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PBBM: No reason to fire VP By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday said there is no need to replace Vice President Sara Duterte as Education Secretary amid questions on her loyalty as an alter-ego of the Chief Executive. Mr. Marcos also assured the public that his working relationship with Duterte will not be affected amid the
feud between her and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. “It will not affect our working relationship with the Vice President, Secretary of Education,” he said. Mr. Marcos added he would only remove alter-egos who are not doing their job as Cabinet officials,
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 70 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
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Surge in Chinese ships in WPS
ASSURANCE OF SUPPORT. President
Marcos assures farmers and fishermen in Occidental Mindoro of government support in the El Nino stricken areas of Occidental Mindoro during his visit yesterday. PCO
Navy says ‘out of normal’ presence amid Balikatan
By Vince Lopez and Rey Requejo
T
HE number of Chinese vessels monitored in the West Philippine Sea has surged amid the annual Balikatan military exercises between Manila and Washington, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday. Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said for the past two months, the number of Chinese ships in the WPS has remainer at a fairly constant average of 60 vessels. “Only for this week that we have seen a surge of up to a total of 124. Three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and (China) Coast Guard having 10,” he said. Next page
US $8.1-b aid bill includes $500m to PH THE Philippines is set to be one of the beneficiaries of an $8.1 billion aid package from the US government intended for its Indo-Pacific allies. The US House of Representatives recently approved the Indo-Pacific Supplemental Appropriations Act, granting the said emergency aid package to Taiwan, the Philippines, and other allies in the Indo-Pacific. US Rep. Darrell Issa introduced an amendment to the bill encouraging the US State Department to allocate $500 million in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines. The act is part of a package of bills worth $95 billion in total that will send aid to key allies around the world, including Ukraine and Israel. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez thanked the US House for the grant, saying it would benefit Filipinos amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea. “This multifaceted assistance package reaffirms America’s steadfast commitment to promoting peace, prosperity, and security in the IndoPacific and beyond,” Romualdez said Next page
12 ISLAMISTS DIE IN MAGUINDANAO GUNBATTLE NEWS / A2
DOH warns doctors getting payoffs stand to lose license THE Department of Health (DOH) cautioned doctors on Tuesday that accepting “gifts” in exchange over their preferences of a company’s manufactured pharmaceuticals could cost them their licenses.
According to DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, while the “trading” scheme remains subject to inquiry, the information that doctors are getting “incentives” has already reached their office. The incentives given by compa-
nies allegedly include luxury cars and other items of value. In exchange for these luxury items, doctors are then obligated to prescribe the company’s brand of pharmaceutical to their patients.
The DOH spokesperson said in a public briefing, “Based on our code of ethics in the medical profession by the Philippine Medical Association, which has a basis in law because the Next page
House to focus on nat’l security, economic matters until sine die By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives would focus on strengthening national security and enhancing economic development in the remaining session of the 19th Congress, said Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday “As we embark on another session this April 29th, our legislative focus sharpens on the dual imperatives of national security and robust development. Recognizing that peace is the cornerstone of prosperity, we aim to enact laws that fortify our national defense and enhance our international security posture,” he told a forum at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) attended by diplomats and government officials. Next page
FOCUS ON WORK. House Speaker Martin Romualdez lays down the agenda of House of Representatives until it ends its session. Ver Noveno
PAGASA HEAT INDEX AS OF 7 PM, APRIL 23
More Pinoys no longer think of themselves poor By Vito Barcelo
2024, down by 3 percent from 11.9 million in the fourth quarter of AN ESTIMATED 11.1 million 2023, according to the Tugon ng Filipino families considered them- Masa survey results conducted by selves poor in the first quarter of the OCTA Research. The survey revealed that the 3% decrease, representing approxi-
mately 800,000 families, l represents a continuing downward trend in self-rated poverty observed since July 2023, where self-rated poverty was at 50%. Speaker Martin Romualdez on Next page
#ANONGBALITA
Metro Manila Roxas City Dagupan City
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San Jose, Occ. Mindoro Puerto Princesa Aborlan, Palawan Tuguegarao Guiuan, Eastern Samar
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Met Museum PH teases collab with Banksy
In world first, Venice to trial day tickets
Thai trans people make push to be ‘truly’ accepted
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
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