@mnlstandardph
/ManilaStandardPH
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 09173382170 / 85646229
OBIENA WINS GOLD IN US ATHLETICS MEET
HATAMAN BACKS TAN FOR BARMM POSITION
SPORTS / A8
NEWS / A6 VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 94 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
FIRM ALLIANCE. President Marcos and Nationalist People’s Coalition president Vicente Sotto shake hands (inset) before the signing of the alliance agreement between the Federal Party of the Philippines and the NPC. PCO
Marcos orders wiretap probe China must release alleged recording of convo with ranking AFP official
By Charles Dantes, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja
P
RESIDENT Marcos ordered an inquiry into the alleged wiretapping of a high-ranking official within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. “We are looking into it because the fact of the matter is, there have been mentions of a tape that confirms that there was this agreement,” President Marcos said in a chance interview. The President emphasized that it is premature to draw any conclusions
until he reviews the contents of the alleged wiretap. “It’s in the possession of the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese government. So, until they release it, it’s harder to believe and to accept that there was an agreement,” he said.
When asked if he had issued any directives for government agencies to exercise additional caution, President Marcos said there was no such directive, but highlighted the ongoing policy on cybersecurity. “There have been so many departments and agencies that have been victimized and I think we are all very aware of the risks of cybersecurity. We are very conscious of that,” he said. He also said the Department of Information and Communications (DICT) and Department of Science Next page
China arrest order in SCS unacceptable—PBBM By Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Marcos denounced the reported directive of the Chinese government permitting its coast guard to apprehend foreigners deemed intruding into the West
Philippine Sea (WPS). “That kind of action would be completely unacceptable to the Philippines,” President Marcos said. “I do not talk about operational details, but the position that we take is that it’s unacceptable and we will Next page
Govt to run after price fixers—Gibo
Senate vetting witnesses vs. Mayor Guo
By Vince Lopez
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has warned that authorities will go after hoarders and manipulators preying on consumers as the country transitions to the La Niña weather phenomenon. The defense chief issued this warning during the fifth meeting of the presidential task force on El Niño response as the government gears up for La Niña. During the task force meeting held at Camp Aguinaldo earlier this month, Teodoro said the Department of National Defense (DND) is ready to provide support to agencies involved in the price monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities. Teodoro, chairperson of the task force, said curbing price manipulation and holding hoarders accountable will be among the priorities of the government in its response.
SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that authorities are rigorously vetting witnesses to substantiate the alleged involvement of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in the recently raided POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) operations in her turf. In a radio interview on DWIZ, Gatchalian underscored the importance of having solid evidence. “It’s difficult to accept those who want to testify, but without evidence or with a weak basis. So, we are vetting if these people have indeed concrete evidence,” he stated. Gatchalian pointed out inconsistencies in Guo’s testimony during a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros. He said her statements contradicted pieces of documentary evidence gathered against her. Gatchalian said the paper trails indicated she was very much involved in the establishment of a POGO hub in Bamban and its operations. Before her tenure as mayor, Guo was the signatory on all applications for Hong Sheng Gaming Technology, Inc., the first POGO company on her property, linked to alleged cryptocurrency investment scams.
Next page
MAYOR ABBY IN ROME. Mayor Abby Binay shares a selfie with Filipino community leaders in Rome where she attended a three-day summit titled ‘From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience,’ held at the Casina Pio IV, Vatican City from May 15 to 17. (Story on A2.)
Kadiwa selling rice at P29-kilo in 5 NCR stores THE Department of Agriculture (DA) (PCO) announced Sunday. ture - Central Office in Quezon City; is selling rice at P29 per kilo in five In a statement, the PCO said the Kadiwa Center inside the Bureau of Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila, the Kadiwa stores are at the ADC Build- Plant Industry in Malate, Manila; Presidential Communications Office ing of the Department of AgriculNext page
Tingog solons top performing party-list representatives—survey TINGOG party-list lawmakers have RP-Mission and Development Foun- the highest rating of 90.3 percent in humbled by this acknowledgment, emerged as the top performing party- dation Inc. (RPMD). the RPMD Boses ng Masa survey which underscores our unwaverlist representatives in the Philippines, Representatives Yedda Marie conducted from March 18 to 24. ing commitment to serving the according to a recent survey by the Romualdez and Jude Acidre achieved “We are deeply honored and Next page
Next page