Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, February 19, 2023.
READ: Marcos rejects ICC probe on Duterte
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday rejected a move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to resume its investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, saying the ICC has no jurisdiction and insisting that the country has a "good" justice system. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy's alumni homecoming here, the President maintained that the Philippines would not cooperate with the ICC investigation which, he said, would be an "intrusion into our internal matters" and "a threat to our sovereignty." Marcos, a known Duterte ally, said he would not allow "former imperialists," such as the ICC, to control the Philippines, unless it could be proven that the international court has jurisdiction over the country.
READ: Philippines won't invoke defense treaty with US vs China
Despite the laser-pointing incident at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the President on Saturday said he is not keen on invoking the country's Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States as it would only escalate tensions with China. Speaking to reporters, Marcos said that activating the MDT which, he said, was under "continuous evolution" would be "counterproductive." The Philippines has an MDT with the US signed in 1951 that allows the two countries to help each other in case of foreign aggression.
READ: Maguindanao del Norte services 'paralyzed'
The division of the province of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Norte (MDN) and Maguindanao del Sur (MDS) was a dream come true for the more than one million residents of the area as shown by the 99 percent overwhelming approval rating of the electorate in a plebiscite held on Sept. 17, 2022. The division was envisioned to jumpstart the economy of both provinces considering the fact that Maguindanao is among the top 10 poorest provinces in the country based on the 2021 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority. A robust economy would enable the two Maguindanao provinces to provide better basic services like public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.
READ: 'AI should complement humans not threaten them'
EXPERTS have agreed that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) should not be a threat to the human workforce and the educational system but should complement them. This was raised by "thought leaders" from business, the academe, and media executives during the "Ideas Roundtable" organized by the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) in Makati City on Friday. During the session, Dr. Emiliano Hudtohan, president of the De La Salle-Gregorio Araneta University Foundation, raised the possibility of a future where documents can be written easily using artificial intelligence technology. Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay, president of the Center for Educational Measurement, said that AI, more specifically the AI chat program ChatGPT, should open up more opportunities instead of being an avenue for cheating and plagiarism. Deliza Ridoloso, vice chairman of the Next-Generation Committee of the Management Association of the Philippines, said that technology such as AI should not be meant to replace people, except in countries where there are declining populations. She said that countries like the Philippines have so much human labor and to think about it replacing people is not plausible. Sister Merceditas Ang, president of St. Paul University Tuguegarao and Vigan, stressed that pedagogy or teaching should be the driver and technology must be the accelerator. Moreover, educators should not lose focus on using technology as a tool for education.
REGIONS: Gov out of danger – brother
LANAO del Sur First District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman "Zia" Alonto Adiong told reporters on Saturday, February 18, that his brother, Gov. Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong Jr., is in stable condition. The lawmaker said the surgical procedure to take out the bullet that hit the governor during an ambush on Friday was successful. At around 4 p.m. on Friday, a convoy transporting the governor to the municipality of Wao was attacked at close range by unidentified gunmen on a highway near Maguing town in Lanao del Sur. Three policemen who escorted the convoy and a driver were killed while the governor and one of his staff were injured from the attack. The governor, who was wounded on the hip, was initially brought to the Kalilangan Provincial Hospital and was transferred to a bigger hospital in Cagayan de Oro City. Maguing Mayor Fahad Molok said the attack took place in an area controlled by the Moro Islamic National Front. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has ordered the police to probe the attack and to pursue the suspects. In a statement Saturday, the Adiong family said that their family has no quarrel with anyone in Lanao del Sur and expressed shock at the incident.
BUSINESS: Biz chambers back RCEP ratification
Over to business, local and foreign business chambers are endorsing the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president and honorary chairman of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said the Philippines is at the "tail end" of its neighbors at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
SPORTS: TNT, SMB dispute top spot
In sports, powerhouse squads San Miguel Beer and TNT collide in a battle between two of the most dominant teams in the 2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup today, February 19, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Both squads enter their 6:45 p.m. match with the goal of sustaining their respective runs as they eye for a top 4 finish in the hope of securing a twice-to-beat incentive heading to the playoffs. TNT won its fifth straight game after scoring a 111-104 decision over Meralco last Friday, while San Miguel outlasted sister team Barangay Ginebra 102-99. They are currently tied for the top spot with their 7-1 win-loss cards.
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he honors late filmmaker Lualhati Bautista.
Today's editorial believes the ICC should stand down and let local courts do the work on the Duterte administration's controversial war on drugs.
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.