A selection of news stories from The Manila Times, covering topics such as politics, economics, crime, travel, and sports.
The Manila Times offers a selection of news stories from Friday, February 14, 2025. This edition is sponsored by Wilcon Depot, the Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer – your Trusted Building Partner. Vice President Sara Duterte chose to forgo the PDP-Laban proclamation rally. Her absence comes amidst the looming impeachment trial against her. Her campaign team confirmed that she is currently on a family vacation abroad and will not be present at the event.
Though absent, she offered her endorsement of the party's senatorial slate in a message conveyed to the rally attendees. Focusing on domestic reforms and streamlining regulations might help shield the Philippines from global uncertainties, particularly the protectionist policies of US President Donald Trump. In light of the uncertainties surrounding proposed US tariffs, World Bank lead economist Gonzalo Varela emphasizes the importance of domestic reforms for the country. The Philippines holds the position of the world's ninth-largest chip exporter, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the semiconductor sector being its dominant export industry. The widespread use of fake birth certificates and illegally obtained passports could be the consequence of corrupt employees within multiple government agencies, according to Senator Mark Villar. Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, shares this suspicion after a recent raid on a travel agency found to be providing fake documents to foreign nationals seeking to impersonate Filipinos. This revelation could hold the crucial link needed in the ongoing investigation into Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned last year. The Philippines has been identified as one of the top 10 countries experiencing a rapid surge in romance scams last year, according to credit rating agency Moody's. In 2024, Moody's detected 1,193 new entities and individuals globally with potential ties to romance scams. The United States accounted for over a third (38 percent) of new romance scam profiles among the top 10 countries. This was followed by Nigeria (14 percent), India (12 percent), the UK (11 percent), Malaysia (5.0 percent), China (5.0 percent), the Philippines (4.0 percent), Brazil (4.0 percent), Canada (4.0 percent), and Australia (3.0 percent). Manila has been recognized as one of the top five most romantic destinations in Asia for couples celebrating Valentine's Day by digital travel platform Agoda. The list, released on Thursday, describes Manila as having a 'warm and welcoming' atmosphere and highlights the sunsets over Manila Bay. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chief Vivencio Dizon as secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to Malacañang. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that Dizon would replace Jaime Bautista as DOTr chief effective February 21, 2025. Bersamin explained that Bautista, a former chief executive officer of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, resigned due to health concerns. In a surprising move, monetary authorities kept key interest rates unchanged on Thursday, citing heightened risks to inflation and economic growth. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) benchmark rate remains at 5.75 percent, and its overnight deposit and lending rates also stay at 5.25 percent and 6.25 percent, respectively. Most analysts had anticipated the central bank's policy-making Monetary Board to authorize another 25-basis-point reduction, with only one out of the 11 polled by The Manila Times predicting a pause. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr., who had previously signaled a February rate cut, told reporters that 'uncertainty about the outlook for inflation and growth warrant keeping monetary policy settings steady.'Moving on to sports, Gilas Pilipinas departed Manila to participate in the four-nation 2nd International Friendly Basketball Championship in Doha, Qatar, scheduled from February 14-16, 2025. The Philippine men's basketball team spent a brief two-day training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, starting Tuesday. This allowed coach Tim Cone to re-familiarize the players with his system. However, Gilas Pilipinas entered the training camp with a roster plagued by injuries
PHILIPPINES NEWS POLITICS ECONOMY ROMANCE SCAMS VALENTINE's DAY SPORTS GILAS PILIPINAS
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