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(Story on A4) XI JINPING POISED TO ENTER THIRD TERM AS CHINA’S MOST POWERFUL RULER BEIJING—When Xi Jinping took power in 2012, some observers predicted he would be the most liberal Communist Party leader in China's history, based on his low-key profile, family backstory and perhaps a degree of misguided hope. Ten years later, those forecasts lie in tatters, proving only how little was understood of the man who looks set
to become China's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong at a major party congress starting Sunday. Xi is widely expected to secure a third term as party leader at the meeting, upending the succession norms in place since the 1990s. Xi has shown himself to be ruthless in his ambition, intolerant of dissent, with
a desire for control that has infiltrated almost every aspect of life in modern China. He has gone from being primarily known as the husband of a celebrity singer to someone whose apparent charisma and aptitude for political storytelling have created a personality cult not seen since Next page Mao's day.
NEXT TERM SET.
A security official stands guard in front of a picture showing Chinese President Xi Jinping during the exhibition entitled ‘Forging Ahead in the New Era,’ showing the country's achievements during his past two terms, ahead of the 20th Communist Party Congress meeting. Noel Celis/AFP
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 240• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 SATURDAY, SATURDAY OCTOBER 15, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PBBM still hands off De Lima President not interfering with drug case, will let justice run its course
By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he will not intervene in the case of former senator Leila de Lima, who is currently detained on drug trafficking charges.
“I think urging prosecutors to do one thing or another is interfering,” Marcos said in reaction to Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman’s statement that the President could order prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to drop the case
against De Lima. Meanwhile, De Lima called on Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to "make justice work again" in the country following his son's arrest for a drug-related offense (see related story on A1 – Editors). “Like everyone else, whether he is the
son of the Justice Secretary or not, Juanito Jose Remulla is presumed innocent until proven guilty," De Lima said in a statement. "This same cardinal presumption is what should have been upheld for those Next page
‘No basis for socmed calls for Remulla to quit DOJ post’ Marcos: Cabinet said there was no basis for calls made on social media for Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla to resign after the latter’s eldest son was charged with receiving a package of high-grade marijuana or kush worth President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday P1.3 million.
By Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez, Rey E. Requejo, Macon RamosAraneta and Maricel V. Cruz
“You call for somebody to resign if The President said the elder Remulla he’s not doing his job or that they have has stated that he will not intervene in his misbehaved in that job. (Secretary Re- son Juanito Jose Remulla III’s case. mulla) has done quite the contrary,” MarThe Secretary reiterated this on his recos said during the sidelines of the 8th turn to the country last night after leading Annual Balik Scientist Convention. Next page
DOST ordered to boost program, incentives for PH ‘Balik Scientists’ scientists to entice them to return to the country and share their skills and knowledge. The President also encouraged the PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday directed the Department of Science DOST to sustain and augment the short-, and Technology (DOST) to look for ways medium-, and long-term benefits for the Next page to grant additional incentives to Filipino
By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo
HAPPY FOR SCIENTISTS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shows his gladness in being part of the 8th Balik Scientist Program Convention on Friday, noting his dream of seeing Filipino scientists and experts partnering with the government in promoting modern and up-to-date projects and programs. Presidential Photo
Catholic Church Diesel prices seen Act on weak peso, calls PH faithful going up by P2.70 PCCI group pleads back to live Mass
GOV’T URGED TO HANDLE HIGHS, LOWS
OIL companies are set to implement another round of fuel price increases next week, industry observers said. A GMA News Online report, citing an industry source, said that based on oil trading in the past four days, the price per liter of diesel is projected to increase by P2.40 to P2.70, while gasoline prices could rise by P0.60 to P0.90 per liter. Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad earlier cited the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut oil production by 2 million barrels, given the decline in oil prices following interest rate hikes in the United States. The International Energy Agency said the recent decision of the OPEC+ coalition to cut oil production drove Next page
THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants the Marcos administration to act on the peso's further depreciation against the US dollar. "The depreciation of our currency. Definitely... everything that we import, especially on food-related staple items," PCCI president George Barcelon told ANC's "Headstart" when asked what the government should act on. "So, the government should try to mitigate that in a sense that supply should be made available. Those we do not produce enough, the importation should be more open," added the chief of the country’s biggest local business group. The local currency finished the day’s trade at 58.935 after ending
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By Willie Casas THE Catholic Church on Friday urged the faithful to go back to attending inperson Masses every Sunday as the country's COVID-19 situation continues to improve. “We strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, renewed amazement, and increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him, and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love and hope,” CBCP president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David on Friday in a circular addressed to all bishops and Diocesan administrators. David also reminded the public to still strictly follow government health protocols. “Health protocols are still to be Next page
‘UNDAS’ PREPS.
Caretakers at the Karuhatan Cemetery in Valenzuela City spruce up apartment-type tombs while a salesperson shows newly-designed Calla Lilies and Roses flower candles sold for P95 per bundle at Divisoria market as the country prepares for All Souls Day or ‘Undas’ in two weeks. Andrew Rabulan and Danny Pata
still in transition, rightsizing phase
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that he is restrained from appointing new Cabinet secretaries because his administration is still in a "transition" phase, more than 100 days since he took office. Mr. Marcos made the statement in response to a media query as to why he did not appoint Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil as Press Secretary. "Because we are still in transition. We talked about rightsizing all the time. We’re rightsizing everything, everywhere all the time and this is part of that. So that’s the reason," he said. The President, nevertheless, assured he would soon fill up vacant Cabinet posts. On Oct. 6, Mr. Marcos revealed that he is considering at least three personalities to be his next Press Secretary, and prefers a “journalist” or a “media practitioner” to serve as the new OPS chief. Garafil resigned as head of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to accept Mr. Marcos' offer to serve as OPS OIC. Garafil on Monday said she doesn't mind being offered the OIC position, saying she is happy as long as she is enjoying the President’s trust and confidence. A journalist turned lawyer, Garafil said the OPS may see "some changes" in the coming days. Garafil's appointment came following the resignation of former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles due to health reasons. Earlier, lawyer Vic Rodriguez also stepped down as Executive Secretary, Next page