00:58.0
Over 16,000 American and Filipino troops will participate in the drills,
01:03.1
as well as some Australian and French military personnel.
01:07.2
Fourteen countries will join as observers.
01:10.5
The Philippine Coast Guard will also be joining Balikatan for the first time to take part in the drills' group sale.
01:19.2
Balikatan 24 gives us the opportunity to demonstrate advance,
01:23.1
multi-domain, cross-functional, combined operations across a full range of missions.
01:29.3
In short, we're going to show the people of the Philippines and the world that we've gotten better.
01:37.1
And we're never going to stop doing so.
01:39.5
When we get better, the Philippines gets stronger, safer, and more secure.
01:46.1
Meanwhile, ahead of the Balikatan's opening ceremony,
01:49.0
Chinese vessels were spotted near Palawan Sunday.
01:53.1
Maritime security expert Ray Powell pointed out,
01:56.3
two Chinese maritime militia ships and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel were seen loitering Philippine waters.
02:03.9
Powell says Beijing's action signals it is on high alert amid the drills.
02:11.3
A Philippine progressive group warns the U.S. is using the Philippines for its geopolitical interests
02:16.7
in conducting the Balikatan exercises.
02:19.1
Bayan Muna Executive Vice President Carlos Zarate says,
02:23.1
Balikatan will train Philippine forces as U.S. pawns in its proxy war with China.
02:30.1
Zarate adds, the joint drills place the Philippines in a vulnerable position.
02:35.0
Bayan Muna is calling for a de-escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea
02:39.9
and the demilitarization of the area.
02:42.9
It notes a focus should be on advocating for a code of conduct among claimant countries of the disputed waters.
02:52.2
Senator Francois,
02:53.1
Francis Tolentino welcomes a possible investigation into the alleged influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province.
02:59.7
He believes the concerns being raised are valid
03:02.5
and a probe is needed to determine if the students enter the country legally.
03:07.5
Senator Rizonte Veras earlier said she will file a resolution seeking an investigation on the matter.
03:15.8
They've been trying to project to Gegarao as a center of learning and education.
03:21.2
So, let's have...
03:23.1
Let's have an investigation whether this is really true or not.
03:27.7
Because, come to think of it, is this a mere coincidence?
03:33.9
Come to think of it, would you have 11,000 spies?
03:37.0
Come to think of it, were they vetted before by the CHED and the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation?
03:46.0
Kung talagang mali yung naging proseso, e-deport na lang natin.
03:51.2
For House Lawmaker Robert Acevedo,
03:53.1
as barbers, the increasing number of Chinese students in Cagayan
03:56.4
can already be considered a national security concern
03:59.9
given the maritime row between Manila and Beijing.
04:03.6
Barbers also previously revealed there are reports of Chinese nationals
04:07.5
posing as Filipinos to buy land near major ports and military sites.
04:15.4
The West Philippine issue between China and the Philippines,
04:23.1
you see all these other side issues coming out.
04:27.7
The Chinese citizens were able to get fake and spurious documents
04:33.4
so that they can buy lands,
04:36.0
they can secure IDs, national IDs,
04:40.9
they can secure licenses, even firearms licenses.
04:44.6
Second, you have an influx of Chinese who are enrolled in universities near EDCA sites.
04:52.2
in the midst of the issue between China and the Philippines,
04:56.7
on the West Philippine,
04:57.6
masyadong mainit itong topic na ito eh,
04:60.0
yung West Philippine Sea,
05:01.7
why would you, so to speak, sleep with the enemy?
05:07.3
And it's not actually clear.
05:09.3
I'm not saying the Chinese is the enemy here.
05:12.6
There are Chinese tourists that we welcome.
05:16.2
There are Chinese businessmen that we welcome as well.
05:20.0
But those that are,
05:22.2
Chinese tourists,
05:27.7
Chinese who come here with questionable motives,
05:32.0
then siguro dapat tingnan natin mabuti yan.
05:37.3
A fire broke out at a parking lot at the Inuyahino International Airport Terminal 3 Monday afternoon.
05:44.0
The operator of Manila's main gateway, the MIAA,
05:46.8
says 19 vehicles were burned in the blaze,
05:50.4
but no one was reported injured.
05:52.2
A probe has been launched to determine the cause.
05:57.1
the fire did not affect airport operations,
05:59.8
and it was brought under control within an hour.
06:04.5
There was dry grass all over the place.
06:07.8
I think that contributed to how fast the fire was able to consume these 19 vehicles.
06:14.9
So right now, it's being investigated by the Bureau of Fire.
06:18.9
They want to determine the origin.
06:22.3
right now they're doing mapping of the area.
06:27.2
The Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission expecting an improvement in the country's power supply situation.
06:33.2
Luzon and Visayas were repeatedly placed under red and yellow alerts last week
06:38.2
due to forced outages and weak capacity of power plants.
