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People’s initiative ‘must continue’, but group welcomes Senate move By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta
Constitution, organizers of a controversial people’s initiative said they will continue their own efforts to push DESPITE congressional support for Charter change. Next page a constituent assembly to amend the
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 336 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
China summons PH envoy
Beijing irked with Marcos over Taiwan, warns Manila not to ‘play with fire’ By Rey E. Requejo, Charles Dantes, and Macon Ramos-Araneta
C
HINA on Tuesday said it had summoned the Philippine ambassador after President Marcos said he looked forward to working with Taiwanese Presidentelect Lai Ching-te.
“This morning, Assistant Minister Nong Rong summoned the ambassador of the Philippines to China to make solemn representations and urge the Philippine side to give the Chinese side a responsible explanation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference. “The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes” Marcos’s remarks, Mao said. But Malacanang reiterated the Department of Foreign Affairs’ stance in recognizing the government’s One China policy, following Beijing’s opposition. Presidential Communication Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil told reporters in a Viber message to “refer to the DFA statement released early today.” Earlier, the DFA said that President Marcos’ congratulatory remark to Taiwan’s Lai was the Chief Executive’s way of thanking the island nation for hosting more than 20,000 overseas Filipino workers. “The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process. Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy,” DFA said.
ROADBLOCK. Policemen block the convoy of the transport groups Manibela and Piston along España Ave. in Manila on Tuesday as jeepney drivers and operators protest against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. Other members of PISTON also held protests in cities like Cebu (inset). Norman Cruz and Alan Tangcawan
Nix petition vs. PUVMP, gov’t asks court By Rey E. Requejo, Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta
ty Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters joined a convoy of more than 150 jeepneys as it THE government has asked the Supreme drove through Manila in opposition to the Court to dismiss a petition by some jeepney phase-out plan. Next page drivers and operators against the Public Utili-
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8 in 10 Pinoys want US backing amid WPS tensions—survey EIGHT in 10 Filipinos believe that the administration should work with the United States amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by
international think tank Stratbase Institute showed. Seventy-nine percent of Filipinos said they want the government to work with the United States, while almost
half of Filipinos answered Australia (43 Pulse Asia released the survey results percent) and Japan (42 percent). Tuesday during a forum organized by Only one in ten Filipinos or 10 percent Stratbase entitled “Fortifying Cyber of the respondents favored the Marcos ad- Cooperation Toward Digital Security.” ministration working with China. Next page
Pag-IBIG doubles member contribution to P200/month
‘PH IS BEST PLACE FOR INVESTMENTS’ NEWS / A2 WELCOME TO WEF. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla (left) join World Economic Forum (WEF) President Børge Brende on Monday at the Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland shortly after Brende formally welcomed the Philippine delegation to the 2024 WEF Annual Meeting (see story on A2). Ver Noveno
‘Succession’ tops Emmy Awards LOS ANGELES—Postponed by four months because of Hollywood strikes, the Emmy Awards finally took place Monday (Tuesday in Manila), with the last season of “Succession” scooping multiple prizes on a nostalgic night that honored television’s past and present. “Succession,” the HBO show about the back-stabbing dynastic battles of a pow-
erful family, won multiple awards in the gala’s drama categories, including best writing and directing, while “The Bear” led the comedy awards and “Beef” dominated in the limited series section. “It was a great sadness to end the show, but it was a great pleasure to do it,” said “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong, Next page
THE Pag-IBIG Fund on Tuesday announced a 100-percent increase in member contributions starting next month. Pag-IBIG CEO Marilene Acosta said the new contribution from members will be P200, up from P100. Employers are mandated to match contributions, which means members will be saving P400 a month starting February. Acosta said the increase in contribution would eventually bring benefits to member workers since it would also increase the loanable amount for shortterm loans, increase savings for when they retire and continue to lower interest for housing loans. She said the Pag-IBIG Fund would raise around P38 billion per year in addi-
tional revenue with the increased contributions, which will let it keep interest for housing loans at 6 percent a year. Meanwhile, overseas Filipino workers’ organizations are supporting PagIBIG Fund’s plan to increase members’ monthly savings rate this year, agency said Tuesday. After gaining support from labor and employer groups, Pag-IBIG Fund’s plan also received nods from the Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak at Migranteng Manggagawang Pilipino Inc. (KAKAMMPI), the Kabalikat ng Migranteng Pilipino Inc. (KAMPI), the Kaibigan ng mga OCWs and several other OFW groups.
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EMMY WINNERS. (From
left) Matthew Macfadyen, winner of Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Sarah Snook, winner of Best Actress in a Drama Series, and Kieran Culkin, winner of Best Actor in a Drama Series for “Succession.” AFP
Temperatures drop with ‘amihan’ surge IF YOU wanted cold weather to kick off your 2024, you’ve got it now -- the current northeast monsoon or “amihan” surge has brought record-low temperatures for the year in some PAGASA stations, the state weather bureau said. Next page