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UN Security Council fails to pass US resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire
In a recent session at the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China vetoed a US draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing.....»»
BI bars entry of three American sex offenders at NAIA and Cebu airports
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that three sex offenders were turned away by BI officers in the international airports of Manila and Cebu. Excluded last January 10 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 was American national Rolando Camama, 73, who arrived on board a China Airlines flight from Taipei. […].....»»
PCG’s problematic dualism
There is a world of difference between the roles of a civilian agency and those of a military command. No civilian agency or military command should be doing the role of the other, lest they overlap, conflict, or render redundant their authority. The role of the Philippine Coast Guard is a good subject for legislative review — whether it fulfills a purely civilian function or a purely military one. The fact that it’s an attached agency of the Department of Transportation as much as an attached service of the Department of National Defense “confers” upon it a dualism that may be at cross purposes. While the PCG can fit either role, it shouldn’t. For in so doing, the line between maritime law enforcement and national defense is blurred. One may be led to think that, perforce, the PCG is unadulteratedly a military organization as it used to be part of the Philippine Navy, a major branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Something explains this duality, but it may require assessment as to whether it must continue to have this dual character. In principle, any individual or unit that performs a task or mandate that essentially belongs solely to the military must forthwith be under a military commander or military organization. Who can even begin to fathom what it means when the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard reports directly to the Transportation Secretary in the enforcement of maritime law, but also reports to the Defense Secretary if not the President in wartime? If one should take a cursory look at those who served as commandants of the PCG since its founding in 1967 under different presidents, one would find, viz.: 1) During Rodrigo Duterte’s term, only three served for over a year, while four served for less than a year, and one for only 18 days; 2) Under Benigno Aquino, four barely completed a year, one just a year, and one more than two years; 3) Under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, three served for barely a year, two served over two years or so; 4) Under Joseph Estrada, one served for two years; 5) In Fidel Ramos’ time, five served for less than a year, one for 32 days, and one for almost three years; 6) Under Corazon Aquino, two served for two years, one for three years, and two for a week or so; 7) Under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., four served for over a year, three served for 3, 4, 5 years, respectively. This tells us that commandants, as presidential appointees, must be the personal choices of the presidents they serve. With a change of the occupant in Malacañang, a change in the leadership of the PCG also takes place, good or bad. It’s said that the PCG’s “transformation into a non-military organization” and its “civilian character” allowed it “to receive offers of vessels, equipment, technology, services, cooperation and other needed assistance from other countries,” that otherwise would not have been feasible were it a military agency. President Fidel Ramos signed Executive Order 475 on 30 March 1998 to separate the PCG from the Philippine Navy, and Executive Order 477 to transfer it from the DND to the DoTC, a month thereafter. Thus, even FM Jr. has been heard saying, “Our friends from other countries will help strengthen the PCG’s capabilities.” Today, the President envisions the PCG as a “central actor” insofar as West Philippine Sea matters are concerned; thus, he ordered several 40-foot long patrol vessels to be built in Cebu to improve the PCG’s capabilities in maritime territorial disputes. In the face of China’s unprecedented coast guard expansion — the largest in the world — “civilianizing” the PCG makes little sense. It’s a Catch-22 on how to “reinvent” the PCG. Military strategists had miserably failed. The post PCG’s problematic dualism appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sovereign interest
The Philippines is earning plaudits for the Marcos administration’s tough balancing act of asserting its territorial claim on the West Philippine Sea while preventing the tense situation with China from escalating. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has made it his policy to improve relations with the United States that were strained under the last administration, while continuing to engage with China but recognizing the need to respect each country’s position. Sydney-based think tank Lowy Institute cited recent moves by the country that showed it will not back down from China’s assertiveness, but neither will it take actions to provoke its anger. “While Beijing attempts to tighten its grip on the region with a new ten-dash line, a multi-billion dollar military modernization drive is underway in the Philippines,” a Lowy report said. It said many analysts believe that Manila’s pronouncements about confrontation are “gestures” rather than real attempts to challenge China. An open conflict would have tremendous geopolitical and economic costs for the Philippines. “Beijing remains Manila’s top trade partner and import supplier,” Lowy said. It cited instances in which the Philippines stepped back from adding fuel to the fire. “The Philippines’ decision to skip last month’s joint military exercise with the United States, Australia and Japan in the South China Sea is seen as a way of avoiding conflict with China,” it noted. It said that Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro had refused to cooperate with Taiwan on security issues, which has been viewed as the country’s continued adherence to the One-China policy. “Despite his harsh remarks on Beijing, some Chinese international relations experts are optimistic about the appointment of Teodoro Locsin as Manila’s Special Envoy to China as he has not only favored cooperation with Beijing but has been critical of the West,” it added. Lowy said Locsin’s appointment is read as Manila’s attempt to stabilize ties with Beijing, adding that “others are disappointed with the choice.” This recognition from independent observers indicates the Marcos administration is skillfully threading a thin line to show it is insisting on its sovereign stake while pushing back against Beijing. Manila’s resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre landing craft, for instance, which is considered the eye of the storm in the current friction, has been a pure play by Philippine forces. Manila’s supply and coast guard ships are constantly in a game of tag with huge Chinese Coast Guard vessels which try to frustrate the provision of supplies to the platoon of Marines guarding the outpost. Last month, China’s coast guard water-cannoned a Navy supply boat. Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified this as “safeguarding our sovereignty in accordance with law” and criticized Manila for “ignoring China’s goodwill and sincerity.” China then demanded the Philippines remove the beached Sierra Madre. Lowy reported that “Manila has further aggravated Beijing by describing the danger of conflict in the Taiwan Strait as a ‘major security concern,’ in its newly published National Security Policy.” It quoted various state mouthpieces in China as having criticized former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s condemnation of the ten-dash line and his claim that Manila “wouldn’t resist a fight” for its maritime rights. China has always referred to the Duterte period as when an ideal engagement had existed with the Philippines. Duterte initially exerted efforts to win the trust of the Chinese but had always indicated to President Xi Jinping that he would have to raise at some point the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that favored the Philippines. China continues to follow its playbook that the Philippines is being manipulated by the US to take bold actions in the West Philippine Sea conflict. Beijing glosses over the fact that when the late President Noynoy Aquino bungled the handling of the 2012 faceoff with China, it was the US that abandoned the Philippines as it did nothing to stop the reclamation of features in the disputed area. Similarly, China has advocated dialogue but, thus far, nothing has come of it, even after the Philippines gave way to its wishes over the past six and more years. The post Sovereign interest 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......»»
NAIA rises in rankings of world’s most internationally connected airports
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has established itself as one of the most internationally connected airports in the world. Known by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, MNL, it ranked 15th in the top 50 global airport mega hubs and secured the third spot in the top 25 low-cost carrier airport mega hubs. According to the 2023 Megahubs Index by OAG, a leading provider of digital flight information, intelligence, and analytics for airports, MNL has climbed from 29th place in 2019 to 15th place this year in terms of international connectivity. The flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, emerged as the dominant air carrier with a 32% share of flights. In this list, led by the United Kingdom's London Heathrow Airport, MNL also ranks 6th among the top international mega hubs in the Asia Pacific region, following KUL (Malaysia), HND (Japan), ICN (Republic of Korea), BKK (Thailand), and SIN (Singapore). OAG noted, “The presence of seven Asian airport hubs in the Global Top 20 is significant considering the region is still on the path towards a full recovery.” Currently, MNL hosts 40 international carriers serving 58 international destinations. The latest addition to NAIA’s roster in 2023 is ZIPAIR, which launched its first flight between Manila and Narita last July. Additionally, Philippine Airlines has introduced nonstop flights to Perth, and Air China now directly connects Tianfu Chengdu to NAIA. Among the top 25 mega hubs for low-cost international connections this year, MNL stands out in third place, trailing only KUL (Malaysia) and ICN (Republic of Korea). MNL is the home of Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier (LCC), which will be launching flights to Da Nang, a new destination from Manila, beginning December 7th. Thirteen Asia Pacific airports, including MNL, dominate the rankings, reflecting the high level of LCC penetration in South Asia and Southeast Asia. “We are pleased that MNL is able to ride the momentum brought about by the strong and consistent travel rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the LCC penetration in our region. We are likewise grateful for the confidence the international carriers have extended to us. Testament to this is the growing number of applications from various international carriers who wish to operate flights in NAIA,” Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said. “NAIA being the country’s main gateway makes it incumbent upon us, as the airport authority, to expand the destinations Filipinos, as well as our guests, can fly to and from MNL,” added Co. HK Express is set to launch its inaugural flight between Manila and Hong Kong on 13 October, while United Airlines is scheduled to launch nonstop flights connecting Manila with San Francisco starting 30 October. The post NAIA rises in rankings of world’s most internationally connected airports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fancy word ‘revisionism’
