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House gives final OK to bill allowing NFA to sell rice to bring down prices By Maricel V. Cruz
iffication Law (RTL) to enable the government to provide the public with THE House of Representatives led by cheaper rice. The proposed amendments were apSpeaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday night approved on third and final proved by a 231-3-1 vote. Next page reading a bill amending the Rice Tar-
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 96 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024
Cha-cha hangs in the Senate Escudero to consult next move with majority
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
E
FFORTS to amend the 1987 Constitution appear to be facing an even greater hurdle at the Upper House with Senate President Francis Escudero at the helm. Escudero, who replaced ousted Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri Monday, said all hearings on Charter amendments are canceled as of now. “We will not hold any such hearing – outside of Metro Manila or even inside the Senate. We will formally make our decision as a group and as a Senate with respect to this,” he said. While Escudero wouldn’t use Zubiri’s term “dead” to describe Cha-cha’s fate, he said his position against the push to ease restrictive economic provisions has not changed. “I have my own position. We will discuss it with the majority bloc and I have no reason to change my position,” he said. The Senate constitutional amendments subcommittee was scheduled to have consultative hearings in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro today (Thursday) and Friday. Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who has been presiding over the Cha-Cha hearings as chairperson of the subcommittee, also resigned from his post Monday after Zubiri’s ouster. Next page
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. President Marcos joins Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual at the US-initiated Indo-Pacific Business Forum where he unveiled a ‘national transport plan’ that would modernize the country’s transport system. (See story on page 2.)
Escudero admits initiating move to have Zubiri replaced By Macon Ramos-Araneta
He said he began talking to his col- sion,” Escudero said. leagues Thursday after hearing of “I started talking to people because sevNEWLY-INSTALLED Senate Presi- moves to have then Senate President eral of them had misgivings,” he added. dent Francis Escudero on Tuesday ad- Juan Miguel Zubiri replaced. He said the decision to have Zubiri mitted he initiated the change in leader“It was only last Thursday that I be- replaced was finalized Sunday. ship in the Upper House. gan to make inquiries and made a deciEscudero, along with Senate Presi-
dent Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, also belied rumors that outside forces, particularly Malacañang, were behind the recent Senate shake-up. Next page
Ayungin pact sealed during Aquino’s term—Medialdea
Bato admits vote vs. Migz By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa shed copious tears after his “boss” – then Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri – was ousted Monday, but it turned out he was one of the 15 senators who signed a resolution supporting a change in leadership at the Upper House. “I want to tell Migz, sorry boss, I failed to win the war for you. I am one of his trusted lieutenants,” Dela Rosa said on Tuesday.
By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo FORMER Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday revealed during a hearing of the House Committee on National Defense and Security with the Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea that the “gentlemen’s agreement” between China and the Philippines was brokered in 2013, during the administration of late President Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino III. Medialdea served as the executive secretary of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The former chief executive has been implicated in the said agreement with the Chinese government. The former Palace official said he got wind of the commitment to deliver only food and water to the BRP Sierra Madre stationed off the coast of Ayungin Shoal “when the decision came out 12 days after we assumed office.”
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#ANONGBALITA
Turbulence kills 1, hurts several in SA flight ONE person died and multiple people were injured aboard a Boeing 777 plane that experienced “severe turbulence” while heading from London to Singapore before it was diverted to Bangkok on Tuesday, Singapore Airlines said. “We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board,” the airline said in a statement on Facebook. It did not specify how many people were injured, the extent of their injuries or whether the person who died was a passenger or crew member. Singapore Airlines said flight SQ321 took off from London’s Heathrow airport and “encountered severe turbulence en-route.” The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 3:45 pm local time (0845 GMT) Tuesday. Media outlets in Thailand reported that about 30 passengers were injured. “We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide Next page
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No cause for alarm over new COVID variants By Macon Ramos-Araneta
First look at Barbie-inspired staycation in QC
Record-holder for world’s tallest wig still standing after 20 years
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
THE Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that all the country’s regions still remain at low risk for COVID-19. While there is an observed uptick in cases recently, the DOH noted that it is small and lower than previously observed increases. Out of the new cases reported, seven (7) had severe or critical disease. Five (5) deaths were recorded, which occurred in the recent two weeks (April 30 to May 13). Although there’s a reported rise in coronavirus cases in other countries, the DOH said there
is no scientific basis for the Philippines to impose travel restrictions. The DOH remains in close coordination with international health authorities. It added that its Bureau of Quarantine is keeping watch over points of entry nationwide. The voluntary use of face masks should be done properly, along with standard precautions like hand washing, avoiding crowds, and choosing good airflow. As of May 12, 2024, the DOH reported that only 11 percent (119 out of 1,117) of dedicated COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were Next page