1.26 million China-made vaccines arrive
Another 1,260,800 doses of China-made vaccines arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 yesterday morning, on board Philippine Airlines flight PR361 from Beijing, China......»»
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott expected to play on current contract for 2024 seaso
The Dallas Cowboys made headlines recently by restructuring quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract, converting a $5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. This move helped.....»»
Man-made disasters cost Philippines 164.87 mln USD in 2023
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Man-made disasters caused the total damage in the Philippines worth 9.29 billion pesos (164.87 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. The agency said that out of the total annual damage, 4.93 billion pesos (87.5 million dollars), or 53.1 percent, was due to the oil spill. "The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in dam.....»»
China blocks use of Intel and AMD chips in government computers – report
The procurement guidance also seeks to sideline Microsoft Windows and foreign-made database software in favor of domestic options, a Financial Times report says.....»»
‘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......»»
WPS tension: Chinese vessel blocks PH research ship
A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel again made “dangerous maneuvers” on Thursday and tried to block a Philippine fishery vessel carrying marine scientists conducting research in the West Philippine Sea or WPS. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS, told a press briefing on Friday that CCG vessel 5204 crossed the.....»»
Agoda Unveils Asia’s Top 9 Nature Destinations
To mark the launch of Eco Deals 2024, Agoda’s flagship US$1 million partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the digital travel platform has compiled a list of some of Asia’s favored nature destinations across Asia, based on searches made on Agoda in January 2024. Enric Casals, Vice President of Southeast Asia, Agoda, […].....»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
The US House of Reps has passed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties to Communist China. Chinese parent ByteDance must sell TikTok to another nationality in six months or be shut down......»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0900 GMT, March 18
BEIJING -- Global new energy passenger car sales are predicted to exceed 39 million units by 2030, said a report obtained during the China EV100 Forum 2024 concluded Sunday in Beijing. That will mark a penetration rate of almost 50 percent, rising from the nearly 20 percent in 2023 with the sales of over 13 million units, according to the report issued by China EV100, a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry think ta.....»»
11 cruise ships to arrive at Subic
After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the tourism industry at the Subic Bay Freeport is on its feet again as a cruise ship from Xiamen, China made its maiden voyage on Thursday......»»
Tolentino: Our athletes are prepared
Team Philippines will be prepared and ready to win when it marches to the 19th Asian Games that will open on Saturday at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China. No less than Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino declared their readiness, saying that they will deploy the best and most prepared athletes in the prestigious quadrennial meet that got delayed by a year due to Covid pandemic. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal, will be at the helm together with other standouts like pole vaulter EJ Obiena, swimmer Kayla Sanchez, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam. Although expectations will be tempered on the chances of Diaz as she will compete in the heavier 59-kilogram category, she is still expected to make her presence felt as she had already warmed up in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after finishing seventh. Even the boxers will be ready as they are coming off an intensive training in India and Australia in a bid to dominate the Asian Games that will also serve as a qualifying tourney for the Paris Olympics. Tolentino said he has high hopes for the 396-man national delegation. “We are very much prepared. Some of our athletes are coming off from their training abroad,” said Tolentino, who will join Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann in leading the send-off ceremony for Team Philippines on Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center. In the previous edition of the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018, the Filipinos finished 19th after pocketing four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals. It was the country’s best finish since grabbing five gold medals in 1951 in New Delhi, seven gold medals in 1962 in Jakarta, eight gold medals in 1958 in Tokyo and 14 gold medals in 1954 in Manila. The first batch of Filipino athletes had already left for Hangzhou. First to leave were Olympian Cris Nievarez and the national rowing team composed of Joanie Delgaco, Tammy Sha, Feiza Lenton, Edgar Ilas, and Zuriel Sumintac with coaches Shukhrat Ganiev, Ed Maerina, Nic Jasmin and Con Fornea. The rowers will kick off their campaign in the men’s single sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls, women’s single sculls, and lightweight women’s double sculls on Wednesday at the Olympic Sports Expo Center. Also first to arrive in the bustling city in Hangzhou, the capital and most populous city in Zhejiang Province, are the staff