Were there widespread abuses during the martial law years spanning 21 September 1972 to 17 January 1981, or nine years under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.? Certain groups consider the narrative of the period being the dark ages of civil rights as sacrosanct and should never be challenged. Anything different from their storyline would be revisionism. These are the hypocrites who consider themselves as having the divine appointment to decide what is best for the country after the 1986 EDSA revolt. “I am ready to debate with anyone, and it is my duty to explain to the people,” Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, who was the martial law administrator, said on the necessity of the controversial 1972 imposition. The situation then called for the declaration of powers to address an extraordinary threat to the nation. Everything was done according to the provisions of the 1935 Constitution, stressed Enrile on his weekly morning show “Bayan ni Juan.” “I was ordered by then — President Marcos Sr., who was acting under the commander-in-chief provision of the law, to study what was contained in the Constitution on the powers of the President,” he said. He pointed out that martial law covering the entire country was necessary at that particular period. Our country, not only today but in the future, is guaranteed always to be stable. “The time will come when there will again be a need to impose martial, and it will be the people who would clamor for it, I’m telling you,” he predicted. Enrile said that all forms of government leave something to be desired; even China, which is fast developing, faces several criticisms. The government, however, is responsible for preventing chaos, anarchy, and disorder. “We should be thankful that martial law was declared, or Mr. Jose Maria Sison would have taken over the government,” Enrile recalled. “Our economy then was hit by a global crisis. America was on a downturn, and it brought down the Philippines with it,” he said. “History will give us a fair picture of the past, such as what happened in Roman times, the Persian period and the Assyrian period.” Similarly, history will bear out that martial law was what was called for. According to the seasoned public servant, he could vouch for the Marcos military rule being fair and far from what was painted by the opportunists. “If they call the declaration of martial law a dictatorship, then what was the description of the government when President Cory Aquino took over? She was the legislator and the executive. Cory, the supposed saint of democracy, changed the 1973 Constitution that the Filipinos voted for,” Enrile said. With a single signature, she changed the Constitution and assembled 60 individuals who were supposedly knowledgeable on the laws to craft the 1987 Constitution, Enrile said, recounting the forming of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Charter. Even though he held the executive and legislative functions, Enrile said Marcos made sure “we were all working under a system of democratic procedure.” Marcos, he said, did not monopolize the government. “All the laws created under martial law were deliberated, debated, and discussed.” As proof of the just creation of the presidential decrees by Marcos, Enrile said that most are still being used by the government “because they were well thought out.” “Compare that with the laws being passed now. After a few years, these are required to be revised because of mistakes,” he said. The Supreme Court was always there to balance the executive and the legislative. “Can anyone say how many decrees passed during martial law were turned down by the SC as unconstitutional?” Of course, all were correctly upheld and in accord with the Basic Law. The post Fancy word ‘revisionism’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese national intercepted at NAIA
The Bureau of Immigration arrested a Chinese national last Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after being found to be facing charges in China for illegal gambling. The BI-NAIA identified the suspect as Jiang Ning, a 27-year-old male who attempted to depart via a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when the BI officers noted a derogatory record in their system issued against him by the Chinese authorities. Upon verification, the Bureau confirmed that Jiang is the subject of an Interpol Red notice after allegedly being wanted in China for involvement in setting up a gambling group, which was said to control 14 gambling platforms for illegal profits in China and the Philippines. The BI-NAIA added that his group was said to have operated from 2014 to 2021 and to have induced more than 100 thousand Chinese to engage in illegal gambling activities. A warrant of arrest was already issued against him by the Qijiang District Public Security Bureau of Chongqing Municipality. He was charged with opening a casino in violation of the Criminal Law of China and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Jiang was immediately referred to the BI Legal Division to be charged with undesirability. He will be detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending his deportation proceedings. The post Chinese national intercepted at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese national wanted for illegal gambling nabbed at NAIA
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that a Chinese national was arrested on 18 September by BI officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after being found to be facing charges in China for illegal gambling. The BI-NAIA identified the suspect as Jiang Ning, a 27-year-old male. Jiang was arrested at the NAIA Terminal 1. He attempted to depart the country via a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when BI officers noted a derogatory record in their system issued against him by the Chinese authorities. Upon verification, the BI confirmed that Jiang is the subject of an Interpol Red notice after allegedly being wanted in China for involvement in setting up a gambling group, which was said to control 14 gambling platforms for illegal profits in China and the Philippines. The BI-NAIA added that his group was said to have operated from 2014 to 2021 and to have induced more than 100 thousand Chinese to engage in illegal gambling activities. A warrant of arrest was already issued against him by the Qijiang District Public Security Bureau of Chongqing Municipality. He was charged with opening a casino in violation of the Criminal Law of China and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Jiang was immediately referred to the BI Legal Division to be charged with undesirability. He will be detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending his deportation proceedings. The post Chinese national wanted for illegal gambling nabbed at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’
