Permit of shipping firm revoked

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Maritime Industry Authority has revoked the permit of the shipping company that owns and operates M/T Princess Empress, the sunken tanker that caused a massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and other nearby areas.

According to the Department of Transportation, Marina-NCR cancelled the Certificate of Public Convenience of RDC Reield Marine Services, Inc. (RDC) in a resolution dated May 11, 2023. DOTr was also looking into the possible culpability of personnel from the relevant maritime authorities in relation to the sinking of the tanker.

Arroyo:...

From A1 was most comfortable with then Congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker. I quickly realized the wisdom embedded in that sentiment. In the Philippines, the House leadership has traditionally been closely associated with the sitting President, and this relationship of deep trust between Speaker and President has been beneficial in smoothly enacting the legislative agenda of the President,” she said.

“When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a ‘coup’ against Speaker Romualdez, I de-

PH-Kuwait..

From A1 government and people to more than 200,000 Filipino workers who consider Kuwait as their second home."

"The Philippines remains open to constructive dialogue on how to address current concerns," the government said, without disclosing details if the entry ban was indeed tackled during the talks.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary

Vietnam...

From A1 sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos in accordance with international law.

She said relevant parties should respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, existing international laws, and the Declaration on Conduct of Parties, as well as create a favorable environment for the negotiation of a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen coordination in dealing with maritime issues, particularly in working on the COC.

AFP...

From A1

Under the new law, the commanding generals of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force, the flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, and the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy will have a maximum tour of duty of two consecutive years, which will begin on the date the appointment is signed, unless sooner terminated by the President.

These officials will not be eligible for any position in the AFP unless promoted to the position of chief of staff.

In the law signed by Duterte, chiefs of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force were given a fixed three-year term while the PMA superintendent was given a tour of duty of four years.

The AFP chief of staff will still have a maximum tour of duty of three consecutive years, which will begin on the date the appointment is signed, unless sooner terminated by the President.

The following officers shall be compulsory retired:

Those in the military ranks of second lieutenant/ensign (O-1) to lieutenant general/vice admiral (O-9), upon reaching the age of 57 or upon accumulation of 30 years of satisfactory active duty, whichever comes later; and the chief of staff

PGH...

From A1 other hand, said its “no visitor policy” is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus among patients and medical workers.

"This will be done in order to prevent the spread of the disease among its clients, healthcare workers, support personnel; and to maintain full service delivery to its patients. We appeal for your understanding, and we apologize for any inconveniences that may arise,” read the notice on its website. On Wednesday, Private Hospitals all parties, whether private or public, will be held accountable. There will be no exception.” “Our policy is zero tolerance to shortcuts, official negligence, and disregard of rules. The rule of law, good governance and best practices must prevail throughout the department and its agencies,” Bautista added.

"Serious questions have been raised about the seaworthiness of the vessel. Also, despite not being authorized to operate, the vesel was able to sail for at least 17 times before it sank on 28 February 2023," the agency said. DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said: “We have had sinkings before but no one has been held to account. This time cided I must speak out to clarify my political position. Indeed, some of my actions may have been misconstrued, such as my recent trip with a delegation of Congressmen to Korea for some official meetings,” she added.

Arroyo said her political objectives have now been narrowed down to three:

“To represent the 2nd district of Pampanga; to support the legislative agenda of Speaker Romualdez and President Marcos; and to use whatever experience I have as a former President to help out when I am called upon to do so.”

“So, it should be noted that being Speaker once more is no longer part of my political objectives. This has been my

Eduardo Jose de Vega said the suspension of visa issuance and the entry ban on Filipinos will stay as the Philippines tries to hash out “a long-term solution” to issues between the two nations involving overseas Filipinos working there.

De Vega said the Kuwaiti government wants to remove the shelters for runaway household workers because these are not allowed under its laws.

He added that the Kuwaiti government also does not want the Philippine government to contact the employers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, upon completion of the tour of duty or upon relief by the President; those occupying a key position under Section 2 (b) of the act, upon completion of the tour of duty, or upon relief by the President; and those commissioned under Presidential Decree No. 1908, and those appointed in the Corps of Professors upon reaching the age of 60 or completion of 20 years of satisfactory active duty, whichever comes later.

Philippine diplomats traveled to Ha Long, Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday to hold talks with their Vietnamese counterparts during the 10th PhilippinesVietnam Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns.

In a statement, DFA said the two countries also agreed to explore a "broad range of potential maritime cooperation activities to enhance their strategic partnership."

"The two countries expressed serious concern over unilateral activities that undermine peace and stability in the region. They committed to work together to protect their rights and legitimate interests under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and enhance confidencebuilding measures between relevant agencies," the DFA added.

The new law also mandates that an enlisted personnel will be compulsory retired upon accumulation of at least 30 years of satisfactory active duty or upon reaching the age of 57, whichever comes later.

It also states the maximum tenure of officers in the grades of general/flag officer in the AFP; general/admiral (O10) - three years, lieutenant general/ vice admiral (O-9) - three years, major general/rear admiral (O-8) - three years and brigadier general/commodore (O7) - five years

The maximum tenure of officers in the grades of colonel, lieutenant colonel, major and captain are hereby prescribed as follows: colonel/captain (PN) (O-6)10 years, lieutenant colonel/commander (PN) (O-5) - seven years, major/lieutenant commander (PN) (O-4) - six years, and captain/lieutenant (PN) (O-3) - six years

Association of the Philippines, Inc.

(PHAPI) president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said the number of admissions of COVID-19 cases among its members has increased in the last three days.

The areas where private hospitals have an increased number of COVID-19 admissions include the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and Davao Region, he said.

Earlier, the Department of Health reported that the utilization rate of COVID-19 space in hospitals was around 20 percent.

But PHAPI said that rate is anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent now.

