The Philippines is not bound by United States laws, Malacañang said on Thursday, as it dismissed possible sanctions from Washington if Manila pushes through with its purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, a former international law professor, said Washington could not enforce US laws to the Philippines. “As […]

Editor’s Note: Admiral Philip Davidson faced the media for the first time recently on his 7th week as the new commander of the Indo Pacific Command. GMA News’ Chino Gaston was there. When journalists covering the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercises were told we were meeting with the US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Philip […]

(UPDATED) Rappler editor-at-large Marites Dañguilan Vitug is set to unveil the book ‘Rock Solid,’ the first of its kind about the Philippines’ victory over the South China Sea, at the Ateneo de Manila University on July 24 LANDMARK BOOK. ‘Rock Solid,’ authored by award-winning journalist Marites Dañguilan Vitug, is the first of its kind on […]

MANILA — The Duterte administration remains focused on protecting the country’s national territory and sovereignty. This was emphasized by National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon during the “Tatak ng Pagbabago” Pre-SONA Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Wednesday. Esperon said this is demonstrated by the continuous maritime and air patrols […]

Kiwis participate in RIMPAC, Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest international maritime training exercise. As security tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific region, and New Zealand reaffirms its commitment to old friends and allies, more than 300 of the country’s defence personnel, along with a warship and three planes descend on Hawaii. Biennial Rim of […]

THE Philippines should first become “strong internally” in its maritime dispute in the South China Sea, National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. said in an interview at the sidelines of the last pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) forum on Wednesday, July 18. “Magpalakas ka muna (get stronger first). I think (President Rodrigo R. […]

  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is avoiding criticism over Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, and has instead described Beijing as a good neighbor. Duterte made the remarks Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for a Chinese-funded bridge. “I’m sure that in the end, China will be fair and the equity will be distributed,” he […]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18) — A former Senate President and ally of President Rodrigo Duterte wants a stronger national stance against China, which has ignored an international tribunal ruling that largely favored the Philippines in disputes in the South China Sea. In an interview with CNN Philippines, Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel advised the government […]

In a Rappler Talk interview, former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario says the amount due is ‘less than a million dollars’ MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ legal fees in its historic case against China remain unpaid two years after the Southeast Asian country won in The Hague, the country’s current and former foreign secretaries confirmed. […]

MANILA – Bilateral talks may not be the best way to address issues in the South China Sea, said a veteran journalist who wrote a book on the landmark arbitral court ruling that granted the Philippines exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. Marites Vitug, author of “Rock Solid: How the Philippines won its […]