Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, January 21, 2024.
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READ: China holds 'major' rotation of ships in WPS
AT least 27 Chinese ships were monitored in the West Philippine Sea in what a maritime security expert said was a "major maritime militia rotation" by Beijing, just days after the Philippines and China agreed to ease tensions in the region through diplomacy. The 27 Qiong Sansha Yu-class ships were spotted south of the Spratly Islands and east of Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal). Qiong Sansha Yu-class ships are professional maritime militia vessels operated by the state-owned Sansha Fisheries Development Company that often work in tandem with the China Coast Guard in enforcing the communist country's territorial claims in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.
READ: UN special rapporteur to visit PH
A UNITED Nations special rapporteur accepted an invitation from the Philippine government to visit the country next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday. Irene Khan, the U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, will be in Manila from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2, 2024. In a statement posted on its official website, the D.F.A. said that this visit would be "an opportunity for the Special Rapporteur to appreciate the well-rooted and flourishing democracy of the Philippines, as the oldest democratic Republic in Asia, as seen in the vibrant media landscape and civic space."
READ: 'No bribes in people's initiative campaign to amend charter'
A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Saturday agreed with Vice President Sara Duterte that any form of vote buying is abhorrent in a democracy but reiterated that those who were signing in the People's Initiative campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution were not paid. In her comments Friday, Duterte said that the signature campaign pushing for charter change is being used to abuse Filipinos living in poverty and has already disrespected their right to decide for themselves without fear or monetary influence. She said that the push for a people's initiative, despite the massive poverty and the uncertainty of peace and order, is a "hurtful sign" of the failure to see the true problems of Filipinos and resolve these issues. But in a radio interview, House Deputy Majority Leader for Communications Rep. Erwin Tulfo said that there were no instructions from the House leadership to pay people who will sign the proposal to amend a provision in the Constitution that would allow joint voting of the Senate and House instead of convening a constituent assembly.
READ: SMNI back on air
SONSHINE Media Network International was back on air Saturday after a 30-day suspension ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission has lapsed, its lawyer said. The NTC issued the suspension order after the House of Representatives released House Resolution 89, enumerating the network's violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise granted under Republic Act 11422.
BUSINESS: Govt eyes retail Treasury bond offering in Q1
In business, the government is eyeing the issuance of another retail treasury bond as part of its efforts to raise the 2.46-trillion pesos of total financing requirement for this year. In a statement on Friday, the Department of Finance said the Bureau of the Treasury targets to issue the 30th tranche of its R.T.B. within the first quarter of 2024.
SPORTS: Chot Reyes back as TNT coach
Over to sports, 9-time P.B.A. champion coach Chot Reyes is back at the helm of the Tropang Giga following a one-year coaching hiatus from the sidelines. Reyes' return to T.N.T. head coaching position was announced at the Tropang Giga's official Facebook page on Saturday, where a photo of the six-time Coach of the Year, along with team governor Ricky Vargas, team owner Manny V. Pangilinan was posted.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he asks if a 91 percent learning poverty rate can attract foreign direct investment.
Today's editorial says diplomacy is the better tool to tempers issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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