Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, February 22, 2024.
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BANNER: Growth target on track
BUDGET Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said on Wednesday that the Philippines was on track to achieving its medium-term economic growth target despite subdued fiscal gains. The country's economy expanded by 5.6 percent in 2023, outpacing China (5.2 percent) and Malaysia (3.4 percent) but trailing Vietnam (6.7 percent). This, however, fell short of the 6 to 7 percent target of the government.
Transport modernization catalyst for social change – Royeca
ANGKAS Chief Executive Officer George Royeca hailed the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, calling it a catalyst for social change. Royeca said a modern transportation system would directly uplift the lives of Filipinos by reducing waiting time and providing reliable schedules and safer travels.
BUSINESS: Step up efforts to exit FATF list – IMF official
THE Philippines should step up efforts to address deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing systems if it wants to attract investments, International Monetary Fund Resident Representative for the Philippines Ragnar Gudmundsson said during an economic forum organized by The Manila Times on Wednesday. The country — previously blacklisted from 2000 to 2004 — was returned by the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force to the gray list in 2021 due to "strategic deficiencies."
Quiboloy: FBI, CIA out to kill me
KINGDOM of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy said on Wednesday that he went into hiding because he fears for his life and the welfare of his congregation. The Senate and the House of Representatives recently issued subpoenas for Quiboloy, who was wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for his alleged involvement in conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling in the United States. Quiboloy was a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte. In a 37-minute audio message posted on the YouTube channel of Sonshine Media Network Inc., Quiboloy said he went into hiding because he no longer feels safe since 2018, claiming he was under surveillance by the Central Intelligence Agency and the F.B.I.
Pinoy Gen X,Y prefer business over employment
FILIPINO Generations X and Y prefer entrepreneurship over the security of traditional employment, the recent Wellness Index online survey conducted by an H.M.O. leader PhilCare showed. Based on the survey participated by 400 respondents nationwide, 53 percent of the two generations prefer to have their own businesses rather than just being employed. Generation X, also known as Post-Boomers, are those whose ages are between 43 and 58, while Generation Y, also known as Millennials, are those ages 27-42.
USAid launches program to boost higher education
THE United States Agency for International Development has launched a five-year, 1.6-billion-peso to help Philippine higher education institutions become more globally competitive. The USAid on Tuesday launched the US-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation and Lifelong Learning Program to strengthen innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship in colleges and universities. The program aims to improve the qualifications and career prospects of Filipino graduates to meet evolving workforce needs and enhance linkages between US and Philippine universities.
SPORTS: Obiena seizes gold in Croatia
Over to sports, Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena opened his indoor season campaign on a high note after clinching a gold medal in the Memorijal Josip Gasparac at the Dvorane Gradski Vrt in Osijek, Croatia, early Wednesday morning, February 21 (Philippine time). The newly minted Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Year cleared 5.83 meters in just one attempt to defeat the opposition. Obiena, the Asian record holder of 6.0 meters, tried to ace 5.93 meters but could not successfully execute in three tries.
Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta are today's front page columnists. Contreras looks into legislative negligence with a personal note, while Makabenta says politicians should mandate the use of "Filipino Republic" as the country's official name.
Today's editorial thinks that the United Nations' cash crisis may slow development work. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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