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INFLATION DROPS TO PRE-PANDEMIC LOW OF 1.4% IN APRIL By Othel Campos, Darwin Amojelar, Charles Dantes and Maricel Cruz CONSUMER prices continued its downward trend in April, falling to 1.4 percent – the lowest rate since November 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Food inflation also dropped sharply, slowing to 0.7 percent from 2.3 percent
in March 2025 and from 6.3 percent in April 2024. This was mainly due to the continued improvements in the prices of rice, which dropped to 10.9 percent from 23.9 percent a year ago, following a 7.7 percent decline in March 2025. “We are encouraged that our initiatives to enhance supply and stabilize agricultural commodity prices are easing the financial burden on millions of Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 81 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
China told: WPS ‘red line’ clear NSC exec warns vs. Beijing construction in Bajo de Masinloc By Rex Espiritu
A
NY attempt by China to undertake construction to militarize Bajo de Masinloc will be considered as crossing a “red line,” National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said yesterday. “What keeps us awake at night is China, since they have presence in the area, turning the shoal into an artificial island or militarizing it. That is going to be very troubling. That is the red line for the Philippines,” Malaya said during a virtual forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute. Next page
PCG presence more crucial in WPS—Marcos By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard has become more crucial in the West Philippine Sea. Next page
COAST GUARDIANS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. applauds the 29 newly-promoted officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led by Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace. Inset shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship on patrol and the floating barriers installed to block entry into Scarborough Shoal. PPA Pool, PCG
Ombudsman Celebrity ‘senatoriable’ among bets now facing Comelec’s axe to top officials: Answer Imee’s complaint By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz
AT LEAST 30 candidates vying for national and local positions, whose names are being withheld, are facing disqualification cases for allegedly violating the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) guidelines on illegal campaign materials. “The Comelec’s Task Force Baklas will file cases against at least 30 to 35
By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman has directed several high-ranking officials to file a counter-affidavit within 10 days of receiving the order, in relation to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, and Special Envoy for Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao to submit a counter-affidavit in Next page
Marcos: Probe NAIA bollards after SUV crash By Charles Dantes, Joel Zurbano and Darwin Amojelar MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an immediate investigation into the installation of allegedly substandard bollards at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, following a vehicular crash that claimed two lives. The bollards, meant to serve as protective barriers, reportedly Next page
tices,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said yesterday. He hinted that a well-known “Caviteño” senatorial bet is among the candidates to be charged for repeatedly igNEWS / A2 noring the poll body’s call to remove the posters illegally displayed outside of the individuals for violating our guidelines Comelec’s designated areas. The Comelec earlier warned it would and for failing to remove their illegal campaign materials despite several no- issue notices to candidates, directing
May 12 declared a non-working day
Early Church (Peter to Constantine)
Reformation & CounterReformation
them to remove unlawful campaign materials and election campaign paraphernalia mounted outside the designated areas within three days as part of its Oplan Baklas initiative. “Failure to comply may result in the filing of election offense cases, which may lead to disqualification,” he said. Garcia said the Comelec’s Task Force Next page
Vatican I & Vatican II
Papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis
Timeline of Major Church Shifts
Between Tradition and Transformation The Next Papacy
C
NCLAVE
Militant Church
Gregory VII “The pope alone can depose or reinstate bishops.”
Pius IX “The Church has always striven and persevered to keep itself free from every stain of error.”
Dictatus Papae (1075)
The Conservative Pushback Calls for Doctrinal Clarity Criticism: “Confusion,” “Moral Relativism” Movements: Traditional Latin Mass revival, anti-synod voices
The Catholic Church, with its two-thousandyear legacy, is once again on the cusp of transformation. Historically, papal transitions have not only marked changes in leadership but also signaled broader shifts in the Church’s orientation—toward power, evangelization, and its relationship with the modern world. The impending Conclave is no exception. Under Pope Francis, the Church has embraced a more pastoral, inclusive vision—emphasizing mercy over judgment, dialogue over dogma, and reaching out to the marginalized. His papacy has prioritized environmental justice, interfaith cooperation, and a softer approach to traditionally contentious issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion and communion for divorced Catholics.
Syllabus of Errors (1864)
“The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open.” Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium (2013)
Pastoral Church
Yet this vision has not been without resistance. A vocal conservative bloc, uneasy with Francis’ tone and perceived ambiguity, is calling for a return to doctrinal clarity, ecclesial discipline, and theological orthodoxy. These tensions, simmering for years, may finally come to a head as the next Conclave convenes. The question is stark: Will the next pope carry forward the Franciscan ethos of reform, or will he restore a more rigid, hierarchical model of Catholic governance? The answer will not only shape the Church’s internal dynamics but also define how it engages a world in flux—marked by climate crises, global migration, and the erosion of democratic values.
Vatican cuts phone signals for conclave THE Vatican has cut the phone signals within the tiny city state for the duration of the conclave, as all 133 Catholic cardinals who will vote for a new pope begin their deliberations. Next page