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3 IN 4 PINOYS READY TO FIGHT FOR PH VS. FOREIGN ENEMY–OCTA SURVEY AT least three in four Filipinos or 77 percent are willing to fight for the country in the event of a conflict with a foreign enemy, a survey by the OCTA Research Group showed. The question was part of OCTA's December 2023 Fourth Quarter Tugon ng Masa Survey and was commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Across socioeconomic classes, respondents from Class D were the most willing at 80 percent while
those belonging to Class E and Class ABCrespondents were nearly tied at 68 percent and 67 percent, respectively. Respondents from Mindanao had the highest rate at 84 percent while Visayas logged the lowest at 62 percent. OCTA fielded the following survey question: "If there is a conflict between the Philippines and a foreign enemy, are you ready to fight for your country? (Kung magkakaroon ng kaguluhan Next page
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 29• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024 •
Marcos trips net $14b in foreign investments PH on right path to economic recovery—Speaker By Rio N. Araja
S
peaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said the administration is on the right path toward helping the country recover from the adverse impacts of the global pandemic with at least $14.2 billion in foreign direct investment projects implemented since July 2022.
By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos will leave this afternoon (Monday) for a working visit to Germany and a state visit to the Czech Republic. The President would be joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and other members of the Philippine delegation for the five-day visit from March 11 to 15. Mr. Marcos is expected to raise the current tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea. Previously, Germany has vowed to donate more drones to boost the country's maritime surveillance capabilities in the West Philippines Sea. Next page
‘SAFEGUARD RICE BUFFER PROGRAM’ NEWS / A4
COMELEC AWARDS POLL DEAL TODAY
“The President's efforts to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) are yielding results. We are making steady progress, and the House of Representatives fully supports his initiatives,” he said.
NEWS / A3
#ANONGBALITA?
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Zubiri says he will lose post if pro-Cha-cha vote is forced
Padilla insists: Quiboloy a hero, anti-communist
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Sunday he will lose his post if he will “force” senators to vote for charter change even as the House is set to pass their own version before the Holy Week break.
PBBM leaves for 5-day visit to Berlin, Prague
NEWS / A2 STARTING THEM YOUNG. A kid dressed in a firefighter suit joins the 'Longest Fire Truck Parade' in
celebration of the Fire Prevention Month at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Norman Cruz
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Nothing ‘legally wrong’ in Rody as KOJC administrator—lawyer By Macon Ramos-Araneta
SOLEMN PRAYER. Almar Abdullatif, a Filipino Muslim Hafidh or student studying Koran, performs a Dhuhr prayer inside the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on Sunday, March 10, 2024 as Muslims all over the world celebrate Ramadan. Danny Pata
‘Strengthen kinship, forgive during Ramadan’ By Vince Lopez THE holy Islamic month of Ramadan should "strengthen kinship and open hearts to forgive grievances” among Filipinos, President Marcos said in a statement yesterday. He expressed his "solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters in the country and all over the world on the occasion of Ramadan."
"Today marks the beginning of the sacred journey of Ramadan, a time ofreflection and spiritual growth where the virtues of compassion, empathy, and generosity are upheld and practiced fervently," he said. "It is with no doubt that our Muslim brothers and sisters have made invaluable contributions to our nation's history and heritage, shaping our Next page
THERE is nothing ‘legally wrong’ in the appointment of former President Rodrigo Duterte as administrator of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) properties. In a phone interview Sunday, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told Manila Standard that Duterte is now a “private person, a lawyer, and a member of the
Bar in good standing.” On the other hand, he said KOJC is a juridical entity and a corporation sole, owned and occupied by a single person who appointed the former President, Topacio said. He said almost all religious groups are corporation soles—or an individual person who represents an official position which has a single separate legal entity—just like KOJC. Next page
Ed Sheeran sings karaoke before Manila concert NEWS / A2
AID PACKAGE.
Army Private First Class Marvien Aguipo receives P250,000 in financial and livelihood assistance from Cagayan de Oro 1st. District Rep. Lordan Suan. Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered the release of aid packages to the families of soldiers killed and wounded during a clash with members of the terrorist group Dawlah IslamiyahMaute on Feb. 18. 2024.
Marina Summers kicks off world tour this week NEWS / A2