Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, February 23, 2025.
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READ: PH exits dirty money list
THE Philippines has officially been removed from a global dirty money watchlist after nearly four years of heightened monitoring by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The intergovernmental organization late on Friday commended the country for addressing anti-money laundering, combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) and counter-proliferation financing deficiencies identified in previous evaluations. The FATF, an international organization that coordinates global efforts to crack down on money laundering and terrorism financing, includes representatives from nearly 40 countries, including the United States, China and South Africa. In a briefing, FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo said the country had actively combated the risk of dirty money flowing through local casinos. The Philippines was the only country removed by the FATF from the so-called "grey" list, where it was placed in 2021, during its February plenary meeting. The watchdog had kept the Philippines on the list for a third straight year in 2024, citing continued deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems. Inclusion in the grey list means increased monitoring by the FATF and a commitment by the government to quickly resolve identified deficiencies.
READ: French, PH navies hold joint exercise
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the French Navy engaged in a maritime cooperative activity on Friday, marking the third consecutive week of such naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Chinese ships near the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan, and Zambales. AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Philippine and French forces collaborated in a series of activities designed to enhance their interoperability, communication and defense capabilities, within the joint operational area of the Northern Luzon Command.
READ: Satellite units to ensure poll connectivity
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to deploy about 7,000 Starlink satellite internet units to ensure seamless transmission of election results, particularly in areas with weak or limited telecom coverage. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said these Starlink units will be allocated to regions identified as having either only one telco provider or none at all. Garcia also addressed concerns regarding the security of these devices, warning potential thieves that tampering with or stealing Starlink units would be met with strict legal consequences.
READ: 43 floats bloom at Baguio flower festival
The 29th Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival drew thousands of visitors on Saturday, Feb. 22, as the Grand Street Dance Parade made its way through the city's main thoroughfares. The parade began at 8 a.m., but eager spectators started gathering as early as 5 a.m. The procession started at Panagbenga Park and followed a route through Session Road, Harrison Road, Jose Abad Santos Drive, and Lake Drive before culminating at the Melvin Jones football field. Dancers, marching bands from various schools, and indigenous tribes from the Cordillera region participated in the parade, wearing vibrant costumes and carrying colorful props. This year's theme, "Blossom Beyond Boundaries," aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability and global connectivity.
READ: 124 rude foreigners barred in 2024
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that 124 foreigners were denied entry last year for being rude and disrespectful to immigration officers, a notable increase from the 64 in 2023. In a press release on Saturday, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said these individuals were not only returned to their port of origin but also blacklisted and banned from future entry for their behavior.
BUSINESS: PH, Australia reaffirm development ties
In business, the Philippines and Australia recently reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong relations, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Friday. In a news release, NEDA said it hosted the first PhilippinesAustralia High-Level Consultations on Development on Feb. 18 at the NEDA Central Office in Mandaluyong City to discuss development priorities between the two countries. Launched in October 2024, the commitment to conduct the consultation was reaffirmed under the Philippines-Australia Development Partnership Plan (DPP) 2024-2029, which outlines agreed-upon objectives and guides cooperation in key areas such as peace-building, civil maritime cooperation, strategic economic reform, skills development and education, social protection, and disaster and climate resilience. The NEDA said the consultation also focused on updates on the ongoing programs and initiatives under the Philippines-Australia DPP 2024-2029.
SPORTS: Gilas wary as Kiwis eye payback win
STUNNED by Taiwan the last time out, Gilas Pilipinas will be eyeing for a bounce-back victory when it plays New Zealand before an expected hostile territory on Sunday at the close of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers third and final window at the Spark Arena. Game time is 10 a.m. (Manila time). Both squads enter the all-important match tied at 4-1 for a share of first place in Group B. Gilas fell short in its rally against Taiwan, 91-84, while New Zealand hammered hapless Hong Kong, 92-51, on Thursday night.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, looking at the Dizon family of Porac, Pampanga.
Today's editorial looks at an incident involving a 33-year-old woman in Cebu, who was arrested for selling explicit images of her teenage daughters online. Read more on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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