06:41.7
The ERC says power transmission services have been restored over the weekend,
06:46.7
pushing them to lift all alerts Monday.
06:51.3
We still h suppress any alerts.
06:52.8
We still have no alert
07:20.1
because we have no alert.
07:20.4
We still have no alert.
07:20.7
over the weekend until late evening.
07:21.2
mga hydro plants natin kasi mag-aabang talaga yun ng tubig.
07:26.5
The Energy Department also ruling out sabotage in the recent power woes in the country.
07:32.1
It says the incidents were mainly due to the high electricity demand in the country amid the extreme heat.
07:39.3
Let's now check on the weather here in the Philippines with Pagasa Forecaster Veronica Torres.
07:45.3
Good afternoon, Ron, and to all of our audience in ANC.
07:49.0
Currently, easterlies is affecting the country and we're expecting cloudy skies
07:54.6
with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Samar, Northern Samar,
08:01.4
Eastern Samar, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental.
08:05.5
For Metro Manila and the rest of the country, we're expecting partly cloudy to cloudy skies
08:10.0
with chances of localized thunderstorms.
08:12.3
We don't have any gale warning raised over any parts of the country
08:16.2
and we're not monitoring any low-pressure areas.
08:19.0
We're not monitoring any high-pressure areas or tropical cyclone near or inside the Philippine area of responsibility.
08:23.9
And that's the latest from Pagasa Weather Forecasting Center, Veronica C. Torres.
08:29.6
Thanks for that, Veronica.
08:31.9
More news, Sen. Coco Pimentel questions the rebranding of the Kusi wing of political party,
08:38.0
Partido Democrático Pilipino, or PDP.
08:41.3
The party recently dropped the second part of its name, LABAN,
08:44.7
which stands for the Lakas ng Bayan Party,
08:48.0
founded by the late Ninoy Aquino.
08:51.5
For Pimentel, if the Kusi wing wants to change a basic charter of PDP-LABAN,
08:56.2
they should just form their own political party.
08:59.2
He adds, political parties are formed to embody ideas, not to kill them.
09:04.9
The senator is the son of one of PDP-LABAN's founders, Aquilino Nene Pimentel Jr.
09:11.0
As for Sen. Francis Torrentino, he's backing the rebranding of the party.
09:18.0
Yung pag-aalis ng LABAN, I'm not part of that.
09:22.1
Perhaps there was a committee na nag-isip niya, nag-decide.
09:27.1
I'm not privy to that.
09:28.6
But siguro iniisip ko lang to drop the name LABAN would be a process,
09:34.1
an evolutionary process of a shift in ideology
09:37.6
because LABAN would always speculate and conclude fight.
09:43.0
It would always be confrontational and oppositional.
09:48.0
So perhaps the rebranding, ito lang, isipan ko lang to,
09:52.9
the rebranding would probably be directed to moderate voters or Filipinos
10:03.7
na hindi naman gusto lang, 42 years ng LABAN,
10:07.7
hindi naman po pwedeng 42 years ng nakikipag-away.
10:13.4
PDP, led by former President Rodrigo Duterte,
10:16.8
also endorsed a 22-year deal.
10:18.0
Ito ang 25 re-election bid of Torrentino,
10:20.6
along with Senators Bongo and Ronald de la Rosa.
10:26.2
President Marcos appoints a new chief of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.
10:30.6
The agency tasked to recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth of his family and their cronies.
10:35.5
Our correspondent, Katrina Domingo, now on the line with the details.
10:40.3
Ron, retired Court of Appeals Justice Melchor Quirino Sadang
10:44.0
has been appointed as the new chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.
10:48.0
That's what Malacanang just announced earlier this afternoon.
10:52.7
Sadang will lead the panel tasked to recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family and their cronies
10:58.5
during, as he mentioned, the reign of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
11:02.7
Malacanang has yet to release a statement as to why Sadang was chosen for the position.
11:07.9
Sadang was part of the panel that reviewed the courtesy resignation submitted by police officials
11:12.6
in February 2023 when the Interior Department tried to weed out from the Filipino government
11:18.0
It's ranking officials with alleged ties to the illegal drug trade.
11:23.3
Sadang worked as a Commission on Appeals, rather a Court of Appeals Justice from 2011 to 2017
11:30.7
and as a presiding judge of the Cavite City Regional Trial Court from 2000 to 2011.
11:39.0
Thanks for that story, Kat.
11:41.9
The Philippines and Qatar signed nine bilateral deals during the visit of the Arab nation Samir.
11:48.0
President Marcos met today with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Malacanang Palace in Manila.
11:55.0
The agreements include cooperation on business, tourism and climate change.
12:00.0
The two nations also agreed to boost efforts against human trafficking.
12:04.3
Marcos' first part hailed the enduring ties between Manila and Doha.
12:09.1
Qatar is home to over 240,000 Filipino workers who sent nearly $900 million worth of remittances in 2022.
