance information that I had a warrant.)

“Naka-enjoy ako ng six months by my own some at nakapag-bible study ako ng husto for six months,” he added. (I enjoyed six months by myself and was able to study the Bible thoroughly for those six months.)

Asked how long he expected his current situation to last, Dela Rosa replied: “I have no plans, bahala na si Lord.” (I have no plans. I leave it to the Lord.)

He also revealed that he traveled around the Philippines while largely staying out of public view over the past several months.

Remulla first disclosed in November 2025 during a radio interview that the ICC had issued a warrant against Dela Rosa, although the tribunal itself did not publicly confirm its existence at the time.

The Department of Justice and Department of the Interior and Local Government had also repeatedly said they had neither seen nor received a copy of the warrant.

The ICC formally confirmed the existence of the warrant late Monday after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV presented reporters with what he said was a copy of the tribunal’s arrest order against Dela Rosa.

TRO sought

Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, said Tuesday they were hoping the Supreme Court would issue a temporary restraining order against government cooperation with the ICC.

The senator’s legal team also asked the high court Monday for “judicial protection” against a possible arrest and surrender to The Hague.

As of posting, the DOJ had yet to issue a statement following the ICC’s confirmation of the warrant.

Senate return, chase

Dela Rosa resurfaced publicly Monday after months of absence from the Senate, saying one reason for his return was to participate in the vote that installed Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president.

“Kasama na ‘yan lahat. Impeachment, change of leadership, request niyo palagi iyong sweldo ko,” Dela Rosa said. (That includes everything: impeachment, the change in leadership, and your constant questions about my salary.)

“Nahihiya na ako talaga kung ako hiyang-hiya na ako dahil wala po iyan sa vocabulary ko na makinabang sa pera ng gobyerno,” he added. (I am truly embarrassed because benefiting from government money is not in my vocabulary.)

His return triggered chaos inside the Senate after National Bureau of Investigation agents chased him through the building, an incident that left him with minor injuries and nearly caused him to fall on a staircase.

The ICC warrant, dated November 2025, alleges that Dela Rosa is liable as an indirect co-perpetrator for crimes committed between July 2016 and April 2018 that resulted in the deaths of at least 32 people.

He also faces a subpoena from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group over alleged extrajudicial killings in the Davao Region.

Defending individual champion Sean Granada carded a three-over 75 to pace the men’s division while Phoebe Bucay led the women’s side at the second ICTSI Intercollegiate Tournament at Tagaytay Midlands yesterday.

Granada, representing St. Benilde-1, was the only player to break 80 in the opening round of the four-day tournament organized by ICTSI and the Philippine Golf Foundation.

The reigning champion, who edged La Salle’s Zachary Castro in a sudden-death playoff to win the inaugural event last year, opened a two-stroke cushion over La Salle-1’s Lucas Aldeguer, who carded a 77.

Bucay scrambled for a 101 and a four-shot lead in the women’s division over Enderun College’s Kristyanna Herrera, who shot a 105.

Meanwhile, golf officially debuted in the UAAP, reigniting the fierce Ateneo-La Salle rivalry at Tagaytay Midlands yesterday.

Ateneo’s Monique Mendoza salvaged an 81 to seize the lead in the women’s individual competition as University of the Philippines’ Annika Gozum slipped from a share of the lead to solo second with an 82.

In the men’s division, La Salle’s Perry Bucay finished with a 72 and edged teammate Zachary Castro, who shot a 73.

The pair of Joey Arenas and Mario Capinianes won the low gross honors with a 69, while the tandem of Yuri Allado and Tonichi Bautista took the lowest net with a 66 in the 1st HATAW NA! Gary Valenciano Invitational Golf Tournament at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club Nicklaus course Monday.

Also taking the spotlight as champs were the Lucas Lorenzo-Chito Tobias pair in Class A with a net 66, the Joey Recto-Joji Henares in Class B with a 69, Mel Felix-Tristan Ampil in Class C with a 70 and Sean Harley-Karen Ibasco in women’s/mixed division with a 69.

Sports editors Nelson Beltran of The STAR and Ramon Bonilla of the Manila Bulletin (3rd from left) also took medal honors. For fun holes, Magic Ante was No. 1 in the longest drive (283 yards), Bong Gonzales nearest the pain and Jose Arinas most accurate drive.

Hataw Na! was a gathering of friends, family and partners. Present were ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, Martin Nievera, Dingdong Avanzado, Hannah Pangilinan, Andi Manzano Reyes, GP Reyes and Randy Santiago. Among those who provided support were Philippine Airlines, Ideal Vision, HSBC, Okada Manila, Reyes Haircutters, Dri+ by Burlington, Belo Medical Group, Wheeltek, San Miguel Corporation, Wilbros Live, Newport World Resorts, Toyota Otic, JB Music and Sports, Grafix Advertising, Shakey’s, Adspin, Tasha and Bella Tanjutco, Tayo PH, Cell Boy, Asialink, Rudy Project Accessories, Ricky Vargas, Toni and Guy, Prime Beef, Squalene, Freshko, Lipton and Soundcheck Inc.

