Author Archives: Elma Leogardo

About Elma Leogardo

Graduated from the University of the Philippines, AB 1979 cum laude, Ll B 1984. Trustee and former President of the Maritime Lawyers Association of the Philippines ("MARLAW"), Trustee of the Legal Management Council of the Philippines ("LMCP"), Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors ("ICD"), among others. Engaged in the private practice of law, principally in corporate & business law, tourism & hospitality, maritime & international law of the sea.

Reassuring words from an ally

Finally, some reassuring words from our American ally—the US will help enhance the Philippine military capability with emphasis on maritime security. The statement from Admiral Samuel Locklear, Commander of the US Pacific Command, to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin came at a time of rising tensions triggered by Chinese military buildup on Panatag and lately Ayungin […]

Taiwan hopes for peaceful cooperation, development in East Asia: academic

The government wants to find mutually beneficial solutions that promote peace and development in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and to maintain close relations with Japan and the Philippines, a Taiwanese academic said. At a panel discussion at the Washington-based Hudson Institute on Friday, Song Yann-huei (宋燕輝) said that while the US […]

Congressman leads ‘fish protest’ vs China in Makati

MANILA, Philippines – Activists led by a congressman on Tuesday afternoon stormed the Chinese Consulate in Makati City and staged a “fish protest.” Wearing colorful fish masks with a giant Philippine flag as a backdrop, the protesters led by Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello called on the Chinese government to end all intrusions and poaching activities […]

‘School of fish’ protests Chinese intrusions in the West PHL Sea

A “school of fish” protested in front of the Chinese Consular Office in Makati today to oppose China’s continued intrusion and poaching activities in the West Philippine Sea. With a giant Philippine flag as a backdrop, members of Akbayan partylist donned in colorful fish masks called on the Chinese government to end all intrusions and […]

‘PHL won’t seek confrontation but ready to defend territory’

THE Philippines does not want confrontation with China but will defend its territory if the situation calls for it. This was the message of Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia Jr. to the officers and crew of the country’s newest warship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) on the eve of its departure for […]

No new Chinese structures, but 4 ships in Panatag – expert

MANILA, Philippines – There are no new Chinese structures in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal but four Chinese ships are still in the area, a defense expert monitoring West Philippine Sea issues revealed yesterday. Rommel Banlaoi of the Philippine Association of Chinese Studies said reports about the supposed buildup in Panatag Shoal are not true. “It’s a […]

PH latest warship to defend territory

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose L. Cuisia Jr. told the crew of the country’s newest warship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), that the Philippines will exert efforts to ease tensions in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) but will also defend its territory if needed. On Sunday, June 9, during a […]

PH hails diplomatic ties with China despite row

MANILA, Philippines—Their territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) should not stop the Philippines and China from celebrating the 38th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, Malacañang said Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said relations between the two countries were multifaceted and the territorial dispute over parts of the […]