Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, March 7, 2024.
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BANNER: Danger of war higher – Marcos
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday warned that the potential for outright conflict between the Philippines and China over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea "is much higher now than it was before." Marcos said he viewed the recent actions by China against Philippine vessels "with great alarm," but this was not enough to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States. The Chief Executive noted that one way both countries can peacefully address the territorial dispute is by establishing a direct line between Manila and Beijing where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping can discuss issues at the highest level.
A LAWMAKER on Wednesday called for an audit of the Commission on Higher Education to find out what became of the 10.3 billion pesos earmarked for the free tuition and living allowances of thousands of poor students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and in private higher educational institutions. In calling for an audit, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza was reacting to complaints by the Association of Higher Education Institution in Region 12 against CHEd for the non-payment of student scholarships under the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or UniFAST, which is mandated to ensure that all eligible Filipinos get access to adequate and equitable education. The P10.3 billion is part of the Higher Education Development Fund allocated to the CHEd, which comes from the earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the Professional Regulation Commission, and travel taxes.
Jose 'Joecon' Concepcion dies at 92
INDUSTRIALIST and civil society leader Jose "Joecon" Concepcion Jr. died Wednesday, March 6, at the age of 92. Go Negosyo founder Jose Ma. "Joey" Concepcion 3rd announced his father's passing in a statement but gave no cause of death. The Concepcion patriarch is survived by his wife, the former Maria Victoria Araneta, his eight children, 31 grandchildren, and his twin brother Raul. Concepcion was the founder of the election watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), a former Trade and Industry secretary and the former chairman of R.F.M. Corp.
THE House Committee of the Whole approved on Wednesday Resolution of Both Houses 7 that seeks to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. After tedious deliberations that started on March 4, House Deputy Majority Leader and the committee's majority head Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali "Boyet" Gonzales 2nd motioned that the R.B.H. 7 be approved. House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe declared the motion was carried.
BUSINESS: Rate hikes 'unlikely'
Topping business, key interest rates will probably go no higher but monetary authorities are also not likely to start easing anytime soon, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said on Wednesday. Remolona previously said that given upside risks to inflation and still-strong economic growth, further monetary tightening could not be ruled out. The central bank's policy rate currently stands at 6.5 percent, the highest since 2007, following 450 basis points of hike beginning May 2022 as inflation surged in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
SPORTS: 4 Filipino boxers advance in Olympic qualifying
Over to sports, Olympic boxers have advanced to the next round of their divisions in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy. The tournament started on March 3, with Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio knocking out Serbia's Andela Brankovic in the 57 kilogram division and Asian Games medalist Rogen Ladon defeating Italian Federico Emilio Serra via split decision in the 51 kg division. On Tuesday, Mark Ashley Fajardo (men's 63.5 kg) and Ronald Chavez Jr. (71 kg) also won their first matches, against Albertino Monteiro of Portugal (via knockout) and Bruno de Barros Fernandez of Cape Verde (via split decision), respectively. Ladon is scheduled to face Said Mortaji of Morocco in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, while Petecio will be facing Maria Claudia Nechita of Romania on Thursday. Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam was already assured of a spot in the Round of 32 through a bye. He will take on the winner between Mexico's Andrey Bonilla and Germany's Murat Yildirim.
Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta are today's front page columnists. Contreras says politics has reached a season of lunacy, while Makabenta believes the Supreme Court should set parameters on the Senate inquiry into controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy's alleged offenses.
Today's editorial calls on the government to stop the feud between Taguig and Makati. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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