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READ: 'Only grand coalition can beat BBM, Sara'
A VICE presidential candidate believes the only way to defeat survey front-runners Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio in the elections is for the other aspirants to form a grand coalition. Rizalito David proposed the alliance during his closing statement in Sunday's debate for vice presidential candidates organized by the Commission on Elections. David suggested that he and the six other candidates who participated in the debate should meet and decide whom to support as a common team against Marcos and Duterte-Carpio. He called on Duterte-Carpio to attend the next debate so the public can find out her plans for the country. Marcos and Duterte-Carpio have consistently led the surveys by wide margins.
READ: DoLE, CSC back 4-day workweek
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Monday favored the implementation of a four-day workweek as a way to help workers cope with rising prices of fuel and other basic commodities. Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said, however, it is up to private companies if they will adopt the alternative work schedule. Before it is implemented, the workers and employers first need to fully understand how the system works, said Benavidez. He noted that many private firms have six working days a week.The employers have two options. They can shorten the six working days to four days and retain the normal hours of work. Or they can reduce both the working days and the working hours. He cited a provision in the Labor Code that considers any work beyond eight hours as overtime and that the workers have to be duly compensated. But if employer and employees agree to temporarily implement a compressed workweek, Benavidez said the Supreme Court allows the worker to waive the overtime premium.
READ: PH still very low risk for Covid
THE Philippines remains a very low risk for Covid-19, OCTA Research said on Monday. OCTA cited data from the Johns Hopkins University, Our World in Data and Worldometer showing that as of March 18, the country averages 527 Covid-19 cases a day, 22 percent lower than the average the week before. The country's average daily attack rate (ADAR) is 0.47, OCTA said. ADAR is the seven-day average number of new Covid-19 cases per day per 100,000 population. Four other countries in East Asia — Timor-Leste, Taiwan, Cambodia and China — are also classified as very low risk. OCTA said China is experiencing a Covid-19 surge along with South Korea, Vietnam and Laos, with cases up by 362 percent.
READ: 'China fully militarized isles'
China has fully militarized at least three of several islands it built in the disputed South China Sea, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment and fighter jets in an increasingly aggressive move that threatens all nations operating nearby, a top US military commander said Sunday. US Indo-Pacific commander Admiral John Aquilino said the hostile actions were in stark contrast to Chinese President Xi Jinping's past assurances that Beijing would not transform the artificial islands in contested waters into military bases. The efforts were part of China's flexing its military muscle, he said. There were no immediate comments from Chinese officials. Beijing maintains its military profile is purely defensive, arranged to protect what it says are its sovereign rights.
Topping Business
READ: PH to offer 5-, 10-, 25-dollar bonds
THE Philippine government will offer benchmark-sized dollar bonds in three tranches. Documents shared by a source on Monday showed that the Philippines will issue 5- and 10-year US dollar-denominated bonds and a 25-year green bond. The 5-year bonds will mature on March 29, 2027 while the 10-year bonds will mature on Sept. 29, 2032. The 25-year green bonds meanwhile will mature on March 29, 2047. Documents showed that the initial price guidance is set around the level of Treasuries plus 125 basis points area for the 5-year bond, 165 basis points over Treasuries area for the 10.5-year bond and 4.7 percent area for the 25-year green bond. Proceeds from the 5- and 10-year bonds will be for general budget financing while proceeds from the green bond will be used to finance assets in line with the country's Sustainable Finance Framework.
In Sports
READ: Suns rally, top Kings in OT
SACRAMENTO, California: Landry Shamet made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in overtime moments after missing an open look beyond the arc and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 127-124 on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Suns star Devin Booker scored 19 of his 31 points in the third quarter as the Suns won their fifth straight to improve to 58-14 — nine games ahead of second-place Memphis for the best record in the league. Shamet finished with 21 points. Center Deandre Ayton had 12 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Backup center JaVale McGee had 14 points before fouling out in overtime. Davion Mitchell, starting in place of injured point guard De'Aaron Fox, had 28 points and nine assists for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis had 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists before leaving with an apparent left knee injury in the fourth quarter. The Kings have lost 10 of 13.
READ: Fritz hands Nadal first 2022 defeat
INDIAN WELLS: Taylor Fritz stunned Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) on Sunday (Monday in Manila) to win the ATP Indian Wells Masters and end the 21-time Grand Slam champion's perfect 20-0 run to start 2022. Fritz, ranked 20th in the world, claimed his second career title and his first at the elite Masters 1000 level while denying Nadal a record-equaling 37th Masters crown. The 24-year-old American achieved his biggest triumph despite an injured right ankle that was so painful when he tested it Sunday morning, he didn't think he'd be able to play. Nadal had already said he would skip next week's Miami Masters to give his body a rest and prepare for the clay court season.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
Today's Editorial is about the looming threat from polar warming. Read the full version in the Opinion Section on print and its Digital edition or listen to the Voice Of The Times. The featured columnists on Page One are Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta. Contreras writes about Ill-gotten wealth and the estate taxes of the Marcoses; Makabenta talks about how BongBong Marcos captured the imagination of the voters and that of his rivals.
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.
This is Christian Crow Maghanoy reporting.