DOMINGUEZ ENVISIONS PH AS ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE
VOL. XXXIII • NO. 80 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
BUSINESS / C1
DU30 RATING 'HARD SLAP' ON CRITICS
'GOV'T MUST IMPLEMENT SC KALIKASAN WRIT' THE government now has no excuse not to protect the marine environment of three reefs in the West Philippine Sea after a Supreme Court issued a writ of Kalikasan on Friday, Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said. “The recent writ of Kalikasan covered by the Supreme Court practically imposes on obligation on our government to enforce the July 12, 2016 arbitral ruling,” Del Rosario said, referring to the decision of the International Criminal Court invalidating China’s excessive claims over almost the entire South China Sea. The same ruling likewise upheld the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the same waters. “To date, nearly 9 of 10 Filipinos would like our government to claim what is ours in the SCS...Our people are now supported by the highest court of the land,” Del Rosario said. “We now look to the legislative and executive branches of our government to be one with us. If they represent us, they must stand with us,” he added. The writ of Kalikasan, which covers Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Ayungin Shoal, and Panganiban Reef, stemmed from a petition filed by members of the Kalayaan Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. The petitioners claimed the government under President Rodrigo Duterte “has failed or refuses to enforce the ruling in a manner that is beneficial to Filipinos.” The petitioner noted the arbitral ruling has upheld the Philippine government’s claim that Ayungin Shoal, Panganiban Reef and Panatag Shoal are well within the Philippine EEZ, so the country’s environmental laws must be enforced in these areas.
FILIPINO, CHINESE HEROES IN NEW COMICS
WHILE China is seen as ruling the waves in the “Three Seas”—the South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea—some ribtickling scenario provides some Sunday comic relief with Marvel super heroine Wave making waves. In the first issue of Marvel War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas, scheduled for release on Wednesday, the Filipino super heroine will battle it out alongside Chinese super heroine Aero. Greg Pak, the comic book writer behind the upcoming series, tweeted a confrontation between Wave and Aero over the North Pacific waters, which observers said could well be a euphemism for the South China Sea—providing a sidesplitting storyline. The new character was announced during the weekend at the SXSW Conference in Austin, Texas, which is 13 hours behind the Philippines. There are little to no information about this new addition to the Marvel family, but its promoters say “we have to say, we love being introduced to more inclusive characters.'' What is known though, is that Wave is a ‘mysterious Filipino superhero’ who comes from the sea. The super-heroine is set to make her debut in War of the Realms: New Agent of Atlas #1, which will be released’ on May 8. Wave, whose real name is revealed to be Pearl Pangan, went past her area of jurisdiction when she sensed danger in the water, according to observers closely watching the anticipated release. But they said Aero was also far from home, possibly for the same reason. Observers have a ready question: Will the two elementalpowered women work together against this unknown menace? How much will art imitate life? The answer, with fans’ anxiety at the ready, may not have to wait for that much longer. Turn to A2
FORMER SPEAKER NOGRALES PASSES AWAY By Maricel V. Cruz
HEROINES’ CONFRONTATION. A screen shot of comic book writer’s Greg Pak’s ‘War of the Realms’ series to be released on May 8—during a sea showdown between Wave of the Philippines and Aero of China over the North Pacific waters.
By Vito Barcelo
Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “Our countrymen’s towering satisfaction in favor of our hardships and attainments is a hard slap on the face of the opposition and our ALACAÑANG on Saturday detractors who, from day one, never gave the leadership of President hailed the latest survey of the Duterte a chance to show them his competence in administering the nation’s affairs,” he added. Social Weather Stations, which Panelo assured that the administration will continue to “grind for showed a new record-high of our nation’s interests and betterment.” 81 percent satisfaction rating for the Duterte The results of the First Quarter 2019 survey conducted from March 28 to 31, 2019 by the SWS showed an overall +72 net satisfacadministration as a “hard slap” on critics. tion rating or 81 percent satisfaction rating for the administration. This is the highest rating received by any administration since “The efforts of this administration in serving the nation and the Filipinos are starting to bear fruit,” Presidential Spokesperson the polling firm started such survey in February 1989. Turn to A2
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THE country lost a statesman on Saturday with the death of former Speaker Prospero Nograles after a lingering illness. He was 71. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles confirmed his father’s demise, saying in a statement: “Papa passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. May we please ask for your continued prayers. He is finally at peace. PROSPERO NOGRALES “Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of you for being a part of Papa Boy Nogie’s life and journey.” Details of the memorial schedule are expected to be released soon. Nograles, known to friend and foe as “Nogie,” died at a time when the family was celebrating the success of his youngest daughter, Margarita Ignacia or ‘Migs’ in the 2018 bar examinations. Turn to A2
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