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Cebu Daily Newscast: Cebu City accident: Boy’s ‘basketball date’ with pa ends in tragedy | jngojo | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 19:59:26 PST | Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu.
Here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
A single candle is lit up at the very spot where a 4-year-old boy tragically died after falling into the river in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City on Sunday, June 30. | CDN Photo/ Emmariel Ares
The 4-year-old boy who died when he fell and drowned in a river in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, was actually in the bridge that afternoon excitedly waiting for his father to come home from work so that they can both watch a basketball game.
He even had his basketball jersey prepared moments before tragedy struck that Sunday which ended his life.
The boy was sitting on the edge of a wall when he fell into the river, hit his head on a part of the cement wall below, and drowned.
His grandfather tearfully narrated that earlier that day the boy even asked for his jersey which is identical to that of his father’s to be ironed so that he can wear it later.
But instead of going to the basketball court, the young basketball fan was rushed to the hospital where he lost his life.
Around 2,000 members of the advance parties who will be taking part in the Palarong Pambasa 2024 have already arrived to their billeting quarters in Cebu City a few days before the opening ceremony on July 9.
This was relayed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), during a press conference on Wednesday, July 3.
According to Rafter, around 2,000 participants have settled at their billeting quarters in preparation for the much-awaited event that will begin next week until July 16.
Moreover, the rest of the around 15,000 guests are expected to arrive in the city later this week. This year’s Palaro will open on Tuesday, July 9 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Thousands of people at a religious gathering in India rushed to leave a makeshift tent, setting off a stampede Tuesday that killed at least 116 people and injured scores, officials said.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the panic following an event with a Hindu guru known locally as Bhole Baba. Local news reports cited authorities who said heat and suffocation in the tent could have been a factor. Video of the aftermath showed the structure appeared to have collapsed.
At least 116 people died, most of them women and children, said Prashant Kumar, the director-general of police in northern India’s state of Uttar Pradesh, where the stampede occurred.
Ang lead rapper sa Pinoy girl group nga BINI nga si Aiah Arceta miuli sa Sugbo uban ang iyahang mga higala gikan sa Manila.
Usa ka swerte nga netizen nga si Mark Ramas Ramirez mipost sa talagsa-on nga higayon nga makapapicture ni BINI Aiah sa pantalan samtang gahuwat kini nga makalawig aron mag-island hopping.
Matod ni Ramirez sa iyahang pakighinabi sa CDN Digital, padulong mag-island hopping ang grupo ni BINI Aiah apan mihatag gihapon kini og oras nga makapapicture sa iyahang mga fans, usa na niini mao si Ramirez.
Si BINI Aiah nga lumad nga taga dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu usa sa tulo ka mga Bisdak nga naapil sa labing sikat nga girl group sa nasud karon.
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25 areas in PH possible targets of China hypersonic missile attack – Imee Marcos | John Eric Mendoza | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 13:25:07 PST | Sen. Imee R. Marcos (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Sen. Imee R. Marcos (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos warned that 25 areas in the country could be targets of a possible Chinese hypersonic missile attack due to the increase in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites and the brewing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos said that among the 25 areas are the Ilocos region, a frequent site of war games between Manila and Washington, as well as Batanes and Subic in Zambales, where she said the country’s new missiles had been installed.
INQUIRER.net on Wednesday contacted Marcos to seek more details, but the senator has yet to respond as of this posting.
“Natatakot talaga ako habang umiinit diyan sa West Philippine Sea, may nakita ako na plano ng China na gagamitin yung hypersonic missile,” Marcos said in a video posted on her official Facebook page on Monday.
(I’m really scared because while tensions are brewing in the West Philippine Sea, I saw [reports] about China’s plans to use hypersonic missiles.)
READ: Japan, US to co-develop hypersonic weapons interceptor
“Nakatakda na yung 25 na target nila, kitang kita na. Kasi sa pagbabasa natin may mga BrahMos missile na sa Batanes pati sa Subic, so yung dalawang yun ang uunahin kasama ang Ilocos kasi mga mga live fire na Balikatan. Nakakatakot nga eh, 25 ha. Hindi biro yun,” she said.
(The 25 targets are already set… Based on what we’ve read, there are BrahMos missiles in Batanes and Subic, so those two will be prioritized along with Ilocos because of the live fire exercises during Balikatan. It’s really scary, 25. That’s no joke.)
Marcos is referring to the state-of-the-art supersonic cruise missiles acquired by the Philippines from the Indo-Russian defense contractor BrahMos aerospace.
READ: BrahMos ‘deterrence’ missiles arrive from India
The missiles, which could be launched from submarines, ships, planes, or land platforms, already arrived in the country in April.
With a range of 290 to 400 kilometers, BrahMos are medium-range supersonic missiles that travel at Mach 2.8, or about three times faster than the speed of sound.
In addition to this, the senator also noted that the Philippines has no “iron dome” that could thwart such strikes.
“Ang sabi ng US, hindi daw nila kaya labanan yung hypersonic missile. Mas lalo akong ninerbyos kasi akala ko kapag missile meron yung ibang bansa yung tinatawag na iron dome, yung hindi makakapasok yung missile. Kapag hypersonic daw kayang kaya pumasok, ganyan daw kadali. Durog daw. E ano bang klase yun?” the senator further stated.
(The US said they could not thwart hypersonic missiles. I became more nervous because I thought that when it comes to missiles, other countries have this thing called the iron dome, which prevents missiles from entering. But when it comes to hypersonic missiles, it could enter easily. Everything will be crushed.)
Marcos said that aside from the West Philippine Sea tensions, China’s possible move is also due to Manila’s allowing more Edca sites in the country.
“Aminin natin ang problema talaga, dahil sa tingin ng China, talagang kumampi na tayo sa kalaban nila. Nagbigay tayo ng 17 na base militar sa pakiwari nila, yung Edca sites. Talagang mainit ang ulo nila,” Marcos further said.
(Let’s admit that the problem is that China thinks we have already sided with their enemy. We gave 17 Edca sites, which China thinks are military bases. So they were incensed.)
Contrary to this claim, there are only nine identified Edca sites in the country to date.
READ: Sen. Marcos on Edca sites: Why do we rely on foreigners to defend us?
In April 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos allowed the United States access to four more Philippine military bases under Edca, which permitted Washington to store equipment and station troops there.
Two of the newly approved Edca sites are located in Cagayan, which is relatively near Taiwan, a self-ruled island regarded by China as a renegade province subject to reunification.
Philippine army personnel fire their Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer system (ATMOS), a 155 mm calibre self-propelled gun system, during the maritime strike exercise as part of the joint US-Philippines annual military Balikatan drills on a strip of sand dunes in Laoag on Luzon island’s northwest coast on May 8, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
These new Edca sites irked Beijing, which stressed that the agreement was made so that Washington could “encircle and contain China.” This claim, which China said would drag the Philippines into “the Taiwan question,” was rejected by Manila.
Meanwhile, the tensions in the West Philippine Sea are continuous and even escalating. The resupply activity for the grounded naval outpost BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal and the Philippine Coast Guard’s activities in Scarborough Shoal have become flash points of tension between Manila and Beijing. The June 17 confrontation between the CCG and the Philippine Navy led to what the latter deemed “looting” and caused a serious injury to one of its personnel.
Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.
The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now effectively controls.
Asked to comment on Marcos’ claims, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military “takes such concerns seriously.”
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“We are ready to coordinate with Senator Marcos to obtain details and take appropriate actions to ensure our nation’s security,” Padilla told INQUIRER.net on Tuesday.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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LOOK: Marcos family complete during Imelda’s Malacañang birthday bash | Zacarian Sarao | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 18:04:00 PST | Former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ 95th birthday celebration in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 3.
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ 95th birthday celebration in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 3.
MANILA, Philippines — The first family was complete during the celebration of former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ 95th birthday in Malacañang on Tuesday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posted photos of the celebration on Facebook on Wednesday.
“Happy Birthday, Mom! We all love you dearly and are so grateful for every moment with you,” his caption read.
Senator Imee Marcos was also present in the party. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in April revealed that the elder Marcos had stopped attending the family’s weekly Sunday lunch.
READ: ‘I know what line not to cross’ – FL Liza on Imee Marcos
Senator Marcos is a self-proclaimed ally of Vice President Sara Duterte. A rift seemingly started between the two Marcoses after the Duterte family attacked President Marcos continuously since early this year.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte accused President Marcos of being a drug addict, even claiming that the chief executive was on the government’s illegal drugs watchlist — which both the President and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency later denied.
On the other hand, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte urged President Marcos to resign as he criticized the policies of the administration.
On June 19, Vice President Duterte resigned as secretary of the Department of Education without providing a reason.
Sen. Marcos, who regularly plays mediator between the Marcos and Duterte families, has maintained her stance that she supports Vice President Duterte.
READ: Imee Marcos reiterates all-out support for Sara Duterte
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Imelda, the widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was found guilty of seven counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division in 2018 but was not arrested due to her health and age.
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Palarong Pambansa 2024 delegates start to arrive in Cebu | mbgerodias | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 19:20:33 PST | Athletes from the Davao Region enter their billeting quarters at Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School. | Photo from the Palarong Pambansa official FB page
Athletes from the Davao Region enter their billeting quarters at Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School. | Photo from the Palarong Pambansa official FB page
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Delegations from several regions have already arrived in Cebu City six days before the kick-off of the Palarong Pambansa 2024, scheduled from July 9-16.
The Davao Region (Region XI), Cagayan Valley (Region II), and CARAGA Administrative Region (Region XIII) were the earliest among the 19 delegations to arrive, with their teams reaching the city on Wednesday, July 3.
READ MORE:
Palarong Pambansa 2024: 2,000 delegates already in Cebu City
Two new school delegations to join Palarong Pambansa 2024 for the first time
More than 12,000 athletes from 17 regions, including two new delegates from the National Academy for Sports (NAS) and the Philippine Schools from Overseas, will compete in the week-long national games.
The Davao Region is staying at the Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School, with around 140 athletes arriving on Wednesday, according to a report from the Palarong Pambansa’s official Facebook page. More athletes are expected to arrive in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the CARAGA Administrative Region’s athletes and delegates have also arrived at their designated billeting quarters at Lahug Elementary School. Cagayan Valley (Region II) is billeted at San Nicolas Elementary School.
Also arriving on Wednesday (as of press time) was last year’s overall second placer, Western Visayas (Region VI). They will be staying at Guadalupe Elementary School.
Besides the 12,000 athletes, more than 10,000 spectators, including parents, guardians, trainers, and tourists, are expected to flock to Cebu City starting next week to watch the games.
In a press conference last week, Atty. Kimberly Marie Esmeña, head of the billeting and accommodation committee and also head of Cebu City’s Local School Board, declared that all 20 Palarong Pambansa 2024 billeting quarters are already prepared and ready to welcome the delegates.
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The PALARONG PAMBANSA 2024: A CDN DIGITAL SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE is in partnership with:
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Phivolcs records increased seismic activity at Kanlaon Volcano | Adrian Parungao | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 18:02:37 PST | FILE PHOTO: A resident of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province observes a relatively calm Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a day after the volcano spewed ash and rocks and forced residents in communities around the volcano to flee. Agence France-Presse
FILE PHOTO: A resident of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province observes a relatively calm Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a day after the volcano spewed ash and rocks and forced residents in communities around the volcano to flee. Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — An increased seismic activity was recorded at Kanlaon Volcano, the state seismology bureau said on Wednesday.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), 90 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano Network were recorded from July 2, 3:00 pm up to Wednesday noon.
READ: Kanlaon Volcano emits high level of harmful gas – Phivolcs
“Most of these earthquakes were generated within a depth of 20 kilometers beneath the southeastern sector of the edifice and consist of five (5) volcano-tectonic events that are produced by rock fracturing and eighty-five (85) weak low-frequency events that indicate the movement of volcanic fluids,” Phivolcs said in its advisory.
“The overall monitoring parameters indicate that magmatic processes beneath the volcano may be driving current unrest, causing increased volcanic earthquake activity, persistently high concentrations of volcanic gas emission, and swelling of the edifice,” it added.
| PHOTO: PHIVOLCS
On Tuesday, the agency said the volcano released its second-highest sulfur dioxide gas emission for 2024, and that its emissions have increased in its recent observations.
READ: Water sources in Negros town tainted after Kanlaon blast
Phivolcs cautioned the public that the volcano is under Alert Level 2, which means that there may be “probable intrusion of magma at depth,” and can result in magmatic eruptions.
On June 3, the Phivolcs recorded an eruption in the volcano.
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E-bike driver shot in Cebu City, persons of interest identified | eares | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 21:43:12 PST | Cebu City.
Cebu City.
CEBU CITY, Philippines —An e-bike driver was shot by two assailants who began shooting out of nowhere in Sitio Cabancalan 2, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City on Tuesday evening, July 2, 2024.
Around 10:40 p.m. on Tuesday, the Inayawan Police Station received a call from a concerned citizen reporting a shooting near a bakery in the barangay.
The victim, identified as a man known by the alias “Bryan,” of legal age and a resident of the barangay, earns a living as an e-bike driver.
According to Police Major Jeciree Basitao, chief of the Inayawan Police Station, the victim was idling at a bakery in the area at the time of the incident.
Two assailants, riding a motorcycle without a license plate, allegedly arrived and fired multiple shots.
Basitao said that the suspects fired shots in random directions.
Initial investigations revealed that Bryan was not the intended target of the shooting.
Instead, he was accidentally caught in the crossfire.
Bryan was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment of his injury by arriving emergency personnel.
Furthermore, Basitao noted that upon examining the crime scene, they determined the bullets had an upward trajectory.
Therefore, police are considering that the suspects’ intention was not to cause harm but to instill fear.
Basitao also mentioned that the individual inside the bakery was unharmed.
Law enforcement recovered a total of six empty .45 caliber pistol shells from the crime scene.
As of this writing, police have identified two persons of interest (POIs) who are under investigation.
Basitao disclosed that one of them is involved in drug-related activities, prompting a deeper investigation into possible drug-related motives.
Police continue to investigate to determine the motive behind the shooting and identify the assailants.
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Third ‘Alice Guo’ applied for clearance in Quezon City – NBI | Luisa Cabato | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:06:54 PST | Bamban, Tarlac City Mayor Alice Guo speaks during the resumption of the Senate probe into a POGO hub in Tarlac province on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (File photo from NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net)
Bamban, Tarlac City Mayor Alice Guo speaks during the resumption of the Senate probe into a POGO hub in Tarlac province on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (File photo from NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is examining the fingerprints of a third “Alice Guo” who applied for clearance in Quezon City in 2005, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a press conference on Wednesday
“There is still another ‘Alice Guo’ who obtained clearance in 2005. The result of the fingerprint examination will be released within the day,” Santiago told reporters, speaking partly in Filipino.
Santiago said the applicant’s address was in Quezon City. However, investigators determined that no Alice Guo was living there.
No other details about her identity were available as of this writing.
Nevertheless, Santiago noted that whatever the result of the fingerprint examination would be, it would not affect the previously released outcome.
READ: Another Alice Guo? Hontiveros says probe remains focused on Chinese Guo
READ: Guo can be star witness, expose Pogos ‘to reduce her culpability’ – Gatchalian
This outcome indicated that suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac, and Chinese Guo Hua Ping’s fingerprints matched.
“It will no longer affect our initial findings that the first Guo Hua Ping and [Mayor] Alice Guo are one and the same,” Santiago said.
“So the third one that we are looking for is Alice Guo. No matter what the result is, it will not change anymore.”
Asked why was a need to check the identity of the third “Alice Guo,” Santiago responded that it was because the third person had the same name and birthday as Mayor Guo and Guo Hua Ping.
“People can have the same birthday, but they can’t have the same fingerprints,” he said.
The mayor is under investigation for her alleged connection with illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators in Bamban.
Questions about her citizenship were first raised during a Senate inquiry after Sen. Risa Hontiveros noted that her birth was registered only in 2013, or 17 years after she was supposedly born in 1986.
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Her repeated responses to senators’ inquiries also ignited speculation that she could be a “Chinese asset.”
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PH-China meeting tackles concerns over Pogos | Jacob Lazaro, Nestor Corrales | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 05:25:09 PST | NO TENSIONS HERE The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission released this photo on Tuesday of the “significant meeting” between the government led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (second from left) and the Chinese side led by Ambassador Huang Xilian. The July 1 meeting centered on the concerns posed by illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
NO TENSIONS HERE The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission released this photo on Tuesday of the “significant meeting” between the government led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (second from left) and the Chinese side led by Ambassador Huang Xilian. The July 1 meeting centered on the concerns posed by illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
MANILA, Philippines — Following weeks of pointed exchanges in the diplomatic and military spheres, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian met on Monday in Malacañang to discuss “mutual concerns,” particularly transnational crimes.
The meeting, which came days after the June 17 attack by China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel of Filipino troops en route to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, was held to explore ways to strengthen bilateral efforts against transnational criminal activities, including countering illegal offshore gambling operations, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), which is chaired by Bersamin.
READ: Bad for relations: China presses PH to ban Pogos
“China expressed its appreciation for the recent actions taken by Philippine law enforcement authorities to counter illegal offshore gambling and to rescue several Chinese nationals,” the PAOCC said in a statement on Tuesday.
Officials from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, according to the PAOCC, have been actively collaborating with their Philippine counterparts on this issue.
READ: Chinese embassy appeals to PH to ban Pogos to root out social ills
“This mutual support demonstrates the commitment and determination of both countries to curb transnational organized crime effectively,” the PAOCC said.
The strengthened cooperation between China and the Philippines, according to the PAOCC, “sends a clear message to criminal syndicates operating across borders that their malicious activities will not be tolerated nor allowed to undermine the security and stability of these nations.”
It said the meeting also paved the way for “the exchange of expertise, intelligence sharing, and collaborations, enabling the authorities on both sides to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks effectively.
In a separate statement issued by the Chinese Embassy, the two sides exchanged views on recent key cases of mutual concern and agreed “to strengthen China-Philippines law enforcement cooperation.”
The embassy did not specify which transnational crime was discussed, but the more controversial ones of late involved Chinese nationals arrested for links to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
Last month, the embassy urged the government to ban Pogos for having engendered other serious crimes.
“Ample evidence shows that Pogo breeds serious crimes, such as kidnapping for ransom, human trafficking, and murder. Pogo is detrimental to both Philippine and Chinese interests and images, as well as China-Philippines relations,” the embassy said in a statement on June 14.
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“The Chinese government is committed to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. We appeal to the Philippines to ban Pogo at an early date so as to root out this social ill,” the statement added.
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NBI: ‘Third Alice Guo’ a different person from Bamban Mayor Alice Guo | Tetch Torres-Tupas | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 17:52:13 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The “third Alice Guo” is a different person from that of Guo Hua Ping and suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said Wednesday.
Guo Hua Ping, who hails from Fujian, China, was born on August 31, 1990, while Mayor Alice Leal Guo, who hails from Tarlac, was born on July 12, 1986. An investigation by the NBI showed that their fingerprints are the same.
“Our fingerprint is unique. Even twins have different fingerprints,” said Dr. Alfredo Kahanding of the NBI, who examined the fingerprint.
“A Fingerprint is an infallible means of identification. When you say infallible, it is incapable of error, absolute identification. When we say absolute, it means it is conclusive,” he added.
“Guo Hua Ping and Alice Leal Guo, we conclude that they are one and the same person,” Santiago said.
As for the other “Alice Guo,” Santiago said she applied for an NBI clearance in 2005. She was born in Tarlac on July 12, 1986, the same as the controversial Mayor.
READ: Third ‘Alice Guo’ applied for clearance in Quezon City – NBI
But after comparing the fingerprints of Guo Hua Ping, Mayor Alice Guo, and the other Alice Guo, Santiago said, “The fingerprint card of this person was again compared sa unang dalawang (to the first two) fingerprint cards [of Guo Hua Ping and Mayor Guo].
“Hindi nagmatch, so ito, ‘di ko alam kung sino siya (They did not match, so I don’t who she is),” Santiago told reporters.
Santiago said the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crime Division also checked on the address of the other “Alice Guo” at 138 Kalantiaw Street Project 8 in Quezon City.
They found out that Kalantiaw Street was actually in Project 4, and upon checking 138 Kalantiaw Street, Project 4, the owner said that no “Alice Guo” is residing or ever resided in that address.
When asked why the “third Alice Guo” was able to get a clearance, Santiago said they did not have records of Guo Hua Ping and Mayor Guo at that time.
He said Guo Hua Ping’s alien fingerprint card was forwarded to them only in 2006, while Mayor Alice Guo only applied for an NBI clearance in 2021.
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Santiago said they are conducting further investigation regarding the third “Alice Guo.”
But he assured that the case build-up by the Office of the Solicitor-General will not affect their findings about the third “Alice Guo.”
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DICT unit website hacked; exec downplays incident | Tyrone Jasper C. Piad | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 05:10:00 PST | SITUATION MANAGED The Department of Information and Communications Technology confirmed that the website of its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division was defaced, but it regained control in less than an hour. —Philippine News Agency
SITUATION MANAGED The Department of Information and Communications Technology confirmed that the website of its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division was defaced, but it regained control in less than an hour. —Philippine News Agency
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s very own cybersecurity watchdog became the recent victim of a system breach by an entity identifying itself as “ph1ns,” which also left a warning about another imminent cyberattack.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso, in a virtual briefing on Tuesday, confirmed that the website of the government agency’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division (DRRMD) was defaced but it was able to regain control in less than an hour.
“[This] attack is not only to mock DICT’s reputation but also to strengthen the country’s cyberdefense by humiliating them,” ph1ns posted on the website during its attack.
READ: 3 suspected hackers caught, tech journalist implicated
The hacker group advised the government agency to perform “thorough tests during and after the development of your applications, websites, etc.” to strengthen its firewall.
In addition, ph1ns told the DICT to beef up its IT personnel to be suited to fend off cyberattacks.
“You’re my best buddy, DICT. I’ll be back. See you soon,” it warned.
Paraiso downplayed the cyberattack, explaining that it did not reach the government agency’s central system.
The DRRMD is an external unit of the DICT, Paraiso said, as he also explained that its system was designed to be “porous” or built with fewer firewalls to allow the quick flow of disaster-related information during emergencies. Less firewalls mean a higher vulnerability against cyberattacks.
Apart from defacement, he said the hacker was able to exfiltrate some employee data amounting to “less than 5 megabits,” which he described as a small amount. Nevertheless, Paraiso said they had reached out to the National Privacy Commission regarding the incident.
The DICT has been dealing with recent major cyberattacks against government agencies.
Before this, it confirmed that 2-terabytes worth of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) data—including research plans, schematics, and designs—were compromised.
This resulted in the DOST being locked out of its system, meaning it could not access the said data. The cyberattack was expected to delay the approval of pending patents and other DOST research and development initiatives, Paraiso said earlier.
Also targeted by cybercriminals was the reporting system of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which serves as a communication line among the bureau’s units. The data that was potentially compromised included information about cargo movements being monitored by the government agency, Paraiso explained.
The investigation for the DOST hacking is ongoing. As for the BOC, Paraiso said they were able to regain control of the system, which is being upgraded to strengthen security.
Amid the onslaught of cyberattacks against government agencies, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky stressed the need for regular assessment of their firewalls to shut out bad threat actors from their systems and keep sensitive information safe.
The cybersecurity expert said government agencies must always remind their staff to store sensitive data only in trusted cloud storage that requires authentication for access.
This also serves as a reminder for employees who use personal devices for work, as these could be entry points for hackers.
For the immediate response, Kaspersky’s general manager for Southeast Asia, Yeo Siang Tiong, told the Inquirer earlier that the first thing always to do was to change passwords.
Then, the hacked organizations must “assess the reach of the attack and implement a detection and response strategy,” he added.
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Government agencies are attracting cybercriminals because they hold vast amount of significant data, including personal information, which can be exploited by hackers for financial gain.
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DOLE: P35 pay hike not meant to insult workers | Jerome Aning | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 05:25:00 PST | Inquirer photo/Richard A. Reyes
Inquirer photo/Richard A. Reyes
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila regional wage board considered all criteria under the law in approving the P35-minimum wage hike for workers, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma stressed on Tuesday.
“The [wage] board and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) do not intend to insult anybody; our mandate is to determine the proper amount of increase [that] may be granted [with regard to] the prevailing minimum wage,” he said in an interview over radio station dzBB.
READ: P35 wage hike approved; labor groups furious
He added that the new P645 minimum wage for nonagriculture workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), which takes effect on July 17, was a mere “floor or entry-level” salary.
The minimum wage is also for first-time or new workers who have only basic skills and lack experience, he pointed out.
“Minimum wage is a social protection floor, which means, if you have no experience, no skills, you should receive the minimum wage and not below the amount,” he said.
Laguesma pointed out that workers with high grades in school or extra skills and experience could negotiate a salary higher than P645 with their current or prospective employers. This is the reason the government is focusing on making Filipino workers more competitive while creating more jobs.
“Our direction really is to add skills and knowledge [in] our workers … so that minimum wage will no longer be [an issue as] workers will have the freedom and right to negotiate with their employer for proper wages and benefits,” he said.