of the national women’s football team, windsurfers and indoor and beach volleyball players. The national booters, popularly known as the Filipinas, are expected to arrive in the coming days in batches as they kick off their campaign on Tuesday. Tolentino said exceeding their performance in the previous Asian Games will already be considered as a success. “This will be the best of the team. We hope to exceed our performance for the last four years,” said Tolentino, who is pinning his hopes on Diaz as well as Asia’s best vaulter Obiena, Olympic medalists Marcial, Petecio and Paalam, and two-time Olympic medalist Sanchez. “We have high hopes for medals in weightlifting, boxing, swimming, and e-sports, with potential surprises in martial arts as well.” The post Tolentino: Our athletes are prepared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI releases guidelines on Philippine Nikkei-Jin
The Bureau of Immigration announced on Friday that it released new guidelines on Philippine Nikkei-Jin. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the new guidelines, which were also approved by the Secretary of Justice, aim to address the immigration needs of Filipinos who have the status of Nikkei-Jin under Japanese law. The word "Nikkei-Jin" refers to Japanese immigrants and their offspring who left Japan and raised their families in other nations. More than 3 million Nikkei-Jins live in their adopted countries, according to data from the Association of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad; the largest of these populations are in Brazil, the USA, China, Canada, Peru, and the Philippines. The BI acknowledged in the order that Philippine Nikkei-Jin are recognized as Japanese citizens by official documents issued by the Japanese government. Tansingco also shared that a Philippine Nikkei-Jin may depart from the Philippines with or without a Philippine passport. Those who travel without a Philippine passport lose the presumption of being Filipinos for purposes of traveling outside the Philippines. In such cases, a Philippine Nikkei-Jin may travel abroad to and from Japan with a Japanese passport or travel document and a BI Order recognizing him as a Nikkei-Jin. The order would allow the Philippine Nikkei-Jin to depart from the Philippines with a deferment of payment of immigration fees. Philippine Nikkei-Jin who likewise arrive without a Philippine passport should present the same order; otherwise, applicable rules for foreign nationals will apply. However, if the Philippine Nikkei-Jin has already renounced his Philippine citizenship, then he will be treated as a foreign national, subject to the rules regulating aliens in the Philippines," clarified Tansingco. The BI chief said that the bureau recognizes the needs of Filipinos who have the status of Nikkei-Jin under Japanese law, and they are Filipinos who are likewise descendants of Japanese nationals. Hence, they see the importance of crafting specific guidelines for processing their immigration documents. The post BI releases guidelines on Philippine Nikkei-Jin appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines does not recognize China fishing ban in West Philippine Sea
The Philippines is ready to “take law enforcement measures” against illegal fishing and encroachment in its waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday, as more Chinese fishing boats are expected to arrive in the West Philippine Sea following China’s lifting of its annual fishing ban......»»
Boy Kuting
Senate President Migz Zubiri has shouted “boykotin ang Chinese products” to show Filipinos’ disgust over the Chinese Coast Guard’s water cannonading of our vessels resupplying the grounded BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal recently. On cue, Senator Risa Hontiveros echoed the call in a Tweet, although her post carried the ironic line, “Sent from my iPhone 14,” a device that is wholly made in China. That is exactly the problem with this course of action: The use of Chinese products is well-nigh inescapable. And while it is right for every patriotic Filipino to exhibit outrage over this latest show of Chinese bullying, there must be some way to show our reproach other than calling for something that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to execute, lest we be again mortified by our lack of capability. Let’s start with cars. It would be easy enough not to buy a Foton, JAC, GAC or MG automobile, as a lot of us consider them — fairly or not — as inferior to other makes. But if you buy one of the lower-end Toyotas, you must know that a great number of its components are made in China, through a tie-up with FAW. The same goes for Nissans and Hondas, especially when it comes to electronics and drive train components. Okay, so the well-heeled snobs among you will say, “To hell with the Asian carmakers, I’m going European!” Fine, except that Mercedes Benz is 15 percent outrightly owned by two Chinese companies, BYD (10 percent) and SAIC (5 percent). More than half of the components of BMW cars are made by the companies Power Xinchen and Beijing Shougang. Wanna make a wild guess as to the nationalities of these companies. As for Audi, a lot of them are made in the cities of Changchun and Foshan in… where else? This is because China is Audi’s biggest market, not Europe or North America. As for some Volkswagen models, many are totally made in China, so you can forget about that, too. Hitler, that ultimate racist and white supremacist, who designed the Volkswagen Beetle, would be turning in his grave (if he had one). Go electric, go Tesla, you might say, as it’s owned by that all-American Elon Musk. But almost all of Tesla’s batteries are made in China, so no cigar. Gadgets are also out of the equation. 