Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Monday, March 17, 2025.
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READ: PH govt consulted on Duterte's arrest
DOCUMENTS from the International Criminal Court revealed that the government knew beforehand about former president Rodrigo Duterte's impending arrest. Government officials have denied that they had prior knowledge of the arrest warrant. The documents detail prior consultations between Philippine authorities and international agencies, indicating that the government had not only been informed of the arrest request but had also agreed to comply with it.
READ: Marcos could face kidnap charges – lawyer
PROMINENT lawyer said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with key members of his Cabinet, could face criminal charges following the revelation of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla that exposed a government plot to abduct and deport former president Rodrigo Duterte. Lawyer Raul Lambino said Marcos, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Remulla were involved in what he called a "grand conspiracy to forcibly bring Duterte out of the country. Lambino said Remulla's own statements are proof of their involvement in an act tantamount to kidnapping under Philippine law.
READ: Senate bets push for education reforms
ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Rep. France Castro and labor leader Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman vowed to advocate for reforms in the country's education system and provide enough funding to the health care sector if they are elected to the Senate. In a Townhall conducted by The Manila Times and DZRH, the two candidates cited the perennial problems in the education and health sectors. Castro, a former public school teacher, said she would back the allocation of 6 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to education.
READ: Dr. Vicki Belo receives Woman of Legacy Award
IN a momentous celebration during the Women's Month Forum, Dr. Vicki Belo was honored with the Woman of Legacy Award by Go Negosyo, recognizing her significant contributions and enduring influence in the beauty and wellness industry. The esteemed award was bestowed upon Dr. Belo by Joey Concepcion III, the founder of Go Negosyo, in the presence of DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque and first lady, Louise Araneta-Marcos. Dr. Vicki Belo receives Woman of Legacy Award.
BUSINESS: Capital Economics: PH will 'struggle to fulfill' potential
THE arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court has drawn fresh attention to the political instability that is weighing on the Philippines' growth prospects, a London-based consultancy said. While the detention of Duterte — who is accused of crimes against humanity in relation to a brutal war on drugs — has no immediate economic consequences, Capital Economics said it underscored the widening rift between Duterte's successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. A partnership powered the pair to a landslide victory during the 2022 national elections, but relations between the Duterte and Marcos families soon deteriorated rapidly.
SPORTS: Draper stuns Alcaraz; reaches Indian Wells final
In sports, Jack Draper ended Carlos Alcaraz's bid for a rare Indian Wells ATP Masters three-peat on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), toppling the Spaniard to book a title clash with Holger Rune. Britain's Draper, ranked 14th in the world, held his nerve to beat Alcaraz 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 and reach the first Masters 1000 final of his career. Denmark's Rune, ranked 13th, triumphed 7-5, 6-4 over world number six Daniil Medvedev — who had been runner-up to Alcaraz each of the past two years.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao, Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao says that the ICC case vs former president Rodrigo Duterte is a huge, horrific hoax. Fr. Aquino's column talks about the ICC while Tatad wonders if Duterte really expected that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will protect him from the ICC.
Today's editorial talks about saving the country's sinking cities
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