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‘Balikatan’ open to including Southeast Asian nations—Gibo By Rex Espiritu
VOL. XL • NO. 84 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026 •
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Friday said the Philippines remains open to expanding multilateral military exercises, including possible participation by Southeast
Asian nations, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reviews ways to broaden the scope of future Balikatan drills. “Pag-uusapan pa natin sa ASEAN. Nakabukas naman tayo,” Teodoro Next page
ASEAN backs regional grid, fuel-sharing pact PBBM: Unity, cooperation key amid global instability By Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes APU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Leaders of the ASEAN to strengthen Association of Southeast Asian Nations out3 key agreements lined action areas for resilience in response NEWS / A2 to the evolving situation in the Middle East – including a fuel-sharing pact and a regional power grid – highlighting the bloc's collective resolve amid changing global circumstances.
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Diesel, kerosene lower, gasoline up next week
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines pushed for the ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA), which ensures mutual support among member-states during supply shortages, as well as the operationalization of the ASEAN Power Grid which seeks to “connect the electricity networks of all eleven member-states to enable cross-border power trading, support renewable integration, and
ASEAN WAY. Several spouses of Southeast Asian leaders led by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos pose for a photo before the start of the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Leaders Summit. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inset, presides over the plenary session as ASEAN Summit chair in Cebu City. PCO
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‘Diplomacy through the quiet language of food’ By Minerva Newman MACTAN NEWTOWN, Lapu-Lapu City — Diplomacy at the 48th ASEAN Summit extended beyond speeches and policy discussions, as Filipino cuisine took center stage during the lunch served to Southeast Asian leaders and delegates here on Friday, May 8. Chef Marco and Kate Dychangco-Anzani were tasked with creating a dining experience fit for kings and queens while showcasing Filipino identity through refined and elevated cuisine. “The brief was deceptively simple: create a dining experience worthy of Royalty, Prime Ministers and Presidents,” Kate told Manila Standard. She said the goal was not excess or theatrics but presenting Filipino flavors through a world-class culinary experience. “At ASEAN’s Presidential Summit, where leaders of Southeast Asia would gather under one roof, diplomacy would be conducted not just through speeches and policy—but through the quiet, powerful language of food,” she said. Kate recalled that Chef Marco initially hesitated to accept the challenge but eventually agreed as the couple developed the menu together. “The menu was masculine-feminine. Filipino Purist vs. Modern Contemporary,” she said. According to Kate, preparation for the summit meal
CONSUMERS may expect mixed oil price movement next week with gasoline increase by as much as P4 per liter and diesel going down by P8 per liter. Meanwhile, fuel Oil prices bounce prices rem a i n e d on Hormuz tensions volatile as 1,500 ships trapped, the United States (US) 20k crew stranded military said it carried out strikes on Iranian targets Thursday after an attack on three American destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran accused Washington of striking first. Some 1,500 ships and their crews are trapped in the Gulf due to the
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SAVORING PH FLAVORS. The ASEAN Summit 2026 menu prepared by Chef Marco Anzani took the leaders through a ‘culinary journey through the Philippines.‘ The dishes prepared include, at left, an Adlai Risotto with Creamy Sea Urchin (at left) and Cannolo di Turon. Kate Dychangco-Anzani
Impeachment not persecution, NBI subpoenas a test of accountability—bishop PGMN anchor
Alex Eala
By Vito Barcelo
EALA GETS BACK AT WANG, 6-4-6-3 SPORTS / A8
AN OFFICIAL of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday described the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as a test of democratic accountability, rejecting claims that the process constitutes political persecution. Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, convenor of the InterReligious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation, said impeachment is a constitutional mechanism meant to ensure that public officials remain an-
swerable to the people. “Impeachment is not persecution. It is a constitutional and democratic process designed precisely to ensure that public officials entrusted with immense power remain accountable to the people,” Bagaforo said. “Why should anyone fear due process?” he added, saying that claims of innocence would be strengthened, not weakened, by transparent legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, the camp of lawyer Manases Carpio, the Vice President’s spouse, on Friday clarified that the Next page
on extort attempt By Rolando Ng III THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday subpoenaed social media personality Camille Hirro over her alleged involvement in a P350-million extortion attempt. The subpoena compels Hirro, lead anchor of the Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), to shed light on her alleged complicity in the extortion case filed by the camp of former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Next page
PGMN anchor CJ Hirro