TO CURB 'AUTHORITARIAN EXPANSIONISM' Taiwan to bolster US military ties

TAIWAN will boost military exchanges with the United States to curb "authoritarian expansionism," President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday after meeting with visiting US lawmakers.

The five-day US Congressional visit comes after a top US defense official reportedly made a rare and highly secretive stopover to the self-ruled island as Washington-Beijing tensions flared over alleged Chinese spy balloons.

"Taiwan and the United States continue to bolster military exchanges," Tsai said after convening with the US delegation at her office in Taipei.

Senate...

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Marcos Jr., who has been pushing the regional pact as part of his administration's priority measures – abstained.

Sen. Marcos sought permission from the chamber to abstain, citing the legacy of her father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and noting in Filipino: “bigo pa rin ang nakararami sa bukid at sa parang” (the failure of many in the farms and the fields).

Hontiveros said 131 groups from various sectors believe the Philippines is not ready for the free trade agreement between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its five FTA partners: Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.

Since it involves ratification of a treaty, at least two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 senators, needed to concur for its approval.

Apart from Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who defended the RCEP in the plenary, those who sustained the ratification were Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Christopher Go, Sherwin Gatchalian, Lito Lapid, Robin Padilla, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Grace Poe, Ramon Revilla, Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.

Sen. Chiz Escudero interpellated but

#SanaAll?...

From A1 from and that is what we are addressing as of now," he said.

"(And) for those who are really affected adversely, especially the very poor and vulnerable groups, they will get the needed assistance from us," Balisacan said.

IBON Foundation’s executive director, Sonny Africa, told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo that increasing the inflation allowance for the Senate’s 3,000 employees was a political choice. He said both chambers of Congress increased their own budgets for 2023 while other programs such as the conditional cash transfer for the country's poorest families have suffered budget cuts.

Police...

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Also, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) condemned the recent attacks against the elected local government officials, calling for the speedy administration of justice for the victims.

ULAP president and Quirino Governor Dax Cua denounced the crimes, saying these have no place in a democratic country. He also urged the government to swiftly act to apprehend the perpetrators to reassure the public that the rule of law continues to apply in the country.

"These acts of impunity have no place in a democracy. Immediate action from the government is needed to assure our countrymen that the rule of law still prevails in our society," Cua said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao reported that apart from being suspected syndicate members, the group shot Adiong's convoy “possibly due to his campaign against illegal drugs,” the regional police added.

Last Friday, authorities destroyed P5 million worth of marijuana in a plantation in Maguing town, Lanao del Sur. On the same day, unidentified gunmen attacked the governor’s convoy in Kalilangan, Bukidnon, and killed four of Adiong’s

2nd...

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On September 15, 2021, the pre-trial Chamber of the ICC authorized the Office of the Prosecutor to investigate crimes committed in the Philippines during Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

In a letter to Prosecutor Karim Khan, the Philippine government informed the ICC that it is investigating its nationals and others for the alleged drug-related

"Going forward, Taiwan will cooperate even more actively with the United States and other democratic partners to confront such global challenges as authoritarian expansionism and climate change."

Tsai did not provide further details on what the future exchanges might entail.

Washington diplomatically recognises Beijing over Taipei, but is the self-governing island's most important interna- was out of the session hall during the voting, while Sen. Pia Cayetano was absent.

Prior to the voting, the senators and the country's economic managershad a closed-door briefing. Before the ratification, the Philippineshad been the sole RCEP signatory yet to concur with the agreement.

Earlier in the day, Malacanang said the ratification of the free trade agreement will help the agriculture sector be competitive and productive, as it is “so crucial” in helping the economy.

“By being a member, we are saying to the world that we are ready for business, [you] are welcome here, we play the rules of the game well and your investment is safe with us,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a Palace press briefing.

Balisacan also refuted criticisms citing the reported dangers posed by RCEP for agriculture.

“It must be ratified. The future of our country depends so much on our ability to attract investors, particularly foreign capital because thedomestic capital is not enough… By being a member, we are saying tothe world that we are ready for business, we play the rules of the game well, and your investments are safe with us,” he said.

