China blames US ‘provocation’ for fighter jet incident in SCS

BEIJING blamed US “provocation” Wednesday for an incident last week when a Chinese plane crossed in front of an American surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea.

“The United States’ long-term and frequent sending of ships and planes to conduct close surveillance on China seriously harms China’s national sovereignty and security,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said when asked about the incident.

“This kind of provocative, dangerous activity is the cause of the security issues on the seas,” Mao said, calling on Washington to “immediately stop this form of dangerous provocation.”

“China will continue to take all necessary steps to resolutely protect its own sovereignty and security,” she said.

The US military said Tuesday a Chinese fighter pilot performed an “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” near an American surveillance aircraft operating over the South China Sea on Friday.

Video footage declassified and released by the US military shows a Chinese fighter plane crossing in front of the American aircraft, which can be seen shaking from the resulting turbulence.

The Chinese plane “flew directly in front of and within 400 feet of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence,” the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) said in a statement.

“The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law,” it said.

The Pentagon said the incident was part of a pattern of behavior by China. It comes at a time of frayed ties between Washington and Beijing over issues including Taiwan and an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot the pre-dawn attack.

Act,” Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a statement.

“The Senate leadership has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the bill we bring to the President reflects the administration’s objective of creating a profitable and secure investment fund,” Diokno said.

“The remaining suspect was able to run off. The hot pursuit operation is still ongoing,” said Delorino.

The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, and most of the killers often go unpunished.

Radio broadcasters outside the capital are often the target.

Bunduquin hosted a program on radio station 101.7 dwXR as well as on Facebook, said station manager Jester Joaquin, who described the broadcaster as “hard-hitting” on local issues.

He had been outspoken about a recent oil spill affecting the province, illegal gambling and politics.

“He told me before that he’s receiving threats but he didn’t elaborate,” Joaquin said.

“He mentioned to me that he wanted a change in his line of work, that’s why he put up a chicken farm, because he wants to go quiet.”

Delorino said police were investigating whether Bunduquin had an enemy or a personnel quarrel.

Bunduquin is the third journalist to be killed since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last June. With AFP would not use state pension funds for the newly approved Maharlika Investment Fund.

The President made the remarks in an interview following his attendance at the 86th Anniversary of the GSIS in Pasay City, where he was asked for his views on the possibility of using the state pension funds as funding source for the MIF.

Marcos said that while the government would not use the pension funds for seed money, it was up to them if they wanted to invest in the MIF later on.

“However, a pension fund, which is what pension funds do, is to invest. If the pension fund decides the Maharlika Investment Fund is a good investment, it’s up to them if they want to invest in it,” he added. Asked if President Marcos’ statement ran counter to the provisions of the final approved version of the bill, Zubiri said: “Yes.”

The Senate version explicitly prohibits any investment from state pension funds.Voting 19-1-1, the Senate approved after midnight on Wednesday approved the bill on third and final reading.

Those who voted yes were Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel

Villanueva, and Senators Mark Villar, Cynthia Villar, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Sonny Angara, Christopher Go, Ronald dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Grace Poe, Ramon Revilla Jr., Raffy Tulfo, Francis Tolentino and Robin Padilla.

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros voted “no” while Senator Nancy Binay abstained from voting.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, who earlier objected to the government investment fund and vowed to block its passage in the Senate, was not around during the voting.

The President’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, and Senator Francis Escudero were also not at the session when it was time to vote.

Escudero said he already left because he didn’t think there would be a vote.

“I didn’t choose. I just couldn’t wait for the voting anymore,” he said, pointing out that the effect of a “no” vote and an abstention were the same.

Manila Rep. Irwin Tieng, chairman of the House panel, announced they had already adopted the Senate version of the proposed measure.

Tieng’s announcement was applauded by the Senate contingent led by Zubiri and Senator Mark Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on banks and financial institutions and the sponsor of the bill.

In a media briefing, Zubiri thanked the dillera Administrative Region. down after traversing the United States earlier this year.

Declassified video footage shows a fighter plane crossing in front of the American aircraft, which can be seen shaking from the resulting turbulence.

A senior US defense official said there has been an “alarming increase in the number of risky aerial intercepts and confrontations at sea” by Chinese aircraft and ships – actions that “have the potential to create an unsafe incident or miscalculation.”

