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China urges Philippines to stop maritime infringement, provocation
BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China lodged serious representations to the Philippine side on its intruding vessels into the adjacent waters of Ren'ai Jiao, and once again urges the Philippines to stop maritime infringement and provocation, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday. Mao made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on the collision between Chinese and Philippine bo.....»»
House calls for DICT briefing on gov’t websites attacked by China-based hackers
The House of Representatives has asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology to hold an immediate briefing on recent cybersecurity breaches by China-based hackers on government websites......»»
‘Exhaust all legal options to defend Pinoy fishermen’
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas and four other Catholic bishops yesterday asked the Philippine government to exhaust all legal options to defend the Filipino fishermen reportedly recently harassed at Scarborough Shoal by the China Coast Guard......»»
China warns Philippines not to play with fire on Taiwan question
BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China warns the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan question and to stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos' message of congratulations to Lai.....»»
China seeks exemption from US sanctions for Russian LNG - Reuters
Restrictions on the Arctic LNG 2 energy project endanger vital fuel supplies, according to Chinese energy majors China's state energy majors CNOOC and China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) have both asked the US government for exemptions from sanctions on a new Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant. They are.....»»
PH addressing China aggression in WPS: Let’s not overreact
TOKYO, Japan — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines is exerting all efforts to address China aggression in the West Philippine Sea but it is important not to overreact. Marcos was asked by the media for his reaction to Chinese vessels swarming Ayungin Shoal on the sidelines of the Asean-Japan Summit in.....»»
China urges Philippines to stop hyping up maritime disputes
BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday urged the Philippines to stop hyping up maritime disputes between the two countries, and work with China to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. When asked to comment on reports at a daily press briefing that the House of Representatives of the Philippines recently adopted a resolution regarding issues of the South Chi.....»»
Government told to stop borrowing from China
Think tank Infrawatch PH has asked the government to consider cancelling P159 billion worth of Chinese projects, mostly in transport, in light of Beijing’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea that endangers Filipino lives......»»
China refuses to explain why defense minister sacked
China on Wednesday refused to explain why defense minister Li Shangfu was removed from office, a day after he was fired following weeks out of the public eye. In a major reshuffle of top leadership, Beijing announced on Tuesday that Li and ousted ex-foreign minister Qin Gang had been removed from the cabinet. No explanation was given for their removal from office. When asked about the firings on Wednesday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told journalists she did not have "any other information to provide". Mao instead referred media to state news agency Xinhua, which also provided no information about their removal from office. "If you're concerned about whether China is transparent, what I can say is that we release information on all appointments and removals of personnel in a timely manner," she said. Both Qin and Li are believed by experts to have been personally selected for their roles by President Xi Jinping. The post China refuses to explain why defense minister sacked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Other countries might join Phl maritime activities in WPS after Ayungin collision—DND
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. believed that the recent collision incidents, involving the China Coast Guard and the Philippine resupply boats in Ayungin shoal, would attract more countries that have an interest in freedom of navigation in partnering with the Philippines in conducting maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea. “I believe it will invite more countries who have an interest in freedom of navigation to participate not only in joint sails but in other security engagements with the Philippines,” Teodoro said in an interview with the state-run Radyo Pilipinas on Wednesday. Teodoro said the Philippines’ engagements with other countries may include capability upgrades, intelligence exchanges, and other defense military-to-military and defense-to-defense cooperation agreements. “To include defense industries in the country,” he added. Teodoro noted that the Philippine government is considering and calibrating many options to address China's increasing aggression in the WPS. In a separate interview, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed the possibility that the Philippines would conduct maritime activities with other countries. “That's a possibility. Tinitignan natin lahat ng mga (We are looking at all) options,” Brawner said, when asked about the chances that other nations may join the Philippines in its rotation and re-provisioning mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal. The military chief added that these chances also include the use of a Navy ship during the Rore mission since the BRP Sierra Madre is also a naval vessel. But they are still studying which country could possibly join the resupply mission. The AFP is currently contracting private boats for its re-provisioning mission to the troops stationed in the grounded Philippine Navy warship in Ayungin Shoal. Last 22 October, a CCG vessel collided with the AFP-chartered resupply ship, Unaiza May 2, after the former attempted to block the latter’s path en route to BRP Sierra Madre at about 10.5 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal. A separate collision occurred between BRP Cabra and a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel at about 6.4 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal on the same day. After the incident, the Philippines and China accused each other of increasing tension in the WPS. Both the United States and Canada condemned China for its “dangerous maneuvers” against the Philippine ships in the waters off Ayungin shoal. The post Other countries might join Phl maritime activities in WPS after Ayungin collision—DND appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl monitors many CMM ships in WPS, slams China’s maligned info ops
The Philippines has monitored "a large number of Chinese maritime militia vessels” swarming in the features of the West Philippine Sea, National Security Council spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said Tuesday. In a television interview, Malaya said these vessels were spotted “not only in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc but also in other features, including (Scarborough Shoal) and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.” "We are alarmed by the environmental degradation our Coast Guard ships were able to monitor in these areas,” he told the ANC. Malaya noted that environmental degradation or coral destruction would have a direct impact on the livelihood of the fishermen in the WPS areas. “Sometimes we forget the reasons why we are pushing our rights in the WPS, some critics are saying this is just posturing on the part of the Philippines or a tug-of-war between China and the Philippines. No this is not,” he stressed. “This is a battle for the resources of our country, particularly those for our fishermen so when we monitor coral destruction in other parts of the WPS, it alarms the Philippine government because it directly impacts the livelihood of our fishermen in WPS upon their livelihood relies,” he added. Hence, the Philippines has increased its maritime patrols and freedom of navigation missions in the WPS amid “limited capacity.” On the other hand, Malaya slammed China’s “maligned information operation” and sharing of “false narratives” on its sweeping claims on the WPS—as shared with the public. “Definitely, there’s a maligned information operation going on nowadays that is shared to the public and we are just happy it is not just the Philippine government that is sharing our side here—we have allies—if we may call them witnesses from the media,” he said. “We have witnesses from the media who were there on the spot, who had access to the deck and who had access to the control center of the Philippine Coast Guard vessels, who listened to the radio challenges, who saw what was really happening, who were witnesses themselves to the overwhelming number of Chinese vessels acting in concert,” he added. Malaya asked the public should see the facts for themselves and not be urged by the information coming from Beijing. Philippine officials have repeatedly called out China for its “propaganda” on its expansive claims in the South China Sea, which overlaps the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS......»»
PBBM brings home $120-million investment contract from Saudi Arabia trip
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said he secured a $120-million investment contract for the Philippines amid a short trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In his arrival speech at Villamor Airbase in Pasay, Marcos said Saudi Arabia expects to invest in the Philippines, making their partnership a "two-way street." "It's time that they bring investment to the Philippines to support their food supply situation, and to support the industries that they are going to expand," Marcos said. Still, the Philippines relies on its labor export background. The country signed multiple Saudi investment deals. Marcos claimed $4.26 billion in deals will help 15,000 Filipinos "in training and employment opportunities across a wide range of professions in the construction industry." A $120 million investment in the Philippines will train at least 2,000 Filipinos in construction crafts. To work on Saudi projects, Filipino skilled laborers are to be sent. Marcos' backing for these ventures reflects the Philippines' long-standing labor export program, which has produced billions in remittances. Marcos also told Filipinos that he would continue to promote the Philippines as a dynamic economic environment and deepen links with the Arab country on his overseas journey. "Let me assure you that we will continue to advance our national interest as we further expand our partnerships abroad," he added. Marcos also assured that his administration promoted the country's priority abroad. He emphasized collaboration in food and energy security, logistics and supply chains, digital