Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024.
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READ: Chinese research ships go in, out of PH waters
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed the recurring presence of three Chinese maritime scientific research ships operating within and near the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), sparking concerns over unauthorized activities in the country's waters. The vessels, identified as Xiang Yang Hong 3, Jia Geng and Xiang Yang Hong 10, were initially detected on Nov.17, 2024, at 257 nautical miles northeast of Santa Ana, Cagayan. While this is outside the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile EEZ, subsequent monitoring revealed their encroachment into Philippine waters. The PCG observed these vessels twice within the EEZ before Nov. 17. On Nov. 14, they were near Davao Oriental, and on Nov. 20, they were detected off Siargao Island. Currently, the vessels are positioned 211 nautical miles east of Siargao Island, the PCG said. In a media forum on Saturday, Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, emphasized that these vessels had been monitored entering the EEZ in the past few days, prompting continued surveillance.
READ: Liberate country from ills, people told
AS the country celebrated the 161st birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday urged Filipinos to do their part in liberating the Philippines "from the shackles of hunger, corruption, criminality and other ills of society." In his message, Marcos called on Filipinos to honor the life and heroism of Bonifacio, "who organized and inspired his fellow Filipinos to rise against tyranny and break the chains of oppression." Marcos also urged Filipinos to remember the legacy of sacrifice that Bonifacio and their forebears demonstrated. Speaker Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, urged Filipinos to work together in nation-building. Vice President Sara Duterte, in a video posted on Facebook for Bonifacio Day, said in Filipino, "Our act of looking back at the heroism of Andres Bonifacio is an opportunity for us to reflect on our situation and our future as a free country." Duterte said it was important that the country's celebration of Bonifacio's greatness opened eyes to the state of the country — including its ills. The President declared Nov. 30, 2024, a regular holiday to celebrate Bonifacio Day.
READ: Faster devt of EDCA sites pushed
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday emphasized the need to speed up the upgrading of military bases covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, saying the improvements would strengthen both operational readiness and national security. Teodoro offered this assessment when he and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the EDCA site at Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday to evaluate infrastructure development and capabilities. The site, one of the original five designated under EDCA, plays a critical role in bolstering humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations. The visit highlighted the Philippine government's commitment to enhancing its disaster response capabilities through collaboration with the United States, Teodoro said. Brawner echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism that more facilities would be operational next year to support joint training and disaster relief efforts. Lumbia Air Base, operated by the Philippine Air Force, serves as a hub for various aircraft and is pivotal for positioning equipment for emergencies. Recent upgrades at the site include new aprons, enhanced runway markings and storage facilities. These developments aim to ensure faster deployment of resources during crises, as demonstrated in recent typhoon responses. Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities and allows them to build facilities and preposition equipment, aircraft and vessels.
READ: FEU out to defend cheerdance crown
EIGHT squads are set to light up the stage and get their groove on in the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad seeks to retain the crown with its Frozen theme, showcasing the sisterly bond of Anna and Elsa. But seven-time UAAP cheerdance champion National University (NU) Pep Squad vows to reclaim the title and prevent FEU from claiming a back-to-back victory. The NU Pep Squad will dazzle the crowd with their intergalactic routine and hand the audience the universe. The University of Santo Tomas (UST), on the other hand, aims to evoke old-school memories with its Batang '90s routine, hoping to secure a third-straight podium finish. The University of the Philippines Varsity Pep Squad, armed with eight titles, promises to bring the heat with a summer-inspired theme. Opening the eight-team competition will be the Ateneo Blue Eagles, retelling the story of the universe's origin with a cosmic narrative. The University of the East Pep Squad aims to make waves by honoring the iconic Filipino girl group, the Sexbomb Dancers, while the Adamson Pep Squad will serenade the crowd with beloved karaoke classics. The De La Salle University Animo Squad will embody the "kings and queens" of the UAAP battlefield with an intense chess and battle-themed routine.
In Business
READ: PH to achieve UMIC status in 2025
THE Philippines has a good chance of attaining upper-middle-income status next year if economic growth targets are attained, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Friday. The World Bank defines UMIC economies as those with gross national income (GNI) per capita ranging between $4,516 and $14,005 for the fiscal year 2025. GNI per capita measures the economic output per citizen, encompassing both domestic and international partners. As of end-2023, the Philippines' GNI per capita was at $4,230. To attain the UMIC status, Balisacan said the country needs to achieve the growth target this year and maintain the growth trajectory in 2025. He also cited the need for the peso not to weaken significantly relative to the currencies of the country's trading partners. Balisacan is optimistic that the 6-percent lower end of the government's growth target will still be achieved this year. Philippine economic growth averaged 5.8 percent for the first three quarters of 2024.
Topping Sports
READ: Mapua, CSB begin NCAA Finals showdown
MAPUA University and College of Saint Benilde (CSB) clash for 1-0 lead at the start of the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament best-of-three finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game 1 is set at 2 p.m. with the Cardinals seeking to claim their first crown since last winning it 33 years ago, while the Blazers eyeing their second title since snaring their breakthrough championship 24 seasons back. NCAA reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis scored a career-high 33-point showing in leading the Cardinals to an 89-79 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University in the Final Four. Escamis, who experienced a three-game heartache loss last year over the Season 99 champion San Beda University, wants to end the "almost" narrative of Mapua. Escamis is expected to get full backing of promising rookie Chris Hubilla and Yam Concepcion, who has a relentless drive inside the paint and took care of the rebounding department of Mapua. Meanwhile, Benilde has a formidable duo of sniper Winston Ynot and big man Allen Liwag. Benilde showed a promising performance after dethroning San Beda University in the semis after a dominant 79-63 win. Game 2 is slated on Dec. 7 while Game 3, if necessary, will be on Dec. 14. All games will be held at the Big Dome.
READ: Bautista captures runner-up honors in Malaysia
JAVIE Bautista proved his mettle against some of the world's top junior golfers and emerging talents, delivering a stunning performance to claim the runner-up spot at the Malaysian International Junior Open 2024. The 12-year-old Filipino displayed nerves of steel, posting back-to-back rounds of 71 in swirling winds at the Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort in Johor. His 142 total was just two strokes shy of Japanese Ryusei Kuroiwa, who clinched victory with a 68-72 performance for a 140 in the boys' 10-12 category. Competing in a highly skilled 52-player field featuring contenders from Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Singapore and India, Bautista rose to the occasion under pressure. He fired clutch birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 before holing out with gritty pars, securing his podium finish in a dramatic final stretch.
READ: Hawks top Cavs to reach KO rounds
LOS ANGELES, California — De'Andre Hunter scored 23 points off the bench as the Atlanta Hawks swooped for another NBA victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday (Saturday in Manila) — their second in two days over the Eastern Conference leaders. The Hawks, who handed the Cavs their first home defeat of the season on Wednesday, came out on top at home, parlaying a 52-50 halftime lead into a 117-101 triumph. It was enough to put Atlanta into the NBA Cup knockout rounds as winner of their group after the Boston Celtics beat the Bulls, 138-129, in Chicago. Trae Young scored 21 points and handed out 11 assists, and Jalen Johnson chipped in 20 points for Atlanta, who had six players score in double figures. Darius Garland scored 29 points for Cleveland and Evan Mobley added 24 points for the Cavs, who opened the season on a 15-0 tear and at 17-3 still boast the best record in the league.
READ: OpEd
Tackling the plastic waste crisis is today's Times editorial. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Marlen V. Ronquillo is the featured columnist on Page 1. He writes about Mary Grace Piattos lifted from the Napoles playbook.
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