95 percent of iPhones are made in China (with some made in India, but sometimes they don’t arrive). My Oppo Reno is made in China, and so are Huaweis. Even the legacy Nordic brand Nokia is made in China. You’d be better off with Samsung, which makes many of its phones in Vietnam, but not much. The Vietnamese have built structures in the disputed Spratly Islands. Clothing is also not a good category for boycotting. Skechers is an American brand, but its shoes are all Chinese. Rivals Adidas and Puma are in the same boat. Fans of Japan’s Uniqlo must know that they’re basically wearing Chinese-made clothes. The Amboys who prefer Guess are doing the same thing. Even luxury clothing brand Ralph Lauren has its products made by the same people who insist on the nine-dash line. I could go on and on, but I know, dear readers, that you get my drift. Our politicians, of course, thrive on grandstanding. But before they stand in the halls of the Senate before a podium made of Chinese wood laminate, to fulminate for a boycott of Chinese products into a microphone of Chinese manufacture, their irate voices amplified by electronics assembled by a Chinese company, so that their histrionics may be read on Chinese-made tablets and phones, they should remember that most of what we use is made in China. It is one of the tigers of the world economy; we are just a kitten and all our rantings just the meowing of a small “kuting, a boy kuting.” The post Boy Kuting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China vows ‘forceful’ response over Taiwan VP’s US visit
China on Sunday vowed "resolute and forceful measures" over a weekend trip by Taiwan Vice President William Lai to the United States it said it was closely monitoring. Lai -- the frontrunner in Taiwan's presidential elections next year -- is officially making only transit stops in the United States en route to and from Paraguay, where he will attend the inauguration of president-elect Santiago Pena. Taiwan is claimed by China, which has vowed to take the island democracy one day -- by force, if necessary -- and ramped up political and military pressure. "China is closely following the development of the situation and will take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," an unnamed spokesperson for the foreign ministry said in a statement published online. Lai has been far more outspoken about independence than Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, to whom Beijing is already hostile as she refuses to accept its view that Taiwan is a part of China. The Harvard-educated doctor-turned-politician has previously described himself as a "pragmatic Taiwan independence worker", and reiterated this week when speaking with a local television channel that Taiwan was "not part of the People's Republic of China (PRC)". "The Republic of China and PRC are not subordinate to each other," he said, using Taiwan's official name. On landing in New York on Sunday, Lai said on Twitter, now rebranded as X: "Happy to arrive at the Big Apple, icon of liberty, democracy and opportunities," adding that he was greeted at the airport by representatives of the American Institute in Taiwan, the United States's de facto embassy for the island. "Looking forward to seeing friends and attending transit programs in New York," he wrote. Lai is expected to continue to Paraguay, then stop in San Francisco on his way back. - Airspace incursions - In the week leading up to Lai's departure, incursions by the Chinese military around Taiwan's waters and airspace -- which have been happening near-daily in the past year -- were larger than usual. On Wednesday, the defense ministry said 33 Chinese warplanes and six vessels had been detected around the island in a 24-hour window. "China is firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges between the US and Taiwan, is resolutely opposed to separatists seeking 'Taiwan independence' entering the US under any name and for any reason, and firmly opposed to any form of official contact between the US government and the Taiwanese side," China's foreign ministry spokesperson said. "China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and strongly condemns the US insistence on arranging William Lai's 'transit' to the US," the spokesperson added, labeling Lai a "downright troublemaker". ehl-je/cwl © Agence France-Presse The post China vows ‘forceful’ response over Taiwan VP’s US visit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Private sector analysts predict inflation rate to dip below 5 percent
Private economists expect the country's inflation rate to ease further for the sixth consecutive month in July from the 5.4 percent inflation rate last June. A Daily Tribune poll of six (6) private sector analysts yielded a median estimate of 4.8 percent for July inflation. