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Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
‘Trade with China should continue’
The Philippines should continue to pursue stronger trade ties with China despite rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicoper
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Philippines resupply boat heavily damaged
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, the Chinese coast guard made another attempt yesterday to block Filipino vessels from resupplying a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from the US, the European Union and Japan......»»
US condemns China’s latest aggression in WPS
The Philippines reported on Saturday that the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and damaged a Filipino supply boat with water cannons while it was on its way to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), causing injuries to personnel onboard......»»
Philippines resupply boatheavily damaged
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, the Chinese coast guard made another attempt yesterday to block Filipino vessels from resupplying a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from the US, the European Union and Japan......»»
Chowking Brings Halo-Halo Land to Cebu for 2024
Chowking has officially done it again. The Filipino-Chinese fast food chain has once again reinvented summer with another year of Halo-Halo Land in partnership with SM Supermalls, showcasing their new super-sangkap, kumpletong lamig-sarap Halo-Halo Supreme. Halo-halo is a Filipino staple. Its variety of ingredients dances on the pallet of your tongue as it gives you.....»»
Duterte backs DOJ move to outsource visa issuance
Former president Rodrigo Duterte supports a move by the Department of Justice to consider outsourcing the process of issuing visas following the discovery of irregularities in visas issued to Chinese travelers......»»
Phl looking for railways funds
The Philippines will have to find other funding sources to bankroll big-ticket transport infrastructure projects after the Department of Transportation or DoTr decided to drop China as its partner for the Mindanao Railway Project. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Thursday confirmed the DoTr is currently “looking for other lending sources.” “We will look for another funding source. We are working on that now,” Bautista said on the sidelines of the German–Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon meeting. The transport chief said three DoTr projects – the South Long Haul Project, Mindanao Railway Project, and Subic-Clark Railway—were dropped as Chinese Official Development Assistance projects or ODA as the latter’s interest had “waned.” “Those are what we are going to look for additional funding or replacement for,” he said in English and Filipino, adding that the DoTr has requested assistance from the Department of Finance. Bautista said he was unfazed as other funding sources are available, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. “Our options are we can still go for other ODA. There’s the JICA, the ADB, the World Bank,” he said. “There are other governments talking to us on the possibility of financing these projects,” he added. The post Phl looking for railways funds appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Despite House vow, VP Sara’s confidential funds still ‘intact’
The confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education totaling P650 million have yet to be transferred to security and intel agencies. Lawmaker Johnny Pimentel of Surigao on Thursday disclosed in an interview that the multi-million CF initially allocated to the OVP and DepEd remains within the purview of Vice President Sara Duterte, who governs the two agencies. Duterte sought P2.395 billion for OVP and P758.6 billion for DepEd in the proposed 2024 budget, including P500 million and P150 million in confidential funds, respectively. "At the moment [the OVP's and DepEd's CF is] not yet [transferred] because of time constraints. The budget was passed last night. The confidential funds allocated in each agency [are] still intact," he said. "However, there will be a small committee of four that will tackle the proposed amendment. It could be done there, or it could be done during the bicameral conference," he said. Pimentel was one of the party leaders in the House who decided to realign Duterte's P650 million to agencies involved in security and intelligence, such as the Philippine Coast Guard, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources amid China's persistent assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea. The most recent was the installment of a floating barrier in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough shoal off the coast of Zambales by the Chinese Coast Guard. The Senate leadership, according to Pimentel, concurs with the House's proposal and has expressed willingness to reallocate such funds to other agencies that most need them. "If you recall, Senate President Migz Zubiri also issued a statement that they will follow suit or follow the direction of the proposal