From what we hear, the meeting that took place between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte last Wednesday was very good and cordial, and one of the issues discussed was the recent meeting of former president Duterte with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing last July 17. President Bongbong had earlier expressed […]

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is set to conduct joint patrol operations with the United States before the end of 2023, according to an official from the National Security Council (NSC). In a report by GMA news program “24 Oras”, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said that some logistical issues are still being addressed […]

Chinese Communication Construction Co. (CCCC), which currently has several projects in the Philippines, should be banned from doing business in the country, retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said. Carpio told the Inquirer on Friday that the China state-owned company was allegedly involved in Manila’s maritime conflict with Beijing in the South China Sea. Read […]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution spearheaded by the Philippines, which recognizes the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s crucial role in the peaceful settlement of international disputes. “PH spearheaded this campaign, together with core group members Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, and Thailand,” said PCA Administrative […]

The geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China has reached Manila Bay, with Washington vehemently opposing the P34-billion reclamation project of “Plastics King” William Gatchalian who is fully backed by Beijing. A Babbler said the US is vehemently opposed to the reclamation project that would surround its embassy overlooking Manila Bay. Read More–>Battle over […]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) – The Senate adopted a resolution on Tuesday that strongly condemns China’s continued harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and its persistent incursions in the West Philippines Sea. Sponsored by Senate President Migz Zubiri and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the resolution urged the government to take “appropriate action in asserting and securing […]

MANILA, Philippines — Stressing the need for a “pushback,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday revealed that the upper chamber is set to pass next week a “strongly worded” resolution condemning China’s repeated incursions in Philippine territory. Congress will open its 2nd regular session on Monday, July 24. Zubiri talked about this plan in […]

Last week felt special. A profound sense of vindication was in the air. The seventh anniversary of the Philippines’ historic arbitration award, hosted by the ADR-Stratbase Institute at the Manila Polo Club, was both festive and triumphant. Dignitaries from all major allies and partners were in attendance. And so were leading policymakers, experts, and advocates […]

China’s lack of will to accept the same rules it expects others to follow in the South China Sea should worry everyone who supports the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the law of the seas. TODAY is the seventh anniversary of the Unclos award to the Philippines establishing its […]

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union delegation in the Philipines and 16 of the 27 EU member countries issued a joint statement on Tuesday reaffirming their support for the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration recognizing the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea. The ruling — which marks its seventh anniversary on […]