Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, August 4, 2024.

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READ: Chinese ship surveying reefs, shoals in WPS

A CHINESE research vessel came within just 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers) from Palawan late Friday, according to a US-based maritime monitor in the South China Sea. The Ke Xue San Hao, a Chinese research vessel, has been surveying the areas south and east of the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea since July 25, according to SeaLight. Retired United States Air Force Col. Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, said the ship has been surveying the reefs and shoals west of Palawan for the past week. Powell said the ship began its survey operations after passing by China's military base at Panganiban (Mischief) Reef on July 26. He said Ke Xue San Hao "traveled through the area around a host of submerged features south and east of Sabina Shoal, including First Thomas Shoal, Half Moon Shoal, Bombay Shoal, Royal Captain Shoal, Northeast Investigator Shoal and Boxall Reef." Based on satellite imagery, the ship passed within 600 meters of First Thomas Shoal, about 35 kilometers south of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, on July 29.

READ: Marcos issues EO increasing pay, benefits of govt workers

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order (EO) increasing the salaries of government workers and authorizing the grant of an additional allowance to state employees, Malacañang said Saturday. The President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, signed on August 2 EO 64 updating the salary schedule for government employees to "attract, retain, and engage high-performing civil servants."

READ: Marcos' marching order to DTI acting secretary: Uplift MSMEs

NEWLY appointed Acting Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque received her first marching order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: Uplift the condition and competitiveness of the country's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digitalization and use of technology. Marcos appointed Aldeguer-Roque as acting secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), following Alfredo Pascual's decision to return to the private sector.

READ: Obiena advances to Paris medal round

ERNEST John "EJ" Obiena of the Philippines advanced to the medal round of the Paris Olympics men's pole vault at the Stade de France on Saturday evening, August 3 (Manila time). Obiena finished seventh overall in the two-group, 31-athlete qualification round, where one either passes by acing the standard height of 5.80 m or finishes in the top 12. After the 5.75 mark, only 10 pole vaulters were left, including Obiena, who cleared the bar in just one attempt before a capacity crowd at the 80,000-seater venue. Obiena's final entry wasn't without a scare after failing to clear 5.60 m in his first two attempts. The 28-year-old used his final try at 5.70 m, aced it right away, and did the same at 5.75 m. The world no. 2, who passed on the starting height of 5.40 m, will compete in the final set on August 6 at 1 a.m. Manila time. The final round includes reigning Olympic and world champion Armand "Mondo" Duplantis of Sweden, who topped the qualification. He owns the world record of 6.24 m clearance.

SPORTS: Petecio looks to secure a medal in Paris Games

NESTHY Petecio of the Philippines looks to secure a medal at the Paris Olympics women's 57 kilogram (kg) at the North Paris on Sunday evening (Manila time). Petecio faces Chinese Xu Zichun at 9:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals, and a win would guarantee her or the latter at least a bronze medal as a semifinalist. The 32-year-old Petecio advanced to the quarters after defeating home bet and third seed Amina Zidani in the round of 16 via majority decision early Saturday. After a narrow loss in the first frame, the first Philippine female boxer to medal at the Olympics came back roaring in the last two frames to convince the judges. A Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, Petecio displayed her power, especially in the last round as she battered Zidani, who couldn't match the Filipino's work rate en route to the triumph that silenced the home crowd.

BUSINESS: First World PH achievable in 2050 – Palafox

THE Philippines can achieve First World status in 2050, said world-renowned Filipino architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. Speaking at a joint luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club's Makati chapters on July 29, Palafox said this can be attainable if the country can address corruption, criminality, climate change, inequality, infrastructure and investments. By addressing these challenges, he believes that the Philippines could be the 16th highest economy in the world by 2050, as forecasted by Goldman Sachs and HSBC. Palafox claimed that the Philippines should be a First World country, as it ranks in various industries in the world.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, which talks about offshore heaven and offshore hell.

Today's editorial says the SIM Card Registration Act is not the tool in protecting against online scams. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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