transformation, and free trade. President Marcos declared he wanted to protect and upskill 2 million hardworking Filipinos in the Middle East. Marcos asked his fellow leaders from the two blocs to preserve a rules-based international order to ensure world harmony, especially with the Israeli-Hamas war. "The summit also provided ASEAN and GCC leaders an opportunity to convey their views on the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. I shared our hope for peace, that it should prevail, and for the welfare and safety of civilians to be upheld in accordance with international humanitarian law," he said during his arrival speech. He urged Gulf governments to collaborate with ASEAN to promote "peace, security, and stability in both our regions, the South China Sea, and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world." The post PBBM brings home $120-million investment contract from Saudi Arabia trip appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Christiane Benner, first woman to lead Germany’s biggest union
Christiane Benner will become the first woman to lead Germany's biggest union when she takes the helm at IG Metall next week. But the milestone comes as the once mighty industrial sector battles a series of crises. Soaring energy costs due to Russia's war in Ukraine, high inflation, and weaker demand from key trade partner China have culminated in a manufacturing slump that has raised fears about Germany's future as an industrial powerhouse and export champion. Benner's appointment is set to be confirmed at an IG Metall congress on Monday. As she prepares to go to bat for IG Metall's more than two million members in sectors including the automotive, machine tool, and electrical industries, Benner is clear about her priorities. "The most important thing is keeping industry in Germany and Europe," she told AFP in an interview in her Frankfurt office. Asked why it took so long for IG Metall, founded in 1949, to install a woman at the top, Benner chuckled. "Ask the men!" smiled the bespectacled 55-year-old. Benner has been a member of IG Metall since her early 20s after starting work as a foreign-language secretary at a mechanical engineering firm. After taking time out to study sociology, she rose through the ranks at IG Metall and became the union's vice president in 2015. Eighty percent of IG Metall's members are men. Deindustrialization fears A work and study stint in the United States in the 1990s opened her eyes to the "weakness" of American unions, Benner recalled. The contrast with Germany was stark, where the model of co-determination gives labor representatives a significant say in workplace decisions. As Germany's most powerful trade union and the largest in Europe, Benner is well aware of IG Metall's influence. "We're strong," she said. IG Metall flexed its muscles last year and won an 8.5-percent wage increase over two years to help compensate for inflation, a benchmark deal covering around four million workers across several sectors. Even more daunting challenges lie ahead, as Germany's long-vaunted economic model is called into question and an end-of-year recession looms. Companies in Germany's energy-intensive industries are already weighing whether to shift production to cheaper shores, a problem compounded by the lure of US green subsidies through Washington's Inflation Reduction Act, Benner said. "We're seeing a creeping dismantling of industry and jobs," she warned. To prevent a dreaded "deindustrialization" of Europe's biggest economy, Benner is in favor of discounted electricity prices for industrial firms. The proposed subsidy has been a topic of fierce debate within Germany's coalition government in recent months. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who like Benner is a member of the center-left Social Democrats, has yet to back the idea, fearing it could slow the transition towards renewable energies. Retaining talent Adding to Germany's woes are long-running structural problems such as a shortage of skilled workers in an aging country, and foot-dragging on digitization. More than 2.6 million young adults in Germany under the age of 35 have no vocational qualification, despite a growing need for highly qualified employees as new technologies transform businesses. IG Metall was working hard to increase the number of apprenticeships and make on-the-job training more attractive, Benner said. Hoping to make heavy industry a more appealing career choice, Benner also advocates a better work-life balance and supports a four-day workweek for those who want it. She also wants to narrow the gender pay gap in a country where men still earn seven percent more than women doing the same job. But first up on her to-do list will be next month's wage negotiations with steel bosses. Benner will be pushing for a similar 8.5-percent salary bump for the sector and a reduction in working hours from 35 to 32 hours a week, without loss of pay. The post Christiane Benner, first woman to lead Germany’s biggest union appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Interview: Djordjevic gives hopes for China s basketball future
by Cao Yibo, Wang Jingyu and Ma Kai BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's men's basketball national team head coach Aleksandar Djordjevic asked a lot of questions, most importantly, "why not" in an exclusive interview with Xinhua after his side's frustrating results in two major events this year. Following a disappointing 29th finish at the FIBA World Cup in Manila to fail to qualify for the Paris 2024 Oly.....»»