12:18.0
With the Philippines and Qatar sharing 43 years of deep friendship and cooperation,
12:26.2
I am certain that our discussions today will translate to stronger collaboration in common fields of interest.
12:35.6
We have world news now.
12:37.6
Palestinian authorities recover bodies at a hospital in Khan Yunus in southern Gaza weeks after the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
12:45.5
The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service,
12:48.0
said at least 60 bodies were recovered from the Nasser Hospital compound Sunday.
12:54.1
A total of 210 bodies have been dug up there since last Friday.
12:59.3
Authorities said around 2,000 people remain missing in Khan Yunus and are believed to be buried under the rubble.
13:07.2
The city endured an intense Israeli offensive in recent months.
13:11.9
Across Gaza, more than 34,000 people have died in Israel's assault.
13:18.0
Israeli forces killed at least 14 Palestinians during a two-day raid in the occupied West Bank.
13:25.3
Palestinian authorities say an ambulance driver was also killed on his way to pick up the wounded from a separate attack by Jewish settlers.
13:34.2
The Israeli military says a number of militants were killed or arrested during the raid and at least four soldiers were wounded.
13:41.7
The West Bank has been at the heart of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
13:46.9
since it was seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War.
13:55.2
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to fight sanctions
13:59.3
that could be imposed on any of the country's military units.
14:03.1
Axios News reported Saturday,
14:05.7
Washington was planning to hold the Natsa Yehuda Battalion
14:09.3
to account for the alleged rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
14:13.8
The Israeli military says it was not aware of any measures being taken.
14:43.8
And with God's help, we will win together.
15:13.8
As well as an independent Palestinian state.
15:16.7
Haniyeh's visit took place amid escalating regional tensions
15:19.8
following Israel's reported attack on Iran last week,
15:23.8
which he also blames on the Jewish state.
15:28.0
That's how I'll get the insight of you,
15:29.5
P. Dilliman, Institute of Islamic Studies, Dean Julkip Liwadi.
15:33.6
Dean, good afternoon. Thank you very much for joining us.
15:37.3
Hi, good afternoon.
15:38.6
Hi, Dean. Nice to talk to you.
15:40.2
Now, the latest development between Iran
15:43.8
and Israel has some people worried about
15:47.1
this leading to a wider conflict in the Middle East region.
15:52.4
Do you share that concern, sir?
15:59.6
Because, you know, these past several years,
16:03.3
both countries, Iran and Israel,
16:07.2
were just engaged in verbal rhetoric against each other.
16:13.8
But a few days ago, or a week or two weeks ago,
16:19.9
the political temperature has really risen.
16:25.0
When these two countries are actually now engaged in
16:29.0
regulatory attacks against each other.
16:35.7
And in fact, targeting their respective,
16:39.6
what I call Achilles' heels.
16:41.2
That is to say that,
16:43.8
it is in their target, you know,
16:46.9
to hit critical infrastructure,
16:51.9
including nuclear reactors in Dimona and in Israel,
16:58.9
in that of the Natanz nuclear reactor in Isfahan, in Iran.
17:06.0
This is so dangerous, Ron, because, you know,
17:10.7
when these two nuclear arsenals are actually,
17:13.8
hit, anything can go.
17:17.7
I mean, both countries might get loss of control.
17:25.7
And therefore, their acts and their responses
17:29.1
may actually become very irrational.
17:33.4
And that would create a serious danger,
17:37.0
not only between two countries,
17:39.2
but in the whole Middle East.
17:41.3
Professor, at this point,
17:43.8
what action do you see that could be done
17:47.5
to de-escalate the tensions between Israel and Iran
17:52.7
to avoid a bigger conflict?
17:54.6
Would it only rely on a resolution on the Israel-Hamas war?
18:01.4
I think what is needed is for the United States
18:04.3
to be more consistent
18:08.4
in its call for de-escalation.
18:13.8
As it somehow serves as an umpire,
18:20.1
a kind of a referee between Israel and Iran.
18:25.6
And that is why the retaliation between two countries
18:35.0
I think the United States has restraints,
18:39.2
both Israel and Iran,
18:43.8
engage in an all-out nuclear exchange
18:48.7
precisely because of the danger
18:51.1
that it might lead to.
18:56.2
However, it's also the same United States
18:58.2
that is calling for de-escalation
19:00.2
that is also continuously
19:03.8
sending or providing arms and finances
19:13.5
What I'm saying is,
19:15.0
if only the United States
19:16.5
would be more firm
19:21.1
it would be in the position
19:22.6
to moderate or restrain
19:24.8
both Israel and Iran.
19:29.7
And that's the first, I think, condition.
19:32.3
The second condition is,
19:35.4
a ceasefire is really necessary
19:37.9
as far as the war in Gaza
19:45.6
the conflict between...
19:49.6
may actually widen
19:52.4
into a regional war
19:54.4
as shown with the
19:55.8
retaliation recently
19:58.0
between Iran and the United...
