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SOLONS SCRUTINIZE NGCP OVER ALLEGED LAPSES, UNJUST PRACTICES By Maricel V. Cruz THE House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Monday approved a motion to launch a motu proprio inquiry into the congressional franchise of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), citing allegations of lapses and practices that unfairly burden consumers. The panel, chaired by Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunt-

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 312 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024

PH to buy Typhon missile system Army chief: MRC to ‘project force’ up to 200-mile EEZ By Rex Espiritu

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines said it plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system, also known as the mid-range capability (MRC) system, to protect its maritime interests, some of which are being contested by China. “It is planned to be acquired because we see its feasibility and its functionality in our concept of archipelagic defense implementation,” Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said in a news conference. “I’m happy to report to our fellow countrymen that your Army is developing this capability for the interest of protecting our sovereignty,” he said, adding the total number to be acquired would depend on “economics.” The US Army earlier deployed the midrange missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally, and decided to leave it at the Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte. Laoag airport is not among the nine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. It is, however, near two EDCA sites in Cagayan province – the Camilo Osias navy base in Sta Ana and Lal-lo airport. The missile system can fire the Standard

ing, made the decision after uncovering NGCP’s potential shortcomings during a critical briefing on the readiness of power utilities to address the projected impacts of the La Niña phenomenon. Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez initially proposed a comprehensive review of NGCP’s performance under its existing franchise but later amended his motion to call for a formal inquiry. Next page

Good governance goes beyond survey results—ES Bersamin By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday brushed aside a recent survey showing a slight decline in President Marcos’ ratings, emphasizing that the chief executive would rather focus on leading the country to the best of his abilities instead of bothering with the publicity value of all his decisions. “True leadership always carries with it the burden to pursue courses of action which are right but may not be popular,” he stressed. “Public interest is the sole driver behind every executive decision, not the pursuit of high ratings in the next opinion polls. High popularity ratings are the bonus and not the bedrock of effective public service,” Bersamin added. Pulse Asia’s latest Ulat ng Bayan Survey had shown

HERE TO STAY. A Typhon missile (top photo) is launched at an unspecified

location while the inset shows an American soldier briefing Filipino troops undergoing training in operating the missile system. defensesecurityasia. com/Philippine Army

PBBM set on signing GAA before yearend; no reenactment talk By Charles Dantes and Rolando Ng PRESIDENT Marcos yesterday continued to lead the review of certain provisions of the proposed 2025 national budget as a senior Palace official sought to dispel speculation about reenacting this year’s allocation. Mr. Marcos met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, members of the Economic Cluster, and Secretary of Public Works and Highways Manuel Bonoan. The Economic Cluster—composed of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan—provided detailed input on the spending plan, which was received in printed form late Friday afternoon. Last week, the President assured the public that the proposed 2025 national budget will be signed into law before Dec. 31. “I think we’ll be able to do it before the year ends,” he told Palace reporters, Next page

affordable medicines to all of our senior citizens. Merry Christmas!” Herbosa said in a press conference. “I am also a senior citizen. I know it is hard to always bring a purchase booklet with you. Seniors need the discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,” Herbosa said. The Health Secretary noted the booklet was used to catch fake users of the discount. “The important thing is that at least the senior citizen can buy medicine immediately when needed,” Herbosa said.

HEAVY to intense rains are expected in some areas of the country on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the government’s weather bureau PAGASA said yesterday. In its 5 p.m. weather advisory, PAGASA said the forecast is due to a shear line that is affecting the country. A shear line, according to PAGASA is the convergence of cold air from the northeast monsoon (amihan) and warm winds from the Pacific Ocean (easterlies). This collision of winds can create clouds, rain showers, and thunderstorms. The following weather conditions may be experienced on Christmas Eve: • Heavy to intense rains (100-200 mm) - Northern Samar, Albay, • Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur • Moderate to heavy rains (50100 mm) - Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Aklan, and Capiz • The following weather conditions are expected on Christmas Day: • Heavy to intense rains (100-200 mm) - Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, • Catanduanes, Quezon, and Aurora • Moderate to heavy rains (50100 mm) - Isabela, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Oriental Mindoro,

DIGGING IN. With eight days to go before the New Year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos leads members of the Cabinet’s economic team in scrutinizing the 2025 national budget approved by the House-Senate bicameral committee. PCO Sec. Cesar Chavez

No more meds purchase booklet for seniors—DOH By Ralph Harvey Rirao and Maricel Cruz SENIOR citizens no longer need to present a purchase booklet in availing of their discount on medicines, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced on Monday. Previously, senior citizens needed to present a purchase booklet accompanied by valid identification and a doctor’s prescription in order to get a discount at drugstores. “On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we at the DOH give this gift of convenience and more

Heavy rains seen today, Xmas Day due to shear line