BALITANG MARINO DAILY NEWS for April 23, 2026
Iran says won’t reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains
Phones to be banned in schools by law in England under gov’t plans
Strait of Hormuz update: Renewed aggression with multiple incidents in the same day
Global Shipping Leaders Seek Guarantee of Safe Hormuz Crossing
ReCAAP ISC: Five incidents of armed robbery 14-20 April
AMLC flags VP Sara’s P6.7 billion bank transactions
Sandiganbayan blocks Romualdez’s departure from PH
MMDA to use NCAP traffic cameras vs littering, illegal parking
Manibela dismantles protest centers but maintains transport strike
ICC upholds jurisdiction over Duterte case
Increased seismic activity recorded in Bulusan Volcano anew – Phivolcs
Fair weather to prevail across PH Thursday
No winners in Grand Lotto 6/55, Mega Lotto 6/45 draws last night
BINI show off vocals, humor at GRAMMY Museum event
Steve Harvey to join Dingdong Dantes in upcoming ‘Family Feud PH’ episode
Kim Chiu celebrates birthday by giving free gas, groceries to drivers
Alex Eala marches to second round of Madrid Open by beating Pavlyuchenkova
PBA: Converge survives TNT scare for 3rd win
NBA: Blazers stun Spurs after Wemby injury, Lakers down Rockets
Tipid mode: Small habits that could cut your electric bill
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Iran says won’t reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains
TEHRAN, Iran, April 23 —— Iran vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz so long as a US naval blockade remained in place despite a ceasefire extension, as it announced the seizure of two ships trying to cross the strategic waterway.
As the clock ticked for a return to the war that has engulfed the region, US President Donald Trump had said Tuesday he would maintain the truce to allow more time for Pakistani-brokered peace talks. Iran said it welcomed the efforts by Pakistan but made no other comment on Trump’s announcement. “A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade,” said Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation in the first round of talks in Islamabad. “Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire.”
Oil prices, which have soared since Israel and the United States attacked Iran on February 28, kept inching up from the uncertainty on whether war will resume, although US stock prices gained ground. Trump had said he wanted to give time for Iran’s “fractured” leadership to come up with a proposal, in what many observers saw as a face-saving way to avoid renewed war. Trump told the New York Post that talks could resume in Pakistan within two to three days, even though Iran has not confirmed participation and Vice President JD Vance put on hold his travel to Islamabad on Tuesday. Trump also claimed that Iran at his request had halted alleged plans to execute eight women arrested over massive anti-government protests in the weeks before the attack. But Iran’s judiciary described his remarks as “false news”, saying the women had never faced the death penalty.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said they forced two ships to the Iranian shore from the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway for one-fifth of the world’s oil. “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement. They identified the vessels as the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas.
Panama’s foreign ministry confirmed the seizure of the MSC Francesca, calling it a “serious attack on maritime security” and an “unnecessary escalation”. UK-based maritime security monitors confirmed that three commercial vessels had reported incidents involving gunboats in the strait. Among them, a container ship reported being fired upon by a Revolutionary Guards boat 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to the bridge but no casualties, monitor UKMTO said.
Under orders from Trump, the US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to or from Iranian ports, seeking to ramp up pressure on the Iranian economy even without all-out war. In the midst of the blockade, the Pentagon announced Wednesday that the Secretary of the Navy John Phelan would leave “immediately.” It gave no reason for his sudden departure, the latest removal of a senior officer under Trump’s combative Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth. Iran in retaliation for being attacked has said that vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through the strait. It had earlier promised free passage during the ceasefire but returned to defiance after Trump announced the blockade.
The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a “stateless sanctioned” vessel. AFP has identified the ship as one linked to Iranian activity. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire breaches. After the ceasefire with Iran, the United States helped broker a truce between Israel and Lebanon including Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia Muslim movement that had fired rockets into Israel in revenge for the attacks on its patron.
Despite the declared truce, Israeli strikes killed five more people on Wednesday, Lebanese media said. Amal Khalil, a journalist for the newspaper Al-Akhbar, was killed and her fellow reporter Zeinab Faraj wounded in an Israeli strike near the border, the daily said. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a second French soldier, wounded in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, had died.
A first soldier was shot dead in the Saturday ambush, for which Hezbollah has denied responsibility. Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold a second round of talks in Washington on Thursday. Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting, a Lebanese official told AFP. Lebanon will also seek “an end of Israel’s bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present and a commitment to the ceasefire,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks. Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,450 people since the start of the war, according to Lebanese authorities.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Phones to be banned in schools by law in England under gov’t plans
BAKU, April 23 —— The government has said it will introduce a legal ban on smartphones in schools in England, according to BBC.
Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told the House of Lords that the government would table an amendment to its landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill “creating a clear legal requirement for schools” on the matter. The Department for Education (DfE) said the move would give “legal force to what schools are already doing in practice”.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had written to schools earlier this year, encouraging them to follow new guidance that schools be phone-free for the entire day. The government has said it will put that guidance on a statutory footing, which means schools must pay attention to it. It argues that this is different from what the Conservatives have been advocating, which is an outright legal ban.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the amendment, which is due to be tabled in the coming days, was “fantastic news for headteachers, parents and pupils across the country”. “For over a year, Labor dismissed this as an unnecessary gimmick, and just last week, the education minister claimed the problem had already been solved,” she wrote on X. “I’m glad they’ve now listened, this is the right step for improving behavior and raising attainment in our classrooms.”
For the government, Baroness Smith told the House of Lords they had taken “not seen, not heard” – meaning phones must be off and in a bag-out of the guidance as an option for schools and were willing to consider “whether we should be stronger on that”. Some schools have chosen to have lockers or magnetically sealed pouches for phones. The details of the government’s amendment have not yet been published.
The Liberal Democrats said ministers must now “ensure all schools have the necessary support and funding to manage this transition”. Schools’ mobile phone policies will be monitored as part of Ofsted inspections from April, they added. “We will always put children’s interests first, including through this Bill – which is widely recognized as the biggest piece of child safeguarding legislation in decades.”
The Bill had been stuck between the House of Commons and the Lords, after the latter house voted in favor of a Conservative amendment calling for phones to be banned in February. Earlier this week, the House of Lords accepted shadow education minister Baroness Barran’s suggestion that the bill should provide potential exemptions to sixth form students, students in boarding schools, and for those using phones as medical devices.
The Scottish government brought in guidance allowing headteachers to implement phone bans in schools in 2024. In Wales, there is no national ban but heads have the power to ban or restrict the use of devices in their own schools. And in Northern Ireland, a phone-free pilot scheme in nine schools has just ended, with a report due to be published in June.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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MARITIME NEWS
Strait of Hormuz update: Renewed aggression with multiple incidents in the same day
April 23 —— Two commercial vessels were fired upon in separate incidents on the same day, in waters near Iran and Oman, with Iran claiming to have seized the vessels. Meanwhile, there are reports of a third incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre, in a warning issued on 22 April, detailed a serious incident occurring approximately 8 nautical miles west of Iran. The master of an outbound cargo vessel reported coming under fire, forcing the ship to halt. Despite the attack, all crew members were accounted for and safe, and no damage to the vessel was reported. Authorities noted heightened levels of activity in the Strait of Hormuz and urged vessels to remain vigilant and report any unusual encounters.
In a separate incident the same day, a container ship operating 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman was approached by an armed vessel identified as an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboat. The approaching craft did not issue any radio communication before opening fire. The attack caused significant damage to the ship’s bridge, though no fires or environmental hazards were reported. All crew members were confirmed safe.
In addition, a third cargo ship has been attacked while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, maritime intelligence firm Vanguard has told BBC Verify.
In the midst of all this, Donald Trump announced on 21 April that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran, which had been set to expire on the evening of 22 April. The ceasefire was originally put in place earlier in April with a two-week deadline, but this new extension does not include a specific end date, giving Iran more time to present a “unified proposal” to end the conflict.
Where the vessels seized?
According to BBC, Iranian media, including Iran’s state television Telegram channel, has published a statement attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy saying that two vessels, MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, were taken into Iranian territorial waters for what it described as an “inspection of their cargo, documents, and records.”
However, Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy has clarified that, contrary to the Iranian announcements, the containership Epaminondas has not been detained. The IRGC Navy claims the ships were operating without authorization, had committed “repeated violations,” and attempted to exit the Strait of Hormuz “in secret,” while also alleging interference with navigation systems. However BBC noted that these claims cannot be independently verified.
The statement also warns that the IRGC Navy is closely monitoring traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and has vowed “firm” action against what it calls violators. Notably, there was no mention in the statement of a third vessel, Euphoria, which media reported had also been targeted.
The Seafarers’ Charity has issued a statement in response to attacks on the ships Francesca, Epaminondas and Euphoria, saying that this latest escalation is an abhorrent attack on innocent seafarers. Not long ago, just one merchant ship being attacked would be an outrage – now we have seen three attacked within a few hours of each other. “The Strait of Hormuz is clearly not safe for civilian seafarers to transit, and the mental health toll on crews stranded in a conflict zone will continue to rise. We urgently call for all countries involved in the conflict to make the Strait safe for the innocent seafaring workforce trapped there, and not use them as political capital. Meanwhile, we urge crews not to run the gauntlet in the Strait or take risks in the face of such aggression,” said the Charity in its statement.
Source: safety4sea.com
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Global Shipping Leaders Seek Guarantee of Safe Hormuz Crossing
April 23 —— Safe and sustainable passage through the Strait of Hormuz is what top shipping companies require before the world’s sees much oil or cargo leave or enter the Gulf, two top sector executives said.
“Two weeks ago when the ceasefire, said to be temporary, came into picture, we thought there was hope. But in reality, the agreement was not translated into the safety and passage (of the vessels),” Jotaro Tamura, chief executive of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the Singapore Maritime Week conference. MOL is one the world’s largest shipping companies and the top owner of oil and liquefied natural gas tankers. Questions about safety would remain even if the strait reopens, Tamura added.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of mines around the strait.
“It’s a question of the definition of open. Is it really open, or is it half open? Is it open, but there is risk?” Tamura said. “At some point in time, it (voyages) will resume, and normalization comes into picture. But it’s hard to foresee how reality would be.” When asked if MOL would pay toll fees to Iran if requested, he said MOL’s position was to follow international law, which is freedom of passage through the strait.
Belgium’s CMB.Tech, another large, diversified maritime company with a fleet of more than 250 ships, is also waiting for more clarity. “We cannot hedge. We just need to wait for what is going to happen in the Middle East,” CEO Alexander Saverys said on the sidelines of the Singapore conference. “It is creating a lot of uncertainty.”
“We need to be confident that we can transit without having any issues,” he said. “Today we have no reassurance whatsoever. We will only get the reassurance once we see that ships can pass through the straits in a safe and sustainable way. The Strait of Hormuz is a free passage where normally no toll should be paid,” Saverys said. “If that would change in the future, we will investigate.” He declined to comment on how many ships the company has stranded inside the Gulf.
“We’re in communication with all the governments to see and to make sure that our vessels can navigate. But right now, as you know, the situation is not safe yet.”
Shipping traffic through the strait remains at a virtual standstill since the U.S.-Iran war broke out on February 28, disrupting energy supplies from the Gulf.
The strait usually sees about 130 vessels a day enter and exit the Gulf and handles about 20% of the world’s daily oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
Source: marinelink.com
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ReCAAP ISC: Five incidents of armed robbery 14-20 April
April 23 —— Over the past week, 14-20 April, five CAT 4 incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
Three of the incidents occurred onboard ships while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in Singapore Strait (SS), two of which were tugboats and barges. The other two incidents occurred onboard ships while at anchor at Manila North Anchorage, Philippines and Nahodopi, Indonesia Anchorage. The crew members were not injured in all five incidents while some unsecured items were stolen in three incidents.