Amid the guessing game started by China on who the unnamed President was who promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has pointed to a former senator as the culprit. “I haven’t heard from previous presidents that they promised to remove the Sierra Madre, but what I know is that the late President Benigno Aquino III did some backchanneling, and his backdoor agent was former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV,” Enrile said. He added: “Trillanes bypassed then Ambassador Sonia Brady in negotiating with China, and his only credential was he rode in a Philippine Navy boat when he was in the military service.” “The subject of the backchanneling was the Scarborough Shoal standoff, but Trillanes was deceived by the Chinese. The Philippine vessels withdrew from the area of the deadlock, but China stayed put,” he recalled. 2012 Senate skirmish Then-senator Enrile and Trillanes had a confrontation in September 2012 over the government’s covert negotiations with China that Aquino had assigned to Trillanes. In a face-off on the Senate floor, Enrile produced the so-called Brady notes, a report on the discussions between the ambassador and Trillanes on the backchanneling mission. During his several engagements with Chinese officials, Enrile quoted the Brady notes as saying that Trillanes indicated that Filipinos needed more interest in the conflicting claims in the region. Enrile said the Brady notes stated that Aquino was not made fully aware of the details of Trillanes’s actions, and there was a point when the President did not know the talks were suspended for two weeks and that Trillanes was acting on his own. “And for whom? Whose interest was he serving?” Enrile asked. While admitting that it was the prerogative of Aquino as Commander-in-Chief to resort to backchannel talks, designating Trillanes was a huge mistake, he said. “Trillanes should have been discreet, and he should have brought along an embassy representative to record the event. Trillanes thought he was James Bond. That should not have been allowed,” Enrile said. “A person entrusted by the President with a mission must first exercise discretion. When you go to a country to deal with a foreign power, you must notify the embassy,” he said. “Trillanes should have notified the embassy to alert them that he was there on a mission, and he should have brought along at least one responsible official,” he added. He continued: “Everybody should have known that international law already provided the way to settle the dispute, which was the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but which China did not respect.” “China based its claims not on international law but on its might. We should have a counter-balancing force,” according to Enrile. “We should not rely solely on the assistance of other nations; we should keep building up our military assets.” “We should also be prepared, and one way to do that is to require all young Filipinos to undergo training to defend the country.” “Only Filipinos can fight for their country; nobody else can do the fighting for you,” Enrile stressed. False narrative Meanwhile, China was accused of using deception in its sea maneuvers when it tried to block a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on 7 September. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, at the weekly Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, said the Philippine Navy offered to help a Chinese rubber boat in distress near Ayungin Shoal. “Our troops offered assistance, but the Chinese refused and another boat came to their rescue,” Aguilar said. He said one of the Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats had gotten entangled in a fishing line while it was tailing the Philippine vessels heading to Ayungin to resupply the troops there. Aguilar said that while the Chinese boat’s refusal to accept aid from Philippine forces was expected, what surprised the troops was Beijing’s radio call where they blamed the Filipinos for the incident. “They had the guts to challenge our radio message. ‘Philippine Coast Guard, because of your maneuvers, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel came into problem,’” he quoted the Chinese as saying. Aguilar said this was another narrative the Chinese would tell their people. “After this incident, they will come up with their narrative to tell their people about what happened,” Aguilar said. “We don’t want the truth to be drowned out by what really happened,” he added. Misplaced bullying Aguilar described the China Coast Guard’s behavior as “misplaced bullying” amid its continued aggression in Philippine territorial waters. “The CCG is a misplaced bully in the WPS,” Aguilar said. Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson, said several CCG ships and maritime militia vessels tried to block the Philippine vessels and stop the resupply mission. “It is very important for the government, for us, to be more transparent about what is happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “We face the media; we give them the true story. The media will play a very important role in curtailing this fake news that spreads every time the Chinese release their narratives.” He said China has been pushing the narrative that the Philippines is acting on behalf of the United States. Ayungin Shoal, which is part of the Kalayaan island group, is an integral part of the Philippines and is well within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded on Ayungin Shoal since 1999, where it stands as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty and on which a dozen Filipino Marines and sailors are holding the fort. The post On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl welcomes first visitor with E-visa
On Saturday, 2 September the Bureau of Immigration welcomed the first holder of the Philippine Electronic Visa, who arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It can be recalled that the Department of Foreign Affairs launched last month an e-visa system that allows foreign tourists to apply for their temporary visitors’ visa online. According to the Bureau, the E-visa system is an initiative of the national government to attract more foreign visitors to the country post-pandemic. Earlier, the DFA announced that the soft launch of the system was conducted in Shanghai, China. The first E-visa holder was a mother-daughter tandem who arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 on board a China Eastern MU211 flight from Shanghai, China. The BI shared that the DFA had a series of meetings with the bureau to ensure that the e-visa was integrated into the BI’s e-travel system as part of the BI’s efforts to streamline its procedures and expedite the process through fewer paper-based documents. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco and DFA Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto Jr. personally welcomed the arrival of the first e-visa holder. The BI also said that they are expecting an increase in the number of passengers during the ‘ber’ months, following the re-opening of the country’s borders and the massive promotional campaigns of the Department of Tourism. The post Phl welcomes first visitor with E-visa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI welcomes first e-visa holder
