HEADLINES: Ong defies Congress, opts for jail time to testify | September 8, 2024

Good morning. Here are The Manila Times’ stories for Sunday, September 8, 2024.

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READ: Ong defies Congress, chooses jail to testify

CASSANDRA Li Ong, the alleged business partner of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, would rather go to jail than appear before a congressional investigation, her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said Saturday, setting the stage for a test of will with senators seeking to question her. But Senate President Francis Escudero said Ong, a founder of an illegal offshore gaming company in Porac, Pampanga, must be present at the Senate hearing scheduled for Monday, September 9, as the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senator Risa Honitiveros wants to question her as one of the 34 people named in a money laundering complaint, along with Guo. Ong, Alice Guo and Sheila Guo were among those forced to be physically present during the next hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Monday. Escudero said not attending the Senate hearings would constitute a violation of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes the commission on the ninth day of the search.

READ: Authorities, KoJC trade allegations

POLICE and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) lawyers traded allegations of abuse over the raid on the home of fugitive evangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted for child sexual abuse and human trafficking. During a Senate hearing on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) 11 (Davao Region) Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said unarmed female PNP personnel were frisked before they could do their job and search the Davao City compound for Quiboloy. During the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights in Davao City, Torre said they allowed this after negotiating with KOJC lawyers on the first day of the search for Quiboloy and five others accused of aggravated human trafficking and violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

READ: Economic czar: PH can be Asia’s best investment destination

THE Philippines has the potential to become a top investment destination in Asia, but it needs to undergo a significant transformation, said Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go. Speaking on the “Malacañang Insider” program aired on Friday, Go expressed confidence in the Philippines’ economic performance while highlighting his office’s priorities to attract more investments to the country. Go said neighboring Southeast Asian countries “contain the lion’s share of global investments.” Highlighting the country’s improving economic indicators, Go noted that a recent upgrade by a Japanese credit rating agency further supports the Philippines’ growing investment appeal.

READ: UAAP boasts star-studded opening; NCAA celebrates 100th anniversary

THE 87th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) kicked off with an unparalleled display of style and spectacle as the University of the Philippines (UP) hosted the most glamorous opening ceremony in the league’s storied history. The sold-out Araneta Coliseum was transformed into a vibrant hub of excitement and revelry on Saturday. The highlight of the event was a breathtaking performance by iconic OPM band Eraserheads. The band reunited for the hosting of their alma mater and the set was a fitting tribute to the season’s theme: “Stronger, Better, Together.” Meanwhile, in a grand celebration of the season’s centennial, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) honored 10 notable athletes during the opening ceremony at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday. An all-star cast of athletes from various sports were recognized for their exceptional performances, marking a historic milestone for the league. Each NCAA school has its representative, starting with the pride of Lyceum University of the Philippines (LPU) and Asian Games gold medalist and Gilas Pilipinas player CJ Perez. During his collegiate stint in the NCAA, he led the Pirates to an 18-game elimination round sweep before falling to San Beda University (SBU) in the finals.

SPORTS: La Salle begins UAAP title defense against NU

The De La Salle Green Archers begin their title defense in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In their first assignment of the season, La Salle will take on last season’s third-place finisher, the NU Bulldogs, at 6:30 p.m., their match serving as the main event of a triple-header. The UE Red Warriors will take on the UST Growling Tigers at 1:00 p.m. to open the men’s matches, followed by the Adamson Soaring Falcons who will take on the FEU Tamaraws at 3:00 p.m. While reigning Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao remains with the team, along with reliable big Mike Philips, other key players from last season’s La Salle team, Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy and Jonell Policarpio, are no longer with the Green Archers and are moving on to the pros. As crucial as the loss of talent is, La Salle coach Topex Robinson said his team’s performance will depend on whether it can maintain the culture it built in its first appearance with the team and the league last year.

BUSINESS: Querubin joins BSP Monetary Board

On the business side, former United Coconut Planters Bank president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jose Querubin has taken his oath as a Monetary Board member (MBM) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In a statement on Friday, the BSP said Querubin took his oath on Thursday at the BSP headquarters in Manila. Querubin will serve as a member of the Monetary Board until July 2, 2026. Before joining the BSP’s top policy-making body, Querubin served as president and CEO of United Coconut Planters Bank from 2003 to 2007. He also served as a board member of Asean Finance Corp. and was a former executive vice president and Asia regional sales director of Bank of America.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Marlen Ronquillo is today’s front-page columnist, who examines malnutrition in Filipino children. Read the full story in the newspaper’s Opinion section or listen to Voice of the Times.

Today’s editorial calls China a neighborhood bully. Read the full version in the newspaper’s opinion section or listen to Voice of the Times.

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