“My God, we are facing a problem that’s beyond the capability of the country to handle militarily, even politically,” Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said after the Senate adopted Senator Miriam Santiago’s Senate Resolution No. 1414 declaring Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) invalid without concurrence from Senate. Enrile, Senators Franklin Drilon and Bam Aquino abstained, while […]
Senator Bongbong: We should take every opportunity to talk to the Chinese
Vice presidential candidate Senator Bongbong Marcos is urging the government to take advantage of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting taking place next week to mend Philippines-China diplomatic relations that has been strained in recent years over West Philippine Sea maritime dispute. “I think we should take every opportunity to talk to the Chinese, be […]
Japan, Netherlands jointly express concern over actions raising tensions in West PH Sea
The Netherlands and Japan have jointly expressed concern over unilateral action that may change the status quo and create tensions in West Philippine Sea and East China Sea. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte “share the importance of the rule of law for the international community including the freedom of […]
PH retains UN Commission on International Trade Law membership
The Philippines retained its membership at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). “The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) re-elected the Philippines to the UN Commission on International Trade Law on November 09,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said. UNGA held elections to elect 23 members to the UNCITRAL to serve from June […]
Chinese Minister in Manila: China values relationship with Philippines
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Manila for a one-day Working Visit upon the invitation of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario today. The two officials discussed the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders Meeting next week in Manila. “Foreign Minister Wang expressed China’s support for the Philippines in hosting APEC this year and said […]
Senate declares EDCA an invalid treaty: Only one voted ‘no’
The Senate of the Philippines voted today demanding that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) should be submitted by the Office of the President to Senate for concurrence. Senate Resolution No. 1414, authored by Senator Miriam Santiago, was adopted with 15 affirmative votes, 1 negative, and three abstentions. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy […]
Tribunal schedules hearing on merits of PH arbitration case against China
The Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands has scheduled the hearing on merits of case filed by Philippines against China regarding the West Philippine Sea dispute on November 24 to 30. “The Oral Hearing on the merits of the Philippines-China arbitration case under Annex VII of the United Nations […]
Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister pays courtesy call to President Aquino
The Foreign Affairs Minister of China Wang Yi paid a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino III today, November 10 at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace. Wang Yi is in the country for a working visit at the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory […]
Marcos Jewelry Collection intended for auction
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) have agreed to auction the Marcos Jewelry Collection with price tag between USD5 to USD8 million. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), BOC and PCGG will conduct physical inventory, appraisal and auction of the ill gotten wealth of former President Ferdinand Marcos, […]
China wants to meet PH halfway on issue of maritime dispute
China wants to meet Philippines halfway on the issue of West Philippine Sea dispute. “It is hoped that the Philippine side will meet China halfway, implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries during last year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, constructively handle relevant issues and create atmosphere and conditions for the return […]
All Navy AW-109Es likely to be deployed for APEC security work
There is a huge possibility that the Philippine Navy (PN)’s five brand-new AgustaWestland AW-109 “Power” naval helicopters will be deployed to provide additional security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Metro Manila next week. The five aircraft are ideal for security work as they are all equipped with NVG (night vision gear) […]
Pacquiao offers free boxing event at Bonifacio Naval Station
Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth super flyweight champion Aston “Mighty” Palicte will face ex-WBO Oriental light flyweight champion Vergilio “Maton” Silvano in the main event of ‘Tibay ng Pinoy XI’ on Nov. 13 at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig. “They will vie for 12 rounds for the vacant WBO Oriental super flyweight title,” […]
PNP to protesters: Please respect our rights, too
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will strictly implement maximum tolerance to protesters expected to stage rallies during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events next week where state heads from member economies are attending. The PNP said it will maintain peace and provide proper protection to those exercising their right to peaceful assembly. The national police […]
PNP receives EOD kits, robots from US
The Philippine National Police received 32 Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment and 6 Ford Ranger pick-up trucks from United States Department of State Anti-terrorism Assistance (DS-ATA) Program in the Philippines. The turnover ceremony of donated equipment and vehicles was conducted November 9 at Camp Crame, Quezon City. The PNP said 32 EOD equipment include […]
PH, China foreign affairs heads to hold rare bilateral meeting
China Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be coming to Manila tomorrow, November 10 for a working visit. This is ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting next week where Chinese President Xi Jinping was confirmed to be attending. Wang Yi will be meeting with his Filipino counterpart Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. […]
Senate approves P2 thousand increase on SSS monthly pension
The Senate of the Philippines has approved today the proposed across the board increase of PhP2,000 on monthly pension of over 1.9 Filipino pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS), the Senate said in a statement. House Bill 5842, also known as Social Security Act, seeks to amend Section 12 of Republic Act (RA) 1161 […]
Chinese President coming to Manila next week for APEC
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s attendance to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 17 to 19 in Manila was confirmed by China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang today. “At the invitation of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III of the Republic of the Philippines, President Xi Jinping will attend the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ […]
Two US carrier strike groups operating in Asia-Pacific
Currently, there are two carrier strike groups operating in Asia-Pacific region. “Having two carrier strike groups in the region working simultaneously with our allies and partners is just another example of our commitment to building capacity, keeping the sea lanes open and maintaining peace in the region,” Seventh Fleet commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin said […]
Pentagon chief visits aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt in West PH Sea
The Secretary of United States Department of Defense, also known as Pentagon, Ash Carter visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt while the vessel is sailing in West Philippine Sea November 5, 2015. Carter also expressed concern about China’s activities in those waters. He said USS Theodore Roosevelt is a “symbol and a sign […]
Philippines, Indonesia conduct joint border talks
The Philippines and Indonesia have successfully convened the 34th Philippines-Indonesia Border Committee Chairmen’s Conference (BCCC) in Davao City November 4, 2015. The Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (EASTMINCOM) hosted the said joint meeting discussing border-related issues. Lieutenant General Aurelio B. Baladad, EASTMINCOM Commander and Rear Admiral Darwanto, SH, MAP of […]