Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, October 30, 2022.
'Paeng' leaves '16 of 17 regions at high risk'
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is considering placing the Philippines under a one-year state of calamity due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng" (international name: "Nalgae") which left "16 of 17 regions at "high risk." In his meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other government officials on Saturday, the President said he would study the recommendation, taking into consideration the number of regions affected by massive flooding and landslides caused by continuous rains from Paeng. The NDRRMC has recommended a declaration of a state of calamity for one year, unless if lifted earlier.
Floods swamp PH, as death toll climbs to 45
SEVERE Tropical Storm "Paeng" on Saturday swamped the Philippines with floods that left 45 people dead, swept away homes, stranded thousands of passengers and rendered several roads across the country impassable. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in a clarification of a report earlier in the day that 72 people had died, said there were 45 who drowned or were buried in landslides that hit their villages. In a virtual press briefing, acting Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Jose Faustino Jr., concurrent NDRRMC chairman, said the correction in the number of fatalities was made official following the submission of reports from concerned local government officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
'Paeng' cancels PBA, other leagues
In the sporting arena, PBA has canceled this Saturday's Commissioner's Cup double-header slated at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, owing to the heavy rains and strong winds brought by Tropical Storm "Paeng" ("Nalgae"). Saturday's matches originally featured San Miguel Beer and Meralco at the 4:30 p.m. curtain raiser, followed by the game between Magnolia and Rain or Shine at 6:45 p.m. The UAAP and NCAA also cancelled their scheduled games because of the storm.
No wrong or right way to grieve after loss – expert
In other news, a mental health expert believes that there is "no wrong or right" way to grieve and that there are different ways to cope with the loss of a loved one. In a webinar organized by health maintenance organization (HMO) Philcare last Friday as part of its Mindscapes series on mental health, Dr. Mariel Kristine Rubia said that it is fine for the grieving person to let other people know what they do and do not need at the time.
2nd autopsy report on 'middleman': 'Homicide'
THE second autopsy conducted by a forensic pathologist on the body of the alleged middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid, has opened the possibility of foul play. In her opinion contained in a six-page autopsy report made public on Saturday morning during a press briefing at the Department of Justice (DoJ), Dr. Raquel Fortun said there was information provided that Cristito "Jun" Villamor, who died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), expressed fear for his life shortly before his death. Moreover, he died from suffocation by means of a plastic bag put over his head. Likewise, a toxicology examination also revealed methamphetamine in Villamor's urine, indicating that illegal drugs continue to flow into the national penitentiary.
Kazuo Okada pleads not guilty to charges
JAPANESE gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada and his associates entered a not guilty plea during their arraignment before a Parañaque city court for the grave coercion charge filed by officials of Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), operator of Okada Manila, in connection with the May 31, 2022, takeover of the integrated casino hotel. Aside from Kazuo, those who also pleaded not guilty before Parañaque Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 91 Judge Placido Garcia 3rd on Friday were Filipino businessman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco, Dindo Espeleta, and lawyer Florentino Herrera 3rd. In a statement sent to The Manila Times, lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho, spokesman for the Kazuo group, said his clients reiterated that they will face the allegation in a "just and very honest way and fight until full justice is obtained." Quicho said Kazuo and his associates remain confident that these grave coercion charges will be dismissed "for utter failure of the prosecution to prove its charges with the quantum of evidence required in criminal cases, which is proof beyond reasonable doubt."
Another drug smuggling attempt foiled at NAIA
AUTHORITIES have stopped another illegal drugs smuggling attempt at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City on Friday after they nabbed a South African in Terminal 3 for allegedly trying to sneak into the country 13,565 grams of methamphetamine or shabu with an estimated value of P92.2 million. NAIA Customs Deputy Collector for Passenger Services Lourdes Mangaoang said she believes the two cases were related and likely the handiwork of an international drug syndicate. Mangaoang identified the South African as Irene Caroline Botha. Originating from Johannesburg, South Africa, the suspect was on board United Arab Emirates Airlines flight EK 334 from Dubai, which arrived at the NAIA at 11 p.m. on Friday. The 40-year-old suspect was traveling with her nine-year-old daughter when apprehended. Mangaoang said four packs of shabu were located inside the false compartment of the South African's luggage. The Bureau of Customs (BoC), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group conducted an inventory and testing of the confiscated contrabands.
Govt creating enabling investor climate – NEDA
Over to business, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the government is continuing to work hard to create a more enabling regulatory and investment climate to support businesses in the country as it recognizes the private sector's critical role in reinvigorating job creation and reducing poverty. In his remarks at the US-Asean Business Council meeting on Thursday, October 27, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan highlighted the government's reforms and policies to further stimulate investments, especially from the foreign business sector. The meeting was attended by delegation members consisting of executives and representatives from the health care, pharmaceuticals, technology, food and infrastructure sectors, among others. These include the game-changing reforms of the Public Service Act (PSA), which is complemented by other recently amended economic laws such as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Foreign Investments Act.
SBP names Gilas squad for fifth window
In sports, Adelaide 36ers big man Kai Sotto, San Miguel star slotman June Mar Fajardo as well as four Japan B.League players led by Kiefer Ravena and Dwight Ramos banner the 20-man Gilas Pilipinas pool, which the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) submitted for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers this November. Slated to play in two away games next month, the Gilas pool also included San Miguel wingman CJ Perez, Barangay Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar, reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo, TNT's Calvin Oftana, Poy Erram and Roger Pogoy, NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino and Will Navarro, Meralco's Chris Newsome, Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks, as well as Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Lebron Lopez and naturalized player Ange Kouame. Fajardo and Newsome though are doubtful in the upcoming two away games considering that both are still out with separate injuries sustained in the ongoing 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he believes the Philippines' digitization story is more than pathetic.
Today's editorial believes local authorities should forge fisheries pact with China. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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For The Manila Times, this is Paulo Dimaapi.