MARCOS SAYS PHILIPPINES 'UNDETERRED' BY CHINA'S ACTIONS IN WPS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government remains “undeterred” despite China’s continued harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said in a statement late Sunday.

He stressed that China’s “illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order.”

Manila and Beijing have traded accusations over the collisions of their vessels.

The Philippine Coast Guard accused the CCG of firing water cannons and ramming its patrol boat and supply vessels during a resupply mission to troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded warship that serves as the country’s outpost in the WPS.

This caused “severe damage” to the engine of M/L Kalayaan, one of the supply boats.

China, however, claimed that a Philippine vessel intentionally collided with its ship.

Marcos reiterated that Ayungin Shoal is within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and that Bajo de Masinloc is a sovereign Philippine territory and an integral part of the archipelago.

“No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Marcos added that he has ordered the uniformed services to conduct their missions with utmost regard for their safety, “yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset.”

BOAT CARRYING GIFTS, SUPPLIES REACHES LAWAK ISLAND: 'ATIN ITO' COALITION

MANILA — Although the main ship of the Atin Ito Christmas convoy had to turn back, organizers said a smaller supply boat managed to reach Lawak Island in the West Philippine Sea.

The coalition said MV Chowee, a smaller supply boat that took a different from MV Kapitan Felix Oca managed to bring supplies and Christmas packages to Lawak.

MV Chowee did not have volunteers or media aboard.

"ATIN ITO's supply boat slipped [past] Chinese marine vessels arriving at Lawak Island on 11 December, 5:00 am. Nakalusot (It got through)!" their statement read.

"They are now in the process of dropping off donations and supplies with the help of frontliners stationed in the area," they added.

On Sunday, the civilian-led convoy that was supposed to bring gifts and donations to Philippine troops and residents in the West Philippine Sea announced it was headed back to El Nido, Palawan.

The coalition announced that they were "erring on the side of caution" after being shadowed by Chinese vessels.

The coalition said their primary vessel, the MV Kapitan Oca, was shadowed by Chinese vessels starting at 3:40 p.m., south of Kayumanggi Bank.

The convoy had started its journey to areas in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, with some 40 volunteers from the "Atin Ito" coalition joining the first leg of the expedition from Manila to Palawan.

US CALLS ON BEIJING TO STOP 'DANGEROUS' CONDUCT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

WASHINGTON, United States - The United States called Sunday for Beijing to halt its "dangerous and destabilizing" actions in the disputed South China Sea, after a Philippine boat and Chinese Coast Guard ship collided near a contested reef.

Both countries traded blame after the incident earlier Sunday, the latest such confrontation in the contested sea.

On both days Chinese ships "employed water cannons and reckless maneuvers, including forcing a collision, causing damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions to those locations, and jeopardizing the safety of the Filipino crew," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The ships at Scarborough Shoal "also used acoustic devices, incapacitating the Filipino crew members, and drove away Philippine fishing vessels," he said.

"These actions reflect not only reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law," Miller said.

‘SEND CHINESE AMBASSADOR BACK TO CHINA’

MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday urged President Marcos to send Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian back home following China’s latest aggressions against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

“I urge President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to send the current Chinese ambassador home. He has done nothing to address the continued attacks of his government on our troops and on our people,” Zubiri said.

SENATE TO RATIFY 2024 NATIONAL BUDGET TODAY

MANILA — The Senate is set to ratify today the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, according to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

“We’re ratifying the budget tomorrow (Monday),” Zubiri told The STAR yesterday when asked to give an update on the budget.

The budget approval will be done days before Congress goes on Christmas break.

Senate and House of Representatives contingents will convene the second bicameral conference committee to tackle disagreeing votes for House Bill 8980 or the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2024.

The meeting will be held at the Makati Shangri-La.

A Senate staff familiar with the proceedings said that “bicam members will have a symbolic signing of the approved bicam report today.”

After the signing, senators and congressmen will report at the Senate and the House in the afternoon where their respective reports will be ratified by both houses.