Labor groups earlier criticized the P35 minimum wage increase announced on Monday by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productive Board in NCR.
They complained that the amount could not even buy a kilo of regular milled rice, which ranges from P47 to P51 in major Metro Manila markets as of July 2, according to the agriculture department’s price watch monitoring.
For militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno, the “measly” increase proves that calls for the abolition of all regional wage boards are justified.
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No ‘imminent attack’ from China despite Sen. Marcos’ warning – NSC | John Eric Mendoza | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 17:40:42 PST | Philippine army personnel fire their Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer system (ATMOS), a 155 mm calibre self-propelled gun system, during the maritime strike exercise as part of the joint US-Philippines annual military Balikatan drills on a strip of sand dunes in Laoag on Luzon island’s northwest coast on May 8, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
Philippine army personnel fire their Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer system (ATMOS), a 155 mm calibre self-propelled gun system, during the maritime strike exercise as part of the joint US-Philippines annual military Balikatan drills on a strip of sand dunes in Laoag on Luzon island’s northwest coast on May 8, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines does not face an “imminent attack” from China, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday, after Senator Imee Marcos’ warning that 25 areas in the country could be possible targets of a Chinese hypersonic missile attack.
Marcos on Monday said Beijing might use its hypersonic missiles in areas including the Ilocos region, Subic, and Batanes due to Manila’s move to approve more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, where Washington is allowed to store equipment and station troops.
“The PH (Philippines) and PRC (People’s Republic of China) maintain cordial relations and are committed to managing whatever differences there may be. Thus, we see no threat of any imminent attack from the PRC,” NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.
READ: 25 areas in PH possible targets of China hypersonic missile attack – Imee Marcos
For security expert Chester Cabalza, the scenario mentioned by Sen. Marcos remains unlikely.
“I don’t think that China would threaten the Philippines and will start a war in the South China Sea,” Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday.
“I don’t think the US and its allies will allow another open war to happen in the world,” he added.
Two of the newly-approved Edca sites are located in the coastal towns of Cagayan, which is relatively near Taiwan, a self-ruled island regarded by China as a renegade province subject to reunification.
READ: Sen. Marcos on Edca sites: Why do we rely on foreigners to defend us?
These new Edca sites irked Beijing, which stressed that the agreement was made so that Washington could “encircle and contain China,” which would drag the Philippines into “the Taiwan question,” a claim that Manila rejected.
Marcos also cited the tensions in the West Philippine Sea, one of the flash points being the resupply missions for the troops of BRP Sierra Madre grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
Senator Imee Marcos | INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/Noy Morcoso
The June 17 confrontation there between the China Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy led to what the latter deemed as “looting.” It caused a serious injury to one of its personnel.
Beijing’s actions are based on its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea. It continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award that effectively dismissed its claims while ruling heavily in favor of Manila.
Manila and Beijing on Tuesday held a bilateral consultation mechanism, and Malaya noted that both countries “reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalating tensions” in the West Philippine Sea.
Malaya said “there was also substantial progress on developing measures to manage the situation at the West Philippine Sea, including improving maritime communications.”
Nevertheless, Malaya said they will reach out to Sen. Marcos to seek clarification about her claims.
“We will reach out to Senator Imee to get more information about her statement because we are not aware of any of the security threats she mentioned,” Malaya said.
For its part, the Department of National Defense said it could not react to Marcos’ claims.
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“The Defense Department has no basis for a comment or reaction to Sen. Marcos’ video, because we have not seen nor read the plans that she referred to,” the DND said in a brief statement on Wednesday.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Vietnamese woman arrested in Naia for unruly behavior | Zacarian Sarao | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 11:45:58 PST | Facade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
Facade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — A Vietnamese woman was arrested on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 for unruly behavior.
According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the woman, identified as 19-year-old Ban Thi Van, was arrested after an outburst during an immigration clearance to board a Cebu Pacific Air flight to Hanoi.
BI said Ban aggressively snatched her passport from the immigration officer during the inspection “and caused a scene by throwing herself at the floor and shouting.”
READ: BI: ‘Distressed’ Vietnamese woman briefly held at NAIA
“She reportedly streamed her outburst on social media, and caused disturbance in the immigration departure area,” the BI said.
Immigration officers sought the assistance of BI’s border control and intelligence unit, as well as airport police who then pacified the woman before her arrest.
READ: 5 foreign nationals arrested in Tawi-Tawi for illegal entry
Ban was brought to the BI’s head office in Intramuros for inquest proceedings and was later transferred to the agency’s facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig pending deportation.
This arrest came just a month after another Vietnamese national caused a disturbance at the Naia Terminal 3 by running towards the final security checkpoint bare naked.
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Sharon Cuneta returns to ABS-CBN for upcoming series | Hannah Mallorca | Wed, 03 Jul 2024 22:41:14 PST | Sharon Cuneta (center) as she returns to ABS-CBN. —Image: Instagram/@dreamscapeph
Sharon Cuneta (center) as she returns to ABS-CBN. —Image: Instagram/@dreamscapeph
Sharon Cuneta is set to make her teleserye comeback under ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, although details of her upcoming project are still kept under wraps.
Cuneta was welcomed at the media giant’s office in a red-carpet rollout event on Wednesday, July 3, where she was welcomed by ABS-CBN chief operating officer Cory Vidanes, Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, as well as Dreamscape heads Kylie Manalo-Balagtas and Rondel Lindayag.
The actress-singer’s upcoming series is tagged as her “Mega” comeback after a two-year break, with her co-stars, series’ storyline, and premiere dates still kept “top secret.”
“‘Yung makakasama ko ay isang mahal na mahal ko. Hindi na kayo magugulat kapag nalaman niyo. ’Yung iba naman, first time kong makakasama. More than anything, it’s me being back in my home station (I will work with someone whom I really love. You won’t be surprised when his/her identity is revealed. I will be working with other actors for the first time as well. More than anything, it’s me being back in my home station),” Cuneta told ABS-CBN News, as uploaded on its YouTube channel.
“Who wants to be anywhere but home? They’re such a big part of my professional and personal history,” she continued.
A post shared by Dreamscape Entertainment (@dreamscapeph)
One of the reasons why Cuneta took a break from doing teleserye work is her health, particularly with her hip injury. “Health matters but it’s manageable now,” she said of her condition.
Aside from her teleserye comeback, the actress-singer is busy with her daughter Miel who’s set to fly to the US for college.
“I went through it with KC, I went through it with Frankie,” she said. “I don’t mind getting old, but I mind my children growing up. I mean, they’ve grown up so fast and it’s just going to get quicker.”
Cuneta’s last TV project was “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” in 2022, where she took on the role of First Lady. Aurora Guillermo-Hidalgo. Meanwhile, her recent film project was the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry “Family of Two” with Alden Richards.
The actress-singer previously said she is a “free agent” in March 2023, and is ready to accept many offers.
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Marcos declares July 2 a holiday in Pasig | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 04:45:00 PST | INQUIRER.net file photo
INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared July 2 a holiday in Pasig City.
In Proclamation 612, he declared Tuesday a special nonworking day in the city to allow its residents to mark Pasig’s 451st founding anniversary or “Araw ng Pasig.”
Earlier, he also declared July 1 a nonworking holiday in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental in Proclamation 611 to mark the celebration of its charter anniversary.
READ: Palace declares non-working holidays in select areas
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the [cities of Pasig and San Carlos] be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” Marcos said.
Both proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of the President, according to the Presidential Communications Office. The government has approved a P35 increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), The government has approved a P35 increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), —Melvin Gascon
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2 earthquakes hit Quezon island town | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 22:12:43 PST | Inquirer files
Inquirer files
LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines – Two successive earthquakes of tectonic origin were recorded in the island town of Jomalig in Quezon province early Tuesday night, July 2.
The Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a magnitude of 4.2 earthquake was logged 55 kilometers northeast at 7:32 p.m. with a 10-km depth of focus.
READ: 2 mild earthquakes sway Quezon town
A slightly mild earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 was also recorded in the island at 7:23 p.m.
The tremor hit 61-km northeast of the municipality with depth of 24 kilometer.
The Phivolcs said they were not expecting damage or aftershocks from the two earthquakes.
Jomalig is located at the eastern part of the Polilio island group in northern Quezon facing the Pacific Ocean.
It is the smallest and farthest island municipality of the province.
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Imelda Marcos, family celebrate her 95th birthday | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:09:03 PST | Imelda Marcos turns 95 on July 2, 2024. Photo By Ryan Leagogo / INQUIRER.net
Imelda Marcos turns 95 on July 2, 2024. Photo By Ryan Leagogo / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Imelda Marcos and her family celebrated her 95th birthday on Tuesday, July 2.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. greeted his mother and thanked her for teaching him and his children to be “gracious, kind and compassionate.”
“Happy Happy birthday mom. Thank you for teaching me and your grandchildren to be gracious, kind and compassionate,” he said in a Facebook post.
READ: Imelda Marcos guilty of graft, ordered arrested
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also greeted her “Mama Meldy,” thanking the former first lady for being her “second mother.”
“Thank you for being a second mother to me. You are and always will be my first lady. [Love] you. Mean it,” she said in an Instagram post.
A post shared by Liza Marcos (@lizamarcos)
Meanwhile, Marcos’ older sister, Senator Imee Marcos, described the family matriarch as the “epitome of elegance and grace.”
“Happy 95th Birthday to the epitome of elegance and grace, the forever First Lady, my mom, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos!” the eldest of Imelda’s children said in a Facebook post.
READ: Former first lady Imelda Marcos hospitalized due to suspected pneumonia
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According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Marcoses will have a “quiet celebration” of Imelda’s 95th birthday with family and friends.
“Yes, there is a celebration, but it’s a quiet celebration with family and friends,” the PCO told reporters through Viber.
Imelda, widow of dictator and ex-president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was found guilty of seven counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division in 2018, but was not arrested due to her health and age.
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5 dead, 2 hurt after truck rams into houses in Samar | Joey Gabieta | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:07:08 PST | INQUIRER FILES
INQUIRER FILES
TACLOBAN CITY – Five persons died while two others were injured after a loader truck rammed into their houses in Barangay Caglanipao Sur, Tinambacan District in Calbayog City, Samar in the early hours of Tuesday, July 2.
The Calbayog City police have yet to release the names of the victims.
According to the city police report, the truck driven by a 40-year-old man from Caloocan City was traveling from Naval in Biliran to Allen town in Northern Samar when the truck’s brakes malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to swerve to the side of the road and hit the houses of the victims who were asleep.
The victims were taken separately to the Calbayog District Hospital and the St. Camillus Hospital where five of them were declared dead on arrival by the attending physicians.
About seven houses were damaged due to the incident.
The driver of the truck was arrested at the hospital and was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, serious physical injuries, and damage to properties.
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2-3 storms may hit the Philippines this July – Pagasa | merram | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 21:36:32 PST | Satellite Image of Tropical Storm Dante as of 6:00 p.m., June 1, 2021 | Photo from Pagasa
Satellite Image of Tropical Storm Dante as of 6:00 p.m., June 1, 2021 | Photo from Pagasa
CEBU CITY, Philippines – With the onset of the rainy season, between two to three storms may enter the Philippines this July, the state weather bureau said.
Engr. Al Quiblat, chief at the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Mactan (Pagasa-Mactan), said current forecast of their bureau showed that they are expecting an average of two to three tropical cyclones this month.
The country may also experience the same number of storms in the months of August, September, and October.
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Then by November and December, around one to three tropical cyclones will enter the Philippines, Quiblat added.
The state weather bureau declared the start of the rainy season last May 29.
In Cebu, the Pagasa station here recorded rainfall with slightly above levels last June- at 200 millimeters. The average rainfall in the island province for June is at 180.7.
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Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
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PH, China renew commitment vs Pogo-related crimes | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:38:59 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and Chinese governments renewed their commitment to work together in combating crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Tuesday.
The PAOCC made the pronouncement after a meeting between its chairperson Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Monday, July 1.
According to the PAOCC, Xilian expressed China’s appreciation for the actions taken by Philippine law enforcers against the illegal activities of Pogos, which resulted in the rescue of several Chinese nationals.
The PAOCC noted that the Chinese embassy was actively collaborating and maintaining open communication channels with its Philippine counterparts throughout the apprehension of people behind Pogo-related crimes.
“The strengthened cooperation between China and the Philippines sends a clear message to criminal syndicates operating across borders that their malicious activities will not be tolerated nor allowed to undermine the security and stability of these nations,” the PAOCC said.
“It also paves the way for the exchange of expertise, intelligence sharing, and collaborations, enabling the authorities on both sides to effectively disrupt and dismantle criminal networks,” it added.
The PAOCC has been carrying out raids on Pogos with the help of other government law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police.
READ: PAOCC staff, Pogo witnesses get death threats, says official
Just recently, a Pogo raid in Angeles City, Pamapanga resulted in the apprehension of 190 people.
Another raid in Bamban, Tarlac led to the rescue of 499 foreign workers.
READ: Over 800 Filipinos, foreign Pogo workers rescued in Tarlac raid
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Fewer Chinese vessels, warships in West Philippine Sea amid talks | John Eric Mendoza | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:54:08 PST | FLAG OF RESISTANCE A fisherman waves the Philippine flag near a “payao,” or artificial reef close to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippines Sea to display resistance to Chinese incursions and to show other foreign vessels passing through the area that these watersare part of the country’s exclusive economic zone. —PHOTO FROM BIGKIS
FLAG OF RESISTANCE A fisherman waves the Philippine flag near a “payao,” or artificial reef close to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippines Sea to display resistance to Chinese incursions and to show other foreign vessels passing through the area that these watersare part of the country’s exclusive economic zone. —PHOTO FROM BIGKIS
MANILA, Philippines — There is a substantial decrease of Chinese vessels and warships in the West Philippine Sea amid ongoing talks between Manila and Beijing weeks after the latest violent confrontation in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said there was a total of 95 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels, and People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warships from June 25 to July 1.
Of the 95 Chinese ships, most were found in Pagasa (Thitu) Island where 20 CMM vessels as well as a CCG vessel and a PLA-N warship were found.
READ: Number of Chinese ships in West PH Sea increases as war games begin
Also, 12 other CCG ships, five other PLA-N warships, and 56 CMM vessels were also found in seven maritime features in the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese assets logged in the latest monitoring period saw a drastic decrease compared to a total of 129 CCG ships, CCM vessels and PLA-N warships on June 18 to June 24.
Asked for the reason behind the decrease, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said this will be subject to further assessment.
READ: Bad weather may cause decrease of Chinese militia ships in West PH Sea
“We don’t want to speculate on the reduction. Suffice it to say, we have monitored a reduction on a week to week basis of our monitoring, for whatever reason this will be subject to further assessments,” Trinidad said in a regular briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday morning when asked if the reported bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) led to this development.
On Tuesday afternoon, Department of Foreign Affairs chief Enrique Manalo confirmed that talks were underway between Manila and Beijing to manage the tension in the South China Sea, according to a Reuters report.
The talks came after the June 17 incident in a naval outpost in Ayungin Shoal where China Coast Guard personnel rammed, towed, and even boarded Philippine Navy boats during the resupply mission there, which the Philippine military said led to what they deem as “looting” and even caused serious injuries to one of its naval personnel.
READ: 8 PH Navy men injured; one had finger cut off
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Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.
The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, or a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now has an effective control of.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Kanlaon Volcano emits high level of harmful gas – Phivolcs | Adrian Parungao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:51:35 PST | FILE PHOTO: A resident of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province observes a relatively calm Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a day after the volcano spewed ash and rocks and forced residents in communities around the volcano to flee. Agence France-Presse
FILE PHOTO: A resident of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province observes a relatively calm Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a day after the volcano spewed ash and rocks and forced residents in communities around the volcano to flee. Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Kanlaon Volcano on Tuesday released its second-highest emission of sulfur dioxide this year, the state seismology bureau said.
READ: Phivolcs: Mt. Kanlaon gas emissions drop, but explosion possible
“Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the summit crater of Kanlaon based on campaign Flyspec measurements today, 2 July 2024, averaged 5,083 tonnes/day. This is the second highest emission from the volcano recorded this year and the third since instrumental gas monitoring began,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its advisory.
Phivolcs added that since Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption on June 3, sulfur dioxide emissions have increased to more than 3,250 metric tons per day.
“Kanlaon has been degassing increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,273 tonnes/day prior to the 3 June 2024 eruption, but emission since then has been particularly elevated at a current average of 3,254 tonnes/day,” it explained.
The agency also said its observations point to magmatic processes under the volcano, which contribute to the unrest and the volcanic disturbances.
“The overall monitoring parameters indicate that magmatic processes beneath the volcano may be driving current unrest, causing persistently high concentrations of volcanic gas emission, swelling of the edifice, and occasional volcanic earthquake activity,” Phivolcs added.
READ: Kanlaon still ‘highly dangerous’ – Phivolcs
Currently, Kanlaon Volcano is under Alert Level 2, or a “moderate level of volcanic unrest,” Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs has cautioned people not to enter the volcano’s four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone, and to be prepared for possible ash fall and lahar flow events.
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Angara’s Senate seat to remain vacant unless special polls called – Comelec | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:11:07 PST | ANGARA DEFENDS NEW GOV’T PROCUREMENT ACT: Sen. Sonny Angara answers questions from his colleagues as he defends Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2539 or the proposed New Government Procurement Act. SBN 2593 seeks to unify and institutionalize the fragmented policies, rules and regulations pertaining to government procurement. During Monday’s plenary session March 18, 2024, Angara walked the senators through the current procurement processes, pointing out that government agencies had different processes. “The intent of the measure is to pursue further the standardization for greater efficiency. There are actually agencies that are having difficult time in the bidding process,” Angara, sponsor of the bill, said. (Joseph B. Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)
ANGARA DEFENDS NEW GOV’T PROCUREMENT ACT: Sen. Sonny Angara answers questions from his colleagues as he defends Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2539 or the proposed New Government Procurement Act. SBN 2593 seeks to unify and institutionalize the fragmented policies, rules and regulations pertaining to government procurement. During Monday’s plenary session March 18, 2024, Angara walked the senators through the current procurement processes, pointing out that government agencies had different processes. “The intent of the measure is to pursue further the standardization for greater efficiency. There are actually agencies that are having difficult time in the bidding process,” Angara, sponsor of the bill, said. (Joseph B. Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s seat in the Senate will remain vacant until it is filled in the 2025 elections unless the chamber calls for special polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Tuesday.
“Unless there is a call from the Senate to call for a special election, the Senate seat will remain vacant,” Comelec Chair George Garcia told reporters through Viber.
“Because it is already the last term of Sen. Sonny, we will still only elect 12 senators),” he added, referring to the elections in 2025.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that he would appoint Angara as the new secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
READ: Angara named as new DepEd chief
His appointment came after Vice President Sara Duterte resigned as DepEd chief on June 19, effective on July 19.
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Taal Volcano’s gas emission level drops | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. @dtmallarijrINQ | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:45:24 PST | FILE PHOTO: The scenic view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City, Cavite, shown in this photo taken on October 24, 2023. This photo portrays calmness amid the volcano’s continued emission of toxic gas. —MARLON MALLARI/ CONTRIBUTOR
FILE PHOTO: The scenic view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City, Cavite, shown in this photo taken on October 24, 2023. This photo portrays calmness amid the volcano’s continued emission of toxic gas. —MARLON MALLARI/ CONTRIBUTOR
LUCENA CITY — The emission of harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) from Taal Volcano in Batangas province has subsided, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Tuesday, July 2.
Only 2,116 metric tons of SO2 from the volcano’s main crater was measured over the past 24 hours. This rose to 900 meters above Taal Volcano Island, the volcano’s crater landmass locally known as “Pulo” that sits within Taal Lake, before drifting to a west-southwest direction, the Phivolcs report said.
The emission level dropped from 6,571 MT of toxic gas logged from June 28 to 30.
The state volcanologist said no volcanic earthquake was recorded during the monitoring period.
On Saturday, June 29, two phreatic events occurred briefly at Taal Volcano.
The state volcanologists said in its advisory that the “weak phreatic activity is likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater and could be succeeded by similar events.”
“The background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into a magmatic eruption,” it added.
Taal Volcano erupted in January 2020, more than four decades after its previous eruption, sending hundreds of thousands fleeing from within the 14-kilometer radius of the volcano.
Taal Volcano remains under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), which means that phreatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, thin ash fall, and hazardous gas emissions may occur, Phivolcs said.
The agency reminded the public that Taal Volcano continued to display an “abnormal condition” and “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”
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New DepEd chief is Angara | dsingson | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:16:44 PST | FILE PHOTO: Senator Sonny Angara has been named as the new Department of Education (DepEd) chief, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte who quit as Cabinet member in June, according to the Palace in an announcement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Joseph Vidal /Senate Social Media Unit)
FILE PHOTO: Senator Sonny Angara has been named as the new Department of Education (DepEd) chief, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte who quit as Cabinet member in June, according to the Palace in an announcement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Joseph Vidal /Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — The new Education Secretary is Senator Sonny Angara and he will be replacing Vice President Sara Duterte.
This was announced by the Palace on Tuesday.
Angara will take the helm of the Department of Education (DepEd) starting July 19, said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
Vice President Duterte resigned as DepEd chief on June 19. She did not provide a definite reason for quitting and only explained that her action was not a sign of weakness, as it was stirred by compassion for teachers and students.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced that he is set to appoint Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara as the new Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), replacing Vice President Sara Duterte who resigned last June 19, 2024, effective July 19, 2024,” the PCO said in a statement.
According to the PCO, President Marcos announced his decision to choose Angara as DepEd secretary during the 17th Cabinet Meeting in the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday.
“Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education,” the PCO quoted Marcos as saying during the meeting.
It also noted that Marcos emphasized before Cabinet members the critical role of the DepEd and the necessity for a leader capable of overseeing its operations.
“DepEd is arguably the most important department given the crucial role of education,” said Marcos, as he pointed out that there were “many excellent candidates” for the position.
The PCO likewise said that Marcos expressed appreciation for Duterte’s service as DepEd chief and that he anticipates a smooth transition with the new department leadership.
Angara, in a separate statement, expressed thanks to Marcos for his “trust” to pick him as new head of DepEd.
“I am committed to working with all sectors of society, including my predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education. I look forward to building upon her accomplishments,” he said.
READ MORE: Angara an ‘excellent choice’ to head DepEd – Escudero
“Education is the cornerstone of our nation’s future, and it is through collective effort that we can address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. I am eager to collaborate with President Marcos and the entire administration in serving our students, supporting our teachers, and enhancing the overall quality of education in our country,” he added.
Prior to his appointment, Angara served as a senator from 16th to the present Congress, or since 2013.
He chaired multiple Senate panels, including the justice and human rights committee, finance committee, and youth committee.
Angara has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economic and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
He also obtained his Master of Laws from Harvard University.
In an ambush interview on Monday, July 1, Angara said he is “open” to being the next DepEd head if offered to him.
“Opo (Yes). Open tayo kung sakaling pagkatiwalaan (We’re open if given the trust),” he told reporters in Baler, Aurora, where the senator attended celebrations for the 22nd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.
Senators have been expressing support for Angara to be the next DepEd secretary, citing his extensive educational background.
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Sprint king Jan Paul Morales rules Go For Gold Criterium Series 2 | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:42:07 PST | Jan Paul Morales rules the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 in Cebu City.
Jan Paul Morales rules the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 in Cebu City.
Jan Paul Morales blazed the road to victory in a thrilling, high-speed bunch finish during the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 on Sunday at City Di Mare in Cebu City.
The reigning national champion from Standard Insurance continental team sprinted away in the final 50 meters to beat Esteve Hora Jr. of SIP team and Go For Gold’s Marc Ryan Lago.
Morales, a two-time local Tour champion and sprint specialist, clocked 55:00.79 in the men’s elite category after racing through 35 laps at the 1.1-kilometer course with Hora, the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 1 champion early this year, and Lago less than a second behind.
“I waited for the chance [to pull away] and I got a good chance in the end,” said Morales in Filipino at the end of the day-long series of races that aimed to bring back the animated local atmosphere in the sport.
READ: Jan Paul Morales snatches leader’s jersey
Mathilda Krogg shared the limelight by topping the women’s open in 41:04.71 (20 laps) while her Standard Insurance teammates Raven Joy Valdez and Angela Joy Marie Bermejo checked in second and third with just a fraction of a second behind.
Steven Tablizo saw a narrow path to victory in the men’s under-23 category to the frustration of SIP’s Rrking Roque and James Paul Ryan Escumbien, while John Arwin Velasco cut loose in the last three laps to show the way in a 1-2 finish for Go For Gold in the men’s junior category.
Velasco soloed it home in completing the 22km top-acceleration pursuit in 32:03.37 followed by teammate Marvin Mandac (23.14 seconds behind) and UTB’s Clent Detalla (23.20).
Mary Gweniele Francisco nosed out Vianne Angel Pagnanawon in claiming the women’s junior title after racing for 16 laps in 36 minutes and 35 seconds.