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is expected to unveil inflation data in the first week of August. Economists expect inflation to dip below five percent, marking the first time since April 2022, when the average headline inflation was 4.9 percent. Security Bank chief economist Robert Dan Roces and China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez said inflation likely softened to 4.7. In an emailed commentary, Roces elaborated that the deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) suggests a moderate level of inflation. "The favorable base effects that helped offset the increase in food prices may continue to play a role in keeping inflation in check in the short term," Roces said. For her part, Velasquez said lower utility rates offset higher food and fuel prices. She mentioned that electricity rates in all regions fell substantially from the previous month, especially in Mindanao and Batangas. Velasquez added that a stronger peso in July could have also led to the "muted" monthly inflation rate. ING Bank lead economist Nicolas Mapa, who said that headline inflation averaged 4.8 percent in July, mentioned that Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would consider the data point alongside the path of inflation against developments such as the recent US Federal Reserve's hike in its subsequent decision. Philippine National Bank economist Alvin Arogo said inflation would likely to 4.9 percent in July amid the month-on-month increase due to the minimum wage hike in Metro Manila and the rise in pump prices due to Dubai crude. Arogo said the favorable base effects will continue to be the main driver for the monthly print of year-on-year price growth to be lower than four percent in the fourth quarter amid the "persistence of second-round effects." Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) lead economist June Neri, who said that inflation in July likely eased to 4.9 percent in July, mentioned it would fall within the two to four percent target range of the BSP by the fourth quarter. "Such a print suggests that a sub-four percent monthly print by October or November is possible and increases the chances that the BSP can keep policy rates steady for the balance of 2023," Neri said. Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said that the inflation rate for July likely slowed at 5.1 percent as the recent increase in local rice prices would also slow down the easing trend of "disinflation" at the very least. He said that the possible reduction of rice imports by the Philippines would also coincide with the adverse effects of the El Niño drought, especially from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, potentially reducing local rice production. Ricafort added that the weather phenomenon would also lead to some uptick in local rice prices and overall inflation. However, the country's new central bank said it is still too early to declare victory in the battle to curb consumer price pressures as upside pressures on expenses remain high amid downtrend data, the country's new Speaking at a recent banking community event, BSP governor Eli Remolona said the persisting upside risks to inflation indicate the monetary authority remains open to further tightening. The country's core inflation, which primarily excludes food and fuel expenses, hit 7.4 percent in June. Last month's data declined from May's 7.7 percent to April's 7.9 percent. "Nonetheless, it's too soon to declare victory. Core inflation remains high. There are still upside risks to inflation – for example, risks in the form of El Niño and further supply shocks," Remolona said. Remolona stated that the inflation figures will factor into the analysis conducted by the Monetary Board. He added that data will play a crucial role in influencing their policy rate decision. "We will wait and see. We will analyze the data as they arrive, and that analysis will decide monetary policy down the road," the Central Bank chief mentioned. On the sidelines of the same banking event, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said he expects inflation to continue easing in the coming months but warned that there are still risks to the outlook. Balisacan said that the current downward trend in inflation is expected to continue, but some factors could worsen it. These include rising oil prices and the impact of Typhoons Egay and Falcon on agricultural production. "We are still monitoring the situation, but we hope that the impact of the typhoon will not be too serious," Balisacan said. The post Private sector analysts predict inflation rate to dip below 5 percent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Clock ticking on Gilas
There’s only almost a month left before the FIBA Basketball World Cup but Gilas Pilipinas has yet to train with a complete roster. Various problems have hounded the national squad. In fact, barely a few days after the announcement of the 21-man pool, rising star Carl Tamayo pulled out, saying that he needed to rest following a grueling campaign in the Japan B League. Injuries further marred the formation of the squad with Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Ray Parks, and naturalized player Justin Brownlee begging off from the training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, while AJ Edu showed up hobbling with an ankle sprain that he sustained in a workout in Brisbane. Still, Gilas, with a depleted roster, left for Estonia and Lithuania. Their training went well where they faced top collegiate, national, and club teams from Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Lithuania. But shortly before flying back to Manila, Scottie Thompson, one the team’s most versatile players, crashed with yet another injury as he hurt his finger in the final stretch of the camp. The injury was so severe that it could take six to eight weeks for him to recover, practically reducing him to a mere spectator when the World Cup unwraps on 25 August. Then, shortly after their return from Europe, gunner Jordan Heading also withdrew due to a nagging back injury that needs therapy in the United States. But coach Chot Reyes never lost hope. After all, Kai Sotto had returned to the country following a two-game stint in the National Basketball Association Summer League, while Jordan Clarkson was scheduled to arrive based on his earlier commitment that he will join Gilas training six weeks before the World Cup fires off. But as of last