Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.

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READ: 11 dead, scores hurt in MSU bombing

AT LEAST 11 persons were confirmed dead after a powerful explosion ripped through the gymnasium of the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City while Mass was being held Sunday. Reports issued by the Philippine Army 1st Infantry Division (1ID) said about 46 people were brought to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi after the blast. 1ID commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray 3rd said in an earlier report three women and one man died in the explosion. Bangsamoro Police Regional Office chief BGen. Allan Nobleza said in a radio interview investigators are checking if the bombing is connected to the killing of 11 members of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) militant group. MSU has condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the victims and their families. The school announced it was suspending classes until further notice.

READ: Marcos blames foreign terrorists

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday denounced the bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City that killed at least four people in an attack that Malacañang blamed on foreign terrorists. He gave assurances that assistance would be extended to the bombing victims. Initial investigation showed the explosion shook the MSU gymnasium where a Catholic Mass was being held to celebrate the Mindanao Week of Peace. The Palace said the government is working closely with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and concerned local government units for a swift response to what Marcos considered the "latest assault on peace." Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. vowed to go after the people behind the bombing. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been placed on heightened alert.

READ: Phivolcs reminder: Be ready for the 'Big One'

IN the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck Surigao del Sur on Saturday night, the chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the country is more prepared now for the "Big One" or a major, devastating quake. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol urged the public to be ready for a strong quake. He said people must keep an emergency bag that contains, among others, medicines and food that can last at least up to three days. He advised the public to be on alert and to not panic in case strong tremors occur. Preparedness is the reason why regular earthquake drills are conducted by the national and local governments along with the private sector, Bacolcol said. At the same time, he reminded the public that Phivolcs is the only official source of information about earthquakes and other disasters happening in the country.

READ: Meralco owes its customers P150B in refunds – ex-ERC chief

A FORMER commissioner of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) should refund its customers P150 billion and cut power rates after the government regulator re-computes its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Alfredo Non said that based on his computation, Meralco customers were entitled to the following refunds:
– P2,700 for those consuming 200 kWh monthly
– P9,500 for those consuming 300 kWh monthly
– P15,500 for those consuming 400 kWh monthly
– P51,000 for those consuming 1,000 kWh or more monthly.

He said his computation included new rates that Meralco should charge after the refund is completed. Non said the following rate cuts should be implemented:
– P22 per month for those consuming 200 kWh monthly
– P79 per month for those consuming 300 kWh monthly
– P129 per month for those consuming 400 kWh monthly
– P428 per month for those consuming 1,000 kWh or more monthly.
He said the refund was mainly because Meralco charged P1.47 per kWh, although the provisional authority rate was only P1.38 per kWh.

READ: La Salle routs UP, forces deciding Game 3

DE LA SALLE University demolished the University of the Philippines with an 82-60 Game 2 victory at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday to force a decider in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball finals. Francis Escandor finished with 14 points, including 12 in the second half where he buried four treys to set the domination of La Salle, which avenged its 67-97 Game One defeat. Joshua David also found his range and finished with 12 points built on a 4-of-6 three-point clip, two of those triples he drilled in the first half that helped the Green Archers pull away. CJ Austria stepped up, too, with 11 points and five rebounds, as Mike Phillips put up nine points and 13 rebounds. Newly-minted MVP Kevin Quiambao scored three points only on 3-of-17 shooting but atoned for it with 13 rebounds and three blocks. Mythical Team member Evan Nelle also rebounded from a forgettable Game 1 performance with four points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

In Business

READ: Economists expect slower Nov inflation

INFLATION likely moderated for a second straight month in November, analysts said, giving monetary authorities added leeway to keep key interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year. The median forecast in a survey of 13 economists was 4.4 percent, within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) 4.0- to 4.8-percent projection for the month and down from October's 4.9 percent and the year-earlier 8.0 percent. None of the analysts went as far as to predict a possible return to the 2.0- to 4.0-percent target as the central bank did, but some indicated that the goal could be achieved in December. Not all were also of the view that inflation had gone lower, with one predicting an uptick due to the impact of fuel price hikes over the year. Data for November will be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Tuesday, December 5.

Topping Sports

READ: NU still alive, nips UST in Game 2

NATIONAL University (NU) kept its eight-peat bid alive as it escaped with a 72-70 win over University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 women's basketball Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, December 3. Camille Clarin notched 18 points, eight assists and two rebounds to lead the Lady Bulldogs, who forced a deciding Game 3 on Wednesday, December 6. Clarin, however, put NU's dynasty in peril after missing two free throws that could practically seal the Lady Bulldogs the win in the last 11.5 seconds when they were leading, 72-70. The Growling Tigresses gained possession and went to Kent Pastrana who took a tough corner trey but missed it as time expired, and the Lady Bulldogs heaved a huge sigh of relief and lived to fight another day.

READ: George lifts Clippers over Warriors, Curry

Paul George came through in the clutch for the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), but fourth-quarter heroics couldn't save the Dallas Mavericks in a 126-120 NBA loss to Oklahoma City. George scored a game-high 25 points and drilled the game-winning three-pointer over Klay Thompson as the Clippers rallied from a 22-point third-quarter deficit to stun the Golden State Warriors 113-112. The Warriors had a final chance, but Draymond Green missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer. George said the comeback was especially meaningful against the Warriors' potent offense. James Harden added 21 points and Kawhi Leonard chipped in 20 for the Clippers, who withstood 17 three-pointers from the Warriors. Stephen Curry scored 22 points and handed out 11 assists for Golden State.

READ: Opinion

Today's editorial is on fighting HIV and how it has become a formidable challenge for the government. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Featured columnists on the front page are Fr. Ranhilio Aquino and Francisco Tatad. Aquino writes about Bagong Pilipinas and what it is; Tatad asks will the dynasties collide.

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