READ: Go For Gold pulls off historic win in national cycling championships
Prince Jay Elbanbuena secured the men’s youth crown in 26:45.48 after beating Clyde Deiparine of Gealon Racing Team and Juanito Gilbuela III of MACYC, while Maritanya Krog ruled the women’s side after 12 laps (28:11.64) over Maria Louisse Alejado and Yvonne Alejado.
In the manager’s category, Philip Sainz rode solo to the finish in 27:25.71 for the win with Edgar Pastor arriving second (17.80) and Ryan Sayre placing third (33.70).
“Aside from organizing safe and well-run races to elevate the sport of cycling in the Philippines, these races serve as talent identification,’’ said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go.
Veteran cyclist Ronnel Hualda zoomed to the finish in the last few hundred meters to topple Jessie Sanchez of Keith Defiebre Cycling Team and Ramonito Espinosa to rule the men’s 40 and above category in 32:21.36.
Roy Carbonera reigned supreme in the men’s 30-39 category over 20 laps (34:46.32) with Ramonito Espinosa at second and Albert Basirgo and third places.
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The final leg of this year’s criterium series will be staged in either September or October in Mindanao.
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#PullUpYourSocks and support the PH Men’s National Basketball team at a free watch party by Baygon | INQIIRER.net BrandRoom | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:45:58 PST | Baygon, the #1 insecticide spray brand in the Philippines, is hosting free public screenings of The Phlippines Men’s National Basketball Team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament matches. The two-day event will feature free activities, food, and launch the #PullUpYourSocks campaign promoting dengue awareness and prevention, especially during dengue season.
Dates
Venue: FilOil EcoOil Centre, Metro Manila (J24M+65F, Col. Bonny Serrano Ave, San Juan, 1500 Metro Manila, Philippines)
Event highlights:
The #PullUpYourSocks movement brings together Filipinos of all ages, urging them to pull up their socks as a symbol of oneness with the national team’s quest for success and as a timely reminder to remain vigilant against dengue risks. Baygon encourages all Filipinos to regularly spray indoor areas with Mosquito and Multi-Insect Killer sprays and use mosquito repellents while on-the-go.
This article is brought to you by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
ADVT.
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Senate tackling measures to address West Philippine Sea issues | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 09:48:22 PST | This map is not to scale and is for visual representation purposes only. Graphics by: Samuel Yap / INQUIRER.net
This map is not to scale and is for visual representation purposes only. Graphics by: Samuel Yap / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Certain measures which could help alleviate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are already being tackled in the Senate, said senators on Tuesday.
Senate President Francis Escudero said these measures include the Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.
“What we are taking up are bills (Maritime and Sea Lanes) that seek to strengthen our legal claim and position on the West Philippine Sea vis-a-vis other claimant countries and bills that seek to strengthen our Armed Forces to be a deterrent,” Escudero told reporters.
The Maritime Zones Act specifies the rights and entitlements of Filipinos over the country’s maritime zones, including underwater features.
It has been ratified by Congress but was recalled by the House of Representatives in May for further refinement.
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, on the other hand, seeks the creation of a system of sea lanes along the country’s waters by connecting the coordinates of several access lines.
It is among the bills the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council declared a “priority” for passage by June 2025.
Escudero, however, said that the easing of tensions in the West Philippine Sea would still depend on the “action/initiative of the Executive Branches of both [the Philippines and China] given that the Head of State is the Chief Architect of a country’s foreign policy.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda said the Blue Economy Act could also alleviate tensions in the disputed waters.
She explained that unlike other economic measures, the Blue Economy Act “takes into account the science of ocean management to get more out of the ocean accounts and for longer.”
“By using blue bonds, understanding ocean processes, and implementing holistic and sustainable policies, we can reduce tensions in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) through business and partnerships,” Legarda said.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, for his part, stressed the need for legislation “which can help develop our diplomatic skills and prowess as well as funding for [the] Department of Foreign Affairs.”
Both the Philippines and China have been embroiled in a territorial dispute after the latter claimed the majority of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, through its so-called ten-dash line.
China’s claims, however, have been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013.
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Despite this, China has continued encroaching Philippine waters, continuing its aggression and militarization even in areas of the Philippines’ territory in the West Philippine Sea.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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PNP: Persons of interest eyed in beauty pageant bet’s disappearance | Faith Argosino | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 12:03:45 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is eyeing several persons of interest (POIs) possibly linked to the disappearance of a beauty pageant candidate and her Israeli boyfriend, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday.
Fajardo, however, opted not to reveal the identities of these POIs and how many there are so as not to compromise the investigation.
“May mga identified na persons of interest sa ngayon di ako makapagbigay na numero nakiusap po ang CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) na huwag muna magbigay ng detalye,” Fajardo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
(We already identified persons of interest, but the CIDG asked us not to give more details.)
“But we are pursuing very good leads,” she added.
Based on previous reports, Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate Geneva Lopez and Yitchak Cohen met a “middleman” in Tarlac to check the 20.5-hectare agricultural land they intended to buy.
Citing the middleman, police said they were last seen around 2 p.m. on June 21, while their gray Nissan Terra sport utility vehicle (SUV) was found burning along the Capas-San Jose Road in Cristo Rey village at 2:36 a.m. on June 22.
Capas police chief Lt. Col. Librado Maranang Jr. revealed that police had examined what seemed like a burned “cellphone or tablet” found inside the SUV.
“The mobile gadget, a cell phone, was brought to the regional anti-cybercrime office in Camp Olivas (in San Fernando, Pampanga) for forensic investigation. But data could no longer be retrieved from the gadget because it was completely burned,” he said.
Maranag added the CIDG operatives found an abandoned car along Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City, on Sunday night (June 30).
Maranang also said they are still searching for witnesses to help them locate Lopez and Cohen.
He appealed to anyone with vital information to come forward and cooperate with the authorities.
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Oil prices up for 3rd straight week | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 04:50:00 PST | INQUIRER.net photo
INQUIRER.net photo
MANILA, Philippines — For the third consecutive week, oil companies implemented another round of increases, which took effect on Tuesday, July 2.
Based on advisories from Seaoil, Shell Pilipinas and Petro Gazz, the following figures are the per-liter increases for their products: 65 centavos for diesel, 35 centavos for kerosene, and 95 centavos for gasoline.
READ: Another big-time fuel price hike looms next week
In an earlier statement, Rodela Romero, director of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau, said that crude oil prices continued to advance due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including Ukraine’s drone attack against Russia.
She also attributed the continuous price swelling to “the production restriction of Opec (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and the forecast for the peak summer season demand starting [in the] third [quarter] of this year.”
Data from the DOE showed that as of June 25, the per-liter adjustments of fuel products already reached P1.40 for gasoline, P1.75 for diesel, and P1.90 for kerosene. Liquefied petroleum gas products, meanwhile, also rose this month. Solane and Petron said that LPG prices went up by 55 centavos per kilogram or about P6 per 11-kg cylinder.
“This reflects the international contract price of LPG for the month of July,” Petron said. —Lisbet K. Esmael
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P35 wage hike in Metro Manila ‘insufficient’, senators say | Faith Argosino | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:19:03 PST | FILE PHOTO: The P35 wage hike for Metro Manila’s private sector workers is “insufficient” to meet the real needs of the people, senators said Tuesday, Jul 2, 2024. INQUIRER FILES
FILE PHOTO: The P35 wage hike for Metro Manila’s private sector workers is “insufficient” to meet the real needs of the people, senators said Tuesday, Jul 2, 2024. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The P35 wage hike for private sector workers in Metro Manila is “insufficient” to meet the real needs of the people, senators said Tuesday.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero pointed out that the approved daily wage increase of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) is too small, considering the skyrocketing prices of essential goods.
Escudero likewise noted that the Senate passed a bill mandating a P100 daily pay increase for private sector workers — much higher than the RTWPB-sanctioned P35 wage hike but still lacking to provide a “living wage” as required under the 1987 Constitution.
“The Senate has passed a P100 across-the-board wage increase bill, which should be the minimum increase, albeit I believe it is still not enough to provide what the constitution requires, which is a ‘living wage’ and not a mere ‘minimum wage’,” he said in a statement.
READ: Wage hike of P35 for Metro Manila private sector workers approved – DOLE
“Maliwanag na kulang at malayo na matugunan ang tunay na mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa gitna ng mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” Escudero added. “Bakit nga ba palaging kulang ang binibigay ng omento ng RTWPB?!”
(It’s clear that it’s inadequate and far from meeting the real needs of our countrymen amid high prices of commodities. Why is RTWPB always granting meagre additional wages?)
“Ni minsan ay hindi pa sila tumama mula nang nilikha ang ahensyang ‘yan… saan ba sila bumibili ng bigas? Nag-grocery? Nag-palengke? Pa-share naman kamo kasi baka sobrang mura dun at kasya ang dagdag na P35 sa sahod na binigay nila,” he added.
(Not even once have they hit it right since that agency was formed. Where do they buy rice? Do grocery shopping? Which market do they buy from? I hope they share it with others because it might be too cheap there, and the additional P35 salary increase would be enough.)
On July 1, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that the RTWPB had approved a P35-wage hike for private sector workers in Metro Manila or the National Capital Region. The pay adjustment will be implemented on July 17.
The DOLE said the additional pay in the daily minimum of private employees in the region means that in the non-agriculture sector, workers’ salary will rise from the prevailing P610 to P645, and in the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers, the current P573 day-to-day wage will increase to P608.
According to the DOLE, the new pay rates, which translate to roughly a 5.7 percent increase from the prevailing daily minimum salary rates in the region, “remain above the latest regional poverty threshold for a family of five.”
However, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri did not think so, describing the P35 additional pay as “grossly insufficient.”
READ: P35 daily wage increase in NCR ‘an insult to workers’ – groups
“Nalulungkot po tayo at sadyang napakaliit ng inaprubahan ng ating wage boards para sa umento sa sahod ng ating mga minimum wage earners. Hindi ito tama at hindi ito sapat, period,” Zubiri said in an earlier statement.
(We are saddened that our wage boards approved very little for the salary increase of our minimum wage earners. It’s not right and not good enough, period.)
Zubiri is the principal author of the P100 across-the-board wage increase bill, which the Senate approved but remains pending in the House of Representatives.
“The wage boards should do their jobs well. Andami naming hearing sa Senado at maraming nagsabi na although maliit pa rin ang P100 na umento sa sahod araw-araw ay malaki ang maitutulong nito sa ating mga mamamayan,” he also pointed out.
(We had many hearings in the Senate, and many said that although the P100 daily wage increase is still small, it will significantly help our citizens.)
“Eh napakaliit ng P35 para makatulong sa isang araw ng manggagawa. Hindi ito makakabili ng isang kilong bigas. P3 lang ang diperensya nito sa extra rice sa Jollibee na nasa P32 na isa. What are our wage boards thinking?” he added.
(Well, P35 is too little to help a worker in a day. It cannot buy a kilo of rice. Its difference is only P3 from the extra rice at Jollibee, which is P32. What are our wage boards thinking?)
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, acknowledged that the P35 wage hike is “timely and essential.” Nevertheless, he shared the sentiments of his fellow senators that the amount is skimpy.
“Mas mahirap sa mga naghihikahos nating kababayan na tustusan ang pang-araw-araw na gastusin ng kanilang pamilya ang patuloy na pagtaas na presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin kaya makakatulong ang dagdag sa sahod lalo na sa mga minimum wage earners,” Estrada said.
(It is more difficult for our impoverished compatriots to cover the daily expenses of their families due to the constant increase in the price of basic goods, so the increase in wages will help, especially for minimum wage earners.)
“Pero sana tumaas pa ang arawang sahod nila dahil kakarampot kung tutuusin ang dagdag na P35,” he also said.
(But I hope their daily wages will increase more because the extra P35 is meagre.)
Estrada likewise stressed that “it would be more satisfactory if the existing wage rate is given a legislated wage hike.”
He further emphasized that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which account for 99.5 percent of the country’s total number of business establishments, should be given adequate assistance.
Estrada pointed out that the government “must strike a balance between ensuring fair wages for our workers and supporting the growth and sustainability of our MSMEs.”
According to him, “providing incentives and support for [MSMEs] will help them adapt to wage increases while continuing to thrive and contribute to economic growth.”
“But for the meantime, this adjustment will provide much-needed relief to our workers and their families, ensuring they have a better chance at maintaining a decent standard of living,” Estrada said.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, on the other hand, emphasized that workers “are all entitled to a just living wage.”
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“The amount for a just living daily wage (after 8 hours of work) must be determined by those knowledgeable in the field,” he said.
“These amounts should not and cannot vary too widely among the regions of the country because as human beings we basically have the same needs for a decent life. The current daily wage in Metro Manila of around P600+ is obviously still not enough to be considered a just living daily wage,” Pimentel added.
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P4P urges ERC to veto ‘expensive’ Meralco power deals | Lisbet K. Esmael @lisbetesmael | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:34:59 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Updated on July 2, 2024 at 4:56 p.m.
Watchdog Power for People Coalition (P4P) sought the energy regulator’s intervention to block Meralco’s supply contracts with generation companies using fossil fuels, as it warned of a further spike in electricity bills.
In a statement, the group said it filed petitions at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Monday to reject Meralco’s deals with the following four companies owned by San Miguel Corporation and Aboitiz Power: Excellent Energy Resources, Inc., GNPower Dinginin, Southern Power Premiere Corporation, and Mariveles Power Generation Corporation.
P4P said the contracts were worth 3 gigawatts of power, and are still up for the ERC’s approval.
READ: Meralco denies profiting from convenience fees
It alleged that the terms of these power deals were “unfavorable to consumers and small businesses.”
“Everyone loses except big power players: Meralco, San Miguel, and Aboitiz, who are leaving consumers no choice but to pay for more expensive electricity while their profits are soaring,” P4P Convenor Gerry Arances said Tuesday.
The group added that the contracts give authority to the plants to “automatically pass” costs to consumers. If the ERC greenlights these contracts, P4P said consumers would suffer from costly electricity bills for another 15 years.
“We are asking the ERC to reject these contracts as part of their responsibility of protecting the public. Otherwise, they will condemn a new generation of consumers to 15 years or more of expensive power,” he said.
READ: Meralco electricity rates to increase this months of June
A supposed conflict of interest in the bidding process was also floated by the P4P, specifically for two power plants. This, as Meralco generation arm MGen and the Aboitiz Group revealed a joint venture in March to acquire two San Miguel-owned gas assets to develop a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Batangas City. The two projects are the Ilijan gas plant under Southern Power Premiere Corporation (SPPC) and the under-construction Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) plant.
In response, Meralco said P4P’s allegations were “baseless,” stressing the company is bound to get “the least-cost available supply” through fair bidding.
Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said that the group “strictly observe and follow” the rules set by the government.
The power distributor also said it held no biases when conducting the selection process, with the four companies winning the contracts for submitting the lowest bids.
“The CSPs involve an open and competitive process with the ultimate goal to secure the lowest bid from qualified generation companies, with no preferential treatment. Thus, the allegations that contracts emanating from CSPs are anti-competitive have no basis,” Zaldarriaga said.
“We would like to assure our customers that all power supply contracts resulting from our CSPs undergo a strict review and approval from the ERC before being implemented to ensure that rates are fair and reasonable,” he added.
In a message, ERC chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta said the concerns of P4P would be “taken into consideration.”
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“We are still in the process of evaluating the Meralco PSAs (power supply agreements)… We encourage consumers to also participate in the formal process — as intervenors or oppositors in the proceedings — so we can ventilate all issues,” she said.
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Pre-order the ASUS Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ PC in the Philippines | INQUIRER.net BrandRoom | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:31:03 PST | ASUS Philippines forefronts innovation with the introduction of the ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507), the first Copilot+ PC in the Philippines powered by Snapdragon X Elite processor, is available for pre-order from July 2 to July 10, 2024.
The Vivobook S 15 is a sleek AI-powered laptop designed for multi-faceted lifestyle consumers who will be able to maximize their requirements with the new Copilot+ features. Leading the new device is the highly efficient power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Processor, letting you enjoy up to 18 hours of battery life for uninterrupted entertainment and productivity. The 3K 120 Hz ultra-large OLED display and immersive audio system are encased in a premium all-metal 1.47 cm-thin, 1.42 kg-light body, making it easy for it to be packed into a bag for the daily commute or travel. Featuring a mood-setting single-zone RGB keyboard with a dedicated Copilot key for instant AI assistance, Vivobook S 15 (S5507) revolutionizes your work and play.
The Vivobook S 15 (S5507) is backed up with the company’s ASUS 4A Quality & Service – a two-year international warranty, a free Office Home & Student 2021 lifetime license, and a one-year Microsoft 365 Basic subscription.
YOUR FIRST ASUS COPILOT+ PC
With an integrated AI engine for optimized computing, Copilot+ in Windows for personalized assistance, and a suite of powerful ASUS AI applications, your PC is now your ultimate companion. With Copilot+ PC experiences, you can accelerate your productivity and creativity.
Easily find and remember what you have seen in your ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507) with Recall, generate and refine AI images in near real-time directly on the device using Cocreator, and bridge language barriers with Live Captions, translating audio from 40+ languages into English.
Aside from these Copilot+ PC features, Vivobook S 15 also includes ASUS-exclusive AI features such as Noise Cancellation for clear calls, Adaptive Dimming for improved privacy, and StoryCube for organizing your media files. Learn more about Copilot+ and other integrated AI experiences by visiting the ASUS Copilot+ PC website.
PRE-ORDER MECHANICS
Pre-order the ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507) from July 2 to July 10, 2024, and get a free Delsey Lagos Luggage worth PHP 10,990.00. This early bird freebie is limited only to customers who placed pre-orders from select ASUS Exclusive Stores nationwide. Moreover, customers purchasing the Vivobook S 15 (S5507) during the pre-order period will also be eligible to receive the Cool for School bundles worth PHP 15,990.00 alongside the early bird freebie by completing the registration process.
Once the pre-order period has concluded, customers are still eligible to receive the Cool for School bundles if they purchase the Vivobook S 15 (S5507) from July 11 to August 15, 2024. Terms and conditions apply.
Get the latest news on the new Vivobook series, Zenbook series, and other remarkable ASUS devices via the official ASUS Philippines Facebook page.
This article is brought to you by ASUS Philippines.
ADVT.
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3 Chinese men nabbed in Angeles City yield P3.4M shabu | Jun A. Malig | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:45:50 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
ANGELES CITY — Three Chinese men arrested Monday by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yielded some P3,400,00 worth of shabu (crystal meth) in a sting operation in Balibago village in this city.
The PDEA Region 3 report on Tuesday, July 2, said the buy-bust occurred at 10:50 p.m. at the Shanghai Building along MacArthur Highway,
PDEA identified the arrested as Bin Da, 23; Hei Xiao; and Gua Xiao, 20.
READ: 3 Chinese yield shabu ‘worth’ P3.4M in Angeles City; link to POGO probed
“According to the team leader, the suspects were extremely circumspect while transacting, and took them a month to arrange a drug deal with the suspects,” the PDEA Region 3 said, quoting the operation’s team leader.
Aside from some half a kilo of suspected shabu, the trio also allegedly yielded seven assorted mobile phones, car keys, and the marked money used by the poseur-buyer.
The suspects will face charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the agency added.
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BIZ BUZZ: GT Capital welcomes new CFO | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:11:00 PST | A number of large companies have been undergoing some management revamps lately: Ramon S. Ang-led San Miguel Corp. just a day before the Independence Day holiday last month, and both Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines and Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. before June ended. These three appointed new presidents as part of the companies’ succession plans.
This time, GT Capital Holdings Inc. is in on the trend.
In a stock exchange filing on Monday, the Ty family-led conglomerate announced the appointment of George Uy-Tioco Jr. as its new chief financial officer (CFO).
Uy-Tioco will replace Francisco Suarez Jr.
Suarez, who oversaw the launch of the company’s initial public offering in 2012, is now retiring after sitting as GT Capital’s CFO for 12 years.
“We take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Suarez for his dedication and valued contribution to GT Capital,” company president Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said in a statement.
“We also warmly welcome Mr. Uy-Tioco to the company and look forward to his valuable insights and contributions to our conglomerate, given his wealth of experience in finance and investment,” Bautista added.
Uy-Tioco will inherit the financial reins of a company with a market capitalization of roughly P124 billion.
Of course, GT Capital isn’t his first company.
Prior to his appointment, Uy-Tioco was head of corporate finance at ING Bank NV Manila Branch for nearly three years. He also had an eight-year stint as the head of mergers and acquisitions at BPI Capital Corp.
With that, all eyes are on further changes in the corporate world. Who’s next? —Meg J. Adonis
The pivotal moment in Philippine agriculture came when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself assumed the agriculture secretary post for more than a year to address various issues plaguing the sector.
This is according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who said in a chat over dinner that “the best thing that happened—you can quote me on this—for the agriculture industry in recent history na siya ang umupo as secretary kasi nakita yung problema (was when he assumed the post as agriculture secretary because he saw and addressed the problem).”
The agriculture chief said his predecessor had identified problems that affected the growth of the farm sector. However, the President could not address all of these since he had too much on his plate.
“Actually, half or 75 percent of what I am doing now is his directive at nakita na niya ang problema kaya lang (he already saw these problems but) he’s too busy. He needed somebody to… he needed a doer to implement his plans,” said Tiu Laurel, one of the President’s campaign contributors.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Some two years ago, Marcos announced he would take over the Department of Agriculture (DA) and vowed to reorganize the agency to support the farm sector in the coming years.
It took Marcos 16 months before appointing Tiu Laurel as full-time DA secretary, who was tasked with ensuring the country’s food security, saying the latter has a “good understanding” of the problems in the agriculture sector.
Noting the strides made by his childhood friend, Tiu Laurel said the pressure is on for him to perform his job well, adding, “I have to perform.” — Jordeene B. Lagare
You are never too young to learn how to manage your own money. And guess what, kids may soon be able to do their own budgeting, and even start their savings, via GCash Junior.
It is the popular e-wallet brand’s way of teaching finance management to children as young as 7 years old. Via the app, the kids can receive their allowance, pay for their purchases and buy load credits. GCash Junior users can even request for their own Visa cards, making offline transactions easier for them.
GCash B2C product management head Fatima Javellana said they want to “empower today’s new generation with better spending and saving habits” with the new feature.
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To register, the young users must just need to present a school ID or other valid ID. Their parents can also control the wallet limits as a way to monitor spending. — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
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AFP chief: 50,000 challenges issued vs foreign ships in PH’s EEZ | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 21:47:24 PST | AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. —photo from AFP FB page
AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. —photo from AFP FB page
MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday said that around 50,000 challenges have so far been issued against foreign vessels within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 2024 alone.
Brawner made the pronouncement after noting that the AFP continues to monitor on its radar systems the country’s surrounding coasts and territorial waters against foreign vessels.
“In this year alone, we already have made 50,000 challenges to ships that pass through international waters covered by our exclusive economic zone and even within our internal water,” said Brawner in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon pre-Sona special.
READ: WPS: China’s aircraft carrier presence off Luzon deemed ‘innocent passage’
“Majority of them answer our challenges, but some do not,” he added.
Some of these vessels, according to Brawner, were Chinese warships that steered close to the country’s coastal waters.
However, he also noted that some parts of these waters are international maritime highways.
READ: AFP confirms, hits China’s ‘intrusive patrols’ in West Philippine Sea
“Some parts are really passageway for ships, not just maritime and commercial ships, but also warships,” he clarified.
Brawner said the AFP respects and maintains the freedom of navigation and overflight, noting that around 60 percent of the world trade passes through the South China Sea.
Both the Philippines and China have been embroiled in a territorial dispute after the latter claimed the majority of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, through its so-called ten-dash line.
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However, China’s claims have been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013.
Despite this, China has continued encroaching on Philippine waters, continuing its aggression and militarization even in areas of the Philippines’ territory in the West Philippine Sea.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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PNP reassigns 6 police officials | Faith Argosino | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:41:33 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reassigned six ranking police officials effective on Tuesday, July 2.
The reorganization is in line with PNP chief General Rommel Marbil’s order dated July 1.
READ: PNP reshuffles 11 ranking police officials
Below is the list of police officers and their new assignment, based on the order:
In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the reshuffle came after the retirement of some senior police officials.
“If you remember, the director of DICTM (Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management) of LSS (Logistics Support Service) has retired, and more senior police officers are scheduled to retire this week,” she said.
“So we need to fill out these vacancies, so there was a reshuffle,” she added.
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UAAP: Mason Amos leaves Ateneo amid reported La Salle transfer | Rommel Fuertes Jr. | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:53:47 PST | Mason Amos is leaving Ateneo Blue Eagles after just one UAAP season with the team and is reported to be moving to La Salle. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Mason Amos is leaving Ateneo Blue Eagles after just one UAAP season with the team and is reported to be moving to La Salle. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Mason Amos took the UAAP by surprise on Monday after announcing his departure from Ateneo.
Amos is leaving Ateneo after just one season with the team and is reportedly moving to reigning UAAP champion La Salle.
“To my teammates — with a heavy heart I would like to express that you guys have been a huge part of my life. I am thankful for everything that we were able to share. I have no regrets having fought by your side,” wrote Amos on his Instagram.