The tournament was a milestone event celebrating Manila Genesis Entertainment Management, Inc.’s 40th year in the entertainment industry. It’s also a fund-raiser for the beneficiaries of the Shining Light Foundation, supporting its mission to uplift lives.

Shining Light is a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 1989 to provide financial, educational, medical, and humanitarian assistance to disadvantaged individuals and communities. It supports poor families, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, students through scholarship programs, and individuals needing medical care.

When I had the privilege of visiting the Princeton University in New Jersey, USA, not too long ago, as part of my constant global academic peregrinations, I came across with an excellent book titled “The Impeachment Power, The Law, Politics And Purpose of An Extraordinary Constitutional Tool” written by a learned and erudite political writer, Keith E. Whittington. It was an excellent read. I completed reading it aboard my plane from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Manila.

The author derived multiple insights from British and American histories and incisively drew conclusions that provide useful guides to the many parliaments, congresses, and assemblies across 180 countries all over the world. Impeachment is being extolled as the peoples’ effective tool, via their respective deputies and representatives in legislative bodies, to curb the abuses of elected executive officials. It is an important pillar that reinforces the fundamental principle of checks and balances.

As a Law professor in some universities in Metro Manila, it behooves me to brush up on my knowledge of impeachment so that I can impart accurate meanings, purposes and implications of the concepts and principles that I teach future lawyers, pundits, and budding philosophers. The national buzzword nowadays is ‘impeachment’. Thus, I indulge my readers, social platforms followers, and students on this hot topic.

This word “impeachment” traces its etymology to the ancient French word “empeechier”, which they borrowed from its Latin original term “impedire” or ensnaring by foot, which then developed into the old English term of ‘impede’. The common meaning of all such terms is to obstruct, prevent, derail, and stop. The bottom line of all these processes is to protect the people from the excesses of an executive official.

The process of preventing leaders from doing more harm was used by the English Parliament in the second half of the 14th century to stop Baron William Latimer, a despicable member of the House of Lords and advisor to King Edward III, from further harming the people. He was the first person in world history to be removed by impeachment in the year 1376. Borrowing from the English example, the New England states of Virginia, circa 1776 and Massachusetts, in 1780 enshrined this mechanism as the peoples’ means to remove abusive and undesirable officials.

Over the centuries, impeachment has become an effective tool by which the peoples across continents and nations would usually reserve in their fundamental laws, this power to remove powerful executive officials who abuse the powers of their offices, exceed the legal and moral bounds of their positions and wreak havoc with the rights, interests, and well-being of the whole nation.

Our research into the records of the United Nations yielded a finding that, from 1990 to 2020 alone, there had been no less than 272 impeachment charges against 132 heads of states in 63 countries. From 1978 to 2019, in Latin America alone, 10 presidents from seven countries were removed from office by their respective legislative bodies using the process of impeachment, which some of those countries call legislative declaration of executive incapacity.

I am encouraging fellow professors of Constitutional Law, Political Law and government officials as well as students and the intelligentsia to participate actively in academic conversations, symposia, fora, debates, and argumentation in order to better understand impeachment as a process. We should stop the ignorant noise in social media that tends to spread some twisted forms of eccentric stupidity.

It behooves us to elevate the quality of social media dialogue so as to awaken the people into the pure meaning of impeachment beyond the partisan twists and turns of traditional and dirty politicking.

A tech-enabled HMO company has partnered with a medical laboratory clinic in a move to further improve the healthcare experience for its members.

Through the partnership, PhilCare members can now enjoy more convenient access to a wide range of diagnostic and laboratory services across Hi-Precision Diagnostics’ over 70 branches nationwide. These services include routine blood tests, diagnostic screenings and specialized medical examinations.

According to PhilCare president and CEO Jaeger Tanco, the collaboration supports the growing need for accessible, high-quality healthcare services among Filipinos.

‘Healthcare today is not only about treatment, it’s about early detection, prevention, and empowering people to take control of their health,’ Tanco said. ‘By partnering with Hi-Precision Diagnostics, we are expanding the healthcare ecosystem available to our members, making quality diagnostic services more accessible and convenient.’

The HMO company members can now access diagnostic services through participating laboratories’ branches, enabling them to complete required medical tests efficiently as part of their overall healthcare management.

The partnership reflects the company’s continued commitment to strengthening its provider network and enhancing the value of its healthcare plans by connecting members with top-tier medical institutions. Both organizations are also exploring initiatives that will further streamline the healthcare experience.

PhilCare is part of the Philippines First Insurance Group (PFI Group), a complete ecosystem of protection, wellness, and financial solutions that also includes PhilFirst, PhilLife and PhilPlans.

Through its partnerships and services, the Group continues to support Filipino families in achieving better health, financial security and peace of mind.