of the lower house to reallocate the confidential intelligence funds," Pimentel said. "So, this will be up for discussions during the bicameral conference meeting or probably during the deliberations in the Senate," he added. The House leadership said it will reallocate Duterte's P650 million confidential funds following a consensus by the chamber's party leaders to augment funds for security and intel agencies to better safeguard Philippine territorial waters and guarantee Filipino fishermen rights and access to their traditional fishing grounds. House committee on appropriations chairperson Elizaldy Co confirmed on Wednesday that the lower chamber agreed to eliminate the confidential and intelligence of several agencies and that the OVP and DepEd were the first to be identified to received the budget cuts. "The country's safety and security are of paramount importance. To protect our territorial integrity from external threats, Congress is giving top priority to agencies directly in charge [of] protecting the country's safety and securing its borders," he stressed. "As discussed, we will realign the confidential funds of various civilian agencies. Now is the time to give our intelligence community the means to perform their duties, especially in these pressing times when we’re facing serious concerns in the West Philippine Sea," Co explained. Marathon deliberations in the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for 2024 have led to intense debates in the House, particularly on the grant of multi-million confidential funds to numerous civilian agencies, including the OVP and DepEd, that have nothing to do with surveillance. Last week's deliberations revealed that Duterte's office spent P125 million in confidential funds in 2022 in merely 11 days— not 19 days-- as initially claimed by some opposition lawmakers. The P125 million CF was part of the P221.42 million contingent fund of the OP transferred to the OVP in 2022, with the opposition claiming it was unconstitutional since there was no line item in the OVP's 2022 budget on confidential funds in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. The post Despite House vow, VP Sara’s confidential funds still ‘intact’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU businesses ‘questioning their position’ in China — trade commissioner
European businesses in China are increasingly questioning their positions in the face of tough new security laws and a politicization of trade, an EU commissioner warned in Beijing on Monday. "European companies are concerned with China's direction of travel," Valdis Dombrovskis said in a speech at the capital's Tsinghua University. "Many are questioning their position in this country." He pointed to a new foreign relations law and a recent update to China's anti-espionage laws as being of "great concern to our business community". "Their ambiguity allows too much room for interpretation," he warned. "This means European companies struggle to understand their compliance obligations: a factor that significantly decreases business confidence and deters new investments in China," Dombrovskis said. The EU trade commissioner is on a multi-day visit to the world's second-biggest economy, where he is set to meet senior economic officials and press the bloc's case that it is not seeking an economic decoupling from China. His trip follows a report by the Chamber of Commerce of the European Union last week that showed business confidence was at one of its lowest levels in decades. "For decades, European companies thrived in China," the Chamber's president Jens Eskelund said. But, after three "turbulent" years, he said, "many have re-evaluated their basic assumptions about the Chinese market". And it comes in the face of mounting trade tensions between the EU and China, following Brussels' decision to launch a probe into Beijing's electric car subsidies. The investigation could see the EU try to protect European carmakers by imposing punitive tariffs on vehicles it believes are unfairly sold at a lower price. The day after that announcement, the Chinese commerce ministry hit back at the EU's "naked protectionism", and said the measures "will have a negative impact on China-EU economic and trade relations". Speaking in Beijing on Monday, Dombrovskis insisted China remained an attractive investment opportunity for European businesses. "The EU and China both benefited immensely from being open to the world," he said. "Trading and cooperating across borders helped to shape our economic and geopolitical strength." But, he said, growing challenges for business risked turning "what many saw as a 'win-win' relationship in past decades could become a 'lose-lose' dynamic in the coming years". Ukraine war China's refusal to condemn Russia's war in Ukraine also poses a "reputational risk", he said. Beijing's position "is affecting the country's image, not only with European consumers but also businesses", he said. China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict while offering Moscow a vital diplomatic and financial lifeline as its international isolation deepens. Russian leader Vladimir Putin is due to visit China next month. "China always advocates for each country being free to choose its own development path," Dombrovskis said. "So it's very difficult for us to understand China's stance on Russia's war against Ukraine, as it breaches China's own fundamental principles." The post EU businesses ‘questioning their position’ in China — trade commissioner appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese youths trade city-living for ceramics
