Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, September 16, 2023.
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READ: More countries eye WPS joint patrols
AT least six countries are interested in having their navies carry out joint patrols with the Philippines in the tension-shrouded South China Sea. Speaking at the sidelines of the Mutual Defense Board meeting at Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said several nations are keen on the idea of jointly patrolling the waters in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels have stepped up the harassment of Philippine Coast Guard ships on legitimate missions. The West Philippine Sea is a part of the South China Sea, which Beijing claims to be part of its domain. The United States, Japan and Australia have earlier discussed the concept with Philippine defense authorities following the escalation of Chinese intrusions. But Brawner said Germany, Canada and France are also open to joint patrols. Brawner said joint patrols are definitely in the plan and right now are in the process of working with other countries.
READ: Kuwait OFW's killer sentenced to 15 years
THE juvenile court in Kuwait has convicted Turki Ayed Al-Azmi, the killer of Filipina house helper Jullebee Ranara, and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The 17-year-old Al-Azmi was also meted a one-year prison term for driving without a license, the D.F.A. said, citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.
READ: 'BSKE bets ignoring summons risk raps'
THE Commission on Elections said Friday that it will proceed with the filing of election offense and disqualification complaints against candidates in the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections who failed to explain their "premature campaigning activities." So far, a total of 626 B.S.K.E. candidates have been issued show cause orders by the poll body in the past four days. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said if the concerned B.S.K.E. candidate fails to submit a response within three days from receipt of the S.C.O., he or she is set to face due process. As of Friday, September 15, Garcia said the poll body has yet to receive any response from concerned B.S.K.E. aspirants.
READ: 8 policemen in Jemboy slay axed
THE Philippine National Police on Friday ordered the dismissal from service of eight of its men, including two middle rank officers, allegedly involved in the death of 17-yearold Jerhode "Jemboy" Baltazar in Caloocan City on Aug. 2, 2023. The move was approved by National Capital Region Police Office chief, Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez, on September 13 on the recommendation of the Internal Affairs Service.
BUSINESS: OFW remittances up 2.5% to $3.32B
Topping business, overseas Filipino worker remittances picked up in July to $3.32 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Friday. Overall or personal remittances grew by 2.5 percent to $3.32 billion from $3.24 billion a year earlier, with cash sent home via banks alone totaling $2.99 billion, 2.6 percent higher compared to the $2.92 billion recorded in July last year. The rise in personal remittances was attributed to land-based O.F.W.'s with contracts of a year or more and sea- and land-based workers with contracts of less than one year. Year to date, overall remittances totaled $20.91 billion, 2.9 percent higher than the year-earlier $20.33 billion. Cash remittances, meanwhile, also grew by 2.9 percent to $18.79 billion from $18.26 billion during the seven-month period. July's 2.5-percent growth in personal remittances improved from June's 2.2 percent and the year-earlier 2.3 percent. The year-to-date expansion, however, slowed from 3.0 percent a month earlier but was still slightly higher than the 2.7 percent posted as of end-July last year. The cash remittance growth of 2.6 percent, meanwhile, improved from June's 2.1 percent and the 2.3 percent last year. Year-to-date growth was unchanged from June but rose from 2.8 percent in January to July 2022.
SPORTS: Gilas shifts training camp to Laguna
Over to sports, Gilas Pilipinas will move its camp to Calamba, Laguna today to begin its closed-door practice sessions at the Inspire Sports Academy. The Philippine men's basketball team concluded the week of training in Pasig City by allowing fans to watch their joint practice with the Gilas women's team on Thursday. Gilas interim coach Tim Cone expects the national team to be even more focused heading to Laguna, before returning to Manila to cap its preparations for the Asian Games with a tune-up match versus Korean ball club Sangwon L.G. Sakers on September 22. Cone said Filipino fans are welcome to watch the exhibition game for free at the PhilSports Arena. The American mentor also lauded Filipino-American guard Stanley Pringle for making a personal sacrifice in coming to practice, despite having no assurance of a spot in the final 12.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras talks Bicol politics, Makabenta thinks the inspector general system should be adopted to reform to stop fraud, waste and abuse in government, and Remoto talks on tales of wayward women.
Today's editorial believes the Asian Development Bank's new project is a significant boost to flood resilience. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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