EDITORS, JOURNALISTS AND STAFF OF THE MANILA TIMES RAISE A BANNER, 1999-07-22 (photo)

Editors, journalists and staff of The Manila Times raise a banner as they pose for a photograph on the last day of their work July 22, a day after its owners finalized the paper's sale in a deal that editor-in-chief Malou Mangahas (middle, front row) called "corporate strangulation." The 101-year-old newspaper, which Philippine President Joseph Estrada had sued for libel, was sold to a prominent family that originally founded the paper, but the editors claim it was sold under political pressure. The new owners said they would re-open the paper in September under the same name. RR/TAN/AA