“I am thankful that you guys taught me lessons and that we were able to create memories I will cherish forever. I love you guys and that’ll never change.”
The 6-foot-7 Amos impressed in his first and only UAAP season with the Blue Eagles last year where he averaged 8.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.
“I am thankful for everything you have taught me. I am thankful for the opportunity, the teachings, the adversity and the knowledge you have instilled in me. I am so blessed to be able to be coached by you guys. I love you all and I am thankful for everything.”
The Fil-Aussie big man helped Ateneo reach the Final Four with a 7-7 record in the elimination round before losing to University of the Philippines.
“I am grateful for the opportunities you have given me. I am grateful for the memories I have been able to create and cherish. I am grateful to all the great people I have met during my time.”
“I am grateful for all the challenges you have presented to me. I am grateful that I was able to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Amos is currently with Gilas Pilipinas in Riga, Latvia for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Inquirer Sports has reached out to La Salle coach Topex Robinson but he has yet to respond as of posting time.
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Amos’ transfer to the Green Archers was first reported by Tiebreaker Times.
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Angara appointment as DepEd chief ‘well-deserved’ – senators | Adrian Parungao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:23:57 PST | FILE PHOTO: Sen. Sonny Angara answers questions from his colleagues as he defends Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2539 or the proposed New Government Procurement Act, on March 18, 2024. Angara’s appointment as Secretary of Education is “well-deserved,” as he is “very qualified” for the post, his colleagues at the Senate said Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Joseph B. Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)
FILE PHOTO: Sen. Sonny Angara answers questions from his colleagues as he defends Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2539 or the proposed New Government Procurement Act, on March 18, 2024. Angara’s appointment as Secretary of Education is “well-deserved,” as he is “very qualified” for the post, his colleagues at the Senate said Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Joseph B. Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara’s appointment as Secretary of Education is “well-deserved,” as he is “very qualified” for the post, his colleagues at the Senate said Tuesday.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero expressed his compliments for Angara, as he wished him all the best in his new endeavor.
Angara is set to take the helm of the Department of Education (DepEd) on July 19.
“My heartfelt congratulations to Sen. Angara for a well-deserved appointment! His task ahead is gargantuan and I wish him well,” the Senate chief said in his statement.
READ: Angara named as new DepEd chief
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said Angara is “very qualified” as DepEd chief but lamented the loss of a “legal mind” in the upper chamber.
“[I] Am sure he will do a good job as DepEd Secretary with his EdCom (Congressional Commission on Education) background and familiarity with current issues. The Senate will lose another legal mind as a consequence,” he said in another statement.
Like Tolentino, Sen. Joel Villanueva expressed his sadness over Angara’s departure from Senate to become the education leader, especially since he also regard him as his basketball partner.
“Senator Sonny’s appointment promises to uphold and build upon the transformative legacy of his father, the late Senator Edgardo Angara, who pioneered significant reforms in our education sector, notably through his efforts in EDCOM 1,” Villanueva said.
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., meanwhile, assured Angara of the Senate’s support in efforts to improve the country’s education.
“We will continue to work together for the betterment of the education sector in the country. Sec. Sonny, you have our full support,” Revilla said in a separate statement.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito remarked that Angara was an “excellent choice” for the Cabinet position.
“With his extensive educational background and commitment to public service, Sen. Angara is an excellent choice for this crucial role. I am confident that his leadership will bring significant positive changes to our education system,” Ejercito said.
READ: Sara Duterte resigns as DepEd secretary, says Palace
For Sen. Juan Zubiri, even if the Senate lost an invaluable member, the country gained an “excellent champion.”
“The Senate is losing an invaluable member, but the nation, and especially our children, is gaining an excellent champion. I wish Secretary Sonny all the best, and I look forward to how he will improve the education landscape of our country in the coming years,” he said.
Sen. Ma. Lourdes “Nancy” Binay said the upper chamber will miss Angara’s “breadth of […] knowledge, especially on matters of finance and law.”
However, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian believed Angara would bring more innovation to the DepEd.
“As a lifelong education champion, former Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, and a Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), he will bring to the Department the expertise and leadership needed to usher in needed reforms and foster innovation in the basic education sector,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
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Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned as Education Secretary, on June 19.
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Angara named as new DepEd chief | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:54:00 PST | FILE PHOTO: Senator Sonny Angara has been named as the new Department of Education (DepEd) chief, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte, who quit as Cabinet member in June, according to the Palace in an announcement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Joseph Vidal /Senate Social Media Unit)
FILE PHOTO: Senator Sonny Angara has been named as the new Department of Education (DepEd) chief, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte, who quit as Cabinet member in June, according to the Palace in an announcement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Joseph Vidal /Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sonny Angara will be replacing Vice President Sara Duterte as the new Education Secretary, the Palace announced Tuesday.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that Angara will take the helm of the Department of Education (DepEd) starting July 19.
Vice President Duterte resigned as DepEd chief on June 19. She did not provide a definite reason for quitting and only explained that her action was not a sign of weakness, as it was stirred by compassion for teachers and students.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced that he is set to appoint Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara as the new Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), replacing Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned last June 19, 2024, effective July 19, 2024,” the PCO said in a statement.
According to the PCO, President Marcos announced his decision to choose Angara as DepEd secretary during the 17th Cabinet Meeting in the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday.
“Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education,” the PCO quoted Marcos as saying during the meeting.
It also noted that Marcos emphasized before Cabinet members the critical role of the DepEd and the necessity for a leader capable of overseeing its operations.
“DepEd is arguably the most important department given the crucial role of education,” said Marcos, as he pointed out that there were “many excellent candidates” for the position.
The PCO likewise said that Marcos expressed appreciation for Duterte’s service as DepEd chief and that he anticipates a smooth transition with the new department leadership.
In a separate statement, Angara expressed thanks to Marcos for his “trust” in picking him as the new head of DepEd.
“I am committed to working with all sectors of society, including my predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education. I look forward to building upon her accomplishments,” he said.
READ: Angara an ‘excellent choice’ to head DepEd – Escudero
“Education is the cornerstone of our nation’s future, and it is through collective effort that we can address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. I am eager to collaborate with President Marcos and the entire administration in serving our students, supporting our teachers, and enhancing the overall quality of education in our country,” he added.
Prior to his appointment, Angara served as a senator from the 16th to the present Congress, or since 2013.
He chaired multiple Senate panels, including the justice and human rights committee, finance committee, and youth committee.
Angara has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economic and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
He also obtained his Master of Laws from Harvard University.
In an ambush interview on Monday, July 1, Angara said he is “open” to being the next DepEd head if offered to him.
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“Opo (Yes). Open tayo kung sakaling pagkatiwalaan (We’re open if given the trust),” he told reporters in Baler, Aurora, where the senator attended celebrations for the 22nd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.
Senators have been expressing support for Angara to be the next DepEd secretary, citing his extensive educational background.
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Remains of 2 Filipino seafarers killed in Houthi attack arrive in PH | Adrian Parungao | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:13:25 PST | Photo from DMW
Photo from DMW
MANILA, Philippines — The remains of two Filipino seafarers of the MV True Confidence who were killed in a missile attack in the Gulf of Aden arrived in the country on Tuesday, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The two were among 15 Filipino crew members of the vessel, which had been the target of an attack by Houthi rebels on March 6.
The other 13 Filipinos have already arrived in the country; the first 11 arrived on March 12, while the two who were injured in the incident arrived on March 14.
READ: 2 Filipino sailors killed in Houthi missile attack
The DMW said that together with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, it will provide assistance with the families of the deceased.
Aside from the two Filipinos, a Vietnamese national also died in the attack.
READ: Kin of Filipino seafarers to receive psychosocial services–DMW
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Alleged brains behind Agusan mining exec’s slay falls | Chris V. Panganiban | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:12:07 PST | INQUIRER FILES
INQUIRER FILES
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A local businessman alleged to have masterminded the killing of retired Colonel Samuel Afdal, a gold miner in Agusan del Sur, was arrested by police on Monday afternoon in Bukidnon.
Major Ralph Jezen Perez, police chief of Bunawan town, told Jay Solis in a live broadcast over 89.7 DXGP-FM radio on Tuesday that Ryan Mark Baylon, president of JB Earthmovers, Inc. was already in their hands after his arrest in a private resort in Barangay Talahiron of Kibawe town, Bukidnon.
Baylon, a business associate of Afdal, is the last of four suspects to fall into the hands of authorities.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 85 Presiding Judge Juris Dilinila-Callanta, ordered his arrest on April 5, along with that of former New People’s Army rebel Rosalino Degracia, for the Oct. 26, 2021 ambush of Afdal in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
Degracia had surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao City last April. One other suspect, Alemar Awado, had been detained in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, for another murder case.
Baylon did not resist arrest when served with the warrant around 5 p.m. on Monday, said Perez, adding that the murder suspect was with female resort workers at the time.
From Kibawe, Baylon was brought to Bunawan.
Perez said the arrest came 26 days after their station received a copy of the warrant from the Quezon City court.
Perez added that Baylon complained about having some abnormal heart rhythm when they arrived at the Bunawan police station. On Tuesday, he was escorted for a medical checkup.
“We are waiting for a commitment order from the judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 85 in Quezon City before we escort him there,” Perez said.
Afdal, known as Saga among associates, was president of Philsaga Mining Corp., which extracted gold in a tenement in Rosario. He sold his interests in the company and started a new one, Rosario Manobo Mining Corp. (RMMC).
Afdal was driving along an uphill road when ambushed in Barangay Santa Cruz. Although hit, the former soldier managed to drive toward the RMMC base camp and sought help. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he later lapsed into a coma and died on Nov. 15, 2021.
The indictment against the three accused was based mainly on the confession of former NPA guerrilla Jeffrey Mamerto, the alleged gunman.
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Mamerto had pointed to Baylon as the mastermind of the kill plot, allegedly offering his former NPA colleagues Degracia and Awado P200,000 to do the hit job. Mamerto, in turn, was contracted for P50,000 to pull the trigger against Afdal.
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WPS: China’s aircraft carrier presence off Luzon deemed ‘innocent passage’ | John Eric Mendoza | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:45:28 PST | This undated handout image released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on April 24, 2023 shows the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in waters some 120 nautical miles of southeast Taiwan. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
This undated handout image released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on April 24, 2023 shows the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in waters some 120 nautical miles of southeast Taiwan. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The presence of China’s flagship aircraft carrier off Luzon island, within the edge of the West Philippine Sea, could be considered as an “innocent passage.”
This is according to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson, as he confirmed the presence of People’s Liberation Army-Navy Shandong off Luzon.
“They are authorized under Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) either through freedom of navigation or rights of innocent passage,” Trinidad said in a regular Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.
READ: West Philippine Sea: Chinese aircraft carrier spotted off Luzon
According to the Article 19 of the Unclos, a passage may be deemed innocent “so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State.”
“We have to understand that the South China Sea is a nautical highway. It could be likened to Edsa on any ordinary day, as ships coming through the straits of Malacca — the world’s busiest strait — exit to the South China Sea,” he added, referring to Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.
READ: China’s new aircraft carrier conducts first sea trials–state media
Trinidad also said the Navy is “aware” of Shandong’s presence and the recent passage of the 12,000-ton China Coast Guard (CCG) with hull number 5901.
“On the report of the aircraft carrier and the monster ship of the coast guard, the Philippine Navy monitors our maritime domain, and we are aware of them,” he said.
Global Times on Sunday reported that People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s (PLA-N) aircraft carrier Shandong “recently arrived” about 200 nautical miles away from Luzon or within the edge of the West Philippine Sea.
Shandong, one of the two aircraft carriers under the PLA-N’s fleet, is likely on a scheduled exercise in preparation for a potential voyage into the West Pacific Ocean, the Chinese state tabloid also reported.
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West Philippine Sea: China cries foul as PCG bolsters presence off Sabina Shoal | John Eric Mendoza | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:20:09 PST | One of the Chinese Navy hovercraft during its military drills in the vicinity waters off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. SCREENGRAB FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD’S VIDEO CLIP
One of the Chinese Navy hovercraft during its military drills in the vicinity waters off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. SCREENGRAB FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD’S VIDEO CLIP
MANILA, Philippines — Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea saw the presence of three more Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships, a move which was met with suspicion from Beijing, which repeatedly accused Manila of establishing a facility there.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said three 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) joined BRP Teresa Magbanua on Monday. The BRP Teresa Magbanua has been deployed in Escoda Shoal since April following suspected reclamation activities in the area.
“It was truly an exceptional occurrence in the West Philippine Sea yesterday, as four PCG vessels were nestled together, creating a remarkable sight,” Tarriela said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
READ: Chinese ships have left Sabina Shoal in West Philippine Sea – Navy
Tarriela said the three MRRVs with hull numbers 4402, 4404, and 4409, passed off Escoda Shoal after successfully completing their resupply missions at various maritime features in West Philippine Sea before heading back to port.
However, Chinese state tabloid Global Times, citing on-site images, reported that aside from transporting fresh water, fuel, and food, one of PCG’s MRRV also attempted to deliver “suspected” building materials like cement to BRP Teresa Magbanua.
“This series of actions by the Philippines warrants high vigilance,” the Global Times stated in its report on Tuesday, further citing experts who said that the country appears to be building a “maritime base” off the shoal.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, shrugged off the accusations of the Chinese state tabloid.
READ: China deploys hovercraft during ‘illegal’ drills in West Philippine Sea
“We can do anything that we wish to within our exclusive economic zone,” Trinidad said in a regular press conference on Tuesday.
Trinidad, without confirming or denying such claims, also said “these are actions that the Philippines will pursue if and when necessary.”
“Suffice it to say, we will continue ensuring the integrity of our territory,” he also said.
On June 4, the Chinese Navy conducted amphibious drills in Escoda Shoal, deploying its Type 071 amphibious transport dock that hosted hovercrafts. This hovercraft deployment in the West Philippine Sea is unprecedented, according to Tarriela.
Escoda Shoal also serves as the rendezvous point for Filipino vessels carrying out resupply missions to naval troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre grounded in nearby Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
READ: China ships ram, tow PH vessels at Ayungin
On June 17, China Coast Guard personnel rammed, towed, and even boarded Philippine Navy boats during the resupply mission in the said naval outpost, which the Philippine military said led to what they deem as “looting” and even caused serious injuries to one of its naval personnel.
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Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.
The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, or a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now has an effective control of.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Palarong Pambansa App available for download on Friday | mbgerodias | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 22:02:46 PST | The Palarong Pambansa App will be available for download on Friday. Photo: Jay Chan Baa, UP Intern
The Palarong Pambansa App will be available for download on Friday. Photo: Jay Chan Baa, UP Intern
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The first-ever Palarong Pambansa App was officially launched on Tuesday, July 2, during a press conference at Cebu City Hall.
It will be accessible to the general public for both iOS and Android users starting on Friday, July 5.
According to John Pages, Chairman of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), this application is very important nowadays for everyone, not just the athletes.
He also acknowledged the presence of representatives from Aboitiz Power and UBX, who spearheaded the development of the application.
“We are very fortunate to be assisted and supported by the Aboitiz Group,” said Pages.
The Palaro app was developed by Aboitiz Power and UBX, the digital development arm of Aboitiz Corporation.
Its official launch was attended by Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, CCSC Chairman John Pages, John Januszczak, President & CEO of UBX, and Anton Perdices, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Aboitiz Power.
Application Features
The app will contain vital information about Palaro, including game schedules, event locations, medal tallies, live streams, partners, news, and even tourism sites in Cebu.
Anton Perdices highlighted that aside from providing a single source of updates for athletes’ families about their children’s games, the app will also promote Cebu’s tourism since this is a national event.
“Nowadays, every event having an app is very important, especially for family members of athletes who are not able to make it to Cebu. At least they will be able to have one source for the schedule of where their children will play, and since this is also a national event, we’re also incorporating what to do here in Cebu. It is not just the app, but we are also promoting Cebu as part of a chamber’s initiative to invest in Cebu’s prospered paradise,” said Perdices.
Meanwhile, John Januszczak expressed his appreciation to Acting Mayor Garcia and Pages for allowing them to collaborate on the development of this app and to bring digital solutions to the communities.
“Thanks for letting us collaborate and contribute to this app. In general, our company UBX is the digital development arm of Aboitiz. We see digital as a way to improve people’s lives and allow people to have more access and more opportunities. We would like to do that by bringing digital to communities,” said Januszczak. — Jay Chan Baa, UP Intern
RELATED STORIES
Palarong Pambansa 2024 will be a Palaro of many firsts
Senate OKs Palaro bill on second reading
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The PALARONG PAMBANSA 2024: A CDN DIGITAL SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE is in partnership with:
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CSCR tunnel: 3-wheeled vehicles barred from it starting July 18 | ppiquero | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:50:13 PST | South Road Properties subway/Contributed photo via Kim Ablaña
South Road Properties subway/Contributed photo via Kim Ablaña
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) tunnel will temporarily prohibit three-wheeled and smaller vehicles from entering once the partial closure of the tunnel begins on July 18.
Lawyer Kent Jongoy, assistant department head of the Cebu City Road Management Authority (CCRMA), discussed the upcoming rehabilitation and repair project, which would run for six to seven months.
“We will be limiting the access of motorcycles. Those vehicles, three wheels and below, dili na siya kasud sa atong SRP tunnel for the very reason that we only have one lane,” Jongoy said.
(We will be limiting the access of motorcycles. Those vehicles, three wheels and below, they cannot enter our SRP tunnel (CSCR tunnel) for the very reason that we only have one lane.)
READ MORE:
Cebu South Coastal Road tunnel to be closed for 6-7 months
Cebu South Coastal Road tunnel repair, rehab to start on July 18
On June 25, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) announced that the highway’s tunnel would be closed for six to seven months to give way for crucial repairs.
This was because, during an ocular inspection last June, engineers found several hairline cracks and defective streetlights that – when left unaddressed – might pose a danger to motorists.
Jongoy clarified that the partial closure of the tunnel would entail that the right-most lanes would be closed, and only the left-most lanes would be open for traffic.
In a news media forum on Tuesday, July 2, he explained that the temporary prohibition of three-wheeled and smaller vehicles from entering the tunnel was because these vehicles would tend to swerve or change lanes indiscriminately, which could impede traffic flow or, worse, result in accidents.
The rehabilitation and repair project includes the installation of a new lighting system inside the tunnel, the application of reflective paint on its side walls, and the rehabilitation of hairline cracks.
According to Jongoy, these improvements aim to enhance the safety and visibility of motorists and all road users.
READ MORE:
CDRRMO forms squad to patrol SRP tunnel
The transformative impact of infrastructure on Philippine industrial real estate
Since the tunnel is closed to entry to certain vehicles, motorists are rerouted to travel along MJ Cuenco Avenue, then in front of the Compañía Marítima Building, heading to the South Road Properties.
Another alternative route is through the access road from MC Briones at the back of the Senior Citizen’s Park in front of the Executive Building of the Cebu City Hall– ML Quezon Boulevard.
Furthermore, Jongoy assured that tow trucks would be stationed at Plaza Independencia to assist vehicles in case of unforeseen circumstances such as breakdowns or accidents.
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Immediate cut in rice prices unlikely, says BMI | Jordeene B. Lagare | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:01:00 PST | Rice vendor Eddie Pascual, 58, wait for his usual clients at his rice stall in Marikina Public Market on Monday, June 10, 2024. The NEDA board has agreed to cut tariff on rice to 15 percent from 35 percent to help bring down the price of rice to P29 a kilo. Pascual expressed his reservation that the move will lower the price of rice per kilo. INQUIRER / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Rice vendor Eddie Pascual, 58, wait for his usual clients at his rice stall in Marikina Public Market on Monday, June 10, 2024. The NEDA board has agreed to cut tariff on rice to 15 percent from 35 percent to help bring down the price of rice to P29 a kilo. Pascual expressed his reservation that the move will lower the price of rice per kilo. INQUIRER / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Filipino consumers will not immediately feel the impact of the government’s move to slash the tariff on imported rice to 15 percent from 35 percent, even if the volume will increase, according to BMI.
The Fitch Group unit said: “the reduction will not have a noticeable impact on domestic prices” as it will take time for the cheaper rice to circulate in the country.
READ: Marcos formalizes rice tariff cut via EO 62
BMI also pointed out that international rice prices are still elevated due to factors such as India’s rice export ban that have tightened the global rice market.
The research firm said the surge in the demand for imported rice might increase the pressure for global prices to go up.
It cited data from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization that showed that export quotations for Vietnam’s 25 percent and 5 percent broken rice hit $543 per ton and $568 per ton, respectively, in May this year, up by 18.6 percent and 17.1 percent, respectively, from a year ago.
BMI also mentioned the FAO’s All Rice Price Index, which reached 137.3 points, up by 7.4 percent from 127.8 points recorded last year. INQ
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2 traffickers yield P340,000 shabu in Batangas City | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. @dtmallarijrINQ | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:53:04 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY — Police seized P340,000 worth of shabu (crystal meth) from two suspected drug traffickers arrested on Monday in Batangas City.
The Region 4A police reported that members of the provincial police drug enforcement unit and local cops held “Christopher” and “Melcherd” at 10:05 p.m. after they sold P100,000 worth of shabu to an undercover cop in Barangay Alangilan.
The suspects were found in alleged possession of one plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing 50 grams.
READ: P1.1M shabu seized from ‘high-value’ target in Batangas City
The operatives also seized a mobile phone from the suspects to be examined for drug transactions.
A motorcycle believed to have been used by the suspects in their illegal activities was also confiscated.
Police tagged Christopher as a high-value individual in the local drug trade, while Melcherd was a street-level pusher.
The police are conducting further investigations to determine the source of the illegal drugs.
Both suspects are under police custody and will face a charge of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
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Family of 4-year-old found dead in river loses P3,700 in scam | eares | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 21:44:52 PST | Instead of receiving help, the family of the 4-year-old boy who died after falling into a river in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City on Sunday, June 30, has allegedly been victimized by a woman who stole over P3,700. | CDN Photo/ Emmariel Ares
Instead of receiving help, the family of the 4-year-old boy who died after falling into a river in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City on Sunday, June 30, has allegedly been victimized by a woman who stole over P3,700. | CDN Photo/ Emmariel Ares
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A grieving family’s cry for help resulted to them being taken advantage of and losing the money meant to cover for the expenses of their 4-year-old son’s burial in Cebu City.
A 4-year-old boy tragically lost his life after he accidentally fell off a wall into a river in Sitio Tal-ot, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City on Sunday, June 30.
Following this incident, his family members called on the public for help for the child’s burial expenses.
This, however, allegedly led to them being scammed by a person who claimed to want to help.
The minor’s grandfather, “Ian,” not his real name, spoke to CDN Digital on Tuesday, July 2 about the incident.
Ian narrated that a woman, who claimed to be an employee of a public service program, called and said that she will donate P5,000.
Grateful for the help, Ian agreed and followed her instruction to send a code that was sent to his number.
Ian admitted that he did this without thinking too much as he was thankful for the promised donation.
Shortly after, however, he discovered that his Gcash account that had over P3,700 was now empty.
In an interview with CDN Digital, Ian lamented on how could a person do this to them when the family was grieving for the loss of his grandson.
The person allegedly stole the money that was meant for the wake and burial of the dead child.
“Mga tawo nga wa gyuy kaluoy. Imbes tabangan unta mi, tabangan nuon mig duot nuon. Mao gyud amo gihangyo unta nga mangayo mig tabang. [Sa] pagpalubong gyud para mahinuna nang patayng lawas sa bata. Hasta pud mi, maka-move on pud mi para makalihok pud mi kay duna pa bayng laing bata,” he stated.
Ian said that they have asked for the help of a neighbor police officer on the incident.
However, he has left it up to karma for the perpetrator to face consequences for her actions.
A candle is lit at the spot where a 4-year-old child fell into a river and died on Sunday, June 30, in Sitio Tal-ot, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City while he was waiting for his father to come home. | CDN Photo/ Emmariel Ares
Two days after the accident, a candle is lit at the spot where the boy fell without anyone noticing.
The boy was the eldest of three siblings, aged 3 and 1. His mother, 19, is a housewife, while his father, 23, is an e-bike driver.
According to Ian, the child was sitting by the small bridge waiting for his father to come home from work at around 1 p.m.
The father had promised his son that he would take him to watch a basketball game in their community later that afternoon.
Ian said that early on Sunday, the boy asked for his basketball jersey, which is identical to his father’s, to be ironed because he was planning to wear it.
While waiting by the bridge, however, the child fell, hit his head, and drowned, resulting in his untimely demise.
Ian said that the child may have fallen asleep while sitting at the time.
Another child reportedly saw the boy’s lower half floating in the shallow river and hurriedly called for adults.
Ian, who was in the house, recalled how he immediately jumped into the river only to find that the child was no longer breathing.
He estimated that the boy was underwater for more than 10 minutes.
The family took the boy to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he was already dead. He had a large wound on his head due to the fall.
Ian expressed how difficult it is for them to accept that the bubbly and kind child has unexpectedly died.
The boy was sweet to everyone around him and had dreams of becoming a policeman in the future.
