PALACE SET TO SUBMIT P5.2T NAT’L BUDGET TO CONGRESS

The proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023 will likely be submitted to Congress next week, Malacañang said on Friday, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a special meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the proposed spending plan.

In a press conference, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the 2023 budget plan is currently being fine-tuned after several Cabinet secretaries gave their inputs during the meeting.

“Different secretaries gave some inputs for the fine-tuning. The department will submit [the proposed 2023 budget] to Congress by next week,” she said.

On Monday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman vowed to submit to Congress the proposed P5.268-trillion General Appropriations Act on time to ensure its passage before yearend.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) initially sought to submit the proposed budget on August 22.

The 1987 Constitution mandates the executive department to submit the proposed National Expenditure Program to Congress within 30 days from the opening of the regular session of Congress.

The Marcos administration’s top priority sectors in the budget spending include education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture.

The education sector, Cruz-Angeles said, will receive the biggest budgetary allocation for next year.

Sen. Sonny Angara, head of the Senate Committee on Finance, earlier said the Marcos administration will likely enforce “more focused spending” as it eyes only a 4-percent increase in next year’s budget.

US SECRETARY OF STATE BLINKEN TO MEET MARCOS ON ALLIANCE

WASHINGTON, United States — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel next week to the Philippines to meet new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with Washington expecting a close alliance despite rights concerns.

Blinken will meet Marcos in Manila on August 6 as part of efforts "to strengthen the US-Philippines alliance" including on energy and trade, the State Department said.

They will also discuss "our shared democratic values," a statement said.

Blinken will head to the Philippines after attending talks of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cambodia.

Blinken has not scheduled but does not rule out meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Phnom Penh, said Daniel Kritenbrink, the top US diplomat for East Asia.

"We'll see how things develop, but no formal plans," he told reporters.

CHINA ACCUSES US OF USING DISPUTED WATERS FOR OWN GAIN

MANILA — China again slammed the United States for trying to “stir up trouble and drive a wedge” between countries using the South China Sea dispute for its own political gain.

US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro alllegedly "made unfounded accusations against and maliciously smeared China," the Chinese embassy in Manila said in a statement on Friday.

China said it “strongly deplores and firmly rejects those remarks.”

“In an attempt to preserve its hegemony, the US keeps intensifying power projection in this region, and deliberately seeks to widen differences and provoke tensions, undermining the legitimate rights and interests of coastal countries and the normal order at sea,” it added.

The US has repeatedly said that any attack against Philippine forces in the disputed waters will trigger Washington’s commitments under the 1951 U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty.

“The Philippines follows an independent foreign policy,” the embassy said. “We believe that the country and its people have the wisdom to make the judgement and choice that best suit their interests and stand on the side of people’s desire for peace and the trend of the times.”

Beijing also stressed that it is working with other Southeast Asian countries as prescribed by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to work their differences on their respective claims in the South China Sea.

“This has created a favorable environment and important underpinning for the development and prosperity of the countries and the well-being of the peoples in the region,” the embassy in Manila said.

China along with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are working on a “Code of Conduct” (COC) in the South China Sea in an attempt to manage tensions between countries with respective claims.

DEATH TOLL FROM QUAKE NOW 10, OVER 1K AFTERSHOCKS RECORDED

The death toll from a major earthquake centered in the northern Philippines rose to 10 Friday after another four bodies were found in the rubble, authorities said, as aftershocks continued to rock the mountainous region.

Rescuers in the town of Luba in the hardest hit province of Abra retrieved the remains of the men on a section of road that was buried by a landslide during Wednesday’s 7.0-magnitude quake, the provincial civil defense office told Agence-France Presse.

Landslides and collapsing structures killed six others in Abra and nearby provinces, authorities had said previously. More than 150 people were injured.

This developed as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday told the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize the inspection of hospitals and health care facilities in Abra following the magnitude 7 earthquake that jolted the province Wednesday.

