Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, September 19, 2022.
READ: No extra powers for Palace chief of staff
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has turned down proposals to assign additional powers to the revived Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff (Opcos), which will be headed by resigned executive secretary Victor Rodriguez. Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said in a statement released last Saturday night that on the recommendation of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, the President disapproved of a draft of a special order giving additional functions to the chief of staff. Rodriguez resigned as executive secretary Saturday following the imbroglio over the importation of sugar. He had the briefest stint of being an executive secretary having served in that position for more than two months. Among the duties for the chief of staff included in the draft order is the authority to sign contracts and issue directives to various government agencies, duties which Rodriguez wields as executive secretary. Instead, the PCS will have "the primary function of supervising and ensuring the efficient and responsive day-to-day operational support to the presidency to enable the President to focus on strategic national concerns," Cruz-Angeles said.
READ: Marcos in US for weeklong visit
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos on Sunday left for a weeklong working visit to the United States, which will be highlighted by his attendance to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. In his address to the General Assembly on September 20, the President is expected to outline the Philippines' "expectations of the United Nations and the work ahead" and its "contributions to strengthening the international system."
READ: DoLE tweaks telecommuting scheme
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has revised the work-from-home or telecommuting guidelines to make the scheme more suitable for hastening economic recovery. Department Order 237, signed by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma last Friday, September 16, but released to the media on Sunday, laid down the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11165 or the "Telecommuting Act" after almost two months of consultations with concerned sectors. Aside from other stakeholders, the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, a consultative body presided by the Labor secretary and composed of labor and employer representatives, also provided inputs on the policy.
READ: PH-China relations rich in potential
RELATIONS between the Philippines and China have the potential to be one of the strongest partnerships of all time, but it can only be achieved by mutual understanding. Jeffrey Ng, president of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (ACPU) held out the promise of a more fruitful engagement between the two countries during an interview on SMNI's "Business and Politics," a weekly program hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis "Klink" Ang 2nd.
READ: Maguindanao split looms as 'yes' vote wins
NEARLY all the 80.84 percent of Maguindanao's registered voters agreed to ratify a law seeking to divide the province into two during a plebiscite held on Saturday. In a statement on Sunday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said the figure was based on an official plebiscite municipal canvass of votes. Laudiangco said the Maguindanao split plebiscite's 80.84 percent voter turnout was second to the record set in 1998 referendum that created Compostela Valley from Davao del Norte at 89.73 percent.
BUSINESS: PSEi seen reacting to Fed, BSP moves
In business, analysts are expecting the market to be reactionary this week as the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), along with Asian markets, retreated last Friday. This is due to the upcoming US Federal Reserve (Fed) policy rate meeting on September 20 and 21, 2022, where investors are expecting another rate hike of 75 basis points in order to combat inflation.
SPORTS: Chiefs stun Knights, take third win
Over to sports, Arellano University stunned the defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 72-69, on Sunday to take its third win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 men's basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. Cade Flores unloaded 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the way for the Chiefs, who rose to second place with a 3-1 win-loss card. Axel Doromal cashed in 14 points and five rebounds, as Wilmar Oftana notched 13 points and five boards. Joshua Abastillas chipped in 10 points and three rebounds while Shane Menina added seven points, 10 assists, and four boards.
Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today's front page columnists. Tiglao asks if NPA rebels are martyrs or casualties of their own war, while Fr. Aquino tackles the British Crown and sovereignty.
Today's editorial believes modern slavery threatens the livelihoods of overseas Filipino workers and the country's economy. Read the full version in 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 week ahead.