On Saturday, the boy even wore his name tag while playing because he was already excited to attend school as a Kindergarten 2 student later this month.
Because of this, his family decided to dress him in his school uniform during his wake. The boy’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday, July 4.
Due to this incident, Ian said that they will be keeping a closer watch on the boy’s younger siblings.
Ian also asked for help from the public for their 4-year-old’s burial expenses. | with Paul Lauro, CDN Correspondent
RELATED STORIES
Cebu City drowning: 4-year-old tragically dies in Inayawan river
Over 200 died due to drowning from January to March — PNP
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CHEd approves Mapua’s transnational higher education programs | Luisa Cabato | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 22:45:14 PST | File photo/CHEd Facebook page
File photo/CHEd Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to bring international education closer to Filipino students, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has approved the first transnational higher education (TNHE) programs of Mapua University and Arizona State University (ASU).
CHEd announced on Tuesday the TNHE programs authorized at Mapua University:
Through these TNHE programs, students can earn double degrees in four years or gain guaranteed advanced entry into ASU’s master’s programs, according to CHEd.
READ: CHEd inks agreement with Vancouver agency
“Through the Transnational Higher Education Law, we create another pathway for Filipino students to access and acquire international education in order to enhance their skills in specialized areas and competitiveness in the global field,” CHED Secretary Popoy de Vera III said, as quoted in the statement.
The ASU is a public higher education institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
It ranked 200 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and 155 in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The university also maintained its top spot as the most innovative school in the US for eight consecutive years, as reported by the US News and World Report.
Mapua University, on the other hand, is a CHEd-recognized Philippine higher education institution ranked within 601-650 in 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds Asia and 1501+ in the Times Higher Education.
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SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas women at FIVB Challenger Cup 2024 | Celest Flores-Colina | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:08:45 PST | Alas Pilipinas women’s team faces a tough test in the FIVB Challenger Cup, another world-class volleyball event hosted by the Philippines, from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The eight qualified teams – the host Philippines, Argentina, Belgium, Czechia, Kenya, Puerto Rico, Sweden and AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam – battle in the knockout quarterfinal round on July 4 and July 5.
READ: Alas Pilipinas women draw tough first FIVB assignment
This is followed by the do-or-die semifinal and final rounds.
The winner of the tournament–which was first held in 2018–qualifies for the Volleyball of Nations League (VNL) in 2025.
Here is the schedule of all the games in the FIVB Challenger’s Cup including Alas Pilipinas’ assignment in the quarterfinals.
July 4, Thursday
July 5, Friday
July 6, Saturday
July 7, Sunday
There were a few changes to the Alas Pilipinas roster that won the bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup 2024 last month, with the addition of pros and UAAP stars.
Here is the Philippines roster for the FIVB Challenger Cup from the FIVB official website.
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DFA condemns North Korea’s ballistic missile launch: It ‘provokes tensions’ | Luisa Cabato | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 09:51:58 PST | On Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 (file photo provided Sunday, Aug. 25), the North Korean government shows the test firing of a missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (File picture from Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
On Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 (file photo provided Sunday, Aug. 25), the North Korean government shows the test firing of a missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (File picture from Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has denounced the recent ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the launch on July 1 “provokes tensions and undermines economic progress, peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.”
READ: North Korea launches a ballistic missile off its east coast, S. Korea says
“The Philippines has repeatedly called on the DPRK to also comply with its international obligations and the relevant UN [United Nations] Security Council resolutions and to commit to constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea,” it added.
The DFA further said the country has consistently supported the call for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK.
READ: PH’s first missile-guided corvette launched in South Korea
An Associated Press report dated July 1 said the missiles were launched 10 minutes apart in a northeasterly direction from the town of Jangyon in southeastern North Korea.
These events came two days after the United States, Japan, and South Korea concluded their new trilateral drills in the region, it added.
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GCash: Accounts safe; still no proof of hacking | Tyrone Jasper C. Piad | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 05:15:00 PST | PROBE STILL ONGOING A cybersecurity group claimed last week that around 200,000 data subjects were affected by the alleged data breach although GCash said it had yet to find any evidence its system was hacked. —Inquirer file photo
PROBE STILL ONGOING A cybersecurity group claimed last week that around 200,000 data subjects were affected by the alleged data breach although GCash said it had yet to find any evidence its system was hacked. —Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The probe of the alleged data breach against popular e-wallet GCash continues to take place as cybersecurity group Deep Web Konek claimed that the amount of potentially compromised data might be even bigger than previously reported.
The Ayala-led company said on Monday that no indication of hacking had been found yet, adding that accounts of GCash users have remained safe.
Last week, Deep Web Konek reported that a cybersecurity attack was launched by threat actor KryptonZombie against the know-your-customer (KYC) system of GCash.
READ: NBI arrests media outlet’s data officer, 2 others for hacking gov’t websites
KYC is the process of verifying the account user’s identity as a way to mitigate fraud, money laundering and other cybersecurity risks for financial institutions. This requires users to submit personal data like valid IDs and digital signatures, making the system an attractive target for hackers.
The group said that some 200,000 data subjects linked to GCash KYC system were potentially affected.
But it later claimed that the cyberattack was “much bigger” and the number of compromised data subjects could actually be in the “millions.”
“[Our] team has new findings and found out that more sensitive documents are exposed,” it noted.
These included statements of accounts from several banks, national IDs, government employee IDs, company IDs and pay slips.
Deep Web Konek stressed that the “breach highlights the urgent need for robust security measures to protect user data.”
GCash said it was working with regulators and authorities in investigating the matter.
This was not the first time it dealt with a cybersecurity issue. Just last year, the e-wallet received numerous complaints over unauthorized deductions in its users’ account balances, which it was able to restore eventually.
GCash explained that no hacking was involved. Instead, it explained there were deliberate phishing attempts, a fraudulent activity whereby hackers trick victims into providing their personal information, such as contact details. Getting ahold of this information can allow hackers to take over one’s account.
In response, GCash fully rolled out “DoubleSafe” Face ID feature, which is activated for every first login to a new device by the user. It is backed by facial recognition, which prevents hackers from accessing the account despite tricking users into giving their mobile PIN (MPIN) and one-time PIN (OTP).
It also inked an information-sharing pact with the National Bureau of Investigation in January to strengthen initiatives against cybercriminals, formalizing their already ongoing cooperation.
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GCash, on its part, monitors potential suspicious activities in its platform, which will then be reported to the NBI for further investigation.
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Cebu City logs over 100 new HIV/AIDS cases, more remain undetected | merram | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:28:59 PST | Stock Photo
Stock Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Over 100 new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus/ auto-immune disease syndrome (HIV/AIDS) were recorded here during the first quarter.
But what’s more concerning, according to health officials, is there could be more that remains undetected, with patients unaware to have contracted the virus may have been living with it.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) recorded at least 165 new cases of HIV/AIDS, one of the deadliest diseases that still has no cure up to today.
Of this number, 37 were mortalities.
Nearly all of the newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patient still came from the capital Cebu City.
However, Dr. Jaime Bernadas, director of DOH-7, expressed alarm that there could be more cases of people living with the virus.
During a press conference on Tuesday, July 2, Bernadas said that only a few individuals in Cebu still submitted themselves for testing.
Compounding this issue are existing laws that prohibit regulators and health experts on proactively conducting tests to detect HIV/AIDS, he added.
READ MORE:
IN NUMBERS: HIV cases in the rise in Central Visayas
Central Visayas records over 700 HIV/AIDS cases as of Sept.
HIV cases among Filipinos continue to rise, says DOH
The DOH-7’s top official cited cases of blood donors testing positive for the virus during pre-screening stage, unaware that they have been infected.
“Mao ning alarming kay we have people who do not know they are living with the virus,” Bernadas said.
(This is why this is alarming because we have people who do not know they are living with the virus.)
Since 1984, when the first human case of HIV/AIDS was first recorded, Cebu – including the tri-cities and the localities in the province – has already recorded around 9,000 patients diagnosed with the disease.
The most common mode of transmission was male having sex with males, followed by people who inject drugs with shared or uncleaned syringes, based on the same data from DOH-7.
In Cebu City, the age group most afflicted were the younger cohorts — teens and young adults ranging from 15 to 39 years old.
For their part, DOH-7 continues to intensify their education and information campaigns to help contain the spread of HIV/AIDS, a preventable disease.
“We have to promote awareness so that everybody gets to know that it is a real threat; it is around us. We all have to avoid and to prevent na mudaghan atong mga kaso dinhe sa syudad (that our cases here in Cebu would increase),” Bernadas added.
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Dead man found in Balamban identified as fisherman | eares | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 21:22:46 PST | The body that was found dumped along the Transcentral Highway in Sitio Guya, Barangay Prenza in Balamban town on Sunday, June 30, has been positively identified by his kin. | Contributed photo via Paul Lauro
The body that was found dumped along the Transcentral Highway in Sitio Guya, Barangay Prenza in Balamban town on Sunday, June 30, has been positively identified by his kin. | Contributed photo via Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police have identified the lifeless man found near the Transcentral Highway in Sitio Guya, Barangay Prenza, Balamban town, southern Cebu, on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Franklyn Edaño, a fisherman and former drug surrenderer.
According to Police Lt. Colonel Julius Garcia, Chief of Balamban Police Station, the man was identified by his relatives who assumed that the body was Edaño after hearing that his friend, Alexander Langi, had been found dead.
Langi was also found tied up and lifeless in a grassy area in Campo 5, Barangay Manipis, Talisay City, on Sunday.
According to Edaño’s relatives, the two men were friends and went missing at the same time on Friday, June 28.
The family contacted the police on Tuesday morning, July 2, to verify the identity of the body found in Balamban.
Edaño was positively identified due to his clothing and a silver ring reportedly worn by the victim before he went missing.
At around 10 a.m. on Sunday, Edaño was found with his wrists and feet bound by rope and his head wrapped with packaging tape.
Meanwhile, Langi was found dead at around 2 p.m. He was positively identified by his mother on Monday, July 1.
Garcia said that findings from a Municipal Health Officer in Balamban revealed that there were no wounds caused by stabbing or gunshot, or any indicator of torture on Edaño’s body.
“Ang assumption sa atong Municipal Officer, ang cause of death niya is caused by asphyxia. Katong wala na ka ginhawa tungod kay nakabalot man gud sa packing tape ang tibuok nawong,” he stated.
Authorities are still waiting for the results of the autopsy on Langi’s cadaver.
Police Major Windell Abellana, public information officer of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), further relayed that the provincial director, Police Colonel Percival R. Zorrilla, has ordered an investigation into the murders of the victims.
Moreover, he has directed the police chiefs of Talisay and Balamban to conduct inter-law enforcement coordination with stations in neighboring areas, as they found that the two victims were residents of Cebu City.
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Lapu-Lapu fire razes P2.5M worth of properties | eares | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 19:32:35 PST | Over P2.5 million worth of properties were destroyed by a fire that erupted in Sitio Bagumbayan 1, Brgy. Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on early Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024. | Screenshot from contributed video via Paul Lauro
Over P2.5 million worth of properties were destroyed by a fire that erupted in Sitio Bagumbayan 1, Brgy. Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on early Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024. | Screenshot from contributed video via Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Eight houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out in a residential area in Sitio Bagumbayan 1, Brgy. Maribago in Lapu-Lapu City on Tuesday, July 2.
The first alarm fire broke out at 12:55 a.m. but it was only reported to authorities at 1:10 a.m. It was placed under control almost an hour later or at 1:54 a.m. before it was finally put out at 2:30 a.m.
Fire investigators said damages caused by the fire reached P2.5 million.
READ: Twin fires hit Lapu-Lapu City on May 18
Senior Fire Officer 1 Oiretuele Baguio of the Lapu-Lapu City Fire District said that the fire was traced to have started at the residence of Melody Omongos.
READ: Lapu-Lapu firecracker factory hit by fire: 4 dead
Baguio said that the fire broke out while Omongos and members of her family were asleep. It later on spread to seven other nearby structures.
The fire burned six homes and damaged two others.
READ: Consolacion, Cebu factory fire destroys P17.5M worth of property
Luckily, none of the fire victims were injured as they fled their burning homes, Baguio said.
Baguio said that the fire was believed to have started at the electrical connection of the ceiling fan at the Omongos residence.
“Pero wala ta kahibalo kung unsa ang iyahang nature of ignition. It could be overloading. It could be arcing or it could be loose connection. Or it could be short circuit,” Baguio said.
Baguio said they are looking at all angles to determine the actual cause of the fire.
In addition, they are also looking into the cause of explosions that were heard when the fire broke out.
Meanwhile, Baguio is urging Lapu-Lapu City residents to immediately call the nearest fire station in case a fire to ensure immediate response.
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Pasig City anniversary: July 2 is special non-working day | Zacarian Sarao | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:30:35 PST | In Pasig, July 2 is a special non-working day because the city is celebrating its 451st founding anniversary. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued Proclamation No. 612 on June 29, 2024, recognizing the occasion and giving locals the chance to celebrate the milestone. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
In Pasig, July 2 is a special non-working day because the city is celebrating its 451st founding anniversary. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued Proclamation No. 612 on June 29, 2024, recognizing the occasion and giving locals the chance to celebrate the milestone. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City is celebrating its 451st founding anniversary on Tuesday, and Malacañang declared July 2 as a special non-working day in the locality.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued Proclamation No. 612 on June 29, recognizing the occasion and giving locals the chance to celebrate the milestone.
READ: Special non-working holiday in City of Manila on June 24 – Palace
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Pasig be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” the proclamation states.
“I, Lucas Bersamin, Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., do hereby declare Tuesday, 02 July 2024, a special (non-working) day in the City of Pasig,” it also says.
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Cybercrimes up by 21% in 1st quarter, says PNP | Faith Argosino | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:35:00 PST | PROTECT YOURSELF Crime statistics show that government efforts to curb cybercrimes are not enough. —Inquirer file photo
PROTECT YOURSELF Crime statistics show that government efforts to curb cybercrimes are not enough. —Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Cybercrimes rose by 21.8 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2023, the Philippine National Police reported on Sunday.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) reported 4,469 cybercrimes from January to March 2024, 21.84 percent more than the 3,668 incidents reported in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The number comes to an average of 49 cybercrimes every day in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 40 in 2023.
READ: Card fraud most rampant cybercrime in PH
ACG chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said online selling scams topped the list of cybercrimes at 990, followed by 319 cases of investment scams and 309 cases of debit/credit card fraud, among others.
Hernia said the cybercrime wave may be due to increased online activity, sophisticated cybercriminals’ tactics, and a lack of public awareness.
READ: P155 M lost to over 8,000 online scams from January – August 2023
In February, ACG reported that cybercrimes surged by 68.98 percent last year, from 11,523 cases in 2022 to 19,472 incidents in 2023.
The unit reported that cases of online scams surged by 94.64 percent from 7,208 incidents in 2022 to 14,030 cases in 2023.
Sexual extortion also increased, from 110 cases in 2022 to 121 incidents last year.
The number of cybercrimes has increased continuously despite the 2022 enactment of Republic Act No. 11934, or the SIM Card Registration Act, which the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) claimed would curb cybercrimes.
RA 11934 was the first bill that President Marcos signed into law in October 2022.
Senate President Francis Escudero and Sen. Grace Poe criticized the NTC for its implementation of RA 11934.
But NTC simply said the law was “not a silver bullet against messaging scams,” but the agency would “tighten” enforcement of regulations. So far, the “tightening” has resulted in more messaging scams.
The substantial increase has become so bad that an official of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) lamented last September that online scams have gotten worse than the country’s problem with illegal drugs.
“The problem with online scams is now worse than drugs. Even the record from PNP reflects that scam cases have exceeded ordinary crime cases,” said Gilbert Cruz, undersecretary of the PAOCC.
Other cybercrimes are identity theft, online threats, data interference, computer-related fraud, love scam, cyberlibel and violence against women and children.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already ordered the PNP to address cybercrimes, and the police put up cybersecurity desks in all police stations and increased the training of investigators.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil also announced an intensified drive against cybercrimes and the allocation of “more resources and enhancing capabilities to combat the growing threat of cyber-related offenses.”
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But the best measures against cybercrimes remain public awareness, and Marbil encouraged the public to report crimes to the police.
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Romualdez: House ensures PH Air Force modernization is fully funded | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:18:24 PST | Speaker Martin Romualdez | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Speaker Martin Romualdez | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has assured the Philippine Air Force (PAF) that the House of Representatives will continue to support its budgetary needs to modernize and enhance the country’s defense capabilities.
During the celebration of the PAF’s 77th anniversary on Monday, Romualdez said improving the conditions experienced by airmen is part of the consideration in supporting the PAF’s budgetary needs.
“We are committed to providing the necessary legislative support to ensure that the modernization programs and welfare initiatives for our armed forces are fully funded and effectively implemented,” he said.
“We will continue to work on policies that enhance our defense capabilities, improve the conditions of service for our soldiers, and ensure that the Philippines remains safe and secure,” he added.
According to Romualdez, the House understands that defense capabilities are very important in the modern world.
“We recognize that in this ever-evolving world, our security apparatus must be dynamic, robust, and forward-looking. The administration has thus embarked on a comprehensive modernization program aimed at upgrading our defense systems and ensuring that our armed forces are equipped with the latest technology and resources necessary to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield,” he said.
“These advancements are not merely for show; they are essential tools that enable our air force to execute its mandate with greater efficiency and effectiveness. They are a testament to our unwavering resolve to safeguard our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
Territorial integrity has been a key issue under the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the administration has maintained sovereignty over disputed areas in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).
In his first State of the Nation Address (Sona), Marcos said the Philippines would not give up even an inch of its territory while he is president.
READ: PH won’t give up even a square inch of territory – Bongbong Marcos
However, China’s military aggressions in the WPS have continued, leading to water cannon incidents, collisions and more recently, the loss of a Philippine Navy personnel’s finger.
READ: PH Navy man who lost thumb recounts China aggression at Ayungin
Romualdez thanked the PAF personnel for protecting the country’s territory with their patrols and “swift response to threats.”
“The bravery and gallantry of our air force personnel in protecting our territory and sovereign rights cannot be overstated. Your relentless patrols, swift responses to threats, and tireless efforts in various operations demonstrate a level of dedication and professionalism that serves as an inspiration to all Filipinos,” he said.
“Your actions are a vital line of defense against those who seek to undermine our nation’s peace and security,” he added.
The Speaker also assured the PAF that the President and Congress are looking after the welfare of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel.
“Recognizing the immense sacrifices you make, the administration has implemented various programs aimed at improving your living conditions, providing comprehensive health care, and ensuring that your families are well-supported. These measures are in place to ensure that you can perform your duties with peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones are taken care of,” he said.
“Rest assured, the administration and the Filipino people stand firmly behind you, ready to support and uplift you as you continue to protect and serve our country,” he added.
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With reports from Moss Laygo, trainee
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Cebu City drug bust: Jeepney driver caught with P6.8M shabu | dsingson | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:52:00 PST | Baldo, a man considered a high value individual in the illegal drug trade, is caught with P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust in Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City today, July 1. | Contributed photo via Futch Anthony Inso
Baldo, a man considered a high value individual in the illegal drug trade, is caught with P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust in Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City today, July 1. | Contributed photo via Futch Anthony Inso
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A jeepney driver, who allegedly moonlights as a drug peddler, landed in jail after he was caught with P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation at past 12 midnight today, July 1, 2024.
The drug sting was conducted in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, which resulted in the arrest of alias Baldo, 47 years old, a resident of the place.
The suspect was considered as a high-value individual in the illegal drug trade.
READ MORE:
18-year-old man sells ‘shabu’ to support girlfriend in Cebu City
Carwash boy nabbed for running ‘drug den’ in Cebu City
Selling salt for shabu ends in shooting in Cebu City, gunman hunted
During the operation, personnel from Mabolo Police Station were able to confiscate more than a kilo or 1,005 grams of alleged shabu worth P6.8 million.
According to Police Major Romeo Caacoy Jr., chief of Mabolo Police Station, the suspect was supplying illegal drugs in their area and its neighboring barangays.
Based on their investigation, the suspect could allegedly dispose a kilogram of illegal drugs every week.
READ MORE:
P1.1M shabu seized from ‘high-value’ target in Batangas City
P1.6 million worth of shabu seized in QC
“Dugay-dugay na ni siya na involve aning mao nga illegal nga kalihukan”, Caacoy said.
(He has been involved for quite a while in this illegal activity.)
He said that the suspect was also operating in the northern part of Cebu.
The police will conduct thorough investigation on the suspect’s involvement in illegal drugs and his claim that his source of illegal drugs was currently imprisoned in a jail facility.
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Zubiri on probable fraud in New Senate Bldg construction: ‘Absolutely none’ | Charie Abarca | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:53:45 PST | Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (File photo from BIBO NUEVA ESPAÑA / Senate PRIB)
Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (File photo from BIBO NUEVA ESPAÑA / Senate PRIB)
AURORA, Philippines — Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is confident that the Senate panel on accounts will see no irregularities as it delves deeper into the costs of the New Senate Building in Taguig.
The Senate panel on accounts — now headed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano – will probe some issues hounding the New Senate Building (NSB), particularly its allegedly ballooning costs, on July 3.
“Yes. Absolutely — wala talaga,” Zubiri told reporters in an ambush interview in Baler after he was asked if the panel would see no anomalies in funding or at least misappropriation of funds related to the establishment.
(Yes. Absolutely — there will really be none.)
“Actually, I inherited the project from Sen. Sotto and Sen. Lacson at si Sen. Sotto naman, lalong lalo na si Sen. Lacson, ay talagang stickler yan for accountability and transparency,” he recalled.
(Actually, I inherited the project from Sen. Sotto and Sen. Lacson, and Sen. Sotto, most particularly Sen. Lacson, are really sticklers for accountability and transparency.)
“So pag upo ko po bilang Senate president, sabi ko, kailangan transparent ito. Kailangang ito po ay above board. Wala po tayong pipirmahan dyan kung hindi natin makikita kung saan galing ang mga materyales na ito,” Zubiri said.
(So when I assumed Senate Presidency, I made it clear that this should be transparent. This should be above board. We will sign no papers if we will not see where the materials will be used.)
“Dapat dumaan sa tamang sistema, paraan, dumaan sa procurement service law at yan po ang aking pinabuya at pinagsabi sa ating accounts chair, Sen. Nancy Binay, and I think she’s done a great job,” he added.
(It should follow the proper system, ways and procurement service. I left that to our accounts chair, Sen. Nancy Binay, and I think she’s done a great job.)
READ: Escudero wants P23-billion new Senate building reviewed: Parang OA
According to the former Senate leader, there is a pressing need for the Senate to have its own building.
This view led him to call on new Senate President Chiz Escudero to expedite the inquiry on the matter.
“I am hoping and I am appealing to Sen. Chiz Escudero to take the inquiries as soon as possible para ituloy na po nila ang — maibalik po nila – ang schedule ng pag turn over ng ang New Senate Building,” said Zubiri.
Escudero earlier ordered a review of NSB’s construction cost.
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This review comes after Cayetano informed him about an apparent “dramatic increase” in the cost, from an initial budget of P8 billion to a projected P23.3 billion.
The NSB’s construction began in 2019 under then-Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
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West Philippine Sea: Chinese aircraft carrier spotted off Luzon | John Eric Mendoza | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:30:07 PST | This undated handout image released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on April 24, 2023 shows the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in waters some 120 nautical miles of southeast Taiwan. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
This undated handout image released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on April 24, 2023 shows the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in waters some 120 nautical miles of southeast Taiwan. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese aircraft carrier was reportedly spotted off the western part of Luzon island in what a Filipino security expert deemed a “calculated” move to punish Manila for its “strategic actions” in the West Philippine Sea dispute.
Global Times on Sunday reported that People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s (PLA-N) aircraft carrier Shandong “recently arrived” about 200 nautical miles away from Luzon or within the edge of the West Philippine Sea.
West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell said it is hard to determine the exact location of the aircraft carrier, which was only commissioned in 2019.
“Unfortunately I can’t see the PLA Navy very well,” Powell, program head of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation which monitors Chinese vessel activity in the South China Sea, told INQUIRER.net.
Powell said this is due to the aircraft carrier’s automatic identification system (AIS) being turned off.
“Military vessels aren’t required to use AIS. China’s [warships] don’t,” he said.
Shandong, one of the two aircraft carriers under the PLA-N’s fleet, is also likely on a scheduled exercise in preparation for a potential voyage into the West Pacific Ocean, the Global Times also reported.
READ: China’s new aircraft carrier conducts first sea trials–state media
For Chester Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, the presence of China’s only domestically built aircraft carrier was “curated out of fear and insecurity” of Beijing over Manila’s alliance with “democratic countries.”
“It only proves that the Philippines’ strategic actions are effective that stirs the countermeasures to ascertain Chinese hegemony in the tense region,” Cabalza told INQUIRER.net on Monday.
The deployment of this aircraft carrier is part of Beijing’s continuous flexing of muscles amid worsening tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: West PH Sea: China ‘monster’ ship came much nearer to El Nido, Palawan – PCG
From June 17 until June 27, China Coast Guard’s (CCG) biggest vessel dubbed as “monster ship” conducted what Powell called an “intrusive patrol” in the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.
