Govt to import 22K metric tons of onions
THE government will import 22,000 metric tons (MT) of onions, as there is "no other option" since farmgate prices of the bulbs remain high due to the manipulation by traders, an official of the Department of Agriculture said on Saturday. In a radio interview, Agriculture deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the decision was reached during the executive committee meeting of the DA on Friday. Estoperez added that based on the trend, he does not expect the farmgate prices to go down as middlemen manipulate the trading by engaging the onion farmers through bidding.
More PNP officials resign amid drug probe
NORTHERN Police District (NPD) director BGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones with 11 colonels, including four police station chiefs in Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela), submitted their courtesy resignations on Saturday to give way to the investigation initiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on lawmen engaged in illegal drug trade. The four station commanders were Col. Ruben Lacuesta (Caloocan), Col. Amante Daro (Malabon), Col. Dexter Ollaging (Navotas) and Col. Dexter Destura Jr. (Valenzuela). Three of the Camanava mayors, namely Dave Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan (Caloocan), Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian (Valenzuela) and John Reynald Tiangco (Navotas), have signified their support to the call of DILG Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. for all full colonels and generals of the PNP to submit their courtesy resignations amid reports that police officials were in cahoots with drug lords.
Sea row a 'small part' of PH-China ties – analyst
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should properly manage the Philippines' territorial row with China to further boost the two countries bilateral relations, a political analyst said Saturday. Professor Anna Malindog-Uy, Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Inc. (ACPSSI) external vice president, maintained that maritime issues do not comprise the sum total of bilateral relations between the Philippines and China. She noted that most countries visit Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, because they have good relations with China.
Marcos: Govt tightly watching Covid variant
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government is "very closely" monitoring all possible threats from coronavirus Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. He said the government is implementing the same strict approach it used on any other variants of the coronavirus. At present, the Philippines is still free of the more transmissible Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. Marcos said he is constantly monitoring the hospitalization rate of Covid-19 patients. The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday said the detection of new variants of the coronavirus is expected, and the best way to deal with new strains is through following health protocols and vaccination.
House to begin NAIA glitch probe on Jan 10
A LAWMAKER said on Saturday that the House Committee on Transportation will start its investigation on the technical glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that resulted in the cancellation and delay of the flights, affecting 65,000 passengers on New Year's Day. San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes said in a radio interview that the probe will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, to determine the liability of certain air transportation officials.
Govt bares strategies to boost exports
Over to business, the government is keen on increasing exports to make the trade sector strong and become one of the positive contributors to overall national growth of the country over the medium term. Among the strategies it is eyeing to implement are diversifying exports and implementing targeted and granular strategies on various fronts.
Gin Kings, Dragons battle for 3-2 series lead
Topping sports, while injured Canadian import Andrew Nicholson remains day to day, a determined Bay Area side looks to build on its confidencebuilding triumph in Game 4 when the Dragons shoot for a 3-2 series lead against Barangay Ginebra in their 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Game time is 5:45 p.m. A mammoth crowd is expected to pack the famed Pasay sports venue to support Ginebra, the league's most popular squad, which got stunned last Friday by a Bay Area five that played a resolute defense and inspired offense. Kobey Lam played like a man on a mission, firing a game-high 30 points, spiked by eight triples as he mocked the defense thrown at him by Ginebra. Glen Yang and Chinese forward Zhu Songwei each added 18, while backup big man Duncan Reid from Hong Kong came off the bench to score eight points and grabbed the same number of rebounds, providing the energy and hustle for Bay Area.
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he laments on the issues of corruption in government.
Today's editorial believes interventions in education do not have to wait for Edcom 2. 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.