Good Day!

Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

READ: LP eyes coalition vs Duterte in 2022

The Liberal Party or LP has reached out to Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and three other prominent political figures for "unity talks" for a possible coalition against the administration's candidates in the 2022 elections.

READ: 'Opposition to gain from PDP-Laban rift'
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


On Tuesday, Liberal Party President Sen. Francis Pangilinan said perceived "cracks" within the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban or PDP-Laban could benefit the opposition.

READ: Duterte threatens to jail people who refuse jabs

On Monday night, President Duterte threatened to jail people who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19.

READ: President rejects face-to-face classes


President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected the proposal of the Department of Education to hold face-to-face classes in areas where Covid-19 risks are low, saying he cannot gamble on the health of children.

Meanwhile, in other news...

READ: Happiest country seeks migrants

Reputedly dubbed the happiest nation on the planet with world-beating living standards, Finland should be deluged by people wanting to relocate, but it faces an acute workforce shortage.

READ: NCR nears pre-Covid surge levels ‒ OCTA

The National Capital Region or NCR is approaching its daily average Covid-19 levels before a surge of cases happened during March and April, according to the latest report by OCTA Research.

READ: PH to get 1M vaccine doses from US

The Philippines will receive around 800,000 to 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from the United States next month, the country's envoy to Washington said on Tuesday.

READ: Valenzuela inoculates poor

A week after giving jabs to members of the A4 priority group or economic frontliners, the Valenzuela City government started inoculating those in the A5 category, particularly its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino beneficiaries.

In regional news,

READ: P183-M military weapons equipment arrive from US

New weapons and military equipment worth P183 million or $3.8 million were delivered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Monday, according to a report released by the United States or US Embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday.

In world news,

READ: Australia's iconic reef in great danger

Australia will strongly oppose a Unesco plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in great danger" over its deterioration caused by climate change, the government said on Tuesday.

In business,

READ: Budget deficit narrows in May

The national government's budget deficit narrowed in May as growth in expenditure levels kept pace with the acceleration in revenue collection, the Bureau of Treasury said.

And in sports,

READ: Gilas to face NBA players in Serbia

After relishing the experience competing against former Philippine Basketball Association imports and their respective squads, the young Gilas Pilipinas men's team shifts to high gear, playing against some of the best players in the NBA when the Philippines plunges to action in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Belgrade, Serbia.

Marlen Ronquillo and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are the featured columnists on the front page of The Times.

Ronquillo compares

READ: Justice Carpio now, Justice Palma then

Fr. Aquino discourses on

READ: The human mind

In The Times editorial, it is time to talk about

READ: Balancing financial innovation and consumer protection

Read all about it.

For more news and information, get a copy of The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and Keep Up With The Times.

With Aric John Sy Cua and Currie Bonipaye Cator, this is Christian Crow Maghanoy reporting. Have a great week!