“With regards to the allegation that the agricultural sector will be hurt, there’s no truth to that… whether or not there is RCEP, we need to invest in agriculture. We must address these concerns,” the socioeconomic planning chief said.

By ratifying the free trade deal, the

“If you want to do it, there are many ways. If you don’t, there are many excuses,” Africa said in Filipino. “While they were increasing their own budget, they slashed the budget for social assistance programs. Even the flagship 4Ps was slashed by more than P4 billion and assistance to the poor has been cut.”

Zubiri's announcement, he said, was "institutionalized patronage on full display" and said the larger question was not how the Senate was able to get funds for its employees, but what the government is doing to help those who lost their jobs during the extended COVID-19 lockdowns and that are still struggling to make ends meet due to rising inflation.

“The government is there for everyone. If anyone has a right to assistance, it should be because they are poor, not because they companions. The fatalities were identified as Police Staff Sergeant Mohammad Jurai Mipanga Adiong, 40; Police Corporal Johanie Lawi Sumandar, 39; Police Corporal Jalil Ampuan Cosain, 40, and a driver identified only as Kobi. Gov. Adiong and two of his staff were hurt in the attack. crimes which happened between July 1, 2016 and March 16, 2019.

In the Alameda case, despite the chassis and engine numbers of the getaway vehicle having been tampered with, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) was able to lift them, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said.

“We already coordinated with the [Land Transportation Office]. Wealready have the name of the registered owner,” Fajardo said in an interview on CNN Philippines—but emphasized that authorities are still not sure if the listed owner was the current possessor of the vehicle.

The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is now coordinating with the local police to find the registered owner, she added.

The getaway vehicle was found burned in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

On Sunday, Alameda and five others —Alexander Agustin Delos Angeles, Alvin Dela Cruz Abel, Abraham Dela Cruz Ramos, John Duane Banag Almeda, and Ismael Nanay—were killed when their van was ambushed by gunmen in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.

Due to this, the government requested the deferral of the ICC investigations and proceedings.

The Philippine government has the first responsibility and right to prosecute crimes, it said.

Estrada's resolution stated that the ICC may exercise jurisdiction where the national legal systems fail--was not the case in the Philippines. Domestic institutions are fully func- tional benefactor and supports Taiwan's right to decide its own future. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed toseize it one day, opposes any official exchanges with the democracy and has reacted with anger to a flurry of trips to the island by US politicians in recent years. country will be “even more forced to pay attention to agriculture because only then can you fully maximize the benefits that RCEP can give to us,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the country remains committed to diplomacy in resolving territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the also highly-contested South China Sea, despite past and recent actions by China that are inconsistent with international law.

“The current problems of (PH) agriculture have nothing to do with RCEP. The problems were outcomes of past neglect of the sector,” the NEDA chief pointed out.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier said RCEP would be good for the country because of the increased trade it would bring to its different member economies.

The Philippines is going to continue increasing its investment in the agricultural value chain to make it more competitive, the Chief Executive said, adding RCEP will allow the country to further strengthen its agricultural value chain.

The Makati Business Club (MBC) also supports the RCEP ratification, urging senators to sign off on the deal “to help businesses expand abroad, strengthening the economy and accelerating job creation.”

“We believe joining RCEP is essential to this as it will comprise 15countries, 2.1 billion people, and around 30 percent of global GDP.

While RCEP would help us enter foreign markets, it would also expose our industries to more competition at home. We recognize that there are valid concerns about this. However, we believe that adequate safeguards have been included,” the influential business group said.

MBC also believes that friendly competition with fellow RCEP members will lead to better local players and better know a senator, congressman, mayor or governor. Everyone should be equal. If they are in need, give them help,” he said.

Balisacan said the government was ramping up digitalization as a way of ensuring that the limited assistance is delivered to those who are really in need.

He said the government is doing its best to help the indigent badly affected by the soaring inflation.

Balisacan nevertheless noted that the Marcos administration is considering another round of annual salary increases for government employees.

