Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, January 7, 2024.
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READ: ERC expands blackout probe
POWER plant operators and not just the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines may be held accountable for the Western Visayas blackout pending results of an ongoing investigation that may be completed in six to eight weeks, Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Monalisa Dimalanta said on Saturday. During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Dimalanta said possible sanctions that could be imposed against the N.G.C.P. and the power plant operators would be determined after the investigation. Speaking in Filipino, Dimalanta said it's not just N.G.C.P. but the six power plants in Western Visayas will also have to be checked.
READ: China vessels watch PH ships on suspected resupply mission
AT least six Chinese maritime militia ships were monitored inside Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea while another from the China Coast Guard was spotted shadowing Philippine Coast Guard vessels, which they suspect are headed for another rotation and resupply mission in the area. The C.C.G. 5205 followed the B.R.P. Cabra and B.R.P. Sindangan as they moved past Escoda (Sabina) Shoal enroute to Ayungin where Filipino troops are stationed on the grounded B.R.P. Sierra Madre, United States maritime security expert Ray Powell said on Saturday. Before this, China deployed six C.M.M. ships earlier in the day in anticipation of the RoRe, which the Philippines has not confirmed.
READ: Manila enforces liquor, gun ban during Traslacion 2024
A LIQUOR ban will be imposed in Manila from January 8 to 10 during the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Mayor Maria Sheilah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan said on Saturday upon the recommendation of police chief Arnold Thomas Ibay. The liquor ban was ordered, along with a gun ban, to ensure a "safe and orderly celebration for this year, so that we can at least reduce the number of incidents, if not totally avoid them." Lacuna-Pangan also said that the use of masks by devotees who will be joining the Traslacion or procession of the Black Nazarene around the city will be "strictly enforced to avoid a surge in Covid cases." She also ordered a ban on the "sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, upon the request of Catholic Church officials and fire authorities" after the procession on January 9 when the image of the Black Nazarene is returned to its home in Quiapo Church. Lacuna directed all departments, bureaus and offices concerned to make sure that they do their roles right in ensuring the "safe, orderly and peaceful holding of the Traslacion." The mayor cited the clearing of the procession routes of all kinds of obstruction like tree branches, bundled wires, broken glass to protect devotees who are expected to go barefoot, and open manholes that could delay the arrival of the Black Nazarene as in previous years. About 12,000 police personnel will be deployed during the religious event, which is considered to be one of the biggest in the Philippines where 80 percent of the population are Catholics.
READ: SC junks Ampatuan petition vs network
THE Supreme Court has dismissed the petition for indirect contempt filed by Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., one of the main perpetrators of the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, against ABS-CBN and one of its reporters. In a decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Supreme Court en banc granted the petition for review on certiorari filed by A.B.S.-C.B.N. and its reporter Jorge Cariño challenging the rulings of the Court of Appeals which had affirmed the Regional Trial Court's refusal to dismiss the indirect contempt petition filed by Ampatuan. On Nov. 23, 2009, armed groups stopped the convoy of Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu on its way to file his certificate of candidacy. At least 57 have died in the ensuing event now known as the Maguindanao Massacre. A total of 197 persons were implicated for murder, including Ampatuan and members of his family. On June 23, 2010, Lakmodin Saliao told Cariño in an interview aired on A.B.S.-C.B.N.'s "TV Patrol World" that he was present when the Ampatuan family planned the gruesome crime.
BUSINESS: Rough sailing for global maritime trade
International maritime trade has hit stormy waters as attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea has reduced the availability of ships, causing freight rates to surge. Most large international shipping companies have decided to reroute trading to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal through which 12 percent of world trade usually passes. The Houthis say the strikes are in solidarity with Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza, which Israel has bombarded relentlessly for three months, in what it says is a campaign to destroy militant group Hamas.
SPORTS: Beermen, Kings out to boost Top 4 bids
Over to sports, sister teams San Miguel Beer and reigning champion Barangay Ginebra look to solidify their respective top 4 bids when they collide with separate foes as action in the P.B.A. Season 48 Commissioner's Cup resumes on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Beermen and the Gin Kings enter their respective matches tied for a share of fourth to fifth spots with similar 6-3 records. San Miguel Beer faces Terrafirma (2-7) at 3 p.m., while Ginebra tangles with NorthPort (6-4) at the 6:30 p.m. nightcap. The Beermen are on a roll, having won their last three assignments, and closing 2023 with a 117-96 demolition of the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Christmas Day. New import Bennie Boatwright had a solid P.B.A. debut after firing 26 points and hauling down 16 rebounds after replacing Ivan Aska. Depending on the coaches, star center June Mar Fajardo could also see action after being reactivated last Friday.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he talks about the government's P.U.V. modernization program.
Today's editorial says the surveys of the Senate bets focus on popularity and not competence. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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