Good morning. These are the stories from The Manila Times Saturday, January 14, 2023.
BANNER – 43 policemen are questioned as ‘cleansing begins’
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 NCRPO spokesperson LtCol. Dexter Versola. NCRPO Acting Director MGen called them. Versola explained that Jonnel Estomo took them to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, to get a chance to clear their name. The Metro Manila police force will be screened to eliminate any doubts about its integrity, especially regarding anti-narcotics units.
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 was labelled as insulators. The shipment was held last November 29 and inspected in person by a team of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services, (CIIS), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and (PCG), Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and Bureau of Plant Industry. 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 is a sovereign money fund that the government can use to invest in a wide variety of avenues such as fixed-income instruments, foreign currency, corporate bonds, commercial realty, and infrastructure projects. Chris Nelson, the executive director and trustee of the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines highlighted the benefits of institutionalizing the proposed MWF at the roundtable. The event was hosted by Dante “Klink”, CEO of The Manila Times. Nelson pointed out that wealth funds have had many successes and achieved results. Jesper Svenningsen (Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Executive director) agreed that the wealth fund could bring benefits to the country. He was joined by Nelson and Ziller in the roundtable. 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 continues to be a threat to missionaries in the Church, even though a local court cleared a Catholic nun and several human right activists of perjury charges filed by a former national intelligence adviser in 2019. Fr. Fr. Fr. Buenafe is also the executive secretary of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines. He stated that the Church is determined to serve the poor. But they face red tagging, as well as allegations of belonging to a rebel group.
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 combination the shearline phenomenon and a low pressure area (LPA). This has been occurring since January 2. The agriculture damage is estimated at P252,698,531 with P165,745,496 being for infrastructure. The National Irrigation Administration reported that there were P25.610,000 worth of damages. 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 three in Zamboanga.
BBM requests private sector assistance on Natl ID
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asked the private sector to assist in “getting the National Identification out,” as it has the technology, capability and capabilities for creating 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. Because of its central location, the Philippines has been a gateway to the Pacific and north.
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 played for several PVL teams between 2013 and 2022. She also had played for two Japanese team between 2018 and 2020. 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 joins Camille Victoria and Bang Pineda as Akari’s new recruits. Akari also has its holdovers in Trisha Gen, Erika Raagas and Lycha Ebon, Michelle Cobb and Jaja Maraguinot. Janine Marciano is Janine Marciano. Myla Pablo is now heading 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 situation in America, Contreras continues with his series on the country as an onion, while Remoto discusses the Library Renewal Partnership.
Today’s editorial believes President Marcos is sending a wrong message by addressing the controversial sovereign fund of the country during the World Economic Forum, Davos. You can read the entire article in the opinion section of the paper, or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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This is Peter Steven Llevares reporting.