Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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READ: Palace says Duterte like Hitler, not Ninoy
THE Palace on Monday dismissed suggestions by Vice President Sara Duterte that if her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, were to return to the Philippines, he would be assassinated like former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Claire Castro said that It is a far stretch to compare Duterte with Aquino as it was no less than the former president who likened himself with Hitler. The Palace press officer also shot down claims that the life of the 79-year-old Duterte, now detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, is in grave danger.
READ: San Beda law dean: Duterte arrest legal
THE dean of the San Beda Graduate School of Law, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, on Monday defended the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying it was based on solid legal principles and was not politically motivated. Aquino said that the law is clear — our domestic legal framework recognizes international jurisdiction in cases of crimes against humanity." He added that Duterte's arrest is not a matter of political persecution; it is a matter of justice and adherence to our legal commitments.
READ: Govt applies the brakes on PUVMP
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced a shift in the implementation of the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), saying that it will proceed at a slower pace following reports of low consolidation numbers. This marks a departure from the government's previous stance, which aimed for rapid implementation and strict adherence to deadlines set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The PUVMP requires individual PUV operators to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations as a prerequisite for fleet modernization. However, many drivers and operators have expressed concerns over financial difficulties and the perceived lack of government support.
READ: Chinese ships gather near Scarborough Shoal
Monday revealed the presence of multiple Chinese vessels, including a warship, coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels near Bajo de Masinloc, the Philippine Coast Guard said Monday. PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the maritime domain awareness mission was conducted in two sorties, with the first departing from Subic Airport at 8:51 a.m. and the second at 12:28 p.m. During the MDA mission, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) documented the presence of a People's Liberation Army Navy warship 27 nautical miles southeast of the shoal. Five China Coast Guard vessels with hull numbers 5205, 5201, 5303, 3301, and 5203 were also observed. Additionally, four Chinese maritime militia vessels were documented, with two positioned within the shoal and the others at distances of 2.7 and 8.16 nautical miles southeast of the shoal.
READ: EALA TAKES OUT AUSSIE OPEN CHAMP KEYS
Fifth-seeded American Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion, crashed out of the Miami Open on Sunday suffering a shock loss to 19-year-old Filipina wildcard Alexandra Eala. The 6-4, 6-2 win for the teenager prompted her to hug her team and celebrate passionately after she became the first woman from the Philippines to beat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system came into being in 1975. Eala, the 2022 US Open girls' singles champion who has been based to the Rafael Nadal academy in Mallorca since she was 13, will now take on Spain's Paula Badosa for a spot in the quarterfinals.
BUSINESS: Reciprocal tariffs could put PH 'in the line of fire'
In Business, The Philippines could end up "more directly in the line of fire" as US President Donald Trump prepares to impose new reciprocal tariffs and sector-specific duties next week, Maybank Research said in a new report. The impending measures, particularly the reciprocal tariffs that will be tailored to individual trading partners, "will change the relative rankings in terms of vulnerability" for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the research unit of the Maybank Investment Banking Group said last Friday. Trump, who triggered a global trade war in February by first targeting China, Canada and Mexico — the US' biggest trading partners, has said that the reciprocal tariffs and a 25-percent duty on all semiconductor, pharmaceutical and auto imports would be announced on April 2.
SPORTS: Petro Gazz, Zus dispute last PVL semis spot
In Sports, An intense heated clash is expected from Petro Gazz and ZUS as the two teams fight for the last spot in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024-25 All- Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. With Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Akari already securing semis tickets, Petro Gazz and ZUS will go neck-and-neck to prove which team is worthy to be in the Top 4 of the league. The game is set at 6 p.m. The No. 2 team Petro Gazz got back on its feet and dispatched ZUS via sweep, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26, to tie the series at 1-all, last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Orlando Mercado are today's front page columnists. Contreras' piece explains why former President Rodrigo Duterte is not a father figure, opposing the image his supporters painted. Makabenta's column is about the facts and literature on sovereign immunity while Mercado talks about what ails our criminal justice system.
Today's editorial is about the Commission on Higher Education's offering of medical scholarships in state colleges and universities.
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