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Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

READ: Bongbong tests negative for drugs

Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., now a candidate for president in the 2022 elections, has tested negative for cocaine.

READ: Pacquiao admits being 'naive' drug user

Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao said he was "naive" and ignorant of the law when he took shabu in his youth but argues offenders today know drugs are illegal and should be punished.

READ: Asean told: Address climate change

President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his call to neighboring countries to take swift action to address climate change "anchored on the principles of justice and fairness" during his recent intervention at the just concluded China-Asean Special Summit.

Meanwhile, in other news...

READ: Times' Subic college ready for in-person classes

The resumption of face-to-face classes at The Manila Times College of Subic showed that Subic was "back on course," pointing to strengthening its recovery as the Covid-19 pandemic eases, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said on Tuesday.

READ: Doctor visit a must for heart patients

As cases of Covid-19 continue to decrease in the country, members of the health care sector urged patients experiencing chronic diseases to seek consultations that they neglected during the pandemic.

READ: Robredo vows credit access for MSMEs

Presidential aspirant and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo vowed to help the country's micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs adapt to the new normal by providing them conditional loans, access to credit, integration into public procurement programs and building the right infrastructure.

READ: Ayungin supply mission resumes

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday two civilian boats had safely resumed the mission to deliver supplies and provisions to Filipino marines stationed at Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal.

In regional news,

READ: Mangudadatu forgives wife's killers

Second District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said in a radio interview on Tuesday that after 12 years, he has already forgiven the people behind the Maguindanao massacre.

In world news,

READ: Control sale of small, light weapons ‒ envoy

A Chinese envoy has called for comprehensive measures to combat the trafficking of small arms and light weapons.

READ: Floods, mudslides devastate Canada

Vital road and rail links between Vancouver and the rest of Canada that were severed by catastrophic floods and mudslides were mostly reestablished, officials said on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

In business,

READ: PH poised for economic recovery

The Philippines is on track for post-pandemic recovery in 2022 as it expects opportunistic and cost-effective financings to pick up, supporting growth in the process, Citigroup said on Tuesday.

And in sports,

READ: Celtics hand Rockets 15th straight loss

Jason Tatum scored 30 points, Jaylen Brown had 19 in his return from missing eight games with an injury and the Boston Celtics coasted by Houston 108-90 on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), sending the Rockets to its 15th straight loss.

Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are the featured columnists on the front page of The Times.

Tiglao points out

READ: The harsh reality: We have lost Ayungin Shoal

Fr. Aquino encourages

READ: Fostering a culture of research

In The Times editorial, it is urged to

READ: Put the reins on PH sport governing bodies

Read all about it.

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With Aric John Sy Cua, Paolo Dimaapi and Christian Maghanoy, this is Dafort Villaseran reporting. Have a great week!