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NBI urged: Probe high rice prices House super panel cites possible market manipulation
By Maricel V. Cruz, Othel Campos, Miguel Gil and Darwin Amojelar
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HE House of Representatives Quinta Committee, also known as the “Murang Pagkain” Super Committee, ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the alleged market manipulation that has kept rice prices high.
DA: Reduced tariff led to low rice prices THE Department of Agriculture refuted the claim of the National Economic and Development Authority that reduced tariff on imported rice did not result in lower retail prices. “If we will take a look, there’s a decline in the price of rice per our
Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means, likewise asked the Bureau of Internal Revenue to look into the filings and tax payments of top rice importers, following allegations of profiteering in the domestic rice trade. This as the National Economic and Development Authority disclosed that lowered tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent did not lead to a reduction in rice prices. “This is a puzzle also for us. Perhaps this deserves a more nuanced analysis,” NEDA Director Nieva Natural told the House committee Tuesday.
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VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 300 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024
Sara: No regret over threats; snubs NBI anew By Pot Chavez and Rachelle Tonelada VICE President Sara Duterte did not show up yesterday at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to explain why she made death threats against
President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez even while she insisted on not having any regrets for making the controversial remarks. In a press conference, the Vice President said the threats serve as a warning
to her political rivals that they too will be targeted should she be killed. “It’s a good thing they know that if I die, I will not die in vain. I’m at peace with whatever happens to me,” she said in a mixture of Filipino and English. Next page
Bicam OKs P6.35t budget; AKAP funding restored By Maricel V. Cruz and Ralph Rirao THE Senate-House bicameral conference committee’s deliberations on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) ended yesterday with lawmakers approving a P6.352 trillion national budget. Among the key features of the approved measure is an increase in the subsistence allowances of military personnel and reinstating the allocation for a crucial aid packNext page
MEETING OF MINDS. Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sen.Grace Poe and House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co show copies of the adopted and approved Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of the proposed 2025 Budget following the meeting of the bicameral panel the Manila Hotel in Manila. Also in the photo are Senators led by Senate President Chiz Escudero and House Members led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. Ver Noveno
Gov’t gearing OP biggest intel fund spender in 2023—COA up for worst from Kanlaon THE Office of the President (OP) spent P4.57 billion on confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in 2023, making it the top spender in this category among all government units, according to a report by the Commis-
sion on Audit (COA). Based on the COA Annual Financial Report, the CIF allocation of OP under President Ferdinand Marcos slightly increased last year to P4.57 billion from P4.51 billion in 2022.
COA defined CIF as “expenses related to surveillance/confidential activities in civilian government agencies that are intended to support the mandate or operations of the agency.” Next page
By Caloy Lozada, Rio Arajo, and Othel Campos THE government is gearing up for a potential worst-case scenario amid the ongoing eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island, an official from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday. OCD Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said preparations include readying evacuation centers and resources in case volcanologists raise the alert level for the volcano from 3 to 4. “We already have worst-case scenario planning. We are also preparing the necessary evacuation centers because if there is an elevation of the Alert Level, even just to Alert Level 4, the number of people needing to be evacuated will increase by ten thousand. From 54,000 it will rise to 64,000,” he said. “Family food packs, water, wash facilities, and bathing areas must be ready. Proper planning is essential at the local level to maintain the sustainability of these evacuation centers,” he said. Next page
Sofronio Vasquez makes history in ‘The Voice USA’
OUTSTANDING OVERSEAS PINOYS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. congratulates one of the 13 honorees of the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) in ceremonies held at the Malacanang Palace. The awardees were cited for their contributions in various fields and to their respective communities. (Story on Page 4). PCO
Christmas storm ‘Querubin’ likely, says PAGASA By Rio N. Araja A POTENTIAL weather disturbance is brewing outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and may enter the country about a week before Christmas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astro-
nomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday. According to PAGASA, the system has a low to moderate chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. If it intensifies, it may affect the eastern portions of Mindanao, the Visayas, and
FILIPINO Sofronio Vasquez made history as the first Asian to win Season 26 of “The Voice USA”, a popular television singing competition. Representing Team Bublé, Vasquez, 32, claimed victory after receiving the highest number of votes from the audience. He secured the grand prize of $100,000 and a recording contract. In an emotional speech before the announcement, Vasquez expressed gratitude to his coach, singer Michael Bublé. “Michael… it’s so weird to say Michael, I call you Sir. Your mentorship is a blessing to me, to my family, and to all the dreamers out there. You open the doors for everyone. Thank you so much,” he said. Bublé praised Vasquez’s achievement, calling him “the hope of so many people,” adding, “Not just in the Philippines, but Asians everywhere truly are looking at you tonight. So proud.” During the finals, Vasquez delivered powerful renditions of “Unstoppable” by Sia and Next page
Southern Luzon. Once it becomes a tropical storm, it will be named “Querubin.” Based on its 5:00 p.m. weather advisory, heavy to intense rains attributed to the shear line will fall on Quezon Province by Thursday. The weather disturbance will Next page