Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, May 31, 2021.

READ: Pacquiao 'can't stop' PDP-Laban meeting

SEN. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao cannot cancel the national council assembly of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party since it was President Rodrigo Duterte who authorized it, an official of the group said. PDP-Laban vice president for external affairs and secretary Raul Lambino on Sunday presented his take on who in the ruling party has the ultimate power to convene the assembly, its first major meeting since the coronavirus pandemic began. The issue has exposed a deepening rift between Pacquiao, the acting PDP-Laban president, and Duterte, the party's chairman. Pacquiao had urged his party-mates to ignore the call of party vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to convene the assembly today. In a press statement, Lambino said Section 4, Article 16 of the party's constitution, states only the chairman can call a meeting of the assembly.

READ: Donaire knocks out Oubaali to win WBC bantamweight belt

Nonito Donaire delivered a masterful performance, knocking out Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight crown on Sunday (Philippine time) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The stoppage came at the 1:08 mark of the fourth round, as Donaire threw a combination of left and right hooks capped by a left blow to the body to dethrone Oubaali by sending him to the canvas for the third time. With the win, Donaire improved to a 41-6 record with 27 knockouts, while also becoming the oldest boxer to win the bantamweight crown at age 38. On the other hand, Oubaali, 34, suffered his first loss as he fell to a 17-1 slate with 12 knockouts.

READ: No privileges for full vaccination – Año

Individuals who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will have to wait a little longer before being granted exemption to lockdown requirements, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Sunday. That's because the country has not reached the threshold of inoculated people to achieve herd immunity, he explained. Año said the Philippines cannot provide just yet the benefits other countries are offering to those who have completed their vaccinations.

READ: High court OKs rule on asset preservation

The Supreme Court has approved the Rule on Asset Preservation, Seizure and Forfeiture for criminal cases under Republic Act (RA) 9160 or the "Anti-Money Laundering Act". The high court recognized the benefit of the preservation, seizure and forfeiture of assets in preventing the commission of crimes penalized under the Anti-Money Laundering law as amended and other penal laws. The approved rule applies to all criminal actions before any court involving crimes or offenses defined as "unlawful activity" under Section 3(i), or "money laundering offenses" under Section 4, of RA 9160. Under the rule, the prosecution may pursue the remedy of asset forfeiture by an allegation in the criminal information it will proceed against the subject of the crime or offense, proceeds or fruits of the crime or offense, or any property used as the means of committing a crime or offense. The rule takes effect on May 31, 2021.

READ: Marcoses meet with Davao mayor

SEN. Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos has confirmed reports that she and her brother former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. met with Davao City Mayor Sara "Inday" Duterte-Carpio. But the senator clarified the meeting was purely a social gathering. She said politics, specifically the 2022 national elections, was not discussed.

BUSINESS: Inflation likely down in May

Topping business, Philippine headline inflation likely moderated in May on the back of lower food prices, economists polled by The Manila Times said. Projections for the month ranged from 4.2 to 4.5 percent with a 4.3 percent average, lower than the 4.5 percent recorded in April. Inflation in May last year settled at 2.1 percent. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will release official May inflation data on June 5. HSBC Global Research and an economist from the Security Bank Corporation (SBC) forecast inflation to hit 4.5 percent. In a report, HSBC said prices have stabilized domestically due to lockdown restrictions.

SPORTS: Pagunsan wins first Japan Tour title

In sports, Filipino golfer Juvic Pagunsan ruled the Gateway To The Open Mizuno Open in the JFE Setonaikai Golf Club on Sunday in Okayama, as he seized his first Japan Tour Title. The 43-year-old golfer from Bacolod carded a 4-under-par 68 in the final round for a total of 17-under 199 in the tournament. With the championship, Pagusan, who placed second in the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup Golf in Kanagawa two weeks ago, bagged the ¥12,000,000 prize or around P5.2 million.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today's front page columnists. Tiglao believes the Communist Party of the Philippines is dying of old age, while Fr. Aquino talks about the ways of peace.

Today's editorial believes creativity is needed to enforce Covid health safety protocols. Read the 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 week ahead.