ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Partylist Rep, Arlene Brosas, in a press briefing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 urge embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy to face the upcoming inquiry by the House of Representatives on the franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) in March, calling his claim of being under threat as an excuse of a person who is on the run. Video by Red Mendoza

As the Indonesian news journal Kompas reported, Prabowo declared: "There was no joint statement and no press conference, yes. "Indonesia's position is very clear," said Prabowo at a defense ministry and Indonesian Armed Forces event after his Washington visit. Needed: Joint Asean securityWith its Muslim majority and its longtime opposition to Israel, Indonesia isn't likely to tie up with staunch Israel ally America. To help Asean stay neutral and resist superpower blandishments to take sides, Jakarta should go beyond just warning against such machinations. It must take the lead in forging joint security arrangements among Asean nations, especially those like the Philippines facing strong pressures from contending big nations.

The deal of the centuryThat is how San Miguel Corporation’s takeover of the operations and management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the next 25 years turns out to be. So did SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang get himself a good deal despite promising an astronomical amount of P1 trillion to the government? At NAIA, revenues from passenger terminal fees are 46 percent of total airport revenues; the bulk, or 54 percent, comes from so-called aeronautical revenues. SMC is also the developer and operator of the recently jet-ready Caticlan (Boracay) airport, the country’s fourth busiest airport and the largest airport in Western Visayas. It generated total revenues of $800 million in 2019.

NSC denies provocation in Philippines-US joint patrolsThis photo shows a picture of the Philippine Air Force's FA-50 beside a B-52H Stratofortress during joint patrols on Monday. The NSC issued a response to the Chinese military's earlier statement, refuting claims that the joint patrols conducted by the Philippines and the US provoke trouble. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) reported that the aerial joint patrols on Monday included three FA-50 light fighters flying alongside a US Pacific Air Forces B-52H Stratofortress long-range strategic bomber. The NSC urged China to respect and follow international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which ruled in favor of the Philippines. “We urge China to respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines conducted within its territory consistent with its national interests and international law,” the NSC said.

As the Indonesian news journal Kompas reported, Subianto declared: "There was no joint statement and no press conference, yes. "Indonesia's position is very clear," said Subianto at a defense ministry and Indonesian Armed Forces event after his Washington visit. Needed: Joint Asean securityWith its Muslim majority and its longtime opposition to Israel, Indonesia isn't likely to tie up with staunch Israel ally America. To help Asean stay neutral and resist superpower blandishments to take sides, Jakarta should go beyond just warning against such machinations. It must take the lead in forging joint security arrangements among Asean nations, especially those like the Philippines facing strong pressures from contending big nations.

Consider, for instance, the different meanings the word "only" creates by virtue of the five positions it takes in the following sentences:"Only I think Jennifer belongs to this league." ("It's only I that think Jennifer belongs to this league.") "I only think Jennifer belongs to this league." ("This is what I think: Jennifer belongs only to this league and to no other.") Read this essay and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "When the word 'only' goes haywire."

Dr. Rick Shangraw of the Arizona State University and Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo of the Mapua Institute of Technology explain how Artificial Intelligence can help content creators, journalists and other disciplines during a media forum at the Mapua University Makati Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024Video by Red Mendoza

While hiding from Congress, Quiboloy hurls conspiracies on social mediaMANILA, Philippines — Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives have threatened to arrest and cite in contempt pastor Apollo Quiboloy for evading their summons to separate committee investigations on his actions as the leader of a megachurch and founder of television network SMNI. Escaping subpoena orderBoth the House and the Senate issued subpoena orders against Quiboloy last week — a legitimate power that lawmakers can use to compel witnesses and key figures to show up to Congress as part of an investigation of an issue. In November 2023, the Senate issued a subpoena against three executives of a POGO company accused of engaging in illegal activities. “What I’m asking from you is to adhere to the legal process, and part of the process is the Senate investigation,” Hontiveros said in Filipino. “Don’t escalate this into a language of killing, even if that’s what you have been used to,” Hontiveros added.

