Jerome Secillano, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) executive secretary on public affairs, says that divorce is not the 'quick fix' solution to abusive marriages, adding that most divorcees find themselves bringing the same problems to new relationships. Reinforcing the church's stance against divorce as anti-family, he says laws must instead be crafted to prevent domestic violence. Couples must instead work on underlying issues rather than opting for separation. VIdeo and interview by Ezrah RayaGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech as he inspects Taiwanese military in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP)Taiwan's president said Sunday he was still open to working with China on building "mutual understanding and reconciliation", days after Beijing launched military drills around the self-ruled island in response to his inauguration speech. Fighter jets, naval vessels and coast guard ships encircled Taiwan until Friday night, which Chinese military analysts said was to practice seizing it. Lai made overtures to Beijing before his inauguration to resume communications -- severed since 2016 after former president Tsai Ing-wen took office. In response, Beijing has upped military and political pressures on Taiwan, and its naval vessels, drones and warplanes maintain a near-daily presence around the island.

Turn Up the HeatBe earnest and repent. As a fan of gadgets, he was excited to unpack his latest “toy”—a thermometer showing temperature readings from four “zones” around our house. Accept His correction and ask Him to help you live an earnest, fired-up faith. If your commitment to God is lukewarm, how will you pray to seek more loving heat and zeal? If my commitment to You cools down, Father, send the loving heat of Your Holy Spirit to awaken and warm up my faith.

A 53-year-old mainlander died after he tripped over and fell unconscious onboard a fishing boat in waters opposite Ung Kong Chau, Sai Kung on Saturday. Police received a report around midnight that the mainland man surnamed Meng fell unconscious after tripping over onboard a vessel. Officers soon arrived at the scene and didn’t find any apparent bruises or wounds on his body. He was flown to the marine police headquarters and then transferred to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of the man’s death has yet to be confirmed pending an autopsy.

'Vote against dictatorship'After voting, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, 55, leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urged citizens: "Please vote, use your right to vote, and vote against dictatorship." AdvertisementCongress is spearheading an opposition alliance of more than two dozen parties competing jointly against Modi, including the AAP. US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents." The India Meteorological Department warned of heightened health risks for infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases. More than 968 million people are eligible to vote in the Indian election, with the final round of polling on June 1 and results expected three days later.

The talks gathered momentum in the final weeks, but failed to meet a final deadline before next week's World Health Assembly -- the annual gathering of the World Health Organization's 194 member states. "The world still needs a pandemic treaty and the world needs to be prepared," he commented. The talks co-chairs Roland Driece and Precious Matsoso told AFP that countries clearly wanted to reach a final agreement. "It’s not the end," stressed Matsoso, noting that the same ministers who decided they wanted a pandemic agreement would be the ones deciding on the next steps. Most member states want to carry on and lock in the gains," an Asian diplomat in the talks told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

On paper bags, most paper bags are recyclable so I am happy that we have been using old magazine pages to make our own paper bags at our retail store/social enterprise. Paper mills are now very few because they cannot find suitable recyclable paper waste to feed their mills. Again, they are not able to use greasy paper or waxed paper. We need to know what paper mills can use in terms of waste paper and which plastic material can be given new life as a bucket or plastic jerry cans. Segregate waste paper for paper mills to reuse and recycle2.

The Education Bureau announced on Friday that 660 kindergartens have applied to increase tuition fees for the new school year, accounting for about 68% of the total and seeing a 6 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The Education Bureau stated today that as of the middle of this month, 660 kindergartens have submitted applications to increase tuition fees, 40 more than the same period last year. Of the approximate 740 kindergartens participating in the Kindergarten Education Scheme, approximately 520 have applied to increase their tuition fees. As for kindergartens that have not participated in the Kindergarten Education Scheme, about 140 have applied for a tuition increase, one has applied for a decrease, and about 90 have remained unchanged. The Education Bureau is reviewing relevant applications and will notify schools as soon as possible to approve the tuition fees.

A man was hospitalized after he fell on a ship from a great height in Tsing Yi on Thursday night. At about 11 pm yesterday (May 23), a mainland male crew member fell from a height of about 9 meters on the ship off Cheung Fai Road in Tsing Yi and suffered a fractured foot and a head injury. Rescue workers boarded the ship and took care of the injured man's wounds. Firefighters transported him to the Tsing Yi Fireboat Fire Station, and then he was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for medical attention at nearly 1 am today. It is understood the male crew member was working on a container stabilizer on the ship, fixing the containers in place.

The government announced in the gazette on Friday that the demerit points system for taxi drivers will come into effect on September 22 this year. The demerit points system, announced today, that targets taxi drivers will deduct 5 to 10 points for violations, including overcharging fares, taking detours, and refusing rides. Those who are fined 10 points within two years must attend Driving Improvement Courses at their own expense, and those who are fined 15 points will be suspended for three months. The Transport and Logistics Bureau has emphasized that taxi drivers will only have points deducted after a court conviction, and not simply from passenger complaints.

Study: Filipino kids' food loaded with sugar, sold with 'misleading' labelsBased on the data from Packworks’ business intelligence tool Sari IQ, 75 percent of the thousands of sari-sari stores analyzed are owned by women. The study, which assessed over 180 infant cereals, snacks and meals, also found widespread use of misleading labels and a lack of strict government regulations on these products. The UNICEF and COMMIT study noted that most unhealthy food products are marketed and promoted as suitable for consumption by children aged six months to three years old. One in four food products assessed for the study also does not recommend the minimum age of consumption as at least six months old. They also called to ban "misleading marketing and labeling" of food and to educate parents about "deceptive marketing and labeling practices."

Nur Misuari convicted of graft over anomalous procurement of educational suppliesMANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has convicted Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari of two counts of graft charges over the alleged anomalous procurement of Information Technology (IT) educational supplies worth over P77 million. In a 68-page decision promulgated on Friday, the anti-graft court found Misuari and six co-accused guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The charges stemmed from the procurement of educational materials worth P31 million and P46.26 million. Misuari and his co-accused have been sentenced to six years and one month to eight years in prison. According to a report by ABS-CBN, Misuari and the six others were allowed bail amounting to P30,000 per count of graft.

The talks had been clouded by uncertainty, with one sticking point being sanctions for offenders, which pits developing countries against developed ones broadly speaking. Genetic resources are increasingly used by companies in everything from cosmetics to seeds, medicines, biotechnology and food supplements. It's a balanced text," a Western negotiator told Agence France-Presse before the final agreement was reached. Antony Scott Taubman set up WIPO's traditional knowledge division in 2001 but no longer works with the agency. In the end, the treaty text says countries "shall provide an opportunity to rectify a failure to disclose the information required... before implementing sanctions."

The Filipina, who works in Singapore, fractured her neck and back. "[There is] no word yet on the treatment or surgery options for her back injuries," the DMW said. A Bangkok hospital said many of the more seriously injured people on SQ321 needed operations on their spines. Passengers have described how the flight crew tried to revive him by performing CPR for about 20 minutes. Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence.

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal number one is up over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islamds, Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Islands after the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Surigao del Sur intensified into Tropical Depression Aghon, the state weather bureau reported early Friday morning. On the track forecast, Aghon is forecast to make a close approach or make landfall in the vicinity of Eastern Samar tomorrow morning as a tropical depression,” Pagasa said. “Afterwards, Aghon will pass north-northwestward over Eastern Visayas, then emerge over the waters off the east coast of Bicol Region tomorrow afternoon or evening as a tropical storm,” Pagasa said. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be raised over parts of Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region before noon Friday, Pagasa said. Moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.0 m) are expected in the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas and the eastern seaboard of the Caraga region.