20:03.4
are you referring to a permanent ceasefire
20:07.4
It may not be as permanent,
20:10.7
there was already a ceasefire.
20:13.5
In terms of the release
20:17.5
a month or two months ago.
20:19.5
So, it could be done
20:23.3
so as to provide some respite
20:26.2
to the residents and communists
20:29.2
and including that of Rafa.
20:34.0
a cessation to hostilities,
20:37.2
even if it is temporary,
20:40.3
And I think from there,
20:43.5
like that of the U.S.
20:49.9
and in packing talks
20:51.1
with both Israel and Hamas,
20:55.8
could play important role
20:57.6
precisely in pursuing
21:02.3
towards ceasefire
21:07.7
Speaking of the United States, Dean,
21:09.6
the U.S. recently
21:13.5
move to recognize Palestine
21:16.5
of the world body.
21:18.7
this may have aggravated
21:21.5
or how could this move
21:24.6
the whole situation?
21:29.1
the question of consistency
21:30.7
we're talking about,
21:51.5
the logical positions
21:52.5
of the United States,
21:53.5
if it really wants
21:54.5
to restrain Israel,
21:59.5
Israel would feel
22:00.5
that the United States
22:04.5
the United States
22:07.5
the United States
22:08.5
and the United States
22:11.5
the United States
22:12.5
and the United States
22:31.5
the United Nations,
22:43.5
in its call for de-escalation or even some kind of a taming over Israel.
22:53.0
And therefore, Israel would not be convinced that there is a power that could actually restrain it.
23:04.8
And in other words, even the United States is not willing to take the cudgel
23:10.5
and to take a strong position against the belligerence of Israel,
23:16.6
then Bibi Netanyahu most probably would continue with his military attacks in Gaza.
23:27.3
And therefore, the world will be put in a state of animation,
23:34.0
will be hanging in a state of animation, I would say, precisely because of this problem.
23:39.3
So we are excited.
23:40.5
We are expecting that for the United States really to have a say in the current war in Gaza,
23:50.1
it has to show more consistency in its foreign policy in the Middle East.
23:55.2
What could be stopping the United States from being consistent, from being firm?
24:00.9
Well, it's because the United States considers Israel at its proxies.
24:10.5
That's number one.
24:13.6
And that Israel has served the interests of the United States,
24:20.9
serving even if, you know, the latter, that's not necessarily be the one staying in the Middle East.
24:30.3
It is already played by Israel.
24:34.5
So in other words, I just remember that Israel,
24:40.5
Israel serves as some kind of a military base of the United States,
24:45.7
a trend that the latter has been engaged in entrenching in many Muslim or in many countries all over the world.
24:56.1
And that's, I think, the primary role of Israel serving as a proxy.
25:02.2
The other, I think, factor is because even among big powers,
25:07.3
that is the U.S., Russia,
25:11.9
they are also in conflict amongst themselves.
25:16.8
So they have their respective problems,
25:22.9
a reason why they could not also be able to provide comprehensive solution
25:29.6
to regional conflicts like that in the Middle East,
25:33.0
or say in Ukraine,
25:35.3
or even in close to our shore here in South,
25:41.5
In other words, the same big powers
25:43.9
who are members of the security councils,
25:47.8
who have veto powers,
25:50.6
who themselves should be the one providing comprehensive solutions to regional conflicts,
25:59.0
are by themselves also in conflict amongst themselves.
26:03.8
So that really put into bind, or into the bind,
26:10.5
the United States,
26:12.2
and for that matter, even Russia and China.
26:15.8
This is the reason why regional conflicts like that of Iran and Israel continue to widen,
26:27.3
In other words, I think, Ron,
26:30.1
the world is now facing not only with the regional problem,
26:35.0
but even a problem in our international system,
26:38.8
where big powers,
26:40.6
are by themselves engaged in,
26:42.6
in geo-strategic,
26:45.3
geo-political claims and counterclaims.
26:49.5
listening their role as arbiter,
26:55.7
in regional conflicts like that in the Middle East,
26:58.7
as we have seen in both cases,
27:05.8
and currently in Gaza.
27:08.6
And that has now widened,
27:10.5
into a retaliatory attacks between Iran and Israel.
27:19.1
This is our problem today, Ron.
27:21.3
Dean, in the scenario of a wider conflict in the Middle East region,
27:26.3
what could be the consequences for the region,
27:29.3
and even beyond that, including the Philippines?
27:33.9
Well, it's really unimaginable, Ron.
27:38.6
Remember, the First and the Second World War,
27:40.3
in a sense, these were conventional wars amongst nations.
27:47.3
They were not armed as like countries today,
27:53.6
say Israel or Iran with nuclear weapons.
28:00.6
Even if there were atomic bombs, say used in the case of the Second World War in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
28:09.9
but at least there was only a country like the United States,
28:13.9
you know, who has the control of atomic bombs.
28:18.9
In the case of Iran and Israel,
28:23.9
these are both nuclear power.