Area of concern
With the incident reported in SS, a total of 14 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2026. Ships are advised to intensify vigilance and maintain sharp look-out while transiting the areas of concern and report all incidents immediately to the nearest coastal State. The Centre also urges the littoral States to increase patrols/surveillance in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents reported, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and the criminal groups involved in order to arrest the perpetrators.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah
For a 6th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
ReCAAP ISC advisory
The ReCAAP ISC, in its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centers of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia; both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.
Source: safety4sea.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
AMLC flags VP Sara’s P6.7 billion bank transactions
MANILA, Philippines, April 23 —— Bank accounts tied to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio had been repeatedly flagged for suspicious and covered transactions from 2006 to 2025 worth a total of P6.77 billion, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) revealed.
Testifying before the House committee on justice’s clarificatory hearing, as part of ongoing impeachment proceedings against Duterte, AMLC executive director Ronel Buenaventura confirmed that certain transactions had been flagged by the agency. “Yes, there are suspicious transactions and covered transactions in our system, database or record,” Buenaventura told the committee.
In a summary report, Buenaventura said the AMLC identified 313 covered transactions and 17 suspicious transactions in Duterte’s accounts, and 317 covered transactions and 16 suspicious transactions in her husband’s. The flagged transactions totaled P6.77 billion, broken down into P3.77 billion linked to Duterte’s accounts and P2.99 billion to Carpio’s. Buenaventura said the records showed an inflow of P1.83 billion into Duterte’s accounts and P2.59 billion into Carpio’s, or P4.43 billion in total deposits.
On the outflow side, he said P1.21 billion was withdrawn from Duterte’s accounts and P343.32 million from Carpio’s. The AMLC identified P791.1 million in transactions that could not be clearly determined based on available records. It also noted a marked increase in the historical trend of Duterte’s bank transactions, which surged to P208.15 million in 2007.
The volume further intensified between 2009 and 2013, with annual totals averaging over P400 million. Specific figures included P704.93 million in 2009 and P597.15 million in 2011, while 2010 recorded P648.58 million. Overall, the AMLC recorded a total of P3.92 billion across 417 transactions from 2005 to 2026, noting that financial activity tapered in the most recent years.
The bulk of the transactions involved credit memos amounting to P1.41 billion, debit memos at P1.03 billion, and fund transfers totaling P521.86 million. This was followed by time deposit pre-terminations of P218.74 million and miscellaneous transactions of P209.29 million. Other transactions identified included time deposit placements and payments amounting to P109.15 million each, withdrawals totaling P62.79 million and check deposits worth P48.33 million.
Commenting on the AMLC revelations, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua said the bank transactions were not reflected in the Vice President’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs). Buenaventura explained that covered transactions refer to bank deposits of over P500,000 in a single day, which are automatically reported to the AMLC. Suspicious transactions, meanwhile, are those flagged by banks due to red flags or doubts over their legitimacy, including possible links to unlawful sources, regardless of the amount. He also cited Section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which defines suspicious transactions as those with no underlying legal or trade obligation, involving improperly identified clients, or amounts inconsistent with a client’s business or financial capacity.
Buenaventura added that suspicious transactions also cover transactions that appear structured, linked to unlawful activity or money laundering, show deviations from a client’s normal behavior or profile, or fall under any analogous circumstances indicating possible irregularity. The AMLC furnished the justice committee with two sets of documents: a report on covered transactions involving Duterte and her husband, and another on suspicious transactions from 2006 to 2025, as indicated in the subpoena. It also submitted financial intelligence and investigation reports.
When asked whether the reports were produced only in compliance with the subpoena, Buenaventura said the AMLC has been continuously monitoring transactions flagged by banks. He added that the agency merely generated its latest consolidated report, which still includes data it already had dating back to earlier years. “We do not choose personality. What we are looking at are the data and numbers. So, what we are looking for, more than the people behind, what is the movement, flow, frequency and flow of the money and if there are something unusual in the flow. We are running after the money, not the people behind the money,” Buenaventura said.
Source: philstar.com
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Sandiganbayan blocks Romualdez’s departure from PH
MANILA, April 23 —— Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is blocked from leaving the country after the Sandiganbayan issued a precautionary hold departure (PHDO) order against him as he faces investigation over an alleged kickback scheme involving flood control projects.
The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division, chaired by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna, granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s application for a PHDO on Wednesday after conducting a hearing on the same day. “[It] appears to the satisfaction of the Court after examining under oath the witnesses of applicant Office of the Ombudsman, through the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the supporting Complaint-Affidavit, that there is probable cause to believe that respondent will depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution of crime/s being charged against him,” read the order signed by Associate Justice Pahimna.
The Ombudsman’s counter-affidavit submitted to the court on Monday implicates Romualdez in alleged offenses, including plunder, graft, direct bribery, indirect bribery, and money laundering in connection with the flood control scheme. No formal charges have yet been filed against the former House leader.
During the hearing, the Office of the Special Prosecutor argued Romualdez is a flight risk following the House of Representatives’ issuance of a travel clearance on Monday for his medical check-up in Singapore. It also noted in its verified ex parte application that Romualdez has access to a diplomatic passport, extensive international contacts, and the means to travel quickly.
The prosecution told the court that it will soon request a PHDO against Romualdez’s co-respondent in the complaint-affidavit, Joselito Paras, the reported owner of a Forbes Park, Makati residence, allegedly used as a “drop-off” point for kickbacks. The complaint-affidavit referenced statements from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who seemingly named Romualdez as the alleged “mastermind” of the scheme, as well as sworn testimonies from alleged former Philippine Marines members and Orly Guteza describing supposed cash deliveries to Romualdez.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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MMDA to use NCAP traffic cameras vs littering, illegal parking
MANILA, April 23 —— The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it would soon use CCTV cameras against littering and against illegal parking.
MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III said the measure will be implemented under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), which is currently used to apprehend traffic violations. “Puwede nating magamit ngayon yan ang ating mga cameras, hindi lang sa apprehension ng mga sasakyan kundi sa other violations gaya ng garbage and illegal parking,” Torre said.