GENEVA, Switzerland: The man leading negotiations on fisheries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) called on Monday on countries to compromise in order to finalize a deal at next week's ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi. After striking an agreement in 2022, which banned subsidies contributing to illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing, the WTO hopes to conclude a second deal, this time focusing on subsidies which fuel overcapacity and overfishing. The WTO can only take decisions if there is consensus among all of its 164 members. According to many diplomats, the success of the 13th WTO ministerial conference, being held from February 26-29, will depend heavily on concluding a deal on fisheries. Unlike other WTO agreements which aim to lift trade barriers or counter trade distortions, this text just like the 2022 agreement forms part of the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday that revenues from the Suez Canal had "decreased by 40 to 50 percent" so far this year due to attacks on shipping by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The canal is one of the main sources of foreign currency for Egypt which is gripped by a severe financial crisis. Since November, the Iran-backed Houthis have launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, which the group says are aimed at ships with links to Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip. The attacks have caused several major shipping firms to suspend passage through the Red Sea, which usually carries around 12 percent of global trade and divert vessels thousands of miles around Africa. "See what is happening at our borders... with Gaza, you see the Suez Canal, which used to bring Egypt nearly $10 billion per year, [these revenues] have decreased by 40 to 50 percent, and Egypt must continue to pay companies and partners," al-Sisi said during a conference with oil companies.

Japanese founder of Daiso chain passes awayA customer walks out from a Daiso shop at a shopping mall in Shinjuku district of TokyoTOKYO, Japan — Hirotake Yano, the Japanese 100-yen shop pioneer and founder of the Daiso chain, has died, the company said. The billionaire "passed away due to heart failure at the age of 80 in Hiroshima" on February 12, Daiso said in a statement. Five years later, tired of having to put different prices on different items, Yano launched Daiso where all goods cost 100 yen (less than P40). Helped by stagnant wages and prices, Daiso outlets — selling everything from the useful to the silly, and sometimes for more than 100 yen — are now ubiquitous. "It's the value and the fun that customers can find in 100 yen.

The accreditation makes the SEC the first in the government financial sector and the third national government agency to receive the international recognition for people management. The IiP accreditation is given to organizations that demonstrate high-level good practices for leading and managing people, where employees have opportunities to grow and develop. These efforts lay the foundation for continual enhancement and show our unwavering dedication to quality," SEC Chairman Emilio Aquino said. The SEC has consistently been recognized for upholding both local and international standards in its provision of regulatory services. Kelvin Lester K. Lee is a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Miss Universe queens support Paula Shugart vs pageant's Thai ownerPaula Shugart speaks during the unveiling of the Miss Universe titleholder crown "Force for Good" during a press conference at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 12, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe queens showed their support to the organization's former president Paula Shugart in her battle against the pageant's Thai owner Anne Jakrajutatip. You didn’t work for Miss universe, you lived for Miss universe," added Mittenaere, who was crowned during the pageant's finals in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 finalist Michelle Dee liked Paula's post. RELATED: Ex-Miss Universe president Paula Shugart to sue pageant's owner over 'false' corruption allegations

AFP Previous NextSouth Korean hospitals turned away some patients and delayed surgeries yesterday as hundreds of trainee doctors stopped working in a protest against medical training reforms. South Korean law limits the ability of medical staff to strike. The government's top priority is to "maintain medical emergency services and treatment for serious cases at major hospitals," he said. While doctors claim it would hurt the quality of service, proponents of the plan say doctors are mainly concerned it could erode their salaries and social status. The Korean Medical Association said the government's threats of legal action were akin to a "witch hunt" and claimed the plan would create a "Cuban-style socialist medical system."

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte tells Chinese-Filipino businessmen that their collaboration is important in the review of the curriculum of Senior High School students in her speech at the 12th Biennial Chinese-Filipino Business Club National Convention at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. In a chance interview, Duterte also said that their inputs on skills can make these students job-ready. Video by Red MendozaGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy