MARCOS JR. SIGNS P5.768 TRILLION NATIONAL BUDGET FOR 2024

MANILA —President Marcos has officially signed the P5.768-trillion budget for 2024, positioning it as the government's comprehensive "battle plan" against various challenges, including poverty, illiteracy, and security concerns in the West Philippine Sea.

The budget strategically allocates increased funds to key sectors, with a focus on transportation, defense, and education. Notably, the 2024 budget realigned confidential funds from civilian agencies, including the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education, toward maritime security. This move has fueled speculation about a potential rift between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, who was notably absent during the signing ceremony.

Despite a substantial 9.5% increase from the previous year, President Marcos emphasized the need for fiscal restraint to prevent excessive national debt. He underscored the importance of responsible financial stewardship, resisting the temptation to burden future generations with avoidable debt.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman confirmed that there were no direct vetoes from the President and assured reporters that the signed General Appropriations Act (GAA) aligned with the proposed priority programs submitted.

Senate President Zubiri praised the 2024 GAA as one of the country's most "responsive and progressive budgets in a while." He highlighted the increased allocations for social services, emergency response, defense initiatives, and maritime security. Notably, funds were earmarked for the construction of three large ships for the Philippine Coast Guard.

President Marcos's commitment to fiscal discipline resonated in his speech, where he emphasized the government's duty to spend appropriations correctly, efficiently, and on time. He cautioned against recklessness, stating that debt is not an inheritance to be desired for future generations.

In addition to defense spending strategies, Marcos urged government agencies to actively spend their budgets to prevent a slowdown in gross domestic product (GDP) growth, which was observed in the second quarter of the current year due to cost-conscious spending.

Senate President Zubiri lauded Congress for making the 2024 budget more transparent by stripping civilian government agencies of confidential funds and reallocating them to security agencies. This, he noted, reflected the people's concerns and enhanced accountability in government spending.

MARCOS PAYS TRIBUTE TO OFWS, VOWS MORE BENEFITS FOR THEIR FAMILIES

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday paid tribute to the sacrifices and economic contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as he assured them that the government was working to support their needs.

The Philippine leader graced the celebration of the OFW Grand Family Day in Pasay City, which the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said is dedicated to "honoring and recognizing the invaluable contributions of the country’s modern day heroes."

The event featured cultural presentations, family activities, resource fairs, and raffle prizes, to “allow OFWs and their families to come together, share stories, and create lasting memories,” the OWWA said.

“Tunay talaga napakalaki ng kontribusyon ng ating mga OFW sa ating lipunan, sa ating lahat dito sa Pilipinas,” the President said in his speech. “Hindi lamang po remittance ang ating pinag-uusapan at ang pagtulong sa ating ekonomiya.”

“Baon din nila sa kanilang pag-uwi ang mga bagong kasanayan at kaalaman na ibinabahagi sa ating lakas-paggawa. Kaya naman po, iniaalay namin ang araw na ito bilang parangal at pagpapasalamat sa inyong paghihirap, pagsisipag, at inyong sakripisyo,” he added.

Marcos said his administration has a number of programs to ensure the welfare of OFWs, including a 24/7 hotline to assist OFWs in need of rescue, repatriation, legal assistance, and counseling.

“Patuloy din tayong nagbibigay ng mga serbisyo at programa para sa reintegration ng mga OFW na nagnanais nang umuwi at manatili sa Pilipinas,” he said.

“Ilan sa mga programang ito ay ang Livelihood Development Assistance Program, ang Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay, ang Financial Awareness Seminar-Small Business Management Training, ang Enterprise Development Loan Program. Ito po ay ay pinagsama-sama. Nandiyan din ang Tulong Pang-kabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs.”

Marcos said other programs are geared towards the welfare of OFW family members, such as education and training programs, as well as educational assistance.

The government has established the country’s first OFW hospital in Pampanga, to take care of the medical needs of OFWs and their families, the President noted.

“Marami pang proyekto ang nakapila, at kahit ang mga kasalukuyang programa ay pagagandahin pa natin. Umaasa po akong susulitin ninyo at gagamitin nang wasto ang mga benepisyong ito,” Marcos said.

