Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Friday, January 17, 2025.
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READ: Food emergency for rice proposed
THE National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) has urged the Department of Agriculture to declare a food security emergency for rice, following the approval of a resolution aiming to stabilize local prices. Trade Secretary and NPCC Chairman Cristina Roque said that the council's resolution seeks to empower the National Food Authority (NFA) to release its buffer stocks into the market. She added that this move is expected to temper rice prices and at the same time support Filipino farmers. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the initiative, highlighting its alignment with the DA's efforts to make rice affordable while sustaining farmers' profitability.
READ: US response in SCS key to countering Beijing
INCOMING US President Donald Trump confronts a pivotal challenge in countering China's growing dominance in the South China Sea (SCS) — a crucial geopolitical hotspot where the Philippines, a long-time ally, has faced persistent obstacles in asserting its sovereign rights. Retired US Air Force colonel Ray Powell, director of Stanford University's SeaLight maritime transparency initiative, emphasized the critical need for decisive action as he pointed out that China exploits perceived weakness. This makes it essential for the US to project strength to protect its interests and those of its regional allies, he said.
READ: PAF gets 10 Black Hawk choppers in fleet build-up
WITH the delivery of 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters in 2024, the Philippines is on its way to having the world's largest fleet of these rugged, multi-mission aircraft. The deliveries were part of a contract with Lockheed Martin, to supply 32 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters under the Department of National Defense's Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project. Under the current agreement, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will receive 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, produced by Lockheed Martin subsidiary PZL Mielec in Poland. These will augment the PAF's existing fleet of 15 S-70i Black Hawks, bringing the total to 47.
READ: Chavit finally formalizes withdrawal from Senate race
FORMER Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson on Thursday formalized his withdrawal as a candidate for senator in the May elections. Singson personally filed his statement of withdrawal at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila. Singson had told his followers Sunday he is dropping out following a bout with pneumonia. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that with Singson's formal withdrawal, his name will no longer be included in the ballot. The removal of Singson's name in the ballot was timely for the Comelec because of the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court that stopped the disqualification order against Subair Guinthum Mustapha and four local aspirants. Alongside the removal of Singson in the ballot, Comelec will add the name of Mustapha.
READ: Online libel, photo, video voyeurism cases on the rise
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group said a significant increase in online libel and photo/video voyeurism cases was observed in the country. Both were violations of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Republic Act 9995, or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009. Records indicate that reported online libel cases rose by 55 incidents, or 3.92 percent, from 1,403 in 2023 to 1,458 in 2024. Similarly, cases of RA 9995 violation increased by 53 incidents, or 18.02 percent, from 294 to 347 during the same period. The surge highlights a concerning shift even as broader cybercrime incidents decline, the PNP said.
BUSINESS: Stronger 2025 growth expected
Over to business, robust household spending, low unemployment and election-related economic activity are expected to bolster the country's economic growth, potentially hitting the official target. The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) expects a 6.3-percent economic expansion for 2025, with household consumption remaining its biggest driver. The government is aiming for 6.0- to 8.0-percent annual growth this year, wider than the 6.0 to 6.5 percent for 2024 that most analysts expect to have been missed.
SPORTS: Koon joins Strong Group Athletics
In sports, Strong Group Athletics (SGA) may have found its missing piece to win a championship in Dubai. SGA sealed its roster for the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championships with the addition of former Ateneo de Manila University guard Chris Koon. The 6-foot-5 Koon averaged 7.58 points, 4.17 rebounds, and 1.83 assists per game in his last stint with Ateneo in Season 87 of the UAAP.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Carl Balita are today's front page columnists. Tiglao thinks the writing is on the wall for the Marcos administration, while Balita says teachers need more, after amending the Teacher Professionalization Act.
Today's editorial analyzes the ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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