Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Today's episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer—your Trusted Building Partner.
BANNER: PH bent on retaking Scarborough Shoal
THE Philippines is committed to retaking Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, which China has occupied since 2012. Bajo de Masinloc is 198 kilometers west of Subic Bay, making it part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Besides the Philippines and China, Taiwan is also claiming the area. Chinese maritime forces captured Bajo de Masinloc in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippine military. This prompted Manila to file a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013 concerning the legality of Beijing's nine-dash line from which its claim over a vast portion of the West Philippine Sea is based. In 2016, the court declared China's claim invalid, upholding the Philippines' sovereign rights in the area. China rejected the court's decision, sending more ships to Scarborough Shoal to reinforce its claim.
Teodoro to China: PH not a troublemaker
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday rebuffed China's claim that the Philippines is stirring up trouble in Scarborough Shoal. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Wenbin warned the Philippines not to make provocations or seek trouble after the Philippine Coast Guard removed a floating barrier placed by China Coast Guard to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering Scarborough Shoal, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc. Teodoro said the shoal is a traditional Filipino fishing ground.
Zubiri pushes rice production zones
SENATE President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said the need to establish rice production zones is crucial for the Philippines to achieve rice self-sufficiency. The senator said rice, a major staple in the Philippines, can be harvested fast, unlike sugarcane, pineapple or other crops that take almost a year to grow.
THE Philippines and the United States will conduct a two-week bilateral military drill in October at the Naval Forces Southern Luzon area of operations. Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office head Lt. Col. Enrico Ileto said this year's edition of Exercise Samasama aims to strengthen further international defense cooperation between the US and the Philippines and to inculcate in the military of both nations the doctrine of rules-based international order.
Poll disqualification is forever – Comelec
CANDIDATES who will be disqualified in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections for violation of elections laws will be perpetually banned from seeking elective positions, the Commission on Elections said. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia issued the warning on Wednesday as the poll body prepares for the filing of an initial 110 disqualification complaints against candidates in the village and youth polls who allegedly violated the ban on premature campaigning. Garcia said that candidates should not take the Comelec's campaign for clean and honest elections for granted. Thus, disqualified candidates will be banned for life from running again in future electoral exercises.
Prioritize farm-to-market roads
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture to give priority to the construction and repair of farm-to-market road projects to help farmers. Marcos, who also serves as Agriculture secretary, issued the directive during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday. The President said he wants government initiatives to remain on track with the Farm-to-Market Roads National Plan.
BUSINESS: PH economic growth seen picking up in H2
Topping business, economic activity is expected to pick up in the last six months of 2023 but full-year gross domestic product growth will come in below target, private sector economists said. Government spending will help drive the acceleration along with a rebound in employment, they said in the latest edition of First Metro Investment Corp. and the University of Asia and the Pacific's (UA&P) The Market Call report. G.D.P. growth was a lower-thanexpected 4.3 percent in the second quarter, primarily due to a contraction in government spending. This brought year-to-date growth to 5.3 percent, below the government's 6.0- to 7.0-percent target. State spending has since accelerated, the economists noted.
SPORTS: Gilas seeks 2nd win vs Thailand
Over to sports, Gilas Pilipinas shoots for a second straight win as it tries to inch closer to an outright spot in the knockout quarterfinals when the Filipinos take on Thailand on Thursday, September 28, in the group play of the 19th Asian Games men's basketball in Hangzhou, China. The Filipinos, mentored by interim coach Tim Cone, had an explosive debut in the 5x5 competition after blasting the Wayne Chism-led Bahrain squad, 89-61. They will look to build on that 28-point win when they tangle with the Thais, the Filipinos' traditional Southeast Asian basketball rivals at 11 a.m.
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras weighs in on the issues surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds, Makabenta talks about the sub judice rule, while Remoto discusses his own novel, Riverrun.
Today's editorial calls for rapid action amid flooding in the National Capital Region. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.