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Meeting between FPRRD and PBBM an occasion to come together—Bong Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the meeting between former president Rodrigo Duterte and incumbent President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., marked a rare occasion where two leaders from different administrations come together. In an interview after his visit to Tuy, Batangas on Thursday, August 3, Go stressed the importance of the said meeting on the country's foreign relations and domestic political landscape. It can be recalled that Duterte just came back from a recent personal trip abroad, where he was given an opportunity to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “Isinama lang po ako ni dating pangulong Duterte sa pulong nila ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Sila naman po ang nag-usap muna. Sa pagkaalam ko ang napag-usapan nila ay tungkol doon sa pagbisita ni former president sa China kung saan po ay naimbitahan siya sa inagurasyon ng building na pinangalanan po sa kanyang yumaong nanay, si Soledad Duterte,” Go said. “Bilang dating presidente ng bansang Pilipinas at kaibigan n’ya si President Xi ng China, naimbitahan po siya sa pagpupulong. Napag-usapan nila ang kanilang pinagsamahan noon bilang parehong lider at si (dating) pangulong Duterte naman po ay pumunta kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos para ireport po, bilang kanyang obligasyon as a citizen nitong bansa natin, na ireport po sa Pangulo kung ano ang napag-usapan nila doon at ano po ang makakatulong sa ating bansa,” he added. Go underscored the significance of such dialogues, stating that they foster a sense of continuity in governance and allow for the exchange of valuable experiences and wisdom between the two leaders. He added that the Philippines values its relations with China while upholding its sovereign rights and pursuing a rules-based approach in handling disputes in the West Philippine Sea. “I’m sure interest po ng Pilipino ang uunahin ni (dating) pangulong Duterte sa kanyang pakikipagpulong sa bansang Tsina. Kung ano po ang atin ay kanyang ipinaglalaban parati yan. Interes ng Pilipino — yun po ang dapat nating ipaglaban. Ang atin ay atin. What is ours is ours,” he said. Go said “kaya natutuwa po ako na siya mismo si (dating) pangulong Duterte ang bumisita kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos para mag-usap po ang kasalukuyang Pangulo at dating Pangulo na dati pa namang magkaibigan po... kung ano po ang detalye (ng pag-uusap nila), hayaan na nating ang Palasyo ang maghayag nito.” Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who served as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Duterte administration, previously suggested the possibility of appointing Duterte as a special envoy to China in light of the former president's positive rapport with Chinese authorities. He argued that Duterte's capacity to earn the trust of both the Chinese government and his fellow Filipinos could make him a suitable option if Marcos desires it. Go said that with Duterte's unique communication style and his success in gaining China's confidence, he has consistently remained devoted to what is best for the Philippines. The post Meeting between FPRRD and PBBM an occasion to come together—Bong Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte as special envoy to China: ‘Why not?’ Zubiri says
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Thursday said he sees nothing wrong with the proposal to appoint former President Rodrigo Duterte as special envoy to China. In a television interview, Zubiri was asked about his stand on the proposal to appoint President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s predecessor to represent the country in its negotiation with China on the issue of the West of the Philippines. “Why not? Anyone who can help diplomacy in this part of the world, in this economic zone of ours, the exclusive economic zone would be a big help,” he said. “It could be president former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he added. Aside from the former chief executive, Zubiri said that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who floated the idea to tap Duterte, could also represent the country in its negotiation with China. “It could also be Alan, why not Senator Alan as well to help in the backchanneling since he’s quite close to some of the officials there being the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs?” he said. On Wednesday, Zubiri and 20 other senators met with Marcos and his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in the Malacanang Palace after the latter hosted a “casual dinner.” Prior to his dinner with senators, Marcos also met with the older Duterte, who went to China last month. Zubiri said during their meeting with the president, the latter mentioned that it was Duterte who brought up the issue of the West Philippine Sea during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “What he mentioned to us, was during the duration of President Duterte’s meeting with Xi Jinping, the topic of the West Philippine Sea never was brought up,” he said. “Apparently, it was never, according to the President, casually saying that it was never brought up,” he added. He continued: “It was actually President Duterte to mention to Xi Jinping that on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, look kindly to the Philippines.” Duterte’s trip to China caught the national attention as the country was waiting for the decision of the International Criminal Court on the appeal of the Marcos administration to block its investigation into the former president’s controversial war on drugs which killed thousands of suspected drug personalities. Asked whether the Department of Foreign Affairs was aware of Duterte’s trip to China, the agency said it “had no official information on the visit of the former president to China.” Marcos, however, clarified that Duterte’s trip to China was “not a surprise.” During his term, Duterte veered away from the Philippines’ traditional ally – the United States -- and developed warmer ties with America’s rival, China. The post Duterte as special envoy to China: ‘Why not?’ Zubiri says appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate to adopt Hontiveros, Zubiri reso condemning China’s incursions in WPS
