AN 8-PAGE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
SECTIONS B & C
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President signs law to save dying PH salt industry
INSIDE
AN 8-PAGE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
SECTIONS B & C
By Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 36• 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024 •
Congress gets ‘Cha-cha’ consensus, says Marcos House poised to approve RBH 7 this week before Lent break
THE country’s salt industry now has a law of its own, meant to rejuvenate and strengthen this “dying” trade. President Marcos enacted on Mar. 11 Republic Act No 11985, also known as "Philippine Salt Industry Development Act" primarily crafted to redeem the salt industry from the brink of extinction. Senator Cynthia Villar on Sunday thanked the President for the new law, saying it will save the country's salt industry. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also said RA 11985 is a crucial step forward in advancing the development and modernization of the salt industry. “The ultimate goal is to facilitate sustainable production that could potentially lead to salt exportation, contributing to the country’s economic growth,” Romualdez said in a statement. Next page
By Rio N. Araja and Charles Dantes
B
OTH chambers of Congress have finally come to terms with the proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, President Marcos said over the weekend. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is set to approve on third and final reading the proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the Charter. “So, that is the legislative state of play as it were. The Senate is continuing with the hearings. The House (of Next page
JUMALON SHOOTING SUSPECTS ARRESTED NEWS / A4
‘LURE MORE CHINESE TO BOOST TOURISM’ NEWS / A6
STANDARD CUP WINNERS. Andrew Romualdez (second from left and inset right)
stands with teammates Angelo Licaros, Inigo Zobel, and Ignacio O’Dwyer after their White Team beat Tony Pet Albano-led Black, 6-1, to win the Manila Standard Cup 2024 at the Enrique Zobel Field of Manila Polo Club in Makati City on Sunday. Awarding them the trophy were First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos (center), Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Yedda Romualdez, Mrs. Juliette Romualdez, and Polo Club officials. Ver Noveno and Lino Santos
Probe on Bohol PBBM Europe trip nets ‘immense resort to continue benefits’ for people, says Speaker despite recess By Macon Ramos-Araneta
FIRE-RED SKY. Smoke and a bright-red fire comes out of the Maria Tigue Compound in Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa City early Sunday morning, as at least 400 families were affected but no casualties were reported. Joseph Muego
THE forthcoming Lenten break of Congress does not guarantee respite from legislative investigations for the operators of resorts within the protected area of the world-famous Chocolate Hills in Bohol. Congress adjourns from March 23 to April 29. Senator Cynthia Villar vowed to press her inquiry into the illegal structures within the Chocolate
the continuous decline of water levels in Angat Dam. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also made the same observation, saying El Niño has caused at least P1.31 billion worth of agricultural damage as of midMarch.
#ANONGBALITA?
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countries for the protection of the Philippine sovereignty and rights in the West Philippine Sea, as well as the billions of dollars’ worth of investment deals and agreements forged that would create thousands of jobs for Filipinos. Next page
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‘Strong, mature’ El Niño now in country; Marijuana-laced Damages now hitting P1.3 b—gov’t vapes dangerous to minors—PDEA
THE damage to agriculture due to the dry spell induced by the El Niño has reached P1.31 billion mark, according to the Task Force El Niño. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said it was considering reducing the water pressure of concessionaires in Metro Manila due to
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday cited the just-concluded visit of President Marcos to Germany and the Czech Republic for securing immense benefits for the country and the people. Romualdez noted the solid support expressed by leaders of the two
By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) wants tighter regulations to prevent consumers from using marijuana-flavored electronic cigarettes or vapes. The agency also warned the public against the proliferation of vapes with marijuana oil in the market. Next page
SINING FILIPINA WINNERS. SM Supermalls, BDO Unibank, Inc. and the
Zonta Club of Makati and Environs recently announced the winners of the first Sining Filipina all-female art competition—for the Non-Figurative and Figurative categories, including P250,000 for first place, were (from left, front row) Maria Gemma San Jose (1st place, Non-figurative); Ma. Christina Baltero (3rd place, Figurative); Hanna Joy Sayam (1st place, Figurative); Isabelita Rodillo (3rd place, Non-Figurative); Maria Melissa Sangoyo (2nd place, Non-figurative); and Luckyshia Jenielou Canonigo (2nd place, Figurative). Witnessing were (from left, back row) SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Singapore Ambassador Constance See, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. President Elizabeth Sy, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, ZCME President Jeannie Abaya, and BDO Private Bank President Albert Yeo.
No Happy Meal: ‘System failure’ hits McDonald’s
Chopper and Leet: Pet influencers for Pinoy furbabies
Karaoke inventor Negishi dies, 100, family reports
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2