Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Today's podcast is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, the Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer -- your trusted building partner.
READ: Marcos eyes PH return to ICC
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that the government is considering returning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) nearly five years after its withdrawal over objections to the court's decision to investigate the Duterte administration's war on illegal drugs. Marcos made the statement even as he maintained his stand that "outsiders" should not meddle with the country's own probe of crimes allegedly committed by law enforcers carrying out the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. In a media interview in Taguig City, the President stressed that the jurisdiction of the ICC remains a problem, since the Philippines has withdrawn from the Rome Statute. There are fundamental questions that need to be resolved, Marcos said. Duterte withdrew the Philippines' membership in the ICC in 2019, a year after The Hague-based tribunal began its preliminary probe into the crackdown during which 6,181 people were killed, based on the latest government data. The ICC prosecutors estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000. In July, the ICC decided to resume its inquiry into the anti-drug war, noting that the Philippine government was not "making a real or genuine effort" in pursuing its own investigation. The Marcos administration rejected the ICC's move and said it does not welcome the presence of ICC prosecutors in the country. There is, however, a growing sentiment in the House of Representatives to allow the international tribunal to resume its probe.
READ: Former insurgents granted amnesty
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted amnesty to former members of communist groups and other rebel organizations "to encourage them to return to the folds of law," Malacañang announced on Friday. Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Marcos, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued four proclamations granting amnesty to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB). The President also signed EO 47 on November 22, amending EO 125, series of 2021, or the Creation of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC). The NAC will be tasked with "receiving and processing applications for amnesty and determining whether the applicants are entitled to amnesty under Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405 and 406," Marcos said. The commission will be disbanded once it has completed its mandate or when the President orders so.
READ: Four-day truce begins in Gaza
A FOUR-DAY truce in the Israel-Hamas war began on Friday, with hostages set to be released in exchange for prisoners, in the first major reprieve during seven weeks of a war that has claimed thousands of lives. The two sides had agreed to silence guns and stop bombings from 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) in a conflict that erupted after Hamas' murderous raids into Israel on October 7. As part of the agreement, 13 women and children held hostage in Gaza are due to be freed at 4 p.m., followed by a number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, according to Qatari mediators. Over the next four days, at least 50 hostages are expected to be freed, leaving an estimated 190 hostages in the hands of Palestinian militants. In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released. For Gaza's 2 million-plus residents, the deal brings a promise of respite from weeks of sustained Israeli bombardment. The territory's Hamas government says the war has so far killed about 15,000 people. According to the United Nations, 1.7 million of the territory's 2.4 million people are estimated to have been displaced.
READ: Meralco power bidding rapped
A GROUP of lawmakers is calling on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to act on what they said were irregular terms set by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) in bidding out 1,800 megawatts (MW) of electric supply. Sta. Rosa City Rep. Danilo Ramon Fernandez wants the ERC to stop Meralco from proceeding with the bidding until a review of the terms of reference is completed. During the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on November 22, Fernandez, who accused the utility of being a "monopsony" and has advocated for the breakup of its franchise into three, said Meralco's invitation to bid stipulated that only power plants in operation not earlier than Jan. 22, 2020, can join. A monopsony exists when a single buyer controls or dominates the demand for goods and services. In the same hearing, ERC Chairman Monalisa Dimalanta said that Meralco was told to make sure that it is not unduly limiting the number of potential bidders, adding that a letter was sent to the company stating the ERC's observations on the published bid invite. There are six bidders for the CSP for Meralco: NPower Dinginin (GNPD), First NatGas Power, SP New Energy, Mariveles Power Generation, Excellent Energy Resources and Masinloc Power Partners. Dimalanta said the ERC, as the regulator of the power industry, must promote competition, encourage market development, ensure customer choice, and penalize abuse of market power in the industry.
In Business
READ: Remittances still fueling spending
REMITTANCE growth has been slowing but the money being sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) continues to fuel domestic consumption, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Corp. Ltd. (HSBC) said. In a report on Friday, HSBC Global Research noted that with OFW deployment having declined since 2015, the resulting weaker remittance growth could lead to possible adverse impacts on the economy. HSBC economist Aris Dacanay said that OFWs were likely returning to the Philippines given the country's solid economic growth, particularly skilled workers lured by opportunities in the services and infrastructure sector. With fewer migrant workers sending money back home, remittances have subsequently become less supportive of the current account. While remittance growth may be slowing in dollar terms, it is accelerating in peso terms and thus remittances as a percentage of the economy "never showed any significant deterioration since 2015 and remained unwavering at 8 percent of GDP (gross domestic product)." Consumption, Dacanay said, will continue to hold up even if the dollar weakens, with OFWs sending more money back home.
Topping Sports
READ: UP, La Salle aim for UAAP finals berths
THE University of the Philippines (UP) and the De La Salle Green Archers look to capitalize on their win-once advantage in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today. The top seed UP Fighting Maroons face the defending champs Ateneo Blue Eagles at 2 p.m., while the second ranked Green Archers battle the National University (NU) Bulldogs at 4 p.m. A win by the Maroons and the Archers today will set up a best-of-three Finals duel between the top two teams. On the other hand, the battle cry for the NU Bulldogs and the Ateneo Blue Eagles today is "live to fight another day."
READ: Pampanga, Bacoor begin MPBL Finals duel
IT will be the Pampanga Giant Lanterns' height, depth, and talent against the Bacoor Strikers' sturdy defense and experience. Whoever can exploit their strong points should emerge the winner in Game 1 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Fifth Season National Finals at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga, the North Division champion, however, has been installed as the favorite to win the crown as the Giant Lanterns swept their rivals in the ongoing playoffs and will be playing in their homecourt where they are unbeaten in 14 games thus far. Bacoor, the South Division titlist, relishes its underdog tag but the Strikers promise to spring a surprise in the best-of-five series by keeping Pampanga's gunners in check.
READ: Love leads Packers in Thanksgiving Day win vs Lions
Jordan Love led the Green Bay Packers to a Thanksgiving Day surprise win as they beat the in-form Detroit Lions 29-22 in the NFL Thursday (Friday in Manila). Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland set a new NFL record for "pick sixes" when he ran in an interception for a touchdown in his team's 45-10 blowout win over the Washington Commanders. The Lions had gone into the NFC North divisional clash with an 8-2 record and were heavily favored against a Packers team with just four wins in the season. But Green Bay quarterback Love produced his most accomplished performance since taking over from Aaron Rodgers for this season, throwing for three touchdowns and 268 yards as he connected on 22 of 32 passes.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
Today's editorial points to the need for better public education to combat online scams. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Featured columnists on the front page are Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta. Contreras writes on following the law; Makabenta on strong signs Ukraine war could at last be ending.
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 Linked In; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.