Good morning. These are the stories that The Manila Times published on Saturday, January 14, 20,23.
BANNER: 43 officers were questioned by police as the ‘cleansing” began
As part of the ongoing drive to rid the Philippine National Police (PNP), of those who are involved in drug trafficking, at least 43 officers from NCRPO were summoned for an initial screening procedure. According to LtCol. NCRPO, the policemen were named on the NCRPO’s drug watch list, which was compiled by its counterintelligence division. Dexter Versola. NCRPO Acting Director MGen called them. Versola stated that Jonnel Estomo was taken to Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City to allow them to clear their names. The Metro Manila police force screening is expected to clear any doubts, especially about the integrity of its anti-narcotics team.
Manila port seized P19-M smuggled Sugar
Smuggled sugar worth approximately P19 million was seized by the Manila International Container Port, the Department of Agriculture reported Friday. James Layug, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Inspection and Enforcement, said that the contraband cargo was found in five shipping containers on January 11. Layug claimed that the shipment contained insulators, surge-arresters, slippers and styrenebutadiene rubber. The shipment was held on November 29th and inspected last week by a team of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services, (CIIS), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Layug indicated that DA is preparing criminal charges against Burias Jang Consumer Goods Trading as a result of misdeclaration of the shipment’s destination.
Wealth fund approval is a welcomed development by foreign business leaders
FOREIGN business leaders from the Philippines agree that the Maharlika Wealth Fund is a good idea if implemented properly. Lorens Ziller, Executive Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines believes that a sovereign wealth fund can make the Philippines a desirable destination for investors. The MWF, a sovereign fund, will be used by the government to invest in a variety of outlets, including foreign currencies, fixed income instruments, domestic and international corporate bonds, commercial real property, and infrastructure projects. Chris Nelson, the trustee of the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and executive director of the MWF, spoke out during the roundtable hosted by Dante Klink Ang 2nd, chairman and CEO of The Manila Times. Nelson pointed out that wealth funds have had many successes and achieved results. Jesper Svenningsen from the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, who was with Ziller and Nelson at the roundtable, agreed that the wealth fund can bring the country benefits. Svenningsen stated that President Marcos should also raise the issue of climate change in Davos.
DA would like to know why egg prices have risen
THE Department of Agriculture is trying to find out why eggs retail prices have soared to as high at P10 per pound. Kristine Evangelista, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman for the department, said Friday that they were investigating after Gregorio San Diego, Chairman of the Philippine Egg Board said that the farmgate price is still low at between P6.70 to P7.20 per pound.
Red-tagging remains a threat for the Church
According to a Church official RED Tagging is still a threat for missionaries of The Church. This is despite the fact that a local court cleared a Catholic priest and several human rights activists from perjury charges, which were brought by a former national security advisor in 2019. Fr. Christian Buenafe O.Carm., chairman of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, said that while the court dismissed the perjury charge, the case still has implications for those who work to promote justice, equality, and freedom in the Philippines. Fr. Buenafe, also the executive secretary of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines, stated that the Church has a clear desire to help the poor. They are however vulnerable to red tagging or allegations of being members in rebel groups.
NDRRMC: Infra, agri damage up P418M
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, (NDRRMC), reported Friday that P418 million was incurred by agriculture and infrastructure as a result of floods caused by the shearline phenomenon and a low pressure area (LPA). This has been occurring since January 2. The amount of damage to agriculture is estimated at P252,698,531 while the infrastructure damage is P165,745,496. According to the National Irrigation Administration, (NIA), there was a total of P25,610,000 in damage. According to the report, 17 people died. According to the report, there were 17 deaths: five in Bicol and four in Northern Mindanao. Three in Eastern Visayas, one in Davao, and one each in Zamboanga or Northern Mindanao.
BBM requests private sector assistance on Natl ID
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, has asked the private sector for help in “get the National Identification out,” stating that it has the technology and capability to create new digital IDs. Marcos issued a directive on Thursday to speed up the digitalization of the national ID system during his meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on Digital Infrastructure in Malacañang.
BUSINESS: PH plays a key role in Indo-Pacific growth
Topping business, better regional ties, supply chains and infrastructure will allow the Indo-Pacific region to grow — especially in these trying times — and the Philippines can play a central role in achieving this, Cabinet officials said. A panel discussion was held during Thursday’s forum. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual stated that the Philippines has many advantages when it comes to establishing supply chains. The Philippines’ central position makes it a natural gateway to the north and Pacific.
SPORTS: Dindin inks in PVL with Akari Chargers
The Akari Chargers have signed Aleona Denise Santiago Manabat, an ex-Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Crossovers volleyball player, to a deal in sports. The Akari Chargers team announced her signing Friday, January 13. Manabat, a 29-year old, had previously played for several PVL teams (2013-2022) and two Japanese teams (2018-2021). She was part of the Chery Tiggo team, which won the PVL Open conference championship in 2021. Manabat was last in Thailand last year for the Nakhon Ratchasima Women’s Volleyball Club. Manabat is joining Camille Victoria, Bang Pineda and Eli Soyud, who are the new recruits to Akari. Akari also boasts its old guards in Trisha Generation, Erika Rapagas, Lycha Embon, Michelle Cobb Jaja Maraguinot and Dani Ravena. Myla Pablo will be joining the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
Opinion and editorial
Today’s columnists include Antonio Contreras (Yen Makabenta), Danton Remoto and Danton Rmoto. Contreras gives his opinion on the political situation in America, Contreras continues with his series on the country as an onion, while Remoto discusses the Library Renewal Partnership.
Today’s editorial claims that President Marcos confronting the controversial sovereign wealth fund for the country at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) sends a false message. You can read the entire article in the opinion section of the paper, or listen to the Voice of the Times.
Get a copy of for more information and news. The Manila Times Subscribe to its print version digital edition Log on www.manilatimes.net. Follow us Twitter, Facebook Oder Instagram Keep up to date with The Times.
This is Peter Steven Llevares reporting.