Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022.
READ: Govt, telcos ready for SIM registration
THE registration of all Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards starts today, December 27. SIM card owners have six months to register. Failure to do so could result in the card's deactivation. More than 160 million SIM cards are in use in the Philippines, and government authorities and telecommunications companies or telcos have assured they are prepared to handle the heavy volume for registration. Signed into law just last October, the SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934) aims to fight online scams which have become more prevalent in recent years. It was the first law signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Mobile users should provide the following information: full name, date of birth, gender, address, and valid government ID or similar documents with a photo. Business users must provide their business name, business address, and the full name of an authorized signatory. Providing false information or documents to register a SIM carries a prison term ranging from six months to two years and a fine between P100,000 and P300,000.
READ: Visayas, Mindanao floods leave 6 dead, 19 missing
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday reported six persons dead, three injured and 19 missing as continuous rains brought floods in the Visayas and Mindanao. Two of the deaths are from the Bicol Region and four from Northern Mindanao. Ten of the 19 missings are from Bicol; six from Eastern Visayas; and three from Northern Mindanao. Two persons were injured in Northern Mindanao and one in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The NDRRMC said 26,762 families or 100,691 individuals from Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao were displaced or in evacuation centers due to floods. A total of 94 road sections were affected, and 36 municipalities and cities had power interruptions. Water interruptions were also reported in three cities and municipalities. Six domestic flights were canceled because of bad weather.
READ: Denmark backs Asean efforts to end sea row
THE government of Denmark has reaffirmed its support for the declaration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and European Union that seeks a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. As a leading seafaring nation and member of the European Union, Denmark is "a staunch supporter of the freedom of the high seas, including the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin said in a recent interview with The Manila Times. He commended the Philippines and Indonesia, which claim parts of the contested waterway, for "coming together" to explore a peaceful resolution to the issue. Mellbin said recognizing international laws "is the way forward — sit down, talk, and review the issues, reach an agreement." He said he sees the Philippines play an integral role in resolving the disputes in the busy waterway. The Philippines has been the lead country coordinator between the Asean and China in crafting the Code of Conduct that will be the guiding principle in bringing the rule of law to the South China Sea.
READ: BuCor to conduct surprise drug tests
THE leadership of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in Muntinlupa City said they will conduct "on-the-spot" drug testing among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as part of the reformation plans in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). BuCor Officer in Charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the drug testing will be pursued because of the confiscation of a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from a visitor identified as Maria Kristina Antonio. She allegedly sneaked in the drug into the correctional facility by hiding it inside her genitals. The retired army general also debunked the claim of the Muntinlupa City Police Station that at least P1.2 million or 150 grams of shabu were confiscated from the suspect. Meanwhile, Muntinlupa City Police Station chief Col. Angel Garcillano said that Catapang might have mistaken the estimated value of the seized 150 grams of shabu due to various woes in the correctional facility. Garcillano explained the standard pricing of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) for shabu is P6,800 per gram. He said that 150 grams of shabu equate to P1.2 million. On the other hand, Catapang said they will conduct a jail management seminar.
In Business
READ: DA eyes 2.5 MMT rice imports in 2023
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the agency expects 2.5 million metric tons (MMT) of rice imports in 2023, lower than this year's importation of 3.5 MMT. Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla attributed this to the typhoons that hit the country in 2022 that caused a spike in rice imports. She added that the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) was tasked to manage the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). Sombilla defended anew the decision of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to extend Executive Order (EO) 171 allowing low tariff on rice, pork and corn until Dec. 31, 2023, saying this is necessary to prevent high inflation rate. She said that while low tariffs on rice help bring down the retail prices in the staple food, the DA implements various programs to boost local palay (unmilled rice) production, which she regards as "most important."
Topping Sports
READ: Lethal defense key to Game 1 win – Cone
BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone believes the biggest takeaway to the Gin Kings' 96-81 Game 1 victory over Bay Area was their solid defense against the Dragons' Canadian import Andrew Nicholson. Nicholson, certainly a beast down low and a deadly three-point shooter as well, managed to finish the series-opening game with 27 points. But he had to bleed for his points after being shadowed all throughout the game by Ginebra's bruising big man Christian Standhardinger. At the same time, the American mentor said their strong perimeter defense was crucial as Bay Area's three-point gunners like Hayden Blankley, Kobey Lam and Glen Yang failed to connect from the outside. The Dragons finished Game 1 with 13 three-point shots made, but overall, they only converted 38 percent of their attempts. Bay Area also got outrebounded badly, 58-35 by Ginebra, which played a more physical game. And while winning Game 1 didn't win Ginebra the PBA title, Cone said the victory gave them the important head start in the race-to-four wins Finals series.
Today's editorial talks about building bridges through translation. Read the full version on print or digital or Listen to the Voice of the Times. Featured columnists in the front page are Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta. Contreras writes about familiarity vs insensitivity; Makabenta on harvest of pieces from a memoir-writing workshop.
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This is Eireene Jairee Gomez reporting.