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) welcomed the first holder of the Philippine Electronic Visa (E-visa), who arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), on Saturday, 2 September. BI said that it can be recalled that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched last month an e-visa system that allows foreign tourists to apply for their temporary visitor visas online. According to the Bureau, the E-visa system is an initiative of the national government to attract more foreign visitors to the country post-pandemic. Earlier, the DFA announced that the soft launch of the system was conducted in Shanghai, China. The first E-visa holder was a mother-daughter tandem who arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 on board a China Eastern MU211 flight from Shanghai, China. The BI shared that the DFA had a series of meetings with the bureau to ensure that the e-visa would be integrated into the BI’s e-travel system as part of the BI’s efforts to streamline its procedures and expedite the process through fewer paper-based documents. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco and DFA Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto Jr. personally welcomed the arrival of the first e-visa holder. The BI also said that they are expecting an increase in the number of passengers during the ‘ber’ months, following the re-opening of the country’s borders and the massive promotional campaigns of the Department of Tourism.- The post BI welcomes first e-visa holder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fiscal standoff
The P213 billion allocated for fiscal year 2023 is indisputable proof that the burden of the military and uniformed personnel pension has become beyond difficult to sustain to the point of forcing the government to resort to borrowing. To forestall this fiscal stand-off, the next best thing to do is to allow the finance secretary all the latitude to navigate — free of obstructionist opposition — so that the ship of state can sail on an even keel on turbulent financial waters. Every proposed action plan of Secretary Benjamin Diokno to address the specter of fiscal collapse has the imprimatur of the President and the acquiescence of the so-called “economic team” — except that there is a newly appointed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor who replaced Dr. Felipe Medalla, which change of leadership has had very limited dissemination. Apparently, crucial matters of public information have become less and less sensitive to open and vibrant democratic discourse. In all that has already been expounded on the subject, it’s safe to say that Mr. Diokno has done his homework, this despite some “trial-and-error” attempts by the House of Representatives to “approximate” what could be the “best of all possible worlds” by congressional fiat. However, it was clear that the vocal committee chairman in Congress sort of “miscalculated” the acceptable threshold desired by the “military and uniformed sector,” thereby leaving it to the President — as Commander in Chief — to be the one to eventually “tame the beast.” Incidentally, FM Jr.’s newly appointed defense chief, albeit a returning one, is singing a different tune and is clearly in cross-purposes with what the finance chief has rolled out to be the “silver bullet” that would solve the pension problem. The policy domain benefits from evidence-based data and doing the science or the math is not alien to an economist like Diokno. On the other hand, political views hardly benefit from evidence, science, or math, and in this realm, it seems understandable why the defense chief’s normative proposal is rather parochial or scoped on maximizing what is good for the defense and military that he heads. After all, if he can play his cards well, a la President Fidel Ramos, his position could catapult him to higher office. When FVR signed Republic Act 7898 on 23 February 1995, its aim was a 15-year modernization program for the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army consequent to the withdrawal of the US military bases and illegal occupation by China of Mischief Reef. The commitment to spend P50 billion within the first five years and presumably thereafter, however, never gained headway reportedly because the programs were “influenced” by lawmakers. Neither did the Philippine Navy get the lion’s share of the modernization fund to upgrade its patrol capabilities, surface warfare, and its maritime detection and surveillance capacities even while the authors of said law knew that the imminent enemy was China and the theater of engagement would be the West Philippine Sea. This explains why the country was a sitting duck when China occupied Scarborough Shoal in 2012. Then, this prompted the administration of President Noynoy Aquino to enact Republic Act 10349 as an expanded version of the AFP modernization program. While the needs of the Philippine Navy were given priority, the allocation of financial resources was subjected to a tedious, legalistic, and complex process with Congress having the last say. Reportedly, even the spending plan was incongruent with the capabilities that needed to be reinforced. Furthermore, the AFP Retirement and Separation Benefits System which was supposedly created to take care of the military pension system was mired in mismanagement that led to its deactivation or abolition. Substantial government seed capital went down the drain, achieving nothing because of the military’s own making. A case of “carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero?” What about that recent audit report of the Commission on Audit on pension overpayments and underpayments made by the AFP Pension Management System that has gone loco? The post Fiscal standoff appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Of China’s ‘One Belt One Road’
Sometime in August 2016, I attended the formal media launch of One Belt One Road, or OBOR, in Beijing, China. I thought then that OBOR, also referred to later as Belt and Road Initiative, must be one of the most, if not the most, significant programs of President Xi Jinping, as it was attended by hundreds of print and broadcast journalists from around the world, the Philippines included. OBOR was to revive the “Silk Road” economic belt of ancient China, a land trade route carrying its finest silk and other goods to its neighboring Central Asian countries and later to as far as Europe; whereas today’s Road refers to the 21st Century land and maritime silk route to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The land route was launched, I think in 2013, while the maritime route was given a big push in 2017. Early on, China set up the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as part of the OBOR mechanism. China sank in the initial capital and was joined later by other member countries. The Philippines was the last country to join AIIB when the late President Noynoy Aquino signed its Charter in the last few minutes of 31 December 2015, and this was ratified a year later during Duterte’s term. In sum, AIIB had 106 members to start. The Philippines, if we look at the records, derived from loans and infrastructure projects, was quite slow in availing of cheap money from this BRI initiative. Indonesia, Singapore, and other ASEAN and African countries had done so for various infra projects, among these railways, dams, and ports. The small loan amount we obtained was later topped up by China in terms of gifts which came in the form of bridges, schools, medical supplies, and vaccines when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Add to that are the much-needed arms for our armed forces to get rid of the marauding Maute ISIS terrorist group in Marawi City and additional help to rehabilitate it later. Alarmed by the inroads China was making with the BRI through the land and marine infrastructure built with the billions of dollars it loaned to countries along the silk routes, the West was quick to make a big issue of it when Sri Lanka defaulted, calling China’s loans a “debt trap.” Of course, not a few of those struggling economies defaulted as the impact of the new infrastructure on their development had yet to gain traction. However, President Xi Jinping waived the interest dues. How is it for China midway to the Road’s target completion date of 2049? The BRI has covered more than 68 countries with an estimated 65 percent of the world’s population. All told, the largesse from China resulted in the reduction of dependency on the US and it created new markets for Chinese products. The US of A is fast losing its dominance. China, once wallowing in the quagmire of poverty, is now the second-largest economy in the world and growing. Will China then go beyond firing water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard vessels? This could only be answered by another set of questions. Is China willing to cut the marine silk route that passes through or close to the West Philippine Sea? Will its land route suffice to bring its products to its export markets in the event the sea lane is altogether cut off? Will the Chinese people relish going back to poverty and isolation? The answers are a big NO. So why EDCA? Why not pursue the Philippines-China joint oil exploration in the WPS as the offer stands at a 60/40 sharing agreement in favor of the Philippines? Why build more military bases when these are veritable beckons to war which we as a policy abhor? Why not take advantage of the short maritime link between China and the Philippines to enhance our economy? The price of fuel is skyrocketing. Our peso is depreciating as in a free fall. We have solutions and yet these, too have become problems. The post Of China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teddy Boy named special envoy to China
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. as the President’s Special Envoy to the People’s Republic of China for Special Concerns, the Presidential Communications Office announced on Wednesday in a Facebook post. Locsin’s recent appointment came amid the resurgence of tensions in the West Philippine Sea between China and the Philippines. In a Viber message to Palace reporters, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Marcos appointed Locsin to boost the bilateral relations between the two countries. Locsin, who is the Foreign Affairs Secretary of then-President Rodrigo R. Duterte from 17 October to 30 June 2022, takes on the new task “in a concurrent position” as the Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Chief Executive appointed Locsin UK ambassador with jurisdiction over Ireland, Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Jersey, and Bailiwick of Guernsey on 30 August 2022. During his tenure, he frequently lodged numerous diplomatic complaints and occasionally used the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticize China. The newly-appointed special envoy is the son and namesake of Teodoro Locsin Sr., a journalist who was imprisoned during the 1970s for criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Following the overthrow of Marcos Sr. in 1986, the younger Locsin became the speechwriter and legal advisor to President Corazon Aquino. Subsequently, he wrote speeches for Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was elected Makati 1st District representative in 2001, a seat he held until 2010. Holding a master’s degree in law from Harvard University, Locsin is a lawyer and a media figure. The post Teddy Boy named special envoy to China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Education Division of Makati City forged an agreement to partner in providing students in select schools in the city with lectures on anti-smoking and anti-vaping. The memorandum of understanding, signed during the Brigada Eskwela 2023 Division Kick-Off held in Makati High School, seeks to implement a smoke-free and healthy environment among public schools. