Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, June 14, 2021.
READ: Robredo opposition's best bet – Lagman
VICE President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo is the "most logical, qualified, viable, and winnable choice" standard bearer for the opposition in next year's elections, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Sunday. Lagman stated there must only be one presidential candidate that will run against whoever President Rodrigo Duterte in next year's presidential elections.
READ: Gatchalian seeks probe on schools' readiness
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian has sought an inquiry on the preparedness of the basic education sector for School Year 2021- 2022 whether through face-to-face classes, distance learning, or other alternative delivery modes. Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution 739 which calls for an assessment of the capacity of basic education institutions in delivering quality education.
READ: 2 jabs not required for outbound Filipinos
MALACAÑANG has clarified the government is not requiring Filipinos leaving for abroad to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the clarification after the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said in a Facebook post on Saturday Filipinos must have the required two doses of Covid-19 vaccine before they can leave.
READ: Employers not keen on jabs for workers
ONLY 2 percent of employers in the country are inclined to require their employees to get jabs against Covid-19 mainly because of concerns on the safety of vaccines, a survey showed. The survey, conducted in February, revealed that one in four employers will provide time off for their workers to get vaccinated and more than half that they will encourage employees to get vaccinated although only 17 percent will "strongly encourage."
REGIONS: Patrick Roxas writes '30'
THE Manila Times correspondent Patrick Tamano Roxas passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021. He died of hepatic encephalopathy caused by fulminant liver failure as a result of liver cirrhosis. He was 62. He left behind a wife and three children.
BUSINESS: Govt debt servicing decreases in April
Topping business, increased interest payments and amortization costs reduced the national government's debt servicing in April by more than double compared to payments made a year earlier, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury showed over the weekend. In April, debt payments totaled P64.28 billion, down 130.74 percent from P148.34 billion a year ago. Interest payments increased by 8.86 percent to P23.81 billion from P21.88 billion in April 2020, accounting for 37.05 percent of total servicing.
SPORTS: Baldwin returns as Gilas Pilipinas coach
In sports, Tab Baldwin is making a return to the Gilas Pilipinas basketball program as head coach. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced the appointment of the American-Kiwi coach as the head mentor for the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers to be hosted by Clark City on June 16.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today's front page columnists. Tiglao cites a book that could discourage Sen. Manny Pacquiao in running for a higher position in next year's elections, while Fr. Aquino discusses being a victim of a common fault.
Today's editorial believes the New People's Army has misplayed President Rodrigo Duterte and lost their chance for peace. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. May you have a safe week ahead.