Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
READ: BBM, Sara closer to proclamation
THE Senate and the House of Representatives begin canvassing the votes for president and vice president today, May 24, and the winners are expected to be proclaimed tomorrow. On the cusp of being proclaimed as the country's 17th president is former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who will assume the position his father and namesake was elected to in 1965. Expected to be proclaimed as vice president is Marcos' running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Convening as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), the Senate and House are assigned the task of tallying the votes and proclaiming the winners. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said in a press briefing on Monday the canvassing starts at 10 a.m. If the NBOC does not finish the count by 10 p.m., it will resume at 10 a.m. the following day until all certificates of canvass (COCs) are tallied.
READ: Remulla, Balisacan join Marcos' Cabinet
CAVITE Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has agreed to be the Justice secretary in the administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Remulla, who said he did not apply for the post or have any idea he was being considered for the job, did not think twice about saying yes to Marcos. On Monday, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) chief Arsenio Balisacan confirmed that he accepted Marcos' offer to head the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). A former dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics, Balisacan was NEDA secretary under the late former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino 3rd.
READ: No CCTV, no business permit, LGUs told
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered all local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances on the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the order is a requirement for the issuance of business permits to establishments catering to a large number of customers, and to those that are at risk or hazard-prone. Año, who is the concurrent chairman of the National Peace and Order Council, said that as people return to their pre-pandemic ways, public safety must be a priority of LGUs.
REGIONS: All set for special elections
IT'S all systems go for the May 24 special elections to be held in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday. Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Teopisto Elnas said 6,921 registered voters will be taking part in the special elections in 12 villages in 15 clustered precincts. He said the special polls in Tubaran will use the same official ballots, vote counting machines, forms and supplies as these were not opened during the May 9 polls. Even the contingency vote-counting machines and secure digital cards, he said, were already deployed. Elnas noted that as far as provincial candidates are concerned, the governor up to congressman have been proclaimed but board members of the second district of the province of Lanao del Sur are yet to be announced. He said instead of public school teachers, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will serve as Electoral Boards.
BUSINESS: Calls for RCEP ratification renewed
Over to business, foreign business chambers on Monday again urged the Senate to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement before a new set of legislators takes office in July. The RCEP, signed in November 2020, comprises the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean); Asean+3 partners China, Japan and South Korea; and New Zealand and Australia. The deal has been ratified by all signatories except Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte ratified the pact last September but Senate concurrence is required for it to take effect. The JFC earlier called for ratification in January and this month the Trade department also urged the Senate to do so.
SPORTS: PH squash athletes to compete abroad
In sports, the Philippine Squash Academy (PSA) will send its athletes to Japan and Thailand as part of its preparation for the Asian Games next year. PSA president Robert Bachmann said on Monday that a four-member team composed of Robert Garcia, David Peliño, Reymark Begornia, and Jemyca Aribado will leave on Wednesday, May 25, for Yokohama, Japan, to compete in the Dynam Cup Open, a Professional Squash Association World Tour event. Garcia is the country's top player who is currently ranked 171st in the world. He won the mixed team gold and men's singles silver medals during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta are today's front page columnists. Despite recent developments, both columnists continue to discuss the "failed" campaign of Vice President Ma. Leonor "Leni" Robredo.
Today's editorial discusses what the second Marcos presidency should look like. 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 Tuesday ahead.