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Galvez named Defense chief
Succeeds Faustino who quits post following leadership change in AFP By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta
dent has accepted the resignation of DND OIC Sr. Usec. Jose Faustino Jr.,” RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday named Carlito the brief statement from the PCO said. It added that Galvez, who was also Galvez Jr. as the new Defense Secretary to replace Senior vaccine czar and chief implementer of the Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., who had resigned. National Task Force against COVID-19 during the height of the coronavirus panGalvez, the Presidential Adviser for rigo Duterte, was tapped to replace demic, had accepted the position. The Department of National Defense Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity who Faustino, the Presidential Communica(DND) welcomed Galvez’s appointment served as Armed Forces of the Philip- tion Office (PCO) said. pines (AFP) chief under President Rod“It is with deep regret that the PresiNext page
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NEXT DND CHIEF. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shakes hands with Carlito Galvez Jr. after the latter accepted the Chief Executive’s offer to become the new Defense Secretary vice Jose Faustino on Monday. PCO Photo
600 top cops file courtesy resignations
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 330 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
500,000 devotees join Feast of Black Nazarene
By Joel E. Zurbano SOME 600 ranking police officials out of nearly 1,000 have submitted their courtesy resignations, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said on Monday. In a press briefing, Azurin said more officials are signifying their commitment to heed the appeal of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. to rid the police force of misfits and those with links to illegal drugs. He added that their commander-inchief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has also expressed his full support for this initiative. Meanwhile, Azurin said Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. would head the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), trading Next page
ARDENT DEVOTION. A throng of devotees stand along Quezon Avenue in Quiapo, Manila to attend Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in celebration of the feast of the miraculous image on Monday. At the Quirino Grandstand, many devotees crowd the image with towels and handkerchiefs (inset), hoping that by touching the Nazarene all their requests and prayers will be heard. Danny Pata and Joey O. Razon By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas
Police said. As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the police said there were over 400,000 devotees MORE than half a million devotees in Quiapo Church, while more than participated in the Feast of the Black 122,000 remain gathered in Quirino Nazarene yesterday, the Quiapo com- Grandstand where the miraculous mand center of the Philippine National Next page
Gov’t to explore PBBM bullish on mass transport as subway plan moves up oil, gas in other parts of country By Vince Lopez and Darwin G. Amojelar
By Alena Mae S. Flores and Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Energy said it will proceed with oil and gas development in other areas of the country with an eye on foreign and domestic investors as it
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BRAZIL RETAKES CONGRESS FROM MASSIVE RIOTERS
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country’s public transportation system is in for “better days ahead” as he led the launching of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) of the P488.5 billion Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Valenzuela City on Monday. Mr. Marcos said the event was a “testament to the administration’s commitment to continue the projects initiated
Airport fiasco probe on, NAIA privatization eyed By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano SENATOR Grace Poe on Monday called for the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), saying it is high time for the government to tap the private sector to modernize Next page
by the previous administration... (and) build better and more infrastructure.” “We will continue to invest and improve on our transportation systems as well as pursue more projects in the years to come so that Filipinos can gain greater access to places of work, commerce, recreation and other vital areas,” he said. “Having an effective and efficient transportation Next page
WORLD / B2
DIESEL LEADS OIL PRICE ROLLBACK AT P2.80/LITER NEWS / A2
SUBWAY START. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. peers down at the gigantic tunnel boring machine (inset) made in Japan as he led officials in the launch of the Metro Manila Subway Project in Valenzuela City on Monday. With him were Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and Deputy Chief of Mission Kenichi Matsuda of the Embassy of Japan. Japanese Embassy photo