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NBI EXEC BARES TEVES THREAT TO SUE HIM
UNICEF: PUBLIC VIEW OF VAX FOR KIDS WANING
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A3 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 69 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PBBM summons China envoy Over ‘miscommunication, veiled threat’ vs. OFWs in Taiwan
By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday voiced his concern over the recent statement made by the Chinese ambassador to Manila, which was widely regarded as a veiled threat to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan. “We were all a little surprised, but I just put it down to the difference in language,” the PresiPresi dent said about the recent statement by Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, who has been sumsum moned to the Palace to explain himself. Huang remained mum on the backlash at his rere cent pronouncements as he attended Wednesday the International Chinese Language Day celebration at the Jose Abad Santos High School in Binondo, Manila. He did not respond to queries from reporters about his remarks last Friday. At a recent forum, Huang said BeiBei jing “reserves the option of taking all
Senators grill Galvez, DND on new EDCA sites choice
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BUSY IN BULACAN. President
By Charles Dantes, Rey E. Requejo, and Macon Ramos-Araneta
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the groundbreaking of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Project in Heroes Ville in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and later brings the Kadiwa ng Pangulo to the same city on Wednesday. Rey Baniquet/Alfred Frias
SENATORS on Wednesday quizzed Defense officials about the choice of four new military bases that American troops can access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). At a hearing of the Senate committee on foreign relations, panel Next page
Marcos: PH may import rice to boost calamity stocks By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez PR ESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government is looking at the option of importing rice to beef up the country’s supply in the event of natural
calamities, such as typhoons and the El Niño weather phenomenon. Mr. Marcos, however, assured Filipinos that the country has ample supply of the staple grain to keep the prices stable in the market. He also dismissed the possibility of
a repeat of the rice crisis in 2018, following the statement of the Federation of Free Farmers that there could be a deficiency on the staple grain during the lean months like what happened five years ago. Next page
CA upholds ruling vs. manager in $81m Bangladesh Bank scam By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained the decision of the Makati City Regional Trial Court to convict a former bank manager for money laundering over the $81 million stolen by hackers from the Bangladesh Bank in 2016. In a 58-page decision, the CA First Division ruled that all the elements are present in the case of RCBC bank manager Maia Santos-Deguito. Under the Anti-Money Laundering Law, money laundering is committed
through facilitation with the following elements; 1. the offender knows that any monetary instrument or property is the proceeds of any unlawful activity; 2. the offender performed or failed to perform any act leading to the facilitation of the money laundering offense, and 3. the offender transacts said monetary instrument or property. The appellate court reiterated the lower court’s ruling, saying Deguito could not downplay her part, noting that the unauthorized payment was made Next page
Beloved patriot and champion for what’s right President, VP still rate high in OCTA poll MORE than 80 percent of Filipinos trust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, 10 months into their terms in office, based on the OCTA Research Group’s latest Tugon ng Masa survey. Results of OCTA’s independent and nonpartisan poll in March showed most of the country’s adult population trust Mr. Marcos, 65, and Duterte-Carpio, 44, who received 83 percent and 87 percent trust scores respectively. The latest poll was conducted from March 24 to 28, 2023, and Next page
SOLONS’ TOKEN. United States House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (center) receives a token of appreciation from visiting Philippine lawmakers led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (2nd from left). The Speaker was accompanied by PH House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe (2nd from right), Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. (left) of Pampanga’s 3rd District, Navotas City Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco, Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II (right, background), Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” del Gallego Romualdez (center, background), House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” Velasco (not in photo), and House Sergeant-at-Arms PMGEN. Napoleon Taas (not in photo) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on Wednesday (see story on A2). Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
COVID ‘still explosive,’WHO warns; PH cases climb back over 10,000 THE Geneva-based World Health Organization has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is still explosive, saying there could be further trouble before the virus settles into a predictable pattern. In the last 28 days, more than 23,000 deaths and three million new cases were reported to the WHO, in the context of much-reduced testing. According to the Philippine Department of Health, the country’s tally of active COVID-19 cases climbed back
over 10,000 on Tuesday, with 287 new infections reported. The caseload stood at 10,263, the DOH’s COVID-19 Tracker showed. Three years since the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, the Philippines has recorded 4,086,620 cases. The country’s first confirmed infection was recorded on Jan. 30, 2020. Majority or 98 percent have recovered from COVID-19 while 66,443 have suc-
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“I HAVE always been, and will always be, a staunch advocate of promoting and adhering to a rules-based international order. The rule of law underpins the peace, security, Ambassador and stability that we all experience today. It Albert F. del Rosario has also served as a great equalizer in interNovember 14, 1939 – national affairs, giving states an equal voice April 18, 2023 in the global community regardless of their political, economic, or military capabilities.” These are but a few bold words that Amb. Albert del Rosario said in the course of his mission to uphold democratic ideals, freedom, and universal aspirations for co-prosperity and peace founded on the just adherence to the rule of law. He is our hero that challenged China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague which unanimously debunked the legality of its expansionist maritime claims in the South China Sea and confirmed its violations of the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone. ADR did not hesitate to assert our country’s rights as a free and sovereign nation and inspired the deep patriotic spirit of Filipinos to stand up for what is ours and to fight for what is right. We have lost a great statesman whose ambassadorial career earned the highest level of distinction and respect in the global diplomatic community. His characteristically gentlemanly manner fuses with a forceful eloquence that effectively and clearly delivers his messages with authority and credibility. His skill, conduct, and integrity are the ideal qualities that we need from our governing leaders. Let us pay tribute to a true and beloved patriot by continuing his legacy of honor and love for our country and helping shape a better society by collectively becoming a positive force ready to fight for our right to prosper as a nation and as a people. Rest in peace ADR. Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute