Good day. Here are the top stories for The Manila Times on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
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READ: US tariffs threaten PH weapons deal
Imposing tariffs on United States imports from the Philippines could affect the US ally's ability to afford US weapons systems and a long-discussed $5.58 billion plan to acquire F-16 fighter jets, the Philippine ambassador to Washington told Reuters. The Philippines faced levies of 17 percent on its exports to America after President Donald Trump announced global tariffs last week. On Thursday, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the "reciprocal tariffs" except those on goods from China, but the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries still face a 10-percent levy for the next three months. Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila was keen to negotiate. He referred to Washington's approval this month of the potential sale of F-16 aircraft made by Lockheed Martin for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion and said tariffs could affect the Philippines economy and its ability to afford them. Romuladez noted that the Philippines trade surplus with the US was about $4.8 billion.Philippine officials say Manila is also interested in purchasing the Typhon missile system, which the US has deployed in the Philippines for exercises and which experts say could have an important role in the event of a Chinese attack on the self-governed but Chinese-claimed island of Taiwan.
READ: Duterte's arrest driven by 'political convenience'
EVEN as the Marcos administration publicly denounces the International Criminal Court (ICC) and insists on noncooperation, revelations from insiders and legal observers highlight a stark contradiction: the government may have quietly facilitated the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Kristina Conti, ICC-accredited lawyer representing victims of the drug war, pointed out in an interview striking inconsistencies in the Philippine government's behavior. While the Marcos camp has repeatedly emphasized its refusal to cooperate with The Hague-based tribunal, the abruptness of Duterte's arrest suggests a backdoor deal or, at the very least, silent acquiescence. Conti believes divisions within the "UniTeam" — the 2022 campaign alliance of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte — may have played a pivotal role. Once marketed as a symbol of post-pandemic political stability, the alliance now shows visible cracks, with seething rivalries between factions loyal to the Marcoses and to the Dutertes. The breakdown appears to have created just enough political distance to allow international legal obligations to take effect — even if no one in Malacañang will admit it. Despite fiery rhetoric rejecting ICC jurisdiction, key decisions on the ground point to discreet maneuvering. Sources say Philippine officials were engaged in "quiet coordination" with the ICC, particularly involving logistical aspects of the arrest.
READ: Joint task force to probe Que kidnap-slay incident
IN response to the kidnapping and murder of a prominent Chinese businessman that has sparked shock and outrage, top Philippine law enforcement officials announced the creation of a specialized task force to hunt down the perpetrators. In a joint press conference of the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the formation of the task force "is paramount. Last Wednesday, the bodies of Chinese businessman Anson Que, also known as Anson Tan or Congyuan Guo, and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found on a roadside in Sitio Odiongan, Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal. The bodies were stuffed into a nylon sack. Their heads were wrapped with duct tape, and their hands tied behind their backs. Que and Pabillo were last seen alive on the afternoon of March 29, when they left Valenzuela City for a meeting. The following day, Que's family reported his disappearance to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group. On Tuesday, April 8, the victim's vehicle was found in Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City. According to witnesses, the vehicle was abandoned by two individuals. During a meeting with the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Remulla revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an aggressive crackdown. Kidnapping cases are usually handled by the PNP's Anti-Kidnapping Group, but NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the Que case will require an unprecedented interagency collaboration. Remulla said the government needs the community's help in solving the Que case.
READ: 30 million expected to join Holy Week exodus
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting over 30 million travelers will be visiting popular spots across the country during the Holy Week break. Based on last year's DOT records, the popular Holy Week destinations include Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, Siargao, Baguio, Batangas, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Puerto Galera. Emerging destinations like Camiguin, Siquijor and Cagayan de Oro City, as well as Mindanao areas like Davao and Sarangani, are also attracting more visitors. In Manila, Intramuros is expected to draw 2.4 million visitors, up from 2.2 million in 2023, as tourists flock to its historic sites and participate in traditional Lenten activities like the Visita Iglesia. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said on Friday she has activated the DOT's regional operations centers to manage the influx of tourists. Also on Friday, officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) made a surprise inspection of major bus terminals along EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City, in preparation for the Holy Week exodus. MMDA Chairman Don Artes visited the Five Star and Baliwag Transit terminals to ensure smooth terminal operations and assess the readiness of MMDA personnel to manage traffic and assist commuters. There was a random drug testing of bus drivers and conductors. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said it expects a 10-percent increase in vehicle traffic in its expressways during the Holy Week.