During a visit to the province, Marcos checked on the condition of the Abra Provincial Hospital and its patients.

More than a thousand aftershocks have been recorded since the quake hit, the state seismology office said Friday.

PH CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO BE FORMED UNDER NEW LAW

MANILA — The Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, which aims to develop and promote various creative fields in the country, is set to be formed after the passage of the Philippine Creative Industries Act into law.

Under the new law, the council will be composed of private-sector representatives from audiovisual media, digital interactive media, creative services, design, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.

As the main policy-making body for the industry, the council will formulate and implement Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan, described as “the roadmap to developing our country’s creative sector for years to come,” according to the act’s principal author, Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Christopher De Venecia.

The law also institutionalizes the Philippine Creative Cities Network, said to be “a learning and resource platform, which shall partner with our local chief executives to harness creativity for socioeconomic development.”

Education for the creative fields is also covered by the law, which aims to address job-skills mismatch, incentivize academic institutions for innovative projects, and provide support for both formal and non-formal learning, according to the lawmaker.

“It is a law that will help creative industries recover faster from the pandemic and the prevailing high-inflation economic conditions,” De Venecia added.

The legislation is being targeted for implementation, led by the Department of Trade and Industry, within the fourth quarter of the year.

SPAIN, BRAZIL REPORT FIRST MONKEYPOX-RELATED DEATHS OUTSIDE AFRICA

Spain and Brazil reported their first monkeypox-related deaths on Friday, marking what are thought to be the first fatalities linked to the current outbreak outside of Africa.

Spain is one of the world's worst-hit countries, with 4,298 people there infected with the virus, according to the health ministry's emergency and alert coordination centre.

"Of the 3,750 (monkeypox) patients with available information, 120 cases were hospitalized (3.2 percent) and one case has died," the centre said in a report.

An official would not give the specific cause of death for the fatality pending the outcome of an autopsy.

In Brazil a 41-year-old man died of monkeypox, local authorities said on Friday.

The man, who local media said had serious immune system problems, died on Thursday in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the southeastern Minas Gerais state.

He "was receiving hospital treatment for other serious conditions", the state health ministry said in a statement.

After ‘huli-dap’ reports, Remulla orders NBI to stop operations vs POGOs

MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to stop operations against Philippine offshore gaming operators after receiving reports of “huli-dap” or arrest and extortion activities.

“I told the NBI to stop activities against POGOs… The NBI was not ordinanced to raise money out of illegal activities. In Tagalog… 'Hindi ho itinatag ang National Bureau of Investigation upang gamitin lamang sa panghuhuli-dap ng mga dayuhan o kaya ng mga negosyante,'” Remulla said during a speech before members of the Rotary Club of Manila on Thursday.

Remulla did not say when he arrived at the decision or if he had signed a written directive to the NBI to formalize the order.

He just said during his speech that he received a call Thursday morning from a private man of Chinese descent complaining that he had been victimized by “huli-dap.”

Explaining his latest order to reporters, Remulla said he has received a lot of complaints about supposed huli-dap operations of the NBI.

“Maraming nangyayaring ganyan. Marami ng reports. So pinatigil na nila ang operation on POGOs (There are a lot of similar incidents happening. Many have reported. So they requested that POGOs stop their operations). I asked OIC Director [Medardo] De Lemos to stop everybody from operating on POGOs because we are getting a very bad operation on the matter,” he said.

The justice chief said it is best for the NBI to stay out of the problems in the POGO industry.

‘REMULLA MUST RAISE PCGG SHIFT WITH PRESIDENT’

It will be up to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to raise to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. his proposal to expand the mandate of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), Malacañang said on Friday.

“Since it is Secretary Remulla who has made the proposal, we’ll have to wait for him to bring it up,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a Palace briefing.

On Thursday, Remulla proposed to expand the PCGG’s functions beyondb recovering the supposed ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies.

