Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
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READ: Ombudsman suspends Guo
THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo while the government investigates her alleged connection to an illegal online gambling operation in her town. The order issued on May 31 stemmed from a recommendation by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to suspend Guo after a task force looking into the allegations concerning her links to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in her town found "serious illegal acts." Ombudsman Samuel Martires said there were "sufficient grounds to preventively suspend" Guo.
READ: China slammed for seizing PH supplies
SENATORS on Monday condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for allegedly seizing and dumping food and medical supplies meant for Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China, on the other hand, said two people on the deck of the BRP Sierra Madre were armed and pointing their guns and hands in the direction of a CCG ship. Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said the CCG's action "endangered the lives of our Filipino troops stationed at the Ayungin Shoal and could be deemed as a violation of their human rights." Sen. Bong Revilla described China's latest harassment of Filipino troops as "inhumane." Sen. Nancy Binay said the "obstruction of medical aid to our personnel is an affront to these international norms and human dignity." The BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned Philippine naval vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal to serve as a "constant Philippine government presence in the area," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. This was in response to China's "illegal occupation" in 1995 of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef
READ: Marcos, Zelenskyy meet in Malacañang
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Malacañang and discussed defense and security issues facing their countries. Zelenskyy's brief stop in Manila comes after his "surprise" participation in the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where Marcos delivered the keynote address. The two leaders committed to further strengthening the 32-yearold diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Ukraine. Ukraine also plans to open an embassy in Manila, a move Marcos viewed as "very good news" since it will be easier for the country to "help in any way" apart from coursing initiatives through the European Union and the United Nations. The Ukrainian leader, who quietly arrived in the country with his delegation last Sunday night, thanked the Philippine government for its support to Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since 2022. The Philippines echoed calls made by the international community for Russia and Ukraine to settle the conflict through diplomacy.
READ: Comelec vows clean 2025 polls
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has vowed to use to the fullest its power and constitutional duty to enforce and administer election laws to ensure that the upcoming 2025 midterm polls will be clean, honest and peaceful. Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Monday that it is the duty of the Comelec to enforce and administer election laws, and it would be a dereliction of duty if it could not enforce the law in 2025.
READ: The Manila Times partners with Cedara
THE Manila Times (TMT), in collaboration with Cedara, the Carbon Intelligence Platform, has announced a pioneering initiative to comprehensively measure advertising carbon emissions, becoming the first publisher in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to undertake such an endeavor. TMT will tap Cedara, the leader in mapping emissions across the media supply chain, to leverage its cutting-edge software platform and data-driven approach to measure and reduce its carbon footprint according to industry standards.
READ: Marina honors TMT, maritime journalists
THE Manila Times was awarded "Media Partner of the Year" by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) for its vital role in highlighting key maritime issues and enhancing public understanding of the industry. Marina also recognized the publication's journalists, including Carmela Huelar, maritime editor, who received the Maritime Journalist of the Year award. Columnist Brenda Pimentel and journalists Yashika Torib and Genivi Factao were honored with a certificate of recognition for their "exemplary dedication and steadfast commitment to excellence in reporting, which has been instrumental in advancing public awareness of Marina's initiatives and fostering a greater understanding of the maritime industry" during Marina's 50th founding anniversary on June 1 at Okada Manila. The Manila Times has a weekly maritime page and has facilitated industry dialogue through forums.
BUSINESS: Doing business in PH better following reforms
Topping business, the ease of doing business in the Philippines has improved slightly following recent reforms aimed at making the country a more attractive investment destination, a multinational professional services firm said. Dutch-based TMF Group's latest Global Business Complexity Index ranked the Philippines 34th out of 79 countries, an improvement from 31st in the 2023 edition of the report. Greece, in first place, is the most complex country to do business in this year, followed by France and Colombia. China, ranked 11th from 15th in 2023, is the most complex jurisdiction in the AsiaPacific region. The least complex, on the other hand, is the Cayman Islands, with Curaçao and Denmark just above it in the rankings. Hong Kong, in 76th, is the regional leader.
SPORTS: Saso wins second US Women's Open crown
Over to sports, Yuka Saso powered away on the back nine to win her second US Women's Open title Sunday (Monday in Manila), carding a two-under-par 68 for a three-shot victory at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. Saso finished with a four-under-par total of 276 to claim her second LPGA tour title three years after winning the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco — when she represented the Philippines.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Orlando Mercado are today's front page columnists. Contreras thinks the Guo hearings are a waste of time, Makabenta looks into how to deter China's advances, and Mercado looks into road rage incidents.
Today's editorial looks into improving the lives of Indigenous peoples. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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