The Manila Times Headlines for December 23, 2024
Good day! Here are the top stories from The Manila Times for Monday, December 23, 2024.
Sen. Marcos Opposes 2025 Budget
Senator Imee Marcos has voiced strong opposition to the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), characterizing it as a “very bad” budget. During a Senate media forum, Marcos argued that refining the budget’s contents was more crucial than rushing its passage.
US Court Accepts Guilty Plea in Kingdom of Jesus Christ Marriage Fraud Case
A US judge has accepted the guilty plea of two administrators of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on charges of marriage fraud. Judge Terry Hatter Jr. of the US District Court in California accepted the pleas of Guia Cabactulan and Amanda Estopare, who were both out on bail. The hearing, held on December 16, was for a change of plea to Count 7 of the First Superseding Indictment.
Supreme Court: Premarital Sex Not Grounds for Employee Suspension
The Supreme Court has clarified that premarital sexual relations leading to pregnancy are not immoral and cannot justify the suspension of an employee. The Court’s First Division made this ruling in a case involving the suspension of a teacher by a school. Writing for the majority, Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario deemed the suspension of grade school teacher Miraflor Mabao by the Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) as illegal. Mabao, who was two months pregnant, was verbally suspended by the school principal, Raul Deloso, on the grounds of immorality.
BUSINESS: Philippines’ External Debt Manageable – BSP
Philippine external debt remained within manageable limits in the third quarter despite additional borrowings, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). External debt totaled $139.64 billion in the July-September period, up from $130.18 billion as of end-June.
As a percentage of GDP, external debt rose to 30.6 percent from 28.9 percent in the second quarter. Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded to $330.84 billion as of end-September 2024 from $311.22 billion a year earlier. The country’s debt service ratio (DSR), meanwhile, rose to 11.6 percent from 10.4 percent due to the higher recorded debt service payments from January to September 2024. Gross international reserves (GIR) stood at $112.71 billion, equivalent to 3.92 times short-term (ST) debt and up from 2023’s $98.12 billion.
SPORTS: Philippines Beats Indonesia to Reach Asean Cup Semifinals
The Philippine men’s national football team has advanced to the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals after defeating Indonesia 1-0 in the competition played on Saturday night at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta. With the victory, the Philippines accumulated six points in Group B, securing second place behind Vietnam, which topped the group with 10 points. This marks the Philippines’ first appearance in the Final Four of the tournament since 2018, and the first time they’ve topped Indonesia since their 4-0 triumph in the 2014 Asean Championship. Bjørn Kristensen delivered the lone goal of the contest in the 63rd minute, calmly converting a penalty kick awarded after a VAR review of a foul on Yrick Gallantes.
Today’s Columnists
Today’s front page commentaries come from Rigoberto Tiglao, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, and Francisco Tatad. Tiglao highlights the opposition to the 2025 national budget by 182 retired uniformed personnel. Fr. Aquino reflects on the story of Christmas, and Tatad calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to uphold order while avoiding overkill.
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