“Kasabay ng pagkayod ninyo sa ibayong dagat para sa mas magandang buhay ng inyong pamilya, ay ang aming pagsisikap na magpaunlad pa lalo sa ating bansa upang sa inyong pagbabalik ay makita naman ninyo ang malaking pagbabago dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.

BILL EYED TO IMPLEMENT ARBITRAL RULING ON WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

MANILA — The Senate is hoping to pass by next month the new maritime zone law that will help implement the 2016 arbitral tribunal adjudicating the Philippines’ case against China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Sen. Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones, said the new law could help President Marcos handle the pressing and evolving challenges in the WPS.

He emphasized that the law would clarify the boundaries in the WPS, along with the rights of Filipinos and security forces, and the boundaries of those who pass through the area.

“The new law will be in compliance with the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and it will implement the 2016 arbitral ruling. China says it can’t be implemented. With the new law, we will be implementing the arbitral ruling,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday.

“That law, once passed, will be submitted to the United Nations. That law will be recognized by all state parties of the UNCLOS… It will solidify our claim than nothing at all,” he added.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday said that not one country in the world believes in China’s claims that it is the Philippines that is stirring up trouble in the WPS.

CHINA WARNS PHILIPPINES TO 'ACT WITH CAUTION' AFTER MARITIME CLASHES

BEIJING — China's top diplomat Wang Yi warned his Philippine counterpart that Manila "must act with caution", Beijing's foreign ministry said, following a flurry of tense maritime confrontations in the disputed South China Sea.

Wang said on a Wednesday call with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo the two countries were "facing serious difficulties", blaming Manila for changing its policies, according to a readout.

"Wang Yi said China-Philippines relations are currently facing serious difficulties," it said.

"The root cause is that the Philippines has changed its longstanding policy stance, reneged on its own commitments, continued to provoke and stir trouble at sea, and undermined China's legal rights," it said.

"China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads. Faced with the choice of where to go, the Philippines must act with caution."

Manalo later confirmed that he and Wang "had a frank and candid exchange and ended our call with a clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues."

"We both noted the importance of dialogue in addressing these issues," Manalo added.

DEFENSE CHIEF REBUKES CHINA, SAYS NO COUNTRY HAS CONDEMNED THE PHILIPPINES OVER SCS

MANILA — After another fresh wave of accusations that the Philippines has been stirring up “trouble” in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Wednesday that no country has condemned the Philippines over its actions in the tense waterways.

"I just want to react, I think there was a comment that the Philippines is provoking activities here and that we are creating trouble in the South China Sea as stated by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. My response to that is that only China believes in what they are saying,” Teodoro told reporters at the sidelines of an event in La Union.

"And no country in the world, none, to this type has condemned the Philippines in what it's doing. That is the best proof of what I said," Teodoro added.

Teodoro also said that no nation “unequivocally” backs China’s claim to the whole of the South China Sea, which includes its use of a nine-dash line that cites sovereignty claims already rejected by an international tribunal seven years ago.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this week raised the need for a “paradigm shift” in how the Philippines handles disputes in the South China Sea as its diplomatic relations with Beijing have been heading south.

The president also said that “traditional methods of diplomacy” — such as sending note verbales and summoning Chinese envoys — have failed to work with Beijing.  

Stressing the need for a careful approach, Marcos said that the government will continue talking to its partners to come up with a WPS strategy that will not result in “violent conflict.”

PISTON ASKS SUPREME COURT TO BLOCK FRANCHISE CONSOLIDATION

MANILA — Transport group Piston on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the franchise consolidation requirement under the PUV modernization program.

In its petition, Piston argued that the mandatory consolidation infringes on the constitutional right to freedom of association.

"The constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association includes the freedom not to associate," the group said.

The PUV modernization program requires jeepney operators to consolidate individual franchises into a single franchise under a cooperative or corporation by December 31, 2023.

