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SC ASKED: ORDER WATER FIRMS TO START REFUND
DOJ DIRECTS NBI TO PROBE MURDER OF BROADCASTER
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 107 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
MIF structure up for review
PBBM says sovereign fund design must support critical infra projects By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta
T
HE Palace will now look at the structure of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill passed by Congress on Wednesday before it is signed into law to ensure that "necessary infrastructure" projects, including energy development goals, would be funded by proceeds of the fund. “It’s so that we, the Philippines, can we are investing in (through the MIF),” participate in what would be, what is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said regarded, of course, as an investment Thursday. for us. It is necessary infrastructure that “So, that is the plan for the sovereign
fund. We now have to go and look at the design or the structuring of the fund. But it is basically seen as our government participation in projects that, mostly, it will really be in the Philippines,” he added. This developed as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) expressed interest in investing in the Maharlika Fund as it seeks partnerships with Philippine companies for energy development. JBIC Chairman of the Board Tadashi Maeda expressed this during a courtesy call on President Marcos in Malacañang on Wednesday. Next page
Congress leaders hail accomplishments By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V Cruz
In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also renewed his call for unity as he lauded House lawmakers for their work. AS Congress went on recess Thursday, "Remain united, determined, and lawmakers in both chambers pointed to passionate. Be the voice of the people their legislative accomplishments. and fulfill your duties as servant leaders
in your respective districts and provinces," the President said. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri branded the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress a success, citing “quality” measures that were approved while Next page
INVESTMENT PARTNER. Japan Bank International Corporation (JBIC) chairman Tadashi Maeda congratulates President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the passage of the Maharlika sovereign fund during a courtesy call at the Palace on Wednesday.
BROTHERS-IN-ARMS. Japanese coast guard Captain Toru Imai (left), commanding officer of Japanese ship Akitsushima; Philippine coast guard Captain Antonio Sontillanosa (center), commanding officer of Philippine ship Melchora Aquino, and Captain Brian Krautler (right), commanding officer of US coast guard ship Stratton, link arms during the arrival ceremony at the international port in Manila on June 1, 2023, ahead of the first-ever trilateral maritime exercises. AFP, Norman Cruz
1st trilateral maritime exercises begin Billed as "Kaagapay Maritime Exercise 2023," the event aim to improve interoperability among the THE Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday welcomed three countries through communication exercises, the arrival of its United States and Japanese maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law counterparts in Manila as the first-ever trilateral enforcement training, search and rescue and passing Next page exercises. maritime exercises officially began.
By Charles Dantes
Rody rejects calls to serve as government drug czar Marcos orders geo-mapping FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte the country's illegal drug problem. elected and it is his duty to enforce has turned down calls to become the new “Mukhang hindi na rin tama [it the law and solve crimes,” Duterte anti-drug czar, saying it is now the duty doesn't seem right anymore], Pastor, said in a television interview. Next page of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fix because there is the President duly
SWS: 45% of Pinoys optimistic life will improve in 1 year
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By Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the geological mapping of all agricultural lands in the country to establish soil maps for specific agricultural products that will help improve farmers' products. President Marcos said the government is already using geo mapping in
resolving titling issues to boost agricultural production and increase the income of farmers. "In geo mapping, we're already using maps of BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource Information Authority). We are putting together everything be Next page
Oil firms slash LPG prices by P6/kilo
By Vito Barcelo AT LEAST 45 percent of Filipino adults are optimistic that their lives will improve in the next 12 months, the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) shows. The survey, conducted from March 26 to 29, also found 42 percent of Filipinos saying the quality of their lives will stay the same, while 6 percent said it will worsen. Eleven percent of the 1,200 respondents did not give an answer. SWS noted that the net personal
of all agri lands to boost yield
By Alena Mae Flores
WALK WITH PRIDE. A multicolor pedestrian crossing is featured at the Araneta City commercial area in Cubao, Quezon City to mark Pride Month. Joan Bondoc
PRICES of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will go down by at least P6 per kilogram this month. The price adjustments should translate to a decrease of P67.10 to P68.20 for each regular 11-kg household LPG tank. Petron said it reduced LPG prices by P6.20 per kilogram; Solane-brand-
ed LPG went down by P6.18 per kg; and Phoenix Super LPG went lower by P6.10 per kg. Meanwhile, Petron and Phoenix also cut their auto LPG prices by P3.47 per liter. The price rollbacks were effective by 12:01 a.m. Thursday. "These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of June," Petron said. Next page