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A 9-PAGE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
SECTIONS C4, D & E
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 18 • 5 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024
Comelec shifts Cha-cha tack INSIDE
A 9-PAGE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
SECTIONS C4, D & E
Now favors plebiscite to go with 2025 polls, cites P13b in savings By Vito Barcelo and Maricel Cruz PBBM, SPEAKER AT LMP MEETING.
T
President Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez (inset) address mayors who attended the General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines on Tuesday in Pasay City. Ver Noveno with PPA Pool
Marcos tells mayors: Don’t waste mandates, use it for ‘grand things’ By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Marcos told members of the League of Municipali Municipalities (LMP) to not waste their man mandates from their constituents on petty things, but rather use them for “grand things.” In his message to LMP’s Gener-
HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it now favors holding a synchronized plebiscite to ratify proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution with the 2025 national and local elections.
al Assembly on Tuesday in Pasay City, he told public officials that they should innovate their problem-solving skills to align with the current challenges the local government sector is facing. “That’s why I often say: Mandates should not be wasted on petty things. It should be used for grand things,” President Marcos said.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said holding simultaneous plebiscite and election will save the poll body P13 billion. He made the statement a day after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the President aired his desire to have the plebiscite on Charter amendments held simultaneously with the 2025 polls. Garcia earlier said Comelec cannot plebiscite next year to amend the 1987 Constitution given that there are
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PBBM to address Australia solons Navotas court convicts lone cop of killing ‘Jemboy’ today, raise West PH Sea tensions By Rey Requejo and Jun David
PRESIDENT Marcos is expected to raise the current tension in the West Philippine Sea during his two separate visits to Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, citing Manila’s strategic partnership with Canberra. “Yes, we have very strong defense and security relations with Australia, they have been partners with us for a long time, even before the official establishment of relations, because they were with us as partners during World War II and now the relations have actually seen an elevation from comprehensive to strategic partnership,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza confirmed during a Palace briefing. “In terms of defense and security
that will actually be talked (about), will be discussed, but also in terms of what’s happening in the region and what is happening within our region – one issue will be the South China Sea. And it’s also worth mentioning that Australia and the Philippines are maritime nations, and it cannot be denied that it will be something that will have to be raised as well,” she added. According to Daza, the President will undertake a Guest of Government visit to Australia on Feb. 28 to 29, upon the invitation of Governor General David Hurley. Mr. Marcos would return to Australia to participate in the ASEAN-Australia Summit from March 4 to 6. Next page
Ex-UN chief Ban at Senate, calls for SDG compliance VISITING former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reminded Filipinos that the target to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Change Agreement is getting closer, set in 2030 and 2050, respectively. “This is why there has never been a
Ban Ki-Moon addresses the Senate on Tuesday. Senate PRIB
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THE Navotas City Regional Trial Court on Tuesday convicted a policeman for homicide and four others for illegal discharge of firearms in connection with the killing of a 17-yearold son of an overseas Filipino worker last year. The Department of Justice earlier charged six policemen with murder for the death of Jerhode Jemboy Salazar, who was killed in an alleged case of mistaken identity during a police operation in Navotas City in August 2023. In a 44-page decision, the Navotas City RTC found Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Sabate Maliban guilty for the crime of homicide. On the other hand, Police ExEx ecutive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Roberto Dioso Balais Jr., Police Next page
SORRY, MATE. A policeman hugs one of his comrades convicted on Tuesday by the
Navotas City Regional Trial Court of involvement in the shooting death of Jerhode Jemboy Salazar last August. Norman Cruz
Navy: More Chinese electronic jamming By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippine Navy (PN) has confirmed reports that Chinese vessels’ have heightened their elec electronic countermeasure capabilities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act is ex expected to strengthen the country’s claim over the disputed WPS.
In a press briefing held at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Philippine Navy spokesman for WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said such acts of China have been going on and might have started much earlier. “They have noted an increase in cyber interference, electronic interference, jamming, and stuff like that not only for equipment of the ship, but also for land-based communication equipment and this Next page
#ANONGBALITA Australian police investigate ‘Papa Swift’ over alleged assault AUSTRALIAN police are investigating claims Taylor Swift’s dad assaulted a photographer when the star and her entourage were disembarking a superyacht in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2:30 am, before leaving the location,” police spokeswoman Alicia McCumstie told AFP. “The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now under way Next page
‘Wag magmura!’ Abalos reminds LGU execs to avoid vulgar, abusive language
Good job! Half of senators record perfect attendance SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri and 11 other senators logged a perfect attendance since the start of the 2nd Regular Session on July 24, 2023. Next page
“DISTURBING and inappropriate.” This was how Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos described the remarks made by some local government officials who attended the “Hakbang ng Maisug” (Step of the Brave) rally held at the South Road Properties in Cebu City on Sunday, Feb. 25. Abalos reminded all public officers that they “should set an example to our constituents as we represent our community, most especially the youth who are watching.” Next page