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Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Wednesday, March 10, 2022 brought to you by Wilcon Depot, the country's leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer. Shop conveniently 24/7 with Wilcon online store. Just go to shop.wilcon.com.ph.
READ: OPEC chief warns of global oil shortage
The head of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) warned Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that the world cannot replace Russia's share of oil exports, calling for energy depoliticization.OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo told the CERAWeek global energy forum in Houston, Texas that Russia has been exporting 7 million to 8 million barrels of oil daily. Barkindo said it is "practically impossible" for Russia to keep such an oil export share under financial sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, calling these sanctions "the most severe" on any country. Oil prices surged again on Tuesday as the United States announced a ban on energy imports from Russia, the world's second-largest oil exporter behind Saudi Arabia.
READ: Senator seeks speedy distribution of fuel subsidies
SEN. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara on Wednesday urged authorities to expedite the distribution of fuel subsidies to the transport, agriculture and fisheries sectors following the global disruption of oil supply because of the war in Ukraine. The senator said that the government allotted P8 billion for fuel subsidies to the members of the transport, agriculture and fisheries sectors under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA)He said P2.5 billion was included in the GAA for financial assistance or fuel vouchers for qualified public utility vehicles, taxi, tricycle, and full-time ride-hailing and delivery services drivers.
READ: Probe missing cockfight aficionados – Palace
MALACAÑANG has stepped in on the mysterious disappearance of over 30 online cockfighting aficionados as it ordered the Interior department, the police and the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and come up with results in a month's time. The directive, contained in a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated March 8, was announced Wednesday. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) was also directed to look into any possible violations committed by online cockfight licensees and ensure all security and surveillance requirements have been complied with.
READ: More Filipinos enjoy lockdown sex – study
SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos surveyed by PhilCare's 2021 Wellness Index study admitted they had more sexual activities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. hilCare President and Chief Executive Officer Jaeger Tanco said the findings have proven that during the lengthy lockdowns, "couples can enjoy more opportunities to improve their relationship in terms of physical and emotional intimacy." The study, involving 1,042 respondents across the country, said that 69.5 percent, or 724, admitted to having more sex during the pandemic than before, adding they were satisfied with their sexual partner. ost of the respondents who were married and cohabitating said they were enjoying more sex. More males admitted that they enjoyed sexual activities during the pandemic at 85 percent, compared to nearly 72 percent among females.
Topping Business
READ: Manufacturing output slows in Jan
GROWTH of the Philippine manufacturing sector slowed in January, preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. PSA's latest Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (Missi) showed that the country's volume of production index (VoPI) expanded by 16.5 percent in January, a slowdown from the 22.1-percent growth in December 2021 but a reversal from the -14.5 percent a year earlier. The remaining six industry divisions, however, recorded downturns led by manufacture of wearing apparel with -24.2 percent.
READ: Peso closes at P52.23 to a dollar
THE Philippine peso strengthened against the United States dollar (USD) on Wednesday, finishing at P52.23 to $1, although an analyst warned that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict could generate further volatility. From the previous day's finish of P52.32:$1, the local currency gained 9 centavos.
In Sports
READ: Irving scores 50 as Nets end 4-game losing skid
LOS ANGELES: Kyrie Irving erupted for 50 points as the Brooklyn Nets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 132-121 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). The fifth 50-point game of Irving's career came courtesy of a superb shooting performance, with the seven-time All-Star shooting 15 of 19 attempts from the field including nine from outside the arc.The Nets improved to 33-33 with the victory, which keeps them firmly on track for a place in the postseason play-in tournament. Brooklyn are eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, just ahead of the Hornets in ninth.
READ: MLB, union bargain to save season
Negotiators for locked-out players and Major League Baseball (MLB) bargained into the night for the second time in a week ahead of Commissioner Rob Manfred's on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) deadline to reach a deal preserving a 162-game season.The sides continued speaking later in the day by telephone. On the 97th day of baseball's second-longest work stoppage, the sides appeared to be trading numbers on the key economic issues of the luxury tax, the amount of a new bonus pool for pre-arbitration-eligible players and minimum salaries.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
In today's Editorial, The Manila Times asks the government to either abolish the National Electrification Administration, or replace its corrupt personnel, calling it an instrument of oppression for electric cooperatives and as a consequence, the millions of consumers who rely on them. Read the full version on the paper's Opinion Section, subscribe to its Digital edition or listen to the Voice Of The Times. The featured columnists on Page 1 are Arturo Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Edcel Lagman. Contreras writes about revising history. Lagman on escalating support from Leni's friends and Makabenta on hoe the US ban on Russian oil, gas imports deals another blow to Putin as Ukraine war enters third week
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This Christian Crow Maghanoy.