Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, September 8, 2024.
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READ: Ong defying Congress, chooses jail to testifying
CASSANDRA Li Ong, the alleged business partner of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, would rather go to jail than appear before a congressional inquiry, her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said Saturday, setting the stage for a test of the wills with senators who want to question her. But Senate President Francis Escudero said Ong, an incorporator of an illegal offshore gaming company in Porac, Pampanga, must attend the Senate hearing scheduled for Monday, September 9, as the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Honitiveros wants to question her as among the 34 people named in a money laundering complaint, along with Guo. Ong, Alice Guo and Sheila Guo were among those compelled to be physically present during the next hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Monday. Escudero said failing to attend the Senate hearings would violate Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes the panel on the ninth day of the search.
READ: Authorities, KoJC trade allegations
POLICE and lawyers for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) traded allegations of abuse about the raid on the home base of fugitive evangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted for sexual abuse of children and human trafficking. At a Senate hearing Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) 11 (Davao Region) Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said unarmed female PNP personnel were body searched before they could do their job and search the Davao City compound for Quiboloy. During the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights public hearing held in Davao City, Torre said they allowed this to happen after a negotiation with the lawyers of the KOJC on the first day of the search for Quiboloy and five others who are accused of qualified human trafficking and violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
READ: Economic czar: PH can be Asia's top investment destination
THE Philippines has the potential to become a top investment destination in Asia, but it must undergo a considerable transformation, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go said. During the "Malacañang Insider" program aired on Friday, Go expressed confidence about the Philippines' economic performance as he highlighted his office's priorities for attracting more investments into the country. Go said neighboring Southeast Asian countries "have been cornering the lion's share of global investments." Highlighting the country's improving economic indicators, Go noted that a recent upgrade by a Japanese rating agency further supports the Philippines' growing investment appeal.
READ: UAAP flaunts star-studded opening; NCAA marks 100th year
THE 87th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) kicked off with an unparalleled display of style and spectacle, as the University of the Philippines (UP) delivered what could be the most glamorous opening ceremony in the league's storied history. The sold-out Araneta Coliseum was transformed into a vibrant hub of excitement and celebration on Saturday. The highlight of the event was a breathtaking performance by the iconic OPM band Eraserheads. Reuniting once more for their alma mater's hosting, the band's set was a fitting tribute to the season's theme: "Stronger, Better, Together." Meanwhile, in a grand celebration of its centennial season, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) honored 10 notable athletes in its opening ceremonies at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday. A star-studded lineup of athletes across various sports was recognized for their exceptional achievements, marking a historic milestone for the league. Each NCAA school has its representative, starting with Lyceum University of the Philippines' (LPU) pride and Asian Games gold medalist and Gilas Pilipinas player CJ Perez. During his collegiate stint in the NCAA, he led the Pirates to an 18-game sweep in the elimination round before falling at the hands of San Beda University (SBU) in the finals.
SPORTS: La Salle begins UAAP title defense vs NU
THE De La Salle Green Archers begin their title defense in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. For its first assignment of the season, La Salle faces last season's third placer NU Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m., their match serving as the main event of a triple-header. The UE Red Warriors clash against the UST Growling Tigers at 1 p.m. to open the men's games followed by the Adamson Soaring Falcons taking on the FEU Tamaraws at 3 p.m. While reigning Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao stays with the team alongside reliable big Mike Philips, other key players from last season's La Salle team in Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy and Jonell Policarpio are no longer with the Green Archers, moving up to the pros. Crucial as that depth loss in terms of talent, La Salle coach Topex Robinson said that his team will perform based on if it can maintain the culture it built last year in his first go with the team and the league.
BUSINESS: Querubin joins BSP Monetary Board
Over to business, former United Coconut Planters Bank president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jose Querubin has taken his oath of office as a Monetary Board member (MBM) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In a statement on Friday, the BSP said Querubin took his oath of office on Thursday at the BSP head office in Manila. Querubin will serve as a member of the Monetary Board until July 2, 2026. Before joining the BSP's highest policy-making body, Querubin served as the United Coconut Planters Bank president and CEO from 2003 to 2007. He was also a board member of the Asean Finance Corp. and a former executive vice president and Asia regional sales director of the Bank of America.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, which looks into malnutrition in Filipino children. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
Today's editorial calls out China as a neighborhood bully. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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