Clark operator logs over 2M passengers in 2024

January 6, 2025 | 9:15 pm

LUZON International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. has reported over two million passengers in 2024, reaching its target for the year, the operator of Clark International Airport said.

In a media release on Monday, Clark International Airport reported a total of 2.4 million passengers last year, marking a 20% increase from 2023.

Broken down, LIPAD said last year’s passenger traffic was driven by international passengers which accounted for the majority or 65% of last year’s passenger volume, while domestic passengers accounted for 35%.

“These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent the dedication of everyone involved in making Clark International Airport a valuable gateway to the Philippines,” said LIPAD Chief Executive Officer Noel F. Manankil.

Flight operations also improved in 2024, recording an overall 29% increase to a total of 19,221 flights. Of these flights, 53% are international routes and the remainder are domestic routes.

“Our commitment to providing exceptional service to our passengers remains a primary focus while maintaining a close partnership with government stakeholders to ensure regional growth and global connectivity.”

LIPAD said domestic passenger traffic climbed by 32% in 2024 from the 640,381 passengers logged in 2023; while international passenger traffic went up by 15% from 1.36 million in 2023.

LIPAD is projected to reach over 2 million passengers in 2024, it said, adding that it lowered its projection from the initial forecast of four million due to engine issues affecting some airlines. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Surrender of more firearms expected in Central Mindanao

January 6, 2025 | 9:15 pm

unlicensed-guns-firearms — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

COTABATO CITY — Officials of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division (ID) are optimistic about collecting no fewer than a thousand more combat weapons from Central Mindanao residents this year through its regional disarmament program complementing the Mindanao peace process.

Major Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, told reporters on Monday that local executives have reported that leaders of armed groups and villagers have relayed intentions to comply with the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW) Program.

Units of the 6^th ID had collected 537 combat weapons, comprised of M16 and M14 assault rifles, M1 Garand and Carbine rifles, .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifles, 7.62-millimeter bolt-action sniper rifles, M60 and .30 caliber machineguns, 40-millimeter grenade and B-40 rocket launchers and 60- and 81-millimeter mortars, since August 2024, surrendered by owners in support of the SALW Program.

“Credit for that feat should partly go to local executives, traditional community leaders and police officials who helped us convince them to surrender their weapons to our units,” Mr. Nafarrete said.

Mr. Nafarrete said commanding officers of different 6^th ID units have also been receiving surrender feelers from the few remaining members of the two now moribund terror groups in Central Mindanao, the Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters lately.

“We are expecting the few remaining members of these two groups to soon come out and pledge loyalty to the government as a prelude to their reintegration into mainstream society,” Mr. Nafarrete said. — John Felix M. Unson

Meralco Bolts brace for dangerous Tropang Giga

January 6, 2025 | 9:01 pm

Games on Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)
5 p.m. – Terrafirma vs Phoenix
7:30 p.m. – Meralco vs TNT

FIRST obstacle in a killer slate of three games over six days this week — guest team Eastern — ticked off.

Barely 48 hours after grinding out an 88-83 victory over the Hong Kong club, Meralco aims to put a similar check mark on the second hurdle — TNT, a powerhouse that’s still fresh coming off PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s year-end break.

Good thing for the Bolts (4-2), everyone except Allein Maliksi is now on hand for the 7:30 p.m. test against the Tropang Giga (2-2) at the PhilSports Arena.

The Bolts snapped a two-game skid in play resumption with a near-full complement.

In their previous losses to Blackwater and Converge during the holidays, Bolt coach Luigi Trillo lamented that both Mitchell (broken nose) and his reliever DJ Kennedy were sidelined by injuries as did six more locals.

“But this break was a little bit good because we were able to have some days off. I think it’s big that we have guys back to get their feet wet – CJ (Cansino), CB (Chris Banchero), Brandon (Bates), Raymond (Almazan). They’re going to be crucial especially since we play a lot of guys so in the next games we can use them in the rotation,” said the Meralco mentor.