However, talk about the planned salary hike is "still premature," he said.

He said the government is also optiistic that inflation will ease "in the coming months."

The country's headline inflation rate in

DOJ...

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The DOJ adopted the Bail Bond Guide based on criteria and standards set under Rule 114 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure.

With the reduced bail amount, many detained individuals—mainly indigent persons—would be released on bail, Remulla said.

Many criminal cases filed in courts against indigent persons are bailable, but Remulla stressed they “are unable to afford the amount set by the courts upon the recommendation of the prosecutors.”

In the circular, Remulla said prosecutors may indicate the lower amounts in the criminal information “after the conduct of inquest or preliminary investigation proceedings, (and) the investigating prosecutor finds probable cause with a reasonable certainty of conviction against the indigent respondent.”

“In all cases pending before the first or second level Courts, the trial prosecutor is duty-bound to ensure that only applications for release on recognizance by accused who are qualified and comply with the requirements of Republic Act No. 10389 or the Recognizance Act of 2012 shall be submitted for consideration of the tional and more than capable to address the concerns raised in the Prosecutor's Notification, the resolution said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday that the Philippines will not cooperate with the ICC because it has a “good” and working justice system.

Speaking to reporters in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, Mr. Marcos said the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which he emphasized is a sovereign nation. “My position has not changed. I

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said “no conflict will ever be resolved when even the most basic norms are being violated with impunity.”

After meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlinon Monday, Manalo said the Philippines maintains the need for dialogue with other nations in addressing South China Sea-related disputes.

“This, in spite of recent actions or even actions which have been going on for some time which are inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” he said in a press conference. AFP with Rey Requejo products and services for Filipinos.

“We welcome the effort that the administration, especially Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), have exerted to further RCEP and encourage the Senate to give it positive consideration,” MBC said.

Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda defended theRCEP agreement during the period of interpellations, elaborating on the expected benefits of the agreement to the country should the Senate grant its concurrence to its ratification.

The Senate leader said RCEP is expected to foster the creation of 1.4 million jobs by 2031—a conservative estimate cited from a study conducted by Dr. Caesar Cororaton, broken down into 308,000 jobs in agriculture, 77,000 jobs in industries, and 991,000 in services.

Zubiri also said that non-participation in the RCEP is expected to lead to a -0.26 percent decrease in real GDP (gross domestic product), according to a study by Dr. Francis Quimba.

Participation, meanwhile, is seen to lead to a 2.02 percent increase in GDP, the Senate President said.

“We would be left behind in foreign direct investments (without RCEP). Trade diversion would happen. If we don’t join RCEP, investors will go to other countries, because they will have broader markets,” Zubiri explained.

He noted that in the clothing industry, the Philippines used to be the biggest manufacturer in the region, but now has yielded to Cambodia and Laos – “especially now they are in RCEP.” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

January 2023 ticked up to 8.7 percent from 8.1 percent in December 2022, according to the recent Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report.

Based on the PSA report, the January 2023 inflation was mainly driven by increases in housing rentals, electricity and water rates, as well as in the prices of vegetables, milk, eggs, fruits and nuts.

On Feb. 7, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he hoped that the drop in the prices of fuel and imported agricultural products would help tame inflation.” ( courts,” he added.

Balisacan earlier said the government has identified measures to keep food price movements consistent with the government’s inflation and food security objectives, with higher agricultural productivity, food supply augmentation and energy security seen as priorities to temper upward price pressures.

“When accused is charged with crimes punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, he shall be deemed disqualified,” Remulla said.

These guidelines will be applied to all cases undergoing inquest or preliminary investigation proceedings, the DOJ chief said.

The circular, which was addressed to Prosecutor General A. Malcontentoand the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service (NPS), provides that “at the start of the inquest or preliminary investigation proceeding, the investigating prosecutor shall inquire from respondent whether or nothe or she claims indigency.”

Remulla added the respondent should also prove that he or she is not a habitual offender, delinquent, or recidivist.

