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COAST GUARD SPOKES QUESTIONS CHINA ENVOY’S BATANES VISIT By Katrina Manubay PHILIPPINE Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela on Sunday questioned the purpose of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent visit to Batanes, saying it should be viewed in the
context of recent claims by Chinese scholars challenging Philippine sovereignty over the island province. In a media interview, Tarriela called on the Chinese Embassy to explain the envoy’s visit, noting that it has denied any connection between the trip and Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 149 • 4 SECTIONS 22 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026
13 nations join PH in affirming tribunal’s SCS ruling By Katrina Manubay and Rex Espiritu THE Philippines and 13 allied countries reaffirmed on Sunday that
the Arbitral Ruling is “final and legally binding,” rejecting China’s expansive maritime claims and calling for adherence to international law to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, the Department of Na-
tional Defense (DND) said Philippines has emerged as a global convergence hub for upholding international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Next page
CONTROVERSIAL VISIT. China’s Amb. Jing Quan calls on Batanes Gov. Ronald Aguto during his visit to Batanes last month. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela has questioned the purpose of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent visit to Batanes, saying it should be viewed in the context of recent claims by Chinese scholars challenging Philippine sovereignty over the island province. Jay Tarriela FB
NBI’s Lotoc takes stand; Ping: Don’t open BIR box
Lacson wants PBBM okay to unseal evidence vs. VP By Rio Araja, Maricel Cruz, and Ram Superable
EALA BACK IN MANILA
H
OUSE prosecutors are set to present a second witness from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Monday.
Lawyer Jeremy Lotoc, NBI regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is expected to testify on the bureau’s investigation into Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady
Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. Meanwhile, Senator-Judge Panfilo Lacson said he will oppose the unsealing of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) “green box” containing Vice President Next page
SPORTS / C1
Tehran shuts down Strait of Hormuz anew By Vito Barcelo TEHRAN announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz Sunday and launched missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbors, in retaliation for new US strikes following an attack by Iranian forces on a merchant vessel that was abandoned in flames by its crew. Sirens and explosions were heard in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Agence France Presse (AFP) journalists and local authorities reported, the latest escalation to undermine an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the Middle East war. Meanwhile, around 2,500 Filipino seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran have again disrupted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. Next page
FISH MART. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is delighted by the buckets of fish available for sale at the Navotas Fish Port Complex in Navotas City, Metro Manila, which is undergoing rehabilitation to ensure that its facilities are keeping pace with the needs of the fishing industry.The President’s inspection yesterday is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to develop public infrastructure that supports the fishing sector and helps ensure an adequate and continuous supply of various seafood products for Filipinos. PCO
CBCP: No position on impeachment; Azcuna: Case far from resolved By Vito Barcelo, Pot Chavez, and Maricel Cruz THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it is taking no position for or against Vice Presi-
dent Sara Duterte as her impeachment trial continues, emphasizing that the proceedings highlight the constitutional principle that all public officials are accountable to the people. Former Supreme Court Associate Jus-
tice Adolf Azcuna, meanwhile, clarified that the case involving Duterte’s alleged death threats is far from resolved despite his earlier opinion that the prosecution had established criminal intent. Also, House prosecution spokesper-
son and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the impeachment trial serves the public interest by helping define the standards of conduct expected of the country’s highest officials. Next page
Children’s book features MS editor’s pet advocacy By Jasper Valdez
KEY STAKEHOLDERS. A high-level conference gathers key stakeholders from the
government, diplomatic community, defense and security sectors, academe, civil society, and media to exchange insights on the continuing importance of the Arbitral Award and the imperative of building credible deterrence in its defense on July 10, 2026. Stratbase Institute
‘Inday’ deaths now 18; Habagat to bring rains to Luzon, Visayas By Rex Espiritu and Rio N. Araja THE death toll from the combined effects of Typhoon “Inday” and the enhanced southwest monsoon rose to
18, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Sunday. The OCD said one more fatality was recorded in Calanogas, Lanao del Sur, where a deadly rain-induced landslide Next page
ANIMAL-welfare advocates convey their message to the children through books that urge them to see animals not as creatures whose needs can be ignored, but as living things that deserve care, protection and respect. Launched on July 12 at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, Quezon City, the books entitled “Desiree Carlos: Ang Journalist na Tagapagligtas ng mga Strays” and “Tahol sa Katahimikan: Mga Tula at Kuwento” were written by Lalaine Manaog-Danao. Both publications were tied to her broader effort to use storytelling as a way to teach children about kindness toward animals. Manaog-Danao said she chose to focus on children because values are easier to shape early. Next page
BOOKS ON PEOPLE AND PETS. Two books that ask children to see animals not as creatures whose needs can be ignored, but as lives that deserve care, protection and respect, were launched yesterday at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, Quezon City. Desiree Carlos: Ang Journalist na Tagapagligtas ng mga Strays and Tahol sa Katahimikan: Mga Tula at Kuwento were writted by 3rd from left, Lalain ManaogDanao. Both books are tied to her broader effort to use storytelling as a way to teach children about kindness toward animals. Jasper Valdez