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Farmers: Rice, veggie prices to spike with El Nino; gov’t fixing water supply By Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz
Meanwhile, the government has stepped up efforts to convert the country’s dependence on water supply THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) from underground water to surface has warned of a possible spike in the water, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prices of local vegetables and rice due said Monday. to El Niño. Next page
PH eyes more pacts with US VOL. XXXVII • NO. 69 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
But PBBM to seek review of MDT, VFA, climate change programs
By Vince Lopez
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said his government will seek a review of the treaty agreements signed between the Philippines and its long-time ally, the United States, while seeking more partnerships and enhance current deals on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In an interview with broadcaster and former Social Welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo, the President said he would like to see agreements on climate change. Mr. Marcos said Manila and Washington will discuss commitments to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), a 70-year-old accord between the two allies. “We have to evolve it. It has to evolve,” the President said, noting the changes in the situation in the South China Sea, events in Taiwan and in North Korea. “The situation is heating up a bit,” he said. Mr. Marcos said the MDT and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will be among the topics that he will take up with US President Joe Biden during his official working visit to Washington starting May 1. The Philippines earlier this year identified Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac IsNext page
Acorda takes PNP reins; Serve with integrity, Marcos tells police By Charles Dantes, Joel E. Zurbano, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz
Police (PNP), which has been rocked recently by the people with integrity, with accountability and allegations that officers had been kept a portion genuine justice.” of seized drugs to sell. “Always be open to public scrutiny, and pracIn appointing Acorda, President Ferdinand tice restraint and maximum tolerance in the face POLICE Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday assumed the top post at the Philippine National Marcos Jr. urged the new PNP chief to “serve Next page
PNP’S PAST AND PRESENT. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is flanked by outgoing Philippine National Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (left) and his successor, Major General Benjamin Acorda Jr., as they salute the flag in turnover ceremonies Monday at Camp Crame. Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (left) was among the officials present for the event. PCO Photo
President ‘carefully studying’ school break return to April-May House expects By Vito Barcelo
weather, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday. The President made the statement in an THE government is carefully studyinterview with broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, ing the proposal to move the school “summer” break to March due to hot who asked if the government would bring
back the school vacation to March instead schools are already implementing faceof having it from June to July. to-face classes,” he said. “We are carefully studying that beThe current academic break is schedcause a lot of people are suggesting it uled from July to August, given the since the lockdown is over and most Next page
WIDOW AND SUSPECTS. Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo (in black), wife of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, and two of the four suspects in his assassination enter the Department of Justice compound in Manila on Monday to attend the preliminary investigation for the murder case (see related story on A5). Norman Cruz
ex-cop to attend shabu haul probe
By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs expects former police master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. to attend its congressional inquiry Wednesday on the controversial drug bust involving 990 kilos or P6.7 billion worth of “shabu” last year. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, panel chairman, made the statement as nearly 50 national police officials are involved in the incident, which had been tainted by an alleged cover-up. “Actually, we invited all of them... all those who were involved and suspended by Sec. [Benjamin] Abalos,” Barbers said in an interview. “We invited all of them; all those involved in the issue, including...Sergeant Mayo. Maybe, if sergeant Mayo will be allowed to attend via Zoom, Next page
Gasoline leads pump price rollback at P1.40/liter By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil firms cut pump prices across all products effective 6 a.m. Tuesday with gasoline leading the price cut of P1.40 per liter. The oil firms announced a price cut of P1.40 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for diesel, and P0.20 per liter for kerosene to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.
“Effective 12:01am Apr. 25, 2023, Caltex (Chevron Philippines, Inc.) will decrease fuel prices of Platinum and Silver by P1.40 per liter, diesel by P0.70 per liter and kerosene by P0.20 per liter,” Caltex said in its advisory. The price rollback is within the forecast announced by an oil industry source over the weekend. The source said gasoline prices may be rolled back by P1.35 to P1.55 per liter
and diesel by P0.55 to P0.65 per liter. The Department of Energy confirmed on Friday the possible price cut by Tuesday, based on the four-day monitoring for the international oil market. DOE director for Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said oil prices declined due to “the monetary policy of US of further interest rates that could slow growth and curb oil Next page
DFA: Pinoys’ evacuation from Sudan begins today GOVERNMENT plans to begin its evacuation of more Filipinos from strife-torn Sudan “within 24 hours,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday. Three Filipinos were safely evacuated from the northeast African coun-
try and have already arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said in a television interview. The number of Filipinos requesting repatriation has reached 156 as the armed conflict between the Sudanese military
and a paramilitary group continues, the Foreign Affairs executive added. “Our embassy there said over 500 Filipinos sent them a message. Out of the 500 plus, 156 are ready to go home at any moment,” de Vega said. Next page
IRKSOME ALERT. A cellphone user reads an emergency message from Globe Telecom reminding to register his sim card before the registration deadline of April 26 to avoid its deactivation. Nearly half of all telco subscribers have yet to complete the registration (see story on A3). Manny Palmero