manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 09173382170 / 85646229
HEALTH, INFLATION TOP CONCERNS OF PINOYS—OCTA
HOUSE MEGA PANEL TO TACKLE FOOD, POWER PRICES
NEWS / A3
NEWS / A3 VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 332 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025
Don’t politicize INC peace rally—poll chief
5k security forces deployed to Luneta By Rolando Ng III, Ram Superable, Rio Araja and Cherrie Anne Villahermosa
C
OMMISSION on Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia appealed to politicians that they must not take advantage of the Iglesia ni Cristo’s National Rally for Peace today that is expected to draw at least a million participants at the Quirino Grandstand. Garcia expressed confidence the gathering will not result in “politicking” after prominent INC members clarified the rally is for peace and political unity. “Just like our call during the recent Traslacion, we hope that this religious activity is respected by its attendees. Politicians, too,” the poll chief said. As early as Sunday afternoon, INC members started to arrive at the Quirino Grandstand. INC leader Edwil Zabala said parallel programs will also be held across the country. “All in all, there are 13 sites in different regions of the Philippines where people will gather,” Zabala said. Around 5,000 police officers and
SHOW OF FORCE FOR POLITICAL UNITY. Billboards for the ‘National Rally for Peace’ are set up ahead of today’s gathering by the Iglesia ni Cristo at the Quirino Grandstand. Norman Cruz
Next page
China’s‘Monster’ Trilateral talks between Marcos, Biden, Ishida to focus on key issues ship back off Zambales coast By Vince Lopez
T H E trilateral conference call between President Marcos, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, originally
By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Coast Guard said China’s so-called “Monster” ship is once again sailing deeper into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and headed in the direction of Zambales province. The China Coast Guard’s largest patrol vessel, CCG 5901 aka “The Monster,” appears to have relieved a smaller CCG ship and was spotted some 97 nautical miles [about 179 kilometers] off the coast of Zambales on Saturday. In a statement on Sunday, the PCG disclosed it had deployed its most modern vessel to challenge Chinese patrol boats attempting to “alter the existing status quo” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). PCG spokesman for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BRP Teresa Magbanua has blocked the Chinese behemoth’s attempts to move closer anew towards the Zambales coastline. Next page
set on Sunday, has been rescheduled for today, a Malacañang official announced. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez said that “the postponement [of the
Marcos extends solidarity message to LA fire victims By Vince Lopez
ELECTION PERIOD STARTS. Commission on Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia, commissioner Aimee Ferolina and National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil lead the launching of the poll checkpoint along Padre Burgos Street in Manila on Sunday, January 12, 2024. Norman Cruz
President: Be ‘Bagong Pilipino’in 2025 PRESIDENT Marcos appealed to his countrymen to integrate patriotism, discipline and desire for excellence into their New Year’s resolutions this year. In a vlog uploaded on Sunday, the Chief Executive shared his vision for a stronger,
more unified Philippines by highlighting the qualities every Filipino should adopt to transform into better versions of themselves and help the nation rise. He stressed that discipline begins with one’s Next page
Alert Level 4 for Kanlaon eyed By Rex Espiritu
trilateral virtual meeting] was due to Biden earlier cancelled a January the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, 9-12 trip to Italy to focus instead on in the United States.” the federal response to the Califor“The U.S. side requested the adjust- nia wildfires. ment,” he noted in a message to Palace The three leaders are expected to reporters on Sunday. Next page
said the Canlaon City local government unit (LGU) is taking measures to I N LIGHT of the escalating threats prepare residents for a potential Alert posed by Mount Kanlaon, the Office Level 4 warning. Next page of Civil Defense (OCD) on Sunday
CALL FOR ENTRIES.
The Sining Filipina 2025 art competition is now open, inviting women artists to showcase their interpretations of ‘Her Earth, Her Future’ with a focus on sustainability. Presented by SM Supermalls and Chinabank, the competition empowers women artists and supports social change, with entries due by February 13, 2025. Photo shows (from left) emcee Rico Hizon, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs Committee Chairperson of Sining Filipina Stella Cabalatungan, Airspeed President Rosemarie Rafael, Chinabank Vice President for Marketing Niña Reynoso, Chinabank Senior Marketing Consultant Nita Claravall, Chinabank for Marketing Aileen Vallesteros, and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his message of solidarity and support to the victims of the raging wildfires in Southern California in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles where many Filipino-American families and overseas Filipino workers are staying. “On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend my deepest sympathies to all who have been affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California, USA—a place that many of our kababayans call home,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement posted on Next page