'Campaigns for Mindanao's independence already settled'Supporters of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, now called the Bangsamoro Organic Law, call for its passage in a rally in Cotabato City. We abandoned the call for independence and we settled for genuine autonomy. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been a place of conflict between the Philippine government and Moro secessionists for almost 50 years. In 2019, it was renamed to BARMM from ARMM after the ratification of its basic law, known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The creation of the region was approved by residents through a two-part plebiscite held in January and February of that same year.

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities on Tuesday deployed heavy security to stop thousands of protesting farmers who were marching toward New Delhi to renew their demands for assured crop prices, in a repeat of 2021 protests when they camped on the capital's outskirts for more than a year. Police sealed multiple entry points into New Delhi by erecting barriers of barbed wire, spikes and cement blocks. The farmers, who began their march from northern Haryana and Punjab states, are asking for a guaranteed minimum support price for all farm produce. The government protects agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices by announcing a minimum purchase price on certain essential crops at the beginning of the sowing season, taking into account the cost of production. Farmers form the most influential voting bloc in India and politicians have long considered it unwise to alienate them.

WAGE stagnation is one of the most significant frustrations facing seafarers, a survey conducted by the Mission to Seafarers showed. The sentiment that salaries are not keeping pace with inflation has caused a decline in overall satisfaction levels among seamen based on the Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI). The Seafarers Happiness Index is a quarterly survey to gauge the sentiment of seafarers at sea. PHOTO BY DUNCAN TORRES"They claimed that sometimes the stagnation in wage levels spans over a decade, whilst the workload and responsibilities continue to increase. There were complaints about unpaid working hours and lack of wage rises, suggesting that some companies are not properly compensating crews."

Vice President Sara Duterte says she is eager to learn from Malaysia's education system during her speech at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Tropical Medicine Network in Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. Duterte said she met with the Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, where they discussed the critical role of education in a nation's growth, innovation and a hopeful future. Video from DEPED Media

Three people were hospitalized following a crash on Tsing Yi North Coastal Road involving two LWB double-decker buses and a car on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1.39 pm on the section of the airport-bound road near the Hong Kong Shipyard. The route A31 bus came up behind the work vehicle and failed to brake in time, crashing into the work vehicle and pushing it towards the first bus. Two passengers and the driver of the work vehicle were injured. As of 3.15 pm, the Transport Department said the fast lane of airport-bound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road leading to North West Tsing Yi Interchange has re-opened to all traffic.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong challenges former presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo to live in Mindanao and experience living in conflict-ridden areas during a press conference on Tuesday Feb. 13, 2024, at the House of Representatives. Adiong's reply was in reaction to a statement by Panelo published in The Manila Times on Sunday that any opposition to Mindanao secession being floated by former president Rodrigo Duterte "has gone ballistic from over-reaction to the utterly absurd." Video by Red Mendoza

Malacañang Press Briefer Daphne Paez, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Samuel Zacate and Director Jesusa Joyce Cirunay talk to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to the FDA to further streamline the drug application process in the Philippines, provide drug accessibility to all Filipinos, and ensure the availability of cheaper medicines. Video by Catherine Valente

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A US judge has ordered Elon Musk to comply with a subpoena to answer questions from regulators about his purchases of Twitter shares last year. Musk has been ordered by a US judge to answer to regulators conducting a probe on his purchasing of shares of Twitter, now X, last year. Musk has been ordered by a US judge to answer to regulators conducting a probe on his purchasing of shares of Twitter, now X, last year. AFP PHOTO"The court grants the SEC's application to enforce the subpoena," the decision by California judge Laurel Beeler, published on Saturday and seen by AFP, stated. The SEC investigation pertains to all of Musk's purchases of Twitter stock in 2022 as well as his statements and filings with market regulators, court documents stated.

Happy hearts: A guide to unforgettable Valentine's Day experiencesWhat's your love language? Reach out through email at [email protected] (Rooms) and [email protected] (Dining). My favorite, Haliya restaurant, presents a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu priced at P9,000 for two persons. To learn more, call City of Dreams Manila at 8800-8080 or e-mail [email protected]. Heart's Day at homeFor a cozy celebration at home or a delightful hassle-free, traffic-free Valentine's Day, Samgyup Sa Bahay has something special for you!

Football icons for the Lunar New Year Cup arrived in Hong Kong and met with the media on Monday, guaranteeing that all participants would play in the match and put on a good show. The annual Lunar New Year Cup football match will be held tomorrow (Feb 13) at the Hong Kong Stadium and will feature 17 famous stars from all over the world, including Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo, former Barcelona captain and Spanish World Cup winner Carles Puyol, and former AS Roma captain and Italian World Cup winner Francesco Totti. They will form a World Legends team to compete with the Hong Kong Legends team in an exhibition match. Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James said that he was looking forward to playing with legendary stars on the pitch and promised that all 17 stars would have some playing time. Chan Siu-ki will be apart of the Hong Kong Legends and said that he has kept up with worldwide football icons since he was a child and is looking forward to playing a wonderful game with them on Tuesday.

US President Joe Biden belatedly joined TikTok on Sunday, marking his debut on the social media platform with a 26-second video. The move comes after fierce US government criticism of the video-sharing platform in recent years, most notably from Republicans but also from the Biden administration. Citing security concerns, a slew of individual states and the federal government have banned the app on official government devices. In Montana, a state government move to completely ban the app was recently blocked by a judge. Sunday's video ends with the president being asked who he prefers: himself or Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

Citybus announced on Monday that they are beginning road testing for the hydrogen buses, with plans to start operating within a month. Citybus launched its first hydrogen double-deck bus and hydrogen refueling station at the end of last year. Citybus added that it had also conducted a 200-kilometer driving test at the West Kowloon Depot per government requirements and used hydrogen refueling stations for multiple refuelings. The hydrogen bus will begin its non-passenger road testing and will be deployed in the Kai Tak operating area, where it will provide customer service in the initial stage. The live road testing will help gather more operational statistics and data on the bus's performance before putting it into passenger service.

Akari's middle blocker Fifi Sharma is excited to team up with college idol, Ced Domingo. "She is one of the best middle blockers in the PVL. I always watch her highlights," Sharma said in PVL's Media Day at the TV 5 Center on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. #PVLMediaDayVideo by Nicole Anne D.G.

The Adamson Baby Falcons end their 31-year title drought, defeating the NSNU Bullpups in Game Three, 90-73, in the UAAP Season 86 Boys basketball Finals at the FilOil EcoOil Center on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. JC Bonzalida tallied a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds on top of three assists in the decider to lead the Baby Falcons, who last won a championship in 1993. Mark Esperanza registered 9.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game in the series to win the Finals MVP plum. Video by Niel Victor MasoyGet 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

NDRRMC: P738M infrastructure damage in Mindanao floods, landslidesIn this handout photo from the Eastern Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) taken on February 7, 2024 and received on February 8, 2024, shows responders conduct search and rescue operations in Maco, Davao de Oro. MANILA, Philippines — Flooding and landslides in Mindanao caused around P738.6 million in infrastructure damage, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday. According to the latest report from the NDRRMC, infrastructure damage in Caraga and Davao region was estimated at P473 million and 265.6 million, respectively. Relentless downpours triggered floods and landslides that damaged approximately 1,344 houses across Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Caraga. Based on the disaster agency’s report, 22 were reportedly killed due to floods and landslides.