China's "Porcelain Capital" Jingdezhen is attracting droves of young people drawn to the city of artisans in search of an escape from the urban rat race among its ceramics workshops. The picturesque eastern city home to China's best-known porcelain has seen an influx of young professionals seeking to learn an ancient art taught there for more than a thousand years. Times are tough for young people in China, with youth unemployment at record highs, sluggish economic growth and, for many, the opportunities their parents' generation enjoyed are simply not attainable. But in Jingdezhen they find something different: low rent, a slower pace of life and a proximity to nature in a city of just 1.6 million inhabitants, very small by Chinese standards. From her one-bedroom apartment on the seventh floor, He Yun, a 28-year-old illustrator, enjoys a panoramic view of the surrounding green hills for just 500 yuan ($68) a month. She arrived in Jingdezhen in June after being laid off and found a place where she didn't feel "any pressure". "I came because on social media everyone was saying that it was a great place for craft fans, like me, and that there was a scent of freedom," she said. "When I lost my job, I stayed at home and got depressed. But once I arrived here, I found that it's super easy to make friends." "No more need to set the alarm in the morning," she smiled. "I have zero pressure now!" - 'Looking for meaning' - A typical day for He starts with a laid-back breakfast, before heading to a workshop to make her ceramic candle holders and necklaces, which are then fired in one of the city's many kilns. "At the end of the afternoon, we go to the surrounding villages and swim in the streams to relax," she said. "I put my work on Xiaohongshu" -- a Chinese app similar to Instagram -- "where people contact me to buy. But we mainly sell at the market," she said. Between trendy cafes, boutiques and stands offer glasses, bowls, cups, teapots, plates, necklaces or earrings. Chen Jia, 24 with dyed red hair, makes feminist pendants in the shape of sanitary napkins. A music graduate who arrived in June, her first jobs as a piano teacher and in a milk tea shop and cafe weren't to her liking. "I am looking for meaning in my life," she said. "Many young people today no longer want to clock in at work at a fixed time." China's transformative economic rise was built on the backs of a growing middle class, who were promised they could enjoy the trappings of prosperity and give their children a better life if they worked hard enough. But the country's millennials and Gen Z have faced altogether different prospects: youth unemployment has reached a record level, exceeding 20 percent according to official figures, and pay is low. It's in that context that the "tangping" counterculture has thrived. Literally meaning "lying flat", it's come to represent a general rejection of society's expectations, giving up a great career and money to concentrate on a simple life and pleasures. And Jingdezhen has become a haven for those seeking just that. At the Dashu pottery school, around 20 students work with clay on their pottery wheels or chat as they sip iced lattes. Training costs 4,500 yuan a month ($617), a very affordable price. "Many young people cannot find work" explained the 39-year-old director who calls herself Anna. "They come here to reduce their anxiety." "Ceramics are very accessible. In two weeks, they can produce simple works and sell them at markets." - 'New life' - One of them, Guo Yiyang, 27, resigned in March from a well-paid job as a computer programmer. After working overtime for years, he said he wanted to "take a breather". "In big cities... you just work. You don't have your own life," he said, adding he "never again" sees himself working that way. "The desire for another way of life" is also what motivated Xiao Fei, 27, a former interior designer who resigned and came to Jingdezhen in June. "I didn't have time for myself," she said. "I came home tired and I didn't want to talk to others." "I feel happier, more free and I meet people who have the same ideals." According to Chinese media, 30,000 young urbanites lived in Jingdezhen in 2022. Few stay long-term but Xiao already knows that she doesn't want to go back. "After tasting this new life, I don't want to go back to an office job at all." ehl-oho/je/mtp/sn/pbt © Agence France-Presse The post Chinese youths trade city-living for ceramics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Starbucks opens $220 million plant outside Shanghai