READ: Chiz to Imee: Stop using Senate as your platform
SENATE President Francis Escudero urged Sen. Imee Marcos to stop using the Senate as a platform for her personal political objectives. Marcos should "instead use her name, title and influence as a bridge toward unity, not a wedge for division. Our people and our country expect and deserve no less," Escudero said. Escudero and Marcos had sharp exchanges following the resumption Thursday of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations' inquiry on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Marcos, the committee chairman, had cited in contempt Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao for lying about the circumstances behind Duterte's arrest, and ordered him locked up in the Senate's detention facility. Escudero, however, said on Friday he directed the release of Lacanilao "both as a matter of regularity and out of humanitarian consideration as his grandfather is to be laid to rest today." Escudero added that he believes Lacanilao was detained without approval and due process.To comply with the requisites of due process, Escudero said he is issuing a "show cause order" on Friday for Lacanilao "to explain within 5 days why he should not be cited in contempt, as requested by Senator Marcos.Marcos said Escudero's refusal to not cite Lacanilao in contempt was "disappointing and dangerous."
In Business
READ: Net FDI down 20% in January
NET foreign direct investments (FDIs) fell by 20 percent in January 2025 to $731 million from $914 million a year earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said late on Thursday, but were still an improvement from the $110 million recorded in December. The contraction was primarily attributed to a 37.7-percent plunge in nonresidents' net investments in debt instruments to $519 million from $833 million in January 2024, which was mitigated by rebound in net investments in capital and higher reinvestments of earnings. Net investments in equity capital totaled $88 billion for the month, from an $11-million net outflow a year ago, while reinvestments of earnings grew 36.0 percent to $125 million from $92 million. The equity capital placements mostly came from Japan, the United States, Singapore and Malaysia, and were mostly invested in the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate industries. Japan accounted for nearly half, or 48 percent, while the US took up almost a quarter (23 percent). Singapore and Malaysia, meanwhile, registered shares of 13 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Most of the capital placements went to manufacturing (48 percent), followed by financial and insurance (20 percent), and real estate industries (17 percent). The remaining 15 percent of placements went to other industries.
Topping Sports
READ: Creamline eyes 5th straight PVL title
RICH in winning tradition and resilience, Creamline showed Petro Gazz its might on Thursday night and tied the best-of-three championship series to 1-all. With the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino trophy on the line, the Cool Smashers will gun for their fifth consecutive crown on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Beating the Angels two in a row, however, will not be easy. The star-studded Creamline team will still have to deal with reigning conference Most Valuable Player (MVP) Brooke Van Sickle, who scored 24 points in Game 1 but was limited to 18 points in a five-set loss in Game 2. Van Sickle is expected to bounce back strong in Game 3 but she needs help from Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, among others. The Angels need to bring their A-game in Game 3 to counter a powerhouse team led by Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Jeanette Panaga, Bernadeth Pons and Alyssa Valdez. Creamline is the winningest team in the league with 10 championships. Petro Gazz, on the other hand, owns two PVL crowns but finished second place behind Creamline three times.
Pacers secure top-four seed in East
READ: Pacers secure top-four seed in East
Tyrese Haliburton scored eight of his 23 points during a key scoring run in the fourth quarter and Aaron Nesmith added 22 points to help the Indiana Pacers rally past the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-112, Thursday night. Indiana won its sixth straight and secured a top-four seed and the home-court advantage in a playoff series for the first time since 2014. The Pacers are also one win away from their first 50-win season since 2013-14. Haliburton added 10 assists, eight rebounds and three blocks while making four 3-pointers. Myles Turner had 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Cleveland's Ty Jerome finished with 24 points and six assists despite being held out of the fourth quarter. De'Andre Hunters had 23 points and 11 rebounds.
READ: Calabarzon swimmer collects 7 golds in Prisaa
PETER Cyrus Dean of Calabarzon racked up seven gold medals in the boys swimming competition and received the Most Outstanding Athlete award in the 2025 Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Games here at the Cagayan Sports Complex. This marked the second time the 17-year-old swimmer has swept his events, having also achieved a perfect record in the 2024 Prisaa. Dean also showcased his talent at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa as he broke the meet record in the 200-meter (m) individual medley with a time of 2 minutes and 12.4 seconds. He went seven for seven in three days of the swimming competition in Tuguegarao City. The decorated swimmer lifted his teammates in the 400-meter relay and 800-m freestyle events to complete his seven gold medal haul on Thursday. He opened his Prisaa campaign with back-to-back golds in the 200-meter freestyle and 100-m backstroke events on Tuesday.
READ: Opinion
The Times, in its editorial, presents the economic case for stronger ocean protections. Read the full version on print and digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto are the featured columnists on the front page. Contreras writes about blind loyalty as betrayal of democracy; Makabenta says why the Senate should review its record on treaty ratification; and Remoto on tit for tat in the political realm.
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