twitter.com/ MlaStandard
facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH
S
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net
manilastandard.net
Frozen fish still in wet markets BFAR halts ban on imported fish sale while it reviews regulations
By Alena Mae S. Flores HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday declared a moratorium on its crackdown on imported pink salmon, pompano, and other imported frozen fish products in wet markets effective immediately.
The Department of Agriculture’s BFAR said it took into account the recommendations from fisheries stakeholders and lawmakers who were vocal against its ban. BFAR said it would revisit the regulations and policies governing the importation of fresh, chilled, and frozen fish and aquatic products, particularly the Fisheries Administrative Order No. 195 series of 1999, which authorizes the importation of these products for the
T
Next page
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 290• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PALACE AUDIENCE.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks to the country's newly-appointed ambassadors on Friday, then welcomes officials of Radio Mindanao Network Inc. led by its president Eric Canoy (inset) in a courtesy call at Malacañang. Presidential photos
New envoys asked to do more than diplomacy By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez
called on newly appointed envoys to during a courtesy call of the newly “look for opportunities” for business appointed ambassadors on Thursday and partnerships for the Philippines. in Malacañang, where he discussed Next page PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Mr. Marcos issued the challenge
One group eyed in missing ‘sabungeros’ By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said government investigators see one group could be behind the disappearance of 34 cockfight enthusiasts or “sabungeros” last year. Remulla stopped short of saying a criminal syndicate was behind the missing
cockfight enthusiasts and declined to speculate who might be the mastermind. “That’s not my province. That’s not within the bounds of my job. We do not speculate in my job. We only find out based on evidence,” he said. The Philippine National Police admitted that there is still no credible lead on the whereabouts of the sabungeros.
PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo also said they are looking into the possibility that one group is behind the disappearances. Remulla earlier met with the police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the families of 16 families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts. Next page
44m doses of COVID vax gone Senate to look to waste due to short shelf life into sovereign By Willie Casas THE Department of Health (DOH) said Friday the number of wasted or expired COVID-19 vaccine doses bought by the government and the private sector had increased to 44 million doses, 24 million of which expired due to short shelf life. “Shelf life” is a food industry term, which, in health care, refers to the length of time that a blood product, therapeutic or other product may be stored under appropriate conditions before it must be discarded by law.
Some 3.8 million shots were from "operational wastage" such as temperature excursion, discoloration, and natural disaster, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing. The DOH is also determining how the other 5 percent went to waste. Majority of the wasted vaccines were procured by the private sector and local governments, Vergeire said. Last month, the health agency disclosed that over 31 million COVID-19 Next page
wealth fund bill
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz THE Senate will examine the importance of the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, also known as the Philippine Sovereign Wealth Fund, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Friday, stressing the need for full transparency and efficient use of taxpayers' money should the government push for its creation. Next page
DOJ, PAO align on Dengvaxia cases, assure justice THE Department of Justice (DOJ) and involving an anti-dengue vaccine and December 1, the Justice Department and one of its attached agencies, the Public clearing the air on claims of alleged PAO said the resolution of the pending Attorney’s Office (PAO), have committed conflict of interest. complaints will proceed in accordance to observing the rule of law in a case In a joint statement made last Next page
'SABUNGERO' GAB. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla meets the families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or 'sabungeros' on Friday. During the meeting, Remulla said they have agreed to meet regularly to always inform the families on the investigation of and search for their loved ones. Danny Pata
Speaker says Moody’s growth forecast shows PH right track By Maricel V. Cruz Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Friday said the growth forecast for the Philippines next year by a respected international credit rating and financial research agency proves that the Marcos administration is pursuing the right economic policies. “Moody’s Investors Service’s positive forecast for the Philippines in 2023
‘QUEEN OF KUNDIMAN’ SANDIGAN: PAULATE SYLVIA LA TORRE, 89 GUILTY OF GRAFT RAP
YPO-MVP TALK. MPIC chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan (third from right) shares his insights with the Young Presidents' Organization on contemporary business themes that shape the context and contours of the MVP Group's latest thinking. Pictured from left are David Chua (YPO Gold chair), Enrique Y. Gonzalez (YPO), Liza Yao Bate (YPO), Kristine Romano (YPO), Randy Roxas (YPO Gold), and Patricia Riingen (YPO Gold).
SYLVIA La Torre, a local singing legend known as the “Queen of Kundiman,” passed away on December 1, according to her family. She was 89. Her granddaughter, American actress Next page
THE Sandiganbayan has found actor Roderick Paulate guilty of graft and falsification charges in connection with the hiring of ghost employees during his stint as Quezon City councilor in 2010. Fully story on A3
confirms we are on the right track, and that our economy is in full swing toward recovery, gaining more momentum,” he said. Romualdez was reacting to Moody’s forecast that the Philippines would post the fastest gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the Asia-Pacific region next year with 6.4 percent. In the past, China posted the largest economic expansion in the region. Next page
ANGPING GOES ON LEAVE FROM PMS
Zenaida Angping has asked for some time off as head of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and received the blessing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang Next page said Friday.