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AGRI DEPARTMENT FAILS TO INK ORDER FOR ONIONS SRP
GCASH BREACH PART OF PHISHING SCHEME – NPC
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 99 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Maharlika bill ‘high priority’ PBBM marks it as urgent so Senate can pass it before ‘sine die’
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vince Lopez
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified as urgent the Senate version of the Maharlika Investment Fund Bill to ensure its passage before Congress adjourns sine die next week. In his letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri dated May 22, Mr. Marcos tagged as high-priority Senate Bill 2020 or the proposed MIF bill. “We will pass it next week,” Zubiri said in a text message. Certifying the bill as urgent will allow the Senate to forgo the three-day rule as mandated by the 1987 Constitution between the proposed measure’s second and third reading. Over the past few days, there have been daily session deliberations on the proposed MIF in the Senate. The House of Representatives earlier passed its own version of the bill, which the President also certified as urgent. The President cited in his letter “the downgrade of the global growth projection this year on account of debilitating inflation, fluctuating and unstable prices of crude oil and other fuels due to the protracted conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and continuing interest rate hikes in the international financial sector.” “There is a compelling need for a sustainable national investment fund as a new growth catalyst to accelerate the
‘Mawar’ lashes Guam, on track to PAR MEAN STORM. This satellite By Charles Dantes, Vince Lopez, image obtained from the National Joel E. Zurbano and Rio N. Araja Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon DISASTER officials on Wednesday Mawar as it approached Guam on May warned the public to brace for Ty23. Mawar is bearing down on the Pacific island packing ferocious winds phoon “Mawar” as it may enter the Philippine areas of responsibility on (inset) -- and will be in the Philippine Friday evening or Saturday morning. Area of Responsibility by Friday, the As of Wednesday Morning, “Mastate weather bureau said. AFP
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China deploys 3 beacons around Spratlys; PH, Japan crafting treaty By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
Spratly Islands in the South China Sea after the Philippines earlier placed similar markers. According to China’s Transport CHINA has ordered the deployment of three navigation beacons around the Ministry, its South China Sea mari-
time security center positioned three The agency said the beacon placebeacons close to Irving Reef (Balag- ment aimed to “ensure the safety of tas Reef), Whitsun Reef (Julian Fe- ships’ navigation and operations.” lipe Reef), and Gaven Reefs (Burgos The Philippines earlier this month Reefs) of the Spratlys. Next page
Teves denies hand in 4 suspects recanting testimonies on killing By Maricel V. Cruz SUSPENDED Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Wednesday denied any involvement in the recent recantation of testimonies of suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. Teves, who is the suspected mastermind of the Degamo assassination, said in a radio interview: “Again... I don’t have [any involvement in such]. I didn’t [do] anything [wrong]. Anything legal, just refer to my lawyer, please.”
The lawmaker maintained his innocence, adding: “How can I be involved in that when I am far? I’m not updated with the news. Let’s stick with the truth.” Teves was responding to Osmundo Rivero’s recantation of testimony and denied knowledge of the governor’s assassination. Rivero was one of the suspects in the killing. He also denied knowing Teves and the solon’s former bodyguard Marvin Miranda, another alleged mastermind. Next page
ISLAND GEOPARK. This photo posted by the Provincial Government of Bohol on its Facebook page shows the island province’s unique attractions after it was named as the country’s first UNESCO Global Geopark. Bohol FB Page
UN cultural body tags Bohol Island country’s first-ever Global Geopark THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized Bohol as the Philippines’ first Global Geopark, the agency said on Wednesday. According to UNESCO, Global Geoparks are “single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic
concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.” The island province thus joins 195 UNESCO-recognized geoparks in 48 countries. “Two UNESCO Member States join the network: New Zealand and the Philippines,” UNESCO said in a statement shared by one of the agency’s Next page
war” was spotted 2,305 kilometers east of the Visayas with maximum sustained winds of 175 km per hour and gustiness of up to 215 km/h. The eye of Typhoon Mawar passed just north of Guam late Wednesday, but the eyewall – the strongest part of the storm – Next page
5 Pinoy sailors confirmed dead in Indian Ocean FIVE Filipino crew members who went missing after their Chinese vessel sank in the Indian Ocean have been found dead after a week of search and rescue operations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday. Ma. Teresita Daza, DFA spokesperson, said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on the repatriation of the victims and the benefits due to their families. She added there were also other nationalities whose remains were recovered. On May 17, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian reported that the Chinese fishing vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 (LPY28) capsized in the Indian Ocean. A total of 39 people, including 17 Chinese and five Filipinos, were part of its crew. Citing information it received from the Chinese government, the DFA said an Indian maritime patrol located the capsized fishing vessel about 1,000 kilometers south of Sri Lanka on May 18. No survivors were found. The governments of Australia, China, India, and Sri Lanka, among others, deployed a total of 12 vessels and six aircraft to conduct search and rescue operations, which were eventually hindered by bad weather, the DFA said. On May 23, efforts were shifted to search and recovery given the length of time from the capsizing of the vessel. Next page
‘Bikoy’ guilty of perjury, faces up to 3 years in jail BEAUTY QUEENS IN THE HOUSE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez welcomes to the House of Representatives newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, Miss Supranational 2023 Pauline Amelinckx, Miss Charm Philippines Krishnah Gravidez, Miss Universe Philippines 1st Runner Up Christine Juliane Opiaza, and Miss Universe Philippines 2nd Runner Up Angelique Manto during their courtesy call on Wednesday. Ver Noveno
A MANILA court has found whistleblower Peter Joemel Advincula, who goes by the alias “Bikoy,” guilty of perjury in connection with claims he made against three lawyers in 2019. The Manila Metropolitan Trial Court
Branch 17 sentenced Advincula to an indeterminate penalty of three months and one day to one year and one day of imprisonment. The case stemmed from the complaint of Jose Manuel Diokno, Theo-
dore Te, and Lorenzo Tañada III in connection with a sworn statement Bikoy submitted on July 18, 2019 before prosecutors alleging that the three civil rights lawyers were part of a Next page