Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Marcos: WPS tension 'not cooling down'
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his support for the modernization of assets and enhancement of defense capabilities of the country's military as tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea was not "cooling down. Addressing the troops at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday, the President said his administration is "very serious" in upgrading the capabilities, especially of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), "as they constitute the first line of defense with the situation that we are facing now over the West Philippine Sea." Tension between China and the Philippines continues due to claims in the South China Sea, with the recent escalation on February 6 when a China Coast Guard vessel aimed a "military-grade" laser on the Philippine Coast Guard's vessel near the Ayungin Shoal. The Philippines has since filed a diplomatic protest following the incident, the 76th of such notes lodged during the Marcos administration. Beijing claims about 80 percent of the strategic sea lane by virtue of "historical rights."
Teves lawyer: Degamo slay remains unsolved
LAWYER Ferdinand Topacio, head legal counsel of embattled Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., disagreed with the claim of the Department of Justice (DoJ) that the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo is now 99.9 percent solved, following the arrest of a "main player" in the crime. Teves, Degamo's political rival, is being implicated as a possible mastermind behind the murder. Topacio said that the case must be resolved solely on the merits of evidence presented to the court by both sides. Topacio challenged the DoJ to present its evidence against his client in a proper legal forum. Topacio said Teves still has no plans of returning to the Philippines after Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez denied certain requests concerning his safety.
Banks back Go Negosyo farmers' program
BANKS and financial institutions in the country have expressed support for the private sector-led initiative Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (Kalap), Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria "Joey" Concepcion 3rd said Saturday. In a statement, Concepcion confirmed that he met with the officials of some banks and financial institutions on Friday, March 31, to explore ways to ease access to capital for the country's small farmers under the Kalap. Kalap is a public-private sector initiative that aims to transform the country's agriculture industry by integrating small farmers into the value chain of large agribusiness companies. Joining the meeting were Go Negosyo senior advisers Dr. William Dar and Josephine Romero. Also present were pioneer big-brother companies represented by Christian Moeller of Lionheart Farms and James Amparo of Yovel East. The Private Sector Advisory Council Agriculture Group's Michael Tan was also present.
EU nod on PH seafarer certificates aborts job crisis
MIGRANT Workers Secretary Susan Ople said on Saturday that the decision of the European Union to continually recognize certificates issued by the Philippines to seamen averted a crisis that could lead to the loss of jobs of 50,000 Filipino seafarers. Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said more than 49,000 Filipino seafarers and their families will benefit from the development.In December 2021, following a detailed assessment, the European Commission informed the Philippines that recognition of seafarer certificates issued in the country would be withdrawn unless corrective measures were taken, including the compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. Bautista said the Maritime Industry Authority worked relentlessly with other stakeholders to address the issue that resulted in the EU's positive decision.
Trump faces falsification, felony charges – AP sources
Former president Donald Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offense, in the indictment handed down by a Manhattan grand jury, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press (AP) on Friday. He will be formally arrested and arraigned Tuesday in his hush money case, setting the scene for the historic, shocking moment when a former president is forced to stand before a judge to hear the criminal charges against him. The indictment remains sealed, and the specific charges were not immediately known, but details were confirmed by people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information that isn't yet public. There were no large-scale demonstrations for or against Trump. When Trump turns himself in, he'll be booked mostly like anyone else facing charges, mug shot, fingerprinting and all. But he isn't expected to be put in handcuffs; he'll have Secret Service protection and will almost certainly be released that same day.
US inflation outlook worsens – Fed official
The US inflationary picture has worsened since the start of the year, which could prolong the Federal Reserve's (Fed) ongoing fight against rising prices, Lisa Cook, a voting member of the Fed's rate-setting committee, said in prepared remarks to an economic conference in Ohio on Friday. The Fed has hiked its benchmark lending rate nine times in quick succession since March 2022 as part of an aggressive attempt to bring historically high inflation down toward its long-term target of 2 percent. But recent turmoil in the banking sector sparked by the dramatic collapse of Silicon Valley Bank amid concerns over its interest-rate exposure caused the Fed to rethink a bigger hike in March. It instead opted for a smaller quarter-percentage point increase. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested after the decision that the Fed may raise interest rates just once more before bringing its current hiking cycle to an end.
Lady Bulldogs snap skid, sweep Maroons
NATIONAL University (NU) took down University of the Philippines (UP), 25, 21, 27-25, 25-20, to snap its two-game slide on Saturday, April 1, in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Reigning MVP Bella Belen bounced back from her first round scoreless outing against the Fighting Maroons, pouring 19 points on 18 attacks and one block laced with 11 receptions to lead the fourth seed Lady Bulldogs. NU swept its season-series against UP and improved to a 6-3 win-loss card, as the latter crashed to its sixth straight defeat to fall to 1-8. The Lady Bulldogs' triumph booted out the UE Lady Red Warriors (0-9) from Final Four contention and sent the Fighting Maroons on the brink of elimination.
Scheffler, McIlroy seek history
Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy will chase historic triumphs at next week's 87th Masters while the PGA Tour-LIV Golf feud makes its debut at Augusta National. Scheffler will try to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only back-to-back Masters winners. Scheffler, who has won the Players Championship and Phoenix Open this year, seeks the first Masters repeat since Woods in 2002. Four-time major winner McIlroy, who has not captured a major since the 2014 PGA Championship, tries to complete a career Grand Slam by taking a green jacket.McIlroy, who won at Dubai in January, has confidence he can join Woods, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen with the career Slam.
Today's editorial is about harnessing the huge potential of the Philippine maritime sector. Read the full version on print or on digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. The featured columnists on the front page are Marlen Ronquillo and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino. Ronquillo says Canada's amazing demographic story has Filipino flavor; Aquino on Palm Sunday.
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This is Paulo Dimaapi reporting.