US coffee behemoth Starbucks opened a $220 million development outside Shanghai on Tuesday, a sign established multinationals are still looking to China for growth despite its faltering post-Covid recovery. A survey released Tuesday by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai reported optimism among US businesses in China was at a "record low", mainly blaming the sluggish economy and Washington-Beijing tensions. But Starbucks' "Coffee Innovation Park", which includes a roasting plant and distribution center, is the largest investment the company has made in any such project outside the United States, a news release said Tuesday. "Starbucks' best days are ahead in China," a spokesperson for the company told AFP by email when asked to comment on business sentiment in the country. "As Starbucks' largest and fastest-growing international market, we will continue to deepen our investment and reinforce our unwavering long-term commitment to the China market," CEO Laxman Narasimhan was quoted as saying in the release. Narasimhan visited China in May, when he met the mayor of Shanghai, according to state media. His trip took place as other CEOs of major multinational companies flocked to the world's second-largest economy to shore up business support post-Covid -- including Apple, Tesla, JP Morgan, and General Motors. Starbucks declined to give further details on the visit when asked. The company has more than 6,500 coffee shops in more than 250 Chinese cities and says that a new store opens in the country every nine hours. The new Coffee Innovation Park has been built to serve the company's China stores exclusively, the company said, with some beans used coming from southern Yunnan province. The post Starbucks opens $220 million plant outside Shanghai appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zubiri: Coral destruction in WPS a global food security threat
The destruction of the marine ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Escoda (Sabina) and Rozul (Iroquois) Reefs, threatens global food security, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri warned. “This is a wanton destruction of our future food security areas. I am really angry with what they are doing,” Zubiri said in a statement. He made the comment following the report of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command of missing and destroyed corals along Rozul Reef. The discovery of damaged corals came after the sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which found similar observations on the seabed of Escoda Reef, also in the West Philippine Sea. According to Zubiri, the destruction of marine ecosystems will have global consequences. “This is not a destruction only on the Philippine side, but for the whole world. It’s for the whole world because the species of fish that breed there are not only being harvested by Filipino fishermen, but also harvested by Malaysian fishermen, Vietnamese fishermen, even Chinese fishermen,” he pointed out. “So it is for the good of the world if our coral reefs are protected. That’s why I’m really very mad,” he added. He also made an appeal to the Chinese Embassy in Manila to “tell their militia vessels to put a stop on this wanton destruction.” ‘Marine ranger stations’ To safeguard the country’s marine resources in the West Philippine Sea, the Senate chief said the upper chamber would propose a P600 million budget to build marine ranger stations across the country. “We agreed to it already. We already spoke to Senator Sonny Angara. The P600 million is to build marine ranger stations in different parts of the Philippines, including the West Philippine Sea,” he said. He noted that the upper chamber is working closely with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources in setting up marine ranger stations in key coastal areas nationwide. Aside from budget allocations for the establishment of marine ranger stations, Zubiri also vowed to fight for bigger allotments for the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy in the national budget for 2024 to boost their capabilities to protect and monitor the country’s maritime zones. “This budget is a critical budget. This is the time that we have to put our money where our mouth is. This is the time that we need to increase the budget for ships, patrol crafts, and marine research centers,” he said. Under the proposed P5.768-trillion National Expenditure Plan for 2024, the PCG has been allocated with P24.014 billion, an increase of nearly 10 percent from its allotment of P21.92 billion this year. On the other hand, P40.97 billion has been set aside for the Navy, up from its current budget of P34.98 billion. The post Zubiri: Coral destruction in WPS a global food security threat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
JV backs Kalayaan reso on Chinese envoy