The agency currently operates around 450 CCTV cameras across Metro Manila. Alleged violators will be allowed contest apprehension before the MMDA issues a ticket and imposes a fine. “Nagtapon ka diyan, di ka man mahuli ng tao, ire-review namin ang CCTV, malalaman namin kung sino ka. Ipapadala namin sa barangay,” he added.
According to Torre, solid waste management remains a major problem. In 2025 alone, authorities collected seven tons of garbage from waterways. To help with keeping waterways clean, the MMDA also operates a water hyacinth processing facility at the Tapayan Pumping Station in Taytay, Rizal. The project, which began in 2022 with support from the World Bank, collects water hyacinths from the Pasig River and converts them into charcoal. Torre said MMDA hopes to ramp up production to between half a ton and a ton a day of charcoal. “Pwedeng i-distribute sa LGUs para sa ating relief operations or pwede rin nating i-market para ma-recover ang mga ginastos sa pag-produce nun,” he said.
MMDA also launched Wednesday its “Yes to Ayos” information campaign to promote discipline in public spaces. The campaign was initially launched in Barangay Potrero in Malabon. “Ito po ay mga esensyal na pamamaraan or way of life na dapat po i-instill natin simula pagkabata hanggang po sa pagtanda.” MMDA ChairmanDon Artes, a lawyer, said.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval also attended the launch and said the local government is ready to take on the challenge of spearheading the campaign. “We are very proud na dito ni-launch ang ating programa… We encourage na maging maayos maging disiplinado maging masinop ang ating mga kababayan,” Sandoval added.
The campaign highlights ten discipline codes for Filipinos to follow:
• Yes sa pagtawid sa tamang tawiran
• Yes sa pagsunod sa traffic rules and regulations
• Yes sa walang obstruction sa sidewalk
• Yes sa 4R’s, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle
• Yes sa hindi pagsusunog ng basura
• Yes sa pagiging handa sa emergency o kalamidad
• Yes sa hindi pagyoyosi o vape
• Yes sa tamang pagpila
• Yes sa pagiging on time
• Yes sa pagiging magalang at marespeto
Artes added the campaign, in partnership with the Presidential Communications Office, will eventually be launched nationwide and will include seminars and trainings, and distributiion of educational materials.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Manibela dismantles protest centers but maintains transport strike
MANILA, April 23 —— Transport group Manibela said that organized protest centers have been dismantled, but the transport strike remains in effect as members pivot to completing necessary franchise paperwork.
Despite the absence of physical picket lines, the group’s chairman, Mar Valbuena, maintained that the strike is ongoing. He confirmed that many units remain off the road to allow drivers to comply with government requirements regarding route master lists. The decision stems from a need for members to consolidate their documents following new government requirements regarding route master lists.
According to Valbuena, the dismantling of strike centers is a practical move to ensure their members can keep driving in the long run. “Wala na pong mga strike centers ngayon pero nakatigil pa rin dahil may cocomply yung mga miyembro. Wala lang po kami ng mga protest centers pero nakatigil pa rin po yung mga miyembro,” Valbuena explained. He clarified that the halt in operations is now less about picketing and more about compliance. “Pero ang order namin after nila ma-comply yung mga requirements na pinapa-submit, magbabalik biyahe na ulit yung mga kasama natin,” he added.
The strike faced a bit of a logistical hurdle Wednesday when Manibela’s leadership was called away for a legal hearing. “Nagkataon naman kahapon, tigil lang kami kahapon kasi kaming mga officers, nagkaroon kami ng hearing. At tanghali na kasi kami nakapos, past 11 a.m. na,” Valbuena noted. While the current strike has been lifted to accommodate administrative needs, the possibility of future protests remains on the table.
The group is keeping a close eye on the fluctuating cost of fuel, noting that the expected price drops aren’t quite enough to ease the burden on drivers. When asked if another strike is in the works, Valbuena said it would largely depend on the movement of oil prices. He criticized the meager rollbacks, stating, “Depende yung sa pagbaba ng presyo ng krudo… parang 1.20 pesos lang yata next week. Mababa ito kaysa dun sa mga nauna. Kaya dapat alam natin na mas malaki tayong dapat na i-rollback.”
For now, the focus remains on the master lists of routes said Valbuena.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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ICC upholds jurisdiction over Duterte case
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, April 23 —— The International Criminal Court (ICC) upheld its jurisdiction over the crimes against humanity case filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte after the tribunal’s Appeals Chamber junked petitions to halt proceedings against the Philippines’ 16th president.
In its April 22 decision, the Appeals Chamber ruled that while the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in March 2019, preliminary examinations on the situation in the Philippines started in February 2018, a year before the Duterte administration sent a formal notice to pull back from the treaty governing the ICC. A majority of the Appeals Chamber rejected all four grounds raised by the defense where it argued that the Pre-Trial Chamber had committed errors in law in ruling that the ICC has jurisdiction over the Duterte case.
Having rejected the appeal, it said the related request for Duterte’s immediate release is moot. The decision affirms the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s October 2025 ruling that the court has authority over the case, contrary to Duterte’s lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman’s assertions that the Philippines was no longer a part of the ICC when the Pre-Trial Chamber authorized the opening of an investigation in September 2021.
Under the Rome Statute’s Article 127, a country’s request to withdraw from the Rome Statute “shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification, unless the notification specifies a later date.” It also underscores that the withdrawal of any state “shall not affect any cooperation with the Court in connection with criminal investigations and proceedings… which were commenced prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective, nor shall it prejudice in any way the continued consideration of any matter which was already under consideration.”
