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President declares Feb. 24 a holiday; 6 in 10 say EDSA spirit is alive—SWS VOL. XXXVI • NO. 14 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared February 24 as a special non-working day in observance of the EDSA People Power anniversary, moving its celebration from a Saturday to today (Friday) to support the government’s holiday economics thrust.

This developed as about 6 in 10 Filipinos believe the spirit of the EDSA Revolution is alive, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Thursday. The Office of the Executive Secretary Next page

PH divorce bills gain ground House panel merges measures to include church annulment

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE panel on Thursday moved to consolidate bills instituting divorce in the Philippines, the only country in the world where it is not legal.

The House committee on population and family relations on Thursday approved in principle House Bills (HBs) 78, 2593, 3843, 3885, 4957, 4998, along with HBs 1021 and 1593, setting the stage for the consolidated measure’s endorsement for plenary discussions. Former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, one of the advocates of divorce, said that instituting divorce in the country will allow the husband and the wife to “correct” their errors. He said allowing for the dissolution of a “toxic” marriage, through divorce, would be “best way forward.” “Marriage is beautiful. But only for those who get it right. And for those who do get it right, congratulations! (The) reality, however, shows us a different picture for most people. Many get marriage wrong,” Alvarez said as he sponsored his bill instituting absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage. Alvarez said the state should not “forcibly chain together those who should be allowed to distance and part ways in peace.” “For this situation, a toxic marriage, like an exploding star pulled back and collapsing unto itself, becomes a blackhole where nothing, not even the light, hope and love, can survive or escape,” Alvarez added, saying many marriages are mistakes. HB 1021 recognizes church annulment or church dissolution of marriage and HB 1593 recognizes the civil effects of church annulment, church declaration of nullity, and church dissolution of marriage. The committee designated one of the bill’s authors, Albay Rep. Edcel Next page

TOAST TO THE EMPEROR. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, and Deputy Speaker Vincent “Duke” Frasco raise their wine glasses in a toast during the National Day Reception celebrating the 63rd birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito hosted by the Japanese Embassy at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-la The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Wednesday night. Ver Noveno

Coast Guard seeks US, Japan aid on laser use amid sea harassment

THE Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday said it is reaching out to the United States and Japan to come up with procedures for dealing with harassment on its ships using laser technology while

admitting it had no immediate capability of deploying lasers to aid its patrol of the country’s seas. The PCG is including the use of laser technology in its rules of use of

force, but still needs the approval of the In a Laging Handa briefing on Thursday, National Task Force on the West Phil- Tarriela also said they had no plans of using ippine Sea, Coast Guard spokesman laser technology “as part of our weaponry Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a tel- for Philippine Coast Guard vessels.” evision interview. Next page

Rescuers confirm 4 in Cessna plane crash on Mayon dead, retrieval set By Joel E. Zurbano

the weekend, officials said Thursday. The victims, including two AustralRESCUERS have confirmed four peo- ians, were on board the plane that went ple died after the Cessna 340 plane they missing Saturday morning shortly after were in crashed on Mayon volcano at taking off for Manila from Bicol International Airport in Albay province, several CRASH CASUALTIES. Energy kilometers from the Mayon volcano. Development Corp. released this image on Carlos Baldo, mayor of Camalig muThursday identifying the four persons who nicipality, which overlaps the crash site, died in the crash of a Cessna plane owned said a search and rescue team reached by the company near the crater of Mayon Volcano in Albay last weekend. EDC Photo

Investment body to present P15t in projects to PBBM next month Senate names By Vince Lopez and Rey E. Requejo this week to finalize a list of some P15

This was as the President on Thurs- in the country. trillion worth of projects that will be day said he believes it is “only a matter According to National Economic THE government’s Investment Coordi- presented to President Ferdinand Mar- of time” before ordinary Filipinos start and Development Authority (NEDA) feeling the effects of economic growth nation Committee (ICC) is set to meet cos Jr. next month. Next page

Makati court League of Municipalities vows to back dev’t agenda junks libel rap vs. MS execs THE Makati Regional Trial Court on Thursday dismissed libel charges against former and present officers of Manila Standard filed by Enrique Locsin, former Philcomsat director, over a column written by Victor Agustin that appeared in the newspaper’s December 17, 2007 edition. In a 44-page decision, Makati RTC Branch 60 Presiding Judge Cesar L. Aganon said the prosecution’s witnesses

LMP SUPPORT. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joins officials of the League of Municipality of Philippines (LMP) led by its National President Joseph Sto. Nino Bernos (seated third from left) and President Emeritus Luis Chavit Singson (left) during its national assembly at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday. Joseph Muego

oversight panel for RCEP treaty

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

THE League of Municipalities of the Philippines expressed its unwavering support for the development agenda of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., detailed in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, following the presentation of the LMP National 2023 General Assembly Declaration at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday. LMP National President Mayor Joseph Santo Niño “JB” Bernos of La Paz, Abra presented the declaration to Mr. Marcos, who graced this year’s league assembly with the theme, “Strengthening Municipal Capabilities Around Autonomy and Fostering Resiliency.”

THE Senate has named the members of the oversight committee who will watch the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s biggest free trade agreement ratified by senators Monday. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda will lead the RCEP oversight committee with Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Mark Villar, Sonny Angara, Sherwin Gatchalian, Jinggoy Estrada, and Alan