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Medal standings (As of 9:30 p.m. May 14) Country G S B Vietnam 103 87 93 Thailand 90 65 87 Indonesia 66 60 79 Cambodia 65 59 100 Philippines 46 73 82 Singapore 42 36 55 Malaysia 28 41 78 Myanmar 19 18 56 Laos 6 20 50 Brunei 2 1 6 Timor Leste 0 0 8
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VOL. XXXVII • NO. 88 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PH marks 5 WPS territories
PCG: Sovereign markers at critical areas show resolve to protect waters By Charles Dantes
F
IVE navigational buoys or sovereign markers have been successfully installed in “critical areas” of the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard said Sunday.
The buoys, installed near Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Juan Felipe Reef carry the Philippine flag and signify the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the country's exclusive economic zone, the PCG said. The move also highlights the country's unwavering resolve to protect its
maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade, the PCG added. The PCG's Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan led by Vice Admiral Joseph Coyme led the placing of buoys. Meanwhile, PCG said that they are currently monitoring several alleged Next page
GOV'T WORKERS' MIDYEAR BONUS RELEASED TODAY ASEAN’S NAVIES. Marine Brig. Gen. Edwin Amadar (inset), Fleet Marine Ready Force Commander of the Philippine Navy, delivers his opening address as the country hosts navies from across Southeast Asia—symbolized by their commanders linking arms—for the second ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) that runs until May 16 at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales. PN Photo
NEWS / A2
Gov’t assures aid to OFWs hit by Kuwait visa ban Task force given By Vince Lopez
THE government has assured assistance to the overseas Filip i n o
workers (OFWs) affected by the Kuwaiti government’s suspension of work visas, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday. DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes said the affected OFWs would be
included in the National Reintegration Program of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), among other forms of assistance. Reports said the government of Kuwait has suspended the issuance of new entry visas for Filipinos into
the Gulf state. Cortes said the department received an official note from Kuwait suspending new visas on Saturday. “We were told that it is only for those who are new – meaning if you Next page
Adviser: UK bus branding meant to honor, uplift Pinoys Soriano also clarified the new tag tagline is different and will not replace the country’s long-time tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.” “At its core, the project intends to let the whole world know how good, com compassionate, and competent Filipinos
THE country’s latest campaign branding – “We Give the World Our Best” – aimed to “honor and uplift the spirit” of overseas Filipino workers, Presidential Adviser on Creative Communication Secretary Paul Soriano said over the weekend.
QUEEN AGAIN.
Newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee waves to the crowd following the coronation night at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday. This is her second pageant tiara after her Miss World PH triumph last year. Teddy Pelaez
are. Filipinos bring their ‘best’ through daily actions that touch lives all over the world,” he said. Senator Nancy Binay earlier said she was baffled by the transit ad in London extolling the crucial role of Filipino Next page
1 year to review sr. high program THE Department of Education has created a national task force to review the implementation of the senior high school program for one year to identify ways to improve the job prospects of SHS graduates. Based on its own tracer study, DepEd found out that only one out of ten SHS graduates were employed while around eight out of ten went to college. A study by the Philippine Business for Education also showed that out of the 70 leading companies across all sectors in Next page
Ragos facing perjury case Hospitals, biz brace for COVID-19 upsurge for false testimony—DOJ By Rey E. Requejo FORMER National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director Rafael M. Ragos may face prosecution for perjury for execut-
Departing false testimonies, a Depart Sunment of Justice official said Sun day. Prosecutor General Benedicto reMalcontento said that Ragos’ re cantation of his earlier testimony Next page
THE country logged over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases for the third straight day on Sunday as government hospitals braced for an uptick of cases owing to the local transmission of the Arcturus variant. In-person classes at a school in Cabatuan, Isabela province are also suspended this week after over a dozen teachers and students tested posi-
tive for COVID, as experts warned the public to be extra cautious with infections continuing to rise. With the threat of an Arcturus-fueled surge looming, some businesses have proactively resumed a mask mandate, with popular grocery chain Puregold starting to bar customers from shopping at Next page
Michelle Dee claims Miss Universe PH tiara on second try By Eton Concepcion ACTRESS Michelle Marquez Dee was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023, achieving her dream on her second attempt at the title over the weekend. The coronation took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, where the 28-year-old emerged Next page victorious.
‘PAHIYAS’ HOUSE. Tourists take photos of a fully-decorated house in Lucban, Quezon on Sunday for the Pahiyas Festival, in which houses are adorned with fresh fruits and vegetables, other agricultural products, handicrafts, and multicolored ‘kiping’ (leaf-shaped wafers made of rice). Joey O. Razon