Also on June 17, CCG personnel also rammed, towed, and even boarded Philippine Navy boats during a resupply mission in the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, which the Philippine military said led to what they deem as “looting” and even caused serious injuries to one of its naval personnel.
On June 4, the Chinese navy conducted its amphibious drills in Sabina Shoal, which saw the deployment of PLA-N’s Type 071 amphibious transport dock that hosted hovercrafts. The deployment of hovercraft in the West Philippine Sea is unprecedented, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
“It’s aerial and naval projections in the South China Sea through its aircraft carrier Shandong validates their psychological operations as Beijing tries to reverse the story on Philippine provocations on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea,” Cabalza further said.
Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.
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The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, or a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now has an effective control of.
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BIZ BUZZ: Rubio retires from Aboitiz, joins MVP Group’s MGen | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 02:08:00 PST | Perhaps power sector veteran Emmanuel Rubio just does not feel like taking a long vacation. At least, not yet.
This as right after officially retiring as president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Power Corp., he formally joined the MVP Group as head of Meralco PowerGen Corp., (MGen) the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest electricity distribution utility.
Rubio retired from the Aboitiz group after turning 60 last week and turned over the reins of the growing company to Danel Aboitiz, son of Aboitiz Equity Ventures chair Enrique Aboitiz and former director and chief commercial and stakeholder engagement officer at AboitizPower.
The younger Aboitiz officially takes over the top post today, July 1, the same day that Rubio—who was president of AboitizPower from January 2020 to June 30 this year—will also begin a new chapter at MGen, replacing Jaime Azurin.
The wholly owned subsidiary of Meralco aims to build a diversified power generation portfolio with 3,000 megawatts of total combined capacity, including 1,000 megawatts in renewable energy.
If there is anybody who can fulfill that objective, it is Rubio.
After all, he did leave AboitizPower stronger than when he found it. Thus he should be able to duplicate that feat in his new home. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao
It has been more than a month since aviation groups conveyed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) their vehement objection to the planned “gargantuan” increase in the fees and charges at the soon-to-be privatized Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), and they are still waiting with bated breath for the final word.
And as they count the hours before the Sept. 14 turnover to the San Miguel-led New Naia Infra Corp., more details of their strong position have been revealed to Biz Buzz.
The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, Board of Airline Representatives and Airline Operators Council, for example, scored DOTr adviser Asian Development Bank for the “flaws” in its study that fed into formulating the proposed fees and charges, adding that some of the multilateral funding agency’s assumptions were “misleading.”
They also underscored that “the immediate rise in the proposed fees and charges are not reflective of the infrastructure developments as compared to our neighboring peers.”
“Making MNL the 2nd most expensive airport in the region will be detrimental to a majority of the Filipino traveling public at a time when costs throughout are rising,” the groups said in their May 21 letter to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
The groups emphasized that they do accept “that airport development must be paid for.”
However, consumers will only accept these higher travel fees and charges “if they are matched with tangible improvements in airport capacity and the user experience.”
The DOTr has stoutly defended the planned increases as necessary to complete the vital facility’s rehabilitation and capacity expansion. The exact numbers are not yet final, and will require Cabinet-level approval before they are finally implemented.
But what’s looking definite is that there will be an increase, it is just a question now of how much. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Grocery chain Dali Everyday Grocery, which has been recently branded a “deceptive” retailer by a consumer rights group, has even bigger problems to think about.
A recent financial filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that Dali, which is known for its discount products that appear to be dupes of bigger brands, more than doubled its losses to P1.88 billion last year.
This is despite revenues swelling by 139 percent to P22.31 billion. The filing also showed that operating expenses more than tripled to P3 billion.
It now appears that Dali, which is aptly registered as Hard Discounts Philippines Inc., has much to catch up on to return to profitability.
For its part, Dali said its parent company, Switzerland-based Dali Discount AG, had committed to “provide the company with finance, or procure the provision of such finances, as may be necessary to enable the company to continue to trade.”
Dali’s losses are on top of a show-cause order issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) following 13 complaints filed by consumer rights group Malayang Konsyumer amid concerns over sanitary regulations and weighing scale issues at its stores.
The DTI is also now “actively investigating” the 82-store grocery chain for allegedly engaging in “deceptive” and “unfair” sales practices.
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Will Dali be able to clear these hurdles or are issues expected to mount further? —MEG J. ADONIS
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2 drown in Agos River in Quezon | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. @dtmallrijrINQ | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:49:17 PST | FILE PHOTO: Residents of Sitio Paydas have to cross the Agos river using a small boat due to the river’s regular overflow. | PHOTO: Kathleen Lei Limayo
FILE PHOTO: Residents of Sitio Paydas have to cross the Agos river using a small boat due to the river’s regular overflow. | PHOTO: Kathleen Lei Limayo
LUCENA CITY — Two picnickers drowned Sunday in a river in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges in General Nakar town in Quezon province.
Quezon police said in a report on Monday, July 1, that “Ronald”, 32, and “Mark”, 34, both residents of Quezon City, were with some friends at a picnic along Agos River in Barangay Maigang on Sunday morning.
The report said the raging water swept the two while swimming in the river from the Sierra Madre to the Pacific Ocean.
The bodies of the two were found floating around 1 p.m. in another part of the river.
They were declared dead on arrival at a hospital in neighboring Infanta town.
Police are conducting further investigations.
For now, police have recorded the case as a “drowning incident.”
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Cebu Daily Newscast: Palma urges Catholics in Cebu to oppose divorce bill | dbongcac | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:43:34 PST | Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu.
Here’s what you need to know on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Archbishop Jose Palma presides the 6 p.m. Homily on Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. | CDN Digital Photo Gerard Vincent Francisco
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has called on devotees here not to support the divorce bill that seeks to reinstate the absolute dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.
In a letter, Palma said divorce is not the solution to broken and irreparable marriages.
A 17-year-old Chinese player has died after collapsing on court during an international tournament in Indonesia, badminton officials said on Monday.
Zhang Zhijie was taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano at the Asian Junior Badminton Mixed Team Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Personnel of the Mandaue City Fire Office and Bantay Mandaue CDRRMO rescued “Blue Man” who was reportedly trapped in a drainage in Sitio Sudlon, in Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue on Sunday morning, June 30.
CDRRMO Head Buddy Alain Ybanezz, said that they responded after they received a call from a concerned citizen.
A female senior citizen was arrested after she gatecrashed a mass wedding reception here, and then stealing the bag of one of the visitors.
The incident happened in Brgy. Mambaling, Cebu City last Saturday, June 29.
ALSO READ
Divorce and annulment in the Philippines: An explainer
Why the Philippines needs divorce, according to Cebu lawyers
House-approved divorce bill transmitted to Senate – Lagman
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Marcos, Malaysian Foreign Minister meet in Malacañang | Zacarian Sarao | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:44:29 PST | Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan pays courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on Monday, July 1. | Photo from PPA Pool
Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan pays courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on Monday, July 1. | Photo from PPA Pool
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan in Malacañan Palace.
Hasan paid a courtesy call on Marcos over a year after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited the Philippines in March 2023.
Marcos also recently made his state visit to Malaysia and had an audience with His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’yatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah who was then Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI [King] of Malaysia in July 2023.
READ: Bongbong Marcos seeks to bolster PH-Malaysia ties post-pandemic
“Welcome, welcome to the Philippines. Thank you for finding time to visit with us while you are traveling around Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). So, I hope you will have a productive visit,” Marcos told the Malaysian foreign minister.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the two highlighted during their talk the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Malaysia which started in 1959.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan pays courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on Monday, July 1. | Photo from PPA Pool
The PCO also said Marcos acknowledged the significant role Malaysia has played in the development and peace process in Mindanao.
Marcos told Hasan that the Philippines is “looking forward to keeping itself in constant communication with Malaysia on current developments.”
The PCO said that in 2023, the Philippines’ total trade with Malaysia amounted to $8.1 billion — with exports to Malaysia at $2.18 billion and imports at $5.92 billion.
Malaysia ranked as the Philippines’ 9th major trading partner, 11th export market, 8th import supplier, and 16th among the Philippines’ top investment partners in 2023, with total approved investments amounting to US$13.17 million.
An estimated 950,043 Filipinos live in Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan) — 628,450 of which are estimated to be undocumented, and 321,593 are considered temporary migrants, including those on work and visit visas.
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Dennis Trillo’s TikTok hacked, ‘May ABS pa ba’ comment not his – agency | Hannah Mallorca | Tue, 02 Jul 2024 09:35:49 PST | Dennis Trillo. Image: CENON AND MAV via Instagram/@aguilaartists
Dennis Trillo. Image: CENON AND MAV via Instagram/@aguilaartists
Dennis Trillo’s management, Aguila Entertainment, said Trillo’s TikTok page had been hacked and that a comment from his account making a subtle jab against ABS-CBN was not his.
Trillo caught the attention of netizens after he responded to a netizen on TikTok, who asked him if his wife Jennylyn Mercado would transfer to ABS-CBN since she was absent in GMA’s Station ID.
“May ABS pa ba (Does ABS still exist)?” the actor supposedly responded.
Image: Screengrab from TikTok/@dennistrilloph
Reacting to the now-viral comment, Aguila Entertainment said in an official statement on Monday, July 1, that the actor’s TikTok page was hacked and that the comment was made by someone using his account.
“We would like to inform the public that Dennis Trillo’s TikTok account has been hacked around noontime today, July 1, 2024. There were some comments made using his name and we assure everyone that it was not his doing,” Aguila’s statement read.
A post shared by Aguila Entertainment (@aguilaartists)
Trillo’s agency said the matter is being “fixed” and that it’s “unlikely” for the actor to “make such remarks” on social media.
“It is very unlikely of Dennis to make such remarks and he is a person who has nothing but kindness and respect in his heart. We are currently fixing the matter to avoid this incident from happening again. Thank you,” Aguila said.
Meanwhile, the agency’s general manager, Jan Enriquez, said on X (formerly Twitter) that the actor is busy filming the historical drama “Pulang Araw” and has “limited access” to his phone.
“We are investigating the situation but do know na hindi po si Dennis yun. He is currently taping for Pulang Araw and [has] limited access to his phone as per his PA. We advise the public not to jump [to] conclusions with regard to this incident,” he said.
We are investigating the situation but do know na hindi po si Dennis yun. He is currently taping for Pulang Araw and have limited access to his phone as per his PA. We advise the public not to jump into conclusions with regard to this incident.
— Sir Jan (@janenriquez_) July 1, 2024
Trillo himself has yet to address the incident as of this writing. Meanwhile, the comments section of his TikTok page is currently switched off.
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LPG prices rise by P6 per 11-kg tank in July | clorenciana | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:40:27 PST | Petron raises LPG price by P11 per 11-kg cylinder. File photo
Petron raises LPG price by P11 per 11-kg cylinder. File photo
Filipino households will face higher cooking gas prices this month as oil companies raise liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) costs.
Over the weekend, Solane and Petron announced that LPG prices will increase by 55 centavos per kilogram, or about P6 for an 11-kg cylinder.
READ: DOE, PNP heighten monitoring of LPG facilities
This adjustment takes effect on Monday, July 1.
“This reflects the international contract price of LPG for the month of July,” Petron said.
Data from the Department of Energy show that in January, retail prices of LPG in Metro Manila ranged from P920 to P1,100 per tank.
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Scientists warn WPS marine ecosystem at risk | Jane Bautista | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:50:31 PST | This map is not to scale and is for visual representation purposes only. —Graphics by: Samuel Yap/INQUIRER.net
This map is not to scale and is for visual representation purposes only. —Graphics by: Samuel Yap/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Scientists are expressing concern over the continuous environmental degradation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid the worsening dispute over territorial boundaries with China, according to oceanographer Deo Florence Onda.
Plastic pollution, climate change-induced coral bleaching, and overfishing, among others, are the main problems Onda identified, challenges that have now pushed the Philippine waters and the rest of the South China Sea to a “very critical point.”
READ: ‘Irreparable harm’: China intrusion’s impact on West Philippine Sea ecosystem
“The scientists are very worried because we talk about territories but degradation is continuously happening. The sad thing is that probably when we come to the point where we’ve already resolved our disputes, there’s nothing to protect anymore. So what’s the value of that?” Onda said in a recent dialogue organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Foreign Service Institute.
Onda, who also serves as an associate professor at the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute, said there was an ongoing effort to encourage other countries to return to the “negotiation table” and tackle the environmental problems in the South China Sea.
“Science itself has been pushed as a nonaggressive approach or intervention for conflict resolution since the 1990s in the South China Sea,” he said.
For example, plastic pollution, Onda said, was a very “neutral, pervasive and prevalent” topic that could serve as a “jumping point” for discussions.
He said based on their studies that measured how much plastics go out on a system, Manila Bay was still the most polluted with 23.77 plastics per square meter, followed by Eastern Palawan (5.48) and Western Palawan (0.84).
Surprisingly, he said, Pag-asa, an island located far away in the middle of the South China Sea, recorded a pollution index of 1.71, higher than Western Palawan.
“The first time I went to Pag-asa I thought [it was] paradise but no, I spent two days cleaning up the coast, trying to collect those plastics,” Onda said.
It’s not an isolated case, he added, because even in Taiwan or Taipei, where he also went, isolated islands accumulated piles of trash and plastic, which usually come from other bodies of water connected to the sea.
In addition to analyzing the amount of plastics, Onda and his team also identified the usage of the plastics to determine what industry, organizations and sectors were contributing to the problem so the targeted policies and intervention could be developed.
In Palawan, he said the majority of the plastics were foamed fragments, fishing lines, ropes and strings, which meant that most of the waste came from the fishing and maritime industry.
In Manila Bay, the most common types of waste were thin plastic wraps, foamed fragments and straws, which came from the food and commercial industry.
The marine scientist said their team also identified the origin of the plastics found on Pag-asa Island and based on the results, during the northeast monsoon, 60 percent of the plastics were foreign.
During a southwest monsoon, 90 percent of the plastics come from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Taiwan and even Singapore.
“I always refer to this as the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) convention of trash,” Onda quipped, adding that it showed the transnational boundary nature of the problem.
Asked how the environmental problems in the South China Sea could be addressed, Onda noted that a “low-hanging fruit” would be data sharing in the region.
“Different studies have been done in the South China Sea but they are not available. One thing that we are pushing for is a low-politics scientific symposium … to talk about how we are going to approach the problem,” he said.
Onda emphasized the need for information as well as support for scientists who are in a “good position to push for confidence-building in the West Philippine Sea.”
“At the end of the day, we always ask the scientists, what’s the status of the South China Sea? [What’s the] status of the environment? We can’t do that if we don’t give them support, we can’t do that if they can’t go out to the sea because there’s no gasoline in their vessel,” he said.
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“Building capacity entails building a framework to also support the scientists in the Philippines,” he added.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Marcos renews ‘resolve to contribute to global peace’ at PAF event | Zacarian Sarao | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:38:02 PST | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the 77th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in Pampanga on Monday, July 1, 2024. (PHOTO SCREENGRABBED FROM RTVM)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the 77th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in Pampanga on Monday, July 1, 2024. (PHOTO SCREENGRABBED FROM RTVM)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthen the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as part of the country’s “resolve to contribute to global peace and security.”
Marcos made the pronouncement as he expressed gratitude to the PAF personnel during its 77th founding anniversary at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
The president said PAF has already increased its maritime domain awareness by regularly conducting maritime patrol missions and monitoring over 400 unknown tracks within the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone.
PAF, at the same time, also continued its internal security operations, which resulted in the surrender of over 250 members of local insurgency groups, he pointed out.
Furthermore, Marcos said the national government heightened its international defense and security engagement through talks with foreign military counterparts and multiple bilateral and multilateral military exercises.
“This is a testament to our stern resolve to contribute to global peace and security,” said the commander-in-chief.
“In all of these, the selfless women and men of the Air Force have been nothing short of exemplary, especially in your efforts to provide prompt assistance by regularly conducting humanitarian and disaster response operations,” he recalled.
READ: Marcos wants a stronger PAF to defend PH sovereignty, territory
According to Marcos, the government is now in the process of acquiring additional air assets, enhancing cyber warfare communication systems, and pursuing base development programs for PAF.
These efforts, he said, have already resulted in the acquisition of additional aircraft, as well as advanced radar systems, “which have transformed our operational readiness and has enhanced our operational reach.”
Apart from PAF’s capability development, Marcos also vowed to prioritize the welfare of PAF personnel.
“As your commander-in-chief, I assure you of this administration’s support in prioritizing your welfare, ensuring that you are all well attended to in terms of overall health and wellness so you may perform your duties effectively and safely,” he said.
READ: B-52H bomber joins PH jets for WPS patrol, irks China
During the celebration, Marcos witnessed a live capability demonstration showing the PAF’s capabilities.
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These activities included retaking a territory supposedly seized by hostile forces; detecting, tracking and neutralizing enemy aircraft through air strikes; intelligence reconnaissance and surveillance of the area using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); and troop insertion via ‘Black Hawk’ helicopters using fast-rope insertion and extraction systems.
The president also led the presentation of plaques and streamers to 17 awardees, recognizing their achievements in the service.
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Palace honors health workers with concert | Melvin Gascon | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:50:00 PST | MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday staged its fourth musical concert at the Palace grounds as a tribute to Filipino health-care workers in the country and all around the world.
The concert, dubbed “Konsierto sa Palasyo” (Concert at the Palace), was part of a series of musical extravaganzas to celebrate important sectors [of] society. The first three concerts were held last year to honor the country’s soldiers, athletes and teachers.
In a statement, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were scheduled to attend the concert but were not yet there at press time.
READ: Alliance of Health Workers says sector needs solution more than concert
One of the highlights of Sunday’s event was the recognition of three United Kingdom-based nurses, who were conferred the British Empire Medal (BEM) from the British monarchy: Xyza Macutay-Malloch, Charito Leonardo-Romano and Louie Horne.
The medal is usually given “in recognition of meritorious civil or military service by His Majesty the King,” according to the UK government website.
Macutay-Malloch, who hails from the city of Ilagan in Isabela province, received the BEM in 2021 for her “outstanding contributions to [British] society” during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PCO said.
As part of their recognition, she and Leonardo-Romano were invited to witness His Royal Highness King Charles III’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in May 2023.
Leonardo-Romano, on the other hand, received her BEM in 2021 for her commendable and courageous work in the UK during the pandemic.
She was also recognized by President Marcos during her courtesy call on the Chief Executive on August 1, 2023, for her work at Arbrook House, a facility providing specialized medical care for those with serious illnesses and vulnerable to COVID-19 in Surrey, Southeast England.
Formerly a native of Albay province, Horne received the BEM in 2023 for her contributions to nursing and advocacy for international staff within the National Health Service (NHS), the Palace said.
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She became the first Filipino Lamp Bearer at the 58th Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster.
Featured artists at the concert were Martin Nievera, the Douglas Nierras Powerdance dance group, The Clash Philippines’ finalist Garrett Bolden, singer and former child actor Brenan Espartinez; singer and music coach Justin Taller; singer Christel Galacan; and singer and theater artist Lara Maigue.
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INQToday: Wage hike of P35 for Metro Manila private sector workers approved – DOLE | INQUIRER.net | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:20:50 PST | Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship conducting a “resupply cruise” to its outposts in the Spratly Islands also passed near five features of the West Philippine Sea.
West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell said that the 8,000-ton Sansha 2 Hao first passed off Pag-asa (Thitu) Island on Sunday morning. It was accompanied by the San Sha Zhi Fa 301.
A P35 daily wage hike was approved for private sector workers in Metro Manila by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the RTWPB’s order will take effect 15 days from its publication or on July 17.
Sen. Sonny Angara said he is “open” to being the next chief of the Department of Education (DepEd).
In an ambush interview on Monday, Angara was asked if he was willing to take the helm of DepEd after Vice President Sara Duterte quit the Cabinet post.
Will Vice President Sara Duterte and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos be seatmates again during the third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.?
That’s for an interagency panel to decide, according to House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
Another abandoned vehicle reportedly related to the case of the missing Pampanga beauty pageant candidate and her Israeli boyfriend was found by authorities on Sunday night.
“I don’t have many details yet about the abandoned vehicle found in Tarlac City. We will discuss the connection of the vehicle found last night to the case,” Capas police chief Lt. Col. Librado Maranang Jr. told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
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LPG prices up by P6 per 11-kg tank in July | Lisbet K. Esmael @lisbetesmael | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:03:22 PST | FILE PHOTO: A worker unloads a delivery of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at a market in Quezon City on February 5, 2009. (Photo by JAY DIRECTO / AFP)
FILE PHOTO: A worker unloads a delivery of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at a market in Quezon City on February 5, 2009. (Photo by JAY DIRECTO / AFP)
Filipino households will see higher prices of cooking gas this month as oil companies announced an upward adjustment for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
In separate advisories over the weekend, Solane and Petron said LPG prices will go up by 55 centavos per kilogram or about P6 per 11-kg cylinder.
READ: DOE, PNP heighten monitoring of LPG facilities
This adjustment takes effect on Monday, July 1.
“This reflects the international contract price of LPG for the month of July,” Petron said.
Data from the Department of Energy shows that in January, retail prices of LPG in Metro Manila ranged from P920 to P1,100 per tank.
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5 Pinoy crewmen return after Houthi attack | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:50:00 PST | Inquirer file photo
Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Five of the 27 Filipino crew of MV Transworld Navigator, which was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, arrived in the country on Sunday afternoon, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
“This is the first batch of the 27 Filipino seafarers who were onboard the vessel that was attacked by the Houthi rebels last weekend as they passed through the Gulf of Aden,” the DMW said.
The agency also said the five seafarers received financial and other assistance from the national government.
READ: All 27 Filipino crew of MV Transworld Navigator unharmed, says DMW
Migrant chief Hans Leo Cacdac, Jerome Pampolina, assistant secretary for sea-based overseas Filipino worker concerns, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Honey Quin̈o welcomed the seafarers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
According to reports, one of the 27 Filipino crew sustained a minor injury due to shattered glass in the vessel. Before the incident, the Philippine government had barred Filipino seafarers from boarding vessels passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Cacdac said the DMW required manning agencies to submit an “affirmation letter” or written guarantee that cruise vessels with Filipino crew members would not traverse the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. —Faith Argosino
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Another vehicle linked to missing pageant candidate case found in Tarlac | Faith Argosino | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:55:28 PST | HAVE YOU SEEN THEM? Relatives of Geneva Lopez, a Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate, and her boyfriend, Yitchak Cohen, have continued to appeal for public help in finding them. They were last seen in Tarlac province on Friday after inspecting an agricultural land that they were intending to buy. —PHOTO FROM PRESY CARREON LOPEZ FACEBOOK
HAVE YOU SEEN THEM? Relatives of Geneva Lopez, a Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate, and her boyfriend, Yitchak Cohen, have continued to appeal for public help in finding them. They were last seen in Tarlac province on Friday after inspecting an agricultural land that they were intending to buy. —PHOTO FROM PRESY CARREON LOPEZ FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — Another abandoned vehicle reportedly related to the case of the missing Pampanga beauty pageant candidate and her Israeli boyfriend was found by authorities on Sunday night.
“I don’t have many details yet about the abandoned vehicle found in Tarlac City. We will discuss the connection of the vehicle found last night to the case,” Capas police chief Lt. Col. Librado Maranang Jr. told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
In a separate interview with reporters, the Capas police chief said operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group found the abandoned vehicle along Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City.
READ: Burned gadget found in vehicle used by missing beauty pageant candidate
He added that the Tarlac Police Provincial Office has already formed a committee on missing persons to expedite the investigation and determine the connection between the vehicles found and the case.
Based on previous reports, Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate Geneva Lopez and Yitchak Cohen met someone in Tarlac to check a 20.5-hectare agricultural land that they intended to buy.
Citing the middleman the couple met, police said they were last seen around 2 p.m. on June 21, while their gray Nissan Terra sport utility vehicle (SUV) was found burning along the Capas-San Jose Road in Cristo Rey village at 2:36 a.m. on June 22.
READ: Tarlac cops start retracing steps of missing couple
In an earlier radio interview, Maranang revealed that police are now examining what seemed like a burned “cellphone or tablet” found inside the SUV.
He also said they were still searching for witnesses to help them locate the two.
He appealed to anyone with vital information about the alleged disappearance of the couple to come forward and cooperate with authorities.
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PH designates land for dairy farming to increase milk sufficiency | Jordeene B. Lagare | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 02:04:00 PST | The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is allocating nearly half a billion for the development of four dairy livestock breeding farms in Luzon and Mindanao, which are scheduled for completion by 2025.
In a message to the Inquirer, the NDA said it earmarked a total of P498 million to establish four breeding farms designed to scale up local dairy production.
“They are being established this year and hopefully, it will be operational by next year,” it said.
The government set aside four properties to the NDA, a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA), for building these breeding farms.
In Department Order No. 11, the NDA was ordered to help develop government properties assigned to the agriculture sector for dairy farming and forage development: a 50-hectare property situated within the Peñaranda River Forest Reserve in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; a 50-hectare land and a 15-hectare property in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; and a 35-hectare property in Carmen South Cotabato, Bukidnon. Each facility has a capacity for 150 heads.
