Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

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READ: Signature drive 'meaningless'

THE signature drive to amend the Constitution through people's initiative does not mean anything to the Commission on Elections, even as pages after pages of signatures are being accepted by the poll body's city and municipal offices. Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Tuesday said that the acceptance of signature pages is only part of the commission's ministerial duty in accordance with Comelec Resolution 10650 issued on Jan. 31, 2020. Resolution 10650 sets the rules for the conduct of initiatives on the Constitution and initiatives and referendums on national and local legislation.

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READ: 72% of Pinoys want more troops in WPS – survey

A MAJORITY of Filipinos want the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to handle issues in the West Philippine Sea through military action, an OCTA Research survey showed. In its fourth quarter (Q4) Tugon ng Masa Survey conducted from December 10 to 14 last year, 72 percent of respondents said the government should mainly focus on expanded naval patrols and troop presence in the disputed waters, among different measures enumerated by OCTA. It was an increase of 7 percentage points from the Q3 survey conducted last October. Those who preferred using diplomacy and other peaceful methods ranked second at 70 percent, while those who said modernization of the country's military capability were third at 60 percent. They were also the top three measures ranked across different areas in the country and among different socioeconomic classes. However, there was a 4-percent increase in respondents in Balance Luzon that preferred modernizing and strengthening the military's capability, while there was a noticeable increase in Mindanao by 20 percentage points, followed by the Visayas by 11 percentage points, and the National Capital Region by 8 percentage points.

READ: Marcos launches PH's first lung transplant program

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday launched the country's first lung transplant at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City. The Lung Transplant Program, which was made in collaboration with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, aims to offer services that improve the lives of those afflicted with irreversible lung diseases.

READ: More victims testify vs Quiboloy in Senate probe

FORMER members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, including two Ukrainians, testified that they had been victims of his sexual and child abuse. The Senate Committee on Women and Children on Tuesday held its first public hearing on the reported large-scale human trafficking, rape, and child abuse within the K.O.J.C. Quiboloy, who claimed to be the "appointed son of God," was invited to the hearing but was a no-show. He sent a lawyer on his behalf. Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros, the women and children panel chairman, moved to subpoena Quiboloy after he snubbed the inquiry. She slammed his disregard for the Senate when he refused to attend the public hearing. Hontiveros in December 2023 filed Resolution 844 asking the Senate to probe reports that women members called "pastorals" were allegedly coerced to do household chores for Quiboloy, perform sexual acts, and beg or solicit money from strangers.

READ: Poe warns vs jeepney shortage

SEN. Mary Grace Poe on Tuesday said the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board should publicize a complete list of routes that are expected to have a shortage of jeepneys starting February 1. Jeepney drivers and operators have until February 1 to consolidate or form a cooperative to fully benefit from the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

BUSINESS: NEDA to Congress: Pass vital measures

Topping business, with lawmakers having returned to work following a holiday break, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is urging Congress to pass bills said to be crucial for the country's growth. These include legislation creating the Department of Water Resources, the proposed Open Access in Data Transmission law, and fiscal reforms aimed at enhancing tax administration and expanding the tax base. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his second State of the Nation Address last year, emphasized the need to establish the Department of Water Resources as over 30 agencies currently have overlapping functions, resulting in disjointed planning and inconsistent water policy implementation.

SPORTS: Ginebra, SMB clash in semis opener

Over to sports, defending champion Barangay Ginebra considers itself as the underdog when it takes on sister team San Miguel Beer in Game 1 of their P.B.A. Season 48 Commissioner's Cup best-of-five semifinal series on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings and the Beermen reached the Final Four after dispatching the NorthPort Batang Pier and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, respectively, in the quarterfinals. They collide at 8 p.m.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao wants Sen. Jinggoy Estrada convicted for plunder, while Tatad asks if charter change should be shelved for now.

Today's editorial believes traffic congestion should need more solutions. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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