Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, December 27, 2021.
READ: Military to oversee fund aid distribution
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military and police to oversee the distribution of cash aid in areas where local government units cannot handle the dole-out because of the devastation from Typhoon “Odette”. In a command conference in Cebu City last week, the President pointed to logistical problems in delivering the cash assistance to typhoon survivors. He said he has called in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police because they are trained to operate in adverse conditions. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año will supervise the security forces that will be assigned to cash distribution operations, the President said. Duterte said tapping security forces does not mean he suspects that local officials would pocket the funds, but the presence of soldiers and policemen will ensure that order is maintained.
READ: Robredo: Relief drive not election-motivated
VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Sunday denied her relief operations for victims of Typhoon “Odette” were part of her election campaign. Robredo is running for president in 2022. In a Facebook post, she said her office was always helping out people during calamities, whether or not there is an election.
READ: Bongbong, Sara continue to rule surveys
FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. continued to dominate presidential surveys, posting a double-digit lead in the latest OCTA Research poll. In a statement on Sunday, Marcos’ camp said he “pulled away” from his closest rival, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, in the survey conducted December 7 to 12. The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard bearer polled over 54 percent, with Robredo was “a distant second” with 14 percent. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso got 12 percent, Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao 10 percent, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson five percent, former Palace spokesman Ernie Abella at 0.02 percent, and labor leader Leody De Guzman at 0.001 percent.
READ: DILG shifts to safe New Year revelry
WITH Christmas Day over, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has shifted its focus to ensuring a safe and injury-free New Year celebration. DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño reminded the public that Executive Order (EO) 28 signed in 2017 by President Rodrigo Duterte is still in force. EO 28 strictly regulates the sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics. It bans powerful pyrotechnics like the Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Judas Belt and Super Yolanda.
READ: Areas hard-hit by typhoon to have power in February
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday that electricity in areas severely hit by Typhoon “Odette” may be restored in February 2022. NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said in a radio interview that the government is rushing repair and rehabilitation work to restore power as soon as possible.
BUSINESS: Exporters’ group seeks RCEP ratification
Topping business, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) is calling for the immediate ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), noting that participation in the mega trade deal will hasten the recovery of the country’s economy. In a position letter to the Senate, Philexport said participating in the RCEP has more benefits than disadvantages, even as it called for “safety nets” to cushion the adverse effects of the deal on disadvantaged sectors. Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said that of its over 2,000 active members of the organization, nearly 1,000 are exporting to economies that are now part of RCEP.
SPORTS: Marcial eyes US training in January
In sports, Filipino boxing Olympian Eumir Marcial said he looks to begin his training in the United States in January next year for his possible second professional fight. Marcial first fought professionally in December 2020 when he dominated Andrew Whitfield to score a unanimous decision victory. The 26-year-old then competed at the Tokyo Olympics and managed to take a bronze medal in the tiff. Marcial shared he will train in the US for about three to four months before returning here in the Philippines to train for the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games set in May.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao continues his bold claims from his book, while Fr. Aquino discusses the incarnation of Christ.
Today’s editorial calls for calls for the revisiting of safeguards in the cryptocurrency rush. Read a full version on the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe week ahead.