28:26.9
In the case of Israel,
28:28.9
it has an unlimited access or say support of military powers from the United States.
28:36.9
In the case of Iran,
28:38.9
in the case of Israel, it has an unlimited access or say support of military powers from the United States.
28:39.9
It also has the military support,
28:42.9
including nuclear armaments, I would say,
28:46.9
from both, you know, Russia and China and possibly even North Korea.
28:56.9
You know, if these two countries, and for that matter,
29:01.9
big powers lost control in restraining parties in the Middle East,
29:09.9
there can possibly be a kinds of an inferno, I think,
29:14.9
and we just pray that it won't happen.
29:18.9
An inferno because of nuclear exchange
29:22.9
with the end of targeting even more nuclear facilities from its side,
29:28.9
destroying, you know, each country's strategic military centers.
29:38.9
Other countries may actually come in.
29:40.9
In the case of Turkey,
29:42.9
in the case of Arab countries,
29:44.9
who were supposedly being neutralized because of normalization,
29:48.9
but a possibility of a widening conflict,
29:56.9
So, what we are saying,
29:58.9
the danger is so critical,
30:01.9
is that the problem would not just be contained in the Middle East,
30:06.9
but it may even cascade.
30:08.9
To many other regions and countries,
30:12.9
you know, when nuclear wars happens between,
30:19.9
you know, Israel and Iran,
30:21.9
then possibly the economic activities
30:26.9
would also be affected.
30:28.9
The flow of, you know, petroleum and oil and,
30:32.9
you know, and the drivers of industries,
30:35.9
both in the West and many parts of the world,
30:38.9
would be stopped.
30:40.9
And you could just imagine.
30:43.9
you know, in the Gulf War,
30:48.9
when the war was actually happening in Iraq.
30:53.9
we have the problems of shortage of oil
30:56.9
here in the Philippines.
30:57.9
There were, in fact, queuing of people in,
31:01.9
you know, in gas stations
31:04.9
showing that the danger
31:06.9
of a looming nuclear war
31:08.9
between Iran and Israel
31:12.9
could actually spread to many countries,
31:15.9
including that of Southeast Asia.
31:17.9
And for that matter,
31:18.9
We will be joining you in your hopes
31:21.9
that that doesn't happen.
31:23.9
Dinjil Kipliwadi, thank you very much
31:25.9
for talking to us this afternoon.
31:28.9
Up next, we have the latest market action.
31:30.9
More news when we return.
31:38.9
We'll be right back.
32:08.9
We'll be right back.
32:38.9
We'll be right back.
32:40.9
We'll be right back.
32:42.9
We'll be right back.
32:43.9
We'll be right back.
32:44.9
We'll be right back.
32:45.9
We'll be right back.
33:05.9
Here's the Watch and Talk story.
33:06.9
Vice President and Education Secretary,
33:07.9
President and Education Chief Sara Duterte breaks her silence on her rift with First Lady Lisa Reneta Marcos.
33:14.5
The First Lady last week admitted she is not in good terms with the Vice President
33:18.4
after she caught her laughing at the claim of former President Rodrigo Duterte
33:22.9
that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a drug addict.
33:26.7
But Vice President Duterte asserts personal feelings should not hamper their work in government.
33:32.6
She adds she will soon speak with the President in private.
33:38.2
Bilang tao, karapatan ni Unang Ginang Lisa Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit.
33:46.9
Subalit, ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang isang opisyal ng pamahalaan.
33:56.0
Upang makausad tayo, iiwan na natin sa isang pribadong pag-uusap sa pagitan lamang namin
34:02.6
ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. ang mga susunod na hakbang.
34:06.9
Dapat ay nakatutok tayo sa pagtugon sa mga suliraning hinaharap ng ating bansa.
34:12.6
Unahin natin ang Pilipinas.
34:16.6
Meanwhile, a political analyst is warning the Vice President's response to the First Lady's accusation could worsen the tensions between them.
34:27.8
Yung sagot ni VP Duterte parang incongruent dun sa kung ano yung sinasabi ni First Lady.
34:36.9
Kasi si First Lady sinasabi niya na parang sumamalob niya na nakita niyang tumatawa-tawa si VP Sarab.
34:46.1
Tapos ang isasagot eh, hindi responsive dun eh. Hindi ina-address yung grievance as they say.
34:56.7
Tapos tipong nagiging high and mighty pa yung taking the moral high ground.
35:06.9
The International Monetary Fund warning America's huge U.S. fiscal deficit poses a major risk to the global economy.
35:16.7
It expects the U.S. fiscal deficit to reach 7.1% of its GDP next year.
35:23.9
The average level of other developed economies is around 2%.
35:27.8
In December, the U.S. Treasury Department's report showed the federal government's debt exceeded 34 trillion U.S. dollars.
35:36.9
The U.S. fiscal situation is worrying and complicates the Fed's response to high inflation.
