Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, July 1, 2023.
Marcos govt needs better 'messaging'
THE administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lacks the "messaging" to rally the people behind its socioeconomic agenda, a Philippine-based think tank said on Friday. Shanice Espiritu, Policy and Regulatory manager of the Stratbase A.D.R. Institute, said during the forum, "The Legitimacy of President Marcos, Jr.: Entailing the Need for More Transparent and Accountable Governance," that the administration does not have a clear message on how it plans to improve bureaucratic efficiency and ensure sound fiscal management. In contrast, President Benigno Aquino 3rd used the catchphrase "Daang Matuwid" and President Rodrigo Duterte used the slogan "Change is coming" to convey to the public the thrust of their government. Espiritu credited the Marcos administration for laying out an 8-point socioeconomic agenda designed to bring about sweeping reforms in government. She said the President is on the right track in pushing e-governance and allotting 15.6 billion pesos for digitizing government processes and operations.
Meralco won't challenge Supreme Court ruling
THE Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Friday said it respects the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold a Court of Appeals ruling that the power firm broke the law when it cut off the electric supply of a consumer without notice. The case stemmed from a complaint by Lucy Yu that the utility's representatives forcibly entered her office at the New Supersonic Industrial Corporation in Valenzuela City on December 9, 1999 and shut off the electricity in the factory and Yu's residence. The disconnection notice violated a consumer's right to due process, it said. A written notice must be given at least 48 hours prior to the disconnection, it said.
Actor in bar brawl faces inquest proceedings
INQUEST proceedings were held on Friday morning for an actor who was arrested over an altercation inside a bar in Makati City on Thursday night, police said. McNeal "Awra" Briguela was detained at the Poblacion Substation in Makati City following a brawl that broke out at the Bolt Hole Bar. The Southern Police District-Makati City Incident Operations Center said Briguela filed an advanced copy of the case before the prosecutor's office and faced the inquest proceedings that started at 10:30 a.m. The S.P.D. mentioned that the cases filed against the actor were bailable. A police report said one Mark Christian Ravana accused Briguela, along with several others, of instigating the confrontation after his friends allegedly attempted to molest the actor's friends, identified as Zayla Nakajima, a content creator, and one Mary Joy.
'LGBTQIA+ rights to be protected'
AS the nation marks Pride Month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual community that they will be free from discrimination and that their rights will be protected under his administration. The President made the commitment when he and First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos met with members of the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. + community during the L.G.B.T. Pride reception in Malacañang on Thursday. In his remarks, the President stressed that as long as everyone stays true to the idea of recognizing fellow Filipinos, everyone will be treated fairly and without discrimination.
BUSINESS: Inflation likely hit 5.3-6.1% in June
Topping business, inflation could have slowed to as low as 5.3 percent in June or remained unchanged at 6.1 percent, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Friday. June inflation data will be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Wednesday, July 5. The rate fell for a fourth straight month in May to 6.1 after hitting a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January.
SPORTS: Sotto likely to get playing time in Vegas
Over to sports, Kai Sotto will have a chance to strengthen his bid to play in the N.B.A. after the Orlando Magic officially included the young Filipino prospect in its roster for the Summer League that will run from July 7 to 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada. All the 21-year-old Sotto needs is some playing time so he can show his wares and impress the scouts and coaches. The 7-foot-3 Sotto is one of only two centers in Orlando's 22-man roster. This could open the door for the Filipino to get more minutes inside the playing court, that is, if coach Jamahl Mosley won't go for a small ball lineup. The Gilas Pilipinas player is set to share the center duties with Robert Baker 2nd, a 6-foot-11 agile big who can also stroke it from deep like Sotto.
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, Danton Remoto, and Leonor Briones are today's front page columnists. Contreras gives his first evaluation of the Marcos administration after one year, Makabenta shares a critique of the International Energy Agency's 2050 net-zero roadmap, Remoto weighs in on the country's new tourism slogan, and Briones waits for a so-called term called A Foreigner Assigned in Manila (AFAM).
Today's editorial takes a look at the oil industry allegedly doubling down against climate action. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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