The justice chief’s proposal aims to cover the seizure of smuggled shipments and confiscation of properties and assets for non-payment of taxes, drug trafficking, graft and corruption, and other crimes.

The PCGG was created in 1986 to recover the Marcoses’ and their cronies’ alleged ill-gotten wealth. It has so far recovered P171 billion.

Asked if Remulla’s suggestion will be adopted by the Marcos administration, Cruz-Angeles said: “Right now, there is no policy.”

Some have raised concerns over Remulla’s proposed expansion, saying this will dilute the PCGG’s mandate.

Sought for a reaction, Cruz-Angeles said: “We don’t respond to speculation.”

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Friday urged the public, including the media, to monitor the actions of the PCGG after Remulla expressed his intention to expand its mandate.

THE REST

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AFTER TRAGIC SHOOTING, ATENEO SAYS GRADUATING LAW STUDENTS TO BE RECOGNIZED 'WHEN YOU ARE READY'

MANILA — After the tragic shooting that claimed three lives Sunday, the Ateneo Law School said it would still recognize the graduating class of 2022 later on when the batch's members are ready.

In a series of statements issued Friday, the university condoled with the three victims who lost their lives and offered prayers for the full recovery of Hannah Furigay and Julia Manabat, who were among those injured in the shooting in the Ateneo campus.

To recall, Chao Tiao-Yumol, a doctor, shot dead ex-Lamitan mayor Rosita Furigay, her aide Victor Capistrano, and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala just before the Ateneo Law School Batch 2022's graduation ceremonies.

Hannnah, Furigay's daughter and part of the graduating class, is still recovering from her injuries as of press time.

"Instead of joy, your special day last Sunday was instead marked by tragedy. It marred what was supposed to be a day of celebration [that] will forever traumatize the members of the class and their families," the university said.

"Rest assured, however, that we will still recognize your graduating class's achievements in the near future, when you are ready...Ateneo is proud of what you have all achieved, and we will always root for your success."

In a separate tribute posted on the university's Facebook page, Ateneo condoled with the family of Bandala, who had been one of its trusted security personnel since 2016.

The security guard was shot when he attempted to subdue Yumol once the latter's attack started.

"In that span of time, he endeared himself to many employees, administrators, faculty, and students. He will be remembered for his friendliness, courteousness, and most of all, his sense of duty," Ateneo said.

"Ateneo is proud to call Jeneven, as well as the rest of our security personnel, part of the community...the selflessness, sacrifice, and dedication of SG Jeneven Bandiala will never be forgotten."

ANOTHER DIESEL PRICE ROLLBACK SEEN, BUT GASOLINE MAY INCREASE INSTEAD

The price per liter of diesel fuel is expected to go down next week for the fifth straight week, while gasoline prices may increase slightly by Tuesday, industry sources said yesterday.

An oil industry source told the Standard pump prices for diesel may be reduced by P1.00 to P1.20, citing oil trading monitoring from July 25 to 28 based on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), a pricing basis for many refined oil products in southeast Asia.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, may rise by P0.50 to P0.70 per liter, the same source added.

This developed as a lawmaker from the Bicol region on Friday urged the government to act on the long-conceived national strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) to ensure an adequate inventory of fuel in the domestic market.

#ESTERPH: LPA OFF NORTHERN LUZON NOW A TROPICAL DEPRESSION

MANILA — A low pressure area off northern Luzon has developed into a tropical depression, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Friday.

PAGASA said the weather disturbance, named Ester, strengthened into a storm at 2 p.m. Friday and was last spotted 840 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon.

Ester is moving west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 55 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA said there is no tropical cyclone wind signal currently hoisted for Ester but warned of light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Southern Luzon and the western and eastern portions of Visayas.

This is due to the combined effects of the habagat or southwest monsoon and Tropical Depression Ester, it explained.

The weather agency also said that the hagabat and Ester will bring moderate to rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of the country, adding that this may be risky for those using small seacraft.

