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Don’t be a fence sitter, De Lima challenges VP Sara FORMER Senator Leila de Lima pressed Vice President Sara Duterte to either seriously consider her duties as Secretary of the Department of Education or her family’s opposition against President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration. De Lima’s statement came in the wake of observations that Duterte is
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 68 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024
suffering from a conflict of interest due to her current stance, saying that she is “namamangka sa dalawang ilog” or “trying to paddle across two rivers”. The former senator drew attention to Duterte’s loyalty to her family, who, of late, have advocated for the removal Next page
Remove non-tariff barriers Palace order expected to bring down food prices
F
OOD prices will soon be cheaper under Administrative Order 20 (signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 18), ordering the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Departments of Trade and Industry and Finance, to remove non-tariff barriers, and to streamline procedures and policies regarding the importation of agricultural products.
SNIPER FIRE. American and Filipino soldiers fire sniper rifles as
part of the ongoing Salaknib 24 joint exercises at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. The more expansive Balikatan military exercises to be participated in by over 16,000 US and Philippine troops begins today. Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Abreanna Goodrich
“The AO will make food cheaper. Right now, it’s very difficult as an honest exporter to sell food to the Philippines,” Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said. The Philippines has among the highest rates of protection for its domestic goods, with a protection Next page
PH WELCOMES G7’S SUPPORT ON WPS ISSUE NEWS / A2
YULO COPS GOLD IN DOHA WORLD GYMNASTICS TILT SPORTS / A7
More ‘complex’, operations-driven, Balikatan begins today THE expanded Balikatan military exercises between the US and Philippine militaries that will be launched today will be “more complex” and operations driven. “This Balikatan exercise is distinctive due to its scale and evolving na-
ture, adapting to contemporary security challenges,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a message to defense reporters. Col. Padilla also said that the drills shall be more of an operational rather
than tactical level. It will last until May 18 and will be participated in by over 16,000 troops from both countries. It will also be first time that the Philippine Coast Guard will join Balikatan, according to Philippine Coast Guard spokes-
person Rear Admiral Armando Balilo. He said the PCG would participate in the joint interoperability exercises among the Philippines, Australia, France, and the United States. Next page
Padilla bill calls for Senate inquiry on SMNI suspension
BENGUET’S ADOPTED SON. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez raises a copy of the resolution declaring him as an adopted son of the municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet. The resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of La Trinidad, Resolution was presented to the Speaker by officials of La Trinidad led by Mayor Romeo Salda who lbestowed the name “Batakagan,” meaning “Brightest Star” to the Speaker. Ver Noveno
By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Robin C. Padilla is seeking a Senate investigation on the possible violation of press freedom over the indefinite suspension of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)
owned by Apollo Quiboloy who is facing child abuse charges. In his proposed Senate Resolution 1000, Padilla noted that “the imposition of baseless suspension orders on SMNI not only constitutes a denial Next page
La Trinidad town adopts Speaker as ‘Batakagan’ By Rio N. Araja
the resolution adopted by its Sangguniang Bayan, declaring him as the OFFICIALS of the municipality of town’s adopted son. Resolution No. 69-2024, adopted by La Trinidad, Benguet province on Sunday presented House Speaker the municipal board during its reguMartin Romualdez with a copy of Next page
Power market prices up due to outages, says market operator By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER rates showed an increase when the red and yellow alerts were imposed in the Luzon and Visayas grids last week due to insufficient power generating capacity, data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) showed. IEMOP data showed that systemwide prices went up to P13.65 per kilowatthour (kWh) on April 18, the third day of continuing red and yellow alerts.
The IEMOP operates the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the trading floor of electricity. “Note that these prices are still subject to pricing validations/corrections which will be done towards the end of the current WESM billing month. Effective WESM rates are computed based on the total monthly spot transactions,” IEMOP said in its advisory. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the second Next page
Heat levels to soar up to 45 degrees, dips in Metro PAGASA HEAT INDEX AS OF APRIL 21, 5 PM
Pili, Camarines Sur
44
Infanta, Quezon
43
Puerto Princesa
43
Aborlan, Palawan
43
Guiuan, Eastern Samar
43
Masbate City
43
Juban, Sorsogon
43
Tuguegarao City
43
NAIA, Pasay City
41
Quezon City
40
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) warned of dangerous heat index levels reaching above 40 degrees in 41 areas across the country. According to the weather bureau’s April 21, 5 pm forecast on Sunday, the highest temperature would be felt in Pili, Camarines Sur at 45 degrees Celsius, Infanta, Quezon, Puerto Princesa, and Aborlan, in Palawan, at 44 degrees Celsius. Other areas which are projected to experience high levels of heat are the following: • Dagupan City, 43 degrees Celsius • Aparri, Cagayan, 43 degrees Celsius • Legazpi City, 43 degrees Celsius • Virac, Catanduanes, 43 degrees Celsius • Guiuan, Eastern Samar, 43 degrees Celsius • Masbate City, 43 degrees Celsius Next page