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday expressed his support for a resolution approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan declaring Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian persona non grata. In a Viber message, Ejercito, a staunch critic of China’s encroachment in the West Philippine Sea, justified the resolution declaring the Chinese envoy to the Philippines persona non grata. “The Chinese Ambassador representing the Chinese government has been caught lying several times,” he told DAILY TRIBUNE. Last week, the municipality of Kalayaan — the lone municipality in the West Philippine Sea — declared Huang a persona non grata. In its Resolution 125-0125, SB of Kalayaan, Palawan, declared Huang a persona non grata after the latter defended the harassment of the China Coast Guard against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea last 5 August. For his part, Ejercito said the Philippine government should no longer consider China as an “ally,” stressing its repeated illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea. “China should not be regarded as an ally anymore but instead as an adversary,” he said. “Note verbales coming from the Philippine government seem to be falling on deaf ears,” he added. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, as of 7 August, the country had filed a total of 445 diplomatic protests in the past three years. This year alone, the country has filed a total of 35 diplomatic protests, including the 5 August incident where China used a water cannon and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels while en route for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. ‘Go slow’ Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday reminded local government units to be cautious in declaring foreign ambassadors in the country persona non grata. “We should go slow in declaring foreign ambassadors as personas non grata,” Pimentel told Daily Tribune. “Avoid this as much as possible,” he added. According to the Minority leader, an ambassador of a foreign country to the Philippines is the representative of that country to our country. He noted that grievances against any foreign diplomats in the country must be coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs to be addressed “professionally.” “All grievances related to ambassadors and foreign relations must be coursed through our Department of Foreign Affairs so these grievances can be professionally handled,” he said. The vast South China Sea, which is claimed by the People’s Republic of China, covers the West Philippine Sea, which is also claimed by the Philippines. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration — a landmark decision that the People’s Republic of China continues to reject. The post JV backs Kalayaan reso on Chinese envoy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators weigh in on Marcos’ Manila Bay reclamation suspension order
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s latest directive halting reclamation works in Manila Bay gained mixed reactions from senators. In separate statements on Wednesday, lawmakers from the upper chamber expressed support for the recent directive on the Manila Bay reclamation activities which is linked to massive floodings in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who earlier urged the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to inspect the Chinese vessels undertaking the reclamation in Manila Bay, backed the suspension order. “That is a very welcome development. I support the President’s decision 100 percent,” Ejercito said. Marcos ordered the suspension of all the reclamation projects in Manila Bay except one that he did not identify. Senator Risa Hontiveros also welcomed the chief executive’s suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay, particularly those handled by the China state-owned China Communications Construction Co. or CCCC. “We should not take risks with companies like the CCCC,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement. “The government should self-control on projects that destroy the environment. When there is a change in the natural resources, it will be difficult to fix,” she added. Earlier this month, the government of the United States, through its Embassy in the Philippines, expressed concerns over the “negative long-term and irreversible” impact on the environment of the ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, particularly those linked to the CCCC. Of 32 ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, China Communications Construction Co., or CCCC, is involved in two projects such as the Pasay Harbor City Reclamation Project and Manila Waterfront City Development Project. The CCCC is a firm that was added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea. “The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices,” the embassy said. While many senators supported the President’s decision, Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla seems to be against the suspension of reclamation activities in Manila Bay. During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Works, where proposed measures including those on flood control projects were taken up, Padilla clarified that he is not against the reclamation activities in Manila Bay. “Reclamation is considered a sign of progress in a country. I am not against it,” he said. Citing many countries and territories such as The Netherlands, Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, and Dubai that he visited which have reclamation projects, but are not marred by flooding, Padilla said the Department of Public Works and Highways must implement reclamation projects properly. “You in the DPWH should be aware that flooding has affected not just Bulacan but also Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, which are agricultural areas,” he said. “If flooding affects farmers and their produce, this will lead to importation, and our problems will never end,” he added. He continued: “We are all public servants. I repeat that I am not against reclamation, but I hope the problem of flooding can be solved.” The post Senators weigh in on Marcos’ Manila Bay reclamation suspension order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House backs hike in DND spending