35:45.2
President Marcos orders the Agriculture Department to relax the importation process of agricultural products
35:51.0
as well as the removal of non-tariff barriers.
35:54.9
This as the President moves to boost local supply and address rising commodity prices in the country.
36:00.9
Non-tariff barriers include quotas, import licensing systems, regulations,
36:06.9
and red tape that restrict or delay the entry of imports.
36:12.7
Several Philippine Senators are lukewarm over the relaxed import process for agricultural products.
36:19.1
Senator Nancy Binay urged the Agriculture Department to ensure transparency once the measures are eased
36:25.2
and ensure it would help improve the country's food security.
36:30.2
Senate Minority Leader Angelina Pimentel III also expressed hope the move would be temporary.
36:35.0
They also called for better security.
36:37.7
Senator Francis Escudero said he backs the President's latest directive.
36:44.0
He believes this could address food supply woes and, in turn, curb food inflation.
36:50.6
Think Tank Ibón Foundation, meanwhile, scored the move
36:53.1
and said it only worsens food insecurity in the Philippines
36:56.5
and makes the country further reliant on imports.
37:01.3
Philippine investors tread cautiously at the start of the week
37:04.6
as they await further developments on the water.
37:06.9
in the Middle East. More in this report.
37:12.0
Asian markets opened
37:13.3
the new trading week higher, with
37:15.3
investors shrugging off blues on
37:17.3
Wall Street after tech stocks there
37:19.2
saw their worst week since a pandemic
37:21.3
induced crash in 2020.
37:24.0
Equities in the region also
37:25.2
reacted to China, leaving its
37:27.2
one-year and five-year loan prime
37:31.1
Here at home, Philippine shares finished
37:33.1
flat on Monday as investors
37:35.0
continue to closely watch developments
37:37.3
on the war in the Middle East.
37:39.9
While there has been
37:41.4
a flight-to-safety
37:42.8
type of trade that's very
37:44.8
short-term, I think, or very
37:46.8
reactive to the geopolitical
37:49.3
risk that's taking place,
37:51.1
but for a more strategic,
37:53.1
with a more strategic standpoint,
37:54.6
I think the view is
37:56.6
still very much intact around
37:58.4
trend growth, at least for the global economy,
38:02.6
of inflation, and easier
38:04.6
monetary policy. We think
38:06.5
that at least for the second quarter, it's going
38:08.4
to be a range between
38:17.0
In corporate stories,
38:18.3
Megawide further swings to profitability.
38:22.0
P269 million in profit
38:24.3
in 2023, reversing
38:26.3
the P1.9 billion net loss
38:28.5
the year before that.
38:30.4
Revenues climbed to P18 billion,
38:32.5
as Edgar Saavedra's
38:34.4
construction firm saw improvement
38:36.3
across all segments.
38:40.2
earnings, Atlas Mining's net income
38:42.1
climbed to half a billion pesos.
38:44.1
This was higher by 113%
38:48.5
Atlas says this was mainly due to
38:50.1
higher revenue and improved milling
38:52.3
output from operations of its unit,
38:58.3
Leisure Corporation, its net
39:00.2
income down by more than half year-on-year,
39:03.2
accounting for lower
39:04.1
return on both assets and equity.
39:06.6
PLC, whose parent Bell Corp
39:08.4
is eyeing to delist it from the stock
39:10.0
exchange, also saw lower
39:12.0
revenues of P540 million.
39:16.1
from the SM Group, BDO secured
39:18.0
shareholders' approval for the lender's
39:20.0
merger with SM Keppeland.
39:22.2
The C family's banking arm says
39:24.2
it met the required two-thirds
39:26.1
vote among owners of its outstanding
39:28.2
capital stock during its
39:29.9
shareholders' meeting last Friday.
39:32.7
BDO is a surviving entity,
39:34.1
which is still subject to
39:36.3
regulatory approvals.
39:38.0
The bank previously shelled out over
39:40.0
8 billion pesos to buy out
39:42.1
SM Keppeland shares from Singapore's
39:44.6
Keppel Group, its partner
39:46.1
operator of the Podium Complex
39:52.5
The Philippines moves to
39:54.1
improve its crisis response
39:56.1
by inking a deal with the World Bank.
39:58.2
The country became the first to sign a
40:00.0
rapid response option agreement with
40:02.1
the World Bank Group. The signing
40:04.0
of the deal was witnessed by Finance
40:05.8
Secretary Ralph Fracto over the weekend
40:07.8
on the sidelines of the WBG
40:10.5
and the International Monetary
40:12.2
Fund Spring Meetings in
40:13.9
Washington, D.C. Under the
40:16.0
agreement, Manila can now immediately
40:18.1
liquidate funds to address
40:20.0
emergency needs such as health care,
40:22.7
shelter, and food
40:24.0
in times of crisis.
40:26.2
The Philippines remains one of the most
40:27.8
disaster-prone nations in the world.
