Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Oct. 14, 2021.

READ: Noli backs out

JUST days after filing his certificate of candidacy for senator under the Aksyon Demokratiko party, former vice president and broadcaster Manuel "Noli" De Castro withdrew from the race. In a statement posted on the Facebook page of his daughter, television executive Katherine De Castro, he said he made his decision after praying to the Black Nazarene, of which he is a devotee. De Castro said that he can best serve the nation as a broadcaster rather than as a politician. De Castro also noted that the main reason why he pondered a Senate run is because he wanted to be the voice of Filipinos, especially those who want a peaceful and orderly life even as the country battles a pandemic. He vowed to continue being the voice of the masses, especially those who have been "drowned" in the noise of politics.

READ: Revenge not in Moreno's political agenda

MANILA Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Wednesday insisted that his decision to run for president was fueled by his desire to serve the people and not political vendetta. He issued the statement to clarify allegations that his seeming soft stance on the Marcoses is a signal that he will condone wrongdoings committed by past regimes. Domagoso said during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum that it has always been his style to learn from the successes and mistakes of past leaders for him to become an effective leader. The mayor reiterated that politics should not be just about the longtime fight between two families but about putting the interest of the people first.

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READ: Pandemic darkens nations' prospects

WASHINGTON: The ongoing hit from the Covid-19 pandemic and the failure to distribute vaccines worldwide is worsening the economic divide and darkening prospects for developing nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday. Global economic growth this year and next is expected to continue as the recovery solidifies broadly, but the overall figures mask large downgrades and ongoing struggles for some countries.

READ: Aspirin may do more harm than good

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A US government expert panel said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) it no longer recommends a daily dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people aged 60 and over. People aged 40 to 59 who are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease but have no history of it should consult with their doctor and make an individual decision on whether to start taking the medicine. The statement was a major reversal in the US medical field, where taking aspirin daily is a widespread practice. The medication thins blood, helping prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

READ: Typhoon 'Maring' death toll rises to 13

THE country's disaster council on Wednesday confirmed four more fatalities due to severe tropical storm "Maring" (international name: Kompasu) after bringing heavy rains and different incidents mostly in Northern Luzon. As of Wednesday, Maring continues to move away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Most of the 13 fatalities were caused by landslide incidents, particularly in Northern Luzon and Palawan, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Nine persons remain missing while there were three people who were either ill or injured from the weather disturbance. According to the Department of Agriculture, damage to crops was recorded at P608.50 million with 29,063 farmers and fishermen affected.

Topping Business

READ: PH seen hitting 4% growth

THE Philippine economy could still hit at least the lower end of the government's target this year as "artificial stimulants" could boost consumption in the last quarter, according to The University of Asia and the Pacific economist Bernardo Villegas. His full-year projection for 2021 falls at the lower-end of the government's revised 4- to 5-percentage-point growth target and the 9.6-percent decline in 2020. Speaking on Wednesday at the Chamber of Thrift Banks 2021 Virtual Convention, Villegas stressed that another "savior" of the economy are overseas workers, who will be generous in November and December to ensure that their relatives may have a truly joyous Christmas.

In Sports

READ: Meralco lives to fight another day

THE Meralco Bolts rallied to overcome the Magnolia Hotshots and force a sixth game in the series on Friday. Allein Maliksi and Nard John Pinto took charge and towed their team to a 102-98 win in Game Five of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga after Chris Newsome in the early part of the fourth period. Maliksi topscored for the Bolts with 29 points while Pinto contributed 24 markers.

READ: Fernandez bows out at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS: Unseeded Shelby Rogers upset US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in a marathon three-setter at the WTA Indian Wells on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in what has been a bruising start of the week for the women seeds. Rogers outlasted Canadian teenager Fernandez 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in two hours and 34 minutes to reach the quarterfinals of the combined women's and men's tournament in the California desert. Rogers moves on to play 24th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, who upset second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland in straight sets.

READ: Opinion and Editorial

In its Editorial, The Manila Times says the decision of the International Monetary Fund to retain its Managing DIrector Kristalina Georgieva amid allegations that she manipulated the World Bank report while she was CEO of that institution raises questions on its integrity and credibility. Read the full version on the paper's Opinion Section or listen to the Voice Of The Times.

Yen Makabenta, Antonio Contreras and Edcel Lagman are the featured columnists on the front page. Makabenta asks what if the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. linked to the allegedly overpriced medical supplies for Covid-19 outlives the pandemic. Contreras comments on the supposed aborted plan of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president and of her replacement, Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. Lagman says Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo is the leader of the authentic opposition.

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