Manila Standard - 2023 December 21 - Thursday

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WPS also reason for ‘Cha-cha’ Charter change can help define, protect PH territory—Speaker By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz and Vince Lopez

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PEAKER Martin Romualdez on Tuesday said that the current tension in the West Philippine Sea could be an additional reason to push for constitutional amendments.

In an interview with Teleradyo Ser“A review of the Constitution is bisyo, Romualdez said Charter change necessary to remove ‘ambiguities’ in could be beneficial in protecting the the definition of national territory. nation’s territory and boosting the Babalangkasin po ang malinaw na country’s territorial integrity. Next page

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 309 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023

Marcos signs 2024 budget, says it’s battle plan vs. poverty, illiteracy By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Marcos on Wednesday signed the P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024, which he described as a “battle plan in fighting poverty and combatting illiteracy.” “Although it is teeming with numbers, this budget is more than a spreadsheet of amounts or a ledger of projects,” Mr. Marcos said during the signing ceremony at the Palace. “Rather, it details our battle plan in fighting poverty and combatting illiteracy, in producing food and ending hunger, in protecting our homes, in securing our border, treating the sick, keeping our people healthy, creating jobs, and funding livelihood.” “In effect, we are signing the renewal of our annual social contract with taxpayers: that what they have paid faithfully will be rebated to them in full,” he added. The 2024 national outlay, equivalent to 21.7 percent of the gross domestic product, is 9.5 percent higher than this year’s P5.268 trillion budget. President Marcos said the approved budget would be utilized to transform Next page

SIGNED AND DELIVERED. President Marcos shows his signed copy of the 2024 General Appropriations Act at Malacanang on Wednesday, flanked by (from left) Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. PCO Photo

N. Ecija, Cavite already in drought, months ahead of peak of El Niño By Charles Dantes, Rio Araja and Alena Mae Flores

WEATHER

NUEVA Ecija—considered the country’s rice capital -- and Cavite are already experiencing drought ahead of the expected peak of El Niño in the first quarter of 2024, the state weather bureau said. PAGASA data showed that as of Dec. 17, at least 25 areas have begun experiencing dry spells while five more have dry conditions. Provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon

3 weather systems set to bring in more rains THREE weather systems will continue to bring rain showers across the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday.

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TAKING FLIGHT. Various lanterns and gimmicks – including a Superman wannabe and an eagle taking flight – are on display at the University of the Philippines Lantern Festival at its Diliman campus in Quezon City on Wednesday.

PBBM vows more aid programs Jeepney owners ask High Court to stop PUV program for OFWs; jobs open up abroad By Rey E. Requejo JEEPNEY drivers and operators on Wednesday petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the government from implementing its Public Utility Vehicle

PCSO launching P1-billion lotto game in 2024 THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will launch a new lottery game with a base prize of P1 billion in 2024. “We will pattern it after the Powerball in US. This is a different jackpot game,” PCSO general manager Mel Robles said in a television interview Wednesday. He said 20 percent of the prize money will go to taxes. The PCSO last week started the test run of its web-based application betting Next page

DOTr adjusts holiday hours for metro trains Story on A2

Modernization Program (PUVM). In its petition, the striking transport group Piston asked the Court to issue a temporary restraining order of a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent

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By Charles Dantes and Rey E. tage of these initiatives. At a speech during OFW Family Requejo and Vito Barcelo Day in Pasay City, the President emPRESIDENT Marcos on Wednesday phasized the government’s commitannounced various assistance pro- ment to ongoing programs and initiagrams for overseas Filipino workers tives aimed at securing aid for OFWs Next page (OFWs) and urged them to take advan-

STANDARD’S TWIN WINS.

Manila Standard recently reaped two awards this month. Left photo shows Standard advertising manager Baldwin Felipe (second from right) receiving a trophy from the Philippine Heart Association’s Media Awards from Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo, Dr. Ronald Cuyco, and Dr. Louella Santos. Right photo shows Felipe receiving the Outstanding Newspaper of the Year from the Publishers Association of the Philippines at the 27th National Press Congress at Fort Ilocandia Resort. He is flanked by PAPI National President Nelson Santos (2nd right), PAPI Chairman Emeritus Johnny Dayang (2nd from left), and Executive Vice President Rebecca Velasquez (right) with DOST-1 mascot CIGLAT. Peter Paul Duran


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