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‘NO ADDITIONAL MC TAXIS FOR NCR’
DepEd suspends F2F classes until Thursday amid heat danger levels
NEWS / A4
BSP: INFLATION RATE TO CONTINUE RISING BUSINESS / B4
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 54• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024 •
Chinese of ‘soldier’s age’ given retiree visas in PH Binay: NICA should step in; PRA: Security checks in place
THE Department of Education (DepEd) announced the suspension of face-to-face classes in all public schools nationwide on Monday, April 8, 2024. “In order to allow learners to complete pending assignments, projects and other requirements, all public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes or distance learning on Monday,” DepEd said in a Facebook post on Sunday. Face-to-face classes will resume on Thursday, April 11. Tuesday and Wednesday, however, are regular holidays for the Day of Valor and Eid'l Fitr, respectively. The department said teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools are also not required to report to their assigned stations. Next page
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
S
ENATOR Nancy Binay on Sunday questioned the Philippine Retirement Authority’s policy of issuing special resident retiree visas (SSRVs) to Chinese nationals of “soldier’s age.” She expressed alarm over the PRA policy of accepting 35-year olds into the program and cited the need for stricter vetting of the applications regardless of nationality. The Bureau of Immigration had ear-
lier reported the arrest of four Chinese nationals suspected to be behind the proliferation of fraudulently-acquired government-issued IDs and documents including genuine Philippine passports with questionable SRRVs. Next page
Quad naval, air drills in WPS as China holds combat patrols THE first maritime cooperative exercise by naval and air assets of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines was conducted Sunday in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even as the Chinese military held its own air and naval drills in the contested waters.
“We're just practicing what is allowed under international law. As I said, it's a show of unity. If they (China) consider it as a show of force, that is up to them,” Defense Department spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told reporters. Next page
BEATING THE HEAT. Families take a dip at Wawa Dam in Montalban, Rizal amid the oppressive heat on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Manny Palmero
Surrender, stop making demands, House leaders laud Romualdez’s lawmakers, police tell Quiboloy Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta SUSTAINABLE FIBERS. A farmer dries bangkuang, a natural fiber used for making bags and baskeets, in Sta. Rita, Pampanga. Revoli S. Cortez
#ANONGBALITA?
TELEVANGELIST Apollo Quiboloy should not be making demands for a written guarantee of no extradition to the US in exchange for his surrender, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said.
AI vs. humans: Virtual models as influencers
Tasteless prank? Seller admits tattoo 'stunt'
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed "Son of God" and ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was charged by the US Justice Department in 2021 with sex-trafficking of girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants or "pastorals" who were allegedly required to have sex with him.
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accomplishments
By Rio N. Araja LEADERS of the House of Representatives congratulated Speaker Martin Romualdez for his exceptional leadership and commended all members of the 19th Congress for their collective efforts in advancing legislative priorities and addressing national issues. Next page
Marcos: Develop nearby provinces to solve Metro Manila’s traffic woes PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. said will pursue the development of nearby provinces and cities as a long-term solution to Metro Manila’s worsening traffic woes. “Traffic is one of our biggest problems in this country. Sadly, it's Next page