Negotiations on treaty vs cybercrime still ongoing
Five years have passed, and yet negotiations are still ongoing for a legally binding international treaty to counter cybercrime as parties are unable to reach an acceptable consensus......»»
Global Cybercrime Treaty: A delicate balance between security and human rights
Cybercrime is a multi-trillion-dollar business. Drugs and weapons are being bought on the "dark web", fraudsters are fleecing members of the public in elaborate online scams, and terrorists are grooming supporters and recruiting fighters. Recognizing the growing dangers of cybercrime, the UNhas set.....»»
Philippine-US defense treaty doesn t trigger immediate military action — analyst
Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal addressed misconceptions about the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty, saying that the treaty does not require an immediate military response in maritime conflicts......»»
WHO thanks Philippines for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed his appreciation of the Philippines’ role in the ongoing negotiations on a “WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response” known as the Pandemic Treaty......»»
WHO thanks Philippines for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed his appreciation of the Philippines’ role in the ongoing negotiations on a “WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response” known as the Pandemic Treaty......»»
WHO thanks Philippines for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed his appreciation of the Philippines’ role in the ongoing negotiations on a “WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response” known as the Pandemic Treaty......»»
‘Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty not a pact to war’
President Marcos made the “right move for the country” when he decided not to invoke the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty with the US in reaction to the latest incident in the Ayungin Shoal, international maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said yesterday......»»
China must comply with treaty on protected areas – expert
China will be under a “very clear obligation” to comply with measures that apply in marine protected areas in the South China Sea as signatory of the landmark United Nations High Seas Treaty, according to a Japanese international law expert......»»
Toni Fowler faces arrest for alleged cybercrime violation
Content creator Toni Fowler is set to post bail after a Pasay court released an order for her arrest in relation to a cybercrime charge over her music video. .....»»
Human rights and trade
Trade negotiations may be likened to back and forth negotiations between a long married couple trying to fix their issues after getting stuck in a stalemate of sorts......»»
Trade Minister heads to Abu Dhabi for key WTO negotiations
Trade Minister Todd McClay travels to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today, to take up his role as Vice Chair of the negotiations.The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body within the WTO and meets every two years. Trade ministers will negotiate the reform of agriculture trade rules, E-commerce, fisheries subsidi.....»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
Police still determining motive behind ambush of female doc
The chief of police of Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur said investigations are still ongoing to determine the motive behind the ambush of a female doctor Saturday night. “We are gathering more details to deepen our investigation,” 1Lt. Cemafranco Cemacio, chief of Police of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, said. Dr. Sharmaine Ceballos Baroquillo, 27, a resident […].....»»
Killer landslide: 7 confirmed dead, 1 critically injured, 5 missing in Monkayo
A devastating landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro, claimed the lives of seven individuals, left one critically injured, and five others missing. The tragedy occurred during a prayer meeting in Purok 20, Pag-asa, Barangay Mt. Diwata. Jergrace Cabag, an official from the Local Government Unit (LGU)-Monkayo, confirmed the casualties and ongoing search efforts. The injured person was rushed to Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital, while the deceased were taken to the funeral parlor. Due to the ongoing landslide and heavy rain, search and rescue operations were temporarily halted, with plans to resume when conditions permit. The Municipality of Monkayo issued a forced evacuation order due to the threat of further landslides and flooding. Mayor Manuel E. Zamora emphasized the importance of heeding government warnings to prevent future incidents......»»
All systems go for 4-nation naval drills in West Philippine Sea
The Philippines and treaty allies the US, Australia and Japan are embarking on joint naval exercises today – including anti-submarine warfare – in a show of force in the face of China’s growing aggressiveness in pushing its claims in the South China Sea......»»
All systems go for 4-nation naval drills in West Philippine Sea
The Philippines and treaty allies the US, Australia and Japan are embarking on joint naval exercises today – including anti-submarine warfare – in a show of force in the face of China’s growing aggressiveness in pushing its claims in the South China Sea......»»
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.....»»
Brazil: Join Regional Treaty on Environment, Defenders
(Sao Paulo) - The administration ofBrazilianPresident Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva should rally legislators to approve theEscaz Agreement, more than 150 Brazilian and international organizations said today in aletterto Instituti.....»»
The US is cultivating an antagonist to China in Beijing s own backyard
Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the president of the Philippines, is a stark contrast to his predecessor - and besides, Washington has dirt on him The Philippines has been a treaty ally of the United States since 1951, almost as long as it's been an independent country. Before that, it was a colony of the US, which had won it as.....»»
‘Not war with China; don’t rely only on US’ – Marcos Jr.
In an interview on Bloomberg TV last Wednesday, as reported in another national daily, he made two related comments that could represent important government policy stands. First, regarding China’s increasing aggressive moves against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea; second, about the United States’ repeated assurance of its “iron-clad” defense commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The post ‘Not war with China; don’t rely only on US’ – Marcos Jr. appeared first on Bulatlat......»»