Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, May 25, 2023.
READ: SKorea seeks more naval drills with PH
AFTER assisting the Philippines in its modernization program, the Republic of Korea Navy now wants to take it a step further by having "more future engagements to strengthen the strategic relationships" between the two countries. Admiral Lee Jong-Ho, chief of the Naval Operations of the South Korean navy, expressed this during a courtesy call on Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., flag officer in command, at the Philippine Navy Headquarters on Tuesday, said Capt. Benjo Negranza, Naval Public Affairs Office director, on Wednesday.
READ: Pagasa: 'Mawar' might weaken into typhoon
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday that Super Typhoon "Mawar" (international name) might weaken into a typhoon over the next 12 hours while still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). But Pagasa Senior Weather Specialist Chris Perez said there is a likelihood that Mawar could re-intensify into a super typhoon before it enters PAR Friday night or Saturday morning. Pagasa said that Mawar, which will be named "Betty" once it entered PAR, has a slim chance of making a landfall and will not directly affect the country.
READ: Lagman urges Romualdez to reveal ouster details
ALBAY First District Rep. Edcel Lagman has called on Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to release the details regarding a plot to oust him. Lagman said in a statement on Wednesday that as speaker of the House of Representatives, it is important that Romualdez release the information of an ouster plot allegedly led by former president and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This led to Arroyo's demotion from senior deputy speaker to a deputy speaker last week.
SPECIAL REPORT: Will e-invoicing curb smuggling at Bureau of Customs?
THE AGRICULTURAL group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), headed by Rosendo So, supports e-invoicing, saying it would help the agriculture sector which has suffered nearly P30 billion worth of losses due to agricultural smuggling since last year. So said that at present, only the BoC holds the record for all incoming imports of agricultural products. This puts other agencies of the government on the blind side. So added that they have long been proposing that copies of the foreign inward manifest be provided to the Agriculture department, as well. He also cited the widespread problem of undervaluation, misdeclaration and misclassification in the importation of meat products through the tampering with H.S. Codes.
BUSINESS: Palace: PH to get up to $4B in ADB funding
In business, the Philippines is assured of additional funding to bankroll major infrastructure projects after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) promised to give the government up to $4 billion in loans this year, Malacañang said. Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said A.D.B. President Masatsugu Asakawa made the commitment during a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
SPORTS: Gilas braces for tough grind in Euro trip
Over to sports, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes is looking at playing European national squads Estonia and Finland, along with cage powerhouse Lithuania as part of the Philippines' major buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the country is co-hosting along with Japan and Indonesia beginning August 25. Reyes admitted he's been piecing together some of the details for the European trip while the Philippines was playing in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. Gilas managed to dethrone Indonesia in the crossover semifinals before subduing the host country, 80-69, en route to reclaiming the men's basketball gold medal.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta are today's front page columnists. Contreras discusses gender equality in basic education, while Makabenta weighs in on the power struggle within Lakas-C.M.D.
Today's editorial believes debt-for-nature swaps could be an opportunity for the country. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
READ: The Times to hold sustainability forum
THE Manila Times will hold a live forum titled "Encompassing Sustainability, Future Proofing the Economy," at the M-Gallery of the Admiral Hotel Manila today, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leading the forum's speakers is Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who will discuss how sustainable tourism could attract more visitors to the country. The other guests are Danilo Fausto, national president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.; Glenn Banaguas, a science diplomat and chairman of the United Nations Sasakawa Laureate; Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, president of the Philippine Retailers Association and senior executive vice president of Wilcon Depot; Jenny Lyn Maano-Ngai, co-founder and president of Sunsmart Solar Power Tech Inc.; and Caitlin Punzalan, corporate and government affairs lead of Mondelez Philippines Inc. The forum will be hosted by Times editor Dafort Villaseran with columnist Ben Kritz as moderator. The Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd will deliver the opening remarks. The event will be streamed live on The Manila Times' social media and online platforms, including its official website, as well as Facebook, YouTube and Dailymotion accounts. See you there.
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