Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Friday, December 20, 2024.

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READ: DOJ to study cases vs Duterte – Marcos

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) would assess the recommendation of the House quad committee to file charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte and his allies over the past administration's war on drugs. In an ambush interview in Pasay City, Marcos said that it was the DOJ that would have to determine the next steps based on the recommendation. The president said the DOJ would then analyze these findings to determine if there is sufficient ground to file cases against Duterte and his allies, what specific charges could be applicable, and how to construct a legal case. Marcos stressed the need for a thorough assessment before any legal actions could be pursued.

READ: Printing of ballots moved to January

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has moved from endDecember to early next year the printing of 73 million ballots for the 2025 midterm polls to give way to the resolution of nuisance candidate cases at the local level. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the remaining pending nuisance cases were all at the local level as the Comelec has already finalized the list of aspirants for senators at 66, and for party-list groups at 155.

READ: Fishermen say they pay price for WPS tension

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday reported the presence of two China Coast Guard (CCG) and seven Chinese maritime militia vessels stationed outside Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and two other ships positioned inside, monitoring access routes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Additionally, a People's Liberation Army Navy ship was detected about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.

READ: 'Too soon to decide on clemency'

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said it is still too early for him to decide on the appeal for clemency of convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso, saying he would let the government's legal experts review her case. Veloso, who was on Indonesia's death row for almost 15 years, arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday, Dec.18, after languishing in a prison in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on a drug trafficking conviction. She arrived in Manila accompanied by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Corrections. Her return to the country was a result of "over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government," Malacañang earlier said. The president, upon Veloso's return, said the government would look after her safety and welfare.

READ: New polymer banknotes introduced

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the unveiling of the first Philippine polymer banknote series featuring enhanced security and durability, which will be available in circulation in the first quarter of 2025. In his speech, the president described the introduction of the polymer banknotes as "a groundbreaking step that embodies the strength, ingenuity, and forward momentum of our nation." The president said the Philippines joined over 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, in adopting polymer banknotes due to their proven benefits, ensuring that the country's currency remains secure, durable, and sustainable. The one thousand-peso polymer banknote carrying the image of the Philippine eagle, stands for the strength, freedom, and sharp vision of Filipinos, the president said. Marcos said the five-hundred-peso note featured the Visayan spotted deer symbolizing clarity and sharpness. The one-hundred-peso note, on the other hand, showcases the Palawan peacock-pheasant, mirroring Filipinos' grace even in challenging times. The fifty-peso note that features the Visayan leopard cat symbolizes independence and agility, "traits that we live every day," the president said.

BUSINESS: BSP lowers key rates

Headlining business, monetary authorities cut key interest rates by another 25 basis points (bps) on Thursday, as expected, but flagged fewer reductions next year given inflation risks. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) benchmark rate now stands at 5.75 percent and its overnight deposit and lending rates were also lowered to 5.25 percent and 6.25 percent, respectively. The central bank's policymaking Monetary Board began easing in August, ordering a 25-bps cut as inflation returned to the 2.0- to 4.0-percent target, and followed this with another 25 bps in October. Following Thursday's policy meeting, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. told reporters that "the within-target inflation outlook and well-anchored inflation expectations continue to support the BSP's shift toward less restrictive monetary policy." Upside risks remain, however, and Remolona said these would come from potential transport fares and electricity rate hikes.

SPORTS: PH draws with Vietnam

Over to sports, the Philippine men's football team's 12-year winless streak against Vietnam remains after settling for a 1-1 draw in the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 on a gloomy Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Malate, Manila. There are also no merry bells ringing for the Filipino booters as they are now facing a slim chance of advancing into the knockout stage, putting them in a must-win situation in their final game against Indonesia for a chance to advance in the next round. Second-stringer Jarvey Gayoso scored in the 68th minute for the host team that sent the 3,346 spectators in the stadium roar in jubilation. With hopes of recreating the "Miracle in Hanoi" where the Azkals pulled an upset victory against the powerhouse Vietnam team in 2012, Patrick Deyto made a save on Vietnam's Dinh Thanh Binh's attempt during injury time.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao claims there's a communist assassin in the QuadComm hearings, while Tatad talks about the gift of silence.

Today's editorial weighs in on the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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