Lester Pimentel Ong: The ‘Iron Heart’ director is also a restaurateur
When action films came to a screeching halt around year 2000 because of piracy, then stuntman Lester Pimentel Ong bravely ventured into the food business. For him, it was like wading into untested waters. “Nagsimula ako sa (I started in) Rice-In-A box 23 years ago. I started in the film industry as a stuntman. Nakatrabaho ko si Victor Neri, sa mga films ni direk Toto Natividad. Nawala ‘yung raket namin sa stunts kasi nauso ‘yung piracy sa film. Humina ‘yung action film so wala kaming raket. (I worked with Victor Neri, in the films of director Toto Natividad. We lost our stunt jobs because film piracy became prevalent. Action films slowed down, so we didn’t have a job). With his P80,000 savings, he started his rice-in-a-box business at Masagana City Mall, in Pasay, recalled Ong during the opening of the ninth branch of Wangfu, his Chinese-Singaporean restaurant that’s been up for 11 years now. That small rice-in-a-box business now has more than 100 stores consisting of food carts and food stalls. “That business financed all of our other businesses, all our other restaurants,” said Ong proudly. A foodie, Ong was exposed to street food when he was a wushu athlete who represented the country in many competitions abroad. He reveled in the street foods of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. “I would go around to different places and tuwing may break kami, we would explore the street food market ng different countries. I fell in love with different kind of food, Asian food,” he said. Wangfu came about because, after shoots, “kapag late night, wala kaming makakainan. Nasa food business naman ako, so nagtayo kami ng restaurant sa Tomas Morato. Iyon ang first branch (of Wangfu),” he said. He was joined in the venture by business partner Ace Wang. Wangfu serves Singaporean cuisine like laksa, Hainanese chicken and salted egg fried chicken. From Sir Chief to Sir Chef Actor Richard Yap is also one of Ong’s partners in Wangfu. Yap disclosed that when he was young, he “used to cook at home because my mom cooks very well.” It was his love for food that drove him to study culinary arts. But he discovered along the way that cooking was not for him. “When I took up a culinary course, I found out na hindi pala para sa akin ang pagluluto (that cooking is not for me). Ang hirap ng preparations. It takes a long time. Kung ako ang magluluto (If I will do the cooking), it will take three to four hours if you do it by yourself,” he said. In college, Yap took up a pre-Med course, Medical Technology, for two years, and then stopped because his father asked him to take up Business Management instead. When he applied for Med studies at UST, he was told that he had to go back to first year again. “I said never mind. I’ll just finish my Business Management course at La Salle,” he recalled. Getting into showbiz 12 years ago was something that Yap didn’t see coming. “When I started out with “My Binondo Girl”, after that nagdadalawang isip ako (I had second thoughts). So, I had to ask around. One of my directors, direk Jeffrey Jeturian, said, ‘You know, you have to make a choice kasi it’s either you go full-time sa showbiz or not.’” Yap’s apprehensions were not without basis, since not a lot of people would make it at his age then, around 40. “Ako, sabi ko, late na ako (I’m late), wala pa akong experience. It would take me a lot of time to catch up with veteran actors and actresses,” he said. Fortunately, those around him told him he had a future in showbiz for as long as he persevered. And that he did — and now he’s Richard Yap, a popular actor and household name, forever remembered by many as Sir Chief of the blockbuster TV series Be Careful With My Heart. The post Lester Pimentel Ong: The ‘Iron Heart’ director is also a restaurateur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chow Yun-fat laments Chinese censorship at BIFF
Hong Kong film legend Chow Yun-fat on Thursday lamented China's "difficult" censorship while conceding the mainland market's crucial financial importance for filmmakers. Speaking at South Korea's Busan International Film Festival, Chow told reporters that Hong Kong's cinema industry had to learn to play by a new set of rules since the city returned to China's control in 1997. "We have a lot of censorship requirements in mainland China. Our scripts must go through a lot of different departments for the film bureau", BIFF's Asian Filmmaker of the Year honoree said. But while Chow said things were "very difficult" for Hong Kong's filmmakers, they also knew it was necessary to reach the "huge" mainland Chinese audience to "make a living". "We have to pay attention to our government ... otherwise it is very hard to get the money to shoot a movie," he said, adding they still strove to maintain the "Hong Kong spirit". In announcing this year's honor, BIFF organizers heaped praise on Chow for "spearheading the golden age of Hong Kong cinema" that flowered in the early 1990s, and making "Hong Kong noir" a globally recognized genre. Three of Chow's films -- "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and 2023's "One More Chance" -- will be screened at the festival. Freedom Along with Tony Leung, his "Hard Boiled" co-star and 2022 BIFF honoree, Chow has long been a well-liked figure in South Korea thanks to Hong Kong cinema's surge in popularity in the 1990s. Since then, South Korea has cemented its own status as a global cultural powerhouse, and has had explosive successes like Oscar-winning film "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game". "It's a good thing that when one industry feels stagnant and unable to move forward, another region can take it even further," Chow said, when asked about the rise of South Korean cinema. "I believe the greatest strength of Korean cinema lies in its freedom." Despite his prolific career and global fame, Chow said he still considers himself an "ordinary person". In 2018, he vowed to donate his fortune to charity after he dies. Chow quipped Thursday that it was his wife's decision, but added: "I believe that since I came into this world with nothing, it doesn't really matter if I leave with nothing as well." The post Chow Yun-fat laments Chinese censorship at BIFF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine
NOW Telecom Inc. of businessman Mel Velarde has elevated its appeal to the Supreme Court or SC to settle the alleged P2.6 billion in spectrum regulatory fees or SRF and associated charges it allegedly owes the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC. The company, through a 22-page comment dated 1 September 2023 filed before the SC, pointed out that the regulatory fees and penalties imposed were "erroneous" and needed to be recomputed. NOW Telecom is disputing the NTC's calculation, which was based on the total capital stock of P13.57 billion instead of the subscribed and paid-up capital of P1.39 billion. The company pointed out that the additional paid-in capital of P12.17 billion should be excluded from the computation. Thus, it requested the High Court to order NTC to recompute the SRF and base it solely on its capital stock of P1.39 billion and set aside the regulator's letters assessments dated 5 July 2025, and 23 December 2005. Additionally, the company also asked the SC to delete the imposition of any penalty and interest. “We are confident that this SRF issue will be finally resolved. NOW Telecom continues to appeal to the Marcos administration to (maintain) a level playing field, for NOW to compete head-on with China Telecom/DITO and Huawei-equipped SMART and GLOBE,” Velarde said in a press statement on Tuesday. NOW Telecom also contended that the NTC's reference to a COA letter was flawed due to discrepancies. The COA letter claims over P3 billion in unresolved receivables that spanned 14 years. "The crucial COA Letter was conspicuously absent from NTC's official documents, replaced by correspondence with the Office of the Solicitor General, casting doubts on the authenticity of the claim," it added. NOW Telecom additionally said that "the staggering amount imposed by the NTC as penalties and interest does not align with the purpose of the law." "As the term itself implies, the amount of the SRF collected is supposed to be commensurate to, and is simply intended to reimburse the NTC for the costs it incurs in supervising and regulating the telecommunications industry," the company said, adding that the SRF is not a tax or a revenue-raising measure. Last June, it can be recalled that the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC fined NOW Corp. and Velarde P1 million each for allegedly “misleading disclosures” about the P2.6-billion unpaid obligation of affiliate company NOW Telecom to the government. In a seven-page order dated 15 June 2023, the SEC affirmed that NOW Corp. and Velarde were administratively liable for violating the Securities Regulation Code or SRC for disclosing misleading information to the public. The disclosure in question was the one posted on 10 November 2021, which stated that NOW Corp. was unaware of the details surrounding the motions filed by the NTC with the SC. The SEC pointed out that as one of the concurrent key officials of both NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom, Velarde is “considered to have ipso facto participated in the transactions” relating to the unpaid SRF and SUF liability of NOW Telecom. The post NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia plans Bali light rail to ease congestion
Indonesia plans to start building a light rail transit system on the popular resort island of Bali next year to ease roadway congestion from the airport, a senior minister has said. Tourist-dependent Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors annually and the beach-dotted island's narrow roads have been clogged with traffic jams since its reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said Thursday the light rail transit (LRT) system would be built underground and connect the island's international airport to popular tourist areas Canggu and Seminyak. "LRT (in Bali) will be underground so traffic at Bali's airport... in 2025-2026 can be managed," he said in the capital Jakarta, according to local media reports. He said the airport is expected to receive 24 million visitors annually by that time. "If it's not being done, then in 2026 we can be stuck three hours at the airport," he told reporters. The project, ordered by President Joko Widodo, had courted investment interest in Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing, he said. "There are South Korea, Japan and China. We will take those who allow transfer of technology, fast and affordable," he said when asked who could help fund the project. Bar some exceptions, buildings in Bali cannot be constructed over 15 meters (50 feet) in height, according to local laws. A LRT was recently opened in Jakarta that Widodo said would help ease congestion in the megalopolis and lessen pollution. Next week a Chinese-funded high-speed rail from Jakarta to the Javan city of Bandung will also launch. In another planned move next year, Bali will impose a 150,000 rupiah ($10) tax on tourists to fund cultural preservation as the island tries to capitalize on its popularity and protect its tropical allure. The post Indonesia plans Bali light rail to ease congestion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bersamin: ‘Phl can live without China’
Executive Secretary Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said that the Philippines can live without China and that it should avoid overdependence on its Asian neighbor despite the two countries' strong economic ties. In a recent interview with journalist Ka Tunying, he asked Bersamin whether the Philippines is dependent on China. He responded that the question has many aspects and that he is not in a position to speak about it because he is too close to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. However, Bersamin did say that the Philippines is dealing with the issue of its relationship with China diplomatically. He also said that it is still possible for the Philippines to go with China but that the country should not be too dependent on its Asian neighbor. "We are dealing with (several) issues diplomatically. It is still possible for us to go with China, but about the economic viability of our relations or the economic dimensions if we were to go against China. You