The Manila Times Publishing Corporation

The Manila Times Publishing Corporation is one of the oldest publishing companies in the Philippines. With a rich history dating back to the American colonial period, its flagship newspaper The Manila Times has played a significant role in shaping the nation’s journalism landscape and remains a reliable source of news, information, and insights to Filipinos. It was founded by Thomas Gowan, an Englishman, to meet the demand of the United States forces for an American paper in Manila.

Filipino journalists started to join the former all-American staff of the Manila Times in 1918, including Maria Kalaw-Katigbak, Jose P. Bautista, Jose Luna Castro, Luis Serrano, Benjamin Osias, Jose L. Guevara, Estrella Alfon, Cita Trinidad, Consuelo G. Abaya, Carlos P. Romulo, and Benigno Aquino Jr.

After the Second World War, heirs of Don Alejandro Roces Sr. reopened the paper in 1945. With its top-notch reporting, it was the number one in the vibrant media industry until it was forced to close down when martial law was imposed in September 1972. It remained shut for the next 14 years until the Roces family revived the newspaper company on February 5, 1986. Three years after its rebirth the paper again had to close down.

Citing financial dearth, the Roces family sold the paper to business tycoon John Gokongwei. In 1999, the paper faced a libel suit amounting to PhP101 million from then-president Erap Estrada after publishing a story calling him an “unwitting godfather” to a controversial deal of the government with an Argentinian energy company. The Gokongweis were forced to apologize and eventually decided to get out of the newspaper business.

The Manila Times management was forced to apologize to Estrada. Soon the Gokongweis got out of the newspaper business.

On July 23, 1999, The Manila Times closed once again. However, months before The Times’ closure, Mark Jimenez, a crony of then-president Joseph Estrada, was said to have already shown interest in buying the paper but wanted to remain an undisclosed partner.

On August 8, 2001, Dante Ang acquired The Manila Times as the Publisher and Chairman. He is known in the media industry as a public relations practitioner. His most famous client was Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo, who became president in 2001.

He published a business magazine, Money Asia, and founded the Filipino broadsheet, Kabayan. He also maintains five publishing houses and is president and chair of a public relations firm that handles corporate accounts and political candidates.

The Manila Times Publishing Corporation operates several media outlets, providing diverse content and catering to a wide readership. Its flagship newspaper, The Manila Times, is an English-language daily newspaper that provides comprehensive coverage of national and international news. It is known for its insightful analysis, feature articles, and editorial content. The company also maintains a strong online presence through its official website, www.manilatimes.net, which is known for delivering news, articles, opinion pieces, and multimedia content to global audiences. Aside from this, the Manila Times also publishes its weekly magazine, The Sunday Times Magazine, which features lifestyle, entertainment, and culture-related content, making it a popular choice for weekend reading.

The Manila Times Publishing Corporation’s diverse media presence and historical significance make it a crucial player in the Philippine media landscape. Dante Francis Ang II, Michael Alexander Ang, Anna Marie Thompson, Dante Ang, and Ma. Preciosa Monica Ang all have 14.29% shares, while Michele Denise Saludo has 14.28% shares in The Manila Times Publishing Corporation.