The bill will be registered, printed and transmitted to Malacañang.

“Hopefully, before Christmas, the budget will be signed by President Marcos,” the Senate staff said.

PISTON ANNOUNCES 2-DAY TRANSPORT STRIKE THIS WEEK

Transport group PISTON announced Monday plans to stage another transport strike from December 14-15.

The group is demanding that the LTFRB reconsider its decision to implement the Dec 31 consolidation deadline.

PISTON national president Mody Floranda earlier warned the transport strike could be extended depending on the government's answer.

"Magkakaroon ng transport strike ang Piston bago matapos ang 2023 sapagkat naka-deadline hanggang December 31 na lamang yung ating public transport, yung ating mga jeepney," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

"Pwedeng humaba yan at magdi-depensa yan sa sagot ng gobyerno. Sana ay mapakinggan tayo ng pamahalaan, lalo na si BBM dito sa kahilingan ng mga driver at operator na manatili pa sa kanilang paghahanap-buhay at pagse-serbisyo sa ating mamamayan," he added.

Floranda warned of an impending transport crisis if traditional jeepneys are no longer allowed to register with the LTFRB.

"Pag-aralan nila kung ano 'yung magiging epekto nito sa hindi lamang sa hanay ng driver/operator kundi sa ating ekonomiya at sa ating mamamayan sapagkat. May effect saa ting ekonomiya kapag nawala ang mga traditional jeepney," he said.

PHILIPPINES EYES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO EASE ECONOMIC RESTRICTIONS

MANILA — Philippine lawmakers are considering efforts to amend the country’s constitution to ease restrictive provisions on economic ownership, a top congressional leader said on Monday.

“We want to lift the restrictive provisions vis a vis the economy,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in an economic briefing.

Romualdez said top congressional leaders of the country’s political parties are meeting Monday to discuss procedural issues that have hampered past efforts to amend the Philippines‘ 1987 constitution.

The amendments, he said, will allow lawmakers to “regulate” economic sectors that can be opened for foreign investors.

Foreign business chambers have been urging Congress to lift current limits to foreign investment, including the so-called 60-40 rule, which caps foreign ownership of local firms at 40%.

Past efforts to rewrite the constitution have failed. Critics have said efforts to amend the constitution could also open doors for lawmakers to lift term limits for elected officials.

LAWMAKER FILES MEASURE TO INSTITUTIONALIZE TELEMEDICINE

MANILA — With the importance of electronic healthcare proven during the COVID-19 pandemic, Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas has filed a bill institutionalizing telemedicine.

In House Bill 9518, Vargas underscored the need to institutionalize telemedicine to “address the existing gaps in the healthcare system that the pandemic revealed.”

The measure seeks to “create an innovative, unified and comprehensive policy framework for the practice and development of telemedicine in the country.”

It also seeks to further ensure access to healthcare services such as consultation, diagnosis, treatment and prescription of medicines, especially in areas that have inadequate or are far from traditional healthcare institutions and services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic … immensely challenged the healthcare system with the barriers imposed by the lockdowns and curfews, the resource-limited facilities and the overall capability of the health system,” the bill’s explanatory note declared.

The bill stated that by institutionalizing and allowing information and communication technology in the process of healthcare services delivery especially in time of emergencies and disasters, “the State shall strengthen the health system and infrastructure in the country.”

This will then enable Filipinos to “better withstand unforeseen events… making the country closer to achieving the universal health care for all.”

MARCOS TO ATTEND ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT ON DEC. 15-18

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will depart for Tokyo, Japan on December 15 to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and other activities that will happen until Dec. 18.

This year, the countries will observe the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN relations, said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu.

Issues relating to “defense and transnational crime mutual legal assistance, mutual economic activities, socio-cultural and people to people activities” will be discussed during the meetings.

Pres. Marcos is set to have a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 16th but the DFA refused yet to divulge the details of the agenda.

