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PNR halting entire operations by Dec. for North-South works VOL. XXXVII • NO. 138• 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
THE Philippine National Railways (PNR) will halt its entire operations by December this year to give way to the North-South Railway Projects (NSRP) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). PNR Chairman Michael Macapagal said the decision to stop
the operation of the entire PNR line as the first wave of the NSRP project will be implemented along the stretch of Alabang, Muntinlupa to Calamba, Laguna route. On Sunday, passengers from Alabang Next page
DOT to probe promo snafu
Ad agency admits making ‘mood video’ with clips of sites outside PH By Othel V. Campos, Vince Lopez and Angelica Villanueva
HE Department of Tourism (DOT) has ordered an “exhaustive investigation” of the recently released promotional video of the “Love the Philippines” campaign after social media users flagged it for using stock video footage shot overseas.
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DDB Philippines later on Sunday released an apology to the DOT for using non-original, stock footage in the audiovisual presentation shown in the launch event of the Love The Philippines campaign. “As DOT’s agency on record for the launch of this campaign, we take full responsibility over this matter,” the ad agency said in an apology letter to the DOT. “As one of the many other forthcoming components of the launch of the enhanced tourism campaign, the DOT’s
contracted agency, DDB Philippines, prepared and published an audio-visual presentation (AVP) which has recently been the subject of scrutiny on the alleged use of non-original shots in certain parts of the AVP,” a statement posted by DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said. “The DOT is currently conducting an exhaustive investigation to determine the veracity of, and to gather the full faculty of facts on, these allegations.” The DOT said it repeatedly sought confirmation from DDB on the originality Next page
Zubiri: US pushing defense firms to build PH factories By Macon Ramos-Araneta AMERICAN defense officials are eyeing to convince their arms manufacturers to set up operations in the Philippines, said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who returned over the weekend from an official trip to Washington DC. Zubiri said he met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Lindsey Ford at the Pentagon last week, where they discussed modernization efforts of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as mutual concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. "They're willing to convince their arms manufacturers to move shop to the Philippines to partner with Filipino companies so that they will do the defense materials here in the Philippines,” the Senate leader said in an interview. Zubiri's announcement came days after Senator Imee Marcos said she will seek a
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'MOOD VIDEO'. In this side-by-side comparison posted on social media, netizens point out that the video clips used by the
advertising agency DDB for the Department of Tourism's 'Love Philippines' campaign in fact used videos taken in other countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. The ad agency later said it was just a 'mood video.' Photo from Twitter
Phivolcs urges Mayon danger zone evac now
PBBM, family surprise Imelda on 94th b-day
By Rio N. Araja
By Vince Lopez
RESIDENTS within the 7- to 8-kilometer extended danger zone from Mayon volcano have been advised to prepare for evacuation. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, citing the advisory of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said residents within this area must be prepared to evacuate “at a moment's notice” and said that vehicles should be ready “as this could take days to complete.” “At a moment’s notice, at least 8,000
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wished his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, more years filled with blessings as she celebrated her 94th birthday at the Palace. "Today we celebrate 94 incredible years! Happy birthday, mom! Wishing you more years filled with joy, good health, and abundant blessings,” Mr. Marcos said in a Facebook post. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos posted a group photo during the birthday "asalto" (surprise party) with the caption: “Happy 94th birthday, Mama Meldy!” Next page
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IMELDA'S 94TH. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos (seated, third from right) is flanked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and their immediate family as they threw a surprise party for the matriarch, who turned 94 on Sunday, in Malacañang. PCO Photo
PAO hits IBP for nixing poor clients despite gov’t subsidy (IBP) for its supposed refusal to accept indiDuring a media briefing, PAO chief gent clients despite its P130.9 million gov- Persida Rueda-Acosta took a swipe at the THE Public Attorney’s Office is question- ernment subsidy and the annual dues from IBP for approving a board resolution ing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines 60,000 private and public lawyers. Next page
By Rio N. Araja
Twitter fights AI, sets daily read limits Jackpot 2 days in row: FIL-AM FRIENDSHIP. United States Ambassador to the Philippines
MaryKay L. Carlson (left) and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez smile during the celebration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day, which also marks the 247th anniversary of US independence. The celebration was held last June 27 at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig City. Ver Noveno
NEW YORK—Elon Musk announced Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that Twitter would temporarily restrict how many tweets users could read per day, in a move meant to tamp down on the use of the site's data by artificial intelligence companies.
The platform is limiting verified accounts to reading 10,000 tweets a day. Non-verified users—the free accounts that make up the majority of users—are limited to reading 1,000 tweets per day. Next page
Lotto bettor wins P61m
FOR the second consecutive day, a lone bettor from Metro Manila became an instant millionaire after hitting the P61million jackpot of the Lotto 6/42 draw on Saturday night. Next page