Much like the reigning Philippine Cup champions, the Tropang Giga made the most of the halt in action to rest, recharge and heal the aching bodies and legs of their stalwarts.

“Hopefully, with everyone becoming healthy, we should be hitting our stride,” said TNT mentor Chot Reyes, whose Governors’ Cup-winning troops had overcome personnel woes to string up back-to-back wins after a 0-2 start.

“But there’s a lot to learn. It’s a challenge for our defense because now, we have to defend against taller imports all over the league. Kaya mahirapan talaga kami. That’s why we have to double our efforts and figure out different ways to play defense,” he added.

Meanwhile, Phoenix (1-5) and Terarfirma (0-7) try to inject life into their respective campaigns in a clash of bottom-running teams at 5 p.m. — Olmin Leyba

Gilas closely monitoring the situation of Sotto

January 6, 2025 | 9:00 pm

GILAS PILIPINAS is hoping for the best for big man Kai Sotto but is ready for any eventuality.

Mr. Sotto hurt his left knee last Sunday in the Koshigaya Alphas’ 77-79 loss to the Mikawa Seahorses in the Japan B.League, triggering fears the injury might force him out of action, too, for the Nationals’ FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Window 3 matches against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand next month.

Gilas is closely monitoring the situation of Mr. Sotto. Worse case, there’s always veteran Japeth Aguilar to step in for the 7-foot-3 star.

“That’s why we have Japeth (Aguilar),” Gilas coach Tim Cone said.

“Japeth (Aguilar) is there to replace any of the bigs that we have. And if you can tell me there’s another big out there that matches Japeth’s size and ability, then I’ll be happy to look at him.”

“And we have Mason Amos to fortify us if we lose someone like Jamie (Malonzo) or one of the other guards,” he added.

Despite the constant threat of injury, Mr. Cone said he’s sticking to his “small” group of 12 regulars plus two alternates.

“The preparation time is so limited. You really have to make the most of that time. We can’t afford to try and teach 18, 19, or 20 players and get them into rhythm. We need to keep the roster tight so we can maximize our preparation,” he explained. — Olmin Leyba

PSEi extends climb on bargain hunting before CPI

January 6, 2025 | 9:00 pm

PHILIPPINE SHARES rose for the third straight session, with the main index logging its best close in over three weeks, as investors picked up cheap issues and amid expectations that headline inflation stayed within target last month.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 0.32% or 21.36 points to end at 6,625.17 on Monday, while the broader all shares index increased by 0.22% or 8.55 points to 3,794.03.

This was the PSEi’s highest close in more than three weeks or since it finished at 6,641.35 on Dec. 12.

“The local market extended its rise as investors continued with their bargain hunting,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“Also aiding in Monday’s session is the investors’ optimistic expectations towards the Philippines’ December 2024 inflation rate,” he added.

A BusinessWorld poll of 13 analysts yielded a median estimate of 2.7% for the December consumer price index (CPI), within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2.3%-3.1% forecast for the month.

If realized, this would be faster than the 2.5% print in November and mark a third straight month of acceleration. Still, this would be slower than 3.9% in December 2023 and would be within the BSP’s 2-4% target.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release December and full-year 2024 CPI data on Jan. 7 (Tuesday).

“Philippine investors continued to slowly reposition as the first full trading week of the year begins,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

Mr. Limlingan said that aside from the inflation report, other trading drivers this week include US jobs data and minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s December meeting, as well as scheduled speaking engagements of some Fed officials that could give clues on the path of interest rates in the world’s largest economy.

Majority of sectoral indices closed lower on Monday. Holding firms dropped by 0.5% or 28.64 points to 5,648.25; mining and oil declined by 0.38% or 29.82 points to 7,708.32; industrials retreated by 0.11% or 10.38 points to 9,312.60; and property inched down by 0.01% or 0.44 point to 2,400.20.

Meanwhile, services climbed by 1.51% or 32.36 points to 2,163.81 and financials increased by 0.91% or 20.07 points to 2,226.57.

