Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, March 20, 2022.
READ: Presidential bets divided on 'BBB'
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's Build, Build, Build program drew mixed responses from the nine presidential candidates who participated in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) sponsored debate on Saturday night. Former Malacañang spokesman Ernesto "Ernie" Abella, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, former Defense chief Norberto "Nortbie" Gonzales, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, businessman Faisal Mangondato, Dr. Jose Montemayor, Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo attended the Comelec's first presidential debate at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City. Missing was former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. When asked whether they would continue the BBB projects of the Duterte administration, Robredo and Lacson said it was time to shift to public-private partnerships (PPP) from BBB. Pacquiao, Moreno, Abella, Gonzales, Montemayor and Mangondato said they would continue the BBB program although some of the candidates indicated that there would be some improvements. Labor leader Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman said the BBB has only led to raising the national debt, which by the end of President Rodrigo Duterte's term would have ballooned to P13.4 trillion.
READ: Businessmen's 'wish list' to next president
WHOEVER wins the presidential election on May 9 should prioritize reforms in foreign policy, health care, property rights, the rule of law and governance, panelists at an investment forum said. When asked what the next president's first order of business should be when he or she takes office on June 30, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.'s (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said it should be improving foreign policy.
READ: Full house in Concepcion's 'Kandidatalks'
TWO days after he snubbed the debate sponsored by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will join Go Negosyo's "Kandidatalks," together with his rivals in this year's presidential race. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria "Joey" Concepcion 3rd said that for the first time in this year's national elections, all the candidates for Philippine president will participate in the same series of broadcast interviews. Go Negosyo's "Kandidatalks: Negosyo, Trabaho at Kalusugan" series, which will begin on Monday, March 21, has rounded up all 10 candidates for the country's highest post. Concepcion, founder of Go Negosyo, will join journalist and news anchor Cheryl Cosim to ask some of the candidates about their plans should they become the country's next president. Marcos will be joined by fellow candidate Jose Montemayor Jr. They will be followed by Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and labor leader Leodegario "Ka Leody" De Guzman (March 22), Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales (March 23), and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and former Palace spokesman Ernesto "Ernie" Abella (March 24). Rounding up the series will be Robredo and Faisal Mangondato on March 25.
READ: 15 charged over missing 34 e-sabong enthusiasts
CRIMINAL complaints were filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against the suspected perpetrators of the disappearance of 34 enthusiasts of e-sabong or online cockfighting. The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention — a violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code against 15 persons, including six John Does. All security personnel of the Manila Arena at the SMX Convention Center in Paranaque City, the respondents were identified as Julie Patidongan alias Dondon, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Roberto Matillano Jr., Jonas Alingasa, Johnry Consolacion, Herolden Alonto, Gler Cudilla and one alias Sir Chief plus six others whose identities were withheld. Preliminary investigations revealed that the cockfighting enthusiasts disappeared in the morning of Jan. 13, 2022, after they went to the Manila Arena to participate in a 6-cock stag derby. The cockfighting enthusiasts were allegedly held by the accused against their will and herded into a gray van.
READ: Thompson faces raps for mauling girlfriend
POLICE on Saturday confirmed the filing of a criminal complaint against actor Kit Thompson for allegedly abusing his girlfriend, actress Ana Jalandoni. Thompson was arrested Friday morning in a hotel in Tagaytay City where the alleged incident took place. The actor underwent inquest proceedings at the Tagaytay City Prosecutors Office following his arrest. Police revealed that both the victim and suspect checked in at a hotel and had an altercation. Jalandoni claimed that Thompson mauled her.
READ: Infra investments to continue – DoF
In business, while reducing the country's debt remains a top objective for the government, curtailing infrastructure investment is not an option, the Department of Finance (DoF) said. In an economic bulletin released on Saturday, it said the three major credit rating agencies — Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings — are keeping a close eye on the Philippines' debt management. The agency noted that, by the end of 2021, the national government debt had risen to 60.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), mostly due to pandemic-related spending, from 39.6 percent prior to the health crisis.
SPORTS: NCAA Season 97 ready to roll on March 26
In sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 senior's basketball tournament is set to commence on March 26 at the La Salle Green Hills, with the opening ceremonies set at 2:30 p.m. Serving as the first game of the season bannering the theme "Stronger Together, Buo ang Puso" is the battle between host De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers and defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights at 3:30 p.m. Capping off the opening day is the contest between the San Beda Red Lions and Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates at 7:05 p.m. The games will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with two games each game day.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he tackles on how a leader missing debates led to a country's mess.
Today's editorial discusses the election of a new South Korean president, who has a more hard line stance against North Korea. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe and blessed Sunday.