Politics

Head of State Ferdinand "Bongbong" According to Marcos Jr., he will have the chance to represent the Philippines' interests and views on a range of global problems during his visit to Japan. The President gave this statement on Friday before departing for Tokyo to attend the 50th ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. "This year's final ASEAN-related summit offers a chance to reaffirm the Philippines' stance on pressing global issues and further Philippine interests," stated Marcos. "It is also a chance to celebrate Japan's awarding of Comprehensive Partner Status, as ASEAN's dependable and trustworthy partner in peacekeeping, economic growth, and community development…

Following the most heated vessel encounters between the two nations in years near hotspot reefs in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippines said on Monday that it had called China's envoy and raised the idea of dismissing him. Chinese ships were seen firing water cannon at Philippine boats in videos made public by the Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday and Sunday during two different resupply runs to fishermen at Scarborough Shoal and a small garrison at Second Thomas Shoal. At Second Thomas Shoal, where a small contingent of Filipino soldiers is stationed on a grounded cruiser, there was also…

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged prompt establishment of the "Loss and Damage Fund," aimed at aiding vulnerable nations hit by the climate crisis, while seeking backing for the Philippines' bid to host the fund.  Represented by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Marcos said that the Philippines "will announce its intent to host the Loss and Damage Fund.” The "Loss and Damage Fund" aims to cover the expenses incurred due to climate impacts, a critical resource in the battle against climate change. “The Philippines’ call for the immediate operationalization of this Fund to assist…

On Monday, people in the South expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his two proclamations that granted amnesty to members of two Moro fronts accused of committing crimes in the name of revolution. Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, who are facing criminal charges due to their role in violent secessionist uprisings, are granted amnesty by the president's Proclamations 405, 406, and 405 last week. The two declarations, according to Southern Philippines Development Authority administrator Gerry Salapuddin, "augurs well" with cross-sector efforts to promote enduring peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region…

As Manila tries to confront Beijing's increasing aggression in the South China Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos declared that his nation would not cede "a single square inch of our territory". The comments were made on Sunday at a symposium in Hawaii, and they were made just a few days after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Filipino President Marcos met outside of the Asia-Pacific meeting in San Francisco, where they talked about the maritime territorial disputes between their two nations. A warning that China's military had "started to show interest" in constructing bases on reefs that were "closer and closer to…

Ten "embo" barangays will now fall under the authority of the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Taguig City field office instead of its Makati City branch. Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos instructed the National Barangay Operations Office to send a note to DILG-Taguig transferring the coverage of the ten enlisted men's barrio, or "embo" barangays. According to Abalos, the office shall suggest suitable policies to guarantee the unhindered operations of the 10 barangays and offer technical support to the DILG-National Capital Region Office to ensure a smooth transfer. The barangays of Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper…