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PRESIDENT MARCOS SAYS HE IS STILL OPEN TO WPS TALKS WITH CHINA By Charles Dantes and Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reiterated that his ad-
ministration is open to back-channel talks with the Chinese government regardless of Beijing’s continuing incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). He said that “We should try every-
thing,” to open and use any point of contact or communication lines that will bridge the discussion towards progress and stop any form of aggression in the area. The President added that our na-
tion is allied with countries who also reject China’s claims in the WPS, and that we are not a lone voice is an important aspect to consider. Marcos recognized that the invitation he received to deliver the keynote
RAINY SEASON HAS STARTED, SAYS PAGASA BSP-LED COUNCIL WATCHES ENERGY SUPPLY, PRICES
By Charles Dantes VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 104• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024 •
Church firm against divorce; Villar 8th senator opposed to it Bill is ‘anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children’—CBCP By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Maricel Cruz
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PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he was aware of the plan to remove Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate President. In a media interview in Brunei, the President said he was informed by Senator Francis Escudero regarding his plan to take the post of Senate President. "Senator Migz (Zubiri) has changed already, he has stepped down. So that's the extent, that's how... I was basically informed every step of the way but it moves so quickly as well," Mr. Marcos said. "But of course, we knew the state of the voting when that was still being collected by Senator Chiz (Escudero). We already know the numbers that will come out," he added. Zubiri was officially replaced as Senate President by Escudero on May 20. Meanwhile, Marcos denied claims he was involved in the ouster of Zubiri, citing the decision was made by the Next page Senate alone.
Comelec to ban use of AI-generated campaign materials
HE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines remained firm in opposing the proposed divorce law, warning lawmakers they are supporting a measure that is "anti-family, anti-marriage and antichildren.” "It’s a betrayal of their constitutional mandate to uphold marriage and the family,” said CBCP Spokesperson Father Jerome Secillano. The House of Representatives earlier approved on third and final reading the absolute divorce bill, but the measure is facing an uphill battle in the Senate. On Wednesday, Senator Cynthia Villar added her voice to the members of the Upper Chamber opposed to the divorce bill. "I was surprised the House passed the measure," said Villar, wife of business tycoon and former Senate President Manny Villar. "Everyone knows I have a very happy family life, so I'm not in favor of divorce," she added. Based on an informal poll conducted by Senator Jinggoy Estrada as well as the public pronouncements of senators, eight are against the divorce measure while seven were in favor. Aside from Estrada, Senate President Francis Escudero, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, and Senators Joel Villanueva, Ronald dela Rosa, Aquilino Pimentel III and Juan Miguel Zubiri are against absolute divorce. Those who were in favor Senators Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, JV Ejercito and Pia Cayetano. Next page
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Marcos denies hand in Zubiri ouster but knew about plot
NEWS / A2
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speech at the annual Shangri-la Dialogue—an international conference on defense and security—marked a significant aspect of the controversy: the position the Philippines is in as
By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced plans to ban the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-aided election campaign and propaganda materials during the campaign period for the 2025 elections. In a brief statement, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said he will recommend to the en banc the prohibition of deepfakes in campaign activities by candidates, party-lists, and political parties. Garcia highlighted growing concerns among election management experts about the threat of AI technology, particularly deepfakes, which can sow deceit and misinformation among voters and candidates. He cited an incident where even the President of the country fell victim to AI-generated deepfake videos intended to deceive viewers. Garcia expressed fears that the misuse of AI technology in campaign materials—including videos, audios, Next page
#ANONGBALITA?
STRAW VOTE. An informal survey by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada shows an 8-7 vote so far against the divorce bill being
shepherded by Sen. Risa Hontiveros in the 24-member Senate. The House has passed the measure with a 130-109-20 vote.
Senator says Guo's mom may be Chinese, to move for her expulsion from NPC By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said in a recent media forum in Manila that tracking down former workers of Guo Joanzhong, father of Bamban mayor Alice Guo, helped bolster the
P100-million scam warning NEWS / A2
speculation that she may be a Chinese national. During the search for the workers, the name Wen Yi came to their attention, who travelled 170 times in six years with the mayor's father, the Next page senator affirmed.
FLiRT cases ‘mild and manageable’ —DOH SINGAPORE SORTIE. President
Marcos arrives in Singapore for his address at the Shangrila Dialogue. Inset shows Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez having a selfie with members of the Filipino community at the BRIDEX International Convention Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health (DOH) announced on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases in the Philippines remain mild and manageable, as public health authorities continuously monitor the situation in light of recently discovered variants.
As of May 20, 2024, all regions in the Philippines are classified as low risk for COVID-19. The DOH emphasizes the importance of voluntary face mask use and other standard precautions like hand washing, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good ventilation. Next page
Sleep divorce anyone? NEWS / A2