Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, September 25, 2022.

Marcos wants to 'reintroduce' PH

Looking to "reintroduce the Philippines" to the world, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has plans for his nation on the international stage and at home — if, that is, the twin specters of pandemic and climate change can be overcome or at least managed. And if he can surmount the legacies of two people: his predecessor and his father. He also wants to strengthen ties with both the United States and China — a delicate balancing act for the Southeast Asian nation — and, like many of his fellow leaders at the United Nations this week, called on the countries that have caused global warming to help less wealthy nations counteract its effects. In a separate interview with former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd in New York, Marcos also laid out his economic agenda where he hoped there would be "not one more hungry Filipino."

'Philippines has no territorial conflict with China'

The President on Friday said the country has no territorial conflict with China, saying that it is Beijing that is "claiming territory that belongs to the Philippines." Marcos made the statement as he acknowledged that the country's relations with the United States are vital to resolving the issue in the West Philippine Sea.

Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

BBM back in Manila from 'successful' US trip

Meanwhile, Marcos described his first visit to the United States a "success," putting forward national security and interest while boosting ties with the Philippines' long-standing ally. The President arrived in Manila early on Sunday after attending the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here last week. Speaking to reporters who covered his six-day working visit, Marcos said he was "satisfied" with the work he has done as he and the Philippine delegation achieved what they sought to do in the trip.

DoJ to file new petition vs terror groups at CA

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) will no longer appeal the Manila Regional Trial Court's (RTC) ruling junking the department's petition seeking to proscribe the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), as terrorist groups. DoJ spokesman Atty. Mico Clavano disclosed over the week that they would instead file a new petition before the Court of Appeals, which, he pointed out, has the original jurisdiction of the said case under Republic Act (RA) 11479 or the "Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020."

'Duterte ended term with excellent rating'

FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte ended his term with a net satisfaction rating of +81 or "excellent," with 88 percent of the respondents satisfied with his performance as president, results of a Social Weather Station survey indicated. SWS said that the non-commissioned survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults ages 18 years old and above with a sampling error of plus-minus 2.5 percent for national percentages, plus-minus 5.7 percent for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and plus-minus 4 percent in the Visayas. The poll taken from June 26 to 29 or a day before Duterte's six-year term ended also showed that his gross satisfaction rating rose 10 points from the 78 percent in April, while the number of dissatisfied fell from 13 percent to 7 percent. The number of undecided fell by four points from 9 percent to 5 percent. Overall, his net satisfaction rating is 16 percent higher than the very good +65 percent reported in the last survey result and surpassed the +79 net satisfaction in November 2020. His end-term net satisfaction rating is the highest among post-EDSA Revolution presidents, eclipsing that of Presidents Benigno Aquino 3rd (+28), Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (-17), Fidel Ramos (+19) and Corazon Aquino (+7).

No more PPE for departing OFWs

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warned recruitment agencies on Saturday against requiring Filipino workers to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when they leave for their destination countries. In an advisory, the POEA said it has neither issued nor implemented rules and guidelines mandating the use of PPE by OFWs whether in Philippine airports or in the countries of destination. The advisory, signed by Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary and POEA Officer in Charge Bernard Olalia explained that "with the easing of regulations on both domestic and international travel, and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF)'s promulgation of policies for the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, such as the voluntary wearing of face masks outdoors and the downgrading of most areas to the lowest alert levels, the POEA reiterates that requirements on the deployment and travel of OFWs must also be relaxed."

PTAA: Collaboration key to recovery

Over to business, Philippine Travel Agencies Associations (PTAA) said that the tourism sector will only recover by establishing cooperation with various travel agencies and by working together with concerned stakeholders. In its fifth Membership Meeting held on Thursday at Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila, PTAA President Michelle Taylan presented in her report several positive developments in the tourism industry and emphasized that the key to recovery is collaboration between tourism stakeholders.

JRU shoots for 3rd straight win

JOSE Rizal University (JRU) shoots for its third straight win as it faces College of Saint Benilde (CSB) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 men's basketball today, Sunday, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. Game is set for 12 p.m. After starting the season with back-to-back losses, the Heavy Bombers have now picked up two straight wins capped by their 70-67 escape from the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs last Wednesday. Ry de la Rosa lifted JRU to the triumph in that contest, nailing the go-ahead triple in the last 4.8 seconds.

Opinion and editorial

Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he laments that things are going downhill for the education sector.

Today's editorial believes that a court in Manila is wrong on Communist rebels. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

For more news and information, get a copy of The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and Keep Up With The Times.

For The Manila Times, this is Paulo Dimaapi.