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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR.’S
2nd STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS SEE SECTION C
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 159• 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PBBM reports to nation today Marcos’ 2nd SONA to highlight significant progress, areas for improvement By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) today —a progress report after a year in power in which he says the country made significant strides as he acknowledged that his governance has a long way to go. “That’s what I want to explain to people — that we have made significant progress. We can see the difference now, not only in terms of how the systems Next page
READY FOR THE REPORT. A giant banner of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) hangs at the entrance of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will deliver his second SONA on Monday. Earlier, members of the Quezon City Police District arrange their riot shields in their truck along Commonwealth Ave. corner Luzon Ave. in Quezon City, to be used against expected protesters (inset). Joan Bondoc and Manny Palmero
‘Egay’ raises storm signals, suspensions Congress to approve P5.768-b 2024 budget by Oct.—Speaker By Rio N. Araja CONGRESS aims to approve the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 before it goes on recess in October. Speaker Martin Romualdez said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans tosubmit to the House of Representatives his budget proposal immediately after his second State of the Nation Address today (Monday). The proposed national expenditure is
By Rio N. Araja and Vince Lopez
“Egay” is forecast to reach typhoon category within 24 hours and may become a super typhoon on Tuesday. As this developed, Bulacan Gov. SEVEN provinces in Luzon and the V Daniel Fernando ordered the suspension 1 yesterday as tropical storm “Egay” of classes and work in all public and further intensified into a severe tropical private offices in the province today in storm. anticipation of the possible effects of
"Egay" and the start of the three-day transport strike. The same was also enforced in Pampanga, Cavite, and Taytay in Rizal by their respective local governments. Malacanang had previously declared classes and government work suspended Next page
Equivalent to 21.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and is 9.5 percent higher than this year's P5.268 trillion budget. “Should that happen, surely we will pass the budget before our October break. We average five weeks of solid work on budget deliberations, consideration, review, and approval through the third reading. So we are confident with the processes and protocols and procedures Next page
House to push 9 LEDAC measures, P120-b kitty for military pensions By Rio N. Araja SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to expeditiously approve the remaining nine of the 44 urgent measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). “We have walked the talk on helping
the President legislate his priorities. We have delivered on our promise,” he said. The nine remaining LEDAC bills are the Natural Gas Industry Enabling Law, Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Bill, National Employment Action Plan, Department of Water Services and Resources, amendments to the Electric Next page
WINNING DISH.
This mouthwatering serving of Cebu lechon from San Juan shop Mambo’s Lechon bested 49 other vendors that participated in the Pulutan Fest 2023 on Saturday. Photo via Facebook
MABINI'S 159TH. Tourists offer flowers at the Apolinario Mabini Museum and take pictures at the bust of the national hero, whose 159th birth anniversary was celebrated in Sta Mesa, Manila on Sunday, July 23. Norman Cruz
San Juan lechon resto tops first Pulutan Festival By Angelica Villanueva A SAN Juan-based restaurant serving Cebu lechon was hailed the Pulutan of the Year (Influencer’s Choice) in the first-ever Pulutan Festivalheld at the Liwasang Kalikasan at the CCP Complex in Pasay City Saturday evening. Mambo’s Lechon bested 49 other Next page
DoTr: No more masks on public transport By Darwin G. Amojelar and Rio N. Araja THERE is no need to wear face masks on all public transport across the country after the government lifted the COVID-19 protocols, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said. This is in consonance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Proclamation No. 297, lifting the COVID-19 state of public health emergency throughout the country. The Department of Health also earlier said the proclamation rescinds the mask requirement in public transport.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said physical distancing protocols in public transportation need no longer be observed, and all passenger vehicles can continue to operate at full capacity. “This new development is a significant step towards normalizing public transportation and supporting economic recovery,” Bautista said. “While public safety remains a top priority, the removal of protocols aims to facilitate commuters' convenience, contribute to the revival of the transportation industry, and help stimulate economic activity,” he added. Next page