In its decision, the Appeals Chamber reiterated that the existence of jurisdiction is different from the exercise of jurisdiction, and states cannot evade its responsibilities under the Statute by simply withdrawing from it. “The Appeals Chamber observes that the provisions referred to must also be interpreted in light of the object and purpose of the Statute, which is to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to international community as a whole, and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes,” it said. “It would be incompatible to this object and purpose to enable a state party to evade its responsibilities under the Statute by depositing a written notice of withdrawal once it discovers that alleged crimes committed on its territory or by its nationals are being examined by the Prosecution. At the same time, the state’s right to withdraw from the Statute would not be effective if the Court were able to exercise jurisdiction indefinitely despite the state no longer being a party,” it added. “The present interpretation ensures an appropriate balance between the ability of states to effectively withdraw from the Statute and the responsibilities that states accept upon ratification of the Statute, while providing a clear timeline within which the determinations must be pursued,” the Appeals Chamber also said.
DECISION ON CONFIRMATION OF CHARGES HEARING OUT SOON
The Appeals Chamber — the highest division of the ICC — released its decision on Duterte’s jurisdiction challenge a few days ahead of the Pre-Trial Chamber I’s looming verdict on whether to proceed to a full trial. Under Regulation 53 of the Regulations of the Court, the chamber is required to render its written decision within 60 days from the conclusion of the confirmation of charges hearing, which ended on February 27.
Duterte is charged with three counts of crimes against humanity over his war on drugs as mayor of Davao City and then as president of the Philippines. After years of challenging the ICC to come after him, Duterte was arrested in March 2025, and has since been detained in the Hague as the international tribunal tackles the cases filed against him. The 81-year-old has refused to attend his confirmation of charges hearings as well as the Appeals Chamber’s proceedings as his camp maintains that these cases should be tried in the Philippines, where there is a fully functioning judicial system.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Increased seismic activity recorded in Bulusan Volcano anew – Phivolcs
MANILA, Philippines, April 23 —— The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said increased seismic activity has been recorded at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.
Phivolcs issued the advisory after a total of 101 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes were recorded in Bulusan since 4:50 a.m. on Wednesday. According to Phivolcs, these VT events were generated by rock fracturing, which mostly originated within 2.5 kilometers beneath the northern edifice of Bulusan Volcano.
Meanwhile, Phivolcs noted that degassing activity from the summit crater and active vents has been “very weak to moderate,” while volcanic sulfur dioxide emission has remained at low levels and averaged 75 tons/day as of April 9. “The increase in volcanic earthquake activity could indicate shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the volcano which could lead to steam-driven or phreatic eruptions at any of its summit vents,” Phivolcs said. With this, Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest remains raised over Bulusan Volcano, with increased seismic activity signaling increased chances of phreatic eruptions from any of its summit vents.
Under this alert level, entry into the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is prohibited, while the public is urged to exercise vigilance in the 2-kilometer extended danger zone in the southeast sector due to the possible impacts of volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches, ashfall and others on these danger areas. “Communities west and downwind of the volcano are also advised to prepare for ashfall in case a phreatic eruption occurs, paying special attention to vulnerable members of the community including the elderly, expecting mothers, infants, and those with medical conditions,” Phivolcs added.
People living within valleys and along river stream channels especially on the western sectors of the edifice, on the other hand, were told to be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall should phreatic eruption occur. Furthermore, Phivolcs also called on civil aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Source: inquirer.net
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Fair weather to prevail across PH Thursday
MANILA, April 23 —— Generally fair weather will continue to prevail across the country, the weather bureau said.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies, and isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are forecast throughout the archipelago. “The isolated rain showers due to thunderstorms are likely to occur from early afternoon to evening,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Leanne Loreto said.
No low pressure area is being monitored for possible tropical cyclone formation. Loreto said forecast temperatures could peak at 37 °C in Tuguegarao, and 35 °C in Metro Manila. The heat index, or the temperature felt by the human body when relative humidity combines with actual air temperature, could peak at 41°C in Aparri, Cagayan; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; and Cotabato City, Maguindanao.
The heat index in parts of Metro Manila could reach 37°C to 38°C. Meanwhile, the whole country will experience light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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No winners in Grand Lotto 6/55, Mega Lotto 6/45 draws last night
April 23 —— There were no winners in the Grand Lotto 6/55 and Mega Lotto 6/45 draws last night, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said.
The winning combination for the Grand Lotto 6/55 was 30-43-51-44-46-32, with a jackpot prize of P62,292,600.08. There were also no winners in the Mega Lotto 6/45 draw, which had the winning combination 10-37-11-43-18-15 and a jackpot prize of P37,882,594.88
Source: manilatimes.net
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
BINI show off vocals, humor at GRAMMY Museum event
April 23 —— BINI continued to champion Filipino talent as the homegrown girl group performed at Global Spin Live at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, California.
Videos shared by music publication Billboard showed the “Nation’s Girl Group” — Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena — debuting their new single “Blush” at the event attended by their fans called Blooms. The octet also, in Billboard’s words, gave “fans a taste of their karaoke skills” as they performed a snippet of Beyoncé’s “Love On Top,” showcasing their powerhouse vocals and drawing cheers from the crowd.
The group also performed the all-English “Cherry On Top” and “Unang Kilig” in a cappella, as seen in videos posted by Billboard. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Sheena said her favorite part of their Global Spin Live appearance was answering questions from their fans. “[My] favorite part is ‘yong Q&A, ‘yong mga questions from our Blooms, sumasagot kami one by one, ’cause I feel like not everyone there knows ‘yong mga bagay-bagay sa amin, so something new for them and ang daming nagsabi nga na we were so funny. It’s not something new to us [but] it’s something new for them!” Sheena said.
Stacey, for one, addressed a question on whether the group feels any pressure being called the “Nation’s Girl Group.” The title “makes us more aware that we are representing, not just ourselves but we are representing our culture, our music, and the whole country,” Stacey said. “But at the same time, we don’t want it to feel heavy or forced, so we take that title as motivation, to stay grounded, to keep improving,” she added.
Earlier in the day, BINI also attended a pop-up meet-and-greet event organized by Hello82 in Los Angeles, where they met Blooms, some of whom had camped overnight outside the venue. “Thank you so much for all the effort, the love,” Maloi said of the fans. The GRAMMY Museum gig comes shortly after the group’s successful debut at Coachella, where they became the first Filipino act to perform at the popular music festival.