Piston estimates 140,000 drivers and 60,000 small operators could be displaced if the deadline stays. This could adversely affect about 28.5 million commuters nationwide, possibly leading to a "transport disaster" in January 2024, the group said.

“Ang kailangan pa rin po natin dito ay yung sama-sama na mga pagkilos at paglahok sa iba’t ibang mobilization o anumang anyo ng pagkilos ng mga driver at nang mamamayan at itulak mismo ang gobyerno na ibasura itong mapaniil na policy at patakaran anti-tsuper, anti-operator at anti-mamamayan,” Piston National President Mody Floranda said.

Transport group Manibela backs Piston's petition.

The two groups have set a transport strike until Friday, as they wait for a decision on a possible extension of the Dec. 31 deadline.

Jeepney drivers and operators have said "modern jeepneys" are too expensive and will deprive single-unit operators of route franchises that will then go to big corporations and to transport cooperatives.

Some drivers and operators have argued that upgrading existing jeepneys will be a less expensive way to make them more fuel efficient and environment friendly.

But the transport department said forming a cooperative would allow operators easier access to funds, especially when applying for loans for the modern jeepneys.

EX-COP VALEROSO TO RECANT DRUG CLAIMS AGAINST DE LIMA

MANILA — Prosecution witness Jerry Valeroso is recanting his allegations against former Senator Leila de Lima in her remaining drug case, according to a letter obtained by ABS-CBN News on Thursday.

A retired policeman, Valeroso had claimed that he saw P65 million worth of drug money inside the kubol of a Chinese inmate when De Lima was still a justice secretary.

In a Dec. 19 letter, he told the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 2016 that he wanted to take back his claims "to set free all accused who were wrongfully charged". He added that the allegations were "pure hearsay and full of lies."

Valeroso said he was "disturbed by my conscience" and had planned to recant his allegations as early as 2019.

"However, due to fearing for my life and the safety of my family and loved one[s], I lost the guts to do so," he said.

He said he would submit an official affidavit of recantation "as soon as I consult my lawyer."

The court in November allowed De Lima to post bail after nearly 7 years in detention.

Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito ruled that the testimonies of the prosecution's 9 witnesses, including Valeroso, "were not able to clearly establish that there exists a conspiracy among them to commit illegal drug trading."

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NLEX BRACES FOR HOLIDAY TRAFFIC JAM, SUSPENDS ROAD WORKS

MALOLOS — The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. has reactivated its motorist assistance program in preparation for the expected increase in traffic starting tomorrow until Jan. 2, 2024.

Under the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” program, the tollway company will deploy more than 1,500 traffic, toll and systems personnel for increased patrol visibility and toll plaza assistance.

Emergency medical services and incident response teams will be fielded and positioned in strategic areas of the expressway.

The customer service hotline 1-35000 and NLEX Corp.’s social media pages @NLEXexpressways will be fully manned to address customer concerns around the clock.

“This is the first Christmas and New Year when Filipinos will be able to celebrate without a state of public health emergency. Please plan your trips well as we expect high traffic volume during these days,” NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said.

A surge in the volume of vehicles is being anticipated at the Balintawak, Mindanao and Tarlac toll plazas beginning at noon tomorrow, until late night on Saturday as well as noon until late night of Dec. 29.

Traffic buildup is also expected in Tarlac on Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1.

In Bocaue, heavy traffic is expected from afternoon until midnight of Dec. 25 and 26, morning of Dec. 27, afternoon to midnight of Dec. 29 and on Jan. 1 until noon of Jan. 2.

Traffic management teams will monitor chokepoint areas.

Motorists have been advised to get their radio frequency identification stickers and ensure that they have sufficient load balance before they travel to avoid inconvenience.

NLEX Corp. said construction and lane closures have been suspended until Jan. 2, 2024 unless emergency safety repairs are necessary.

This is to give motorists additional lanes for the holiday rush.

BOAT CAPSIZES OFF EL NIDO; 20 RESCUED

MANILA — Twenty people were rescued when a motorized boat capsized in the waters off El Nido in Palawan on Sunday.

