PRESIDENT: ‘INCOMPLETE’ GRADE FOR YEAR 1

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed on Thursday with the "incomplete" grade given to him by an analyst on his first-year performance as concurrent Secretary of Agriculture.

In an interview in Pasay City, Marcos said that a year into his term, there is still a lot more to be done, particularly in the agriculture sector.

Aries Arugay of the University of the Philippines in an earlier interview gave Marcos an incomplete grade for his first year in office as Secretary of Agriculture, saying that he has not done enough to address the many problems in the sector.

"I saw a report earlier this morning where one of the economists said the grade that I will give for the President is incomplete. I agree with him. We are not done. Ang dami pa nating gagawin, there are many, many things that we still need to do. We have to undo 30, 35, almost 40 years of neglect when it comes to the agricultural sector," he said.

Marcos however believes that his administration has been able to make significant achievements in his first year in office, saying he put in place the basic elements for an agile and resilient economy.

"We continue to work on the economy to make sure that our basics, our macro-economic basics are in place, we are still fighting with inflation, talagang yan ang isa sa panay na pinakamalaking problema na kinakaharap natin, lahat ng maari nating gawin ay ginagawa natin, para hindi masyadong mahirapan ang ating bayan,” he continued.

When he was still campaigning for the presidency, Marcos promised to bring down the cost of rice to around P20 per kilo.

His stint at the DA meanwhile was also marked by a surge in the price of sugar, and a spike in the cost of onions, both of which contributed to pushing inflation to a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January.

Inflation has started to ease since then, sliding to 6.1 percent in May.

P40 MINIMUM WAGE HIKE APPROVED IN NCR

MANILA - A P40 hike in the minimum wage in the National Capital Region has been approved, the Department of Labor and Employment announced on Thursday.

The NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board said the wage hike was approved last June 26, DOLE said.

For non-agricultural workers, this means their pay will increase to P610 per day from P570 per day.

Workers in the agriculture sector, and service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers meanwhile will see their pay rise to P573 per day from P533.

The new rates translate to a 7 percent increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region, and remain above the regional poverty threshold of P452 per day for a family of five, DOLE said.

"These likewise result in a comparable 7 percent increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th-month pay, service incentive leave (SlL), and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-lBlG," it added.

The wage order is to take effect after 15 days from its publication, or on July 16 this year.

DOLE said the hike is expected to directly benefit 1.1 million minimum wage earners in NCR.

"About 1.5 million full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage may also indirectly benefit as a result of upward adjustments at the enterprise level arising from the correction of wage distortion," the agency added.

ADMINISTRATION VOWS TO ADDRESS COUNTRY’S ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT WOES

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to address the issues of illegal recruitment and human trafficking affecting the Filipino workforce, according to Malacañang. During a courtesy visit by International Labor Organization (ILO) officials, President Marcos expressed concern about the prevalence of human trafficking in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. He is collaborating with the Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople to maintain the Philippines' "Tier 1" status in combating human trafficking. The Philippines has retained its Tier 1 ranking for the eighth consecutive year, indicating full compliance with minimum standards. The ILO officials commended the Philippines as a potential model for addressing labor-related issues. President Marcos also discussed efforts to strike a balance in the labor sector and alleviate inflationary pressures on workers, including potential wage increases for minimum wage earners. He acknowledged the need for a compromise to avoid burdening small businesses, which comprise a significant portion of the Philippine economy. The current minimum wage ranges from P372 to P470, depending on the region.

PBBM URGES COCO AUTHORITY TO INVEST IN TECH

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to step up its modernization efforts and invest in new technologies to ensure the resilience of the coconut sector.

Speaking during the PCA’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines, as a major exporter of coconut products, is now in a prime position to harness the advantage of developing the industry for the benefit of the economy and the Filipino people.

President Marcos also urged the PCA to continue to uplift the lives of the coconut farmers, empower them to improve their conditions, and free them from poverty.

“The PCA must intensify the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan to accelerate the modernization of the coconut industry and to improve the lives of our coconut farmers and their families,” he said.

“Invest in technologies and initiatives that will not only safeguard but also ensure the resilience of the coconut sector of our agriculture,” he added.

The President also instructed the PCA to double its efforts to address the pressing issues besetting the coconut industry, including the effects of climate change, pests and diseases that “remain a significant threat” to coconut trees.

“As we reflect upon the last half-century, we are reminded of the valued history of the PCA, and the challenges that it has withstood to get to where it is today,” he said.

Recognizing coconut trees being a source of Filipinos’ livelihood, Mr. Marcos stressed the importance to continue developing and improving coconut products to “find new uses and expand its distribution to new markets.”

He also acknowledged the dedicated and diligent coconut farmers for their tireless efforts to make the coconut sector “stronger.”

“Through their hard work, they are able to plant, take care of, and nourish resilient coconut trees necessary for the emergence of a stronger coconut industry that we may all reap the benefits of this essential product,” he said.

