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Land Bank OKs P50-billion investment in Maharlika By Julito G. Rada
THE Land Bank Board has approved its P50-billion investment in the Maharlika Investment Corporation as mandated by Republic Act 11954, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Friday. Diokno cited the latest developments on the Maharlika Investment Fund that
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 157• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
will expedite its operations before the end of the year. “What’s the latest on the Maharlika Investment Fund? First, even as we speak, the Treasurer of the Philippines, in consultation with the founding GFIs [that is, the Land Bank and the DBP], has started the preparation of
PH puts foot down on ICC
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PBBM: We’re done with them; indicted officials won’t be turned over
By Charles Dantes, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
Pinays shut out in World Cup debut by Swiss
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the Philippines is "done with the International Criminal Court" (ICC), stressing that the government was putting its foot down on the tribunal's jurisdiction and that it would not turn over officials involved in the case to the court.
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Mr. Marcos' confirmation comes after the tribunal decided to push through with its investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs in which thousands of suspects were killed. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was Justice sec-retary under Duterte, said the Philippine engagement with the ICC has come to an end with the rendition of judgment by the ICC Appeals Chambers. He added that the country will focus on its investigation and prosecution related to the abuses in the antidrug campaign. "That’s it. We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being Next page
By Peter Atencio THE Philippines’ first foray onto football’s biggest stage resulted in a 0-2 loss to world no. 20 Switzerland Friday in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Forsyth Barr Sta Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. Collectively known as the Filipi Filipinas, the Philippine women's World Cup debut got whacked by a re relentless Switzerland side that easily cruised to the two-nil win, fueled Next page
‘Break barriers, inspire Filipino generations’ By Charles Dantes
TOUGH LOSS. Philippines' defender Sofia Harrison (right, #16) and forward Katrina Guillou (#21) clash with Switzerland's Eseosa Aigbogun during their 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match at Dunedin Stadium in New Zealand on July 21. AFP
Marcos to new AFP chief: Ensure military ready for any contingency PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. to make sure the military is prepared for “any contingency.” “Given your extensive experience in safeguarding peace in conflictaffected areas, I urge you to recalibrate our internal security operations, so that we can deliver public services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities,” Marcos said during the turnover ceremony for the new AFP chief at Camp
NEW AFP CHIEF. President Ferdinand Marcos hands over the sabre of leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from outgoing General Andres Centino to incoming General Romeo Brawner in a ceremony on Friday. A day earlier, Brawner, in his last day as the Army's Commanding General, welcomed United States Army 1st Armored Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, who paid him a courtesy call at the PA Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Armed Forces photos
Speaker hails more investment pledges By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday said the surge in investment pledges in the first quarter of the year is a clear vote of confidence in the Philippine economy’s potential and validates the soundness of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s policies. According to the Board of Investments, investment approvals more than tripled in the first semester, buoyed by pledges from abroad. At P698 billion, the planned investments were 203 percent higher than the previous year's P230 billion.
“It is a clear vote of confidence in the Philippine economy's potential and prospects and affirms the soundness of the economic and fiscal policies of President Bongbong Marcos geared towards the attainment of his vision to bring our country to upper-middle income status by 2025,” Romualdez said. “Likewise, this development signals that the world is responding positively to the President’s vigorous campaign to promote the Philippines as a prime destination for investment and a recognition of our steadfast pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth,” he added. He cited the statement of Department Next page
Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Marcos expressed confidence that Brawner’s leadership would lead to a safer and more secure nation with rebels returning to the fold of the law and becoming productive citizens. He also urged the entire AFP to be prepared for “any contingency” as he assured them that the military organization will be modernized. “At this juncture, allow me to urge you all to work towards an Armed Forces that is agile and prepared for any contingency. As your commanderin-chief, I assure you that this administration is firm in reinforcing this noble pursuit by modernizing the AFP,” he said. With the efforts to boost the country’s external defense capacity, Marcos asked the military to keep working with government agencies and civilians to form an “archipelagic consciousness” among Filipinos. “This will help champion our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said. “I have faith that under the supervision of General Brawner, the Armed Forces will continue to ensure Next page
Soprano Maigue to sing anthem during SONA By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vince Lopez, and Joel E. Zurbano SOPRANO Lara Maigue, an online sensation, will sing the National Anthem during the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a House of Representatives official said Friday. House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco said Maigue, a classically trained Next page
SONA FACES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is seen on a giant billboard along Boni Ave. in Mandaluyong City ahead of his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24, when soprano Laura Maigue (inset) will sing the National Anthem. Manny Palmero
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the Philippine women's national football team to "break barriers and inspire generations" in their historic appearance in the FIFA World Cup 2023. In a tweet, the President wished the Filipinas women's team the best of luck as they make the country's debut on football's grandest stage. The Filipinas are the first Philip Philippine team — male or female — to qualify in the 42-year history of the World Cup. "We wish the ‘Filipinas’ women’s team the best of luck as they make history in their FIFA World Cup debut! The entire nation stands behind Next page
Not all is lost; Filipinas have 2 matches left
By Erel Cabatbat
THE Philippines’ debut in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand didn’t go the way we expected. The Filipinas dropped a 2-0 loss against Switzerland, courtesy of a penalty kick in the 45th minute and a goal in the 64th minute. Despite the loss, the Filipinas should hold their heads up high. They gave a team that is ranked several places above them and is no stranger to the biggest soccer event on the planet the fight that they probably did not expect. Negating two controversial calls – Next page