“Universal Robina Corp. was the day’s index leader, climbing 3.26% to P82.40. Wilcon Depot, Inc. was the main index laggard, falling 3.69% to P13.56,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover rose to P3.86 billion on Monday with 4.54 billion shares changing hands from the P3.78 billion with 2.77 billion issues traded on Friday.

Advancers bested decliners, 112 versus 103, while 52 names were unchanged.

Net foreign buying stood at P40.94 million on Monday versus the P171.99 million in net selling recorded on Friday. — R.M.D. Ochave

Peso drops further before inflation data

January 6, 2025 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO weakened further against the dollar on Monday on expectations of faster December inflation.

The local unit closed at P58.27 per dollar on Monday, declining by seven centavos from its P58.20 finish on Friday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Monday’s session unchanged at P58.20 against the dollar. Its worst showing was at P58.36, while its intraday best was at P58.17 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded declined to $1.74 billion on Monday from $1.38 billion on Friday.

The peso was dragged down by expectations of a slight pickup in Philippine December headline inflation, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

The dollar was also broadly stronger as the market waits for this week’s release of key US jobs data, which could dictate the US Federal Reserve’s next move, he added.

“The dollar-peso traded higher on cautious sentiment ahead of local CPI (consumer price index) [on Tuesday] and ahead of key US jobs data. [On Monday night], we have US factory orders and towards the end of the week, we have nonfarm payrolls,” a trader likewise said in a phone interview.

A BusinessWorld poll of 13 analysts yielded a median estimate of 2.7% for the December CPI, within the central bank’s 2.3%-3.1% forecast. If realized, this would be faster than the 2.5% print in November and mark a third straight month of acceleration. Still, this would be slower than 3.9% in December 2023.

For Tuesday, the trader sees the peso moving between P58.00 and P58.50 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P58.15 to P58.35. — A.M.C. Sy

Malixi settles for third place in Australia

January 6, 2025 | 8:59 pm

THE Philippines’ Rianne Malixi faded in the final push to yield the Australian Master of the Amateurs crown and settle for third on Monday in Victoria, Australia.

Ms. Malixi turned in a closing one-over 74 card marred by a bogey-double bogey stumble on the 12^th and 13^th holes to finish at 289 behind winner Hyojin Yang of Korea (286) and Ella Scaysbrook of Australia (288).

Just like last year, the 17-year-old Pinay mounted a spirited attempt to wipe out a four-shot deficit in the last round at the Southern Golf Club. But it didn’t work out as planned in this failed title-retention.

Ms. Malixi managed to catch up with Ms. Scaysbrook at the lead after gunning down back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11.

But the world No. 3 amateur could not sustain the charge and even lost three strokes in the next two holes, virtually leaving Ms. Yang and Ms. Scaysbrook in a dispute for the top plum.

Ms. Yang birdied the 10^th and 11^th then parred the remaining holes to submit an even 73 and finish at six-under for the tournament.

Ms. Scaysbrook shot sub-par scores on Nos. 10 and 16 but bogeys on 13, 14 and 17 doomed her bid as her 77 for the day was only good for a four-under aggregate, two short of Ms. Yang’s winning tally. — Olmin Leyba

Nesthy Petecio first to return to the hunting ground to seek more glory

January 6, 2025 | 8:59 pm

AT 32 YEARS OLD and already decorated with a pair of Olympic medals, you would think Nesthy Petecio is already done for.

She isn’t.

Just months after snaring her Paris Games bronze, her second in the quadrennial games after a silver in Tokyo, Ms. Petecio made it known that she is far from hanging up her boxing gloves as she returns to the hunting ground where she seeks more glory.

“I’ll be there,” said Ms. Petecio on Monday just moments after Mitchell Martinez, a member of the national coaching staff, posted photos on social media of the team reporting back to training in Baguio.

Ms. Petecio and the rest of the national pugs are eyeing several tournaments in the middle and the latter part of the year.

Interestingly, Ms. Petecio was the first to report to training out of the five Filipino pugs who competed in the French capital.

