IT’S THE ECONOMY: POLL DRAWS OUT TOP AGENDA PEOPLE WANT FOR PBBM

P1.5 trillion following the “strong” investment approvals recorded in January 2023 alone.

Pascual earlier attributed the revision of the investment approvals target for 2023 to the “robust” pipeline of investment leads, including those secured through the foreign trips of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

“Given the strong investment approvals for January, as well as the robust pipeline of investment leads—including those generated through Presidential Visits—I have increased the 2023 Investment Registration target of BOI from P1 trillion to P1.5 trillion,” Pascual said in February.

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‘Ama Namin’ drag video riles pols, church leaders

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM &Patrick V. Miguel

ADRAG performer’s viral video showing “Jesus Christ” leading an upbeat rendition of “Ama Namin” (“The Lord’s Prayer) while surrounded by a cheering party crowd has drawn the ire of netizens including lawmakers, and Catholic church leaders, sparking fresh debate over the fine balance between freedom of expression and other constitutional tenets.

I n a statement, Senate President Zubiri urged authorities to look into the video, citing penal charges against the drag queen, who has said there was nothing to apologize for.

Zubiri cited Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code as a possible charge against the performer.

A rticle 201 of the Revised Penal Code punishes those “who offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.”

T he Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also protested drag performer Pura Luka Vega’s portrayal of “Jesus” leading a “remix” of the Our Father.

C BCP, however, has no plans of pursuing any legal charges against Vega.

C BCP executive secretary Fr. Je - rome Secillano also clarified that it is not about Pura Luka Vega being queer, but “the very act itself” is “blasphemous.”

C BCP has released statements calling the performance “disrespectful” and “sacrilegious,” alongside several politicians such as Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Risa Hontiveros, JV Ejercito, Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, among others.

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DAYS before his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambasa, a survey said Filipinos want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to concentrate on the nation’s most pressing issues—the economy, corruption, high prices and inflation as well as poverty and unemployment.

T he PAHAYAG 2023-Q2 results said Filipinos believe these pressing issues should be the primary focus of the President.

T he survey, which gathered opinions from a diverse range of demographics, provides valuable insights into the macro and micro concerns of the Filipino population.

A ccording to the survey results, 17 percent of Filipinos consider the Philippine economy to be the most important macro issue for President Marcos Jr. to address.

T his finding highlights the significance placed on economic stability and growth by a substantial portion of the population, said the survey.

A lso, it said, corruption emerged as a major concern, with 14 percent of respondents identifying it as a critical issue.

A dditionally, the poll said 13 percent of participants expressed worries about high prices and inflation, while poverty and unemployment received 12 percent and 10 percent of the respondents’ attention, respectively.

T he survey also revealed variations in concerns among different demographic groups.

W ithin the 18- to 24-year-old age bracket, poverty was identified as the topmost concern by 17 percent of respondents, said the survey.

I n the 25-29-year-old demographic, the survey said jobs were seen as the primary issue, with 16 percent of respondents highlighting its importance.

A lso, it said the region of Mindanao demonstrated a unique perspective, with peace and order ranking as the primary concern for 8 percent of the participants residing in the area.

L ooking into micro-level concerns, the survey highlighted the difficulties households face in finding employment. A significant proportion of 14 percent identified this as their primary concern heading into the next quarter.

N otably, among the 18 to 24-year-old non-working and low-income individuals, this concern was particularly pronounced, with 19 percent and 20 percent of respondents, respectively, indicating its importance.

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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng