Nations souring on governing themes — and bluster — of strongmen
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Merkel's party, led through most of the campaign period and had a 15-point edge at 1 point. Under Trump and Duterte, we've had tax cuts for the rich, not wage hikes for the workers. If he succeeds, the governing themes and the animating ideas of liberal democracies will probably serve as lasting counterfoil to the siren calls of strongmen that thrive off political strife and division and unfettered markets. The future is unpredictable and a rebound for the strongmen, a second act, is still a big possibility. The strongmen, if the polling is accurate, may not just see their signature governing styles and central government themes vanish.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 15:43 UTC
Leftists sweep Italy polls
MODENA: Italy's center-left swept to victory in local elections in the cities of Milan, Naples and Bologna while Rome will go into a run-off between left and right, early results showed on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). Once confirmed, the results from Sunday and Monday's ballots would be a blow for Italy's right-wing bloc, which has until now enjoyed a solid lead in national opinion polls. At the same time, the vote is not expected to destabilize Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government, which is backed by a national coalition spanning the political spectrum.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:37 UTC
BSP warns of elevated inflation
"Inflation could remain elevated in the near term before decelerating to within the target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent by the end of the year," BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno noted in a statement. He made the statement after the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the inflation rate fell to 4.8 percent in September, settling at the lower end of its 4.8- to 5.6-percent forecast for the month. Inflation risks, the central bank chief highlighted, remain skewed to the upside for the remainder of 2021, but are largely balanced for 2022 and 2023. The latest inflation reading, Mapa added, offers the BSP a bit more room to retain its accommodative approach. "Pressure has been building on the BSP to hike prematurely but the surprise inflation print helps the central bank justify its current stance.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:26 UTC
Stronger peso projected for October
Analysts forecast the Philippine peso to strengthen slightly in October after closing September at P51 to the US dollar. On the other hand, Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist of the Union Bank of the Philippines, believes the dollar-peso exchange rate would remain stable in October, ranging between P50 and P50.50. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort, for his part, anticipated immediate support for the peso-dollar exchange rate at P50.50 to P50.60 levels. The government expects a peso-dollar exchange rate of P48 to P53 this year. The peso finished the last trading day of December and 2020 at P48.02 per US dollar, its best closing in more than four years.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:26 UTC
DoE seeks more local oil supply
The Department of Energy (DoE) chief likewise reminded industry players of their compliance with the minimum inventory requirements amid the global oil supply outlook for the fourth quarter of the year. "Continued sanctions against Iran removes as much as 2 to 3 million barrels of crude oil per day from the world market," the OIMB said. Moreover, sanctions against Venezuela, which reduced the potential supply of about 1 to 2 million barrels of crude oil supply per day from the global market, are seen to remain for the "foreseeable future." Refiners must maintain a minimum inventory of petroleum crude oil and refined petroleum products for 30 days. Cusi assured consumers the agency will continue to closely monitor global oil supply and price movements.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:26 UTC
Jollibee eyes further expansion in Emeaa
JOLLIBEE Group remains bullish on its global expansion as it opened 11 additional stores across Europe, the Middle East and Asia in the first half of the year. We're glad that consumers in these markets have warmly welcomed Jollibee," Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) President for Emeaa Dennis Flores said in the statement. Earlier, Jollibee said it will invest 50 million euros for the intended expansion, 10 million euros of which will be allocated to Spain. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Jollibee opened new restaurants at Villaggio Mall and City Center Mall, both in Doha, Qatar and at the Riyadh Gallery Mall in Saudi Arabia. For East Asia, Jollibee opened two new stores in Hong Kong through its franchisee.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:26 UTC
IPs receive P1.7M from DA
The communities of B'laan and T'Boli tribes in Tulunan, North Cotabato received more than P1.7 million agricultural intervention from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 12. The turnover of agricultural assistance was held on Monday led by DA-12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen. The intervention was made possible through the cooperation of DA-12 and other government agencies under the Barangay Extension Program Operations. Mangelen assured the residents of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities the government is ready to help in every possible way. Indigenous Peoples from the same area were also trained by the DA-12 of food processing and mushroom production.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:13 UTC
SEC, CICC partner to boost fight vs cybercrimes
It is because of such that we at the SEC focused on cybercrime prevention through a collaboration with the CICC. The collaboration is in accordance with Republic Act 10175, otherwise known as the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012." The CICC, meanwhile, will provide technical assistance to the SEC by conducting the appropriate seminars, workshops and trainings that will capacitate the commission in cybercrime prevention, suppression and prosecution. Mancao noted: "Indeed, according to Cybercrime Magazine, cybercrime threats damage not only private life, but also cities and countries alike. More importantly, I wish to congratulate and thank CICC Executive Director Mancao for his unwavering support to the SEC.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:13 UTC
Drive to Swab at SM-SJDM
A hassle-free drive-through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is now open at the SM City in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. A negative Covid-19 test result is a requirement whether one is exposed to someone who turned out to be positive, for work, travel and even in hos-pitals. Some residents are hesitant to visit testing centers, thinking of getting infected onsite or along the way. Mary Joy Ballego, public relation officer of SM-SJDM said individuals can now get tested while inside their cars and get faster results as the Drive to Swab by Be Safe MD Medical Clinic is now con-ducting antigen and RT-PCR tests to all motorists and mall goers with no appointment needed. The testing booth is located at the parking area of SM-SJDM, which is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An antigen nasal swab test is priced at P950 with the result and certificate released and signed by a li-censed physician while an RT-PCR costs P3,350, with the result to be released in 24 hours from accred-ited laboratories.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 14:13 UTC
Singapore sets up jab site for seafarers
The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), in collaboration with the Port of Singapore ( PSA ) and the Fullerton Health Group (FHG), has set up a seafarers' vaccination (SEAVAX) center in Singapore. This SSA-led initiative is supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with funding from the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund. The Port of Singapore contributed photoThe SG-STAR fund was established by MPA and SSA alongside seafarers' unions the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS). Now the fund will be supporting a pilot program to offer vaccination to ocean-going seafarers undertaking crew change in the port of Singapore. Companies and seafarers will need to submit their applications, seven days before the crew arrives in Singapore.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 13:52 UTC
A new millionaire made at 'Kap's Amazing Giveaway'
Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla was euphoric over the success of his "Kap's Amazing Agimat Birthday Giveaway," a two-day celebration on September 25 — which is his actual birthday — and 26. Sen. Bong has been doing these events to be with his supporters rather than celebrate frivolously during this pandemic. Actor and senator Bong Revilla chose to celebrate his second pandemic birthday via virtual gathering, gifting his supporters with games and prizes. Revilla thanked his friends and sponsors who helped collect the P4 million worth of cash, worth of gadgets and livelihood packages. He also promised to do a similar online giveaway, probably during the Christmas season.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 13:40 UTC
Gino Roque takes a risk on Heaven Peralejo
Thankfully, these risks eventually paid off, with his first foray, 2020's WeTV series "Beauty and the Boss," emerging a hit. As such, this year, he collaborated with the streaming platform anew to bring WeTV Original series "Pasabuy." The role eventually fell on the lap of ABS-CBN actress and "Bagong Umaga" star, Heaven Peralejo. "But then when it didn't work creatively [with Imperial], I said, let's risk it on Heaven," Roque continued. Gino Roque 4th and Heaven Peralejo only met before shooting the WeTV series ‘Pasabuy,’ but the leading mancum- show producer’s instinct was right — they hit it off famously on and off cam.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 13:40 UTC
Magnolia, TNT gun for 2-0 series lead
The Meralco Bolts need to contain Magnolia swingman Calvin Abueva in Game Two of their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup semis duel today at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga. PBA PHOTOGames Today (DHVSU Gym, Bacolor, Pampanga) 3 p.m. TNT vs San Miguel 6 p.m. Magnolia vs MeralcoCalvin Abueva and the Magnolia Hotshots found a way to survive their series opener against the Meralco Bolts. Same as the TNT Tropang Giga, who outlasted the San Miguel Beermen. Today, the Hotshots and the Tropang Giga go for a commanding 2-0 series lead against their respective Final Four opponents in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. So even if we have a 10-point lead, we knew that San Miguel would come back and I think that prepared us for the opening salvo."
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 13:30 UTC
PH women's football team eyes US training for Asian Cup
If the California training camp pushes through, Maro said the team will stay in the US until they leave for India for the AFC Women's Asian Cup in January. The Philippines qualified for the Asian Cup by topping Group F at the Asian Cup Qualifiers last month. Twelve teams, including Australia, will compete in the AFC Women's Asian Cup and the top five countries other than Australia will get outright berths to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Malditas no moreFor the better part of the decade, the Philippine women's national football team carried the moniker "Malidtas" in international competitions. Now that I'm back with the women's team, I told the team we have to stop using this Maldita word," said Maro, a former team captain of the Philippine men's football team.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 13:30 UTC
Geraldo stakes title vs. Martin on Nov. 28
PHOTO COURTESY FROM BOXREC WEBSITEPHILIPPINE super bantamweight champion Mark Anthony "El Heneral" Geraldo of Bukidnon will put his title on the line against undefeated Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin of Ifugao on November 28 at the Tayak Hill in Rizal, Laguna. The title fight was postponed twice — first because of the Covid-19 restrictions last year and second because of the hand injury Geraldo suffered while training early this year. Geraldo, however, has been cleared to return to boxing and is now training in Bukidnon at the gym of his veteran manager-trainer Leonil Lazarito. Geraldo has a ring record of 38 wins with 19 knockouts against nine losses and three draws. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old southpaw Martin recently won against Bukidnon's Joe Tejones via fifth round knockout on Feb. 20, 2021 in Biñan City.
Source:Manila Times
October 05, 2021 13:18 UTC