Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
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READ: Pinoys back ICC trial but also Duterte allies
EVEN though three in fi ve Filipinos support having former president Rodrigo Duterte face trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), some polls show his allies gaining momentum in the run-up to the May 12 midterm elections. In an interview on Monday, Prof. Aries Arugay, chairman of the University of the Philippines Department of Political Science, said many Filipino voters seem to compartmentalize their views — wanting Duterte to be held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, while still supporting the Senate bids of his closest allies. Arugay highlighted the historical weight of regional and ethnolinguistic loyalty in shaping electoral decisions. In the 2022 elections, support for Duterte and geographic identity were the two strongest influences on voting patterns. These factors, he believes, remain "sticky" in the current political climate. Recent polls show a significant climb in the numbers of Duterte-backed candidates.
READ: VP backs Imee, Villar does fist bumps
VICE President Sara Duterte endorsed Sen. Imee Marcos for senator in a 30-second political advertisement posted on the senator's Facebook page on Monday. Last month, following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Marcos withdrew from the administration's Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (APBP) senatorial slate, signaling a break from her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In the 30-second video, Duterte urged people to vote for Senator Marcos.
READ: KATY PERRY TO ROAR INTO SPACE
Pop star Katy Perry will be the biggest name in an all-female group set to touch the edge of space Monday, roaring into the cosmos on one of billionaire Jeff Bezos' rockets. The "Firework" and "California Gurls" singer will be lofted more than 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface in a vessel from Blue Origin, the space company owned by the Amazon founder. Five other women, including Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez, will join the flight, slated to blast off from western Texas at around 8:30 a.m. (1330 GMT).
READ: Holy Tuesday: Faith amid betrayal
HOLY Tuesday is a day to remind believers of Jesus Christ's unwavering commitment to his mission, even in the face of betrayal and death. According to the Bible, Holy Tuesday was a day of spiritual teaching and confrontations with religious leaders. After He entered Jerusalem and expelled merchants and money changers from the temple, Jesus returned to Bethany to continue teaching and challenging religious authorities, exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Sadducees and other temple leaders. Jesus likened these to unfaithful tenants of a vineyard who rejected and killed their servants sent by the owner, murdering the owner's son.
BUSINESS: 8.0% growth goal likely not 'realistic'
In Business, Within-target economic growth remains achievable amid heightened global uncertainties, a Cabinet official said on Monday, but hitting the upper end of this year's 6.0- to 8.0-percent goal might be out of reach. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters that the government was keeping the target unchanged for now even as it remained watchful to ensure a quick response to significant developments. Economic managers revised the 2025 growth goal last December from 6.5-7.5 percent amid worries over the pace of monetary policy easing and protectionist policies promised by US President-elect Donald Trump.
SPORTS: Clippers edge Warriors to clinch playoff spot
In the world of sports, James Harden scored 39 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 124-119, in overtime to clinch the final playoff spot in a thrilling last day of the NBA regular season on Sunday. Harden's superb display in San Francisco helped the Clippers bag the fifth seed in the Western Conference and sets up a first-round postseason series with the fourthseeded Denver Nuggets. The 35-year-old Harden's points tally included two crucial back-to back three-pointers in overtime which ultimately proved decisive in a back-and-forth duel that saw the lead change hands 23 times.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Orlando Mercado are today's front page columnists. Contreras' column is about the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the controversy between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Masungi-Blue Star conservation initiative. Meanwhile, Makabenta says in his column that the proposed truth commission on drug war will only raise false hopes and spawn public frustration. Mercado's piece says that the party-list system has changed from the voice of the people to the echo chamber of the elite.
Today's editorial talks about addressing the shortage of radiologic technicians and pharmacists.
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