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Bicam approves bill seeking to define PH maritime zones
EGG PRICES MAY GO UP BY 20%, DA WARNS NEWS / A2
'TAIWAN SHOULD PAY US FOR CHINA DEFENSE' WORLD / B4
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 153• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024 •
Manila, Beijing elevate SCS emergency hotline
But Carpio says it's 'useless' if China doesn't answer again
THE proposed Maritime Zones Bill, which defines the extent of Philippine waters, has been approved by a bicameral conference committee on Wednesday. “We have reconciled the provisions on internal waters and archipelagic waters, which are technical and legal. So now it is for the signing of the President,” said Senate Majority Leader Senator Francis Tolentino, the bill's principal author. The final version of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act included Palawan and the Philippine Rise. Once enacted, the measure is expected to declare the country’s maritime zones based on the standards set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and eventually the Next page
By Rachelle Tonelada, Vince Lopez and Rex Espiritu
HE Philippines and China’s hotline on the South China Sea would soon be elevated to include the level of presidential representatives and top diplomats, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
T
SAFE SCHOOL SUPPLIES PUSH.
Members of the EcoWaste Coalition push for a ban on hazardous chemicals in school supplies and other children's products ahead of the school opening on July 29. Manny Palmero
The DFA said the recently signed “Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms” would provide various “channels for communication” between the two countries, specifically on maritime issues. These avenues include one “through the representatives to be designated” by the Philippine and Chinese presidents. Another channel is between the DFA and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including at the secretary (foreign minister) and undersecretary (vice foreign minister) levels or through their designated representatives. “The DFA is in discussions with the Chinese Next page
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
Commission on Election chairman George Garcia denies bribery allegations involving South Korean firm Miru as he assured the public that preparations for the May 2025 national and local elections remain on track despite the false accusations. Norman Cruz
Comelec to unmask those behind bank accounts smear campaign By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that they have unmasked the individual be-
hind the alleged bank accounts where bribes from a South Korean firm where supposedly deposited for Chairman George Garcia.
Next page
Poll shows 2% dip in PBBM’s approval By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s approval and trust ratings slightly de-
clined less than a week before his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the latest Pulse Asia survey showe. Next page
Biz groups back economic team on total ban on POGOs By Othel Campos, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon RamosAraneta and Rex Espiritu AN umbrella network of business organizations voiced its support for the recommendation of economic managers to completely ban POGOs, saying the revenues from the
Nickelodeon fetes SB19 as Fave Asian Act By Angelica Villanueva P-POP boy group SB19 won the Favorite Asian Act at Nickelodeon’s 2024 Kids’ Choice Awards yesterday. Next page
industry are outweighed by its social costs. While the Philippine Business Groups (PBG) acknowledged the potential job losses associated with the ban, they urged the government to prioritize reskilling initiatives and create alternative job opportunities for affected Filipino workers. Next page
Remark neither a threat nor a joke, says Sara VICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said her "designated survivor" quip was neither a joke nor a threat, and that she owes nobody an explanation if her statement was misunderstood. During an interview in Cebu, the Next page
MOST FAVORITE IN ASIA.
Filipino boyband SB19 bags the ‘Favorite Asian Act’ at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024, besting other nominees such as Tiara Andini (Indonesia), Niziu (Japan), ENHYPEN (Korea), and Iman Troye (Malaysia).