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PBBM STILL MOST TRUSTED GOV’T OFFICIAL—OCTA SURVEY By Charles Dantes, Rachelle Tonelada and Maricel Cruz
people, the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research showed. The survey, conducted from April 2 to 5, 2025, showed that six out of ten PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Filipinos or 60 percent continue to trust Marcos Jr. continues to enjoy majority Mr. Marcos, while 59 percent remain trust and approval ratings of the Filipino satisfied with his performance.
The President’s latest trust ratings reflected a five percentage point decrease from the 65% recorded in the 4th quarter 2024 TNM survey. However, OCTA said: “It is important to note that, despite the decline, most adult Filipinos still express trust
in President Marcos Jr.” President Marcos welcomed the results of the latest OCTA Research survey, saying the positive ratings inspire him and reflect the public’s growing understanding of his government’s initiatives.
“It just validates what we are doing — that people are beginning to understand what we have been trying to do for the last two and a half, almost three years,” he said in a chance interview yesterday. “Sometimes you don’t know if people Next page
NBI nabs Chinese ‘spy’ tapping Comelec main office By Pot Chavez
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 74 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025
Marcos, Ishiba hail ‘golden age’ in ties
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday arrested a Chinese national following the discovery of spy equipment inside a vehicle parked near the main office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila. Through his passport, the foreigner was identified as Tak Hoi Lap, who rented a Mitsubishi Xpander carrying an international
mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher —a surveillance device used for eavesdropping and intercepting mobile phones and tracking location data. NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said the suspect was arrested for alleged violations of the Espionage Law and the Data Privacy Act. In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard, he said they will be taking him to NBI-National Next page
Agree on security, logistic pacts By Charles Dantes
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru yesterday hailed a “golden age” in relations between the two countries following their bilateral meeting in Malacañang Palace. Ishiba’s visit, which comes ahead another milestone in what both leadof the 70th anniversary of normal- ers described as a partnerized diplomatic ties in 2026, marked ship rooted in history
and now geared toward shared strategic goals. “Having gone through close to a century of hardships and efforts by our forefathers, I am deeply moved that Japan and the Philippines are now partners closing on alliance,” Prime Minister Ishiba said during the joint leaders’ statement. President Marcos echoed the sentiment, noting the steady exchange of
SPY TOOLS. A Chinese national, in dark shirt, was arrested on suspicion of spying after it was discovered that there was monitoring equipment in his rented vehicle near the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila. National Bureau of Investigation
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Cardinal Tagle to assist in Conclave preps
Cebu’s Garcia suspended; Comelec warns vote-buyers
By Vito Barcelo
By Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia over several administrative charges, including alleged grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross negligence, in connection with a construction permit issued without the required environmental clearance. Dated April 23, the suspension order signed by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Samuel Martires stemmed from a complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine. The complainant alleged that Garcia issued Special Permit No. 2024091 to Shalom Construction, Inc. on May 14, 2024, without securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate or a Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and without having conducted Next page
INTERACTION. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez interacts with young patients and their parents during his visit yesterday to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). Ver Noveno
FIRM ALLIANCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru of Japan end their bilateral meeting (inset) yesterday with a handshake at Malacañan Palace. This is the first official visit of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to the country. Both he and the President last met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Lao People’s Democratic Republic in October 2024. PCO
FILIPINO Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has been appointed to assist in the preparations for the forthcoming papal conclave, alongside Cardinals Dominique Mamberti and Reinhard Marx, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The CBCP news said the three cardinals will support the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in accordance with the provisions of Universi Dominici Gregis, the Apostolic Constitution governing the election of a pope. The conclave is scheduled to commence on May 7, 2025 following further general congregations in the coming days. The three cardinals were selected by lottery to form part of the particular congregation, tasked with addressing ordinary matters during the sede vacante. Their service extends for three full days, after which new assistants will be chosen by another lottery, if necessary, the CBCP added. Next page
Speaker assures PCMC funding amid massive expansion push By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday assured stakeholders of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) of continued funding from Congress in the years ahead, saying this would represent the legislature’s investment in the country’s future. He issued the statement after leading the capsule-laying and groundbreaking rites of the PCMC’s 20-story Advanced Pediatric Services building at the hospital compound in Quezon City, which is part of President Marcos’ Legacy Specialty Hospitals. “This facility is a tremendous help
because of how much we value the life and health of the youth, for the nation’s future,” Romualdez said in Filipino. “The project we are starting today is not just a matter of course. Our goal is to build a multi-specialty center to treat the most serious diseases, such as pediatric cancer, brain and spine diseases, and other diseases that require thorough care,” he added. The Speaker told hospital doctors, nurses, administrators, staff, patients, their families, and other stakeholders that last year, upon the guidance of the President, Congress allocated funds for PCMC specifically for the Advanced Next page