Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Friday, November 29, 2024.
Today's episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer—your Trusted Building Partner.
READ: 'Political noise won't slow down economy'
THE prevailing political noise will not affect the performance of the economy, given the government's "sound and sustained" economic policies, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Thursday. NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan issued the statement after meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Senate President Francis Escudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez in Malacañang on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Balisacan said that "it's business as usual" for the country's economic managers even amid the worsening political strife between the administration and members of the Duterte family.
READ: No need for red alert, AFP chief says
ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday said there was no need to put troops on red alert, despite the intense political bickering between the administration and the Duterte family, whose patriarch had called for the military to intervene to "correct" the country's "fractured governance." He said the AFP's mandate is to make sure that the country is stable and prospers economically without any obstacles.
READ: Digital cities to empower countryside – DICT
THE government's Digital Cities Framework (DSF) and its Philippine Skills Framework (PSF) will bolster the business process outsourcing sector, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Thursday. At The Manila Times business process outsourcing (BPO) and technology forum, Jhino Ilano, director of the DICT's Industry Development Bureau, discussed how the DCF will empower countryside areas and how PSF will help Filipinos build a robust skillset. Through connectivity, the DICT aims to help develop the countryside through its Digital Cities Framework, Ilano said. This involves creating job opportunities in the ICT field and branching them outside Metro Manila.
READ: DOT launches Philippine Dive Experience in Anilao
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) launched on Thursday the Philippine Dive Experience in Anilao, Batangas, reinforcing the Philippines' status as a top destination worldwide for diving and exploring marine biodiversity. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the dive-focused initiative under the DOT's Philippine Experience program, in recognition of the Philippines' sixth consecutive year as the World's Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards. She said the DOT would continue promoting sustainable dive tourism in the country.
BUSINESS: PSE cuts capital raising target
Headlining business, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has lowered its capital raising target for next year amid worries over financial market prospects given likely headwinds under a second Trump presidency and continued geopolitical tensions. Ramon Monzon, PSE Inc. president and CEO, told reporters on Thursday that the bourse was looking at "about 120 billion pesos" being raised by next year. The amount is lower than the 150-billion peso target that he previously said in October would be the 2025 goal.
SPORTS: Quiambao, de la Rosa to repeat as MVPs
Over to sports, for the second straight year, La Salle's Kevin Quiambao and Ateneo's Kacey de la Rosa are to be crowned as the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in the men's and women's divisions, respectively, of the UAAP basketball tournament. The UAAP released the statistical points (SP) leaders on Thursday with Quiambao and de la Rosa leading their respective divisions. Quiambao scored 81.35 SPs built on averages of 16.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, while de la Rosa garnered 96.28 SPs on her 22.07 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 2.28 blocks per game average in the eliminations. Completing the Mythical Team in the men's division are La Salle's Mike Phillips (74.92), University of the Philippines' JD Cagulangan (69.16), Far Eastern University's Mo Konateh (68.64) and Nic Cabañero (61.0).
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists, as they continue discussing the recent feud between the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
Today's editorial talks about "swarming" as an act of intimidation. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.