According to Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines Secretary-General Marcus Manalo, Carlo Paalam will come in a day late because he had to tend to personal matters while Aira Villegas is still in military duties.

As for Hergie Bacyadan, she is still with Vovinam after snaring an Asian Championship gold medal just late last year.

“We have yet to sit down with her and Vovinam about plans moving forward,” Mr. Manalo told The STAR. “Eumir (Marcial) is still undecided if he will go back full-time with us.”

The country is eyeing to compete in several meets or attend training camps this year including one in Korea in April, the World Championships in Liverpool in September, the World Cup in New Delhi, India in November and the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

And expect Ms. Petecio to fight for slots and be part of it all. — Joey Villar

Cavs handle slumping Hornets for 10^th straight win

January 6, 2025 | 8:58 pm

DARIUS GARLAND scored 25 points and Jarrett Allen posted a double-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their 10^th straight game with a 115-105 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

Allen paired 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting with 11 rebounds for Cleveland, which also got 19 points from Donovan Mitchell and 17 from Evan Mobley. Georges Niang chipped in 10 points off the bench as the Cavaliers continued to roll after completing a 4-0 road trip.

Even with its top two offensive players, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, back in action, Charlotte was pummeled en route to its 10^th straight loss. Ball and Miller finished with 24 points apiece in their first games since Dec. 26.

Miller drained six 3-point shots, while Ball was just 3-of-11 from long range even after making his final two attempts.

The Cavaliers shot 49% from the floor in the first half and carried a 63-48 lead into the break. Cleveland was up by as many as 24 in the second quarter but watched its lead shrivel as Ball made five free throws during Charlotte’s 8-0 run to close the half.

Cleveland swelled the margin to Cleveland improved to 3-0 against Charlotte this season, with all three wins coming by double digits. — Reuters

Eala eyes historic main draw in much-awaited Australian Open

January 6, 2025 | 8:58 pm

ALEX EALA is out to pounce on her remarkable campaign in Canberra last week to make more of an impression and soar to new heights in the much-awaited Australian Open qualifying round today at Melbourne Park.

Fresh off a semifinal finish in the Workday Canberra International as an unseeded player all the way from the qualifiers, Ms. Eala will have her mettle tested once again at 7 a.m. (Manila time) against Croatia’s Janna Fett in Round 1.

Her Final Four run in Canberra was her first-ever deep campaign in a top-class Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tourney, making it a good stepping stone to her bid in marking another history in the world’s first major this year.

“I fought hard last week but the path in 2025 has just begun,” posted 19-year-old Filipina pride on her social media account after landing in Melbourne over the weekend. “Next stop is the Australian Open.”

After etching a career-best year-end ranking at No. 147 of the WTA, Ms. Eala started the New Year with a bang by stringing five straight wins in Canberra as her first tournament this season.

But there will be a bigger mountain to climb for her from there on as she aims to become the first-ever Filipina tennister to play in a Grand Slam main draw.

She will net for that dream starting in Round 1 of the grueling three-round, 128-player cast against a familiar rival in 28-year-old Ms. Fett, a grizzled veteran with a WTA ranking of No. 136 and 14 pro titles including in the singles and doubles.

Back in 2021, Ms. Eala bowed to Ms. Fett in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 marathon in the W25 Manacor but has improved by leaps and bounds since then to stand a pretty chance to advance.

A win by Ms. Eala, holder of eight pro titles in her budding career, would propel her to a second-round outing against the winner between Slovakia’s Victoria Hrunkacova (WTA No. 168) and Austria’s Sinja Kraus (WTA No. 211).

From there, she would need only a single victory to clinch one of the 16 main draw tickets in the qualifiers, a feat that she fell just short of achieving in the finale of the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open last year. — John Bryan Ulanday

Last-gasp Dembele strike earns PSG French Super Cup victory over Monaco

January 6, 2025 | 8:57 pm

DOHA — A stoppage-time goal by forward Ousmane Dembele earned Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) a 1-0 win over AS Monaco in the French Super Cup on Sunday as the Ligue 1 champions lifted the trophy for the third consecutive season.

