I N S I D E
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IN MET R MANILAO
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 317 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES DECEMBER 29, 2024
PBBM ISSUES IMPORT TARIFF SCHED FOR SOKOR PRODUCTS NEWS | A2
BILIRAN UNDER CALAMITY STATE OVER DAMAGED BRIDGE NEWS | A2
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HOUSE TARGETS 100% APPROVAL OF LEDAC PRIORITY MEASURES
RINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS.
By Maricel V. Cruz
A child tries to blow a toy trumpet, locally known as ‘torotot,’ which sells for P35 to P150 depending on the design and size, along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Saturday December 28, 2024. Manny Palmero
CHINA MUST NOT INTERFERE IN TYPHON PURCHASE—NSA SAYS MISSILE LAUNCHER A DETERRENT, NOT A SECURITY THREAT
By Rex Espiritu
T
HE decision to acquire the Typhon missile system is only for the Philippines to make and not for any other country to interfere with, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said on Saturday. “As a sovereign nation, the Philippines has the right to determine the most appropriate measures to safeguard its security and the well-being of its people. Just like any other nation, the procurement of defense systems, including the Typhon missile launcher, is a step toward strengthening our deterrence capabilities and ensuring that we are prepared to defend our territory when required,” Año said in a statement. China earlier issued a stern warning to the Philippines, saying there will be consequences if the acquisition pushes through. “Our message to the Philippines: China will not sit on its hands when its security interests are in danger or un-
der threat. The Philippines will be hurting its own interests if it keeps refusing to change course,” China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. Mao said that for the Philippines to maintain “strategic independence, good-neighborliness and friendship, and peaceful development,” it must remove the missile system. China said it views the Typhon as an offensive weapon, and that its presence in the Philippines fuels geopolitical tensions and contributes to an arms race in the region. Año, however, denied Mao’s claim, saying it was “unfounded and pure speculation.” “Just like any other nation, the procurement of defense systems, includ-
ing the Typhon missile launcher, is a step toward strengthening our deterrence capabilities and ensuring that we are prepared to defend our territory when required. It is important to emphasize that these systems are meant to bolster our defensive posture in line with continued modernization of our Armed Forces,” he said. “Our actions are meant to ensure peace and stability in the region and we will never undermine the security of any nation. We remain committed to maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation, and mutual respect in the region,” Año added. On Friday, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels conducted patrols around Scarborough Shoal, also called Panatag Shoal. Beijing has been claiming the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite international laws and an international arbitral ruling that invalidated its claim. The US Army deployed the midrange missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for the an-
nual 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 – the Camilo Osias navy base in Sta Ana and Lal-lo airport – both in Cagayan province that is near Taiwan. The missile system can fire the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said: “At 200 nautical miles, there is no land there and the army cannot go there. We need to contribute to this (defense of Philippine interests) by having this platform to be able to assist the primary major service that would focus on maritime and air domain.” Under that scenario, the Typhon platform “will protect our floating assets,” Galido said, a reference to ships of the Philippine navy, coast guard and other vessels.
SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Saturday expressed optimism that the House of Representatives will pass 100 percent of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority measures as part of its commitment to deliver responsive legislation under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Romualdez underscored the House’s accomplishments, citing the passage of 27 out of 28 LEDAC priority measures. “We are well on track to achieving our legislative goals under President Marcos administration. These laws and measures are concrete testaments to our unwavering commitment to the welfare and progress of our nation,” Romualdez said. “Our mission is clear: to ensure that every Filipino benefits from these reforms.” Among the LEDAC priority measures that have already been enacted into law are the AntiFinancial Accounts Scamming Act; Amendments to the AntiAgricultural Smuggling Act; VAT on Digital Transactions; the Philippine Maritime Zones; Archipelagic Sea Lanes; CREATE MORE Act and amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law. The Speaker also highlighted the House’s significant contributions to passing 61 out of 64 priority measures under the Common Legislative Agenda for the 19th Congress, which included SONA priorities and additional Congress priority measures. These include the SIM Registration Act, the Maharlika Investment Fund, the Ease of Paying Taxes, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program (ARAL) Act. “We worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of laws that directly impact the lives of Filipinos as instructed by President Marcos. Our goal remains to finish strong by passing the remaining measures to achieve 100 percent approval of all LEDAC priority bills,” Romualdez said.
