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Speaker cites PH advances in science, technology By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez showcased before the international community the country’s progress in science, technology, and innovation under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Speaking at the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday (Switzerland time), the leader of the 307-strong House of Representatives said the President and Congress have been taking steps to promote science, technology, and innovation to sustain
the nation’s development. In line with the legislative priorities of the President, Romualdez said the National Innovation Council was created “to ensure that innovation is embedded as a key priority in our country’s pathway to socioeconomic development.” Next page
PLEASANTRIES. Speaker Martin G. Romualdez exchanges pleasantries with the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr. Tulia Ackson from the United Republic of Tanzania, when they met yesterday at the opening session of the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Speaker Romualdez heads the Philippine delegation to the gathering of the world’s parliamentarians with the theme: ‘Harnessing science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future.’
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 243 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024
‘Quad drug war evidence strong’ House leaders: Enough to implicate Go, Dela Rosa, Duterte admin By Maricel V. Cruz
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EADERS of the House Quad Committee said there was enough evidence to establish the participation of Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go in the alleged drug war reward system under the Duterte administration, with the trail going all the way up to Malacañang.
DOJ to follow PBBM lead on ICC NEWS / A2
MESSAGE STICK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. receives the Australian Message Stick from Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu during the official turnover ceremony of the hosting of Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) held at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday, Oct 15, 2024. Also on stage are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, and Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and UNDRR Head Kamal Kishore. PPA POOL
“The evidence so far unearthed in the Quad Comm belies Senators Bato’s and Bong Go’s denials of EJK involvement and existence of the reward system that was public knowledge during the previous administration, particularly in the Philippine National Police,” said Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, Next page
PH still Asia’s growth hub despite disasters—PBBM PAOCC hunts down over 100 smaller underground POGOs By Rex Espiritu
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday reiterated that the Philippines remains resilient despite facing numerous and various natural calamities each year. At the official opening of the AsiaPacific Ministerial Conference on Dis-
aster Risk Reduction, hosted by Manila, Marcos stated that natural disasters make the Philippines more vulnerable. However, he emphasized, “Much has been said of the resilience of the Filipino spirit.” “While nature has gifted us with natural wonders, it has reminded us of its formidable power. We are visited
by more than 20 tropical cyclones in a year,” he remarked. “Still, we remain Asia’s engine of growth. We find ourselves at a critical juncture,” he added. The President also noted that the APMCDRR 2024 conference sends a powerful message: “The Asia-Pacific is not just Next page
By Vito Barcelo
ganized Crime Commission said Tuesday, adding it has been going after over LARGE-SCALE POGOs have “disin- 100 small illegal gambling operators. “What used to be large-scale POGOs tegrated into small units” after President Marcos ordered a ban on the gaming es- with thousands of employees have disNext page tablishments, the Presidential Anti-Or-
Marcos thanks Thousands of PH, US allied troops hold ‘Kamandag’ war games UAE for pardon of 143 Filipinos By Rex Espiritu
SOME 2,000 thousand American and Filipino marines, joined by forces from allied countries, launched 10 days of joint exercises in the northern and western Philippines on Tuesday, a day after China held huge drills around Taiwan.
By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday conveyed his country’s gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leadership for pardoning 143 Filipino nationals and paving the way for their homecoming. In a conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Mr. Marcos said the clemency extended would allow Filipinos facing legal issues in the Emirates to return home and avoid further penalties. “It is always inspiring to hear how our Filipino workers continue to excel and make a positive contribution in the UAE,” the President said. “I expressed my gratitude for the kindness extended to them, particularly their generous pardon of 143 Filipinos, which has brought relief to Next page
WPS issue a major factor in 2025 polls NEWS / A2
WAR GAMES. Philippine Marine Corps and exercise director Brig. Gen. Vicente Blanco, Philippine Marine Corps commandant Maj. Gen.
Arturo Rojas, US Marines exercise representative Col. Stuart Glenn, and Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Hajime Kitajima pose during a press conference after the opening ceremony of the Kamandag 2024 joint military exercises at the Philippine Marines officers club at Fort Bonifacio in Manila on Oct. 15, 2024. Smaller numbers of Australian, British, Japan, and South Korean forces are also taking part in the exercise, while France, Thailand, and Indonesia sent observers. AFP
The annual Kamandag, or Venom, exercises are focused on defending the north coast of the Philippine’s main island of Luzon, which lies about 800 kilometers from self-ruled Taiwan. The United States and the Philippines are fielding around 1,000 troops each while allies Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom sent smaller contingents. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed it will never Next page