The House of Representatives is keen on giving the Department of National Defense a big chunk of the proposed P5.768-trillion 2024 budget amid the ongoing escalation of geopolitical dispute in the West Philippine Sea. While the deliberations on 2024 have yet to start, Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed on Tuesday that the House would surely back the DND’s increased spending for next year to further bolster the agency’s capabilities in protecting and upholding Philippine sovereignty. Under the proposed 2024 budget, the allocation for the defense sector is P282.7 billion, or 21.6 percent more compared to the P203.4 billion funding under this year’s budget. “Our commitment to safeguarding our territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of our citizens remains unwavering,” Romualdez said. “As a nation, we must take proactive measures to enhance our defense capabilities and ensure that we have the necessary resources to effectively protect our sovereign rights,” he added. The House chief’s remark was an offshoot of China’s most-recent harassment against Philippine vessels in which the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannon at a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The continued encroachment of China in the country’s maritime territory warrants a bigger budget for the defense sector, which the House will back. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his budget message to Congress, disclosed that the P282.7 billion of the Executive Department’s allocation for DND would support the Land, Air, and Naval Forces Defense Programs, totaling P188.5 billion, as well as the UN Peacekeeping Mission, among others, to ensure domestic security. “This allocation demonstrates our dedication to maintaining a strong and credible defense posture, one that sends a clear message that we will not compromise when it comes to safeguarding our national interests,” Romualdez echoed. A robust defense, he said, is not merely a tool for confrontation but a means to uphold peace, stability, and the rule of law. “By prioritizing our defense sector in the budget, we are making a commitment to our people, to our allies, and to the international community that reflects our unwavering resolve to protect our sovereignty and promote regional stability,” the Speaker added. With Beijing’s constant encroachment, a resolution, which would “effectively shrink” the Philippines’ ties with Beijing, is set to be filed at the House of Representatives, according to lawyer-lawmaker Rufus Rodriguez. The post House backs hike in DND spending appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mga UNGA(s)
The United Nations General Assembly, or UNGA, is the “chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations,” according to the UN’s official website. And says the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, our country’s representative to the UNGA is a diplomat of ambassadorial rank appointed by the President. This is as it should be, for it is a doctrine beyond cavil that the President is the main architect of our country’s foreign policy, hence, the country’s delegate to the UNGA must act under the direction of our Chief Executive. Anyone who has gone through high school civics class and/or can use an internet browser would know that. In other words, while the Legislature has not been locked out of certain foreign policy considerations (such as the approval of treaties and the confirmation of ambassadors), its main function is to make laws. If memory serves, it’s called the separation of powers. But then, some members of our Senate — which Ferdinand Marcos Sr. wisely did away with in 1972 — specifically Senate President Zubiri and Senator Hontiveros, thought it would be politically expedient to pander to the growing throng of Filipinos constantly angered by the Chinese harassment of our fishermen. Thus, in aid of election (he to the vice presidency, she to the presidency, if the grapevine is to be believed), the two strange bedfellows shepherded through the chamber Senate Resolution 718, which practically dictated to the Department of Foreign Affairs, through a so-called five-pronged approach, how it should deal with the West Philippine Sea problem. Now, it, of course, shouldn’t be a problem for individual legislators to express their opinions as to how the WPS question should be handled by our government. After all, the members of Congress, even as citizens — and more so as elected representatives — have as much right as anyone to do so. But for the Senate, as an institution, to practically boss around the DFA on what to do, especially with regard to our actions in the UNGA, leaves a bad taste in the mouth, to be charitable about it. Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile was more blunt. He called it “stupid.” A Senate Resolution, although not law, expresses the sense of that body on a particular issue. It can be made to cut for good when the Senate throws its institutional weight behind a subject of national interest. But the mandate at large of the senators does not justify trenching upon the prerogatives of the President when it comes to conducting international policy. When that happens, the Senate’s sense, in that sense, becomes nonsense. There is a reason why the President is the one mandated by the fundamental law to lay down our foreign policy. By virtue of his being commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines, as well as the head of government, he is privy to top secret information that all others — senators included — have no access to. And as head of state, he receives information from other heads of state — formally and through backchanneling, that aid him in determining the best strategy to adopt in our relations with other nations. Resolution No. 718 thus not only preempts the Chief Executive, it tries to embarrass him by publicly suggesting steps that he is “strongly urged” to take. Worse, it presumptuously gives the subtext that the Senate knows better than the President in matters of foreign policy. Not good. It was right for the DFA to diplomatically call out the Senate on its resolution by saying that the option of bringing the WPS brouhaha to a vote in the UNGA should be seriously studied. Knowing China’s diplomatic clout in view of its trade partnership with so many nations, if the WPS topic dies on the floor of the UNGA, then the Senate will look like a bunch of “mga ungas” (stupid or ignorant people). The post Mga UNGA(s) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero to gov’t: File petition before SC of Hague ruling over WPS
The Marcos administration can file a "Special Action for Recognition of Foreign Judgment" before the Supreme Court to formally recognize the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as part of the law of the land, Senator Francis Escudero suggested Thursday. In a media briefing, Escudero noted that the Arbitral Ruling in 2016 reinforced the country’s claims over the West Philippines Sea while it invalidated China's nine-dash line—claiming almost the entirety of the South China Sea. He added filing a petition before the SC—to recognize the 2016 Hague ruling—will prevent future administrations from trying to amend the country’s triumph over China. Escudero said the government, through the Solicitor-General, should initiate the filing of the petition on recognition of foreign judgment before the SC. “The recognition of foreign judgment should be led by the Solicitor General as an official lawyer of the government,” he said. Escudero stressed a High Court’s recognition could be a “better alternative instead of bringing the WPS concerns” before the United Nations General Assembly—which he sees as having disadvantages. The senator said his suggestion could be one of the options in giving flesh to the intentions of Senate Resolution 718, which condemned China’s continued aggression in the WPS and urged the Philippine Government to “take appropriate action in asserting and securing the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone.” While pushing for the “Special Action for Recognition of Foreign Judgment”, Escudero admitted that the Philippines has no case similar to the arbitral ruling. However, he cited a parallel analogy in Article 26 of the Family Code that “allows recognition of a foreign divorce obtained by the foreigner spouse abroad.” Once the SC decides that it recognizes the arbitral ruling, Escudero said it will become part of the country’s law, and even if Congress did not pass any measure related to this, the said portion, could not be altered or revisited. “The Constitution is part of the law of the land. The Constitution says all decisions, final and executory of the Court, whether it be the higher or lower court, shall form part of the law of the land,” he said. While the Senate has adopted Resolution 718 and presented it to Malacañang, Escudero lamented it will ultimately be up to President Marcos which direction to take insofar as the country's foreign policy is concerned. He admitted not supporting the resolution on the WPS should his colleagues in the chamber would insist on bringing the issue to the UNGA. While the government seeks a peaceful route to resolving the conflicting claims in the WPS, Escudero pressed that the Philippines should strongly assert its right over the WPS. “The Philippines should continue what it has been doing," Escudero said, referring to the government's consistent move of filing diplomatic protests every time a Chinese harassment incident occurs in the WPS. "Tatayuan natin at hindi natin bibitiwan ang ating karapatan at pagmamay-ari sa lugar na iyan habang hinahayaan natin magpatuloy ang iba't-ibang uri ng ugnayan at relasyon sa bansang Tsina na pinagkakasunduan naman ng dalawang bansa," Escudero said. "We can agree to disagree on certain points but we can also move forward and cooperate on points that we have agreed upon, such as trade. For me this is the best way to approach the issue," he added. Escudero noted that he already discussed this proposal with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Risa Hontiveros prior to the approval and adoption of SR 718 last 1 August. The post Escudero to gov’t: File petition before SC of Hague ruling over WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The biggest food event of the year