The Senate is set to adopt the resolution filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros which urges the national government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, to elevate China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea to the United Nations General Assembly, Senate President Juan Miguel said Monday. According to Zubiri, Hontiveros’s Senate Resolution No. 659 will be merged with Senate Resolution No. 707, which he authored, on Tuesday. “We have agreed to merge the provisions between the two resolutions and pass a resolution condemning the harassment of the Filipino fishermen and continued incursions of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a statement. He issued the statement after members of the Senate went into an executive session with DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año. “It was a very cordial, straightforward, and productive meeting between the senators and our key government officials dealing on the West Philippine Sea,” he said. For her part, Hontiveros welcomed the positive development with the resolution which aims to condemn China’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS. “It is clear that the people’s will succeeds and not the will of China,” she said in a separate statement. During last week’s session, Hontiveros sponsored the resolution before the Senate floor, which was followed by the co-sponsorship of Zubiri. The resolution was also supported by Senators Raffy Tulfo and Jinggoy Estrada. However, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who once took the helm at the DFA under the Duterte administration, managed to block the Senate’s approval of the resolution. The post Senate to adopt Hontiveros, Zubiri reso condemning China’s incursions in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Risa slams Cayetano for blocking WPS reso
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s move to oppose the adoption of a resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to elevate China’s harassment in the West Philippine Sea in the United Nations General Assembly was “not completely surprising.” In a television interview, Hontiveros, who authored the resolution, said Cayetano’s actions during Wednesday’s session were expected. “When I saw that Senator Cayetano stood up, I wasn’t completely surprised because this is not the first time that he did not support pressing the case against China,” she said. “Our resolution is very simple. It is expressing the sense of the Senate to urge the Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs to sponsor a resolution in the UNGA calling on China to respect and to comply with that Hague ruling, and to cease and desist from her harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” she added. During the period of interpellation on the resolution, Cayetano argued that urging the DFA to bring the WPS issue to the UNGA without consulting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the matter may “not be the best strategy.” “We should strengthen the position of the country. I disagree with the president on some issues. I might disagree with him on the China issue — how to deal with China,” Cayetano said. “But I do believe he was the one elected, and we should at least hear out his people — the national task force on the West Philippine Sea and the DFA — so that we know where we’re going,” he added. Citing overlapping claims with other Southeast Asian countries, he also questioned why the resolution is “limited only” to China. Hontiveros, however, lamented that the Senate resolution is just a “simple expression” of the Senate, as an independent institution, of “what we feel the Executive may further do.” She also clarified that the move was “not mutual” with any and all other political and diplomatic moves that the government should take. “Yes, it was a bit surprising, but then again, given his (Cayetano) history short of easing the Philippine foot on the gas pedal vis-a-vis China, I have to confess I wasn’t completely surprised,” she stressed. Cayetano took the helm at the DFA during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who veered away from the United States, the country’s traditional ally, and developed warmer ties with China. ‘Huge humiliation’ For her part, Senator Imee Marcos, the eldest sister of the president, expressed concern about the move to bring the WPS issue to the UNGA. “We already have in hand the arbitral judgment, which is far more powerful and important,” Marcos said in an interview at the Kapihan sa Senado. The presidential sister also cautioned that the 2016 landmark victory of the Philippines against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration may get weakened should the country lose in the voting at the UNGA. “Furthermore, I also worry that we may not generate the necessary votes. It’s a huge humiliation if we lose in the General Assembly,” she pointed out. ‘Confident’ Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who co-sponsored the resolution on Wednesday, expressed his confidence that the upper chamber would still adopt it next week. “We are still confident that the Resolution will pass this week. As to whether we will retain the original wording, that remains to be seen,” Zubiri said in a separate statement. While senators differ on how to put forward the issue, he noted, that the Senate is “united” in the desire to “condemn the harassment and bullying of our fisherfolk and Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea and ultimately, to enforce the 2016 arbitral award.” The post Risa slams Cayetano for blocking WPS reso appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hontiveros hits Cayetano’s move against Senate reso on China harassment
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s move to oppose the adoption of a resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to elevate China’s harassment in the West Philippine Sea to the United Nations General Assembly was “not completely surprising.” In a television interview, Hontiveros, who authored the resolution, said Cayetano’s actions during Wednesday’s session were expected. “When I saw that Sen. Cayetano stood up, I wasn’t completely surprised because this is not the first time that he did not support pressing the case against China,” she said. “Our resolution is very simple. It is expressing the sense of the Senate to urge the Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs to sponsor a resolution in the UNGA calling on China to respect and to comply with that Hague ruling, and to cease and desist from her harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” she added. During the period of interpellation on the resolution, Cayetano argued that urging the DFA to bring the WPS issue to the UNGA without consulting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the matter may “not be the best strategy.” “We should strengthen the position of the country. I disagree with the President on some issues. I