The Philippine Coast Guard clarified the vessel was carrying over 900,000 liters of industrial oil when it sank.

About 84 percent or 62.95 km. of the 74.71-km. shoreline affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro province has been cleaned up as of May 10, the Palace said in a recent statement. Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said position ever since Speaker Romualdez was elected in the 19th Congress, and I continue to urge my Lakas-CMD partymates to support our party President in that role,” she said.

Arroyo said she has “no compelling reasons to change my mind about foregoing my ambitions for the Speakership.”

“By this disavowal, I hope that we can preempt any needless politicking so that the House and our President can focus on the job at hand with minimum distraction.”

“Thus, I emphasize by paraphrasing an American public figure, the Civil War General William Tacumseh Sherman who, when being enticed to run for of OFWs who reported abuse and other concerns.

“They insist we are violating their law. So it's still status quo. We will need more talks,” De Vega said Thursday. De Vega underscored the need to implement the existing Philippine-Kuwait labor agreement.

“This kind of long-term solution will not be achieved in one round of discussions. The alternative would be for us to immediately agree to everything they insist on, or for them to agree to

PAGASA...

From A1 is a 53 percent chance that the El Niño would reach a strong level toward the latter part of 2023.

“We see a 90 percent chance that the El Niño will persist until the first quarter ng 2024,” Climatology and Agrometeorology Division chief Thelma Cinco said.

Several areas in the Bicol Region and Western Visayas experienced a heat index of 46°C on Wednesday. PAGASA classifies heat indices reaching 42°C to 51°C as under “dangerous” level, which may cause heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

According to the United Nations, it is near-certain that 2023-2027 will be the warmest five-year period ever recorded as greenhouse gases and El Niño combine to send temperatures soaring.

There is a two-thirds chance that at least one of the next five years will see global temperatures exceed the more ambitious target set out in the Paris accords on limiting climate change, the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.

The hottest eight years ever recorded were all between 2015 and 2022, with 2016 the warmest—but temperatures are forecast to increase further as climate

Australia...

From A1 which we will enhance our cooperation (and) this includes Australia providing drone equipment, training and other technology to strengthen your Coast Guard in maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities,” she said in a press conference.

Wong also disclosed that Australia would provide AU$89.9 million in official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines to support economic, education, and Mindanao peace programs.

Mr. Marcos, for his part, said an enhanced partnership is extremely important for nations in the Asia Pacific with the current geopolitical situation.

“Now we have a situation where

Lawyer...

From A1

“Remember the DOJ has supervision and control over the NBI and having been with the DOJ before in a high capacity this former undersecretary knows people at the NBI,” Baligod said.

“This person has been retained as a lawyer by some of the respondents and he has been helping in that way,” he said. Baligod admitted that he has raised the issue with Justice Secretary Jesus the Office of Civil Defense recorded a total of 6,801 liters of oil waste and 300,603.60 liters of oil-contaminated waste that have been collected through the combined efforts of various agencies and organizations. A siphoning vessel from Singapore is expected to arrive in the country by the end of the month, while anticipated month-long oil removal operations are set to begin in the first week of June, based on the OCD report. the American presidency in 1884, decline by saying something like, ‘If nominated, I will not run, and if elected, I will not serve,’” Arroyo added.

In March, the Japanese salvage vessel Shin Nichi Maru, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), arrived at the port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro and was immediately deployed to the area to help in the cleanup efforts.

Hours before she issued her lengthy statement, at least three major blocs in the House of Representatives threw their full support for the administration of President Marcos and the leadership of Speaker Romualdez.

“Our party reiterates its unwavering support for both the President and Speaker Romualdez. Together, they have accomplished much for our country and our people,” said Gonzales, PDP-Laban national treasurer, in a statement. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) everything we insist on,” he said. change accelerates. partnerships have become extremely important and it might be the key to maintaining the peace not only in the Asia Pacific but the Indo-Pacific region,” the President said during Wong’s courtesy call at the Palace.

“That is not realistic in diplomatic negotiations, even with a friend and partner like Kuwait."

Kuwait imposed an entry ban and suspended the visa issuance to all Filipinos coming to the Gulf state in May, 10 months after the Philippine government halted the deployment of first-time household service workers there, after a Filipino domestic helper was murdered by the son of her employer.

"There is a 98-percent likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record," the WMO said.

The 2015 Paris Agreement saw countries agree to cap global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius above average levels measured between 1850 and 1900—and 1.5°C if possible.

The global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15°C above the 1850-1900 average.

The WMO said there was a 66 percent chance that annual global surface temperatures will exceed 1.5°C above preindustrial levels for at least one of the years 2023-2027, with a range of 1.1°C to 1.8°C forecasted for each of those five years.

"WMO is sounding the alarm that we will breach the 1.5°C level on a temporary basis with increasing frequency," said the agency's chief Petteri Taalas.

"A warming El Niño is expected to develop in the coming months and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory. This will have farreaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared."

El Niño is the large-scale warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The weather phenomenon normally occurs every two to seven years.

Mr. Marcos said he hopes that Wong’s visit will add to those efforts “when we are continuing to try and strengthen all our partnerships in terms of trade, in terms of people-to-people relationship, and in security and defense.”

Manalo, for his part, said it is possible for Mr. Marcos, Jr. to have a bilateral visit to Australia on "a mutually agreed date" on or before March next year.

March 2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the dialogue relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia.

“We expect that high-level

Crispin Remulla and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., but both officials have yet to respond to requests for comment. He said he asked Remulla and Abalos to transfer the detainees from the NBI detention facility to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center.

“In that way we can insulate them from the people corrupted or bribed by this former DOJ official,” he said.

“No less than four of the detainees talked to me immediately after the preliminary investigation hearing at DOJ telling me,