Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Thursday, January 9, 2025.
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READ: Chinese chopper shadows PCG ship
CHINA on Tuesday deployed a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) helicopter to shadow a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel on a surveillance mission in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In a report Wednesday, the PCG said the helicopter identified by tail number 47, hovered above the BRP Cabra that was monitoring the activities of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5901, known as "The Monster" because of its size. The PCG had previously challenged the legality of the Chinese vessel's operations in the area, asserting that the CCG-5901 had no authority to enforce maritime laws roughly 60 to 70 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales. The PCG said the CCG-5901 had been operating within the Philippine EEZ for four consecutive days without permission, prompting the Philippine vessel to challenge the Chinese ship's presence over radio. This challenge was an assertion of Philippine sovereignty over its waters.
READ: DOH warns of more respiratory diseases
THE Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging the public to practice respiratory etiquette as the northeast monsoon, or "amihan," could lead to an increase in flu-like cases. In a statement, Health Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Albert Domingo said there had been 179,227 cases of influenza-like illnesses reported as of Dec. 31, 2024, which is 17 percent lower than the 216,786 cases reported in the previous year.
READ: IRR for seafarers Magna Carta signed
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday witnessed the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which aims to protect the rights and welfare of both domestic and overseas mariners and promote their full employment. The IRR was finally signed three months after the president enacted Republic Act 12021 on Sept. 23, 2024.
READ: 6M devotees expected at Traslacion
All systems are ready for the Black Nazarene's Traslacion on Jan. 9 with an unprecedented security force of 14,474 personnel to ensure the safety of over 6 million devotees expected to participate. Authorities have put in place stringent measures to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event. This includes and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and other government agencies.
BUSINESS: Jobless rate drops to 3.2%
Headlining business, unemployment fell to 3.2 percent in November — the second-lowest monthly rate in 2024 — as the holiday season led to more jobs for Filipinos, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Wednesday. The jobless rate improved from 3.9 percent in October and 3.6 percent a year earlier. It was also the lowest since June's 3.1 percent and brought year-to-date unemployment to 3.9 percent. The November result was equivalent to 1.66 million unemployed Filipinos, lower than October's 1.97 million and the year-earlier 1.83 million.
SPORTS: PH qualifies for World Lacrosse Women's tilt
Over to sports, Philippine women's lacrosse team has booked its place in the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championships, following two wins at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women's Lacrosse Championships in Australia. On Tuesday, the women's team defeated Hong Kong, 14-2, which confirmed their place in next year's international tournament. Sarah Nelson was the best player of the game, after scoring four goals, while Ria Lagmadeo scored a hat trick.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras discusses the issues in the 2025 national budget, Makabenta has a preferred Philippine independence date, while Remoto recalls his childhood.
Today's editorial thinks the Commission on Election's social media policies for the upcoming election are not that effective. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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