FEBRUARY 21-23, 2024 Volume 34 - No. 16 • 12 Pages
Biden’s trade team to visit PH by JAvieR Joe ismAel
trade relations between the two countries. The delegation, led by Secretary UNITED States Ambassador to of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the Philippines MaryKay Carlson would arrive in Manila in early said on Friday, February 16 that March for the Presidential Trade President Joe Biden would send and Investment Mission from a delegation to Manila to advance March 11 to 12. ManilaTimes.net
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson
ManilaTimes.net file photo
"President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had announced that he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines to enhance U.S. companies' contributions to the Philippines' innovation economy, connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people," White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said in a statement. The visit, she added, would reinforce the Philippines' position as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment. Watson said the trade mission was part of Biden's commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and labor rights. Philippine Ambassador to the u PAGE 2
MANILA’S FINEST. Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan (center) joins Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (left) and Manila Police District (MPD) chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay (right) in a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the unit’s 123rd anniversary in Ermita, Manila on Monday, Feb. 19. The MPD, which was formerly named as the Metropolitan Police Force in 1901, is the Philippines’ oldest police district. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
PH, US conduct joint patrol
USA
by FRAncisco TuyAy
DATELINE March 5 primary election: Here’s what you need to know
ManilaTimes.net
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
LOS ANGELES – The March 5 primary election is coming up soon. Here’s important information you need to know, according to California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber. The last day to register to vote for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election is Feb. 20, 2024. All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election. Your county elections office began mailing ballots Feb. 5, 2024. Ballot drop-off locations opened on Feb. 6, 2024. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office. u PAGE 3
The powerful constraints on medical care in Catholic hospitals across America NURSE midwife Beverly Maldonado recalls a pregnant woman arriving at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Maryland after her water broke. It was weeks before the baby would have any chance of survival, and the patient’s wishes were clear, she recalled: “Why am I staying pregnant then? What’s the point?” the patient pleaded. But the doctors couldn’t intervene, she said. The fetus still had a heartbeat and it was a Catholic hospital, subject to the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” that prohibit or limit procedures like abortion that the church deems “immoral” or “intrinsically evil,” according to its interpretation of the Bible. “I remember asking the doctors. And they were like, ‘Well, the baby still has a heartbeat. We can’t do anything,’” said Maldonado, now working as a nurse midwife in California, who asked them: “What do you mean we can’t do anything? This baby’s not going to survive.” u PAGE 2
A Philippine Air Force FA-50 (bottom) and US B-52Hs bomber aircraft (top) fly over the Philippine exclusive economic zone during the joint maritime cooperative activity on Monday, Feb. 19. The air patrol covering areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur, and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro was conducted under the third MCA that started on Feb. 9. PAF photo
Philippine jet fighters and U.S. bomber planes held a joint patrol on Monday, February 19, 2024 as part of the Maritime Cooperative Activity. Philippine Air Force Spokesman Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said the patrol covered areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang Island in Mindoro. Two U.S. B52H bomber planes and three Philippine FA-50 jet fighters conducted a fly-by within the country's exclusive
economic zone. "This cooperative activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their U.S. counterparts, thereby enhancing interoperability between its Air Forces," Castillo said. She said the activity demonstrated both nations' commitment to a free Indo-Pacific. "With this activity, the PAF underscores its commitment and readiness to support efforts in safeguarding the national territory and sovereign rights, and upholding regional peace and security," Castillo said. Last February 9, U.S. and Philippine u PAGE 5
PH Senate, House issue subpoenas to Quiboloy by TinA sAnTos
Hontiveros warned Quiboloy that a subpoena was “stronger than an invitation” and “he needs to follow it,” or he might risk being found in contempt of the Senate and face arrest. Hontiveros thanked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for signing the summons against Quiboloy, who has snubbed both inquiries by the two chambers. The House, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, released its subpoena on Monday requiring Quiboloy’s presence at the March 12 hearing of the legislative franchises committee. The panel is investigating SMNI’s alleged violations of the terms of its franchise, including making threats against a lawmaker and spreading disinformation. u PAGE 2
Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Senate and the House of Representatives each summoned Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) sect, to appear in their respective inquiries on the allegations against him and his Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). “Yes, the subpoena against Apollo Quiboloy is out. No matter how loud the political noise is, the stronger call for justice should prevail,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said on Monday, February 19.
Marcos not changing stance on ICC by Alexis RomeRo
about the ICC if he sees more evidence. “It opens (a) Pandora’s Box because it’s still those questions of jurisdictions and sovereignty that I haven’t yet seen a sufficient answer for. Until then, I do not recognize their jurisdiction in the Philippines... That seems to be the only logical conclusion that you can come to in that situation,” he added. Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been accused of committing crimes against humanity over his controversial drug crackdown that left more than 6,000 suspects dead. In 2021, an ICC pre-trial chamber allowed an investigation into the drug war, saying the legal element of the crime against humanity of murder under the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the court – has been met. The Philippines ratified the statute in 2011, but Duterte withdrew the country from the u PAGE 5
Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not changing his stance that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines despite a recent poll suggesting that the majority of Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the tribunal on its probe on the deaths tied to the previous administration’s drug war. Speaking to reporters in Manila on tuesday, February 20, Marcos said that the ICC can produce as much evidence as it wants, but it cannot act upon it in the Philippines because of jurisdiction-related questions. “No. It’s not about the evidence, it’s about the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines,” the president said when asked if there is still a possibility that he would change his mind
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Rejected Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao works out in General Santos City as part of buildup for his upcoming exhibition match against Thailand’s Buakaw Banchamek on April 20, 2024, in Bangkok. Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao
Pacquiao too old for Olympics – IOC by niel vicToR c. mAsoy ManilaTimes.net
THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied the bid of eight-division boxing world champion Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao to compete in the Paris Olympics. In response to the Philippine Olympic Committee's (POC) appeal to allow Pacquiao to fight in the Games in July, the IOC stressed that he is five years above the 40-year-old age limit. "Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all
sports, to be able to participate in Paris," said POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino. James McLeod, IOC director for National Olympic Committee Relations, wrote the response to the POC request. "The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022 published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022," McLeod said in his letter. "This includes the age limit of 40," McLeod said. u PAGE 5