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In this special 16-page feature, we recognize the zeal and talents of over 100 legislators from every region of the country. SECTION C
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 102 • 3 SECTIONS 28 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MAY 29, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
‘Betty’ slows, NCR on ‘Bravo’
Luzon feels ‘habagat’ winds; Metro Manila at moderate risk for flooding By Rio N. Araja and Charles Dantes
YPHOON “Betty” has slightly weakened and was moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, even as Metro Manila was on “Bravo alert” for the storm’s possible effects and 12 provinces remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Sunday.
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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also revealed yesterday that over 400 barangays in the National Capital Region are at risk of floods due to the expected combined effects of Betty (international name: Mawar) and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.” The center of the typhoon, the country’s second this year, was estimated at 630 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan as of 5 p.m. Sunday. Next page
STORM WATCH. An officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Cagayan monitors the weather, sea conditions, and flood warning system in flooded areas in his part of Northern Luzon to ensure the quick and safe evacuation of residents affected by Typhoon Betty (inset), while in Batanes, Ivana Police personnel help residents reinforce the roof of their homes ahead of the storm grazing the province by Monday. AFP, PCG photos
1k flee Lanao town with terrorist threat By Charles Dantes
FLEEING LANAO. This screen grab from an ABS-CBN TV report on Sunday shows
OVER a thousand residents of Marogong, Lanao del Sur were forced to flee their homes over the weekend after threats of an attack from the Daulah Islamiyah following the apprehension of its members last week. In a statement, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. on Sunday confirmed the reports of the swift evacuation of 1,236 individuals (206 families) from Marogong to nearby towns to avoid being in the middle of the possible crossfire. Adiong said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
and the local government of Marogong are contacting the villagers who have fled to different municipalities. “The provincial government, the police, and the military are in control. We don’t want the displacement of our constituents in Marogong just like that. Our security authorities are on top of the situation,” Adiong said. The Armed Forces of the Philippines - Western Mindanao Command reported on May 27 that four alleged members of the militant group Daulah Islamiyah were arrested. WesMinCom Public Information Chief Maj. Andrew Linao identified the
four members as Abu Rasas, 18, a leader under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian, the amir (ruler) of DI-Philippines; "Saidi", 18, brother of DI-Lanao sub-leader Abu Sham; and two minors aged 16 and 14. Linao said that Rasas is one of the key leaders under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian alias Abu Zacariah, the Amir of DI-Philippines, while "Saidi" is the brother of DI-Lanao sub-leader known as Abu Sham. Daulah Islamiyah has members who originally belonged to the Maute terror group that led the Marawi Siege in 2017. As of 2022, police and military units
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some of the 1,236 persons from Marogong, Lanao del Sur evacuating the town to avoid being in the middle of the possible crossfire with government troops and forces of the Daulah Islamiyah, who threatened reprisal for the capture of some of their members.
Arroyo rejects rumor linking First Lady to House coup
2 more priority bills set for approval this week, 33 out of 42 from LEDAC
By Rio N. Araja
By Rio N. Araja THE House of Representatives is scheduled to approve on third and final reading this week two more bills tagged as priority measures by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). “We are doing our part in supporting the President’s socio-economic development agenda by passing these urgent proposed pieces of legislation that would sustain our economic growth and create
more job and income opportunities for our people,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Sunday. “We are inching toward accomplishing our goal of approving all of these priorities measures, thanks to the hard and tireless work of our colleagues,” he added. The two bills set to be passed on final reading are the proposed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act and the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act. Next page
Solons to hasten Senate Maharlika bill ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Sunday said Congress is studying the Senate’s version of the Maharlika Investment Fund, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier certified as urgent in a bid to hasten its passage as Congress adjourns sine die this week. "We are talking to stakeholders and experts to see whether we need a bicam or if the Senate version is ac-
ceptable as it stands," Salceda said. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday expressed hope that the House of Representatives will adopt the Senate version of the MIF bill, which he said would include more safeguards to avoid possible misuse. While the House passed its version late last year, the Senate aims to approve its version this week. Next page
FORMER President and Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took exception to rumors dragging First Lady Liza Marcos-Araneta into a reported coup attempt at the House of Representatives. In a statement posted on her Face-
book page Sunday, Arroyo sought to put an end to what she described as "pathetic rumors" and urged everyone to move on. “A report is going around that I was ‘duped’ by a congresswoman into thinking that the alleged House coup had the blessings of the First Lady. I am truly sorry that she should even be dragged
into this political fantasy of a House coup – it is disrespectful to her and to her intelligence,” Arroyo said. “Whoever is spreading these pathetic rumors are the ones duping the Filipino people, and they should now move on to the serious business of making positive contributions to national progress," she Next page added.
Speaker praises Pier 88 opening in Cebu’s Liloan SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez applauded the launch of Pier 88 in Liloan, Cebu, saying the enhanced mobility in the region will generate new business opportunities, bolster economic growth and create jobs for the people. Romualdez was among the top government officials who accompanied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the launch. “The significance of this project cannot be overstated, as it will create countless opportunities for businesses, create job opportunities, and contribute to the
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FLAG DAY RITE. Senator Francis N. Tolentino (third from right) joins Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula, and Cavite 3rd District Rep. Adrian "Jay" Advincula at the Inang laya monument during the commemoration of the National Flag Day and the 125th Anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence in Alapan, Imus on Sunday. Norman Cruz