Ester is forecast to move north-northwestward and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday afternoon, according to PAGASA. It is forecast to remain a tropical depression in the next 36 hours.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MAINE MENDOZA, ARJO ATAYDE NOW ENGAGED

MANILA — Celebrity couple Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde are now engaged.

In her Instagram account, Maine posted photos of her with Arjo showing her engagement ring.

"Wait, whaaaat??? We’re engaged?!" Maine captioned the post.

Celebrities such as Ria Atayde, Pauleen Luna, Maja Salvador to name a few commented on Maine's post.

Rumors of Maine and Arjo dating began in December 2018 when they co-starred in the movie "Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles." In January 2019, Arjo admitted that he and Maine are exclusively dating.

The couple marked their third anniversary as a couple with a romantic sunset date on a yatch on December 21, 2021.

SPORTS

GINEBRA DEF. MERALCO, 94-87 (VIDEO) JULY 29 | PBA QUARTERFINALS GAME 2

Barangay Ginebra escapes past Meralco Bolts, 94-87 in game 2 of their best-of-3 quarterfinals of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, July 29 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Ginebra ties the series at 1-1 and forces a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday, July 31 at 6:30pm at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. [LIVE]

Japeth Aguilar led the GinKings with 25 points (8/14 fg, 9/13 ft), along with 8 rebounds and game-high 5 blocks in 37 minutes of play. Christian Standhardinger with near triple-double of 15 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal while LA tenorio added 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Stanley Pringle delivers in the clutch with back-to-back basket inside the final two minutes to finished with 9 points (4/11 fg, 1/6 3pts), two steals, one rebound and one assist. Scottie Thompson had 11 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 94 - J. Aguilar 25 (8reb 5blk), Standhardinger 15 (12reb 7ast), Tenorio 13 (5reb 4ast 3stl), Thompson 11 (9ast 6reb 2stl), Pringle 9, Chan 8 (2/3 3pts), Pinto 7 (4stl 3reb 3ast), Caperal 4, Mariano 2.

MERALCO 87 – Hodge 25 (5ast 2reb 2stl), Maliksi 14 (6reb 3ast 2/4 3pts), Pasaol 14 (3/4 3pts), Almazan 10 (10reb 2blk), Black 9 (6reb 5ast), Newsome 8 (8reb 6ast), Pascual 3, Banchero 2, Quinto 2.

Quarters: 25-25, 56-45, 69-71, 94-87.

NLEX DEF. MAGNOLIA, 90-77 (VIDEO) JULY 29 | PBA QUARTERFINALS GAME 2

NLEX Road Warriors uses strong first half to beat the Magnolia Hotshots, 90-77 in game 2 of their best-of-3 quarterfinals of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, July 29 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

NLEX ties the series at 1-1 and forces a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday, July 31 at 4:30pm at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. [LIVE]

Kevin Alas led the Road Warriors with game-high 30 points on 11/18 shooting including 6-of-11 from behind the arc along with 9 rebounds, 4 asssists and a steal in 36 minutes of play. Calvin Oftana with a near double-double performance of 10 points to go with 9 rebounds and 2 assists while Don Trollano with an all-around game of 8 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block.

The Scores:

NLEX 90 - Alas 30 (9reb 4ast 6/11 3pts), Oftana 10 (9reb), Semerad 9, Trollano 8 (12reb 4ast), Quinahan 8 (5reb), Varilla 8 (2/2 3pts), Chua 6, Nieto 6, Miranda 3, Rosales 2, Paniamogan 0, Ighalo 0.

MAGNOLIA 77 – Abueva 20 (7reb 4ast), Lee 12 (4/7 3pts), Dionisio 11 (5reb 3stl), Sangalang 10 (5reb 4ast), Jalalon 7 (5ast), Reavis 4, Barroca 4 (5ast), Dela Rosa 4, Wong 3, Corpuz 2, Brill 0, Zaldivar 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 25-18, 55-32, 73-59, 90-77.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.13

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a fruitful flower. - John Ruskin