Issuu

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

instagram.com/ manilastandard

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 85646229

Farmers: Rice, veggie prices to spike with El Nino; gov’t fixing water supply

4 MISSING AS DIVE BOAT SINKS OFF REEF

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. VOL. XXXVII • NO. 69 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, APRILNEWS 25, 2023/•A2 www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com to El Niño. VOL. XXXVII • NO. 74 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com Next page

PH eyes more pacts with US US rips ‘unsafe’ China ships But PBBM to seek review of MDT, VFA, climate change programs

Ramps up rhetoric after WPS near-crash ahead of PBBM Washington trip By Vince Lopez

RESIDENT Ferdinand By Macon Ramos-Araneta Marcos Jr. on Monday said and Rio N. Araja will seek a his government review of the treaty agreements HE United States signed between the Philippines called onally, China and its long-time the United States, while Saturday toseeking stop more partnerships and enhance "provocative and unsafe current deals on climate change conduct" disputed mitigation in andthe adaptation.

WEEKEND FUN. Children blow bubbles and romp during a fun Sports Day in Malacañang to the amusement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center, inset) and other guests. The event was offered by First Lady Liza-Araneta Marcos and hosted by Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming and boxing legend and ex-senator Manny Pacquiao (left and right, inset), with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian (beside Yao) also present. PCO Photos

South China Sea after a In an interview with broadcaster recent near-collision with and a former Social Welfare secretary Erwin Philippine Coast boat Tulfo, the President saidGuard he would like to see agreements climate change. there, rampingonup rhetoric Mr. Marcos said Manila and Washahead of a visit by President ington will discuss commitments to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (MDT), to the a the Mutual Defense Treaty 70-year-old accord between the two alWhite House.

lies. “We have to evolve it. It has to State theDepartment evolve,” President said, spokesman noting the Matthew a statement twoSouth days changes Miller, in the in situation in the before JoeinBiden is toandhost China President Sea, events Taiwan in President Marcos, the incident was North Korea. “Thesaid situation is heating aupreminder China's "harassment and a bit,” heofsaid. intimidation" of vessels in the Mr. Marcos Philippine said the MDT and the contested waterway. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will "We call upon Beijing to desist from be among the topics that he will take its provocative and unsafe conduct," he up with US President Joe Biden during said, adding that any attack on Philippine his official visit to Washington armed forcesworking would trigger a US response starting May 1. (see related story on A1 -- Editors). The earlier to thisbolster year BidenPhilippines has been working identified Camilo Osias Naval Base in relations with Asian allies as theUSSanta Ana,relationship Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in in Chinese remains Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela a historically deep chill, and the Cruz in Gamu, Isabela;toand IsPhilippines' proximity keyBalabac sea lanes Next page and Taiwan gives it particular strategic importance. The near-miss Sunday off the Spratly

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 studying the proposal to move the school interview with broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, “summer” break to March due to hot who asked if the government would bring

ex-cop to attend ‘Meet with Biden to advance PH interests’ shabu haul probe back the school vacation to March instead of having it from June to July. “We are carefully studying that because a lot of people are suggesting it since the lockdown is over and most PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left Manila on Sunday for an official visit to the United States as he seeks to bolster ties with Washington amid growing tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea. The President’s visit comes as the United States had called on Beijing to stop "provocative and unsafe conduct" in the disputed waterway after a recent near-collision with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. Ahead of Mr. Marcos's visit, US

schools are already implementing faceto-face classes,” he said. The current academic break is scheduled from July to August, given the

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller slammed China over the near collision of one of its coast guard ships with a Philippine patrol boat a week ago, saying it was a reminder of Beijing's "harassment and intimidation" in the contested waterway. "We call upon Beijing to desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct," Miller said in a statement, adding that any attack on Philippine armed forces would trigger a US response. Mr. Marcos begins his four-day trip

with meetingV.with By aMaricel CruzUS President Joe Biden on Monday at the White House, which Philippine leader described THE the House of Representatives Comas "essential to advancing our national mittee on Dangerous Drugs expects interest and strengthening that very former police master sergeant Rodolfo important alliance." Mayo Jr. to attend its congressional in"We will reaffirm our commitment to quiry Wednesday on thealliance controversial fostering our longstanding as an drug bust involving 990 or P6.7 instrument of peace and as kilos a catalyst of billion worth last year. development in of the“shabu” Asia Pacific region," Surigaosaid del in Norte Rep. Robert Ace Mr. Marcos a departure statement. Barbers, panel chairman, made the His plane took off at around 1:43 p.m. statement as nearly 50 national police Next page 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 the issue, including...SerExecutive in Secretary Lucas Bersamin Maybe, ongeant AprilMayo. 30, 2023, alsoif sergeant reinforcesMayo and will bethe allowed to of attend via Zoom, protects freedom association and right to organize of workers. Next page Ahead of the observance of Labor Day today, President Marcos told Filipino workers on Sunday not to lose courage, diligence, and hope despite the challenges in life.

