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SC stops NCAP traffic rule
TRO in effect in Metro Manila for beyond 5 months after oral arguments By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz
T
HE Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped the several cities in Metro Manila from carrying out the no-contact apprehension program (NCAP), which enables them to capture traffic violations using cameras and impose hefty fines on motorists. During their regular en banc session, the SC justices voted to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against NCAP and pertinent ordinances issued by the local government units (LGUs) to implement the NCAP. It also barred traffic authorities
from making apprehensions under the NCAP programs until further orders from the Court. The Court issued the order after it consolidated the petitions filed by several transport groups such as the
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 196 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
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EXECUTIVE AGENDA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 6th Cabinet meeting at the Palace on Tuesday, with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources presenting their priority programs.
PH to study oil talks revival with China THE government will study the proposed revival of the joint oil exploration between the Philippines and China in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said on Tuesday. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles issued the statement after former Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao expressed optimism about the revival of negotiations on China’s
possible joint oil and gas exploration with the Philippines in WPS. Liu, the current minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Central Committee, said Sunday he hoped the Marcos administration will consider joint oil and gas development in the busy waterway. Cruz-Angeles said the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) will look into the proposal. “With regard to our foreign relations, especially if these involve contracts, the Department of Foreign Affairs needs to be notified,” she said. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on July 27 said China is ready to restart talks on oil and gas exploration with the Philippines. Next page
Customs to charge agri smugglers, protectors THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is preparing charges against the alleged protectors and smugglers of agricultural products tagged in a previous Senate report, Acting Commissioner Yogi
Filemon Ruiz told senators on Tuesday. regarding the investigation on the alleged Customs officials are “thoroughly proliferation of smuggled vegetables in gathering evidence” against the the country. personalities identified in a Senate In June, the Senate panel said a copy Committee of the Whole report Next page
TAKESHI KASAI
By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE country’s sugar shortage is not artificial, and stakeholders were consulted on the issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 which sought the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar, Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Inc. (PSMA) President Pablo Lobregat said. Lobregat made the disclosure in a
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, adding he did not believe sugar was being hoarded. "I do not believe that this is artificial," Lobregat told Senator Risa Hontiveros, who asked his opinion on the country’s sugar “fiasco.” "I cannot say none. Maybe there might be some," the sugar group head added of Next page
PS-DBM open to return P3b invested in banks to Treasury
WHO replaces W. Pacific chief over alleged bullying, racism The WHO said Tuesday it had sent its number two to step in for its Western Pacific chief, who has been accused by staff of abusive, racist and authoritarian behaviour. The World Health Organization has dispatched Deputy Director General Zsuzsanna Jakab from its Geneva global headquarters to temporarily replace Japanese doctor Takeshi Kasai at the regional office in Manila. A slew of accusations against Kasai emerged in January from staff past and Next page present.
Sugar millers insist low supply real, no stocks being hoarded
THE Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) has expressed its intention to return to the state treasury over P3 billion in high-yield investments in government banks, which was flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) as unauthorized. In a statement, PS-DBM Executive
Director Dennis Santiago said: “The amount of P3 billion is intact.” “I am for the return of the money to the National Treasury as soon as we have properly clarified the nature of the funds with COA,” Santiago said. The COA, in a management letter to PS-DBM, ordered the agency to Next page
PLARIDEL'S 172ND BIRTHDAY. The Association of Philippine Journalists-Samahang Plaridel marks the 172nd birthday of Marcelo Del Pilar, recognized as the father of Philippine journalism and founder of the first bilingual newspaper Diariong Tagalog in 1882. The National Press Freedom Day, under Republic Act. No. 11699, is a working holiday that coincides with Plaridel's birthday. Samahang Plaridel president and Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo (second from right) is joined by (from left) Nelly Lumbaca, former Malacañang Press Corps president Evelyn Quiroz, and lawyer Hector Villacorta. Samahang Plaridel was founded in 2003 by veteran journalists led by Max Soliven, Neal Cruz, Adrian Cristobal, Isagani Yambot, Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil, Jullie Yap Daza, Jun Icban, and Estabillo, among others.
Palace vows to protect press freedom
By Vince Lopez
Tuesday. Press Secretary Trixie CruzPRESS freedom is guaranteed under Angeles issued the statement in the watch of President Ferdinand celebration of National Press Marcos Jr., Malacañang said on Freedom Day. Next page
SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard welcome the USCG Cutter Midgett as it docks at Pier 15 at the Port of Manila on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. The vessel will participate in a Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise with the PCG. Danny Pata