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Marcos orders total POGO ban
Biz groups, lawmakers, economic team hail SONA marching order By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, Macon RamosAraneta, Othel Campos, Darwin Amojelar, Jenniffer Austria and Vito Barcelo
P
RESIDENT Marcos ordered an immediate ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) during his third State of the Nation Address—a pronouncement that earned him resounding applause and a standing ovation from lawmakers and guests at the Batasan complex.
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 156• 5 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P20 •TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2024 •
"We're hearing the loud voices of the people against the POGOs...Effective today, all POGOs are banned," Mr. Marcos said. "I hereby instruct Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year,” he added. The President said POGOs are disguised as legitimate entities, Next page
West Philippine Sea ‘is ours and will remain ours,’ says President
SONA HIGHLIGHTS:
By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta
NO MORE POGOS. President Marcos gestures to stress his marching order for a total ban on POGOs
during his third State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on Monday, July 22, 2024. Ver Noveno
PRESIDENT Marcos said there is no external force that can carve out the West Philippine Sea from the Philippines. "The West Philippine Sea is not a figment of our imagination. It is ours, and it will remain ours as long as the spirit of our beloved country burns brightly," he said in his State of the Nation Address yesterday. “The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver...We have faced challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done. Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes," the commander-in-chief added. The President underscored the important role the country’s maritime forces play in securing the country’s ocean borders. Next page
SENATE PRESIDENT ESCUDERO
Marcos trumpets ‘bloodless drug war’ gains By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos said the administration has made significant headway in suppressing the narcotics trade despite shunning the use of excessive violence against suspected drug traffickers and users. "On the fight against dangerous drugs, our bloodless war on dangerous drugs adheres, and will continue to adhere, to the established '8 Es' of an effective anti-illegal drugs strategy," Mr. Marcos said in his third State of the Nation Address yesterday. "Extermination was never one of them," he added.
Mr. Marcos noted that in the course of more than 71,500 operations launched within his tenure, government operatives have managed to confiscate over P44 billion worth of illegal drugs and round up more than 97,000 suspects. He said among those arrested were more than 6,000 were “highvalue targets,” including 440 government employees -- 42 of whom were uniformed personnel -and 77 elected officials. Mr. Marcos further said the administration’s “bloodless drug war” has yielded an impressive nationwide conviction rate average of at least 79 percent, which he
‘Cha-cha, divorce, death penalty bills not priorities’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Francis Escudero on Monday said pending bills on Charter change (Cha-cha) will be placed in the back burner, while measures to bring back divorce and death penalty are not among the priorities of the Upper Chamber. Pending Charter change bills involved amendments to three restrictive provisions Next page
Biden exits US election, endorses Harris JOE Biden on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) dropped out of the US presidential election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's new nominee, in a political earthquake that upends the already extraordinary race for the White House. Biden, 81, said he was acting in the "best interest of my party and the country"
by bowing to weeks of pressure after a disastrous June debate against Donald Trump stoked worries about his age and mental fitness. The stunning move throws Democrats into fresh turmoil ahead of the November 5 election. But it could also reenergize the demoralized party, with Harris swiftly Next page
attributed to “strong case build-up and efficient prosecution.” "We welcome the report that the number of drug-affected barangays in our country has been reduced by 32 percent," he added. He further reported that over P500 million in tainted money and assets have been frozen and preserved. The incumbent leadership’s strategy on the drug war is a stark contrast to what transpired during the Duterte Administration when at least 6,000 drug suspects were killed according to government data, although rights groups estimate the toll to be closer to 30,000.
PBBM performance a solid 10 out of 10, says Speaker By Ratziel San Juan and Maricel Cruz
• Expands PhilHealth coverage to include lung, liver, ovary and prostate cancer treatment • Salary increases for gov't employees; extended job order and contract services • More cash aid for mothers under 4Ps; mobile primary clinic in every province • Boosts local rice production; ready to roll out vaccines vs. ASF to help meat producers • Backs 'experiential tourism' push; e-gates, e-visa soon to be standard in airports
SPEAKER MARTIN ROMUALDEZ
SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Monday rated the performance of President Marcos with a perfect score since his previous State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year. "I would grade the President's performance at a solid 10 out of 10. Over the past year, he has demonstrated strong leadership and made significant strides in delivering on his promises from the last SONA," Romualdez said. Next page
FUTURE OF DEMOCRATS.
File photo shows US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris raising their arms as guests cheer after watching the Independence Day fireworks from the White House in Washington, DC on July 4, 2024. AFP