Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, June 10, 2023.
READ: Mayon likely to have 'hazardous' eruption
MOUNT MAYON, already restive for the past few days, is showing signs that it could be primed for a "hazardous" eruption soon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday. As a precaution, authorities have begun evacuating villagers living inside the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano. The provincial government of Albay has also declared a state of calamity as it prepares for relief operations once a major eruption occurs. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told The Manila Times on Thursday the agency is further assessing the volcano's behavior before raising the alert status from the present Level 3 to Level 4.
READ: APCU fetes Filipinos who fostered China-PH friendship
THE Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) and the Embassy of China in the Philippines have honored six individuals this year who promoted and strengthened the friendship and mutual understanding between China and the Philippines. The six were lauded at the recent Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (Appcu) 2023. This year's Appcu Hall of Fame awardees are former president Rodrigo Duterte and Ambassador Carlos Chan, former special envoy of the President to the People's Republic of China. In his keynote speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the awarding ceremony as a fitting prelude to the celebration of the 48th year of the formal establishment of relations between the Philippines and China — a significant event in history that came from the presidency of his father.
READ: Marcos to present 'progress' in 2nd SONA
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed confidence that he will be able to report some progress when he delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the awarding ceremony of the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding on Thursday, the President said he would give an update on what happened to the plans and projects that he mentioned during his SONA last year.
READ: PH a 'significant partner' – Russian envoy
RUSSIAN Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov said the bilateral ties between the two countries have yet to be fully exhausted as Moscow considers Manila as one of its "significant partners." Pavlov on Thursday also said the establishment of direct flights between Moscow and Manila was being discussed to boost trade and tourism between the two countries. The ambassador made the remarks during the Day of Russia celebration attended by some Department of Foreign Affairs officials and members of the diplomatic community in the Philippines. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel 3rd, Association of Friendship with Russia president, was also present. Pavlov noted that last June 2, Russia and the Philippines celebrated the 47th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral diplomatic relations.
READ: Trump indicted over classified documents
Donald Trump said Thursday he has been indicted over his handling of classified documents after leaving office, the US ex-president's most serious legal threat yet as he pursues a second White House term. There was no immediate confirmation from the Justice Department. Trump attorney Jim Trusty told C.N.N. that his client has been indicted on seven charges, including the willful retention of documents in violation of the Espionage Act, making false statements, obstruction of justice and a count of conspiracy.
BUSINESS: Growth targets kept; trade outlook slashed
Over to business, growth targets for this year and the next five years were retained by economic managers on Friday but other assumptions were revised to take latest developments into account. Most of the revisions were relatively minor with the exception of 2023 import and export growth projections, which were reduced substantially given a deterioration in the global trade environment.
SPORTS: PFF seeks PSC's help for World Cup preparation
In sports, the Philippine Football Federation is seeking more financial support from the Philippine Sports Commission to help fund the national women's team's preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which kicks off next month. P.F.F. President Mariano "Nonong" Araneta made this known during the New Zealand Embassy's pre-departure dinner for the Filipinas on Thursday at the New Zealand Residence in Makati. The Philippine women's football team, also known as the Filipinas, has been receiving financial aid from its patron Jeff Cheng as well as from the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, the world's governing body for football.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras analyzes a "surprise" of a "scientific" president, Makabenta wants "Filipinas" to be the country's brand, while Remoto discusses the world tour of "Luha ng Buwaya".
Today's editorial believes better motorcycle rider training is only half the solution to unskilled riders resulting in traffic congestion. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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