Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.
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READ: VP Sara regrets endorsing Marcos
THE chasm between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte grew as the latter on Sunday sought forgiveness from members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) for persuading them to vote for the former in 2022, Duterte also condemned what she described as a "gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound." A contingent of 2,000 police officers stormed the KOJC compound in Davao City on Saturday in an attempt to serve arrest warrants to evangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing charges of sexual abuse and human trafficking. In a statement on Sunday, Duterte said she could not help but ask herself if the use of extraordinary force by the police in entering the compound was prompted by the fact that Quiboloy is a known supporter of the Dutertes. Duterte was Marcos' running mate under the UniTeam in 2022. One KOJC member died of a heart attack during the raid. Nearly 36 hours later, police were still searching the 30-hectare compound for signs that Quiboloy was hiding there.
READ: PNP asks Quiboloy: Spare your followers
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) appealed to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy to spare his followers from further "heartaches" by ceasing from using them as human barricades. Last Saturday, about 2,000 police officers forced their way into the sprawling KoJC compound in a Davao City suburb in an effort to arrest Quiboloy, who is believed to be hiding there. His followers tried to block the officers, and one of them died of a heart attack as tensions rose. PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo issued the appeal during an interview over radio station DZBB Sunday. Fajardo said a large police contingent was needed to break into the compound because Quiboloy's supporters always put up a stiff resistance whenever police tried to search the 30-hectare property. She said the officers were subjected to various types of abuse from KOJC followers. Fajardo said the PNP would deploy as many as 100 officers to search the compound nonstop. Police informants had said that Quiboloy and four of his associates who were charged with him were hiding in the compound. The evangelist is being accused of sexually abusing children and human trafficking.
READ: Chinese ships harass PH vessel at Escoda Shoal
THE National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported Sunday that a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) "encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers" from at least eight Chinese maritime forces while on its way from Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal to Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Hasa-Hasa Shoal is located 60 nautical miles from Palawan, while Escoda Shoal is about 110 nautical miles away. Both shoals are well within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The task force said the actions of the Chinese vessels were aimed at preventing the BRP Datu Sanday from bringing fuel, food and medicines to Filipino fishermen at Escoda. It said the Datu Sanday was encircled by a People's Liberation Army Navy vessel and several China Coast Guard ships. The Chinese vessels made "close perilous maneuvers that resulted in ramming, blasted horns, and deployed water cannons against the BFAR vessel, eventually leading to the latter's engine failure and forcing an early termination of the humanitarian operation." The task force said the "unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were meant to serve." It also denied reports by the Chinese coast guard that it rescued Filipino "personnel" who fell overboard during the incident. It said the misinformation "serves as a clear illustration" of China's "willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image." The Philippines and China have had repeated confrontations in the West Philippine Sea in recent months, and on Saturday, Manila accused China of recently twice firing flares at one of its patrol aircraft.
READ: When land disputes turn deadly
Also on page one is the second of a two-part crime report on: When land disputes turn deadly
In Business
READ: Moody's sees country missing growth targets
THE economy is likely to fall below its growth targets till 2026, Moody's said, but noted infrastructure development will help drive it higher. The global integrated risk assessment company retained its growth forecast for the Philippines this year and in 2025 at 5.9 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively, below the government's 2024 goal of 6 to 7 percent, and 6.5 to 7.5 percent next year. Its projection for 2026 was lowered to 6.1 percent from the previous 6.2, still under the government's 6.5- to 8-percent target. Moody's pointed out that while the Philippines' fiscal policy is geared towards infrastructure development, inconsistent implementation over the past year has hindered the country's growth momentum. On a positive note, second quarter gross domestic product was at 6.3 percent, well within the government's target. Government spending on goods, services, and capital projects helped prop the economy, despite weaker household consumption and the challenges of high inflation and interest rates. As of the first semester, the government spent P611.8 billion on infrastructure projects, 20.6 percent higher than P507.2 billion in the same period last year. This was attributed to the implementation of various road infrastructure programs and the completion of ongoing projects, as well as capital outlay projects.
Topping Sports
READ: Yulo's incentives breach P113M
CARLOS Yulo's incentives for winning two gold medals at the Paris Olympics just breached P113 million after Chooks-to-Go handed the gymnast a P3-million reward. The awarding ceremony was part of the grand opening of Chooks! at Festival Mall in Muntinlupa — the company's 38th dine-in restaurant — Friday.Present in the event were Bounty Fresh Group Holdings Chairman of the Board and Chooks-to-Go Inc. President Tennyson Chen, Chief Finance Officer Diane Choi, and Festival Mall manager Yvette Dizon. Atlanta Games silver winner Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, both of boxing, Yulo's fellow Paris Olympian and fencer Samantha Catantan, and triathlon star Nikko Huelgas, also marketing head of the Philippine Olympic Committee, were likewise present in the event. Gymnastics Association of the Philippines chief Cynthia Carrion also accompanied Yulo to the event. No other Filipino Olympian has accomplished what Yulo did and hence the rewards continue to pile up for the pride of Malate, Manila. Yulo's base incentive was P20 million under Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, which rewards Filipino Olympians a P10-million incentive for each gold medal won. Recently, the Senate awarded Yulo a P3-million incentive that enabled his incentives to breach P100 million while business tycoon Manny V. Panglinan added a P10-million reward to Yulo.
READ: Opinion
In its editorial, the Times says a green work force is needed for an environmentally sound economy. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Fr. Ranhilio Aquino and Francisco Tatad are the featured columnists on the front page. Aquino writes about the enemy without, the enemy within; Tatad asks where do we go from here?
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