“We don’t believe it’s done by pilots operating independently,” the official said. “We believe it’s part of a wider pattern.” AFP budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the approval was a “great stride towards our long-term progress and will boost our efforts for economic growth.”

House for accepting the Senate version with all the safeguards against abuse.

Zubiri earlier assured the public that they would pass the Maharlika bill in the Senate before Congress adjourned sine die on June 2.

Senators were asked to vote at 2:30 a.m.

Because the bill was certified as urgent, the senators were able to forgo the constitutional requirement of a threeday period between the second and third reading.

In the approved Senate version, there was an absolute prohibition against the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and Pag-IBIG (the Home Development Mutual Fund) from investing in the Maharlika Fund.

They are also prohibited from giving funds to the Maharlika Fund.

The senators eradicated the line in Section 12 of the bill that Hontiveros and Pimentel said would give the GSIS and SSS the option to invest in the fund.

Angara also inserted a provision which provides that Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines and other government financial institutions (GFIs) can invest no more than 25 percent of their assets in the Maharlika Fund.

“Thank you to Senator Mark Villar for leading the debates and to all our senators for staying in session until 2:30 a.m. to thoroughly debate this bill,” Pangandaman said.

Earlier, Pangandaman assured the public that the Senate’s version of the MIF has a lot of safeguards against possible abuse, and might be more acceptable to the people.

“I think we’ve exhausted all our, their time and effort in making sure that the law that we’re going to pass is something that is more acceptable,” Pangandaman said.

“There are several safeguards— we have an audit committee, there’s an advisory board, and there’s a congressional oversight committee. It adheres to the internationally-known Santiago principles, there is also COA [Commission on Audit], procurement law, so I think we have enough safeguards,” she said.

She also said the funding sources are the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, privatization proceeds, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas dividends.

“The major change from the first one they filed,” she said, noting that pension funds have been removed as a source of funding. “So I think it will be more acceptable to everyone.”

From A1 especially in this era of rapid technological advancements. And we must ensure an efficient organization, accuracy, reliability and security of data using the state-of-the-art digital tools that are available,” the President said. while waiting for the permanent appointment (of the agency’s chief) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” said Bautista.

“Now, that for me, would be a very, very good target for all of our agencies in government and all our departments in government down to the LGUs. And we can say that 95 percent of the business of a citizen is done digitally, through the internet, including that of the government,” he added.

Villacorta is the DoTr’s current Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs, and will continue as such even while heading the LTO, Bautista said.

Villacorta was also a former secretary at the Commission on Appointments and the former Chief of Staff of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Tugade tendered his resignation last May 22, citing differences with Bautista and wishing to give the Transportation chief a free hand at the LTO.

“I am very sorry that we will not be working together, I wish we can work together in the future,” Bautista said of the son of former DoTr chief Arturo Tugade.

The erstwhile super typhoon, international name Mawar, maintained its strength as it accelerated northeastward over the sea east-northeast of Batanes, the state weather bureau said.

The center of Betty’s eye was estimated at 375 km east of Itbayat, Batanes on the way to Taiwan and Japan, moving northeastward at 10 km/hour, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its 8 a.m. report affected persons were reported in 94 barangays in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Cor- and final ready 447 measures which are currently pending action by the Senate, 123 of which are national bills.

A total of 5,981 individuals or 1,815 families were preemptively evacuated, NDRRMC said, adding damage to infrastructure worth P68,695 was reported in CAR.

Also, a total of 123 domestic flights and 18 international flights were canceled in Cagayan, CAR, and the National Capital Region.

At least five houses were reported either partly or totally damaged in Ilocos, Central Luzon, and CAR, where power interruptions were experienced in 14 cities and municipalities, according to the NDRRMC.

More flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport were suspended because of Betty.

The Manila International Airport Authority announced that CebGo, the sister airline of Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), canceled 16 domestic flights, while Philippine Airlines’ PAL Express suspended two others.

In its advisory, the MIAA Media Affairs Division said CebGo canceled eight flights to and from Busuanga, four in Naga, one in Masbate and another in San Jose.

PAL Express, on the other hand, suspended its flights 2P 2037 and 2P 2038 bound to and from Caticlan.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin Wednesday, PAGASA said the northeastern portion of Isabela (Santa Maria, San Pablo, Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan, Cabagan), Apayao and Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, remain under TCWS No. 1.

