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SENATORS RATIFY MARITIME ZONES BILL, CHINA SAYS IT ‘COMPLICATES’ SCS WTO HIKES SUGAR QUOTA BY 25K TONS
THE Senate on Monday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which China says will only make “the situation in the South China Sea more complex.” “This law represents more than just a legal framework. It is a symbol of our resolve to protect our marine environment and secure the livelihood of our coastal communities,” said Senator Francis Tolentino.
NEWS / A4
LAWMAKERS TOLD TO HASTEN CHA-CHA NEWS / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 38• 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024 •
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Biden to host Marcos, Kishida in US April 11 As Blinken repeats US ‘ironclad’ commitment to Manila
W
ASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden will hold the first three-way summit with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan next month, the White House said, as the United States firms up alliances against China. Biden's meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 11 is the latest in a series of meetings with Asia-Pacific allies.
‘US has no right to interfere in SCS’ NEWS / A2 Mr. Marcos on Tuesday welcomed to Malacanang Palace US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who underscored Washington’s “ironclad commitment” Tuesday to help defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack against its forces. It comes against a backdrop of skirmishes between Philippines and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, where the countries have contested maritime claims. "These waterways are critical to the Philippines, to its security, to its economy, but they're also critical to the interests of the region, the United States and the world," Blinken said earlier at a joint press conference with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Next page Manalo.
BLINKEN MEETS PBBM. President Marcos received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (seated center left) and other American officials at Malacanang Palace, hours after Blinken held a press conference with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (above inset) about expanding US-Philippine relations on Tuesday. AFP
House passes 19 LEDAC bills, Senate plays catch-up By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta
as discussed in the 4th LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) have been approved by the House of Representatives, three SPEAKER Martin Romualdez months ahead of its June target. announced Tuesday that all of the 19 Romualdez delivered his report during priority legislations of President Marcos a full LEDAC meeting led by Mr. Marcos
in Malacañang. “Mr. President, we have done our homework and all the 19 measures reprioritized for target by June 2024 have been approved on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives,” the Speaker said. Next page
Zubiri inks Quiboloy arrest warrant; DOJ files twin cases in Davao, Pasig By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey Requejo SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday signed and released the arrest order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy for his willful disobedience of a legislative
committee. Meanwhile The Department of Justice also filed criminal charges before the regional trial courts in Davao City and Pasig City against the televangelist for the alleged sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking in 2011 of a young girl who was then Next page 17 years old.
Panel OKs 3 bills for seniors, PWD benefits By Maricel V. Cruz MORIONES MASK. Dick Malapote, a mask maker from Barangay Janagdong, Mogpog, Marinduque shows off his finish product in prepaparation for this Holy Week of the Moriones Festival. Jay Morales
#ANONGBALITA?
A JOINT panel in the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed three bills expanding benefits of senior citizens and persons with disability. The joint committees on senior citizens, disability affairs, and on ways
and means approved three substitute bills to House Bills 10061, 10062, and 10063 during their final hearing, according to Rep. Joey Salceda, cochair of the joint panel. The joint hearings were conducted at the instruction of Speaker Ferdinand
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#JusticeForKillua: Pet’s death sparks animal cruelty talk
Greenbelt shelves getting bare as closure looms
CA raps colonel, bypasses him after wife’s revelations
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
LEDAC PRIORITY BILLS 1. Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System 2. Negros Island Region 3. Philippine Maritime Zones Act 4. Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act 5. Philippine Defense Industry Development Act (PDIDA)/SelfReliant Defense Posture Act 6. Valuation Reform Bill 7. Waste-to-Energy Bill 8. Instituting a National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program Next page
Ombudsman, DILG teams in Bohol for resort investigation By Rio N. Araja and Vince Lopez THE Office of the Ombudsman is now conducting an investigation into the presence of a resort facility within the protective area of the worldrenowned Chocolate Hills in Bohol. Next page