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said one of the keys towards a smoke-free and healthy environment in the school is to educate and capacitate the learners. “We will teach the students the importance of health and the dangers of smoking, vaping, as well as second-hand smoke, to our wellbeing through social media and/or video conferencing platforms,” said Artes during the MoU signing rites. The MMDA Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office will facilitate the anti-smoking lectures on the dangers of smoking and vaping to one’s health. An orientation on anti-littering will also be provided aimed at informing students on the effects of throwing small litters that may cause clogging of waterways leading to flooding. Likewise, the students will undergo a course on Basic First Aid and Disaster Management for incidents of fire, flooding and earthquake. The agency will capacitate the students on training that will enhance their skills in using the website as a platform for educating young people on the effects of smoking and vaping to a person’s health. “The MMDA believes that one of the keys to a successful implementation and sustainability of an integrated health program is the active involvement and participation of partner organizations and school communities in identifying problems brought about by smoking and vaping, seeking for feasible solutions and tapping into existing resources,” Artes added. DepEd Makati, for its part, is responsible for securing the health and wellness of students, thus enjoining the MMDA to serve as a major partner in its campaign for a healthy and smoke-free environment. Schools to be given lectures are: Makati High School, San Isidro National High School, San Antonio National High School, Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School, Bangkal High School, Maximo Estrella Senior High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino High School, Makati Science High School, Pitogo High School, Tibagan High School and Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School. The discussions, which will be done either online or face-to-face, will have a maximum of 50 students per session, per school. It will be a mix of junior and senior high school students. The project will be a continuing program and is set to end in June 2025. Also present in the MOU signing are Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, officials from DepEd Makati, and their private partners such as China Bank Savings, and Young Men’s Christian Association. The post MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fear no China
One could find reason to disagree with the view that a warship of the Philippine Navy at Ayungin Shoal had been deliberately run aground as a “symbol of Philippine sovereignty over that area.” The ongoing word war between Beijing and Manila only strains diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation through confrontational media hype over deference to China as the “natural leader of the Third World.” A few well-defined observations may be drawn and serious questions may be raised. China’s averment of the Philippines’ commitment to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, beached the past 24 years, and the latter’s refusal since it never expressed any commitment to do so only aggravates the growing tension that has hogged the headlines recently and instilled an ideological clash of world views. Wasn’t there a “bilateral code of conduct” signed to put to rest such a dispute or conflict, at least in the case of Mischief Reef? Call to mind that in November 1995, Chinese President Jiang and President Fidel V. Ramos, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Osaka, reportedly discussed the joint development of marine resources in the disputed regions. Ramos also proposed an “interim solution” where “each littoral state assumes stewardship over the sea closest to it without prejudice to the sovereignty claims.” In fact, when a new Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States was signed in 1999, the Philippines practically shelved its plans to strengthen its fortifications in the Spratlys. Whereas China would want the Sierra Madre removed to bring Ayungin Shoal back to its unoccupied state, an irreverent National Security Council official only amplified the rhetoric by saying that such removal is tantamount to “abandoning our sovereign rights and jurisdiction over West Philippine Sea.” It must invite a congressional review as to whether or not — using the same ploy at Scarborough Shoal — another Philippine Navy ship (LST 507) was towed away when the China Coast Guard made a veiled threat to blow it up. It becomes understandable why the China Coast Guard that monitors its claim over the South China Sea deems in accordance with “maintaining China’s ‘national face’ on the world stage” its response to Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to the Sierra Madre. China also believes that the “introduction of third-party forces will only complicate the situation,” its reference to the G7 (US, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, Germany) — consequent to President Benigno Aquino’s unilateral move “to humiliate China before the global public.” Note that Chinese nationalism cannot be undermined as the prime mover behind its tough stance against “recalcitrant neighbors” (e.g. Vietnam). The truth is that we failed to reach a level of “bilateral harmony” with China’s rise, a thing that Malaysia has done so effortlessly. If scholars are to be believed, the dynamics in play differ, viz., Malaysian politicians aim at giving face to China while Filipino politicians actively aim at destroying China’s public image to the pitch of a “global flashpoint.” Still, it’s best not to miss the forest for the trees. It sounds like a child’s game for the country’s national security official to unabashedly dismiss as a “figment of the imagination” the statement made by China’s envoy of a purported Philippine commitment to tow its grounded navy vessel from Ayungin. The dilapidated hulk is in a dismal state — gaping holes, corroded decks, unseaworthy, even worse than a decommissioned ship. How can you call that a “symbol of Philippine sovereignty?” Wherever these unfolding developments lead, the absolute fact remains that there is no single navy, marine, or soldier that the China Coast Guard has killed. If the Sino-Malaysian relationship resulted in highly profitable bilateral relations over the past four decades, why don’t we reconfigure Philippine threat perceptions of China precisely “to deny any external power’s hegemonial grip on the regional order,” as scholars suggest? Ought we follow what Brantly Womack describes as the “positive equilibrium between asymmetrical neighbors,” as well as Malaysia did? Perhaps let’s write new laws, draw new maps, then build installations over our territorial claims?” The post Fear no China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU, Philippines agree to relaunch free trade talks
