Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
READ: Senate ratifies RCEP
VOTING 20-1-1, the Senate on Tuesday ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The senators passed on third and final reading Senate Resolution 485 ratifying the mega free trade agreement. Its ratification was among the priorities of the Marcos administration. RCEP is a free trade agreement among Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It took effect in January last year. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros voted "no" amid concerns that it would be detrimental to farmers and fisherfolk. Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda "Imee" Marcos abstained. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual sat at the gallery of the Senate session hall while senators deliberated on the agreement. Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina "Loren" Legarda and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri sponsored the RCEP ratification. Legarda gave assurances that an oversight committee will be created to address the issues on micro, small and medium enterprises, science and technology, agriculture, trade and industry and other sectors. She said resolutory clauses were included and made part of the concurring resolution to the RCEP agreement.
READ: PH eyes own missile system
THE Philippines will inch closer to achieving its deterrence objectives as it is poised to have its own missile system that will give the country's "anemic" defense capability a muchneeded upgrade. The Philippine Navy (PN) should be receiving this year the first of three batteries of the BrahMos shore-based anti-ship missile system (Sbasms), which will be the primary weapon of the Coastal Defense Regiment (CDR), a newly formed unit of the Philippine Marine Corps.
READ: Intramuros nominated Asia's leading tourist destination
THE Philippines is in the running for five major trophies in the Asia category in the 2023 World Travel Awards (WTA), Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco announced on Tuesday. Two of the country's most popular stops, Cebu and Intramuros, have been nominated, respectively, as Top Wedding Destination and as Leading Tourist Attraction after winning it last year. The Philippines is again in the running for Asia's Leading Beach Destination at this year's 30th edition of the WTA, also after bagging the same category in September last year in Vietnam. This year, it is also competing for the title of Asia's Leading Dive Destination, which it has held for the past four years, from 2019 to 2022. The DoT itself was also nominated for the 2023 WTA as Asia's Leading Tourism Board.
READ: Non-invasive breast cancer screening tool launched
A NEW screening tool has been launched in the country with the aim of bringing more affordable means to test breast cancer in Filipino women. The Thermaltyx breast screening tool uses a thermal camera and a software powered by artificial intelligence that detects heat elements that could possibly lead to breast cancer. According to Niramai Analytix founder and chief executive officer Dr. Geeta Manjunath, the system would detect cancers in less than 10 minutes in a non-invasive and non-radiologic setting than mammograms and other breast screening technologies.
READ: Probers face blank wall in vice mayor's slay
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is facing a blank wall in its probe on the ambush-slay of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda. PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday that they have yet to establish any persons of interest and that the focus of the investigation is now on the burned Mitsubishi Adventure supposedly used by the suspects in the killing. The vehicle was found in Barangay Uddiawan in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya Monday morning. Fajardo said based on initial findings of the PNP forensics group in Nueva Vizcaya, the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicle have been "tampered with and defaced." However, she said the Highway Patrol Group in Nueva Vizcaya was able to lift some numbers on the chassis of the Mitsubishi Adventure.
READ: Syrian envoy appeals for help
SYRIA's Consul General to the Philippines Mohammed Issam el-Debs called on the international community to lift sanctions against his country and help earthquake victims. In a video interview with The Manila Times, el-Debs said Syria has not received much aid from the international community. He said that Saudi Arabia, Iran and Algeria sent supplies to his country. Syria has been economically sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and several Western nations in response to the repression of civilians. El-Debs said that not much help is going to Syria, with most of the international assistance poured on Turkey.
BUSINESS: PH seen weathering global recession
Topping business, the Philippine economy remains "sufficiently robust" and will likely withstand the impact of a global recession, economists from First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said on Tuesday. The FMIC and the UA&P economists noted that while unemployment could slightly worsen, government infrastructure spending and latest manufacturing data "would provide antidotes to pessimism". The Philippines' purchasing managers' index hit a seven-month high in January, it pointed out, while latest fiscal data indicated that the government had kept its deficit within target last year.
SPORTS: Painters expect Smith to play vs Hotshots
Over to sports, Rain or Shine expects import Greg Smith 2nd to play when the Elasto Painters clash with the Magnolia Hotshots in a battle between two streaking squads today, February 22, in the 2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Game time is 5:45 p.m. Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said they expect to receive the letter of clearance by Wednesday morning, which will give Smith the green light to see action versus Magnolia.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today's front page columnists. Tiglao rants about the International Criminal Court case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, while Fr. Aquino recalls memories of his childhood.
Today's editorial calls for more infrastructure for bicycles. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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For The Manila Times, this is Kim Isabelle Dignadice.