1st Marcos state visit reaps $8.5-B biz pledges

Hi Edward, Here are the most important news that you need to know.     1st Marcos state visit reaps $8.5-B biz pledges JAKARTA—President Marcos on Tuesday concluded his inaugural state visit here, bringing with him $8.48 billion worth of investment pledges and coal and fertilizer supply commitments from Indonesian businessmen as well as an assurance on enhanced economic and security cooperation from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, particularly in improving the country’s agriculture sector.     Inquirer Plus offers FREE 30 day trial   DSWD scales down purge of 4Ps list The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) walked back its unpopular plan to have 1.3 million households “graduate” from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps). In a budget hearing at the House, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said 30 to 40 percent of those on the list would still receive conditional cash aid since they remained poor.    NEW ASSETS At the Philippine Navy headquarters on Tuesday, two new missile-capable vessels are christened BRP Nestor Acero (left) and BRP Lolinato To-ong, after two Medal of Valor recipients from the Marines. The military has acquired a total of nine Shaldag MK V fast-attack craft from Israel. —RICHARD A. REYES   Expert: Not yet time to ease mask rule A member of the government’s vaccine expert panel warned that relaxing minimum public health protocols, such as the face mask mandate, would still be “very dangerous.”    SUBSCRIBE NOW   Opinion: Seven minutes The leaders of Congress—the Speaker of the House and the Senate President—should crack the whip on their colleagues and remind them that acting like the President’s rubber stamps demeans their office and weakens our lawmaking institutions over the long run.          © 2022 PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to Inquirer Newsletters. Unsubscribe