Record 13-time winner PSG, who faced last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up Monaco after the Parisians had won both the league and the French Cup, won the competition for the 11^th time in the last 12 years.

In a lively encounter at Doha’s Stadium 974, made from 974 recycled shipping containers for the 2022 World Cup, PSG had 27 chances — nine of them on target — without breaking the deadlock.

But Dembele ensured the game did not go to penalties when he sealed the win for the French champions two minutes into injury time, netting inside the far post after Fabian Ruiz fed him with a neat pass across the face of the goal.

Summer signing Desire Doue was close to giving PSG the lead in the ninth minute but hit the bar while Lee Kang-In was denied by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Koehn with an effort from distance in first-half stoppage time.

Dembele and Vitinha also tested Koehn in the opening 45 minutes while Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Takumi Minamino forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into saves, with the PSG keeper returning to the side after recovering from a face injury.

No goals were scored in the first half of a French Super Cup for the first time since 2010 when Olympique de Marseille beat PSG 5-4 on penalties after the match ended goalless.

PSG, who beat Nantes and Toulouse in the previous two editions, won 4-2 at Monaco last month in Ligue 1 with Dembele scoring a second-half brace.

Four-time winners Monaco last lifted the trophy in 2000. They were runners-up in 2017 and 2018, losing both times to PSG.

PSG return to league action next Sunday when they host St Etienne while Monaco visits lowly Nantes on Friday. — Reuters

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau is likely to announce resignation

January 6, 2025 | 6:04 pm

OTTAWA — Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau is increasingly likely to announce he intends to step down, though he has not made a final decision, a source familiar with Mr. Trudeau’s thinking said on Sunday.

The source spoke to Reuters after The Globe and Mail reported that Mr. Trudeau was expected to announce as early as Monday that he would quit as leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party after nine years in office.

The source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Mr. Trudeau’s departure would leave the party without a permanent head at a time when polls show the Liberals will badly lose to the official opposition Conservatives in an election that must be held by late October.

Sources told The Globe and Mail that they did not know definitely when Mr. Trudeau would announce his plans to leave but said they expect it would happen before an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators on Wednesday.

An increasing number of Liberal parliamentarians, alarmed by a series of gloomy polls, have publicly urged Mr. Trudeau to quit.

The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. The prime minister’s regularly published schedule for Monday said he would participate virtually in a cabinet committee meeting on Canada-US relations.

It remains unclear whether Mr. Trudeau will leave immediately or stay on as prime minister until a new Liberal leader is selected, The Globe and Mail report added.

CALLS TO RESIGN GROW
Mr. Trudeau took over as Liberal leader in 2013 when the party was in deep trouble and had been reduced to third place in the House of Commons for the first time.

If he does resign, it would likely spur fresh calls for a quick election to put in place a stable government able to deal with the administration of President-elect Donald Trump for the next four years.

The prime minister has discussed with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc whether he would be willing to step in as interim leader and prime minister, one source told the newspaper, adding that this would be unworkable if Mr. LeBlanc plans to run for the leadership.

Mr. Trudeau, 53, had been able to fend off Liberal legislators worried about the polls and the loss of safe seats in two special elections.

But calls for him to step aside have grown since December, when Mr. Trudeau tried to demote Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, one of his closest cabinet allies, after she pushed back against his proposals for more spending.

Ms. Freeland quit instead and penned a letter accusing Mr. Trudeau of “political gimmicks” rather than focusing on what was best for the country.

Mr. Trudeau propelled the Liberals to power in 2015 promising “sunny ways” and a progressive agenda that promoted the rights of women and a promise to fight climate change.

But the everyday realities of governing gradually wore him down and like many Western leaders, the need to deal with the effects of the pandemic ate up much of his time.

Although Ottawa spent heavily to protect consumers and businesses, racking up record budget deficits, this provided little protection from public anger as prices soared.

A botched immigration policy led to hundreds of thousands of arrivals, straining an already overheated housing market. — Reuters