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US, PH agree on maritime law protocols, security initiatives By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippines and United States have decided to collaborate on several initiatives, including concerns on maritime security and the cyber-digital space following a two-day bilateral meeting in the US capital amid Chi-
nese aggression in the South China Sea. In a joint statement released by the Philippine Embassy in the US on Thursday, both Manila and Washington have renewed commitments to work on addressing global and regional
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 72 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
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Stay out of ICC drug war probe DOJ, PNP warn violators of chain of command may face sanctions PEACE AND ORDER AGENDA. President Marcos
(inset) presides yesterday over the first Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting this year in Malacanang. The meeting’s agenda included the government’s antiillegal drugs drive, and strengthening the country’s cybersecurity. PCO
By Rey E. Requejo, Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos
T
HE Philippine National Police on Thursday warned cops who violate the chain of command when it comes to the policy of non-cooperation with the International Criminal Court that they may face sanctions. The Department of Justice also warned government officials and employees against working with the ICC which reportedly started its probe into the bloody drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte. DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said public sector workers may be held accountable for violating Republic Act (RA) No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, if they are assisting members of the ICC. Next page
NSC warns of foreign meddling in 2025 midterm elections FOREIGN entities may attempt to meddle with next year’s midterm polls, the National Security Council warned on Thursday. This came a day after the Palace issued a warning that a video circulating online featured a digitally altered audio
clip of President Marcos supposedly instructing the military to act against a foreign country. In a radio interview, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said “foreign maligned interference operations” are increasing in the country.
Malaya called on the Commission on Elections to protect the sanctity of the voting process. He also called for a “whole-of-nation” approach to preserve the integrity of the elections. The Presidential Communications
Office earlier said the deepfake video of Mr. Marcos was created using generative artificial intelligence. Malaya on Wednesday said a “foreign hand” appeared to be behind the deepfake video.
HANS CACDAC IS NEW DMW SECRETARY NEWS / A2
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Heat to scorch 36 areas today, says PAGASA By Rio N. Araja and Ratziel San Juan A HEAT index of 46 degrees Celsius is projected over Metro Manila, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and Sangley Point in Cavite this Friday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Based on its computed two-day forecast as of 5PM on Thursday, PAGASA said Filipinos across 33 locations will continue to feel extreme heat measured at 42 to 45 degrees Celsius. Next page
Marcos lets contractuals stay until Dec.
TIME FOR PLAY. Binibining Pilipinas candidates yesterday played hosts to street children from the ChildHope Philippines Foundation inside the Fiesta Carnival in Araneta City, Cubao. Danny Pata
Comelec disqualifies Cagayan governor for defying Election Code By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba from the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE) for violating the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
In a decision released by the Comelec First Division, Mamba was disqualified for defying OEC provisions, which prohibit the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for any and all kinds of public works from March 25, 2022 until May 8, 2022.
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the complaint were Mabel Mamba and Francisco Mamba III, who ran for vice governor and representative of the third district of Cagayan, respectively, in the 2022 NLE but lost their candidacies. Casauay said that the then candidates Next page
Senate to probe pharma, docs ‘prescription-for-sale’ deal
By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos decided to extend the employment of contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in the government set to expire this December. The decision was made during a sectoral meeting at Malacañang with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and Commission on Audit (COA) on Wednesday (April 24).
The poll body also declared the position of governor of Cagayan as vacant and will automatically be filled in by the vice governor in accordance with the law on succession. Victorio Casauay filed the complaint against Mamba. Other respondents in
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
AT THE GRASSROOTS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez delivers his message to more than 1,000 farmers and fisherfolks during the Town Hall Meeting at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) convention center in the Municipality of Tigbauan, Iloilo City. Ver Noveno
SEN. JV Ejercito on Thursday asked the Senate to investigate the alleged collusion between doctors and pharmaceutical firms in the so-called “prescription for sale” scheme. In his Resolution 2011, Ejercito noted that the alleged collusion between pharmaceutical companies and
10 medical practitioners may have contributed to the high out-of-pocket medical expenses of patients. He said this contradicted the very intent of the Universal Health Care Act. He also said that to maintain the honor and integrity of the medical profession, Congress should initiate reforms through legislative measures Next page