The DA had vowed to support local milk production, noting the industry was “a low-hanging fruit” ready for the taking while also increasing the farm sector’s contribution to the economy.
“If we increase the number of cattle in the milking-line, then we can increase production. Immediate effects will be felt,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in February.
“Developments in this sector will not only benefit our farmers but also help address malnutrition in the provinces,” he added.
The NDA aims to increase the country’s milk sufficiency by 5 percent, targeting 80 million liters produced by 2028.
The Philippines produced just 29.1 million liters of milk in 2023, down by almost 4 percent a year prior, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The country imports 99 percent of its dairy requirements, mostly from the US and New Zealand. INQ
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Free admission: WinZir’s “Mano-a-Mano sa Sugbo” boxing event on July 20th | bfernandez | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:10:44 PST | Cebu is up for a thrilling evening as Winzir, in collaboration with Prime Stag Sport, celebrates its second anniversary with its “Mano-a-Mano sa Sugbo” boxing event, offering FREE admission to interested enthusiasts on July 20, 2024, at 4 PM.
As WinZir marks this special milestone, they continue to show their dedication to supporting the sports community and the entire local sports scene. Over the past two years, WinZir has made remarkable strides in the online gaming industry, and this celebration is a testament to their commitment.
As WinZir marks this special milestone, they continue to show their dedication to supporting the sports community and the entire local sports scene. Over the past two years, WinZir has made remarkable strides in the online gaming industry, and this celebration is a testament to their commitment.
The “Mano-a-Mano sa Sugbo” promises an exhilarating showcase of talent, featuring some of the finest boxers from Cebu under Prime Stag Sports. This event will highlight Cebu’s rich boxing culture and bring the community together for a memorable night of high-stakes bouts.
The exciting line-up for the evening includes:
As WinZir marks this special milestone, they continue to show their dedication to supporting the sports community and the entire local sports scene. Over the past two years, WinZir has made remarkable strides in the online gaming industry, and this celebration is a testament to their commitment.
Expect an evening packed with thrilling matches, celebrities, and captivating performances by local stars. There will be plenty of activities and exciting prize giveaways throughout the night, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for everyone.
Don’t miss out on this incredible event! Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and head over to the Sky Hall at SM Seaside on July 20th at 4 PM.
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Cebu Football Club’s the Gentle Giants Receives Continued Support from WinZir
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First Lady back from 3-day UAE visit | Melvin Gascon | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:33:27 PST | First Lady Lisa Marcos taking a group selfie after attending a lunch event with Filipino community in Kempinski Central Avenue, Dubai, UAE last June 29. —photo from Lisa Marcos Facebook
First Lady Lisa Marcos taking a group selfie after attending a lunch event with Filipino community in Kempinski Central Avenue, Dubai, UAE last June 29. —photo from Lisa Marcos Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — First Lady Liza Marcos on Sunday shared on social media her trip to the United Arab Emirates, where she is on a supposed three-day working visit to explore areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the UAE.
In an instagram post, Mrs. Marcos said the Philippine delegation and the UAE government tackled areas where they could enhance cooperation, such as culture, arts and heritage.
“Her Highness Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, wife of His Highness the UAE President, welcomed (the first lady) who is on a working visit to the UAE,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a post.
READ: Marcos hopes to build deeper ties with UAE
She said the two sides “explored ways to enrich the cultural and artistic landscape in both nations, with particular focus on early childhood development and investment in human capital.
“The (first lady) commended the UAE’s broad cultural and developmental progress, expressing her admiration for Emirati women, who have successfully become key partners in the country’s development and nation-building process,” the PCO said.
Earlier this month, the first couple hosted UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the latter’s courtesy call in Malacañang.
The UAE official conveyed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. his country’s willingness to increase its investments in the Philippines amid the “growing relationship” between the two countries.
During her work visit, the first lady met with executives of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. and Emirates Airline and Group.
She also met with the Filipino community in UAE at the Kempinski Central Avenue in Dubai.
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Tarlac cops still have no leads on missing couple | Jun A. Malig | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:40:00 PST | CHARRED Police have preserved the charred Nissan Terra used by missing couple Geneva Lopez and Yitshak Cohen that was found burning along Cojuangco Road in Capas, Tarlac, on June 22, some 10 hours after they were last seen in the town. —photo courtesy of Capas Police
CHARRED Police have preserved the charred Nissan Terra used by missing couple Geneva Lopez and Yitshak Cohen that was found burning along Cojuangco Road in Capas, Tarlac, on June 22, some 10 hours after they were last seen in the town. —photo courtesy of Capas Police
MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA, Philippines — Police in Tarlac province continued reviewing footage from several security cameras in an effort to locate Kapampangan beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, who disappeared on June 21.
Police Lt. Col. Librado Manarang, police chief of Capas town in Tarlac, told the Inquirer on Sunday that their backtracking efforts involved examining the footage from video-surveillance cameras installed on residential buildings and business establishments around Cristo Rey village in Capas, where the couple was last seen.
He said they obtained footage that showed the gray Nissan Terra used by the couple while traversing a road leading to Armenia village in Tarlac City, where Lopez planned to buy 20.5 hectares of upland agricultural land.
READ: P250,000 reward offered for info on missing pageant bet, boyfriend
According to Manarang, the footage had been turned over to the “committee on missing persons” created on June 28 by the Tarlac provincial police.
But Manarang said a case of kidnapping was still unlikely because no ransom demand has been made.
“We have been coordinating with Ms Geneva’s family members to ask about information relevant to the missing persons case and if they have received any calls from anyone asking for ransom. They said they did not receive any,” he said.
Lopez, 27, a candidate of Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024, representing Sto. Tomas town, and Cohen, 37, left their residence in Malabanias, Angeles City, at 1:20 p.m. on June 21 to meet with a middleman for the sale of the two parcels of land.
In a sworn statement, the middleman said he met with the couple at 2 p.m. that day in front of a Petron gasoline station at the entrance of Cristo Rey village in Capas, then boarded their respective vehicles and drove to Armenia village for Geneva to inspect the properties she was buying.
By late afternoon that day, the couple could no longer be contacted by phone or via their respective social media accounts.
The middleman told the Capas police that he parted ways with the couple shortly after the ocular inspection of the two parcels of 12.5-ha and 8-ha farmlands.
By 2:36 a.m. on June 22 or some 10 hours after the couple was supposed to drive back to Angeles City via Capas, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) they drove was found ablaze along Cojuangco Road in Cristo Rey. The road connects Cristo Rey village in Capas and Armenia village in Tarlac City.
Investigators said the vehicle, which was reportedly pawned to the couple by its owner, who resides in Bulacan, was facing north as if traveling to Armenia village when it was found burning,
Manarang said the owner of the Nissan Terra was invited to the Capas police to explain why the missing couple was using his vehicle. He was supposed to show up on June 25 and on June 29.
“Up to now, he (SUV owner) did not show up. His lawyer told us that they would come here on Monday or Tuesday,” Manarang said on Sunday.
On June 29, the Capas police chief and the provincial police’s committee on missing persons conducted an ocular inspection at the area in Cojuangco Road, where the vehicle was abandoned and burned.
According to the police, there were no residential buildings or business establishments in the area. They also inspected the agricultural land Geneva intended to buy in Armenia village.
Manarang said a burned cell phone was found earlier in the back seat of the burned vehicle.
“The mobile gadget, a cell phone, was brought to the regional anticybercrime office in Camp Olivas (in San Fernando, Pampanga) for forensic investigation. But data could no longer be retrieved from the gadget because it was completely burned,” he said.
Manarang said they had received information that Lopez was able to buy agricultural land in Tarlac in the past and had requested the Tarlac Registry of Deeds office for a copy of the property’s title to find out its exact location and its land area.
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“Up to now, we have been aggressively looking and coordinating with the family and friends of the missing couple, and until now, we still could not find a lead about these two persons’ whereabouts,” he said.
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More expensive fuel prices set Tuesday, July 2 | Lisbet K. Esmael @lisbetesmael | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:55:43 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Motorists will continue to pay more for petroleum products this week, with oil firms implementing a new round of price increases starting Tuesday.
In separate advisories on Monday, Seaoil, Shell Pilipinas, and Petro Gazz said pump prices will jump by as much as 95 centavos, marking the third consecutive week of hikes.
READ: Fuel prices set to rise for 3rd straight week
The per-liter price of diesel will advance by 65 centavos, while kerosene prices are set to rise by 35 centavos a liter.
Gasoline, meanwhile, will increase by 95 centavos per liter.
Rodela Romero, director of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, said crude oil prices continued to swell “as the global supply outlook remained threatened by the potential escalation of geopolitical unrest, due to the drone attack of Ukraine hitting Russian refineries, the production restriction of OPEC and the forecast for the peak summer season demand starting 3rd [quarter] of this year.”
Last week, fuel prices surged by as much as P1.75 per liter.
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MR.DIY brings on the fun with Bounce and Bingo Grand Finals at Waltermart North Edsa | INQUIRER.net BrandRoom | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:00:20 PST | In an adrenaline-filled display of teamwork and luck, leading home improvement retailer MR.DIY brought the fun and excitement with its Bounce and Bingo Grand Finals held Saturday, May 25.
BJ Geneses Arenas and Corazon Arenas from South Luzon emerged victorious versus 22 other teams from the National Capital Region (NCR), North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao–earning the coveted grand prize of P50,000 cash.
In the 1st elimination round, the 23 teams were divided into 6 groups and played against each other to determine the first 11 teams to form either a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal bingo pattern to advance to the next elimination round.
In the 2nd elimination round, the 11 teams went head to head to determine the final 3 teams to compete in the final round.
With much anticipation, Chester Espino and Tristan Pangilinan of North Luzon, Bj Geneses Arenas and Corazon Arenas of South Luzon, and Jovelyn Calatrava and Aldren Dayan Candelario of Visayas secured their spots in the finals.
After a nail-biting finish, the mother-and-son tandem Bj and Corazon emerged victorious and was declared the grand winner with a record time of 45 seconds, while aunt and nephew duo Jovelyn and Aldren, and pals Chester and Tristan from Pampanga were declared second and third placers, respectively.
As second placer, Jovelyn and Aldren brought home P30,000, while the third placer Chester and Tristan received P20,000 cash.
As the venue filled with joy and excitement, MR.DIY’s Bounce and Bingo Challenge brought together a diverse group of participants with unique stories and aspirations, each with heartwarming plans for their prize winnings.
Grand champion BJ Geneses and his mother, Corazon look forward to using their P50,000 prize to repair their house, while it’s surely a memorable birthday for second place winner Aldren, with his aunt Jovelyn, as they take home their prize back to Bacolod.
Meanwhile, third-placer pals Chester and Tristan plan to save their prize winnings for tuition fees for the upcoming school year.
Inspired by the eponymous viral game on TikTok, the Bounce and Bingo game has become wildly popular among MR.DIY customers–offering a unique blend of agility, strategy, and luck.
Started last April 17 and ran until May 17, participants had the opportunity to take on the MR.DIY Bounce and Bingo Challenge–with no minimum purchase required–across 50 participating MR.DIY stores nationwide, forming 2-person teams who can record the fastest time to complete horizontal, vertical, and diagonal bingo patterns on the bingo tray.
The MR.DIY Bounce and Bingo Challenge Grand Finals was made possible by Waltermart North Edsa as its official event venue, hosted by influencer Mary Grace Khu and featured invitational games for the mall audience, as well as a special performance from Tiktok choreographer Jerold and his dance group Legit Status PH.
Stay tuned for the latest updates and promos by visiting MR.DIY’s official website at www.mrdiy.com/ph and official social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by MR.DIY.
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Makati unveils new police, fire station in San Antonio village | John Eric Mendoza | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:33:49 PST | ‘MAKATIZEN’ NO. 1 Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay meets with Inquirer officers, editors andreporters at the paper’s new office on Jan. 25. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
‘MAKATIZEN’ NO. 1 Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay meets with Inquirer officers, editors andreporters at the paper’s new office on Jan. 25. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Makati on Monday unveiled its new police and fire stations in one of its commercial villages.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay led the ceremonial opening of Makati Central Police Station on Malugay Street and the Makati Central Fire Station on Buendia Avenue, both in Barangay San Antonio.
What’s notable about these new facilities are the installed solar panels in it, Binay said.
“We have made sure to include solar panels in the design of both buildings in line with Makati’s ongoing transition towards renewable energy,” she added.
Binay said the 3,249-square-meter, three-story police station contains a secure detention cell installed with closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) and a fire detection and alarm system.
She also said the 1,778-square meter, three-story fire station could house up to four fire trucks in its parking bay and has a fire pole. It features the city fire marshal’s office, administration and district offices, and a conference room, among others.
“We are proud to provide our police and fire departments with the modern resources they need to serve our city effectively. This investment reflects our dedication to the well-being and safety of all residents and stakeholders of Makati,” Binay said.
“These new facilities symbolize our commitment to protecting our citizens and ensuring swift response in times of need,” she added.
These facilities will benefit 16,524 residents in San Antonio with a percentage share of 2.89 percent of Makati’s population with a density of 19 persons per 1,000 square meters, according to the 2015 Census of Population released by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
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“Predominant land use of Barangay San Antonio is commercial and can be seen through the wide array of business establishments,” the local government website stated.—with reports from Felice Marie Nafarrete, trainee
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Ace Cebuano junior chess player to compete in Malaysia | dbongcac | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:54:54 PST | John Dave Lavandero. | Photo from Cebu School of Chess
John Dave Lavandero. | Photo from Cebu School of Chess
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Rising Cebuano woodpusher John Dave Lavandero of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters will don the country’s tri-colors as he competes in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships 2024 scheduled from July 12 to 21 in Penang, Malaysia.
Lavandero, one of the top junior woodpushers in Cebu, is currently coached by International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap who is also the head coach of the UC Webmasters’ chess team.
For Lavandero, he is thrilled for the rare opportunity to represent the Philippines in this major international chess tournament.
READ: Lavandero crowned One Central Eagles Region Chess tilt champion
” I am thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this event, which would have been out of reach for me without the help of God, and my coach IM Kim Steven Yap and the financial support of the University of Cebu and Sir Bogie Lim,” he said.
READ: UC Webmaster’s John Dave Lavandero tops CCSI Under-20 Chess Tourney
“This is my first time competing abroad, and if I do very well, I would be more motivated to compete in more international tournaments. For this tournament, I hope to play extremely well and grab a title! My preparation has involved consistent practice, solving puzzles, and making strategic opening preparations.”
READ: Lavandero tops Cebu School of Chess Scholastics tournament
For IM Yap, he is confident that his prized ward will perform well in Malaysia.
IM Yap said that it’s Lavandero’s chance to etch his name in the international scene if he wins the title in his division. He has been coaching Lavandero since 2019 as a varsity chess player of the University of Cebu.
“I also grabbed my 2nd IM norm in Malaysia where in I defeated GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, the number 1 player in the Philippines today. So, It’s his (Lavandero) chance to make a name for himself,” said IM Yap who is also a player of the vaunted Toledo-Xignex Trojans.
Lavandero has been one of the busiest local woodpushers in Cebu lately. He competed in various tournaments and won his first open title earlier this year at the One Central Eagles Region Annual Chess Tournament.
He also competed during the Cebu Chess Masters Invitational where he went against his own coach, IM Yap, and several notable Cebuano woodpushers.
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Shabu, marijuana worth P18M seized in Calabarzon in June; 875 busted | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:32:39 PST | INQUIRER FILES
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LUCENA CITY — Police in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) seized more than P18 million worth of illegal drugs during their month-long operations in June.
The Police Regional Office 4A (PRO-4A) public information office (PIO) reported on Monday, July 1, that anti-narcotics operatives arrested 875 suspects during 675 anti-illegal drug operations across the region in June.
The law enforcers seized 2,616.53 grams of shabu (crystal meth) and 2,177.30 grams of marijuana with a total value of P18,053,680, the report said.
The arrested persons were detained and faced complaints for violating the country’s anti-drugs law.
The report also said the cops arrested 1,853 persons engaged in illegal cockfights, card games, toss coins, and board games such as bingo and mah-jong during 819 operations in June.
The police also held suspected bet collectors for the illegal operation of Small Town Lottery called “bookies.”
Authorities seized a total of P668,974 bet money from illegal gamblers.
At least 441 criminal cases have been filed in court against the arrested suspects.
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Sofitel hotel closes; Union to push fight | Russel Loreto | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:20:55 PST | LAST DAY? A vehicle enters the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Sunday, the last day of its current iteration. —photos by Grig C. Montegrande
LAST DAY? A vehicle enters the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Sunday, the last day of its current iteration. —photos by Grig C. Montegrande
MANILA, Philippines — The landmark Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila officially shuts down on Monday after 46 years amid safety concerns and an escalating labor dispute.
The hotel, last managed by the multinational tourism company Accor SA under its Sofitel brand, bid farewell on its Facebook, thanking guests for memories that “have left an indelible mark on our hearts.”
The property, owned by the Government Service Insurance Service (GSIS), was one of 12 hotels that were built in a rush in the early 1970s, as part of preparations for the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB), which was held in Manila in 1976.
READ: Hontiveros wants inquiry into Sofitel’s closure
After the IMF-WB meeting, management of the hotel was contracted to the global Starwood hotel chain and was known as the Westin Philippine Plaza until 2005. The following year, Accor SA acquired the management contract and renamed the hotel as Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
In May, however, Accor announced that the hotel would have to be permanently closed after 24 fire incidents affected the property’s structural integrity.
However, the National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant and Allied Industries (Nuwhrain) released on Sunday a statement criticizing the closure process.
According to the union, Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc. (PPHI), the hotel’s owner, “terminated over a thousand of the hotel’s employees due to the closure.” The union argued that this move is deceptive, noting that despite appearances, “PPHI still has plans for renovations within the premises.”
The statement claimed that the hotel management has extended their lease with the GSIS until 2041, with plans to potentially extend further to 2066. This extension, the union claimed, is to “earn back at least the P3 billion to P4 billion, possibly even more,” spent on renovations.
CLOSING WITHOUT CLOSURE Musicians play classical pieces at Sofitel’s iconic spiral stairway leading to its ground floor restaurant, where customers have lined up as the hotel operates on its last day on Sunday before it closes for renovation. Since the 1970s, the iconic hotel had been a popular “staycation” place for Metro Manila residents. But the landmark is also beset by labor issues, with workers protesting its shutdown.
“It is clear that the PPHI has plans for the hotel’s future, yet the workers themselves have been terminated, leaving them in the dark and unemployed,” the union statement read. The union characterized this as “nothing less than union busting at the cruel, greedy and heartless hands of PPHI.”
The union accused PPHI and Accor SA of violating labor standards, asserting that “PPHI has failed to work with the union meaningfully with regard to their plans for the hotel.”
“All the workers ever wanted was, if the hotel will reopen, to be guaranteed the retention of their jobs and the respect and recognition of their unions and collective bargaining agreement,” Nuwhrain said.
Despite the closure, the union said it would stage an “unrelenting campaign with international allies” to hold Accor accountable for what they see as complicity in PPHI’s actions.
The dispute has caught political attention, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros calling for an investigation of the “labor policy implications” of the hotel closure.
The union, for its part, has vowed to keep fighting until “the hotel workers themselves, during the eventual reopening, shall be the ones to cut the ribbon.”
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“So long as one of us remains standing, the fight is not yet over,” Nuwhrain said.
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Duterte boasting zero secret OVP funds? She shouldn’t have any – Castro | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:21:02 PST | The Office of the Vice President did not request confidential funds from the proposed P6.3-trillion national budget for 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte announced.| PHOTO: Official facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
The Office of the Vice President did not request confidential funds from the proposed P6.3-trillion national budget for 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte announced.| PHOTO: Official facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged boasting of her office’s decision not to request confidential funds (CF) for 2025 is an “empty gesture,” as she should not have secret funds in the first place, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Monday.
In a statement, Castro said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is not mandated to have CFs as it does not have a surveillance function.
Her statement came after Duterte on Saturday said that her office did not propose any CF allocation for 2025.
“Why should she request for confidential funds when her office is not mandated to have such funds? Besides, she is just afraid that Congress will again take it away along with other civilian agencies that are not mandated for confidential funds,” the lawmaker said.
READ: OVP says it didn’t request confidential funds from 2025 national budget
Castro also pointed out that Duterte has not yet explained what happened to the CFs that the OVP got in 2022.
READ: Quimbo: OVP’s P125M secret fund in 2022 spent in just 11 days
“Also, up till now, she has not satisfactorily explained the P125-million confidential funds she illegally acquired and spent in 11 days in 2022. She also has to account [for] how she spent her confidential funds in 2023,” the lawmaker said.
During the deliberations in 2023 for the 2024 budget, Castro and other members of the Makabayan bloc proposed to remove the proposed CFs under the agencies handled by Duterte — P500 million for OVP and P150 million for the Department of Education (DepEd).
The House of Representatives decided to remove the CFs from the OVP. It reallocated it to agencies involved in securing the West Philippine Sea, like the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard. DepEd’s CF was converted into items under its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, particularly assistance for teachers and students.
READ: How House removed, reduced the confidential funds of gov’t agencies
Castro is a staunch critic of Duterte. In May 2023, Castro said Duterte was diverting the public from real education issues after the lawmaker was accused of shifting attention from the communist rebel attacks in Masbate province.
ACT Teachers also urged DepEd to hire 30,000 teachers yearly to address gaps in the education sector, but Duterte said it was “unrealistic.”
READ: VP Duterte: Hiring 30,000 teachers yearly ‘unrealistic, impossible’
After Duterte resigned as Education secretary, Castro said the Vice President’s decision had been “long overdue,” adding that nothing was done to resolve the education crisis in her two years at the helm.
For Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Duterte is not yet off the hook in terms of explaining DepEd’s budget utilization, even with her resignation.
READ: Sara Duterte’s resignation as DepEd chief ‘long overdue’ – Castro
“She shouldn’t brag about requesting confidential funds for the next budget. She is not off the hook yet,” the lawmaker said in Filipino.
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With reports from Moss Laygo, trainee
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Moderate earthquakes rock Mindanao | Frinston Lim | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 10:03:38 PST | Two moderate earthquakes hit Mindanao minutes apart on Thursday morning, February 29, 2024, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The stronger magnitude 5.6 tectonic quake happened at around 8:23 a.m., with its epicenter estimated at 77 kilometers east of Cagwait town, Surigao del Sur. | PHOTO: Official facebook page of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)
Two moderate earthquakes hit Mindanao minutes apart on Thursday morning, February 29, 2024, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The stronger magnitude 5.6 tectonic quake happened at around 8:23 a.m., with its epicenter estimated at 77 kilometers east of Cagwait town, Surigao del Sur. | PHOTO: Official facebook page of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Two moderate earthquakes rocked Mindanao minutes apart on Thursday morning, state seismologists said.
The stronger magnitude 5.6 tectonic quake hit at around 8:23 a.m., with its epicenter estimated at 77 kilometers east of Cagwait town, Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
The tremor had a depth of 10 km.
Ten minutes earlier, a magnitude 5.3 quake also struck off Cagwait, with its epicenter traced some 86 km to the east.
It had a depth of focus of 9 kilometers.
READ: Phivolcs: Magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
Phivolcs said Intensity 5 was felt in Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur. Intensity 4 was reportedly felt in the city of Bislig.
It was felt at Intensity 2 in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte provinces, disaster offices in the two provinces reported.
No damage or aftershocks are expected, Phivolcs said.
The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region bordering Asia and the Americas, where earthquakes and volcanic activities are common.
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Phivolcs: Magnitude 5.3 quake off Cagwait town in Surigao del Sur | Luisa Cabato | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:53:47 PST | The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) says that a magnitude 5.3 quake hit waters off Cagwait municipality in Surigao del Sur on Thursday morning, February 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Phivolcs)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) says that a magnitude 5.3 quake hit waters off Cagwait municipality in Surigao del Sur on Thursday morning, February 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Phivolcs)
(UPDATED: 3:25 p.m., February 29, 2024, to reflect the revised magnitude of the earthquake, from 5.6 to 5.3, and location, from Hinatuan to Cagwait, as well as to include reported and measured intensities/instrumental intensities, according to Phivolcs.)
MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit waters off Cagwait municipality in Surigao del Sur on Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
State seismologists earlier reported that the temblor was at magnitude 5.6 and that it occurred near the waters of Hinatuan municipality.
Phivolcs said Thursday morning’s quake was an aftershock to the magnitude 7.4 movement that swayed the province on December 2.
READ: Phivolcs: Surigao del Sur quake at 7.4-magnitude, aftershocks recorded
In a bulletin, Phivolcs said the earthquake happened 8:10 a.m. at 78 kilometers (km) east of Cagwait. It also said that the tectonic temblor had a depth of focus of 9 km.
Phivolcs likewise said that Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur experienced the quake at Intensity V; and Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, at Intensity IV, while its scales measured the shaking at Instrumental Intensity II in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
READ: Moderate earthquakes rock Mindanao
State seismologists previously explained that instrumental intensity is measured by an intensity meter or scale while intensity refers to the actual feel of the quake as reported by the affected population.
