Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, June 13, 2024.

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BANNER: House sets stage for divorce debates

THE House of Representatives has sent the absolute divorce bill to the Senate, setting the stage for heated debates there, in the only country left outside the Vatican without such a law. House Bill (HB) 9349 was approved by the House on third and final reading on May 22, with 131 lawmakers voting in favor of it, 109 voting against it and 20 abstaining. Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, the principal author of the bill, said its passage in the House signified a significant shift in societal attitudes toward marriage and relationships in the country, but the bill faces stiff opposition from conservative senators, including the newly installed Senate President Francis Escudero and the man he replaced, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri. In a statement Wednesday, Lagman said the bill was sent to the Senate with a letter on June 10. The bill must be approved by the Senate before it can be signed into law by the President. In the Philippines, there is no divorce except among Muslims.

Number of Chinese warships in WPS up

THE number of Chinese warships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has increased, but it is still within acceptable limits, the Philippine Navy (PN) said Wednesday. Based on monitoring from June 4 to 10, a total of 146 Chinese ships were sighted in various areas in the West Philippine Sea, 22 of which were believed to be Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, said Commo. Roy Vincent Trinidad. The figures are considerably higher compared to the 125 Chinese vessels spotted from May 28 to June 3, of which nine ships were from the PLAN.

PCG men raise PH flag over Escoda Shoal

PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) personnel from the BRP Teresa Magbanua on Wednesday participated in a flag-raising ceremony at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to mark Independence Day. PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said the event was the first flag raising at Escoda Shoal. Balilo said BRP Teresa Magbanua was at the shoal to "maintain peace and security within the waters of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ)." During the ceremony, the PCG said they sighted eight Chinese vessels within Escoda Shoal and four more outside the shoal. Balilo said the Chinese vessels were monitoring the event. The ceremony was led by PCG Lt. Efren Duran with the crew and riders of the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

Remulla dismisses Teves' plea to UN, Amnesty

THE government on Wednesday dismissed as a delaying tactic a letter circulating online in which expelled congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. pleads for help from international organizations, human rights groups and even Pope Francis, claiming he is being unjustly persecuted and falsely accused of murder by the Philippine government. Teves, wanted on multiple murder charges, is detained in Timor Leste, where he sought asylum but where he faces legal proceedings for his extradition back to the Philippines.

Post office issues longest postage stamp

THE Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) has issued the country's longest postage stamp in a bid for the Guinness World Records. The sheetlet strip of three measures 200 mm x 35 mm and is the first of its kind issued by PHLPost in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence. Entitled "Philippines: First Republic in Asia," the stamp vividly illustrates the Philippines' nationhood from the historic proclamation of independence on June 12, 1898 to the declaration of the First Philippine Republic in 1901.

Marcos says Filipinos will defend territory

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Independence Day said that Filipinos would never shy away from defending the nation's territory, stressing that real power is measured through the reason of what the people are fighting for. In his speech during the "Parada ng Kalayaan [Freedom Parade] 2024" at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, the President urged Filipinos to honor their forefathers' sacrifices by protecting the nation and drawing strength from their heroic past.

PH to boost alliances – Marcos

Marcos said that the Philippines will continue charting an independent foreign policy through international engagements to boost alliances and build new partnerships with like-minded nations. In his speech during the Independence Day vin d'honneur in Malacañang, Marcos said the Philippines could further widen its engagement with other nations for the betterment of its people. The President said that the Philippines has consistently supported the rule of law and the rules-based international order.

BUSINESS: PH growth seen missing targets this year to 2026

Over to business, the World Bank continues to expect Philippine economic growth to fall below target this year up to 2026 amid a clouded regional outlook. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank retained its growth forecast for 2024 at 5.8 percent, below the government's downwardly-revised 6.0- to 7.0-percent goal. Those for 2025 and 2026 were set at 5.9 percent each, respectively also lower than the 6.5- to 7.5-percent and 6.5- to 8.0-targets announced in March. The forecasts — still among the highest for emerging Asian economies — are only topped by Cambodia, which is seen growing by 5.8 percent this year, 6.1 percent next year and 6.4 percent in 2026.

SPORTS: Carlos, Galanza added to Alas pool

In sports, Creamline's deadly wing combo Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza has been added to the Alas Pilipinas women's pool for the FIVB Challenger Cup slated from July 4 to 7. Alas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito confirmed the development on Tuesday as the Cool Smashers' 1-2 punch look to reinforce Alas in the tournament that will serve as a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) next year. Carlos and Galanza were initially named to the pool for the AVC Challenge Cup but were forced to opt out due to the Cool Smashers' trip to Spain. Carlos and Galanza joined NU stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, as well as UE standout Casiey Dongallo, as the newest pool members of Alas, which claimed a historic bronze medal at the AVC Challenge Cup last month.

Opinion and editorial

Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras says the solution against POGOs now rests in the hands of Congress, Makabenta gives his thoughts on Independence Day, and Remoto talks about missing the Philippines.

Today's editorial asks if there is creative accounting in climate finance. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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