Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
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READ: PNP axes 935 rogue officers
SOME 935 police officers were dismissed from the service for job offenses and complicity in illegal activities during their tour of duty from January 2022 to Aug. 30, 2023. Col. Jean Fajardo, Public Information Office head of the Philippine National Police, , said most of the policemen were removed for involvement in illegal drugs, robbery-hold-up, theft, extortion, homicide and kidnapping. The 935 dismissals from the service were part of the 3,097 cases resolved by the P.N.P.: 242 demotions, 1,850 suspensions, 159 forfeitures of salary, 680 reprimands, 110 restrictions and 106 withholding of privileges. Fajardo said the dismissed police officers, based on investigation, committed grave offenses and were found guilty in the course of the probe.
READ: PH now more prepared for 'Big One'
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Teresito "Toto" Bacolcol on Tuesday said the country is now more prepared in case the "Big One" occurs owing to the people's awareness gained from the government's regular earthquake drills, among others. He issued the statement in reaction to the deadly magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8, where over nearly 3,000 people have died. In an interview with The Manila Times, he said his agency has been constantly communicating with concerned government agencies as well as local government units, especially in reminding them on implementing measures to minimize impacts of earthquakes in their turfs.
READ: LTFRB starts fuel subsidy distribution
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will start the distribution of fuel subsidies to public vehicle operators on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, to mitigate the impact of soaring petroleum prices, the board said on Tuesday. Operators of modern public utility jeepneys eligible for the program will receive a subsidy of 10,000 pesos. Meanwhile, 6,500 pesos will be distributed to each operator of traditional jeepneys. The subsidy grant came after the signing of a memorandum of agreement and Joint Memorandum Circular 02, Series of 2023, by the Department of Transportation, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Energy, Land Bank of the Philippines, and the L.T.F.R.B.
READ: Leachon quits DoH post
SPECIAL adviser for non-communicable diseases of the Department of Health Dr. Anthony Leachon has resigned from his post. In a letter sent to the office of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa dated Monday, September 11, Leachon said his decision to quit was based on "personal reasons."
BUSINESS: AMRO lowers 2023 PH growth forecast
Topping business, Philippine economic growth remains robust but this year's targeted expansion will likely be missed, the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said on Tuesday. AMRO downgraded its 2023 forecast for the Philippines, with growth now expected to slow to 5.9 percent from 6.2 percent previously, markedly slower than last year's above-target result of 7.6 percent and below the government's goal of 6.0 to 7.0 percent. The forecast for next year was kept at 6.5 percent. AMRO said that economic slowdowns in the country' major trading partners and global financial market were clouding the outlook for the Philippines.
SPORTS: Abueva big boost for Gilas – Victolero
Over to sports, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero has no doubt that veteran forward Calvin Abueva will still be an impact player after being tapped by Gilas interim coach Tim Cone, five years since the "Beast" last saw action for the national team. Victolero mentioned that the long, 16-month suspension he had in recent years, along with the battles he had to face off the court have somehow toughened Abueva, who will be entering his 12th season as a pro when the P.B.A. opens Season 48 on November 5.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao looks into the disarray within the Department of Agriculture, while Tatad calls on the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to mandate nuclear policy.
Today's editorial believes reducing rice tariffs is a no-brainer for the time-being. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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