@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
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi dies in helicopter crash TEHRAN, Iran—Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was declared dead on Monday after rescue teams found his crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded western mountain region, sparking mourning in the Islamic republic. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority in Iran, declared five days of mourning and assigned vice president Mohammad Mokhber, 68, to assume interim duties ahead of elections within 50 days. Earlier Monday, state TV announced that “the servant of the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, has achieved the highest level of martyrdom” and broadcast
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 95 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Senate shakeup: Chiz in, Migz out
Marcos extends condolences By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his deepest condolences to Iranians and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran after the untimely deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and several officials. Next page
Next page
15 senators vote to oust Zubiri; 5 of 7 allies resign from their posts By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz
S
EVERAL months of brewing talks of a coup attempt in the Upper House ended with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri relinquishing his post to Senator Francis Escudero. There was no objection on the Sen- etano nominated Escudero. ate floor when Senator Alan Peter CayEscudero, accompanied by his wife
Heart Evangelista, immediately took his oath that was administered by Senator Mark Villar. Seven senators sided with Zubiri -- five of whom also resigned from their posts: Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senator Nancy Binay as chairperson of the Next page
This frame grab from video released by the Iranian Red Crescent on May 20, 2024 shows a screen display showing a video showing the crash site of the missing helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi in East Azerbaijan province. AFP
PH mulls new environmental suit vs. China THE Philippines is collecting evidence for the possible filing of a new case against China, this time for environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea, the National Security Council said on Monday. NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said the evidence, which includes images of how Chinese activities destroyed the already fragile marine environment in Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. He said these will be submitted to the Department of Justice and Office of the Solicitor General for the country’s next case against China. “We’re currently collecting all the necessary evidence and information because the filing of another case, in particular an environmental case, of course, will require evidence and necessary data and information,” Malaya said. “It (timeline) will depend on the gravity of the evidence because we will not go to court if we will not win,” he added. Next page
CHANGING OF THE GUARD. Senate President Miguel Zubiri, left photo, steps down and is succeeded by Senator Chiz Escudero after a majority of the upper house signed a resolution expressing their loss of confidence in his leadership.
PBBM, VP Sara’s ratings slide down—OCTA By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte’s trust rating among Filipinos dropped slightly, according to the recent OCTA Research “Tugon ng Masa” (TNM) survey. Conducted from March 24 to 27,
2024, the survey revealed that 69 percent of Filipinos trust President Marcos, down six points compared to his 76 percent trust rating in December 2023. His approval rating also fell to 65 percent from 71 percent—also a sixpoint drop. President Marcos’ trust ratings var-
POPE NAMES TAGLE SPECIAL ENVOY TO US
SC ACQUITS FORMER DA CHIEF OF GRAFT RAPS
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
Former Executive Secretary Ochoa rejects ex-PDEA agent’s claims By Macon Ramos-Araneta
ied significantly across regions, with Balance Luzon showing the highest trust at 79 percent and Mindanao the lowest at 48 percent. Vice President Duterte’s ratings also saw a decline, with 68 percent of respondents expressing trust in her, down Next page
FORMER Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa on Monday refuted the claim of dismissed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales that he stopped the March 2012 anti-drug operation. The operation, which targeted
high-profile personalities, included a politician and an actress and other personalities found in a condo unit in Rockwell, Makati. Testifying before the fourth hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, Ochoa said he completely refutes the charge that he Next page
Mayor Guo insists: I am a Filipino By Maricel Cruz BAMBAN Mayor Alice Guo of Tarlac on Monday maintained she is a Filipino citizen. “I am a Filipino. My mother, my biological mother is a Filipino,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino during a televised interview. The local government official said it was difficult to publicly dis-
cuss her childhood, because her mother left her with her father as soon as she was born. “I found out directly from my father that my mother used to be our maid,” Guo said. She maintained she holds a Filipino passpor t, which she got when she was bet ween 17 and 19 years old. Next page
LAND TO THE TILLER. President Marcos congratulates a farmer beneficiary during ceremonies yesterday in Dumaguete City where 3,855 certificates of land ownership were awarded by the Department of Agrarian Reform. PCO