Before delivering a keynote speech, Marcos also participated in the national coconut tree planting activity at the Coconut Palace.

This year’s founding anniversary focuses on the theme, “PCA@50: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future of the Philippine Coconut Industry,” highlighting the agency’s five-decade accomplishments in terms of empowering and revitalizing the Philippine coconut industry.

The PCA will be holding a weeklong celebration that features various activities, including the ceremonial coconut tree planting led by Marcos, a photo exhibition on PCA’s milestones, a bazaar and showcase of coconut products from Filipino farmers.

TAAL 'PHREATIC BURST' RECORDED; NO NEED FOR ALERT 2 - PHIVOLCS

MANILA — The Taal volcano in Batangas made a short-lived phreatic burst at its main crater on Thursday, which was not enough to upgrade its alert level, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

"What happened in Taal earlier was just a 1 minute, 8 seconds phreatic burst. This happens when a hot material comes into contact with water, producing steam," Phivolcs chief Teresito Bacolcol told ABS-CBN News in a text message

"Mababa lang po ang nangyaring burst kanina, only 250 meters," he said.

Bacolcol added that the volcanic event was not recorded in Phivolcs' seismic and infrasound equipment. It was only observed on the agency's IP camera.

Taal, which sits in a picturesque lake south of Manila, remained under the lowest level on its 5-step alert scale.

Bacolcol said there was "no need to raise Alert Level 2."

Alert 1 means "low-level unrest", while Alert 2 means "increasing unrest" and will trigger preparations for evacuation from hazardous areas, according to Phivolcs.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said Taal spewed 7,480 tons of toxic sulfur dioxide in the last 24 hours.

Phivolcs also reported an "upwelling of hot volcanic fluids" in Taal's main crater lake.

Taal generated a 3-minute tremor, Phivolcs added.

It warned that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, which is a permanent danger zone, remained prohibited.

BLAST IN CALAPAN MALL SENDS 18 TO HOSPITALS, POSSIBLY SET OFF BY GAS LEAK

A freak explosion at a shopping mall in Calapan City Thursday morning left 15 people seriously injured, police said.

In a statement released, Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) police chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said four restaurant employees, one delivery boy, and 10 other unidentified victims were hurt in the blast which happened at around 10:20 a.m.

The explosion at the restaurant, which was located on the first floor of the Xentro Mall also damaged 12 vehicles parked nearby.

Calapan City administrator Raymund Ussam said in an interview with  CNN Philippines they were monitoring the conditions of the victims who were sent to three different hospitals.

No deaths have been reported so far.

Authorities were still investigating, but Ussam said initial findings indicate gas leak as the possible cause of the explosion.

“Initial findings showed an alleged gas leak in the area of the Korean restaurant.” Ussam said.

“An LPG pipe was seen in the area, it might be the cause.” he added

“The ceiling collapsed but the structure was not totally damaged.” Ussam said.

At least 15 people were injured in an explosion due to a suspected gas leak inside a restaurant in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday morning.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 4B (Mimaropa) chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said the blast happened around 10:20 a.m. inside Mr. Won’s Samgyeopsal Korean Restaurant located at the Xentro Mall in Barangay Lumangbayan, Calapan City, injuring four staff members, one delivery man, and 10 other unidentified individuals.

Twelve vehicles sustained varying degrees of damage from the blast.

In response, Doria said immediate action was taken by activating the Incident Command Post (ICP) in coordination with the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and the Calapan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Doria assured the public that they are working closely with the BFP to facilitate a thorough investigation of the incident.

ZUBIRI SAYS READY TO STEP DOWN IF SENATORS WANT HIM REPLACED

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri acknowledged that he serves at the pleasure of his colleagues and rejected the idea of conducting a loyalty check among them in response to rumors of a leadership coup. He stated that if his colleagues no longer want him, they can remove him, and if they are satisfied with his leadership, they can keep him. Zubiri expressed his honor in serving his colleagues and stated that the Senate Presidency is a bonus from God. He denied knowing the source of the coup threat rumors. Several senators, including Jinggoy Estrada and Loren Legarda, denied the rumors and expressed their support for Zubiri. Other senators, such as JV Ejercito, Juan Edgardo Angara, Robinhood Padilla, and Nancy Binay, also affirmed their satisfaction with Zubiri's leadership and dismissed the rumors.

‘DIGITALIZATION TO BOOST PH TOURISM’

The Department of Tourism said the digitalization of travel in the Philippines will give the country a “fighting chance” at being competitive globally.