Strong breezes to near gale strength winds may still prevail in these areas, but Signal No. 1 has been lifted in several areas in Luzon as Betty continues to move away from the country.

The President emphasized that the GSIS is already leading by example in terms of its digitalized operations.

“GSIS turns out, leads the way.

Congratulations for that,” he said.

Mr. Marcos also noted that the Filipino people will benefit from digitalized transactions as he emphasized that “this will not only improve the delivery of services, but will boost the satisfaction, morale, and productivity of government workers.”

The GSIS Touch mobile application and the GSIS Pabahay project in Quezon City were also officially launched during the event.

President Marcos said the GSIS Touch app is a very good example of digitalization of transactions in the agency, as it allows members to comfortably apply for loans, view records, track payments, and check account status, among others.

The chamber approved Houdse Resolution (HR) 055 authored by Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan shortly before the legislature went on its annual sine die adjournment.

The Speaker, “with his resolute diligence and remarkable confidence… triumphantly reinforced the principles and ideals of representative democracy and effectively carried out the functions of his office to lead and motivate into action all members of the House of Representatives during the First Regular Session,” the resolution stated.

It said the House leader “devoted careful attention to the processes of the legislature without fear or favor, adhered to the rules for respectful but insightful participatory discussions, and served as the champion of the members who effectively echoed the voice of their constituents.”

The resolution noted that during the First Regular Session, the House adopted 91 resolutions and approved on third

Of the measures passed on third reading, six have been enacted into law, including Republic Act No. 11934 (Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act), Republic Act No. 11936 or the 2023 General Appropriations Act or national budget, and Republic Act No. 11937, which introduced amendments in the law fixing the tenure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff and certain high-ranking offices.

Another bill, which seeks to condone the unpaid loans, interest and penalties of thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries, has been sent to Malacañang for the President’s signing into law.

The resolution also took note of the third-reading approval of 33 of the 42 priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which aim to promote economic recovery, reduce poverty, provide better health care services, and enhance the delivery of public service.

It said NGCP’s performance showed a significant decrease in tripping incidents across all three major island grids.

Frequency of tripping (FOT) measures the number of times high-voltage transmission lines tripped or experienced forced outages for every 100 circuit kilometers.

NGCP’s average FOT for Luzon has gone down from 6.4732 in 2000-2008 to 1.3386 in 2009-2022 .

It went down from 6.6530 to 0.9508 in Visayas, and from 8.0788 to 1.3285 for Mindanao.

NGCP also improved the capabil- ity of the grid to mitigate the impact of power interruptions on overall grid operations, which are measured by the system availability indicator and system interruption severity index (SISI). absence from the chamber on an expired travel authority.

Under NGCP, system availability for Luzon is at 99.3160 percent, Visayas at 99.6538 percent, and Mindanao at 99.7206 percent.

For the SISI, Luzon only averaged 10.7236 system minutes of interruptions in 2009-2022 compared to 13.8978 from 2000-2008.

Meanwhile, Visayas was at 47.3318 SISI during NGCP time, from an average of 176.3350 system minutes preprivatization; and 9.124 system minutes from 10.434 in Mindanao.

285-0-1 vote. The chamber also stripped off Teves’ committee memberships.

“These indicators are the most tangible proof of our performance felt by end-users. Our improved numbers are attributed to the continuous upgrading and expansion projects such as wood pole replacement, substation additions, capacitor bank projects, and new transmission lines, effectively reinforcing the stability and reliability of the grid,” NGCP said.

All three grids have significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated, violations of frequency and voltage limits.

NGCP said the average voltage limit compliance improved across all three grids, while frequency limit compliance improved in both Luzon and Visayas, generally ensuring the stability of the transmission grid.

The House adopted the recommendation of the House ethics and privileges panel chaired by COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares by a

“His [Teves] actions constitute violation of code of conduct and disorderly behavior warranting disciplinary action. [As a result], the House committee on ethics and privileges recommends to the House of Representatives the imposition of the following penalties: 60 day suspension due to disorderly behavior, revocation of all his rights and privileges as member of the House in said period, and forfeiture of all committee membership,” Espares said.

“He remains abroad, fails to perform his duties and responsibilities as members of the House and commits acts detrimental to the House and its members,” he added.