Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, February 17, 2025.

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READ: PCG fends off Chinese intrusion

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to shadow a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel that has been sailing close to the coast of Zambales. Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said the BRP Cabra maintained its monitoring of CCG-5303 despite harsh sea conditions with waves reaching heights of up to 8 feet. On Saturday, Tarriela said CCG-5303 replaced CCG-3103 in maintaining China’s unauthorized patrols in the waters off Zambales.

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READ: Merger of BuCor, BJMP eyed

The government is exploring the possibility of merging the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). In an interview on the sidelines of the 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Regional Correctional Conference in Puerto Princesa City, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang said the merger, which has been endorsed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, aims to create a unified penology and correctional system, with BuCor serving as the lead agency. The proposal is seen as a response to the worsening congestion in the country’s detention facilities, particularly in Metro Manila.

READ: ‘Fort Santiago, Maestranza absolutely stunning’

FIirst lady Liza Araneta-Marcos recently shared updates on the government’s rehabilitation of the Pasig River. In an Instagram post, Araneta-Marcos said finishing touches have been made to Phase 3 of the “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli” project, which she said is “turning out to be absolutely beautiful.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will lead the inauguration of Phase 3, which features the 305-meter Fort Santiago Riverwalk.

READ: SM, German-PH business group to help boost labor force

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and SM Foundation (SMFI) have committed to working together on employment-related initiatives, such as hosting unique job fairs in SM malls and short-term training programs for chamber member organizations. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build “a job-ready workforce, upscale talent, and connecting businesses,” GPCCI President Maan Mariano said. By upskilling and improving opportunities through job matching, SMFI’s JOBS (Job Opportunities Building Skills) initiative aims to eliminate work distribution gaps and alleviate unemployment and underemployment.

BUSINESS: Rate cuts seen resuming in April

Philippine monetary authorities could resume lowering key interest rates when they next meet in April following last week’s surprise pause, analysts said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policymaking Monetary Board, they noted, had decided to adopt a slower and more measured pace given heightened global uncertainties. While BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has indicated that just 50 basis points (bps) of rate reductions could be ordered this year, the analysts said they still expected up to 75 bps in cuts spread out over the remaining five policy meetings for 2025.

SPORTS: McClung retains Slam Dunk title

In Sports, Mac McClung won an unprecedented third consecutive NBA Slam Dunk title with four perfect scores and Miami’s Tyler Herro won the 3-Point Contest at the NBA All-Star Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) festivities. McClung leaped over a car and three people to deliver dunks that received perfect 50-point judges’ scores in the first round and final to become the first dunker to win three years in a row and match Nate Robinson as the only three-time Slam Dunk winners.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao, Fr. Ranhilio Calangan Aquino and Francisco Tatad are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao’s column is about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly spreading fake news on China at political a rally. Aquino’s column talks about International morality while Tatad’s column talks about Juan Ponce Enrile’s 101st birthday.

Today’s editorial discusses a humanitarian approach to rehabilitating convicted prisoners.

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