El Niño water Ahead of Labor Day, President depletion to hit inks EO to speed up labor cases Mindanao most By Charles Dantes and

STATES-BOUND. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, along with the administration’s economic team and business leaders, wave as they depart from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday en route to the Macon Ramos-Araneta RioGovernor N. Araja United States. WIDOW AND SUSPECTS. Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo (in black), wife of slain NegrosBy Oriental 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

“Effective 12:01am Apr. 25, 2023, Caltex (Chevron Philippines, Inc.) will decrease fuel prices Platinum and Christopher "Bong" Goofsaid he supports Silver by P1.40 per liter, diesel by P0.70 the idea of adopting modular learning if per liter and kerosene by P0.20 per litnecessary, amid extremely hot weather er,” power Caltex outages said in its and in advisory. some parts of the The price rollback is within the country. forecast announced by an oil The government must alsoindustry move source in over the weekend. quickly reverting to the pre-COVID-19 The source saidcalendar gasolinetoprices may pandemic school safeguard be rolled back byand P1.35teachers to P1.55 per liter both children against potential heat stress during the summer

MINDANAO could be the hardest hit by the looming El Niño episode due to high water loss in the region, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services and diesel by P0.55 to P0.65 per liter. Administration on Saturday. The EnergyMonitoring confirmed AnaDepartment Liza Solis, of Climate on Friday the possible bybased Tuesand Prediction Sectionprice chief,cut said day, based on the four-day monitoring on historical data, Mindanao is losing for the oil market.amid dry over 35international percent of rainwater DOE director Industry spells and droughtfor dueOil to El Niño. Management Bureau Rodela Romero said The phenomenon is forecast to persist oil prices until 2024.declined due to “the monetary policy of on USstudies, of further interest rates “Based around 12 percent thatlost could slowLuzon growth is in the areaandso curb that oil is depending on the timing. Around 21 Next page percent (is lost) in the Visayas area. The

GOVERNMENT plans to begin its try and have already arrived in Jeddah, evacuation of more Filipinos from Saudi Arabia, DFA Undersecretary military and a Sudan “within Eduardothe JoseSudanese de Vega said in a televiBystrife-torn Rey E. Requejo and24 hours,” between group. the Department of Foreign Affairs paramilitary sion interview. Macon Ramos-Araneta DFA Assistant Secretaryrequesting Paul Cortes (DFA) said Monday. The number of Filipinos rethehas Filipinos stay THEThree Department of Foreign Affairsevacusaid stressed Filipinos were safely patriation reachedwho 156 opted as thetoarmed Sudan did so because of their families Sunday less than Filipinos decided to inconflict ated from the 100 northeast African counbetween the Sudanese military stay in Sudan despite the ongoing clashes and other work commitments.

and a paramilitary group continues, the Foreign Affairs executive added. Nonetheless, DFA official gave “Our embassythe there said over 500 assurances thethem Philippine government Filipinos sent a message. Out of would should they decide the 500assist plus,them 156 are ready to go hometo be repatriated. at any moment,” de Vega said. “Our honorary consulate is still Nextthere. page

Lawmakers renew callprice to shield Gasoline leads pump rollback at P1.40/liter students from school heat stress By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE country’s oil firms cut pump pricBy Macon Ramos-Araneta es across all products effective 6 a.m. and Riowith N. gasoline Araja leading the price Tuesday cut of P1.40 per liter. LAWMAKERS on Sunday renewed Thecall oilfor firms cut their the announced government atoprice change of P1.40 literorforadopt gasoline, per the schoolper days moreP0.70 distance learning methodsandtoP0.20 keep per school-age liter for diesel, liter for children being the exposed to heat kerosene from to reflect movement of stress, with looming dry El pricesespecially in the world oilthe market. Nino weather phenomenon. For the safety of students, Sen.

DFA: Pinoys’ evacuation from Sudanforbegins Under 100 Pinoys opt to stay in Sudan family,today work

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved an executive order creating an inter-agency committee to strengthen the coordination and facilitate the resolution of labor cases. Executive Order No. 23, signed by

MISS EARTH QUEENS. The winners of the Miss Earth Philippines 2023 pageant wave to the crowd after gaining their crowns Saturday night in Toledo City, Cebu. They are (from left) Miss Philippines Fire Sha’uri Livori of Melbourne, Australia; Miss Philippines Air Kerri Reilly of Mangatarem, Pangasinan; Miss Philippines Earth IRKSOME ALERT. A cellphone user reads an emergency message from Globe Telecom and top winner Yllana Marie Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna; Miss Philippines Water, reminding to register his sim card before the registration deadline of April 26 to avoid Jemimah Joy Zabala of Puerto Princesa; and Miss Philippines Eco Tourism Athena its deactivation. Nearly half of all telco subscribers have yet to complete the registration (see Auxillo of Toledo, Cebu. story on A3). Manny Palmero