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DOJ ORDERS NBI TO PROBE CHINA EMBASSY FOR ‘WIRETAP’ By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the Chinese Embassy in Manila on alleged violations of the country’s Anti-Wiretapping Act. “Diplomatic immunity should never be used as a license to exploit our country’s peace and harmony for selfish motives. This privilege does not shield
anyone from the consequences of the Rule of Law,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement. He reminded diplomats who enjoy privileges and immunities that it is their “duty to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.” Remulla said he has already instructed the NBI to conduct an indepth investigation into the alleged wiretapping committed by the embasNext page
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 89 • 4 SECTIONS 22 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
‘Atin Ito’ sets sail for Panatag shoal PCG, Navy vessels to secure civilian mission amid China threat By Joyce Pañares and Macon Ramos-Araneta
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VER a hundred fishermen and volunteers will depart today from Botolan, Zambales as part of the second civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea— armed with courage, love of country, and a statue of the Stella Maris amid warnings that China sending its largest blockade ever to Scarborough Shoal. At least five main commercial fishing vessels and some 100 fishing boats will join the mission that aims to deploy buoys bearing the message “West Philippine Sea Atin Ito” as well as bring fuel rations and food packs to fisherfolk in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. Next page
Require birth docs for poll bets—Comelec By Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo
PRAYING FOR A SAFE JOURNEY. Atin Ito civilian volunteers end preparations for today’s sail for Panatag shoal with a mass at their staging area in Zambales. Danny Pata
NFA to intervene ‘Sue China anew for marine, reef destruction’ to arrest rising price of rice—DA By Rey E. Requejo
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Othel V. Campos AGRICULTURE Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel on Tuesday said the National Food Authority (NFA) should intervene in the market amid the rising cost of rice. “That’s the basic thought during this times that the price of rice is 15-year high in the world,” said Laurel in response to the query of Sen. Francis Tolentino. During the public hearing of the Senate committee on agriculture and food chaired by Sen. Cynthia Villar,
THE Philippine government should sue China anew, this time for damages due to the destruction of Escoda Shoal and Rozul Reef, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Tuesday. “The next arbitration case that we
are recommending is for the following purposes: To sue China for damages because they destroyed Escoda Shoal and Rozul Reef,” Carpio said in an interview over dzBB. He said the two features are within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard earlier
accused China of building an artificial island in Escoda Shoal, also called Sabina Shoal. The PCG said the dumping of crushed corals near the shoal may be in preparation for China’s reclamation activities. Escoda Shoal is much closer to Palawan than the contested Ayungin Shoal. Next page
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TRILLANES SUES ROQUE, 7 OTHERS NEWS / A2
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Household power rates higher in May By Alena Mae S. Flores and Maricel Cruz
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) called on Congress to pass a law that would allow the poll body to refuse the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of certain candidates if they fail to submit the required documents such as a birth certificate. In an interview, poll chairman George Garcia said at present, the Comelec’s role in accepting the COCs is purely ministerial. “The Comelec has no right to reject a COC submitted to us. As long as all the items are filled out, we will accept it, regardless if the information
MILITANTS ASKS SC TO STOP PUVMP ALL HANDS ON DECK. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez vows full support for measures to mitigate the effects of floods with
NEWS / A2
the onset of La Nina during a meeting with Cabinet secretaries and other top officials of various agencies at his office. Among those present were DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, MMDA Gen. Manager Procopio Lipana and DILG Usec. Lord Villanueva. Ver Noveno
MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) announced Tuesday its consumers will see an increase of P0.4621 per kilowatthour in their May electricity rates. Meralco said this brings the overall rate for a typical household to P11.4139 per kWh from P10.9518 per kWh in April on the back of higher
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Mid-year bonus payout for state workers set today—DBM “I am pleased to announce that our civil servants will receive their mid-year bonus THE Department of Budget and Man- this year. We know that this is eagerly agement (DBM) on Tuesday said quali- awaited by our fellow government emfied government workers can expect their ployees and will significantly assist them mid-year bonus starting May 15, 2024. in meeting their daily needs,” Budget
By Darwin G. Amojelar
Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said. “As always, we remind all government agencies and offices to ensure the prompt and timely release of bonuses to their employees, in accordance with our existing rules and regulations. This will
begin on May 15,” she added. The mid-year bonus is equal to one month’s basic pay of entitled government workers as of May 15. It is given to eligible personnel who have worked at least Next page