Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
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READ: Marcos keeps low food tariff rates
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order maintaining the temporary modification of rates of import duty on rice, corn and meat products, Malacañang said on Tuesday. It said Executive Order 50, signed on December 22, would ensure the affordable prices of basic commodities amid the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the African swine fever on the country.
READ: PH leads in promoting women – DFA
THE Department of Foreign Affairs highlighted the Philippines’ leadership in promoting women’s role in peace-building and the global women, peace and security (WPS) agenda. The DFA on December 11 joined the launching of the Philippine National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security 2023-2033 hosted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.
READ: Ambassadors love Christmas in PH
THE ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Japan to Manila cherish spending the Christmas season in the Philippines. British Ambassador Laure Beaufils and Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko joined fellow envoys to Manila, Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke and United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, in greeting the Filipinos a “Merry Christmas!”
READ: AFP official sees more joint patrols in WPS
ARMED Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar sees joint maritime patrols with allied nations supporting the country’s sovereign rights and territorial jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, triggered by China’s warning against collusion with external forces in the region. In a Christmas Eve interview, Aguilar predicted that more maritime patrols with foreign partners might happen in the coming year. He said more countries manifested their desire to hold patrols not only with the Philippines but also with other parallel partners. Recently, Chinese Minister Wang Yi warned that if the Philippines misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue to stir up trouble, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely.
BUSINESS: Stocks to end 2023 ‘on a positive note’
Topping business, Philippine financial markets reopen today following a two-day holiday break, and the Santa Claus rally could keep lifting the stock market for the last three trading days of 2023. The country observed Christmas on Monday and an additional special non-working day was declared for Tuesday, creating a long weekend that government officials have said would bring families together for longer and also possibly spurring spending that would support the economy. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index, which has gained for two straight weeks, ended 0.39 percent higher week on week at 6,501.00 last Friday. However, last week’s close is still 1.29 percent lower compared to January 3’s 6,586.01 — this year’s first trading day — and down 1.0 percent from 2022’s close of 6,566.39.
SPORTS: Baguio retains Batang Pinoy overall title
In sports, Baguio City reigned supreme in the Batang Pinoy (Philippine Youth Games) for the fourth straight time, dominating this year’s edition of the meet held in Metro Manila. Baguio harvested 82 gold medals during the December 17-22 games, while also collecting 52 silvers and 59 bronzes in the meet featuring athletes 17 years old and below. Pasig City finished a distant second to Baguio with 57 golds, 56 silvers and 74 bronzes, while Davao City ranked third with 47 golds, 50 silvers and 39 bronzes. Quezon City finished fourth after racking up 44 golds, 35 silvers, and 48 bronzes while Cebu City placed fifth with 39 golds, 43 silvers and 46 bronzes. Iloilo City took home 33 golds, 20 silvers, and 31 bronzes for sixth place as Zamboanga City picked up 32 golds, 22 silvers and 23 bronzes for seventh. Manila City placed eighth with 24 gold medals, spiked by Karl Eldrew Yulo’s seven gold sweep in the men’s artistic gymnastics.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao weighs in on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, while Tatad looks into the Catholic Church’s decision to bless same-sex unions.
Today’s editorial looks into the “Right to Disconnect” bill still hanging in Congress. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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