40:30.5
The agreement is part of the World
40:31.9
Bank's program aimed at empowering
40:34.0
countries to deploy resources
40:35.7
from their existing bank portfolio
40:38.0
more effectively to deliver
40:39.7
a swift response during a
40:43.8
The Philippine Customs Bureau
40:45.8
exceeds its collection target for the
40:47.8
first quarter of 2024.
40:49.8
The agency reports it collected
40:51.4
219 billion pesos in the three-month
40:53.8
period, which is 8 billion pesos
40:55.8
higher than its target for the quarter.
40:58.6
The BOC attributes this
40:59.9
to its digitalization efforts
41:01.8
and anti-smuggling program.
41:04.0
Philippine companies warned
41:07.5
against the practice of over-exaggerating
41:12.0
This remark from recruitment specialist
41:14.2
Robert Walters comes
41:15.6
after it found a noticeable rise
41:18.0
in job title inflation among
41:19.9
Filipino employers.
41:21.7
Its study showed a significant
41:23.5
34% increase in titles such
41:26.0
as directors and a
41:27.9
22% increase in titles like
41:29.9
presidents for positions
41:31.9
intended for professionals with only
41:33.8
two years of experience.
41:36.0
The group says this practice inflates
41:37.9
a position to make it more attractive
41:40.0
than it actually is.
41:44.3
Not only is that detrimental
41:46.1
to the company but also to the
41:47.7
employee itself, right? Once they realize
41:50.3
that the position that they applied
41:52.2
for doesn't have a really strategic
41:54.1
position in the organization,
41:56.1
that's where actually the problem
41:57.6
relies heavily upon.
41:59.6
Once it's sent into
42:02.0
them that, you know, it's
42:03.8
not a very strategic position
42:06.1
and once they move out of
42:09.0
their current company in an
42:10.8
inflated job title, there could be
42:12.8
a possible mismatch of
42:14.9
their specific position in their
42:16.9
current organization versus what's
42:18.7
actually available in the market.
42:22.7
Mixed movement in local fuel prices
42:24.8
this week following four straight weeks
42:26.7
of price hikes. Kerosene prices
42:28.8
will drop by 1 peso and 10 centavos
42:31.4
while diesel will be
42:36.7
it will increase by 55 centavos
42:42.9
China's Guangdong province hit by
42:44.7
massive flooding. Stay with us.
43:10.9
Top Story. Rescue efforts are
43:12.8
underway in southern China for
43:14.5
locals trapped in flood-hit Guangdong.
43:17.0
Authorities rescued Monday
43:18.3
hundreds of students trapped in their
43:20.4
dormitories amid heavy rains
43:22.5
and floods in the province.
43:24.4
Eleven others remain missing.
43:26.2
The area has seen heavy rainfall
43:28.3
since Thursday, earlier than expected
43:30.5
for the region's annual flooding season.
43:33.8
Europe's climate scientists
43:36.8
say incidents of life-threatening
43:38.8
heat stress is rising
43:40.7
in the region. According
43:42.7
to a report by EU's Climate
43:44.6
Monitoring Service, parts of
43:46.6
Spain, France, Italy, and
43:48.6
Greece experienced up to
43:50.5
10 days of extreme heat stress
43:52.4
in 2023 with heat
43:54.7
indices of more than 46
43:56.6
degrees Celsius. In added,
43:58.7
deaths related to heat have increased
44:00.4
by around 30% in Europe.
44:03.8
urge governments to prepare healthcare
44:05.5
systems for climate change
44:07.4
and to protect outdoor workers from
44:09.6
extreme heat. Last year
44:11.6
was the world's hottest since
44:13.7
records began, and Europe is the
44:15.6
world's fastest warming continent.
44:20.8
The year, as you know, has
44:23.5
globally been extremely unusual,
44:26.0
especially when compared
44:27.4
with the climate of the last few decades,
44:30.2
centuries, or even
44:33.8
some of the events of
44:36.6
took the scientific community
44:39.8
by surprise. Because
44:41.9
of their intensity, their
44:43.8
speed of onset, extent,
44:49.8
In Canada, the application
44:51.7
for permanent residency of many Filipinos
44:53.9
are in limbo because of
44:55.6
Alberta Province's changes to its
44:57.5
immigration program. Marjorie
44:59.4
Carmona Newman tells us more.
45:03.8
Filipinos in Alberta are worried
45:06.0
that they might no longer have the chance
45:08.3
to apply for permanent residence
45:10.5
through the Alberta Advantage
45:12.5
Immigration Program, or AAIP.
45:16.7
this year, the Alberta government
45:18.7
paused the intake of applications
45:20.5
in one of its programs, namely
45:22.9
the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
45:25.4
This stream allows
45:26.8
contemporary foreign workers
45:28.4
and international students to
45:30.7
obtain nomination from the province
45:33.1
and apply for permanent residency.
