Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
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READ: Marcos to go after drug rings
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to crack down on drug syndicates and law enforcement officials who are their accomplices. In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President said he would accept the resignations of law enforcers who are involved in illegal drug activities. He said he will replace them with officials with unquestionable integrity who are effective and trustworthy. Marcos said his administration has shifted the anti-drug drive toward community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education and reintegration. He said that in 2022, the government launched the Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan or BIDA program, as well as established an additional 102 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide.
READ: President presents wish list of priority bills
During the SONA, the President asked Congress to support his priority measures, some of which he considers "essential" to his administration's medium-term fiscal framework. The bills include the excise tax, single-use plastics and digital services, as the President mentioned in the address. He said that for the country to sustain its recovery from the Covid pandemic, Congress needs to back his administration's priority measures. The President sought the passage of the proposed bills on the Rationalization of Mining Fiscal Regime, the Motor Vehicle Users Charge/ Road Users Tax, and the Military and Uniform Personnel Pension. He also considered as a priority the need to amend the Fisheries Code, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and the Cooperative Code.
BUSINESS: Gains made but challenges remain
THE government still has to act on numerous challenges, despite gains touted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), initial private sector reactions to Monday's policy speech indicated. Marcos promised, among others, to go after profiteers, improve supply chains to bring down prices, deliver much-needed infrastructure and raise education standards. He also called on Congress to pass critical reforms, including new tax and fiscal measures.
READ: Senate, House open 2nd regular session
THE 24-member Senate convened Monday for the opening of the second regular session of the 19th Congress as it prepares to legislate important measures to help the economy recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and political conflicts. Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri banged the gavel at 10:05 a.m. to signal the opening of the session, which lasted for 30 minutes. Except for Sen. Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano, the 23 other senators were all present, signifying the return to normal proceedings from the previous virtual and hybrid sessions due to the pandemic.
READ: Marcos starts state visit in Malaysia
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flies to Malaysia today for a two-day state visit. The Chief Executive's trip to Kuala Lumpur, his 14th trip abroad since assuming the presidency last year, is upon the invitation of King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Marcos will have an audience with the king as well as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian business leaders, and the Filipino community.
SPORTS: Filipinas gun for crucial win vs Kiwis
Over to sports, the Philippine women's national football team figures in what is practically a do-ordie battle against host New Zealand in the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Sky Stadium in Wellington today, July 25. In a must-win match, the Filipinas face the Ferns at 1:30 p.m (Manila time). A victory would keep the Philippines in contention for a top two finish in Group A which merits a passage to the round of 16. A loss, however, would essentially take the Filipino booters out of contention for the next round. At press time, the Filipinas occupy the last spot in the 4-team Pool A with zero points, a -2 goal difference on a 0-1 win-loss card.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras and Orlando Mercado are today's front page columnists. Contreras calls the leftist protests against the SONA a "failure", while Mercado talks about diplomacy in the dark.
Today's editorial tackles the fight against child stunting and malnutrition in the country. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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