UN leader slams rich nations for preying on poor countries

UN LEADER Antonio Guterres on Saturday slammed the world’s rich countries and energy giants for throttling poor nations with “predatory” interest rates and crippling fuel prices.

Guterres told a summit of the most deprived states on the planet that wealthy nations should provide $500 billion a year to help others “trapped in vicious cycles” that block their efforts to boost economies and improve health and education.

The summit of the 46 Least Developed Countries (LDC) is normally

Political leaders condemn killing of Gov. Degamo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strongly condemned the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

“My government will not rest until we have brought the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous crime to justice. The investigation into this murder is developing rapidly. We have received much information and now have a clear direction on how to proceed to bring to justice those behind this killing.”

“You can run but you cannot hide. We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option,” the President added.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said Degamo's murder “exposes the extent of desperation, depravity, and thirst for violence of the people who masterminded it, as they showed an absolute absence of regard for the lives of the five civilians who were among the fatalities — making it all the more appalling and unforgivable.”

Both leaders of Congress likewise added their voices in condemning the killing.

"This act of violence is reprehensible. This is a direct challenge to the authorities," said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the string of attacks on local politicians was “especially alarming.” held every 10 years, but has twice been delayed since 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We cannot keep on letting these go on, especially when it puts innocent civilians in the crossfire. Every single incident like this ambush puts a dent on our people's trust in the government. It is a failure of intelligence, a failure of police visibility, a failure of our peace and security efforts,” Zubiri said.

Afghanistan and Myanmar, two of the poorest countries, are not present at the meeting in Doha because their governments are not recognized by UN members. No leader from any of the world’s major economies attended.

At the summit opening, Guterres hit out straight away at the way poor nations are treated by the more powerful.

“Economic development is challenging when countries are starved for resources, drowning in debt, and still struggling with the historic injustice of an unequal COVID-19 response,” he said.

The LDCs have long complained that they did not get their fair share of the COVID vaccines that were concentrated on Europe and North America.

“Combatting climate catastrophe that you did nothing to cause is challenging when the cost of capital is sky-high” and the financial help received “is a drop in the bucket”, said Guterres.

“Fossil fuel giants are raking in huge profits, while millions in your countries cannot put food on the table.”

Guterres said the poorest nations were being left behind in the “digital revolution” and the Ukraine war had only increased prices they pay for food and fuel.

“Our global financial system was designed by wealthy countries, largely to their benefit,” he said. AFP

Inbrief

Tingog turns over laptops from DICT

TINGOG Party-list Rep. Yedda

Marie K. Romualdez has turned over laptops from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to 197 teachers and employees of various government offices.

“Our partnership with the Marcos administration has been bringing fruits. We hope that these laptop units will bring more productivity to many more beneficieries Thank you very much for the support,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez said during the turnover on Friday.

Her colleague in Tingog, Rep. Jude Acidre, and Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas also attended the turnover.

“Tingog Party List Rep. Yedda Romualdez and I, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) led by Regional Director Felix Tabano Jr. and the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez distributed laptop units to beneficiaries from 44 different schools in Eastern Visayas. Thank you for your continued support!” Acidre said. Maricel V. Cruz

DAR, BJMP in CV renew ARB tie-up

Emergency

FERRIES. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Don Artes and General Manager Col. Procopio Lipana inspect the 25 “Libreng Sakay” vehicles to ferry affected passengers for the expected weeklong transport strike next week at the New MMDA Building in Pasig City on Saturday. The same happened with PBGen Andre Perez Dizon, District Director Manila Police District (inset). Manny Palmero and Norman Cruz