45:33.8
It is pretty frustrating
45:36.5
and upsetting just because
45:38.2
I've been here for like
45:40.3
almost six years and then I'm so
45:42.3
close to getting my permanent residency
45:44.3
and then I hear that it
45:48.3
1, Alberta introduced a new
45:50.4
program specific for temporary
45:52.5
foreign workers employed in
45:54.4
tourism and hospitality sectors.
45:56.8
But because of the high volume
45:58.4
of applications to the program, it
46:00.4
was closed on the same day it opened.
46:03.8
so sad. It's because
46:07.9
qualified for that to stream
46:11.7
the Alberta government
46:15.5
keep that on hold
46:27.7
stream will gonna be
46:33.8
qualified for this stream.
46:34.9
The AAIP is the province economic program to attract and retain talented workers and entrepreneurs. It operates in coordination with the federal government to address challenges and gaps in the province labor market by nominating skilled experienced individuals to fill job vacancies.
46:55.2
The federal government originally allocated over 10,000 spots to Alberta for 2024.
47:03.8
But just last week, it informed the province that it would only be able to accommodate 9,750.
47:11.1
Alberta's premier, Daniel Smith, has since asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for an increase in allocations in the number of nominations.
47:20.9
Smith is pushing for more control over the provincial immigration system.
47:25.8
Although she welcomes newcomers from any culture, she is advocating for Ukrainian evacuees who she believes are the most vulnerable.
47:28.9
She is advocating for Ukrainian evacuees who she believes are the most vulnerable.
47:29.9
She is advocating for Ukrainian evacuees who she believes are the most vulnerable.
47:31.9
She is advocating for Ukrainian evacuees who she believes are the most vulnerable.
47:32.9
observe whose labor shortages.
47:39.1
Smith is asking for additional 10,000 allocations specifically for Ukrainian evacuees.
47:40.1
Smith is asking for additional 10,000 allocations specifically for Ukrainian evacuees.
47:42.6
Smith is asking for additional 10,000 allocations specifically for Ukrainian evacuees.
47:46.1
We are proud to welcome newcomers from around the world.
47:49.6
Our growing economy demands it across our province.
47:52.0
Businesses are struggling to fill up job vacancies across industries.
47:54.1
We need more skilled workers to continue to propel our economy forward.
47:55.3
We need more skilled workers to continue to propel our economy forward.
47:59.3
Alberta's premier accepted a meeting with Canadian leaders this morning to discuss new develops of COVID nine-in-a-half and calamity detector riskMK-Vol.
48:01.0
Alberta's premier accepted a meeting with Canadian leaders this morning to discuss new developments of COVID nine-in-a-half and calamity detector riskMK-Vol.
48:02.1
meeting with Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller
48:05.3
to discuss concerns on their immigration strategy.
48:09.5
The implementation of the program in other provinces varies.
48:13.2
In Nova Scotia, the acceptance of applicants was also put to a hold
48:18.0
while in Ontario, the allocations were increased to 21,500,
48:23.7
up by 5,000 from last year.
48:27.3
On April 1, the AEIP also changed its fees for applications
48:32.0
expressions of interest and requests.
48:36.0
Marjorie Carmona Newman, EBS-CBN News, Edmonton, Alberta.
48:42.4
Sports, the top-seeded Boston Celtics showed no mercy
48:45.7
in their first-round series opener against the Miami Heat.
48:49.5
Jason Tatum completed his first career playoff triple-double
48:53.2
with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
48:57.1
As the Celtics walloped, the Heat won 14-94.
49:02.0
Boston led by as many as 34 points and were never threatened by Miami,
49:06.8
which is missing two injured starters in Jimmy Butler and Terry Rogier.
49:13.3
Meanwhile, here's a look at the rest of the scores in today's NBA playoff action.
49:30.9
NBA PLAYOFF ACTIONS
49:31.4
NBA PLAYOFF ACTIONS
49:31.5
NBA PLAYOFF ACTIONS
49:32.0
stories today. I'm Ron Kroos.
49:34.1
You can watch highlights and recaps of our
49:35.9
shows online on ANC247
49:38.4
on Facebook and YouTube.
49:40.3
You can also subscribe to ANC
49:42.0
Prestige on YouTube to get access to
49:44.0
our full lineup of shows.
49:45.9
Thank you for watching.
50:02.0
Now, a quick roundup of news you need to know.
50:12.5
The Philippines and the U.S. kick off
50:14.2
their annual Balikatan military
50:15.9
exercises. A massive
50:18.1
fire engulfs over a dozen vehicles
50:20.3
at the Naia Terminal 3's
50:22.1
parking area. Hamas blames
50:24.2
Israel for stalling ceasefire talks
50:26.3
and soaking tensions with Iran.
50:28.7
And the International Monetary
50:30.3
Fund warns America's huge
50:32.0
fiscal deficit poses a major risk
50:34.4
to the global economy.
50:36.5
Those are the headlines.
50:38.1
Keep it here on ANC.
50:51.2
Mobility will be key
50:52.9
to recovery because we have
50:55.3
relaxed some of our