On X, the group announced it would hold a livestream on Weverse on Thursday (April 23) at 11 a.m. Philippine time, apparently to celebrate their recent Coachella appearance. BINI is also set to be recognized at Billboard’s Women in Music with the Global Force Award on April 29. Apart from their schedules in the United States, the “Pantropiko” hitmakers are also gearing up for their “Signals” world tour in support of their latest extended play of the same title, which features “Blush.”
The tour is set to kick off in June with a two-day concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, before heading to Cebu and other international stops across North America, Europe and Asia.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Steve Harvey to join Dingdong Dantes in upcoming ‘Family Feud PH’ episode
April 23 —— American television host Steve Harvey is set to appear in an upcoming episode of “Family Feud Philippines,” marking what the program described as a “historic moment on Philippine TV.”
The announcement was made via the show’s official Instagram page on Tuesday, April 21, teasing Harvey’s guest appearance alongside resident host Dingdong Dantes. “Kapuso Fam, ito na ang hinihintay n’yo! Survey says… it’s STEVE HARVEY on Family Feud Philippines!” the caption read, adding that the special episode will air on Friday at 5:35 p.m.
Harvey is known as the longtime host of the original U.S. version of “Family Feud.” In the Philippines, his popularity surged following his widely publicized hosting mishap during the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. During the live coronation, Harvey mistakenly announced Colombia’s Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner instead of the Philippines’ Pia Wurtzbach, prompting an unprecedented onstage correction.
The incident has remained part of local pop culture discourse, even referenced years later. In 2023, Filipino actor Alden Richards drew comparisons to Harvey after a similar mix-up during the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 coronation night, when he incorrectly announced a winner during the Special Awards segment. Meanwhile, Dantes, who leads the Philippine edition of the game show, recently made headlines for supporting charitable efforts linked to the program.
Dantes expressed gratitude to Angat Buhay, founded by former Vice President Leni Robredo, after winning contestants were given the opportunity to donate their prize money to help fund the construction of a two-classroom facility in Quezon province.
Source: inquirer.net
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Kim Chiu celebrates birthday by giving free gas, groceries to drivers
April 23 —— Kim Chiu marked her 36th birthday by giving back to transport workers, distributing free gasoline, meals, and grocery packs to hundreds of jeepney and tricycle drivers.
Chiu shared photos on her Instagram Story showing the initiative, which benefited around 600 drivers. The donations were funded through proceeds from her recent closet sale. “Thank you to everyone who supported my #KimChiuClosetBazaar dahil sa tulong niyo nakapagbigay po tayo sa 600 Jeepney and Tricycle drivers ng gas, meal and grocery pack. Maraming salamat,” she wrote. She also expressed gratitude to the group Buena Pamilya for helping carry out the activity. “Thank you Buena Pamilya for helping me make this possible. Di ko kakayanin mag isa ito lahat. Salamat sa inyo,” Chiu added.
Chiu first held her closet sale in January, saying at the time that proceeds would go to charity, though she had yet to disclose the beneficiaries. The actress has been involved in various charitable efforts. In 2025, she made headlines after personally purchasing construction materials for victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province.
Recently, Chiu also drew attention after completing a short business course in Paris. The actress-host is currently riding the success of the romantic drama thriller “The Alibi,” where she stars alongside Paulo Avelino. Following its digital release last year, the series is now airing on free television.
Source: inquirer.net
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SPORTS NEWS
Alex Eala marches to second round of Madrid Open by beating Pavlyuchenkova
MANILA, April 23 —— Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is through to the second round of the Madrid Open after a comprehensive victory over Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Eala, ranked 44th in the world, scored an impressive 6-3, 6-3 result in an hour and 31 minutes to reach the second round in Madrid for the third year in a row. It was a strong performance from the Filipina star, as she took care of business against the 34-year-old Pavlyuchenkova — a former Grand Slam finalist and a gold medalist in mixed doubles in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics who has nonetheless struggled so far in the season. “Like I said, I think at this level, every match is a battle,” said Eala afterward. “All of us players, we fight until the end. “She (Pavlyuchenkova) has been on tour for many years. So I’m really happy with this win. She’s a great player, and I’m really happy to be in the next round,” she added.
Eala and Pavlyuchenkova went toe-to-toe in the opening set, with the Filipina holding in the fourth game for a 2-2 deadlock. She then broke Pavlyuchenkova to love for a 3-2 lead, an advantage that proved pivotal. The Russian took a medical timeout before returning with her right thigh strapped. The break in action did not sap Eala’s momentum, as she held for a 4-2 advantage before Pavlyuchenkova responded in the next game to trim the deficit, 4-3. But Eala showed great poise in saving two break points and holding for a 5-3 lead. Pavlyuchenkova succumbed to her errors in the ninth game, with a double fault handing Eala the opener. The veteran committed a whopping 22 unforced errors in the first set.
Eala continued to dictate the pace of the match in the second set, jumping to a 3-1 advantage before Pavlyuchenkova finally broke her serve. The Filipina responded in spectacular fashion, breaking Pavlyuchenkova to love and then holding to love for a commanding 5-2 advantage. She closed out the match in her first opportunity, with another error from Pavlyuchenkova wrapping up the contest. The veteran finished the match with 39 unforced errors.
After her triumph, Eala further endeared herself to the crowd at the Caja Mágica by answering some questions in Spanish. Eala said that she felt at home in Madrid, expressing her joy in competing at the Spanish capital and the comfort she feels each time she returns. “I love Madrid, it’s an amazing tournament,” added Eala. “I’m here almost eight years, so my Spanish gets better.”
She drew more cheers from the crowd when she said that her goal is to not feel afraid to speak Spanish. Up next for Eala is a showdown against 19th seed Elise Mertens, who had received a bye into the second round. Pavlyuchenkova made it to the main draw after beating Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, and Yuliia Starodubtseva, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, in the qualifying rounds. The Russian had struggled early in the season, dropping all six of her matches before the Madrid Open. Eala will also be in action in doubles, where she will team up with close friend Zeynep Somnez against the pair of Taiwanese Chan Hao-ching and Hungarian Fanny Stollár.
