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Imelda hospitalized for pneumonia PRESIDENT Marcos said former first lady Imelda Marcos is in “good spirits” despite being hospitalized due to slight pneumonia and a fever. Senator Imee Marcos also revealed her mother’s hospitalization on Tuesday. “I just spoke with my mother’s doctors. She is suffering from slight pneumonia and is runNext page
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 25 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024
PCG, China ships collide
Chinese also water-cannon supply ship, hurting 4 Pinoys on board By Rey Requejo, Vince Lopez, and Macon Ramos-Araneta
C
`HINA Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them, leaving four Filipino crew injured during a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea, the National Security Council said. The incidents happened in waters around Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Spratly Islands. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it told Chinese em-
bassy deputy chief of mission Zhou Zhiyong that the “aggressive actions” of the China Coast Guard and other vessels were “unacceptable”. Next page
Speaker vows support to Coast Guard, AFP AMID the latest conflicts with China in the West Philippine Sea, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday reaffirmed the full support of the House of Representatives to enhancing the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities and modernizing
the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “We stand united in support of President Marcos Jr.’s firm resolve to enhance our defense capabilities to uphold our country’s sovereignty and protect our national interest in Next page
CLASHES AT SEA. In these frame grabs, the Chinese Coast
Guard ship 2155 is about to collide with the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Sindangan near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday. The Chinese ships also water-cannoned the PH civilian ship Unaizah May 4, damaging parts of it (inset). PCG Photos with AFP
Senate orders arrest of Quiboloy, Padilla disagrees Zubiri thanks senators for trust; House: We didn’t start coup talk By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz
the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ man trafficking and sex-related offenses. (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, citing “I cite in contempt Apollo Carrehim in contempt after snubbing a subpoe- on Quiboloy for his refusal to be Next page A SENATE committee has ordered na to attend the hearing on cases of hu-
HOUSE leaders on Tuesday rejected claims that coup rumors against Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri emanated from the Lower Chamber, saying lawmakers should not be dragged into the political drama of the Upper Chamber.
PBBM TO AUSSIES: SEEK ROOTS IN PH WOMEN LAWMAKERS. The 81 women lawmakers in the House of Representatives, led by Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. chair Rep. Yedda Romualdez and president Rep. Linabelle Villarica (center, seated), gather to mark Women’s Month in Congress on Tuesday.
Comelec: No to early plebiscite By Vito Barcelo
than 2025 would be rigorous for the poll body and would stop the ongoing THE Commission on Elections on voter registration for the National and Tuesday said holding a plebiscite to Local Elections in May that year. amend the 1987 Constitution earlier Next page
#ANONGBALITA
NEWS / A2
Cha-cha opponents may change minds via more hearings—Angara SOME senators opposed to Charter other resource persons, Senator Sonny change would change their stand on Angara said Tuesday. amending the 1987 Constitution when “Some of my colleagues may possithey hear the views of the country’s bly change their minds along the way. legal luminaries, top economists, and Next page
French ‘Spider-Man’ Alain Robert climbs Makati tower anew
Bezos dethrones Musk as world’s richest with $200b
Umamin din! PM defends Singapore pact with Swift
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
This was as 13 members of the Senate majority bloc signed a manifesto of support for Zubiri, who said he was emboldened by his colleagues’ continued trust in his leadership. Senator Imee Marcos, who claimed Next page
Inflation rises to 3.4% in Feb., food big culprit THE country’s inflation rate in February picked up to 3.4 percent from 2.8 percent in January on higher food, beverage and transport prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday. “This brings the national average inflation from January 2024 to February 2024 at 3.1 percent. In February 2023, the inflation rate was highNext page