Documents the indigent respondent should submit to prove indigency are the latest income tax return or pay slip, or other suitable proof of income; certificate of indigency from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; certificate of indigency or no income from the office of the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson, who has jurisdiction over the residence of the person.

“This will help our countrymen who have been oppressed most of the time by the former system,” Remulla said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) have stated it often, even before I took office as President, that there are many questions about (ICC’s) jurisdiction, and what we in the Philippines regard as an intrusion into our internal matters and a threat to our sovereignty,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assailed the ICC, asking why it was investigating the government’s war on drugs and not the drug cartels. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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The cooperatives are meant to help operators afford the purchase of modern jeeps worth at least P2.6 million each through loans from financial institutions.

Only operators who are in the process of transitioning into a cooperative or corporation will be allowed to ply their old jeepneys beyond June 30.

They have, however, until December to finish the consolidation process.

"We won't allow a situation where our commuters won't have any option for their transportation. The board will address that," Bolano said.

CAAP:...

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The RP-C2080 aircraft lost communication with the air traffic control a few minutes after take off at the Bicol International Airport on Saturday. The plane was last contacted while abeam the Camalig Bypass Road at 6:46 a.m. that day.

CAAP said the missing aircraft operated by the Energy Development Corp. is compliant with the airworthiness certification.

Rescue teams began climbing an active volcano Tuesday in a "very risky operation" to reach the wreckage of the small plane, officials said.

Four people, including two Australians, were on board the Cessna 340 aircraft when it went missing Saturday morning after taking off for Manila from Bicol International Airport in the central province of Albay, several kilometers from Mayon volcano.

Manila-based Energy Development Corp. said previously the missing plane belonged to the company. The Australians were technical consultants for the renewable energy company.

Rain, clouds and the risk of an eruption have hampered efforts to reach the crash site.

The CAAP said the plane was on the western side of the volcano, about "3,500 to 4,000 feet" above sea level.

Attempts to lower rescue teams to the crash site by helicopter were aborted Tuesday due to strong winds and cloud cover, officials said.

Instead, search and rescue teams, including veteran mountaineers, began making the steep climb on foot.

They were expected to camp overnight and reach the crash site Wednesday, said Carlos Baldo, mayor of Camalig municipality, which overlaps the crash site. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country and last erupted in 2018, spewing tons of ash, rocks and lava. Access to its slopes is restricted.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Teresito Bacolcol warned there was a risk of a "steamdriven eruption or a rockfall".

"It's a very risky operation," Bacolcol said.

"If they are willing to take the risk, only professionally trained and experienced personnel should be involved."

George Cordovilla, one of the mountaineers involved in the rescue effort, has climbed Mayon several times in the past and said it was a difficult ascent. With AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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From A1 imposition of ashes on foreheads is now allowed.

"We will revert to the imposition of ashes on the forehead of thefaithful," said Manila Archdiocese Vice Chancellor Fr. Carmelo Arada in Circular No. 2023-17.

The Archdiocese of Manila added that it will no longer sprinkle ashes on the crown as practiced during the observances of the start of Lent in the past years during the height of the pandemic.

He said the phrase "remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" uttered before the imposition of ashes shall be done for every faithful and no longer en masse.

Arada also noted the self-imposition of ashes is being stronglydiscouraged by the Church.

"The imposition of ashes is always done in the context of a liturgicalcelebration. It derives its meaning from the proclamation of the Word and prayers," he said.

Arada, however, added they will allow the imposition of ashes outside the churches for the selected population.

"Priests and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may visit the sick and the elderly for the imposition of ashes," he said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Justy More, director of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission of the Kalibo diocese, also reminded the liturgical directives for the Ash Wednesday celebration, including the imposition of ashes on the forehead of the faithful.

“The practice of the celebration of Ash Wednesday is reverted to its usual manner. Our faithful are strongly encouraged to return to in-person liturgical celebrations and to receive ashes in the context of the Mass. Although the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is already allowed, the sprinkling of the blessed ashes on the crown of the head remains an option,” the priest added.