Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Friday, April 28, 2023.
READ: Chinese, PH vessels in near collision
A Chinese coast guard ship cut off a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists in the disputed South China Sea, causing a near-collision, an Agence France-Presse team on board another boat saw. The near-miss off the Spratly Islands on Sunday was the latest in a steady string of incidents between China and the Philippines in the contested waterway. AFP was one of several media outlets invited to join two Philippine Coast Guard boats on a 1,670-kilometer (1,040-mile) patrol of the South China Sea, visiting a dozen islands and reefs. The BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were shadowed by Chinese navy and coast guard ships, and ordered to leave the waters several times during the six-day journey.
READ: Consortium submits bid to upgrade NAIA
A CONSORTIUM led by seven Filipino conglomerates and a US-based airport operator has submitted an unsolicited offer to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for more than P100 billion. In a statement on Thursday, the Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) — comprised of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Asia's Emerging Dragon Corp., Alliance Global-Infracorp Development Inc., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Global Infrastructure Partners — said the unsolicited proposal aimed to rehabilitate and upgrade the NAIA to meet growing air traffic demand. The over P100-billion offer includes an upfront payment to the government and committed investments in new facilities and technology.
READ: Ex-BuCor chief, Zulueta banned from leaving PH
A HOLD departure order has been issued against former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, the alleged mastermind in the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, to prevent him from leaving the country. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Bantag and his coaccused, former BuCor jail officer Ricardo Zulueta, were still in the country and are being hunted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
READ: North-South rail project signed
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed the government will be consistent in implementing policies and programs for big-ticket infrastructure projects. Marcos gave the assurance as he witnessed the ceremonial signing for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project-South Commuter Section Contract Packages (CP) S-02 and S-03b, commencing the third phase of the railway system. The signing signals the start of the construction of the South Commuter Section or the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP).
READ: Metro Pacific bares plan to quit bourse
Topping business, Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is planning to delist from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) under a deal that will see Japan's Mitsui & Co. Ltd. become a major shareholder. In a disclosure on Thursday, the firm said that its board had approved the filing of a delisting application after a consortium made up of top shareholders proposed a "tender offer for common shares ... with a view to taking MPIC private through a voluntary delisting process." Metro Pacific Holdings Inc. (MPHI), GT Capital Holdings Inc., Mit-Pacific Infrastructure Holdings Inc. and MIG Holdings Inc. were identified as comprising the consortium. In a separate statement, Hong Kong-based First Pacific Investment Co. Ltd., GT Capital and Mitsui said "the bidders feel that the intrinsic value of MPIC's core investments in infrastructure in the Philippines has not been fully reflected in MPIC's share price for some time."
SPORTS: PBA on Tour kicks off on May 21
In sports, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial said that the PBA on Tour is scheduled to kick off on May 21, with each squad allowed to include in its roster the prospects for this year's rookie draft. The Tour allows all 12 PBA teams to play off-season games in Luzon, specifically in Batangas, Bulacan, and Tiaong, Quezon. Dumaguete City will also host some tune-up matches. The rest of the games will be played in Metro Manila venues in Caloocan City, Olivarez College in Parañaque City, Ynares Center in Pasig City, and UST gym in Sampaloc, Manila. While games won't have any bearing, Marcial said coaches from each team can field 16 players every game, including the rookie prospects.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao continues to rant against the United States, while Tatad talks about rumors of a cabinet reshuffle.
Today's editorial discusses issues in basketball game fixing. 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 Kim Isabelle Dignadice.