HEADLINES: PH: Ayungin incident a 'misunderstanding' | June 22, 2024

Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, June 22, 2024.

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READ: PH: Ayungin incident a 'misunderstanding'

THE Philippine government on Friday said that the June 17 incident involving Chinese and Philippine vessels in Ayungin Shoal, which resulted in injuries to a Filipino soldier, was a "misunderstanding or accident." In a press conference, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said what happened at Ayungin was not an armed attack. Footage released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) showed China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels surrounding a Philippine supply boat on its way to Ayungin, where the derelict Philippine Navy ship Sierra Madre serves as a military outpost. There were clips of Chinese coast guardsmen firing tear gas, brandishing knives, and destroying equipment after they boarded the supply boat. Bersamin said the government was not considering taking the matter to a higher international body, saying it could be resolved soon.

READ: Senior citizens commission chairman urged to resign

FIVE deputies of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) are calling on Chairman Franklin Quijano to resign amid corruption allegations. NCSC Commissioners Rainier Cruz, Enriqueta Rodeles, Mary Jean Loreche, Edwin Espejo, and Reymar Mansilungan accused Quijano of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, negligence of duty, ignorance of the law, and conduct inimical to the interest of the public.

READ: Several names floated as next DepEd chief

LAWMAKERS and several groups have floated several names to replace Vice President Sara Duterte, who has abruptly resigned as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd). Duterte tendered her irrevocable resignation as education chief to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 19, ending much speculation, touching off a wave of speculation on why she did it. Marcos and Duterte won an overwhelming victory in the 2022 elections as the "Uniteam." Attention is now focused on who will replace Duterte at DepEd. Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente Salceda suggested current Commission on Higher Education Chairman Julian Prospero "Popoy" de Vera III or Synergeia Foundation chief Milwida "Nene" Guevara.

READ: Mandanas tied to firm in natural gas boom

AN influential politician in the Philippines, who has been a cheerleader for natural gas power, is behind a company that planned to make a fortune from it, an Associated Press investigation of thousands of pages of documents has found. Gov. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas province and his late wife stood to profit from a buildout of liquefied natural gas power — he owned the largest share in a real estate firm that soared in value as energy companies moved in, while he promoted the expansion in media interviews and public events. The firm also launched its own natural gas project. Experts in government ethics deplored the scenario, with one environmental law advocate calling for an investigation into Mandanas.

READ: Obiena bags gold in Poland in run-up to Paris Olympics

FILIPINO pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena claimed a gold medal at the 6th Irena Szewinska Memorial in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on Friday (Manila time) as he steps up preparations for the Paris Olympics in July. Obiena posted a personal season-best vault of 5.97 meters (m) in just one try to rule the competition. Coming off a three-week break, Obiena tried to establish a new personal and national record, but he could not clear 6.02 m in three attempts. Still, the 5.97 m is the second-highest vault since posting an Asian record of 6.0 m twice. It is also his second gold and third podium finish in his fifth tournament this outdoor season. Greek Emmanouil Karalis bagged the silver with a personal-best 5.92 m, while home bet Piotr Lisek took bronze with 5.75 m. Obiena started at 5.55 m and 5.75 m, which he both surpassed in just one try before needing a second attempt at 5.82. The 28-year-old then aced 5.87 m in his first try before clearing 5.97 for the gold. Obiena is the lone qualifier from the Philippine athletics team for the Paris Games, which starts on July 26.

SPORTS: Howard doubtful in Taiwan tune-up vs Gilas

FILIPINO basketball fans may have to taper down their expectations when the Taiwan Mustangs play Gilas Pilipinas in a tune-up match scheduled on Monday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. Taiwan Mustangs coach Chris Gavina said the team's new recruits — former NBA stars Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins as well as Quinn Cook are still doubtful when the Asian Tournament ballclub faces the Philippine team.

BUSINESS: Palace cuts rice tariffs to 15%

Over to business, Malacañang has ordered tariff cuts for rice and other key commodities in an effort to keep prices low and inflation under control. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, on Thursday approved Executive Order (EO) 62 to formalize changes to the 2024-2028 tariff program. Earlier this month, the National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by Marcos announced that the "strategic" move would ensure access and affordability of essential goods and at the same time balance the interests of consumers and domestic producers. Among others, the import duty on rice — blamed for rising inflation — was slashed from an already lowered 35 percent to 15 percent. Reduced tariffs on corn, pork and mechanically deboned meat that were originally set to expire at the end of this year via EO 50 were also extended to 2028. The reduced rice tariffs will take effect in 15 days from the June 20 publication of EO 62 while the rest of the approved revisions become enforceable in 30 days.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras thinks Vice President Sara Duterte may have committed a "fatal mistake" after leaving the Marcos Cabinet, Makabenta makes a comparison between former British prime minister Winston Churchill and Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, and Remoto discusses the functions of poetry.

Today's editorial calls for a clear mandate for climate action. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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