FACT CHECK | Constitutionality, not ‘noble intentions’, basis for allowing joint ventures in West Philippine Sea – Supreme Court
In her column published on manilatimes.net on Dec. 23, 2023, Anna Malindog-Uy proposed, among others, possible joint ventures in the utilization of the resources in the South China Sea to pave the way for a non-confrontational resolution of maritime and territorial claims involving the Philippines and China. The article consistently used the term South China […].....»»
More PCG, BFAR vessels to be deployed in West Philippine Sea
Manila has ordered increased deployment of Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels in Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, aimed mainly at protecting the country’s interests and fishermen in the area......»»
79 percent want Philippines to work with US amid West Philippine Sea tension
Eight in 10 Filipinos want the Philippine government to work with the United States amid the continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed......»»
FACT CHECK | PDP Laban shows incomplete data of Publicus survey favorable to Sara Duterte
MindaNews fact-checked a Facebook post of political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) that Vice President Sara Duterte gained the highest approval rating among national government officials in the 2023 fourth quarter survey of Publicus Asia, Inc. The post is misleading as it did not indicate that while she had the […].....»»
Philippine laws give couples hard time to leave unhappy marriages — Leonen
The high court magistrate said that the Supreme Court issued several decisions recognizing the fact that the living realities of couples and their children are far from ideal......»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
DFA slams Chinese consul general’s false narratives on West Philippine Sea
The Department of Foreign Affairs slammed a Chinese official yesterday for again making false claims on the West Philippine Sea issue......»»
Support up for military patrols in West Philippine Sea – OCTA poll
More Filipinos support expanded naval patrols and troop presence in the West Philippine Sea to assert the country’s territorial rights in the area, a recent survey conducted by OCTA Research showed......»»
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......»»
Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. to hold Annual Stockholders Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC. (the "Company") will be held on April 22, 2024, Monday at 11:00 a.m. (the "2024 ASM”)......»»
Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.: Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC. (the "Company") will be held on April 22, 2024, Monday at 11:00 a.m. (the "2024 ASM”)......»»
Aboitiz Equity Ventures closed transaction to acquire 40% interest in Coca-Cola PH
The takeover of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. by Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has closed upon completion of “all conditions precedent” to the transaction......»»
Fish catch in West Philippine Sea grows despite tensions with China
Despite rising tensions with China, the Philippines expanded its fish catch in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last year to a four-year high of over 200,000 metric tons on the back of higher state support to fishermen......»»
Atin Ito plans another try at civilian mission to West Philippine Sea - Rappler
Atin Ito plans another try at civilian mission to West Philippine Sea Rappler.....»»
‘China destroyed 21,000 acres of West Philippine Sea coral reefs’
The country faces a decline in fisheries production amid reports that China has destroyed at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea an expert from the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute warned yesterday......»»
China must withdraw ships from West Philippine Sea, groups say
Militant groups on Tuesday said China must withdraw its ships from the West Philippine Sea as well as its claims over islands based on bogus sovereignty......»»
Influence ops target journalists, expert as China vessels patrol West Philippine Sea
Filipino reporters and a known maritime expert received a barrage of messages from unidentifiable sources in 2023 that attempted to divert public attention away from Chinese vessels’ actions in the West Philippine Sea to Vietnam’s supposed “militarization” there. .....»»
Food shortages, joblessness and West Philippine Sea tension
Filipinos are in the grip of three major crises: a food shortage, joblessness and the West Philippine Sea tension......»»
FACT CHECK | Roque’s claim that Task Force Davao will be disbanded is false
MindaNews fact-checked the claims of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that Task Force (TF) Davao will be disbanded as Dabawenyos expressed concern that the city’s security will be weakened if such will happen. His claim is false, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The AFP has refuted the claims of former presidential […].....»»
Supreme Court asked to invalidate BARMM governance code
Officials of the Bangsamoro government are bracing for a drawn-out legal battle as a consequence of the petition by constituent-local executives for the Supreme Court to declare null and void the newly-enacted regional governance code......»»
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......»»