The Standard - 2016 April 13 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXX NO. 60 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 WEDNESDAY : APRIL 13, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Lawmen close in on Comelec hackers

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NOY BLAMED FOR CEBU CITY CRISIS By Christine F. Herrera and Vito Barcelo

THE Palace on Tuesday drew flak for suspending allies of opposition presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay for releasing calamity assistance to typhoon victims, even if the Commission on Elections said it could do nothing to stop the corruption-related suspensions.

UNA candidates reelectionists Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, and 12 city councilors were suspended in connection with the release of P20,000 in calamity funds in 2013 for city hall employees who were affected by Super Typhoon “Yolanda.” Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance denounced the suspension order as an act of desperation “patently illegal, excessive, vicious and relentless.”

Team Rama is pitted against the Palace-backed team of former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, head of Bando Osmena-Pundok Kauswagan, a Liberal Party ally. The suspension order against Rama was signed on Thursday by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa on behalf of President Benigno Aquino III, Liberal Party chairman. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body has not yet re-

ceived the request from the Palace for an exemption to the election restriction against suspensions during the election period. He said the commissioners have to study the request before deciding on whether the suspension order can be imposed. On the other hand, Jimenez said, if the offense involves a violation of the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, no exemption from the Comelec is required. Next page

Weighing in. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, fourth from left, speaks to his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida during their talks in Tokyo on April 12, 2016. Ayrault is in Tokyo after attending the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima. AFP

Robredo admits Mar has problems

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Beijing criticizes G7 position on disputed sea By Vito Barcelo BEIJING—China said it is “strongly dissatisfied” with a Group of Seven statement calling for restraint in disputed waters, as worries grow in Asia over Beijing’s territorial and military ambitions. “China is strongly dissatisfied with relevant moves taken by G7,” foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a

statement. “We urge G7 members to abide by their promise of not taking sides on territorial disputes, respect the efforts by regional countries, stop all irresponsible words and actions, and make constructive contribution to regional peace and stability.” A two-day meeting of G7 foreign ministers—a grouping that excludes China—in the Japanese city of Hiro-

shima issued a joint statement saying: “We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and emphasize the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes. “We express our strong opposition to any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions.” Next page


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