Asked if the meeting will include the possible signing of the Philippines and Japan’s reciprocal access agreement (RAA) similar to visiting forces agreement (VFA) with the United States, Espiritu said it seems unlikely.

“As for the bilateral meeting, it might be, I cannot confirm that one if that will be part of the agenda. I think it will take a long time to make, so I don’t that it will be done in one sitting,” he said.

He added that is it not yet clear if the discussions will include the recent incident in the West Philippine Sea involving Chinese Coast Guard and resupply boats of the Philippines.

THE REST

========

PUBLIC WARNED VS UNREGISTERED ANTISEPTIC

MANILA — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against the purchase and use of an unregistered antiseptic.

In an advisory, the FDA said that Agua Oxigenada F.E.U. XIV-10 Vols 120 mL is not registered with the agency and could pose a potential danger to users.

The FDA stressed that the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, promotion, advertising or sponsorship of health products without proper authorization from the agency are prohibited.

Regulatory actions and sanctions shall be strictly pursued against those who sell the antiseptic, the FDA warned.

It also reminded all local government units and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the antiseptic is not sold or made available in their localities or areas of jurisdiction.

MERALCO DROPPING POWER RATES IN DECEMBER

MANILA — Meralco is dropping power prices by nearly P0.80 per kiloWatt-hour (kwh) in December, after prices decreased in the spot market.

This means prices are dropping by the following amounts:

200kwh consumption - P159 decrease

300kwh consumption - P239 decrease

400kwh consumption - P318 decrease

500kwh consumption - P398 decrease

APPOINTMENT OF WOMEN TO SENSITIVE BARMM POSTS HAILED

COTABATO CITY — In a significant stride for women's empowerment, three prominent women have been appointed to key positions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government. Lawyers Sha Elijah Dumama Alba and Anna Tarhata Basman, along with peace advocate Susana Salvador Anayatin, have assumed crucial roles in the regional parliament. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim appointed Alba as head of the regional local government ministry, Basman as regional attorney-general, and Anayatin as director of the Office of Settler Communities.

Advocates of women's rights celebrate this milestone, praising the appointment of qualified women to influential positions in a region where male dominance prevails in community, governance, and politics. The appointees are commended for their public service track records and commitment to fostering cultural and religious unity among Muslims, Christians, and non-Moro indigenous people in the autonomous region. This diverse representation is seen as a positive step toward promoting peace and sustainable development in BARMM.

FUEL PRICES DROP AHEAD OF SIMBANG GABI

MANILA — Oil prices are dropping anew as Christmas nears.

Petroleum companies said pump prices will drop by the following amounts on Tuesday, December 12:

PILIPINAS SHELL, SEAOIL (effective 6 a.m.)

Gasoline - P1.60 decrease

Kerosene - P.140 decrease

Diesel - P1.85 decrease

CALTEX (effective 12:01 a.m.)

Gasoline - P1.60 decrease

Kerosene - P.140 decrease

Diesel - P1.85 decrease

CLEANFUEL (effective 12:01 a.m.)

Gasoline - P1.60 decrease

Diesel - P1.85 decrease

The Department of Energy, through Director Rino Abad, earlier said lower prices may persist until early next year barring any geopolitical issues that can affect volatile world fuel prices.

2 NEGROS NPA FRONTS DECLARED DISMANTLED

BACOLOD CITY — Two more New People’s Army (NPA) fronts operating on Negros Island have been declared dismantled by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).

The relentless military operations on the island have resulted in the demolition of the NPA’s Central Negros 1 and 2 fronts, known as the Leonardo Panaligan and Mt. Cansermon Command, respectively, under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/ Siquijor, according to Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, civil military opperations officer of the 3ID.

Javines said that on Dec. 6 and 7, Army troopers figured in separate clashes with remnants of the Central Negros 1 and 2 in Barangay Amontay in Binalbagan and Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan.

The skirmishes resulted in the death of Braulio Tobalado as well as recovery of several high-powered firearms.