Friday, both Sotto and Clarkson had yet to play a single minute with Gilas Pilipinas as it heads for a crucial four-nation pocket tournament in China next week. Their continuous absence is not only a major concern for Reyes, but also for their teammates, who are obviously getting impatient and demoralized for training with a crippled roster for over a month now. There is no doubt that Sotto and Clarkson are the best Filipino players in the world right now. But Sotto seems too busy chasing his dream of becoming the first Filipino to play in the NBA, while Clarkson just signed a new contract with the Utah Jazz that would make him richer by more than $50 million in the next four years. When Sotto showed up to Gilas training on Thursday, he just talked to Reyes and asked for a few more days of rest as he sustained a back injury in his final game in the Summer League. Meanwhile, Clarkson’s initial agreement with the federation appears to have fizzled out as Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio admitted that they were still in the “middle of negotiations,” something that should have been done three or four months ago. Reyes has to make a decision quickly. The World Cup is coming up and time is no longer on his side. He has to devise a backup plan — a Plan B — before the support of this basketball-crazy country for this massive and very expensive mission completely erodes. If he has to drop Sotto and Clarkson from his plan, so be it. The important thing is that he comes up with a solid preparation and a game plan that is built around those who have been training regularly. At this point, what Reyes and Gilas Pilipinas need are not the best dribblers, the best passers, or the best defenders. They don’t even need the tallest or the quickest players. What they need are players who are committed. Players who are willing to play for the flag and put the country ahead of their personal goals and ambitions. Players who are armed with big fighting hearts. The clock is ticking on this Gilas squad. Reyes should grab the ball and deliver the dagger before the time expires. The post Clock ticking on Gilas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (15)
Daily Tribune reports during the term of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as a senator provided a window to his foreign policy now as the President. He had criticized the rejection of bilateral talks that China offered in July 2015 as having the effect of forcing the superpower to take a more hardline position in the West Philippine Sea dispute. China had proposed then that the two countries hold bilateral talks to resolve the maritime row. “China opened the door and we shut it. The Chinese said let’s talk and we snubbed them. It’s like the Philippine government itself was encouraging China to take and maintain an unbending stance on the issue,” Marcos had lamented. Marcos’ position was that the Philippines was not going to lose anything by accepting the Chinese invitation to a dialogue on the West Philippine Sea dispute. “So we talk, and tell them: We are not happy with what you are doing and we do not agree with what you are doing. But the next thing we say is: How do we fix this?” said Marcos, who was then vice chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations. Marcos had called on the government to engage China in bilateral talks after it aggressively built structures in areas the Philippines claimed as being within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Marcos pointed out that there were three ways to resolve the dispute: By war, adjudication, or multilateral/bilateral agreements. “We do not want war. Arbitration is not one that is going to be recognized by the Chinese. So it has to be negotiations,” Marcos said. Interestingly, the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating the nine-dash line claim of China came almost exactly a year after Marcos made the statement. Cod Wars recalled In pushing for negotiations, he cited the so-called “Cod Wars” or the dispute over rich fishing grounds between the United Kingdom and Spain in the early 1980s. At the height of the tension, warships even rammed fishing boats. “In the end, what did they do? They came to a bilateral agreement to share and now they are working on that basis,” Marcos said. “We should talk to China bilaterally because it is still the best option. Our Filipino businessmen can also help by reaching out to their Chinese counterparts and friends in China to try to come up with a solution that would persuade both governments to, at least, sit down and negotiate or, at most, resolve the problem outright,” he said. Marcos said that rejecting China’s offer to hold bilateral talks with the Philippines was limiting the government’s strategic options. “We should not be snobbish. I can’t see any reason at all why we are not talking to China. On the contrary, there are more than enough obvious reasons why we should talk to superpower China,” he said. With China’s own geo-political interests and its concern over the presence of the Americans in the area, bilateral talks between Manila and Beijing “is not going to be easy,” he acknowledged. “We’re strategically important to any great power in the Asia-Pacific, but we have to play that role even-handedly. We have to stop thinking in terms of kakampi ko ang Chinese, kakampi ko ang Kano. Ang kakampi mo lang Pilipino (I’m on the side of the Chinese, I’m on the side of the Americans. The only side you’re on is the Filipinos’),” Marcos said. “What is the national interest, what is good for the Philippines, that’s all that we have to be thinking about,” he added. “It’s important for the Philippines