The European Union and the Philippines will restart negotiations on a free-trade agreement as they seek to accelerate "a new era of cooperation", European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday. Talks began in 2015 under then-Philippine president Benigno Aquino but stalled two years later under his successor Rodrigo Duterte, whose deadly drug war strained diplomatic relations with the West and sparked an international probe. "I'm very glad that we have decided to relaunch negotiations for (a) free-trade agreement (FTA)," von der Leyen told reporters at a joint news conference with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila. "Our teams will get to work right now on setting the right conditions so that we can get back to the negotiations," she said, noting an FTA has "huge potential for both of us" in terms of jobs and growth. The European Union is the Philippines' fourth-largest trading partner and an FTA would be Manila's second bilateral deal after Japan. Marcos described the Philippines and the European Union as "like-minded partners" with "shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace, and stability, and human rights". The Philippines enjoys a Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status that allows it to export 6,274 products to the European Union tax-free, but this is set to expire at the end of this year. Under the GSP+ scheme, which is extended to developing countries, Brussels cuts its import duties to zero on two-thirds of product categories in return for implementing 27 international conventions on human rights, labor rights, the environment, and good governance. Drug war Rights monitors and some EU members of parliament have urged the European Union to withhold a deal extension for the Philippines because of Duterte's anti-narcotics crackdown that claimed thousands of lives. The drug war has continued under Marcos even as he emphasized a greater focus on rehabilitation, but a local monitoring group estimates more than 350 people have been killed since he took power in June 2022. Human Rights Watch's EU director Philippe Dam said it was concerning that von der Leyen "could not be heard tackling human rights and civil liberties issues". "Make no mistake -- the human rights situation in the Philippines remains dire," Dam said in a statement. "The EU should not look the other way and should tie a future trade deal to concrete labor and human rights improvements and accountability for past violations." An EU official told journalists from Manila that Marcos has been taking "important steps" to improve his country's human rights record, though it remained a "work in progress". The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Marcos's overall posture as a leader "has facilitated our cooperation" even if other imperatives had also come into play, especially the need for Europe and the Philippines to reduce their reliance on trade with China. Von der Leyen, the first European Commission president to visit the Philippines, said the two sides had "learned the hard way the cost of economic dependencies". A free-trade agreement was the basis for diversifying supply lines and could also be "a springboard for a new technology cooperation to modernize the broader economy". She said the European Union would provide 466 million euros ($513 million) to help the Philippines develop "green energy" and plastics recycling, as well as provide satellite data to help it better prepare for extreme weather. The post EU, Philippines agree to relaunch free trade talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Airbus A321neo is CEB’s fleet newest addition
Cebu Pacific, the Gokongwei-led budget airline, said Friday it will be receiving more aircraft deliveries this year to ramp up its operations to cater to the growing travel demand. The company welcomed its ninth aircraft delivery, a brand-new Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option), at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday. The new aircraft operated using a blended sustainable aviation fuel or SAF on its flight. “This aircraft delivery allows us to increase our operational resilience while continuing to provide safe, reliable, and affordable air travel to our passengers,” said Alex Reyes, CEB chief strategy officer. New-generation fuel-efficient aircraft “Our ongoing re-fleeting with new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft and our continued use of sustainable aviation fuel will also help our decarbonization efforts in making the aviation industry more sustainable,” Reyes added. CEB is scheduled to receive 21 aircraft deliveries this year — of these, 17 are New Engine Options or NEOs, while four are Current Engine Options or CEOs on short-term leases. The airline aims to shift to a more fuel-efficient, all-NEO fleet by 2028. It also aims to utilize SAF by launching green routes by 2025 and using SAF for its entire network by 2030. SAF cuts 80% carbon emission SAF is a drop-in fuel with similar characteristics as conventional jet fuels. It does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance. The use of SAF results in up to 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle. Last month, CEB also received a brand new A320neo aircraft from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin, China, powered by SAF with a blend of 41 percent. CEB became the first low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia to incorporate SAF into its operations when it took delivery of its third A330NEO in May last year. The post Airbus A321neo is CEB’s fleet newest addition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How America plans to defend the Indo-Pacific
In my column last week, I pointed out the reasons why former president Noynoy Aquino and President Bongbong Marcos elected to lean on the US rather than China. There are at least six reasons for their decision:.....»»