No aftershocks or damage to property were expected from this quake, according to Phivolcs.
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Significant increase in PH gov’t borrowings seen in 2024 — S&P | Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:36:07 PST | MANILA —The Philippine government is expected to incur larger borrowings this year, even as the country’s fiscal deficit is projected to narrow in the years to come, as the state looks for cash to pay old debts and fund its spending plans.
In a commentary sent to journalists on Wednesday, S&P Global Ratings said the Philippine government is projected to sell $40 billion (P2.3 trillion) in new, long-term commercial debts this year, bigger than the estimated $29.8 billion (P1.7 trillion) it issued in 2023.
Including short-term borrowings, the credit rating agency said the state’s total commercial debt stock would increase to $253.2 billion (P14.24 trillion) by the end of 2024, from the estimated $223.2 billion (P13 trillion) in 2023.
READ: Gov’t gross borrowings up 28.2% in Nov.
”Most other sovereigns will increase borrowing this year,” S&P said. “Thailand and the Philippines are also likely to see significant increases in borrowings.”
”Other major Asia-Pacific governments are also likely to borrow more in 2024. As a share of GDP (gross domestic product), however, we project their fiscal deficits to fall relative to 2023. Most economies in the region should still have healthy growth,” the global debt watcher added.
Data showed the Philippines’ debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 60.2 percent by the end of 2023, down from 60.9 percent in 2022.
READ: PH debt still manageable, says Finance chief
The ratio however stayed above the 60-percent threshold that credit rating agencies deemed manageable for developing economies like the Philippines. This, as the government capped 2023 with an outstanding debt amounting to P14.62 trillion, up by 8.92 percent year-on-year.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is a closely-watched indicator of the government’s ability to settle its obligations. Economists believe that debt would stay at manageable levels as long as the economy grows faster than state liabilities.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier said the Marcos administration is planning to borrow a total of P2.46-trillion from creditors at home and abroad this year to plug a projected budget deficit of P1.4 trillion.
S&P estimates that governments in the Asia-Pacific region would use nearly 75 percent (or $2.9 trillion) of their gross long-term commercial borrowings in 2024 to refinance maturing long-term debt.
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”Projected issuance this year will raise the Asia-Pacific sovereign commercial debt stock to an equivalent of $20.6 trillion by the end of 2024, up by $1.68 trillion from 2023,” S&P said.
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Marcos returns to the Philippines after addressing Australian parliament | Jean Mangaluz | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 20:45:01 PST | President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers his message at Maharlika Villamor Airbase, Pasay city, before he left for Canberra, Australia on Wednesday morning, February 28, 2024. (File photo from INQUIRER / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers his message at Maharlika Villamor Airbase, Pasay city, before he left for Canberra, Australia on Wednesday morning, February 28, 2024. (File photo from INQUIRER / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. returned to the Philippines on Thursday after his two-day state visit in Australia.
The Presidential Communications Office said that the President’s plane landed in Manila at around 8:30 pm.
During his stay in Australia, Marcos addressed the Australian parliament.
He renewed his promise to defend Philippine sovereignty amid threats in the South China Sea.
“The closer cooperation in this field was fully emphasized in my speech to the esteemed Parliament of Australia—the first ever for a Filipino President. I similarly highlighted our steadfast support for regional peace and harmony, to which many of our forefathers paid the ultimate price in World War II,” said Marcos in his arrival statement.
“I conveyed to Australian legislators the important role of both our countries as proponents of the rules-based international order and its significance amidst the present complexities in global geopolitics,” he added.
The President also told Australia that developed countries must help countries disproportionately affected by climate change.
During his stay, Marcos also had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as well as other Australian lawmakers.
Marcos also witnessed the signing of three deals between Australia and the Philippines, with one pertaining to maritime cooperation.
The other deals tackle cyber technology and competition policies.
The President will return to Australia in four days for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Australia Summit.
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Passive income tax cuts not viable until 2028–BofA | Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:30:00 PST | MANILA, Philippines —Tax cuts on passive income—proposed to deepen local financial markets—may have to wait until the twilight of the Marcos administration in 2028 due to the current lack of fiscal space, analysts at BofA Global Research said.
In a commentary dated Feb. 26, the research unit of Bank of America (BofA) said any measures that would result in foregone revenues at this point could further erode the delicate government budget position.
BofA was referring to Package 4 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, which aims to harmonize and simplify varying tax structures on passive income and other financial tools.
READ: House panel OKs 4th package of tax reform program
When he took office in January, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto submitted a “refined” version of this legislation to lawmakers.
“There is less fiscal space in 2024 than there was prepandemic, when these tax cuts were first proposed,” BofA said.
“The proposed tax cuts on passive income and financial transactions would have eroded government revenue further,” it added.
Approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on Nov. 14, 2022, the bill is currently being taken up by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Under Package 4, interest income tax will be set at 20 percent. Royalties will be maintained until 2027 but reduced to 15 percent in 2028. Similarly, dividend income tax—which varies depending on nationality of recipient—will remain unchanged until 2027 before being harmonized to 10 percent in 2028.
Package 4 also proposes a gradual reduction in the stock transaction tax to 0.1 percent by 2028 from the current 0.6 percent.
Existing taxes on financial transactions, sales agreements and transfer of unlisted shares will be removed in 2028.
Tax rates on bank checks, drafts, certificates of deposit not bearing interest and other instruments will remain unchanged along with that on life insurance policies.
READ: Sans new taxes, deficit spike feared
Meanwhile, rates on policies of insurance upon property, fidelity bonds and other insurance policies will gradually be decreased annually to 7.5 percent by 2028, from 12.5 percent.
While the Bureau of the Treasury has yet to release full-year 2023 numbers, latest data show that the budget position swung to a deficit of P1.1 trillion from January to November, well within the P1.5-trillion deficit cap for the year.
For 2024, the Marcos administration is projecting a smaller budget gap of P1.4 trillion, equivalent to 5.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). This assumed that revenues would hit P4.2 trillion while state spending would amount to P5.6 trillion this year.
To plug the budget hole, Recto plans to borrow a total of P2.46-trillion from government creditors. He ruled out new consumption taxes that may stoke inflation, instead calling for improved collection efficiency.
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”If any comfort, the government appears to be able to fund its deficit easily with a mix of domestic and foreign borrowing,” BofA said. “Given the lack of fiscal space, we see government spending lagging overall GDP growth in 2024, as in 2023.” INQ
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Marcos finds China actions in West Philippine Sea getting worrisome | Julie M. Aurelio | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:36:08 PST | SIGNAL BLOCKED China Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel No. 3105 sails past BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Feb. 22, when the CCG allegedly blocked the Philippine vessel’s signal. —PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD
SIGNAL BLOCKED China Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel No. 3105 sails past BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Feb. 22, when the CCG allegedly blocked the Philippine vessel’s signal. —PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed worry that the growing presence and assertiveness of China’s forces in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) might further stoke tensions between Manila and Beijing and escalate an already volatile situation in those waters.
“It’s really worrisome. Before, it’s just the China Coast Guard that’s making moves in our area. Now their Navy and fishing boats are joining them, so the situation is really changing,” Mr. Marcos said.
READ: PCG: China jamming tracking signal of PH ships in WPS
The President noted the recent sightings of warships of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy as well as China’s alleged jamming of the automatic identification signals of ships of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.
But the Chief Executive said the Philippines would continue to defend its sovereign rights to ensure that Filipino fisherfolk can keep making a living in their traditional fishing grounds.
“We just want to enforce what everybody is doing. For us, we will continue, we will just really defend our maritime territory. We continue to support all our fisherfolk who make a living from these fishing grounds and we will continue to help them,” he said shortly before he flew to Australia’s capital of Canberra on Wednesday morning for a two-day state visit.
In an interview with reporters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Mr. Marcos assured Filipino fishers in the West Philippine Sea that the government would defend the country’s maritime territory in spite of the increased presence of Chinese vessels.
Mr. Marcos reiterated his position that the country would not budge an inch despite the unfriendly acts of Chinese vessels, which are known to shadow or block the Philippine government’s ships in the West Philippine Sea, or the waters within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.
On the President’s orders, the PCG and BFAR began rotational deployments and patrols around Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground among Filipino fisherfolk.
Over the weekend, the PCG accused China of jamming the tracking signal of PCG and BFAR ships, preventing the vessels from transmitting their positions at sea.
“Despite whatever else happens, if they block us, if they shadow us, we will just continue doing what we are doing. That’s our job, to help fishermen who have been fishing there for generations,” Mr. Marcos said.
“That’s the basic principle there: The fishermen must be allowed to fish in their traditional fishing grounds which belong in the maritime territory of the Philippines,” the President said.
He made the remarks following the Philippine Navy’s allegation of an increase in interference on the electronic capabilities of Philippine ships deployed on rotation and resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.
Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said such “electronic interference,” like the jamming of tracking and communication signals, had been going on for the past three to four years.
However, he could not directly say if China was behind the electronic interference.
The Philippines has filed diplomatic protests against China over a number of maritime incidents, including Chinese ships harassing or blocking Filipino fishers from reaching their fishing grounds, and launching water cannon attacks on Philippine resupply boats headed toward a remote military outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands, voided China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea while upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights to fish and explore resources within its EEZ, a ruling Beijing does not recognize.
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Unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who cultivated warm ties with China, Mr. Marcos has repeatedly invoked the 2016 Hague ruling.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Marcos looks forward to greater PH-Australia military cooperation | Jean Mangaluz | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:15:56 PST | FILE PHOTO: American and Australian warships have come together in the South China Sea for joint drills, as China continued to aggressively assert its claim of owning the entire area. The Philippines and Australia are expected to have greater military cooperation, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, February 29, 2024. PHOTO FROM US NAVY
FILE PHOTO: American and Australian warships have come together in the South China Sea for joint drills, as China continued to aggressively assert its claim of owning the entire area. The Philippines and Australia are expected to have greater military cooperation, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, February 29, 2024. PHOTO FROM US NAVY
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Australia could expect more joint defense activities, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.
In a joint press conference after his address to the Australian parliament, Marcos said he and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a fruitful discussion to strengthen the ties between the two nations, including on defense.
“Defense and security remain a key area of cooperation between the Philippines and Australia. We look forward to amplifying our joint activities and the capacity-building efforts in this regard,” he noted.
Marcos also said the Philippines and Australia are committed to a rules-based order.
Australia is the only nation other than the United States to have a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines. Last year, Manila and Melbourne held joint military exercises in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea, the area of the South China Sea that belongs to the Philippines.
READ: Marcos: Australia is PH’s ‘natural partner’ in keeping int’l order
The President also said he expects stronger trade and economic relations between the Philippines and Australia.
“On economic cooperation, we anticipate greater bilateral economic cooperation that will allow us to withstand shocks, to be resilient against economic coercion, and to provide an enabling environment for our respective businesses and labor markets to further flourish under the ambit of our Strategic Relationship and Partnership,” Marcos pointed out.
Marcos said Australia hosts the fifth-largest Filipino immigrant community, which has also contributed to the Philippine economy.
“Both the Philippines and Australia welcome future consultations and dialogues as we explore and map the uncharted waters that can bring in new opportunities for a closer and stronger relationship between our two countries,” he said.
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LIVE UPDATES: PVL All-Filipino Conference February 29 | INQUIRER.net | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:29:45 PST | 4 p.m. – Capital1 Solar Spikers vs Farm Fresh Foxies
6 p.m. – Creamline Cool Smashers vs Akari Chargers
FULL SCHEDULE HERE.
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Creamline Cool Smashers faced their former teammate Ced Domingo who now plays for the Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Tots Carlos carried Creamline’s offense on her back after erupting for a career-high 31 points in frustrating Akari, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Thursday night at PhilSports Arena.
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“‘Yung nilalaro ko ngayon, even me, ‘di ako makapaniwala,” Carlos said after Creamline improved to 2-0. “Dahil sa mga tulong ng mga coaches, ‘yung suporta ng mga teammates ko, na walang pressure, training lang lagi.
Defending champion Creamline (2-0) overcomes Akari (0-2), 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19 to extend its winning streak to 17 games. Photos: Marlo Cueto | INQUIRER.net
#PVL2024
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Thursday, February 29, 2024
Tots Carlos on her 31-point explosion. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/fJPkAhADSE
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, and Bea De Leon on their second win. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/XvIlUCO8C7
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— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
Tots Carlos with a new pro career-high 31 points (30/55) for the Cool Smashers.
2-0 start for Creamline! #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/aU9tEFaRAS
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 29, 2024
FINAL: Defending champion Creamline (2-0) overcomes Akari in four sets to extend its winning streak to 17 games. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/aPMhlhUT8H
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 29, 2024
END OF SET 3: Creamline 25, Akari 22
The Cool Smashers regain the lead, 2-1. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/OE447fAI7N
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
END OF SET 2: Akari 25, Creamline 21
The Chargers equalize the match to 1-1 apiece. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/fBU4ZTpC45
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
END OF SET 1: Creamline 25, Akari 22#PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LSGyD4sj2l
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
Ced Domingo and the Akari Chargers warm up as the Volleyball Thailand League champion battles her former team, Creamline. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tbpPlLHzAi
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
Louie Romero and Trisha Tubu after their first win. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/EROxrQOSrc
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 29, 2024
Chinnie Arroyo on playing for Farm Fresh. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/sm4wosNRkp
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 29, 2024
Trisha Tubu and the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–After giving powerhouse Creamline a hard time in their season opener, Farm Fresh finally logged its first victory in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
Trisha Tubu and Chinnie Arroyo joined hands to easily lift the Foxies past league neophyte Capital 1, 25-16, 25-18, 25-16, on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
FINAL: Farm Fresh (1-1) enters the win column with a 25-16, 25-18, 25-16 victory over Capital1 (0-2). #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/GEghHdx0Ru
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 29, 2024
END OF SET 2: Farm Fresh 25, Capital1 18
The Foxies near their first win. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Pt1JYf7YVF
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
END OF SET 1: Farm Fresh 25, Capital1 16
Both teams, who holds identical 0-1 records, clash for their first win. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Esob6Tfi66
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 29, 2024
Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina against the Petro Gazz defense led by Brooke Van Sickle in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina had nothing but good things to say about Petro Gazz newcomer Brooke Van Sickle after their first of many PVL duels last Tuesday.
Rondina got the better of Van Sickle as she dropped 24 points and 22 excellent receptions to lift the Flying Titans past the gritty Angels, 24-26, 25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13, for their second straight win on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
Capital1 Solar Spikers’ coach Roger Gorayeb in the PVL All-Filipino Conference; –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —With only a short preparation heading into the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Capital 1 Roger Gorayeb wants his players to dig deep and show “the passion to win” after their debut loss.
Gorayeb received a harsh welcome in his PVL return as the Solar Spikers absorbed a 6-25, 15-25, 15-25 loss to Chery Tiggo on Tuesday last week at Philsports Arena.
Akari Chargers’ Grethcel Soltones in her PVL All-Filipino debut. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Despite a losing debut with the Akari Chargers, Grethcel Soltones remained optimistic about the progress of her new squad in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Soltones debuted in style for Akari with 14 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 12 digs but they started their campaign off the wrong foot, losing to Cignal, 25-21, 18-25, 12-25, 18-25, on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We talked after the first game. It’s not a bad game for us, we just fell short,” said the former PVL MVP in Filipino.
Mars Alba (No. 9) is slowly finding out how to pull the strings of an attack line that includes the ultrapowerful Sisi Rondina (No. 18) in the PVL. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Mars Alba has only spent a short amount of time with her new team Choco Mucho and yet she has already shown she is capable of leading the Flying Titans.
And coach Dante Alinsunurin, despite still yearning for a better outing from Choco Mucho two games into the All-Filipino Conference, knows how much they lucked out in getting the services of the former F2 Logistics playmaker.
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Marcos signs 3 deals with Australia on maritime environment, tech | Jean Mangaluz | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 12:55:09 PST | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs three deals with Australia on maritime environment protection, cyber technology, and effective competition laws and policies, the Palace announces on Thursday, February 29, 2024. INQUIRER FILES
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs three deals with Australia on maritime environment protection, cyber technology, and effective competition laws and policies, the Palace announces on Thursday, February 29, 2024. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed three agreements with Australia on maritime domain and maritime environment, cyber and critical technology, and effective competition laws and policies.
“The three agreements exchanged today shall enhance information sharing, capability building, and interoperability between our relevant government agencies in the maritime domain and maritime environment, cyber and critical technology, and competition law,” Marcos said in a statement released by Malacañang.
According to the Palace, the maritime agreement seeks to strengthen civil-military cooperation, enhance defense deals, and promote international law and rules-based international order. The Philippines and Australia also agreed to protect the marine environment.
READ: Marcos: Australia is PH’s ‘natural partner’ in keeping int’l order
The deal comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where China continues to engage in aggressive actions such as firing water cannons at Philippine vessels.
Recently, cyanide fishing has been reported in the disputed waters, specifically in Bajo de Masinloc, with Chinese fishermen allegedly among foreign perpetrators.
As to the cyber technology agreement, Australia and the Philippines will share information on the field and promote digital economy.
The pact on competition laws and policies, meanwhile, is aimed to make the two countries share best practices on trade including merger regulations, and investigative techniques relevant to implementing competition laws, among others.
“The three agreements add to the more than 120 agreements that our two countries have signed through the decades,” Marcos said. “And these are in various fields, including defense cooperation, air services, education, research, scientific and cultural cooperation, amongst others.”
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Parts of NLEX to be closed in March due to construction | Adrian Parungao | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 20:21:04 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation said on Thursday that segments of the expressway will be closed for the construction of the Northern Access Link Expressway.
The lane closure will begin from the Libis Baesa Overpass up until the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park.
READ: NLEx operator allots P15B for 2024 to ease gridlocks
“To give way to the SMC’s Northern Access Link Expressway project near Balintawak Toll Plaza, a 450-meter lane closures on both northbound and southbound directions will be implemented,” NLEX said in its advisory.
READ: NLEX lane near Balintawak Toll Plaza to be closed for construction
Below are the lists of dates and times of the closures:
Feb. 29, 10:00 pm to Mar. 1, 4:00 am
Mar. 1, 10:00 pm to Mar. 2, 4:00 am; Mar. 2, 10:00 pm to Mar. 3, 4:00 am; Mar. 7, 10:00 pm to Mar. 8, 4:00 am
Mar. 3, 10:00 pm to Mar. 4, 4:00 am; Mar. 4, 10:00 pm to Mar. 5, 4:00 am; Mar. 5, 10:00 pm to Mar. 6, 4:00 am; Mar. 6, 10:00 pm to Mar. 7, 4:00 am
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MREIT 2023 income climbs 13% | Miguel R. Camus | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:36:40 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The real estate investment trust (REIT) arm of tycoon Andrew Tan’s Megaworld Corp. recorded higher earnings in the past year compared to 2022 levels after new assets injection and robust occupancy rates.
MREIT Inc. weathered industry challenges brought about by the work-from-home shift as it reported a 2023 distributable income of P2.8 billion—an increase of 13 percent.
Revenues also rose 14 percent to P4.2 billion “fueled by the full-year contribution of the additional four Grade-A office towers from January 2023″.
READ: Infusion of Megaworld malls to boost MREIT portfolio
“MREIT’s success in 2023 reflects the quality of our assets and our strong tenant relationships,” MREIT president and CEO Kevin L. Tan said in a statement on Thursday.
“Our approach to focus on top-tier properties within Megaworld townships was crucial to our unparalleled success, allowing us to maintain elevated occupancy rates and keeping our growth momentum through the year,” he added.
MREIT finished the year with a robust 96 percent occupancy rate, marking an improvement from the previous quarter. This also surpassed the average occupancy rate of 81-82 percent for the Metro Manila office industry, as reported by property consultants, the statement showed.
READ: Office REITs continue to face threats and opportunities
“As we look ahead, the focus on growth and quality will continue to be the pillars of our company. We are actively working on expanding our portfolio through the strategic asset acquisition announced last year, allowing MREIT to remain at the forefront of the industry in delivering sustained value to our stakeholders,” Tan said.
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Rep. Joey Salceda asks DFA to write Singapore over Taylor Swift tour | Krixia Subingsubing | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:56:00 PST | NOT THE ‘ASEAN WAY’ | US singer Taylor Swift performs during a concert as part of her “The Eras Tour” in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 23, 2024. In Manila, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has aired displeasure and sought diplomatic action over reports concerning the deal behind the Singapore leg of the tour. (Photo from Agence France-Presse)
NOT THE ‘ASEAN WAY’ | US singer Taylor Swift performs during a concert as part of her “The Eras Tour” in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 23, 2024. In Manila, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has aired displeasure and sought diplomatic action over reports concerning the deal behind the Singapore leg of the tour. (Photo from Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — There must be “Bad Blood” brewing in Southeast Asia — and it’s over Taylor Swift.
Even a ranking member of the House of Representatives wants some answers.
The chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday to send a note verbale to the Singaporean Embassy in Manila to explain the reportedly exclusive deal between Singapore and the production company behind the American pop superstar’s worldwide tour.
READ: Salceda questions Singapore’s exclusivity of Taylor Swift’s concert
Specifically, Salceda is asking the embassy to explain the exclusivity terms in the grant given by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) to AEG Presents, which prevented Swift from taking her “The Eras Tour” elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
The global superstar is set to play six sold-out shows at Singapore’s National Stadium from March 2 to March 4 and from March 7 to March 9 in what would be her only stop in the region. More than 300,000 tickets were sold for all six shows, with many fans flying to the wealthy island city-state for the concerts.
The STB and the MCCY confirmed that the tour got a grant after estimating that Singapore’s tourism sector—the local hospitality, retail, travel, and dining industries — would benefit from the tour.
But having such terms, Salceda said, “isn’t what good neighbors do … [as it] was at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their own foreign concertgoers and whose fans had to go to Singapore.”
The terms were first made public by Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who said the Singaporean government offered at least $3 million in grants to AEG. Salceda acknowledged that the “policy worked,” citing figures that regional demand for Singaporean hotels and airlines rose up to 30 percent during the period.
An economist, the Albay congressman, said the exclusivity term apparently “caused an increase in industry revenues by $60 million. So, the grant produced 30 times more in economic activity.”
“I don’t think we should just let things like this pass. We should still officially register our opposition … It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which the Asean was founded,” the lawmaker said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the 10-member regional bloc whose members include the Philippines and Singapore.
He added that the exclusivity terms could be discussed in a meeting among Asean members next time.
He also acknowledged that this should also remind the Philippines to step up its game to be able to host large-scale concerts.
Before Thavisin’s revelation, there was speculation that the Swift tour skipped the Philippines because there was no venue large enough for the production. Recent concerts staged at the largest performance venue in the country, the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena, have been marked by major logistical problems like the lack of transportation options in and out of the area.
Speaking to the Inquirer, Salceda said that had the Swift tour also included the Philippines, just a third of the tourists that Singapore attracted “would have spent some P1.44 billion in Philippine businesses,” including hotel, food, airfare, and local transport.
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Assuming that the Philippines also matched the subsidy given by Singapore, he added, “even the full cost would have returned 10 times more in economic activity.”
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Fire hits gun shop in Marikina | Faith Argosino | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 20:35:35 PST | MANILA, Philippines — A fire broke out at the Armscor Shooting Center Inc.’s branch in Marikina City on Thursday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
BFP said it received a report about an ongoing blaze at the gun shop in Barangay Fortune around 1:55 p.m.
The agency’s report revealed that the fire reached the second alarm around 4:04 p.m. shortly after responders arrived at the scene at 4 p.m.
READ: Fire hits t-shirt printing business in Tandang Sora, QC; 15 people die
It added that the blaze was placed under control around 4:45 p.m. and was extinguished at 5:20 p.m.
READ: Keeping our homes safe from fire this month
The agency said it deployed around 10 trucks in the area, but there are no reports yet on the number of residents who got injured or died.
BFP said that it has yet to determine the cause of the fire.
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Poe on bed bugs at NAIA: ‘That’s an issue in other countries as well’ | Charie Abarca | Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:27:00 PST | Senator Grace Poe (File photo from Joseph Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)
Senator Grace Poe (File photo from Joseph Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — The bed bug or ‘surot’ infestation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is an issue that is plaguing foreign countries too.
Senator Grace Poe expressed this view in a text message on Thursday.
“That’s an issue [in] other countries as well. In France, train stations and some hotel rooms are affected. There is an increasing infestation problem,” said Poe.
The senator heads the Senate panel on public services.
While she noted that this is not an isolated incident, Poe still urged the management of NAIA “to make it a practice to regularly check disinfect and thoroughly clean facilities.”
She made the same call to all maintenance units of private and public offices.
“Cleaning and disinfecting should be a standard operating procedure, not just during a virus outbreak or infestation,” she emphasized.
NAIA earlier drew flak after two Facebook posts alleging that the terminals’ steel and rattan chairs harbored bed bugs went viral.
Manila International Airport has apologized for the incident.
It likewise ordered the implementation of better sanitation measures at the airport’s facilities.
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