PBBM to push security issues at ASEAN meet

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave for Labuan Bajo, Indonesia today (Tuesday afternoon) for the 42nd ASEAN Summit, where he is expected to push for regional security, food and energy security, efforts toward economic recovery, and combating transnational crimes.

He is also expected to press for the upgrading of technical and vocational education training; adopting climate and disaster-resilient technologies and transitioning to renewable and alternative energy technologies; and protection of migrant workers.

The President just returned Sunday from a two-country swing for a five-day official visit to the US and a three-day visit to the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The Summit began on Monday with the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM).

SITTING PRETTY. Ernest John Obiena seems to recline in the air after claiming his third straight Southeast Asian Games pole vault gold medal with a new record height of 5.65 meters at the drenched Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Monday. POC

Obiena bags 3rd SEAG gold with record leap in rain

By Riera U. Mallari

PHNOM PENH—Ernest John Obiena claimed a third straight Southeast Asian Games pole vault gold and obliterated the record in the rain as he jumped to a height of 5.65 meters at the drenched Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Monday.

“What a way to start the indoor sea- son,” said a rain- and sweat-drenched Obiena, who smashed the 5.46 meters he set in the Vietnam edition of the games last year.