Culinary events such as food bazaars, collab dinners among some of the best Filipino chefs in the metro and a pub crawl highlighted the inaugural Manila Food and Wine Festival held from 14 to 28 July. With activities spread out over a month, the MFWF was a culinary tourism celebration presented by the Department of Tourism and the MFWF Team led by Our Awesome Planet’s Anton Diaz, RestoPH’s Spanky Enriquez and Cebu Food and Wine Festival’s Kate Dychangco-Anzani. Its aim, said the organizers, was to introduce the Philippines and establish it as a culinary destination in Asia and the world, similar and at par with Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, Thailand. [caption id="attachment_165804" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Gen Tsi Heritage Dinner Chef Collab (From Left) Kalel Demetrio, Donatella Chua, Spanky Enriquez, Luis Chikiamco, Sharwin Tee, Nina Licad.[/caption] For the duration of the event, food lovers and wine enthusiasts had a number of opportunities to immerse themselves in a gastronomic journey that showcases the country’s vibrant food culture. Opening with grandeur and flair at The Westin Manila, the MFWF saw special guest merchants and innovators from the food and beverage industry, including Luisita Rum, Sebastian’s Ice Cream, Esguerra Kurobuta, Destileria Limtuaco, Karabella Dairy, Macaron Macaron and Mooncakes by the Hungry Chef, joining the grand launch. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="165799,165802"] The MFWF offered a plethora of exciting activities, including the festival bazaar at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza, a Sunday lunch curation by chef Reggie Aspiras, a Makati Poblacion pub crawl and a food stamping program. One of the highlights of the event was a series of chef collaborations involving some of the best restaurants in Antipolo, Tagaytay, and Metro Manila. Antipolo Evolution, a 12-hands collaboration, took place at Tahanan Bistro. It featured a nine-course dinner prepared by chefs Danilo Botor Puga II of Burrow Cafe, Florence Hässig of Vieux Chalet, Kevin Tuason and Nikki Macaraig of Tahanan Bistro, culinary extraordinaire Editha Singian and Monique Tancongco of Moniquecakesph. Another 12-hands collaboration, Cavite Fresh! was held at My Country House in Tagaytay. It had six talented chefs working together to prepare a meal to remember — Jayjay SyCip of The Fatted Calf, Kalel Chan of Farmer’s Table, Rhea SyCip of Flour Pot Manila, Rhea Rizzo of Mrs. Saldo’s, Anthony Mendoza of Tuny’s and Arnold Gozon of My Country House. Destination dining featuring the freshest produce from Cavite, it turned out a sold-out crowd. [caption id="attachment_165803" align="aligncenter" width="894"] Admiral Hotel Presents The First Ever Collaboration Of Chefs Tatung Sarthou And Sau Del Rosario.[/caption] Gen Tsi, the six-hand collab for Metro Manila, happened at Flame, Discovery Primea and main characters were Chinese-Filipino chefs Luis Chikiamco, Sharwin Tee and Donatella Chua, with cocktails by famous mixologist Kalel Demetrio. Now, this one is different and unique because it puts forward Tsinoy heritage cuisine which, as Chef Sharwin says it, “is rich in culture and history, built on the backs of immigrants scraping by when they were deemed fifth class citizens. It nourished generations of Tsinoys who’ve made their mark on this nation and yet, it’s so undervalued that some Filipinos don’t even recognize it as Filipino. It’s so underrated, that even the ones who were raised on this food don’t dare lift it up. To put this food up on stage, The Manila Food and Wine Festival, a stage that I hope grows to international levels in the future, is an honor and a dream. Yes, people should pay for kiampung and sipo egg the way we do paella and risotto.” [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="165798,165800"] And then there was the gala dinner finale at the Admiral Hotel, featuring the first ever collaboration between chefs Sau del Rosario and Tatung Sarthou. Manila Iconic took place at Admiral Hotel on 27 July. The eight-course Filipino menu honored the culinary icons of the county — Engracia “Aling Asiang” Reyes, Nora Daza and Larry J. Cruz —and was highlighted by the dessert creations of Admiral Hotel Manila M Gallery’s own executive pastry chef Christian Monera. The post The biggest food event of the year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»