Sixteen passengers, a tour guide, a boat master and two crewmen were on board the M/B Wave Uno when the accident occurred, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Northern Palawan district reported yesterday.

The PCG said the boat departed from Sitio Takasan Barangay Corong-Corong for an island-hopping tour when it encountered strong winds and rough seas.Residents of Barangay Corong-Corong sought assistance from the PCG.

The PCG stations in northern Palawan and southern Palawan conducted search and rescue operations as well as dispatched personnel from their special operations unit.

LTO CRACKS DOWN ON CHOOSY TAXI DRIVERS DURING HOLIDAY SEASON

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) launched Wednesday its crackdown on unauthorized public utility vehicles (PUVs) and selective taxi drivers due to a rise in commuters during the holiday rush.

Officials from the LTO's Law Enforcement Service were dispatched to malls in Metro Manila and other urban areas as part of "Oplan PASAWAY," according to LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II.

Mendoza, interviewed during an operation at a Quezon City mall, noted an increase in complaints against taxi drivers declining passengers during the Christmas season.

Alias “Marlyn” told Mendoza that a taxi driver offered her a "fixed" price of P300 from a mall in North Avenue going to another mall along Quezon Avenue also in Quezon City.

“Kasi medyo ma-traffic nga daw, pumayag na po ako kasi kailangan naming makauwi eh. Siyempre ‘pag nagmamadali ka ganon talaga eh,” she said.

Marlyn said they usually pay around P200 or P100 higher for the said route every time they ride a cab.

Mendoza said they will be stricter this time against these illegal practice of some public taxi drivers.

“Tama na huwag na nating abusuhin ang ating pasahero, Pasko oo, may konting dagdag, may 13th month pay pero ubos na yun eh. So ang atin talaga, huwag subukan dahil umiikot ang DOTr and LTO at LTFRB para protektahan ang pasahero and we will impose the harshest penalty of the law, otherwise paulit-ulit na lang ‘to,” Mendoza said.

He said those caught turning away passengers without cause risk having their license revoked, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board may cancel operators' franchises.

AMIHAN, SHEAR LINE TO DRENCH LUZON

MANILA — The northeast monsoon or amihan and the shear line will bring rains in Luzon on Thursday, weather bureau PAGASA said.

Scattered rains will hit Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Quezon due to the shear line, which forms when the cool amihan and the humid easterlies meet.

Cloudy skies with rains are expected in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Cagayan Valley due to the amihan.

The remnant low pressure area of tropical storm Kabayan is also seen to bring rainy weather in the Kalayaan Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Flooding and landslides are possible in these areas, especially during moderate to heavy rains.

The rest of Ilocos Region will have generally fair weather with possible isolated light rains, while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be warm and humid with possible afternoon or evening thunderstorms.

Small sea vessels are still barred from sailing over the seaboards of Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley due to rough seas from the amihan.

No weather disturbance is seen to affect the country in the next 3 to 5 days, PAGASA weather forecaster Dan Villamil told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

On Christmas Day, Visayas and Mindanao areas may be hot and sunny while most of Luzon will have cool weather with possible rains in Northern Luzon due to the amihan, Villamil added.

SPORTS

PBA DECEMBER 20, 2023

Phoenix def. NorthPort, 113-104 (26-28, 56-60, 87-89, 113-104)

Magnolia def. TerraFirma, 104-91 (29-16, 57-38, 91-60, 104-91)

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON DEC 19, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Spurs

4-22

26        33        26        34        119

Bucks

20-7

44        28        35        25        132

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Johnson SA SF

28 PTS , 12 REB , 1 AST

D. Lillard MIL PG

40 PTS , 3 REB , 4 AST

Final/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

Celtics

20-6

40        25        32        24        5          126

Warriors

13-14

30        32        24        35        11        132

Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. White BOS SG

30 PTS , 7 REB , 3 AST

S. Curry GS PG

33 PTS , 3 REB , 6 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Suns

14-13

36        25        20        23        104

Trail Blazers

7-19

20        29        38        22        109

Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, OR

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Durant PHO PF

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.75

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Times have not become more violent. They have just become more televised. - Marilyn Manson