Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, Jan. 15 2024.
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READ: South China Sea biodiversity at risk
THE biodiversity of the South China Sea has been declining to critical levels mainly because of the building of artificial islands and the construction of outposts of rival claimant nations over the last 10 years, a study showed. The damage was uncovered after years of research by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). It has been updated to include last year's discovery by Philippine authorities of the severe destruction of the marine environment and coral reef in the Rozul (Iroquois) Reef. The South China Sea is home to 571 of the world's 1,683 reef-forming coral species and eight of the 10 global species of giant clam. The CSIS found that several species of giant clams were vulnerable as a direct result of the destructive poaching methods. Vast swathes of coral reefs have also been damaged by the massive harvesting of giant clams, whose shells are sold as ornaments, tableware and floor-tiling materials.
READ: No more active NPA front – Marcos
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there is no more December last year. In a video message, the President credited his administration's headway in fighting the communist insurgency to the collective efforts of the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the military, and the police. The accomplishments reflect his administration's commitment to achieve lasting peace and stability, he said. Recently, the DILG distributed P91.47 million in financial assistance to former rebels under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. A total of 1,119 former rebels, consisting of 821 NPA fighters and 298 Militia ng Bayan members, received the cash aid. The package also included livelihood assistance to 713 recipients, reintegration assistance to 1,074 beneficiaries, and payment for the 264 firearms turned over by the rebels to government forces.
READ: UN: Gaza war staining humanity
The United Nations said on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that the Gaza war was "staining humanity" on the eve of its 100th day as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on vows to defeat Hamas. The devastating conflict has unleashed a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and fears of a regional escalation intensified after US and British forces struck pro-Hamas Houthi rebels in Yemen on Friday following attacks on Red Sea shipping. The war was triggered on October 7 when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack from the Gaza Strip that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians. Hamas, considered a "terrorist" group by the United States and the European Union, also seized about 250 hostages, 132 of whom Israel says remain in Gaza, including at least 25 believed to have been killed. Israel vowed to destroy Gaza's Islamist rulers and launched a relentless bombardment that has killed at least 23,843 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from the territory's health ministry. An Israeli siege has sparked acute shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel in Gaza, where the health system is collapsing. Visiting the Gaza Strip, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, said "the massive death, destruction, displacement, hunger, loss and grief of the last 100 days are staining our shared humanity."
READ: New SBMA chief to boost freeport growth•
THE appointment of Eduardo Jose Aliño as the new chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority was seen to further boost the Subic Bay Freeport's growth and drive operational efficiency. Aliño replaced Jonathan Tan, who was appointed undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Aliño's vast experience in the business sector, most notably as former chairman and president of the S.T.A.R. Group of Companies, and his successful collaborations with industry partners and stakeholders is a big plus in his new role, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce said. Aliño was a major player in integrated supply chain services and port operations before he was tapped for the Subic job.
In Business:
READ: 'Topmost problem' last year: Inflation
FILIPINOS remain concerned about rising prices, which was the country's 'topmost problem' last year, a US-based think tank said. Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, writing for GlobalSource Partners, noted that public opinion inflation had not significantly changed based on a December national poll by Pulse Asia Research Inc. The Pulse Asia poll found 72 percent of the respondents saying that controlling inflation was the biggest national concern. Broken down, 42 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent ranked it as the first, second and third most pressing issue in the country. The survey also "cut across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings," Guinigundo pointed out. The survey respondents, he noted," could still be focusing on absolute price levels." Inflation eased to 3.9 percent in December, finally returning to the BSP's 2.0 to 4.0 percent target after hitting a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January. The full-year average, however, was still above target at 6.0 percent.
Topping Sports
READ: Celtics rout Rockets in Udoka's return
Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and Jayson Tatum added 27 as the Boston Celtics remained unbeaten at home, defeating Houston 145-113 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in former Celtics coach Ime Udoka's return to Boston. The Celtics improved to an NBA-best 30-9 overall and 19-0 at home, the league's only undefeated club at home stretching its team-record home win streak to start a season. Brown, who scored 21 points in the third quarter when the Celtics pulled away to stay, hit 11-of-15 shots from the floor, 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Udoka guided the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost to Golden State, but he was suspended just before the start of the 2022-23 season training camp over an improper relationship with a team staffer. Udoka ultimately was dropped and replaced by former assistant Joe Mazzulla on a permanent basis last February.
READ: SBP faces dilemma of forming Gilas squad
SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio knows the basketball grind ahead as Gilas Pilipinas kicks off the new year by competing in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier for 2025. But halfway through the opening month of 2024, the SBP has yet to name the head coach for Gilas, who'll be tasked to man the national squad as the Philippines is bunched in Group B with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, along with Hong Kong. Still, Panlilio said the first order of the day when the New Year started was to gather all the basketball stakeholders, reveal the basketball calendar from 2024 through the next three years and seek their support. Without giving away details including who will be coaching Gilas, Panlilio said there are still several more kinks that are being discussed.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
Drawing inspiration from Brazil's forest conservation drive is today's editorial. Read the full version in print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Featured columnists on the front page are Rigoberto Tiglao, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino and Francisco Tatad. Tiglao calls out the Americans who he said should be ashamed; Aquino on Catholics and images while Tatad asks whether it's all Navy fuel the country was storing or is there so much more.
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