China has sent at least 27 ships to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which is a “major maritime militia rotation,” according to a maritime security expert.
The 27 ships were sent days after the Philippines and China agreed to reduce tensions in the region through diplomacy.
Retired United States Air Force Col. Raymond Powell reportedly said the event was a rotation of militia ships.
“I think it’s a rotation so other [Chinese] militia ships who’ve been on station for a while will head home once they’ve had a little overlap,” said Powell in the report.
Earlier, Manila and Beijing convened at their 8th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) meeting in Shanghai and agreed to ease tensions.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, both sides agreed “that maintaining communication and dialogue is essential to maintaining maritime peace and stability.”
Recently, China criticized the Philippines after being congratulated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te.
P65 grocery discount for seniors an insult – ACT-CIS
The slight discount on grocery items and the carrying of purchase booklets by senior citizens is an insult, according to ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
In a local radio interview, the lawmaker said seniors can only get a P65 discount no matter how much their total grocery bill is.
“Para namang binigyan mo lang ng limos sina lolo or lola nyan…malaking insulto!”, said House Deputy Majority Floor leader.
The legislator is also not happy that seniors must always bring their issued purchase or discount booklet to be given a discount at grocery stores.
Tulfo added the problem is, because he is a senior and there are senior moments, the booklet is forgotten, so there is no discount to get it when it comes to the cashier.
According to the Senior Citizens Act, only P1,300 is the amount that seniors can buy groceries per week, and only a 5 percent discount will be given to them.
Because of this, Tulfo and his colleagues, Rep. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, will file a bill to revise the said law.
According to Cong. Jocelyn Tulfo, the said discount is no longer appropriate at these times because the price is already high.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.