Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
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READ: PH, Australia hold assault drills in WPS
Australia's largest warship took part in joint drills with the Philippines and the United States in the disputed South China Sea on Monday as they sought to strengthen defense ties in the face of China's growing military presence. China deploys hundreds of coast guard, navy and other vessels to patrol and militarize reefs in the contested waters, which it claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that its position has no legal basis. H.M.A.S. Canberra is one of several ships involved in Exercise Alon, which is being held for the first time as part of Australia's annual Indo-Pacific Endeavour activity. Alon is Tagalog for "wave." More than 2,000 troops from Australia and the Philippines are taking part in the August 14-31 air, sea and land exercises. About 150 U.S. Marines are also participating.
READ: CHEd, DepEd, PNP most trusted by public – survey
FIVE government agencies were the most trusted by the public, a survey commissioned by think tank OCTA Research showed. In the second-quarter Tugon Ng Masa survey, the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Department of Health, and Department of Social Welfare and Development topped the list of 25 government agencies in terms of performance ratings, with at least three-fourths of the 1,200 respondents saying they were satisfied with their performance. The results of the poll, conducted from July 22 to 26, were released Monday. CHEd had an 80 percent rating; DepEd, 79 percent; P.N.P., 76 percent; D.o.H., 75 percent; and D.S.W.D., 73 percent.
READ: Demolition of 'kubol' in jail facilities starts
THE Bureau of Corrections on Monday began the process of dismantling all kubol, or makeshift huts or rooms, in all prison facilities across the country. So far, 60 kubol have been voluntarily dismantled inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said.
READ: PH adopted measures to stop terrorism – DFA
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippines has adopted measures not only to counter terrorism and radicalization but also to ensure that their root causes are sufficiently addressed. The Philippines on Monday joined the global community in commemorating the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. In a statement, Manalo said the Philippines has recognized that ensuring peace and security is an "essential foundation" of sustainable development.
BUSINESS: Inflation seen slowing to 3.4% in Q4
Topping business, in spite of the raised projections, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sees inflation slowing down and approaching the central point of the target in the last quarter of this year. In the August Monetary Policy Report, the central bank said that inflation is projected to slow down in the fourth quarter of 2023, reaching 3.4 percent on a quarterly basis. It is expected to gradually approach the lower limit of the target, reaching 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2024.
BUSINESS: No rest for the weary as Gilas practice intensifies
THERE will be no rest for the weary as far as Gilas Pilipinas is concerned, with only a few days to go before the FIBA World Cup commences at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Asked whether he will consider giving his players a break after three grueling tune-up games — the third against Mexico Monday night — Gilas coach Chot Reyes shook his head. Reyes used a 14-man roster against the Montenegrins, sitting down Ray Parks and Thirdy Ravena while giving Calvin Oftana some minutes after all three missed the Ivory Coast friendly last Friday. Indications are that Reyes will be exhausting his remaining pre-World Cup team practices starting Tuesday to further sharpen the team's game before submitting his Final 12 lineup at the Managers' Meeting on August 23 or 24. Gilas kicks off its bid to emerge as the World Cup's top Asian finisher, thereby securing a spot to the Paris Olympics next year on August 25 against FIBA Americas qualifier Dominican Republic. The Nationals next face FIBA Africa entry Angola on August 27, and wrap up the first round of the Group Phase against world No. 10 Italy, from FIBA Europe, on August 29.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antoniot Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Orlando Mercado are today's front page columnists. Contreras discusses rice and life, Makabenta talks about the country's defense capability buildup, while Mercado hits at the bloated bureaucracy.
Today's editorial talks about training the global spotlight on Philippine publishing. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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