Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Saturday, April 26, 2025.

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READ: Marcos: Investigate China poll meddling

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into China’s possible interference with the Philippine elections in May, Malacañang said Friday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President was aware of the supposed foreign interference. She said the Palace would reach out to the National Security Council (NSC) to know more about China’s alleged intention to meddle in Philippine politics.

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READ: Balikatan focuses on cyber defense drills

DRILLS for protecting military digital systems from cyberattacks took center stage during the fifth day of the Balikatan exercise of Filipino and American troops on Thursday. The Cyber Defense Exercise (Cydex) was simultaneously carried out by Philippine and US troops in Camp Aguinaldo, the Western Command in Palawan, Clark Air Base and Subic, Zambales. The event was observed by representatives from the Colombian Armed Forces, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Canadian Armed Forces, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cyber Command’s Cybersecurity Incident Response Team.” This exercise is a key component of this year’s Balikatan, designed to strengthen mutual cyber defense capabilities and enhance interoperability in responding to evolving digital challenges,” the AFP said in a statement on Friday. It said cybersecurity is a key aspect of modern military operations, and Cydex underscores the importance of collaborative training in addressing cyber challenges.

READ: Palace: Order to amend Constitution ‘fake news’

MALACAÑANG on Friday dismissed as “fake news” the claim of Vice President Sara Duterte that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was pushing for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters Friday there was no discussion on Marcos’ supposed plan to amend the Charter. ALACAÑANG on Friday dismissed as “fake news” the claim of Vice President Sara Duterte that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was pushing for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters Friday there was no discussion on Marcos’ supposed plan to amend the Charter.

READ: New law prohibits chemical weapons

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a bill banning the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons in the country. The President signed Republic Act (RA) 12174, or the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act, on April 15. A copy of the law was posted at the Official Gazette on Friday. The new law conforms with the country’s obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons, and on their Destruction or the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Philippines signed the treaty in January 1993. The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in April 1997.

BUSINESS: PH has ‘monetary policy space’

Topping business, monetary authorities have enough room to continue lowering interest rates given slower inflation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, which could help boost economic growth that is now seen as falling below target this year and the next. Asian countries including the Philippines have enough space to ease policy given at or below-target inflation, the IMF said, but added that there was less room for governments to embark on spending sprees to boost growth.

SPORTS: Standard Insurance rules team time trial at Tour of Luzon

Over to sports, Standard Insurance Philippines (SIP) has set a standard at the Tour of Luzon when it dominated the Paoay to Vigan team time trial on Friday.SIP registered the fastest time of one hour, 22 minutes and 31 seconds to top the 68.5-kilometer second stage with the age-old Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte serving as the backdrop of the starting point and the Ilocos Sur Capitol building at the finish line.When the Ronald Oranza-led SIP team crossed the finish line at 11:18 a.m., they were informed that they ranked second in the team time trial but after confirmation from race officials, they actually finished first. SIP also topped the team classification race in the 195.2-kilometer first stage of the race on Thursday.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today’s front page columnists. Contreras talks about the issue on surveys, Makabenta discusses political assassins and political dynasties, while Remoto speaks on bailing out Filipinos from a life on the streets.

Today’s editorial has a few questions on the road safety campaign of the Department of Transportation. Read more on the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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