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P5.768-T PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2024
P3.6B SHABU SEIZED, BIGGEST HAUL UNDER MARCOS GOV’T—DOJ NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 227• 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
House okays P5.768-t post-pandemic budget Small committee to tackle realignment of confidential funds
higher than this year’s budget of P5.268 trillion
21.7% of the country’s gross domestic product
P2.183 trillion budget for social services sector (education, health, culture, social security, among others), largest allocation among sectors
P924.7 billion
By Maricel V. Cruz, Julito G. Rada and Othel V. Campos
T
HE House of Representatives approved the proposed P5.768 trilli trillion national budget Wednesday night by a vote of 296-3-0, but left controversial confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) intact, with a promise to later reallocate these from non-security departments to agencies on tthe forefront of national security efforts. The House-approved version of the 2024 national budget is 9.5 percent more than this year’s budget of P5.267 trillion, and is equiv-
9.5%
alent to 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Next page
budget for Department of Education, largest allocation among agencies
P1.42 trillion allocation for major infrastructure projects under the Build Better More program
TIMELY APPROVAL. Speaker Martin Romualdez (inset) delivers his closing message at the plenary of the House of Representatives before Congress adjourned Wednesday evening. The House passed the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for next year by a 296-3-0 vote. Ver Noveno
Q3 pro-admin ‘OVP intel funds invalid but not impeachment ground’ Maricel V. Cruz and sentiment down ByMacon Ramos-Araneta to 43%—survey lease of P125 million in confidential funds “It’s invalid,” Lagman said of the reto the Office of Vice President (OVP) in lease, even though the 2022 General Ap2022 was “invalid” but may not be a cul- propriations Act did not allocate any such pable violation of the Constitution, one of funds to the OVP headed by Sara Duterte. ALBAY Rep. Edcel Lagman said the re- the grounds for impeachment. "You cannot unload funds from the
By Julito Rada and Othel Campos MORE Filipinos are dissatisfied with the Marcos administration but not enough are leaning toward the political opposition, the PAHAYAG 2023 Third Quarter survey results showed. In a statement, lobbying and campaigns firm PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., which ran the survey, said the poll reveals “a decline in the proportion of Pro-Administration sentiment, while Anti-Administration sentiments have shown an increase.” While these were “notable changes in the political landscape of the Philippines,” these shifts “do not appear to have an observable impact on the leanings towards the opposition,” it added. The survey showed that the proportion of respondents who expressed their proadministration sentiments declined to 43 percent in the third quarter from 48 perper Next page cent in the second quarter.
MANDAL BAGS PH’S 1ST ASIAD SILVER, GILAS LOGS 2ND WIN SPORTS / B2
Congress passes several crucial priority measures By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez congratulated the House of Representatives for the speedy passage of 20 pieces of legislation aimed at uplifting the lives of the Filipino people. He reported "mis "mission accomplished" to members of the House, President Fer Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and the nation before Next page
President’s contingent fund, for a release in the nature of a confidential fund, when there is no confidential fund in the first place. Because, otherwise, it will be a Next page
Marcos, Macron tackle WPS security issues, bilateral ties By Charles Dantes and Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed security issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in a phone call, the Presidential Communications Office
(PCO) said Thursday. During the call, Marcos told Macron that the Philippines i s exerting all efforts “to Next page
ALL EARS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks to French President Emmanuel Macron through a telephone call on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. The two leaders discussed the planned visit of French ministers to the Philippines as well as the situation in the West Philippine Sea.
ASIAD WINS.
Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee soars for a layup against two Thailand defenders in the 19th Asian Games basketball competition. The Filipinos won, 87-72. Sanda warrior Arnel Mandal (in red) bags the country’s first silver medal after defeating his Chinese opponent.
Socorro ‘cult’ leader held in contempt By Macon Ramos-Araneta A SENATE committee on Thursday cited Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) leader Jey Rence Quilario, also known as Senior Agila, and three others in contempt. Senator Risa Hontiveros made the motion during the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs,
after Quilario and the others repeatedly denied that child marriages took place in the Surigao del Norte-based group despite testimonies by victims. Hontiveros moved to have Quilario, Mamerto Galanida, Janeth Ajoc, and Karren Sanico cited in contempt. No member of the committee objected to Hontiveros' motion, prompting Senator Ronald Next page