NFA TO RELEASE BUFFER STOCK IN CASE OF CALAMITY THE National Food Authority said it is ready to release its rice buffer stock in case of a calamity during the holidays. The NFA gave the assurance amid the continued restiveness of the Kanlaon Volcano as well as the impact of the prevailing intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in most parts of the country. “We have instructed our employees in the field to immediately activate our Operation Centers (OpCen) in the areas affected by floods, typhoons, and other emergencies and to open their hotlines to fast track coordination with our
relief institutions,” said NFA Administrator Larry Lacson. “Holiday season but we are always open to serve our people in times of need,” he added. The NFA has reached 95 percent of its buffer stock target this year. As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office-Davao Region (FO-11) extended assistance to families displaced by flash floods due to the heavy rainfall caused by the prevailing ITCZ. “We received reports from our Davao Field Office of several incidents of flooding in Davao Occiden-
tal. As of today, we have extended 887 family food packs (FFPs) worth P541,070 to the affected localities for distribution to their affected constituents,” Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao said yesterday. “Currently, some 739 families or 3,158 individuals are staying in five evacuation centers in Davao Occidental. We are checking with the LGUs if they need additional food and non-food items for the displaced residents. Our regional office has 157,339 FFPs and standby funds available for augmentation if the need arises,” she added.
Museum researcher Drew Rabadon cleans a bust of Dr. Jose Rizal in preparation for the 128th anniversary of his martyrdom on Monday, December 30, 2024. Norman Cruz
‘GREEN BONES’ BAGS MMFF BEST PICTURE, 5 OTHER AWARDS By Nickie Wang
BIG WINNERS. Dennis Trillo wins the Best Actor award for his role in ‘Green Bones’ while Judy Ann Santos bags the Best Actress trophy for her performance in the horror drama ‘Espantaho.’
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PRISON drama “Green Bones” was the big winner at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), capping off the “Gabi ng Parangal” with the coveted Best Picture award. The victory was a consecutive triumph for GMA Films, which also won Best Picture last year with its entry, “Firefly.” “This is historic for us. This is a very big achievement for GMA Pictures. It was really our aim to bring back the glory of the film studio. Twenty-five years ago, we won for Muro-Ami, and 26 years ago for Jose Rizal. That was back-to-back,” said GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs’ Nessa Valdellon during her acceptance speech. The film also won Best Screenplay for National Artist Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza, Best Ac-
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tor for Dennis Trillo, Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, and Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens “We dedicate this award to everyone who believes in the power of Filipino cinema,” said Green Bones’ Zig Dulay, who lost in the Best Director race to The Kingdom’s Michael Tuviera and My Future You’s Crisanto Aquino. Judy Ann Santos’ major movie comeback was highlighted by her winning the Best Actress trophy for the horror drama “Espantaho.” She last won the award in 2019 for Brillante Mendoza’s “Mindanao.” “It is truly a great privilege to receive this very special award in front of all of you. I’ve always said that during this Christmas season, I don’t want to stress over competition or trying to outdo anyone,” said Santos, who was up against heavy favorites Vilma Santos
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and Aicelle Santos in the Best Actress category. Apart from Green Bones, The Kingdom also earned multiple awards, including the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Memorial Award, Best Visual Effects for Riot Inc., Best Production Design for Nestor Abrogena, and Second Best Picture. Meanwhile, Topakk won the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award, Best Float, and a Special Jury Prize. TV host and comedian Vice Ganda received a Special Jury Citation for “And The Bread Winner Is,” which also took home the Gender Sensitivity Award. Former President Joseph Estrada, regarded as the “Father of the MMFF,” accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was escorted by his sons, Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Jake Ejercito.
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