NO WEATHER DISTURBANCE IN THE NEXT 5 DAYS: PAGASA

PAGASA is not monitoring any weather disturbance or storm within the Philippine area of responsilibity (PAR), weather forecaster Robert Badrina said Monday on TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Gising Pilipinas.

There have only been 10 storms in the country this year so far -- just half of the annual average of 19 to 20.

The Easterlies, the warm Pacific winds, will continue to bring hot and humid conditions over the entire country. Isolated thunderstorms may also be expected, especially in the afternoon or evening.

The northeast monsoon or Amihan, which has been weak and only affected parts of Northern Luzon in the past two weeks, may be felt over most of Luzon, including Metro Manila, on Wednesday and Thursday, based on PAGASA's forecast.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'MALLARI' STARS HOLD MOTORCADE, FAN EVENT IN LIPA

LIPA CITY -- The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry "Mallari," which premieres in Philippine theaters on Christmas Day, thrilled fans in Lipa, Batangas last Friday.

With their phones up, cheers loud, and smiles wide, Batangueños warmly welcomed Kapamilya stars Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador, as well as the cast and crew of the film “Mallari,” the much-anticipated movie from Mentorque Productions in cooperation with Cleverminds.

Also part of the motorcade promoting the horror flick was Mentorque producer John Bryan Diamante and supervising producer Omar Sortijas.

A mall show was then held after the motorcade where fans, including various fan groups like JoshNella Official Rizal Chapter and JaneNella Trendsetter, gathered to support their favorite stars.

Guests like Ron Angeles, Angelie Sanoy, Audrey Alquiroz, Tommy Alejandrino, and young talents John Ventura, James Clarence Fajardo, and Ali Abatayo, along with the lively host Inah Evans, were also a hit with the Lipa audience.

Directed by Derick Cabrido and written by Enrico C. Santos, "Mallari" will be featured in the Parade of the Stars on December 16, starting in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and concluding at Peoples Park in Valenzuela City, presented by the Metro Manila Development Authority, in charge of MMFF 2023.

SPORTS

PBA OKAYS 3-TEAM DEAL SENDING NORTHPORT'S BOLICK TO NLEX

MANILA -- The PBA has given the thumbs up to the three-team trade that would bring Robert Bolick to NLEX and sending Don Trollano to San Miguel.

Bolick and guard Kent Salado were dealt by the NorthPort Batang Pier to NLEX in exchange for Ben Adamos, Kris Rosales, Don Trollano and the team’s second round pick for PBA Season 49.

The Beermen then flipped Allyn Bulanadi, Jeepy Faundo and their PBA Season 51 second round pick for Trollano.

Bolick went to Japan earlier in the year after his contract with NorthPort was not renewed.

He last played for the Fukushima Firebonds in the Japan B.League, but asked to be released.

The guard will fill the void left by floor general Kevin Alas, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

NLEX is currently holding a 2-5 win-loss slate in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The depleted Beermen then added the spitfire Trollano.

With the team missing Terrence Romeo, Vic Manuel, Kyt Jimenez, Jeron Teng and reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, Trollano is expected to carry a significant offensive load for the Beermen.

San Miguel’s roster just got deeper, as they are still spearheaded by import Ivan Aska, Jericho Cruz, CJ Perez, Mario Lassiter and Chris Ross.

The Beermen are holding a 3-3 slate, while the Batang Pier tote a 5-3 card.

PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP 2023-24 DEC 10

Meralco def. NorthPort, 125-99 (16-25, 49-48, 92-64, 125-99)

Magnolia def. San Miguel, 94-90 (17-19, 44-39, 68-67, 94-90)

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON DEC 9, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pacers

0-1

29        31        22        27        109

Lakers

1-0

34        31        25        33        123

GAME 1: LAL leads 1-0, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

B. Mathurin IND SF

20 PTS , 2 REB

A. Davis LAL PF

41 PTS , 20 REB , 5 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Things remain the same because it is impossible to change very much without changing most of everything. - Ted Sizer