Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, June 12, 2023.

READ: AFP vows to protect PH amid challenges

AS the nation commemorates its 125th Independence Day today, June 12, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. vowed that his department will continue to "strive for the protection and betterment of our motherland" amid growing challenges in the Southeast Asian region. Teodoro said that as the newly designated Defense secretary, it is a great honor for him to celebrate Independence Day as a part of the organization serving as "the custodian of our sovereignty." Filipinos commemorate this year's Independence Day amid growing security concerns, particularly in defending the West Philippine Sea against increasing incursions by Chinese maritime vessels. In a separate statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed to respond and to perform well in its duties and responsibilities to maintain unity and peace as it strives to strengthen its ability to defend the country's independence.

READ: 'Farmers need aid to improve agri sector'

TO boost the agriculture sector, the government must provide financial support to farmers and fishers, a civic leader said. Danilo Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc., said 96 percent of the guaranteed account of the Philippine Guarantee Corp. (PGC) is in real estate and only 2.5 percent is in agriculture. In an interview at SMNI's "Business and Politics" program hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd, Fausto said the government should have a system that ensures farmers have access to credit. He said the fund for such a system is already available. He said that because many farmers did not finish elementary school, they cannot comply with the requirements needed to apply for a loan. Fausto also noted the need for extension work or groups to help farmers prepare the technical details like cash flow, loan proposals and balance sheet in preparing a loan proposal.

READ: Obiena cracks Asian record, rules Norway meet

ERNEST John "EJ" Obiena cleared 6.0 meters (m) to post a new Asian pole vault record and win the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway Saturday night. The 27-year-old Obiena became the first Asian to clear 6.0 m. KC Lightfoot finished second and Sam Kendricks third in the Norway meet. Other than Obiena, Lightfoot and Kendricks, only 23 other vaulters have cleared 6 m. Lightfoot also cleared 6.0 m for the first time but had to settle for silver, as he cleared the height after two tries. Obiena made it in just one attempt. Kendricks, who cleared the 6 m in 2017, cleared 5.88 m. Obiena and Lightfoot both tried to clear 6.06 m but failed in three attempts.

READ: 10-year-old becomes first PH female chess National Master

FOR the first time in Philippine chess history, the title of National Master was given to a female player. Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, chief executive officer of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, confirmed in a social media post on Saturday that the NCFP has bestowed the title of National Master on 10-year-old Nika Juris Nicolas of Pasig City. The title is usually conferred on male players who compete in open tournaments dominated by males. Its female counterpart, the Woman National Master title, is given to female chess players who dominate the distaff side of the competition. Nicolas, however, competes in the boys and open divisions and, more often than not, prevails. Because of her success in the tournaments and her breaking the gender barrier, the NCFP awarded her the title of National Master.

Topping Business

READ: Gross borrowings surge in April

THE national government's gross borrowings rose to P129.90 billion in April, a 28.2-percent increase from the P101.26 billion recorded a year earlier, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed. Based on the Treasury's latest cash operations report, domestic borrowings accounted for the bulk at P96.13 billion in April, lower than the year-earlier P66.37 billion. Almost all of the month's domestic borrowings — P94.47 billion — came from fixed rate Treasury bonds while another P 1.6 billion was raised from T-bills. Foreign borrowings, meanwhile, totaled P33.78 billion in April, 3.15 percent down from the P34.88 billion posted 12 months earlier. Government financing overall was significantly lower month on month, plunging by 45.4 percent to P125.23 billion in April from P229.43 billion in March. The national government's outstanding debt reached a new high of P13.91 trillion in April due to continued borrowings and weaker peso.

In Sports

READ: We're ready to win a championship – Murray

THE Denver Nuggets are a win away from their first NBA championship and could hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy as early as Monday (Tuesday in Manila) when the finals return to Denver for Game 5. They lead the finals 3-1 and with potentially two of the next three games — if needed — in Denver. Only one team in NBA history has dug its way out of such a hole in the finals, that being the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors. It will be a daunting task for the Heat.

READ: Swiatek queen of clay anew

PARIS: Iga Swiatek vowed to keep the lid on her Grand Slam expectations despite tennis legend Chris Evert backing her to go on and win "at least 10 French Opens." World No. 1 Swiatek claimed her third Roland Garros title and fourth career major, all in the last three years, with a thrilling 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Karolina Muchova on Saturday. Swiatek added 2023 to her title triumphs in Paris in 2020 and 2022. Saturday's win meant she became the first woman to win back-to-back French Opens since four-time champion Justine Henin completed a hat-trick in 2007.

READ: Opinion/Editorial

Today's editorial is on protecting Filipino children from online predators. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are the featured columnists on the front page. Tiglao says Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Romualdez is pushing for US demand for the Philippines to take in Afghan refugees; Tatad writes about Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

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