Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, April 3, 2023.
READ: Govt to elevate maritime education
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday vowed to continue to address the deficiencies in the Filipino mariners’ education, training, and certification system, following the European Commission’s announcement that it will continue to recognize Philippine–issued certificates for seafarers. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also welcomed the European Commission’s decision to extend the European Union’s recognition of Philippine certificates to seafarers. The DFA assured that the Philippine government will continue to upgrade its maritime education, training and certification (METC) system to ensure job opportunities for Filipino seafarers. The Philippines views the inspections, verifications and evaluations conducted by the EC, through the European Maritime Safety Agency “constructively,” the DFA said on Twitter on Saturday.
READ: ‘Govt must improve ports
A LONGTIME maritime consultant said the government must first improve the basic capability of Philippine ports before their operations are upgraded through digitalization. International Maritime Organization consultant Brenda Pimentel, who is also a Manila Times columnist, shared her thoughts during the “Business and Politics” program hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd on the SMNI News Channel. Pimentel said it was important that before digitalization and modernization programs are carried out, the basic capability must first be enhanced. Pimentel believes that what matters most is the capability of the concerned agencies to carry out the modernization effort.
READ: Barcode turns 50; faces phaseout
The patch of irregular vertical lines that revolutionized checking out at the supermarket and facilitated the globalization of retail is turning 50. But as the barcode celebrates its birthday on Monday, its days might be numbered as it faces competition from the younger QR code, the information-filled squares used in smartphones. The trademark beep as a product is scanned is heard about 6 billion times per day across the world as around 70,000 items are sold each second. It has become so integrated in the shopping experience that it is easy to forget how much the technology revolutionized retail by speeding up the checkout process and giving retailers the ability to trace products and better manage inventory. The barcode not only identifies a product, but “gives professionals in stores access to other functionalities,” said Laurence Vallana, head of France de SES-Imagotag, a company that specializes in electronic tagging.
READ: Catholics commemorate life, faith of Jesus
THE Catholic Church called on the faithful not to lose their sense of spirituality and to ponder on the true meaning of observing Holy Week. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said Palm Sunday, the first day of the Holy Week, commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem, only to be crucified later by the very people who welcomed him. Holy Week is the last part of the observance of the 40–day season of Lent. According to the Bible, Jesus performed a miracle on Holy Monday, which was witnessed by his disciples, Matthew and Mark. Secillano urged Catholics to set aside some silent time every day during Holy Week to offer Jesus a prayer of thanks.
Topping Business
READ: Slower inflation seen but pressures remain
Inflation likely continued to slow in March following price drops for fuel and key food items, economists polled by The Manila Times said. The median forecast in a survey of 12 analysts was 8.0 percent, within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 7.4- to 8.2-percent estimate and also a marked drop from February’s 8.6-percent result. A decline could hasten an end to the BSP’s ongoing tightening cycle, during which key interest rates have so far been raised by 425 basis points (bps) since May last year. Official March data will be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority this Wednesday, April 5.
In Sports
READ: Butler inspires Heat victory vs Mavs
Jimmy Butler scored 35 points as the Miami Heat snapped their three-game losing streak to inflict a damaging 129-122 defeat on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Heat talisman Butler produced a typically dynamic performance to steer Miami to a precious win, leading the scoring from 12-of-16 shooting while laying on 12 assists. Cody Zeller provided offensive support with 20 points while Kevin Love and Max Strus added 18 points apiece, with Tyler Herro finishing with 15. Miami improved to 41-37 and remained seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, one win behind the sixth-placed Brooklyn Nets as they chase an automatic playoff berth. The Mavs remain 11th in the Western Conference with a 37-41 record and are now one game behind the 10th placed Oklahoma City Thunder, who occupy the last of the play-in berths.
READ: Valdez named team captain for SEAG
ALYSSA Valdez has been named team captain of the Philippine Women’s Volleyball Team that will play in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May. Valdez is recovering from a right knee injury that she sustained in the PVL Reinforced Conference last December, which also kept her on the sidelines in the recently-concluded All-Filipino tournament. This would be the 29-year-old Valdez’s fifth SEAG stint, with the first of her consecutive appearances starting in Singapore in 2015. The outside spiker also appeared in Kuala Lumpur, Philippines, and in Vietnam last year.
READ: Kvitova topples Rybakina for 30th WTA title
Petra Kvitova drew on all her experience to claim her 30th WTA singles title with a straight sets Miami Open victory over Elena Rybakina on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Czech Kvitova, appearing in her first Miami final at the age of 33, triumphed 7-6 (14) 6-2 at Hard Rock Stadium, a victory which will return the two-time Wimbledon champion to the top 10 in the world rankings. Rybakina came into the final on a career-best 13-match winning streak after winning the title at Indian Wells and was looking for the rare “Sunshine Double” of both WTA 1000 events.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
The Times, in its editorial, writes about artificial intelligence as a benevolent or evil genie. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. The featured columnists on the front page are Dan Steinbock, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino and Francisco Tatad. Steinbock talks about the odd track record of the International Criminal Court: Aquino on history and the interpretation of faith; and Tatad on the Comelec, General Rio and the cavaliers.
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This is Pete Llevares reporting.