Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, January 14, 2024.
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READ: Biden to send first trade mission to PH
UNITED States President Joe Biden is set to send his first trade and investment mission to the Philippines, the White House announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila), as part of the two countries' commitment to advance economic ties. In a statement, White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said the delegation would be led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and will be in Manila until March 11 and 12, 2024, to engage with Filipino stakeholders.
READ: Protecting PH territory priority in '24 – Teodoro
DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. told the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect the Philippines from external threats, as it should be one of its main priorities in 2024. Teodoro made the statement at the traditional New Year's call at the Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City on Friday. While not directly mentioning the events that transpired in the West Philippine Sea, Teodoro said 2023 saw an increased presence by Beijing in the waters that include territories within the country's exclusive economic zone and various harassment tactics like water cannon attacks on Philippine vessels.
READ: PH seeks Iran's help for release of 18 Filipinos on seized tanker
THE Iranian Embassy in Manila promised to extend assistance to the Philippines in its request for the release of 18 Filipinos on board an oil tanker that Iran seized in the Gulf of Oman this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday. The Department of Migrant Workers said it was in touch with the families of the 18 seafarers to extend necessary assistance. Iran seized the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker S.T. Nikolas in the Gulf of Oman while the ship was in transit between the Iraqi port of Basra and Turkey.
READ: Arroyo 'proud' of Recto appointment as DoF chief
FORMER president and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday said she was elated that former senator, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto was appointed new Secretary of Finance. Arroyo added that she was proud that Recto, who served as socioeconomic planning secretary and director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) during her administration, was picked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the post. Arroyo said that during his term as a senator, Recto was at the forefront of fiscal reform legislation.
BUSINESS: Marcos praised for prioritizing economy
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has so far been good at managing the Philippine economy as his policies and priorities on utilities, infrastructure and agriculture are expected to further boost economic growth. University of Asia and the Pacific economist Victor Abola pointed out the Kaliwa Dam's construction, which is gaining traction. The New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project, which is expected to be fully operational by 2027, is projected to generate 600 million liters of water per day.
SPORTS: Brownlee awaits FIBA final verdict on doping issue
Over to sports, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio said Gilas naturalized player Justin Brownlee has already complied with FIBA's required documentation pertaining to the anti-doping test he flunked last year and are now waiting for the world basketball governing body's final verdict. It can be recalled that the 35-year-old Brownlee failed the anti-doping test after being tested positive for carboxy-T.H.C., a substance linked to cannabis use during Gilas' historic run in the 19th Asian Games men's basketball gold in Hangzhou, China.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he looks into the "C-C symphony."
Today's editorial calls for the government to nurture relations with Indonesia. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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