In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. intends to make the Philippines as a tourism and travel “powerhouse” through digitalization.”Since the intention of our President is really to open up the Philippines to the rest of the world to tourism and travel, his efforts are toward liberalizing pandemic-era protocols (and) digitalizing the experience of arriving in the Philippines,” said Frasco.”As to the e-Travel, his (Marcos Jr.) directive to implement an electronic visa system has given the Philippines a fighting chance at being globally competitive,” she added.Frasco said priority pillars are infrastructure, digitalization connectivity (whether by land, sea, or air), the equalization of tourism opportunities as well as strategic and strengthened partnerships with various public and private stakeholders.In a separate interview, Frasco vowed to address issues hounding air transport in the country.Frasco said the DOT will work with the Department of Transportation in presenting ways to improve the overall tourism experience in the country.In the past few months, netizens have been posting bad experiences with various airlines due to poor customer service and delayed flights.On Tuesday, the government unveiled the country’s new tourism slogan, “Love the Philippines,” a way to encourage travelers to discover not only the country’s top tourist spots but also vibrant communities and rich cultural heritage.

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5 INCLUDING 2 CHILDREN INJURED IN SHOOTING INCIDENT IN QC

MANILA — Five individuals were injured in a shooting incident in Barangay Masambong, Quezon City. CCTV footage captured a car pulling over, and two men exiting the vehicle to open fire on a passing SUV. The victims included a 37-year-old media practitioner, his 41-year-old sibling, and their 8-year-old and 4-year-old nephews. A 47-year-old bystander was also hit by a stray bullet. The family had recently concluded a vacation and stopped in Quezon City for a meal when they were attacked. The wounded victims were taken to the hospital, with the 4-year-old child being the most severely injured. The Quezon City Police are investigating the incident, as the motive is still unknown. The suspects, who were in a vehicle and on a motorcycle, are currently at large. The police are examining the possibility that the occupation of one of the victims, who worked in the media and had involvement in drug cases, may be a factor. The authorities have traced the vehicle's plate number to Bulacan, but it was found to be fake.

'LUFFY' CRIME RING MEMBER ARRESTED FOR ORDERING JAPAN ROBBERIES FROM PH

TOKYO — A suspected senior member of a group that ran scams in Japan from the Philippines, apparently under the pseudonym "Luffy," was arrested on Thursday for allegedly ordering one of a slew of robberies reported across Japan.

Kiyoto Imamura, who was served a fresh arrest warrant, became the first to be charged with robbery among the group's senior members who had given instructions for the crime.

The latest arrest warrant was for orchestrating the crime, which took place in Kyoto. He has already been indicted for theft over a scam.

Luffy was among the pseudonyms used by those who gave robbery orders.

The 39-year-old, who was deported in February from the Philippines, is suspected of being involved in the robbery of 41 watches totaling 69 million yen ($477,000) in value from a jewelry shop in Kyoto on May 2 last year.

Tokyo police have been investigating Imamura and three others -- Yuki Watanabe, Tomonobu Kojima and Toshiya Fujita, who were also deported from the Southeast Asian country under suspicion of having been involved in the scams -- over the robberies across Japan.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has not disclosed whether Imamura has admitted to the allegations.

But according to investigative sources, Imamura denied the allegations shortly after his arrest and has since remained silent.

Besides Imamura, 13 people, including those suspected of actually executing the crime, have been arrested over the robbery in Kyoto. Eleven of them have been indicted.

8 BILIBID GANG MEMBERS PLEAD GUILTY TO MURDER OF JUN VILLAMOR

MANILA — Eight Bilibid gang members have pleaded guilty to lesser degrees of participation in the murder of Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the killing of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, according to a source from the National Prosecution Service.

Five of the gang members pleaded guilty as accomplices to the murder, or those who cooperated in the execution of the offense by previous or simultaneous acts, without being considered the principal perpetrators.

They are Mario Alvarez, Christian Ramac, Ricky Salgado, Ronnie dela Cruz and Joel Reyes, all members of the Sputnik Gang.

According to authorities, it was Alvarez who ordered Villamor’s killing after it was revealed through a press conference that he was allegedly the middleman who hired self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial to kill Lapid on October 3, 2022 in Las Piñas.

The other 4 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were identified as the ones who allegedly suffocated Villamor using a plastic bag inside his cell at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18, 2022.

All five were sentenced to a jail term ranging from 6 years and 1 day to 14 years, 8 months and 1 day and ordered to pay a total of P225,000 in damages and civil indemnity to the heirs of Villamor.

Meanwhile, BCJ Gang commander Alvin Labra, Sputnik Gang commander Aldrin Galicia and Sputnik Gang member Joseph Georfo pleaded guilty as accessories to the murder and were sentenced to a jail term of between 2 years, 4 months and 1 day to 8 years and 1 day and P150,000 in damages and civil indemnity.

Accessories are those who profit or assist an offender to profit from the crime or conceal the body of the crime or the instruments, or harbored or assisted in the escape of the principal perpetrators.

Labra and Galicia, on Friday last week, also pleaded guilty as accessories to the murder of Lapid, along with Alfie Peñaredonda, commander of the HappyGoLucky Gang, before a Las Piñas court.

The new convictions were rendered by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito on Thursday.

The alleged masterminds in Villamor’s and Lapid’s killings, former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and his former deputy, Ricardo Zulueta, remain at large.

Because of their absence, the court archived the case, according to the NPS source. It will only be reopened once the 2 are arrested or if they surrendered.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. - Will Rogers