In ATP action at the Caja Magica, 2021 Madrid finalist Matteo Berrettini crashed out to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, former US Open champion Marin Cilic claimed his first Madrid Open win since 2022 with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 performance against world number 44 Zizou Bergs. It was the 37-year-old Croatian’s first top-50 victory on clay in four years and it earned him a second-round meeting with Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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PBA: Converge survives TNT scare for 3rd win
MANILA, April 23 —— Converge fended off TNT’s comeback, 97-92, for only its third win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
After leading by as much as 14 early in the payoff period, the FiberXers lost the huge cushion as the Tropang 5G eventually cut it down to three on Bol Bol’s jumper, 93-90, 1:21 on the fourth quarter clock. After Justin Arana made it a four-point game off a split from the 15-foot line, RR Pogoy could not put TNT closer, missing on a corner trey, 49.1 seconds left. As possession went Converge’s way, Mikey Williams could not also convert on the same distance, but Arana was there for the putback, picking up the ball for the offensive rebound and second-chance points, 20.9 ticks, for a 96-90 edge.
Justine Baltazar later on defended Rey Nambatac’s triple attempt well, forcing him to shoot and miss. However, Calvin Abueva fouled his namesake on the other end, Calvin Oftana, that sent the TNT gunner to the stripe with 13.8 seconds on the timer. Pogoy gave up a foul as Converge regained the ball, no less than against the former TNT star, Williams, who made it a two-possession game, 97-92, after going 1-of-2 on his free throws with only 10.2 seconds remaining.
That count turned out to be the final score as Jordan Heading threw a Hail Mary from the four-point line, but was way out, marking the FiberXers’ survival to stay in the playoff picture. Arana finished with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Juan Gomez de Liano also had 16 markers, seven boards, and seven assists. Williams and Alec Stockton chipped in 13 points each, while struggling import Kylor Kelley only had four points, but contributed in the rebounding aspect, garnering nine. On the other hand, former NBA player Bol expectedly led the TNT side with 32 points and 16 rebounds as the Tropang 5G were dealt a defeat after winning three straight games.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 97 – Arana 21, Gomez de Liano 16, Stockton 13, Williams 13, Abueva 9, Muyang 8, Concepcion 6, Kelley 4, Baltazar 3, Garcia 2, Policarpio 2
TNT 92 – Bol 32, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Heading 13, Pogoy 12, Oftana 12, Nambatac 5, K.Williams 2, Ferrer 2, Castro 0, Nava 0, Khobuntin 0, Galinato 0, Aurin 0
QUARTERS: 15-19, 41-30, 69-61, 97-92
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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NBA: Blazers stun Spurs after Wemby injury, Lakers down Rockets
LOS ANGELES, April 23 —— The Portland Trail Blazers exploited an injury to Victor Wembanyama to score an upset 106-103 victory over the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in their NBA Western Conference playoff series.
San Antonio superstar Wembanyama — who had scored 35 points in the Spurs’ game one win on Sunday — exited in the second quarter at the Frost Bank Center in Texas after hitting his head on the court floor following a collision with Portland’s Jrue Holiday. The 22-year-old looked groggy as he lay on the floor for several minutes before getting to his feet and jogging to the locker room.
The 7ft 4in (2.24m) forward was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the game after entering the concussion protocol. San Antonio looked to have overcome Wembanyama’s injury as they pulled into a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter, leading 93-79 with just over eight minutes left on the clock. But with victory seemingly in sight, San Antonio’s shooting went ice cold and the absence of newly crowned NBA defensive player of the year Wembanyama was keenly felt as a determined Portland snaffled victory, closing the fourth quarter with a 27-10 run.
Scoot Henderson led Portland’s scoring with 31 points, while Holiday added 16. “Basketball is a game of runs, and the basketball gods are always gonna repay the ones that play the game right,” Henderson told NBC television afterwards. Game three of the best-of-seven series takes place in Portland on Friday.
Elsewhere, the depleted Los Angeles Lakers produced another disciplined defensive effort to defeat the Houston Rockets 101-94 and take a surprise 2-0 lead in their Western Conference first round series. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured in the final weeks of the regular season, many had all but written off the Lakers chances of mounting a serious challenge in the playoffs. But LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard combined superbly to carry the Lakers to a second straight win over the Kevin Durant-led Rockets.
James finished with 28 points, while Smart added 25 and Kennard 23 to give the Lakers hope of advancing as the series heads to Houston for game three on Friday. “As hard as we played in game one, we knew we had to double that in game two,” James said. “They were going to come in with desperation, so we had to be even more desperate. I thought we played a hell of a game. “Our own mindset now is focused on game three,” the 41-year-old NBA icon added. “We know we’re going into a hostile environment. Guys tend to play better at home than they do on the road so we have to be ready for that.”
Maxey was also lethal from long-range, making five three-pointers on his way to a 29-point haul. The bounce-back victory came after the Sixers were thrashed 123-91 in game one on Sunday, after a performance that Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse lambasted as “absolutely unacceptable.” Nurse was unsurprisingly happier with his team’s winning display on Tuesday. “I thought we just played much better team defense tonight,” said Nurse, who also saluted his team’s resolve after Boston surged into an early double-digit lead. “I think we did a great job of just taking that punch,” Nurse said.
Jaylen Brown led Boston’s scoring with 36 points but Jayson Tatum was the only other Celtics player to make double figures with 19 points. The Celtics made just 35-of-89 shots from the field throughout the game. Game three takes place in Philadelphia on Friday.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Tipid mode: Small habits that could cut your electric bill
Did you know there are little things you can do to lower your electric bill at home?
Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a press conference on Monday, March 9, that based on their simulations, electricity rates may increase by 16% next month as a result of the tensions in the Middle East, which have created inflationary pressures in the energy sector. Power utility firm Meralco also warned the public that it’s expecting rate hikes in the coming months.
While Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga noted that they are currently reviewing their fuel position and are working with the government to ensure the continuous delivery of electricity services, he urged everyone to conserve electricity as much as possible. “Patuloy tayo na magpatupad ng energy efficiency. Let’s ensure na matalino at masinop ‘yung paggamit natin sa kuryente sapagkat kapag nama-manage natin ‘yung ating consumption, at the end of the day, mama-manage din natin kahit papano ‘yung ating electricity bill,” he said in an interview with ONE PH.
If you’re worried about your electric bill exceeding your budget, PhilSTAR L!fe asked experts to share some simple moves you can make to save energy in your living space.
Curtain techniques
Curtains aren’t just there to add some style to the room—they can also help keep indoor temperatures down and reduce your need to run air-conditioning units for longer periods. “First, use light-colored curtains because they reflect sunlight instead of absorbing heat. Second, install blackout or thermal curtains to block heat from entering through the windows. Lastly, keep curtains closed during peak sunlight hours, especially from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,” electrical engineer John Paul Balsomo told PhilSTAR L!fe.
Aircon and fan combo
Summer is almost here. There are times when you would need to crank up your air conditioner, which can then affect your electricity bill. Luckily, you can work your way around that by using your electric fan with your AC to help circulate cool air more efficiently.
Electrical engineer Christian Fetalino explained that a fan “makes the air circulate evenly inside the room using the cool air from the aircon,” sharing that they are currently practicing that technique in his workplace. Fetalino advised setting your air conditioner at a high temperature at 24 to 26 degrees and letting your fan distribute cool air in your space.
Even Meralco, on its website, shared that doing so with the fan away from the AC can “reduce your AC’s workload.”
Cleaning your air conditioner
Keep your air conditioner clean can also help you save energy, according to electrical engineer Rene Ariston. “Cleaning the evaporator and condenser of your unit helps to facilitate the operation of the compressor. Kapag less ang trabaho ng motor, mas tipid ‘yan. Kapag malinis din ang aircon fins, mas mataas ang efficiency ng unit at mas makakapagpalamig at a short period of time,” he told L!fe.
Fetalino added, “Once clogged na ‘yung coils and filters ng dust and dirt, it will force the unit to work harder and consume more electricity. I highly suggest na linisin talaga araw-araw para mas efficient ang airflow at cooling performance.”
Use LED bulbs
Switching to LED bulbs is another simple way to lower your electricity consumption at home. Balsomo explained that unlike traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs, LEDs use significantly less power while providing the same amount of light. “LED bulbs also last much longer and generate less heat, making them more economical and efficient for residential use,” he said, “so LED lighting is widely recommended for improving household energy efficiency and reducing electricity costs.”
Optimize refrigerator efficiency
Since your refrigerator runs 24/7, it is one of the biggest contributors to household electricity consumption, which is why small changes can make a big difference.
According to Balsomo, one of the things you can do is to keep a three to five-centimeter space behind the refrigerator for proper heat dissipation. You also shouldn’t place it near walls, ovens, or direct sunlight and defrost it regularly if it is not frost-free. “This improves heat exchange efficiency of the condenser,” he said.
Measure your actual load
One mistake that many households make is not being aware of which appliance consumes the most electricity. The solution to this is by measuring your actual load.
“Use a plug-in power meter or energy monitor to measure the actual wattage of appliances like refrigerators, TVs, and air conditioners,” Balsomo said. “You might discover that some appliances consume more power than expected, especially old refrigerators or inefficient air conditioners,” he added.
Avoid undersized wires
Loose electrical connections and undersized wires can create voltage drops, causing appliances—especially motors—to draw higher current.
Balsomo urged that you should tighten electrical connections in panels and outlets. You should also avoid very long extension cords and use proper wire sizes as “less current means less power loss.” “The more na mahaba ang wire, nagiging mataas or directly proportional ‘yung power loss kaya ang ginagawa nilalakihan ang wire para mababa ang voltage drop at the same time bababa din ang power loss,” he explained. “The safest size is 3.5 square millimeters kasi mostly na sinasaksak sa extension cord ay mga load na ‘di naman permanent like mga portable loads natin,” he added.
Choose the right size for your appliances
They say that bigger is better, but that’s not always ideal especially if you’re trying to save electricity.
For instance, Meralco noted that the bigger the TV, the higher the wattage ratings are. “The screen size of your TV should be based on your viewing distance from the unit. For your high-definition TV, first measure the viewing distance starting from the viewing area, like sofa or bed, to where you will place the HDTV unit. Minimum viewing distance = screen size x 1.5. Maximum viewing distance = screen size x 3,” they said.
The same goes for your air conditioner.
“An aircon unit too big for the size of your room is likely to turn on and off more frequently and in effect, consume more energy in the process,” Meralco said. “On the other hand, an aircon that is too small for the size of your room never stops running as it will continuously work to reach your desired temperature level.” The appropriate room size to aircon horsepower is as follows:
• 6 to 11 sq. m – 0.5 HP
• 12 to 17 sq. m – 0.75 HP
• 18 to 22 sq. m – 1.0 HP
• 23 to 27 sq. m – 1.5 HP
• 28 to 40 sq. m – 2.0 HP
• 41 to 54 sq. m – 2.5 HP
Other things to keep in mind
If you’re using a lot of appliances at home, Balsomo recommended opting for energy-efficient appliances, especially those with inverter technology. “Inverter air conditioners and refrigerators consume less electricity because they adjust their power depending on the load instead of running at full capacity all the time.”
He added that a simple switching habit can also make a difference—always turn off lights, fans, and appliances when they are not in use.
But saving energy doesn’t stop at simply hitting the off switch. Fetalino recommended unplugging your outlets when not in use, especially during sleep. He also suggested maximizing the use of natural sunlight for illuminating your space and drying your clothes, among others. “Lowering your electricity bill is not only about using less power, but using electricity more efficiently and wisely,” Balsomo added.
Source: www.philstarlife.com