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Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, January 3, 2022.
READ: OCTA: New cases to exceed past surges
New Covid-19 cases may soon exceed the figures recorded in previous surges, especially in Metro Manila, OCTA Research Senior Fellow Dr. Guido David said.
READ: Most ICU patients unvaccinated ‒ DoH
Eight-five percent of patients in intensive care units or ICUs of hospitals who require mechanical ventilators were unvaccinated against Covid-19, the Department of Health or DoH said, citing reports from public facilities in the National Capital Region.
READ: Hurting women insults God ‒ Pope
Pope Francis urged the world to "roll up our sleeves" for peace in a New Year's message on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) while calling violence against women an affront to God.
Meanwhile, in other news...
READ: RCEP: World's biggest trade pact takes effect
The world's largest free trade pact, forged by 15 Asia-Pacific countries, entered into force on Saturday to provide a tailwind for the region's post-pandemic recovery and a catalyst for global economic progress, bringing a ray of hope.
READ: DILG chief: 'Poblacion Girl' will be charged
While the Philippine National Police or PNP had started collating evidence against a woman known online as "Poblacion Girl," Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año gave assurances that she will be facing charges for breaching quarantine protocols.
READ: 'Lawmakers' devt projects should undergo consultation'
Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said lawmakers' "pet" development projects should undergo planning and consultation with the proper local authorities and implementing agencies.
READ: PNP braces for stricter health protocols
The PNP is prepared to work with local government units in implementing stricter health protocols as the National Capital Region will again be under Alert Level 3 beginning today, January 3.
In regional news,
READ: BBM commits to help 'Odette' victims
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has assured the victims of Typhoon "Odette" with international name: "Rai" in the Visayas and Mindanao that he would help them rebuild their damaged communities.
In world news,
READ: US mass shootings record-high in 2021
The United States or US saw a record-high of 691 mass shootings with at least four victims in one incident in 2021 as gun violence surged within the year.
In business,
READ: 'Odette' likely kept inflation rate at 4%
Supply-side pressures from Typhoon "Odette" likely kept the Philippine headline inflation rate at 4 percent in December 2021, according to analysts polled by The Manila Times.
And in sports,
READ: PBA to sit down with LGUs, GAB
The Philippine Basketball Association or PBA will have a dialogue with the local government units or LGUs and the Games and Amusement Board or GAB on how it will stage its games as the classification reverted to its previous status under Alert Level 3.
Dan Steinbock and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are the featured columnists on the front page of The Times.
Steinbock tracks
READ: 2020 to 2022: (Still) soaring costs of West's pandemic failure
Fr. Aquino circles back to
READ: Once more, a meditation on time
In The Times editorial, it says it's time to
READ: Reconnect, fortify ties with 'Old World'
Read all about it.
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With Aric John Sy Cua, Paolo Dimaapi and Christian Maghanoy, this is Dafort Villaseran reporting. Happy New Year!