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VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 298 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024

405 beneficiaries of VP ‘non-existent’

HAZARD. Mount Kanlaon erupted anew yesterday, sending a huge ash column 8,000 feet above sea level and forcing hundreds of villagers to evacuate from homes within the 6-mile danger zone around the volcano. Inset shows a vehicle covered by Kanlaon’s ashfall. DOST-PHIVOLCS/Screenshot/ 23 Media Digital

Solons warn fund misuse ground for plunder Kanlaon erupts anew, forcing By Maricel V. Cruz

VER 400 individuals listed as recipients of confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte have no birth records in any Philippine Statistics Authority database, a House panel revealed yesterday.

Another 200 individuals who were “Out of the 677 names we submitted, supposedly handed funds have dupli- more than 400 had no birth records. cate names in PSA records, the commit- Meanwhile, more than 200 of them had tee also found. the same names as other individuals,”

Manila Rep. Joel Chua told TeleRadyo Serbisyo in Filipino. These were some of the latest findings of panel members as they wrapped up their controversial investigation, unveiling a long list of potential crimes, including plunder, committed at the agencies led by Duterte. The Manila solon delivered a scathing summation, focusing on the central question of the months-long inquiry: “Where did the confidential funds go?” Next page

hundreds to flee to safety By Caloy Lozada, Maricel Cruz, and Rex Espiritu

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert status of Kanlaon Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 following an eruption on December 9, citing the potential for stronger and hazardous volcanic activity in the

coming weeks. “We raised the alert level because there is a possibility of another eruption, potentially stronger but short-lived, following this afternoon’s activity,” Phivolcs chief science research specialist Ma. Antonia Bornas said. The eruption, which occurred at Next page

PNP deploys 41k nationwide to secure X’mas By Vince Lopez MORE than 41,000 cops will be deployed nationwide during the Christmas season, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed the Manila Standard report yesterday. PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said: “Initially, we will deploy over 41,000 personnel nationwide,” adding that police officers will no longer be allowed to take leaves by December 15. According to Fajardo, PNP chief General Rommel Marbil ordered more police visibility in areas of convergence such as markets, malls, and transport terminals in light of the expected influx of travelers. The PNP on Sunday said its units nationwide have been directed to intensify regular patrols in high-traffic areas as the holiday season approaches. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin meanwhile said that police officers from

FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed three significant laws yesterday to address national priorities at the Malacañang Palace. Witnessing the signing were lawmakers led by Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. PPA Pool

YOON BANNED FROM LEAVING SOUTH KOREA WORLD / A6

SSS PAYOUT FOR 13TH MONTH TOTALS P32B NEWS / A4

PARAMOUNT LEADER. The leader of Syria’s Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital’s landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted “Allahu akbar (God is greatest),” a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. AFP

PBBM signs 3 crucial new laws on agriculture, tourism, mental health By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos began his working week by enacting a trifecta of laws in an apparent bid to make big strides towards realizing his administration’s legislative agenda before yearend. Two of the three laws signed on Monday were geared towards helping key economic sectors become more competitive in the globalized economy, while the third aimed to put mental health care at the school system’s core. “These three laws are not just policies— they are commitments. Commitments to the Filipino farmer, the Filipino worker, the Filipino entrepreneur, the Filipino learner, and to every single citizen who dreams of a brighter, more resilient, and more progressive Bagong Pilipinas,” the President said during signing ceremonies in Malacañang.

Helping Rice Growers

Boosting Tourism

Youths’ Mental Health

Mr. Marcos signed into law amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act (ATA), to make the country’s rice industry more competitive and ensure that farmers have consistent access to essential resources. He explained that the amendments extend the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2031 and increase its annual funding from P10 billion to P30 billion. The chief executive underscored the program’s success in providing farmers with high-quality seeds, mechanization, and training, enabling them to

The President signed into law a Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund program for non-resident tourists in a bid to position the country as a premier shopping destination in Southeast Asia. Mr. Marcos highlighted the significant contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s economic recovery in 2023 when it accounted for 8.6% of the gross domestic product (GDP). He noted that shopping was the secondlargest expenditure for inbound tourists, underscoring its potential for growth. “With this in mind, we are introducing the VAT refund program for

The President also signed into law the “Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act,” which aims to institutionalize mental health programs for basic education learners and teaching and non-teaching personnel in public and private schools. He underscored the importance of fostering emotional and mental resilience in schools, calling the initiative a step toward holistic development. “Today, we renew our promise to every Filipino: that they will not only succeed academically but

With Assad out, MidEast battle lines drawn MOSCOW—The Kremlin declined yesterday to confirm reports that toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad had fled to Moscow, adding that it was “surprised” by the rebel takeover. “As for Mr Assad’s whereabouts, I’ve got nothing to tell you,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday that Assad and his family were in Moscow, hours after he fled the country as Islamist-led rebels entered Damascus. Assad’s son has been studying in the Russian capital. Peskov said on Monday that if Russia granted

asylum to Assad and his family, this would be a decision taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Of course, such decisions cannot be taken without the head of state, and it’s his decision,” Peskov said. He said there was no meeting with Assad on Putin’s agenda. Russia has given shelter to several ousted leaders, including former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. In Manila, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) urged Filipinos in Syria to avoid conflict-ridden areas due to potential risks of harm