know, we can't say that we are dependent on China," Bersamin said. "China might be our trading partner or supplier, or it gives us some products that we may need, but we should not be too dependent on China. I don't think China will even want us to be dependent because China knows that we have a multilateral approach," Bersamin added. Bersamin's statement comes when the Philippines is facing increasing pressure from China in the South China Sea. China has been militarizing islands and reefs in the disputed waters despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its claims. When asked if he thinks China needs the Philippines more than the Philippines needs China, Bersamin said that the Philippines has exclusive rights to the fisheries and natural resources in that area. "Perhaps China is acting this way because they know that in the eyes of other countries, we are the ones who should be recognized as having the exclusive right to own these fisheries and natural resources in that area," Bersamin said. "That's probably why China is acting like that. But beyond that, we do not want to have a conflict with China. We do not want to provoke a conflict with China because we can coexist with China." Ka Tunying, meanwhile, said that more countries are siding with the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute because the current administration is being more transparent about what China is doing. "The biggest news today regarding China's aggression is that more countries are siding with us because this administration is becoming transparent about what China is doing in the WPS (West Philippine Sea). Did you notice that during the previous administration, they intentionally did not report what China was doing because we didn't want to upset China back then?" Ka Tunying asked Bersamin. Bersamin said that he was not paying much attention to the issue during the previous administration. Still, he said that he wants to avoid comparing the two administrations' foreign policy directions. "I don't want to compare," he said. "We leave that to the Presidents to make those decisions, the directions that they take," he added. Despite the dispute, the Philippines and China have maintained close economic ties. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that China has become the Philippines' primary trade partner, representing a significant portion of the nation's exports and serving as the leading provider of imported products. As of May, exports reached a total of $6.44 billion, with China carrying out 16.6 percent of total exports during the month. Import costs, meanwhile continued to surpass export receipts, hitting $10.84 billion during the month. China was also the country's biggest source of imported goods, supplying 24 percent of the country's total imports. The post Bersamin: ‘Phl can live without China’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate to reallocate CIFs to agencies engaged in WPS patrol too — Zubiri
The Senate on Wednesday mimicked the House of Representatives’ plan to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds to government agencies involved in protecting the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea such as the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. According to Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, senators have agreed to follow the same path the lower chamber has taken regarding the controversial allocation of secret funds to non-security and defense agencies in the upcoming fiscal year. Zubiri said the “intelligence community” would also receive additional secret funds. “We have agreed in the Senate to do the same. We also will [be] reallocating funds that we feel are not necessary for the use of certain agencies and allocate them to our Intelligence Community as well as our Coast Guard and AFP,” he said in a Viber message sent to reporters. The decision came after various political party leaders in the lower chamber issued a joint statement to push the redirection of secret funds to agencies in charge of intelligence and security amid China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea. Citing China’s moves which include the installation of the floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal, political party leaders sought the allocation of more secret funds for the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the National Security Council, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “Recognizing the rising security threats in the West Philippine Sea and the need to secure top officials, these agencies are better positioned to counteract security threats, protect our territorial waters, and secure the rights and access of Filipino fishermen to traditional fishing grounds,” the joint statement read. "This decision also underscores the need to ensure that resource allocation aligns with national priorities and the urgent needs of the citizenry, reflecting our commitment to a budget that is balanced, equitable, and serves the true needs and aspirations of the Filipino people,” it added. The joint statement was signed by Rizal Rep. Michael John Duavit of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel of the PDP Laban, Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose Joboy Aquino of the Lakas CMD, BHW Party List Rep. Angelica Natasha Co of the Party List Coalition, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Nacionalista Party, and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte of the National Unity Party. How about OVP, DepEd? Zubiri was asked if the same thing would happen to the secret funds allocated to the offices headed by Vice President Sara Duterte. “We shall review all agencies,” he simply replied. Duterte, who heads the OVP and Department of Education, is requesting a total of P650 million worth of confidential funds for the two agencies, P500 million and P150 million, respectively. Under the proposed P.768-trillion National Expenditure Program for next year, a total of P9.2 billion was allocated for confidential and intelligence funds of government agencies and offices. The post Senate to reallocate CIFs to agencies engaged in WPS patrol too — Zubiri appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»