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Sustainable Technology
in the Era of AI
7TH TECH & GADGETS ANNIVERSARY ISSUE ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 220• 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Tougher agri law marked urgent PBBM certifies Senate bill imposing sanctions on agricultural sabotage By Charles Dantes, Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for the immediate passage of a law imposing sanctions on agricultural economic sabotage. In a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, President Marcos certified Senate Bill No. 2432 as urgent to protect farmers and the country's agricultural products from smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and other illegal practices. The bill, filed by Senator JV Ejercito and nine other senators, defines the crime of agricultural economic sabotage, providespenalties for it, and creates an anti-agricultural economic sabotage council. It also punishes government officers or employees who are guilty of the crime with perpetual disqualification from holding public office, the loss of the right to vote and participate in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits. The proposed measure is among the expanded Common Legislative Agenda Next page
RICE PROTEST. Militant groups led by Bayan protest the continued rise of rice prices and other commodities on Thursday at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, timing their activity on the 51st anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. Danny Pata
PH, 60 countries sign treaty protecting high seas By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippines joined over 60 other countries at the United Nations in signing the first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will come into force soon and protect
threatened ecosystems vital to the planet. The treaty, officially known as the treaty on "Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction," or BBNJ, also introduces requirements to carry out environmental impact studies for proposed activities on the high seas.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) from New York where he was attending the UN General Assembly, said he was "honored" to sign the historic agreement. "The Philippines is proud to take this Next page
‘Sierra Madre’ falling apart; SolGen to handle WPS case By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 to serve as an outpost for the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, is deteriorating fast, the Defense Department said Thursday. Defense Senior Undersecretary Ireneo Espino said the World War II-era ship, home to a handful of Marines, needs immediate repair following re-
cent re-supply operations. "The deterioration is faster than the supply that we do to Ayungin,” he said. This is the reason the government continues to conduct rotation and reprovisioning missions to the soldiers on board the BRP Sierra Madre, despite Chinese efforts to disrupt them. The decision to deliberately ground the vessel on the shoal was in response to China's occupation of the nearby and then-uninhabited Mischief Reef, also claimed by Manila, a few years earlier. Next page
‘Congress passing budget next week’ By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta ART FOR CHARITY. The Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), chaired by Tingog Party List Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, launch ‘Sining Sa Kongreso: An Art Exhibit of Masters, Modern Masters and Contemporary Filipino Artists’ at the House of Representatives on Monday. Cutting the ceremonial ribbon were AWLFI President Rep. Linabelle Villarica, Rep. Angelica Natasha Co representing Rep. Romualdez, event chairpersons Reps. Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong and Stella Luz Quimbo, and Guest of Honor Rep. Christopher de Venecia, along with AWLFI officers, members, and renowned artists Ramon Orlina, Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr., and others. The event aims to raise funds for the National Center for Mental Health.
Gibo: ‘Manipulation’ of activists probed
Show-cause orders issued vs. BSKE bets
Ombudsman scolds ex-NTF-ELCAC execs
By Vince Lopez
By Vito Barcelo
By Rio N. Araja
DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. vowed to look into who was behind what he called the manipulation of two environmental activists to embarrass the military. "Normally, I won't tolerate this, even [with] speculations [of official misconduct], I order an investigation, But in this case, the evidence is clear – the allegation against the military is unfair," Teodoro said. "I want to know the mastermind behind this so we can file subornation of perjury and other charges," he added.
THE Commission on Elections has issued show cause orders to 1,200 candidates for their alleged involvement in premature campaigning for the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls. “After the filing of the COC (Certificate of Candidacy), more than 1,200 have been sent show cause orders by our task force against illegal or premature campaigning. Over 300 have already responded,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said in a television interview yesterday. The poll body earlier warned local officials they will face charges if they
THE Office of the Ombudsman has reprimanded former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) officials Lorraine Badoy and Antonio Parlade Jr. for redtagging the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL). In a 17-page resolution, the Ombudsman warned it would sanction Badoy and Parlade anew should they commit the same offense. “This Office finds that there is substantial evidence to hold respondents Parlade and Badoy guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, an act that tarnishes the image and
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SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Thursday committed that the House of Representatives will pass the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 on the third and final reading next week before Congress goes on break.
Romualdez said this was the direct result of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s certification of the budget measure as urgent. “We appreciate President Marcos' leadership and his prioritization of the national budget. His decision to certify this crucial legislationas urgent reflects his unwavering commitment to the welfare and progress of our nation,” Romualdez said. Next page
BALLOTS READY. Commission of Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia walks among pallets of printed ballots for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections this October and holds a sample ballot up for the media (inset) as he leads the inspection at a warehouse in Sta. Rosa Laguna on Thursday. Norman Cruz and Manny Palmero