Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, March 14, 2024.
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BANNER: CHEd chief faces criminal charges
A SUSPENDED official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has filed graft and corruption and grave abuse of authority charges against the agency's chairman, Prospero de Vera 3rd, before the Office of the Ombudsman. In a five-page complaint filed on Tuesday, CHEd Commissioner Aldrin Darilag accused de Vera of giving undue favor to a supplier, claiming that his superior had asked him to support the supplier even if the company was not qualified. On Jan. 16, 2024, the Office of the President placed Darilag under preventive suspension for 90 days for alleged grave misconduct, neglect in the performance of his duties, and abuse of authority and oppression.
Difficult to see way forward – Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said "it is very difficult to see a way forward" with proposals that China made to ease tensions in the South China Sea because these were based on its expansive territorial claims that are "not recognized by any country." Marcos pointed out that the Philippines' baselines were already well established and that China intruded on the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Filipinos unfamiliar with political parties – study
A STUDY commissioned by Participate PH revealed that most Filipinos are unfamiliar with the nature of political parties but see their value in terms of public service delivery and representation that could convince them to join them anyway. Participate PH is a non-partisan, pro-democracy coalition that aims to engage and empower the political participation of Filipinos by providing opportunities for citizen engagement and empowerment. The coalition is led by the Ateneo School of Government, La Salle School of Governance, National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc. (Ideals Inc.), and Caucus for the Development of Non-government Organization Networks (Code-NGO).
PH to bolster ties with other countries
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that the Philippines will strengthen partnerships with countries that host Filipinos to promote fair labor practices and ensure the dignified treatment of our workers. Marcos, along with First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos and the rest of his delegation, met with thousands of Filipinos living and working in Germany on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Manila) to conclude the second day of his three-day working visit in Berlin. In his speech, the President said his administration is exhausting all measures to ensure that overseas Filipino workers are treated with respect and dignity.
Recto gets CA nod as Finance chief
THE Commission on Appointments on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of former Batangas representative Ralph Recto as Finance secretary. Recto, regarded by his former colleagues in the Senate as their "resident economist," replaced Benjamin Diokno. Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri described Recto as the Senate's "resident numbers guy," not only because of his brilliance at crunching the numbers but because of his ability to immediately see the big picture. Zubiri said that Recto's extensive experience as a legislator and as National Economic Development Authority chief has prepared him well for the demanding position. Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina "Loren" Legarda co-sponsored Recto's confirmation in the plenary.
BUSINESS: PH connectedness slips
Topping business, the Philippines' ranking in a globalization index has slipped even as flows of goods and services, capital, information and people continued to improve worldwide despite more turbulent times. The 2024 edition of the D.H.L. Connectedness Index placed the Philippines in 65th out of 181 countries as of 2022, down seven notches from 58th in 2017. Among the 28 East Asia and Pacific countries monitored in the report, the country ranked 13th. It joined 37 other countries which saw their levels of connectedness decline while 143 countries became more globally connected. The change in the Philippines' overall score — 52.1 out of 100 from 52.4 five years earlier — was marginal, indicating that other countries had made larger gains. Overall, however, the country's score rose for a second year from a low hit in 2022. Its rankings, meanwhile, in terms of four "pillars" — international trade, capital, information and people — and their depth and breadth also fell.
SPORTS: Titans, HD Spikers clash for share of lead
Over to sports, Choco Mucho and Cignal H.D. clash in a crucial showdown for a share of the lead with defending champion Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, March 14, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. With both teams hoping to remain unscathed in the tournament and seeking to join Creamline (4-0) at the top of the standings, an intensified showdown is expected at 6 p.m. Choco Mucho's new setter Mars Alba's playmaking will be put to test as she will have a showdown with P.V.L.'s reigning best setter Gel Cayuna in their much-awaited showdown.
Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras reviews a survey on defense, Makabenta thinks the country should learn from real-world experience of economic liberalization, and Remoto looks into Viva Villa.
Today's editorial looks into the new road bans imposed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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