Marcos seeks revival of PH-EU free trade talks

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) to push for the resumption of the negotiations for a bilateral Philippine-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

“I believe that we can all agree that the timing and conditions are now quite ripe for us to solidify the long-standing and historically beneficial trade relations: through a bilateral Philippine-EU Free Trade Agreement,” Mr. Marcos said during the EU-ABC Annual General Meeting Gala Dinner in Makati City Thursday evening.

He said a bilateral FTA will be a "winwin strategy"for both the Philippines and the EU.

“Hence, I take this opportunity to call upon our friends from the EU-ABC and ECCP to actively advocate for the resumption of negotiations for this purpose, as well as to strive for fair treatment and more beneficial reciprocity.”

A Philippines-EU trade deal, he said, promises to achieve mutually beneficial economic goals while remaining consistent with the EU’s core ideals of sustainable development and environment protection, as well as with its strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Vince Lopez

Comelec...

From A1 later than the date of proclamation,” Comelec said.

“But the Petition for Disqualification against Erwin Tulfo was filed nine (9) months after the proclamation of ACTCIS, or on 1 March 2023. Thus the Comelec no longer has jurisdiction over the petition for being filed out of time,” it added. Comelec said said the petitioner, Atty. Moises Tolentino Jr., still has five days to file a motion for reconsideration.

Tolentino, in his petition, cited the “question of citizenship” and “conviction by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude” against Tulfo.

Both issues were earlier raised against Tulfo, then DSWD chief, by the Commission on Appointments, resulting in his failure to get the CA nod and prodding the President to appoint another Social Welfare chief.

best-selling autobiography, "I, Tina;" and was the subject of a feature film, "What's Love Got To Do With It" starring Angela Bassett.

In the revealing 2021 HBO documentary "Tina," an uncomfortable reality emerges: her past trauma had become a focus for interviewers, with thestar repeatedly asked to recount her life's worst moments.

Turner, who had embraced Buddhism and saw it as "a way out" of her dangerous first marriage, pointed to the faith as a catalyst for rejuvenation and stability.

She often swatted away probing questions, once saying reliving the past was like a "curse."

But personal hardships were impossible to ignore, including the violence from Ike.

"He used my nose as a punching bag so many times that I could taste blood running down my throat when I sang," she wrote in her 2018 memoir, "My Love Story."

In life after Ike, her concerts became glitzy spectacles – and she kept the highoctane rock flowing for decades.

A Wembley Stadium concert in 2000 saw a 60-year-old Turner holding nothing back, grinding across the stage in stiletto heels and her trademark leather miniskirt.

In 2008, she embarked on her Tina! - 50th Anniversary Tour, which grossed some $130 million.

The grande dame enjoyed her later years with Bach in their Zurich home and a vacation mansion near the French Riviera, although tragedystruck in 2018 when Turner's eldest son Craig, from her early union with saxophonist Raymond Hill, committed suicide at 59.

Ike Turner died in 2007, and his one child with Tina, Ronnie, died last year at 62 of complications from colon cancer.

In 2013, after marrying Bach and taking Swiss nationality, Turner relinquished her US citizenship – but the former president Barack Obama was among those who paid the most poignant tributes.

"Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable," hewrote. "And she was unapologetically herself -- speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy." AFP officers one month after they assume office.

Part of the efforts to eradicate illegal gambling is the mobilization of the Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Groups across the country.

The specialized groups will employ their expertise through intel gathering, conduct thorough investigations and execute strategic interventions, fortifying the nation's fight against illegal gambling.

In Brief

SSS: Disability claims can now be filed online

THE Social Security System (SSS) on Thursday reiterated that its disability benefit claim applications can already be filed online through the My.SSS Portal since January 2023.

SSS president and chief executive officer Rolando Macasaet said the provision of the online facility was part of their continuing compliance with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018 through the streamlining, simplification and automation of all its benefit processes.

“With the implementation of Online Filing of Disability Claim Applications under our Social Security Program, we are proud to say that we have finally put all SSS benefit and loan programs onto online platforms. Our members can access them at their convenience 24/7, without the need to visit our branches,” Macasaet said. Rio N. Araja

Calamba cops net P190m shabu in buy-bust raid

THE Calamba City police arrested on Wednesday two “high-value” suspects in a drug buy-bust operation that also yielded P190 million worth of suspected shabu.

The suspects were identified as Donna Mateo Gall, also known as “Madam,” 37, of Barangay San Pablang Nayon, Sto Tomas City, Batangas; and John Erwin Matol Cadilife, alias “Erwin,” 37, of Barangay Lechena, Calamba City, Laguna.

“The suspected drugs were being transported from outside Calamba, using it solely as a drop-off point. However, due to our extensive and comprehensive operation, we were able to apprehend them,” Lt. Col. Milany Martirez said. Roy Tomandao

Young traveler with fake docs disallowed to leave

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents have intercepted a young female worker who intends to work as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia, but presented documents indicating she was much older.

BI officers stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1 interdicted the young passenger before she was able to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Jeddah.

Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the girl, who was apparently victimized by an unscrupulous agency, presented documents stating that she is 24 years old. Vito Barcelo

CJ cites court sheriffs’ role in justice system

CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Friday underscored the significant role of the courts’ sheriffs in the country’s judicial system.

“Without sheriffs, we would have no one to rely on to serve summons, to execute writs, to implement court orders, or to enforce judgments. Sheriffs matter -for without them, even the wisest decisions of our courts would ultimately be nothing but ink and paper,” Gesmundo said, in his speech before the 21st convention of the Sheriffs’ Confederation of the Philippines (SCOPHIL) in General Santos City until Friday, May 26.

“In your hands lie our efforts to enhance the justice system, to make it more speedy, more innovative and more accessible,” Gesmundo said.

He acknowledged the challenges the country’s court sheriffs were facing, but he assured them that “the Judiciary is focused on empowering sheriffs, and all court personnel, by giving them the tools they need “not only to function, but to excel to deliver the kind of justice our people deserve.” Rey

E. Requejo

EDCOM 2-BRITISH COUNCIL TIE-UP.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) seals its partnership with the British Council and Teach for the Philippines, led by EDCOM 2 executive director Dr. Karol Mark Yee and British Council country director Lotus Postrado. Present at the signing rite are EDCOM 2 co-chairpersons Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Representatives Roman Romulo, Mark Go and Kiko Benitez, and Senator Sonny Angara.