It’s a good day. Below are The Manila Times’ stories on Saturday January 14, 2023.
BANNER: 43 officers were questioned by police as the ‘cleansing” began
At least 43 National Capital Region Police Officers (NCRPO), were summoned to an “initial screening process” in order to begin the purge of Philippine National Police members involved with drug traffickers. According to NCRPO spokesperson LtCol. Dexter Versola. NCRPO Acting Region Director MGen called the two of them. Versola stated that Jonnel Estomo was taken to Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City to allow them to clean their records. The Metro Manila police force screening is likely to clear any suspicions regarding its integrity, in particular the anti-narcotics team.
Manila port seizes P19M smuggled sweets
The Manila International Container Port (MICP) was seized with smuggled sugar worth at least P19million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). James Layug, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Inspection and Enforcement, said that the contraband cargo had been discovered in five shipping containers on January 11. Layug stated that the cargo was supplied as slippers, surge arresters and styrene rubber rubber. A team of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services, (CIIS), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and (PCG) inspected the shipment last November 29. Layug stated that DA was preparing criminal charges against Burias Jang Consumer Goods Trading for violating the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 and misdeclaration.
Wealth fund approves of foreign business executives
FOREIGN business leaders agree the Maharlika Wealth Fund, if implemented properly, could prove to be very profitable for the Philippines. Lorens Ziller is the Executive Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines. He believes that the Philippines will become a popular destination for international investors by creating a sovereign fund. The MWF will be a sovereign trust fund. It can be used by the government to invest in a range of options, including fixed-income instruments and domestic and foreign corporate bonds. Commercial real estate is also available. Chris Nelson was the executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and a trustee. He also highlighted the advantages of institutionalizing the proposed MWF at the roundtable which was hosted and moderated by Dante “Klink”, CEO of The Manila Times. Nelson pointed out that wealth funds are often managed well and have delivered positive results. Jesper Venningsen from the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Executive Director, agreed with Ziller and Nelson that the wealth fund may have benefits for the Philippines. Svenningsen stated that President Marcos must raise another important issue in Davos: the effects of climate change on Philippines.
DA would like to understand why eggs prices have risen.
THE Department of Agriculture (DA), is trying to find out the reason why eggs retail prices are so high at as much as P10 per kilo. Kristine Evangelista, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman for the Department of Agriculture (DA), said Friday that they were investigating after Gregorio San Diego, Chairman of Philippine Egg Board said that farmers’ prices are still low at between P6.70 to P7.20 each.
Still a threat to the Church from red-tagging
A Church official says that RED-tagging is still a menace to the Church’s missionaries, even after a court in the area cleared a Catholic priest and some human rights activists of perjury accusations. These charges 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, although the prosecution dismissed the perjury charge, the case had many implications for people who work to promote justice, equality, and freedom in the Philippines. Fr. Buenafe also serves as the executive secretary of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines. Buenafe said the Church is determined to assist the poor. But they face red tagging, as well as allegations that they may be members of a rebel organization.
NDRRMC: Infra, agri damage up P418M
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, (NDRRMC), reported Friday that P418 millions in agricultural and infrastructure damage was caused by floods. This has been due to the combination of the shearline phenomenon and a low pressure area (LPA), which have occurred since January 2. For agriculture, the damage has been estimated at P252,698,531; for infrastructure, it is P165.745,496. Damage to agriculture was reported by the National Irrigation Administration. It is estimated that it cost P25,610,000. According to the report, 17 people died. According to the report, there were 17 deaths: five in Bicol, four in Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga; three each in Eastern Visayas, one in Davao and three in Northern Mindanao.
BBM requests private sector assistance on Natl ID
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (PRESIDENT) has asked for the help of the private sector “to get the National Identification out,” because it has both the technology and the capability to make 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 economic 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. In a discussion that took place during Thursday’s forum, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual indicated, “The Philippines has many factors to help it establish supply chains.” Because of its central location, the Philippines has been a gateway to both north and Pacific nations.
SPORTS: Dindin Inks With Akari Chargers at PVL
The Akari Chargers have signed Aleona Denise Santiago Manabat (ex-Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Crossovers) as their new Premier Volleyball League (PVL). On Friday, January 13, the Akari Chargers announced that she had signed. Manabat, 29, had previously played in numerous PVL leagues between 2013 and 2022. She also had experience playing for two Japanese team from 2018 to 2020. Her team, the Chery Tiggo, won the PVL open conference title in 2021. Manabat played last year in Thailand for Nakhon Ratchasima Women’s Volleyball Club. Manabat joins Camille Victoria and Bang Pineda as Akari’s new recruits. Akari also has its former members in Trisha Gen, Erika Raagas and Lycha Ebon. Jaja Maraguinot and Dani Ravena are still available. Myla Pablo has been assigned to F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
Editorial and opinion
Today’s columnists include Antonio Contreras (Yen Makabenta), Danton Remoto and Danton Rmoto. Contreras gives his opinion on the political state in America, Contreras continues with his series on how America is an onion and Remoto discusses Library Renewal Partnership.
Today’s editorial claims that President Marcos confronting the controversial sovereign wealth funds of the country during the World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland) is sending a false message. The full text can be found in the opinion section of the newspaper or listened to the Voice of the Times.
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Peter Steven Llevares reports.