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Speaker: MIF to bring in dev’t
Says wealth fund to help solve ‘perennial headaches’ like high prices By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta
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PEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday underscored the urgency of establishing the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), saying it would help solve many of the country’s headaches like the perennial high cost of electricity and fuel.
"Filipinos cannot wait. We have to bring down the cost of electricity, the cost of power, the cost of oil," he said. "We have to bring in developmental projects, not just infrastructure. We have to bring agricultural projects in, we have to make sure there’s food security. We cannot wait," he added. Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st District representative, spoke to Manila-based re-
porters in Zurich, Switzerland on the tail end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s trip to Davos to attend the 2023 meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), where he introduced the MIF to participants there. "We passed it in the House. With all due respect it’s been already filed in the Senate,” Romualdez said. “For all those senators who may have their contrary
thoughts, just read the bill and deliberate it in the Senate and let’s take it from there," he said. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri asked Senator Mark Villar to call for a hearing on the MIF and said he expects the bill to pass on final reading after the Holy Week. "So, the ball is in his (Villar’s) court Next page
House to prioritize passage of bills for gov’t digitalization By Rio N. Araja SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Sunday said the House of Representatives will prioritize digital transformation bills such as the E-Governance or E-Government Act when it resumes its session today.
“We will expedite the passage of these measures to implement the pronouncements of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Davos, Switzerland on his desire for the country to catch up with other nations in digital evolution,” Romualdez said.
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 341• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 MONDAY, MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
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President lauds Ilonggos’ resiliency and faith By Vince Lopez
resiliency and faith despite the faith amid the challenges that come challenges they have faced. your way." Mr. Marcos said in a PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "I join you in this momentous message Sunday. said this year's Dinagyang Festival occasion as you showcase Ilonggos' "Through your city's foremost is a testament to the Ilonggo peoples' creativity, vibrancy, resiliency and Next page
Lunar NY tragedy: 10 in California dead in shooting MONTEREY PARK—Ten people have died and at least 10 others have been wounded in a mass shooting in a largely Asian city in southern California, police said Sunday, with the suspect still at large hours later. The gunman opened fire at a dance venue in Monterey Park, as the local community were celebrating Lunar New Year, with witnesses saying he shot indiscriminately with a semiautomatic weapon. Captain Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said officers had responded to emergency calls around 10:20pm on Saturday and found people pouring out of the premises. "The officers made entry to the location and located additional victims," he said. "The Monterey Park Fire Department responded to the scene Next page
DINAGYANG FESTIVITIES. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (right, main photo) delivers a short message during the 2023 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival on Sunday at the Freedom Grandstand in Iloilo City, flanked by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas. They witnessed performers in colorful costumes doing their best to claim the grand prize (inset photos). Ver Noveno and Norman Cruz
PBBM: Biz leaders at WEF see PH as ‘VIP Club’ lister By Vince Lopez and Rio N. Araja
World Economic Forum (WEF) considered the Philippines as part of the "VIP Club," a list of Southeast Asian countries PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on with the best-performing economies. The President made this remark in an Saturday said business leaders at the
interview, saying the Philippines' par"Because of our attendance, we've ticipation in the WEF in Davos, Switzer- been now considered a part of their soland served as an excellent platform to called VIP Club,” the President said, showcase the country's strong economic with Indonesia and Vietnam. performance. Next page
PCG steps up WPS patrol to protect fishers By Vince Lopez THE Philippine Coast Guard has increased the number of its patrol vessels in the West Philippine Sea after Chinese vessels drove away a Filipino fishing boat in Ayungin Shoal on Jan. 9. In a statement, the PCG said the increase in patrol vessels would ensure the safety of Filipino fishers. PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the Coast Guard will continue to follow rules-based approaches in ensuring the security of the country's exclusive economic zones. Next page
Flights affected as CAAP fixes power supply AT LEAST 29 flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were affected Sunday morning as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) carried out the maintenance of one of its power equipment that has been identified as a factor in the New Year’s
Day airport mess. The CAAP said 28 departing flights and one arriving from Jakarta scheduled from 4:20 a.m. to 5:23 a.m. on January 22—accounting for some 3,500 passengers —were affected by the maintenance Next page activity.
POLO CLUB CHAMPIONS. The Gray Team led by Andrew Romualdez (center, upper right photo), Nico Espain (2nd left), Gus Aguirre (3rd left) and Martin Espain (4th left) hold the championship cup after winning the 2023 Manila Polo Club Chairman's Cup High Goal six-chukkers game over the White team (5-4) Sunday at the Enrique Zobel Field in Makati City. Andrew is the eldest son of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (3rd right) and Tingog Partylist Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (4th right). The Speaker also shares a light moment with Inigo Zobel (upper left photo) Ver Noveno and Manny Palmero