and China to talk, that’s the first step.” “Even if we don’t manage to arrive at an agreement immediately, if we are talking there’s a chance that we might be able to reason with China to stop doing what it’s doing and continue talking. If we manage to do that, there is hope for a peaceful resolution,” Marcos said. The senator said the Philippines will be on the losing end if caught in the crossfire in case of a confrontation between the US and China. “The end game of all our diplomatic efforts is to secure an agreement with China over the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea — that is what we should do,” Marcos said. (To be continued) The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (15) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BBM: Nothing wrong with ‘Barbie’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday clarified that he does not see any issues to allow the controversial “Barbie” film to be released in Philippine theaters, saying that the movie is just a work of fiction. The President’s statements come in response to concerns raised about the potential inclusion of a map depicting China’s disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea using the nine-dash line. “They say it’s good,” Marcos said in a chance interview on the sidelines of his series of official engagements in Northern Samar. “Of course, what they’re referring to is included in that boundary line they made. My response to that is, what do you expect? It’s a work of fiction.” To recall, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board have decided to allow the summer blockbuster Barbie to be released in the country after a weeklong review involving “two meticulous screenings.” “Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources to arrive at this decision,” the MTRCB wrote in a letter on Tuesday. MTRCB, an agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for the classification and review of television programs, motion pictures and home videos, explained that there is “no basis to ban the film.” However, the agency asked the movie’s distributor Warner Bros. to blur part of a scene that could be misinterpreted. Previously, “Barbie” has faced criticism for including a map that some claim represents the disputed “nine-dash line” in the South China Sea. This maritime border, rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, is continuously promoted by China to assert extensive territorial claims in the region. The approval for screening in the Philippines comes just one day before the seventh anniversary of The Hague ruling and follows Vietnam’s decision to ban the release of Barbie due to the depiction of the controversial map. The inclusion of this map has also drawn criticism from US lawmakers who accuse the filmmakers of promoting Chinese propaganda. The post BBM: Nothing wrong with ‘Barbie’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM no problem with ‘Barbie’ film showing
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not see any issues with allowing the forthcoming "Barbie" film to be released in Philippine theaters, saying that the movie is just a work of fiction. The President made his statement in response to concerns raised about the potential inclusion of a map depicting China's disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea using the nine-dash line. "They say it's good," Marcos said in a chance interview on the sidelines of his series of official engagements on Friday in Northern Samar. "Of course, what they're referring to is included in that boundary line they made. My response to that is, what do you expect? It's a work of fiction," Marcos added. For context, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has decided to allow the summer blockbuster film "Barbie" to be released in the country after a weeklong review involving "two meticulous screenings." “Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources to arrive at this decision,” the MTRCB wrote in a letter on Tuesday. MTRCB, an agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for the classification and review of television programs, motion pictures, and home videos, explained that there is “no basis to ban the film.” However, the agency asked the movie’s distributor Warner Bros. to blur part of a scene that could be misinterpreted. The film "Barbie" has faced criticism for including a map that some claim represents the disputed "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea. This maritime border, rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, is continuously promoted by China to assert extensive territorial claims in the region. The approval for screening in the Philippines comes just one day before the seventh anniversary of The Hague ruling and follows Vietnam's decision to ban the release of _Barbie_ due to the depiction of the controversial map. The inclusion of this map has also drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers who accuse the filmmakers of promoting Chinese propaganda. The post PBBM no problem with ‘Barbie’ film showing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Traya’s Chinese foe to arrive in Cebu June 21, WBF duel set on June 24
CEBU CITY, Philippines — WeiWei Liu, the opponent of Elmo “Bisdak” Traya is expected to be in Cebu on June 21 to headline the maiden promotional venture of Money Punch Fight Promotions on June 24. Traya and Liu of China will clash for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Australasian super lightweight title at the […] The post Traya’s Chinese foe to arrive in Cebu June 21, WBF duel set on June 24 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»