Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, May 27, 2021.

READ: 'Registration of SIM cards to end scams'

MANDATING the registration of prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) cards could help end online scams, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Wednesday as he again called for the passage of a measure that seeks to end the practice of purchasing SIM cards without the need to present proof of identity. Citing data from UK-based Privacy International, Gatchalian said that as of March 2020, 155 countries have passed laws of regulations that require proof of identity when purchasing a SIM card.

READ: NCR, 8 areas should get jab priority – OCTA

AN independent research group said the government can control the rising number of infections if it gives priority to the vaccination of residents in the National Capital Region (NCR) and eight provinces. OCTA Research identified these provinces as Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, Pampanga and Batangas as well as Metro Cebu and Davao City. Giving priority to these areas will bring down infections, hospitalizations and even deaths, the group said.

READ: Duterte open to running for VP – Panelo

CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said on Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte might run for vice president in the 2022 elections if there is strong public clamor. He said he asked Duterte if he would be interested in running for the second highest post in the country. The President later told Panelo he will leave up to God.

READ: PH to spend P318B for 'green' projects

THE government will spend an estimated P318.6 billion this year and in 2022 on projects that will count toward its commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 75 percent by 2030, according to data provided to The Manila Times by the Department of Finance (DoF).

READ: Smartmatic won bidding fair and square – Comelec

SMARTMATIC Corp.-Total Information Management Corp. (Smartmatic-TIM) will remain the official technology provider of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the May 9, 2022 national polls. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they held a bidding process, in which Smartmatic won the bidding fair and square over Pivot International Inc.-Power Serve Inc.

READ: House OKs Bayanihan 3 bill on 2nd reading

THE House of Representatives has approved on second reading the P405.6-billion House Bill 9411 or Bayanihan 3 bill, which aims to provide aid to Filipinos affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The bill appropriates P12 billion in additional funds for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The allocation will be used for its AICS or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program to address crisis response and recovery and to procure food packs subject to the existing rules and regulations of the DSWD.

BUSINESS: Sun Life cuts PH growth to 5.5%

Topping business, Sun Life Philippines has cut its gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection for the Philippines this year, citing the "disappointing" first quarter drop. In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, Sun Life Philippines Chief Investments Officer Michael Enriquez said that the life insurance firm now expects GDP growth to range from 3.9 to 7.1 percent, with a midpoint of 5.5 percent. The most current forecast shows a reduction from the prior estimate range of 7.5 to 9.7 percent, with an 8.6-percent midpoint.

SPORTS: 3 PH bets reach ASBC semifinals

In sports, three Filipino bets made it to the semifinals of the 2021 ASBC Elite Men's and Women's Boxing Championships being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Mark Lester Durens and Junmilardo Ogayre scored impressive victories in their respective divisions while former world champion Josie Gabuco earned a bye to secure spots in the semifinals.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman are today's front page columnists. Contreras believes that flexible learning requires flexible governance and dynamic mindsets, Makabenta believes the United States is on the cusp of defeating Covid-19, and Rep. Lagman talks about the anatomy of the power of impeachment.

Today's editorial calls on the government to address the well-being of Filipino seafarers. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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With Dafort Villaseran, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. May you have a safe Thursday ahead.