might disagree with him on the China issue -- how to deal with China,” Cayetano said. "But I do believe he was the one elected, and we should at least hear out his people—the national task force on the West Philippine Sea and the DFA—so that we know where we’re going,” he added. Citing overlapping claims with other Southeast Asian countries, he also questioned why the resolution is “limited only” to China. Hontiveros, however, lamented that the Senate resolution is just a “simple expression” of the Senate, as an independent institution, of “what we feel the Executive may further do.” She also clarified that the move was “not mutual” with any and all other political and diplomatic moves that the government should take. “Yes, it was a bit surprising, but then again, given his (Cayetano) history sort of easing the Philippine foot on the gas pedal vis-a-vis China, I have to confess I wasn't completely surprised,” she stressed. Cayetano took the helm at the DFA during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who veered away from the United States, the country’s traditional ally, and developed warmer ties with China. ‘Huge humiliation’ For her part, Senator Imee Marcos, the eldest sister of the president, expressed concern about the move to bring the WPS issue to the UNGA. “We already have in hand the arbitral judgment, which is far more powerful and important,” Marcos said in an interview at the Kapihan sa Senado. The presidential sister also cautioned that the 2016 landmark victory of the Philippines against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration may get weakened should the country lose in the voting at the UNGA. “Furthermore, I also worry that we may not generate the necessary votes. It’s a huge humiliation if we lose in the General Assembly,” she pointed out. ‘Confident’ Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who co-sponsored the resolution on Wednesday, expressed his confidence that the upper chamber would still adopt it next week. “We are still confident that the Resolution will pass this week. As to whether we will retain the original wording, that remains to be seen,” Zubiri said in a separate statement. While senators differ on how to put forward the issue, Zubiri said the Senate is “united” in the desire to “condemn the harassment and bullying of our fisherfolk and Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea and ultimately, to enforce the 2016 arbitral award.” “That said, the Senate is a deliberative body whose members are open to discussion and reasonable compromise,” he said. “We are confident that we can come up with a wording of the Resolution that will meet our common desire while addressing the concerns of all the members of the Senate,” he added. During Wednesday’s session, the Senate chief instructed Senate Secretary Renato Bantug to invite DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea Andres Centino and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency to an executive session next week. “We will meet with the DFA, the Task Force on the West Philippine Sea and the NICA to hear their concerns,” he said. The post Hontiveros hits Cayetano’s move against Senate reso on China harassment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
F2F diplomacy, tanging solusyon sa agawan ng WPS – Cayetano
MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ni Senator-elect Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Lunes na “solvable” o kaya namang masolusyonan ang dispute ng Pilipinas at China sa West Philippine Sea basta maumpisahan ang harapang diplomasya para lumamig ang sitwasyon. “The problem is solvable but we have to be committed to it,” pahayag ni Cayetano sa isang panayam sa media […] The post F2F diplomacy, tanging solusyon sa agawan ng WPS – Cayetano appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Filipina rescued from mail-order bride syndicate
The Bureau of Immigration rescued a suspected victim of a mail-order bride syndicate, targeting Filipinas sent to China under false pretenses......»»
US reaffirms support for Philippines sovereignty amid its tensions with China
Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China's "dangerous" water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday. In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty.....»»
Philippines announces decisive measures amid tensions with China
Manila [Philippines], March 28 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has announced decisive measures to protect his country's sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos, known as Bongbong, said that the measures, aimed at addressing what he said is the "open, unabating, and illegal" actions by China's Coast.....»»
China urges ROK to stay prudent on South China Sea issue: Chinese FM
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China urges the Republic of Korea (ROK) to stay prudent when it comes to the South China Sea issue, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to a media query about ROK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's biased and unfactual comments on the South China Sea issue over the past few days. "China.....»»
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Meets With Singapore s Leaders
singapore - Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become China's next foreign minister, said "the world needs connectivity, not decoupling," during a four-day visit to Singapore.Liu, who heads the international department of the Communist Party, was in the city-state to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the country's incoming leader, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.During a s.....»»
Philippines’s Marcos pledges action in response to China’s ‘dangerous attacks’
President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines has issued a strong statement in response to recent confrontations in the South China Sea, stating that the country.....»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks.....»»
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS.....»»
Marcos: Philippines won’t be ‘cowed into silence, submission’ by China
“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. Filipinos do not yield,” Marcos said. .....»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e,.....»»
FOCAP condemns Chinese embassy’s claims on ‘manipulated’ West Philippine Sea videos
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines strongly rejected and condemned yesterday China’s “false and baseless” claims that journalists manipulate videosthey recorded in the South China Sea to present the Philippines as a victim......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»