1 March 10-16, 2022
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION
www.pnewstoday.com
THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961
Vol. 61 No. 31 March 10-16, 2022
NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST
PHILIPPINE GOV’T EYES ‘ECONOMIC EMERGENCY’ NEDA pushes steps to cushion effects of Russia-Ukraine war By ALFRED GABOT, Editor-in-Chief
MANILA – Bothered by spiralling prices of food, petroleum and other products triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war, the Philippine government has started studying plans to declare a state of economy emergency. Page 9
PRESERVE INDEPENDENCE. New Commission on Elec�ons Chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan (3rd from right) vows to preserve the independence of the poll body. With him are Commissioners Aimee Neri, Aimee Ferolino, Socorro In�ng, Marlon Casquejo, and Rey Bulay.
3 new Comelec officials assume posts, vow independence, fair polls QUEZON CITY) - More than 100 current and former heads of of schools, colleges, and universities backed the candidacies of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan for presi-
dent and vice-president in the May elections. A statement from the RobredoPangilinan team cited that 117 top educators signed a statement declaring their “unequivo-
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Sharp rise in oil prices sparks jitters with PH consumers
Duterte to Ilocanos: Vote for an Ilocano leader By Claire Morales True, Managing Editor
By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor
MANILA – The blame falls squarely on Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. Local shares fell below 7,000 while the peso also fell against the dollar this week in ominous signs of dark days ahead for the Philippine economy. Oil prices also rose to levels not seen in years, and the transport industry is expected to demand a new round of fare increases, which will also exert inflationary pressure. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said the war in Eastern Europe would likely affect the country through higher oil prices especially after crude oil prices breach the US$100/barrel level, which is expected to happen in the next few days or weeks. The US$100/barrel may only be the half of it, as prices could soar to US$200/barrel, according to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. This would force pump prices to reach P100 (about Page 8
FARMERTS MARKET. President Duterte leads the inaugura�on of a modern farmers market in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur as Mayor Luis Chavit Singson, Agriculture Secretary William Dar and other officials look on. NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – dential aspirant Ferdinand President Rodrigo Duterte has “Bongbong” Marcos, who is reiterated he will not endorse the only Ilocano candidate vyany presidential candidate to ing for the country’s top leader“stay neutral” but in a public ad- ship, Duterte went on to say that dress here the Chief Executive many Ilocanos are members of virtually endorsed an “Ilocano his Cabinet. leader” who the audience said Also present during the event could be no other than former were Sen. Christopher LawSenator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., rence “Bong” Go, Agriculture being the only Ilocano presiden- Secretary William Dar, National tial candidate. Security Adviser Hermogenes Speaking during the inaugu- Esperon Jr., Presidential Adration of a modern farmers mar- viser for Northern Luzon Raul ket in Narvacan, Duterte told the Lambino, Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Ilocano crowd to choose the Ilo- Luis Singson, Probinsyano Ako cano leader they favor. Party-list Rep. Jose Singson Jr., Without mentioning presi- and Narvacan Municipal Mayor
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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital celebrates 60 years of saving children’s lives
New law protects Filipino workers in New York VIEWS & COMMENTS
SHOWBIZ
When may John Lloyd Cruz USCIS revoke an in movie comeback approved marriage petition? with Jasmine Curtis By A�y. Lozano
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SPORTS
World-class Pinoy pole vaulter shut out by PATAFA Page 21
P10
PESO-DOLLAR RATE
$1.00= P52.23
March 10, 2022 2:10am
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P25