MANILA, March 22 — On 1 March 2017, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) circulated to the public the 1-piso ASEAN 2017 commemorative coins. The coin was officially unveiled by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. during the launch of the Philippines’ ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship on 15 January 2017 in Davao City. The issuance of the ASEAN commemorative coin aims to promote greater public awareness and interest on the Philippines’ […]
ASEAN IN FOCUS
Philippines, Thailand renew commitments during President Duterte visit
(Eagle News) — The Philippines and Thailand renewed their commitment to respecting the rights of countries and the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, saying doing so was “in the interest of all countries within and outside the region.” The renewal of their commitment was stated in a joint statement read in English by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is on a three-day official visit in Thailand. Prior to Thailand, Duterte was […]
President Duterte now in Thailand for 3-day official visit
(Eagle News) – After his two-day visit to Myanmar, President Duterte is now in Thailand for his three-day official visit, thus completing his tour of the nine other member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the Philippines takes the ASEAN chairmanship this year. The 71-year-old Philippine leader arrived at the Royal Thai Airforce Military Air Terminal 2 on Tuesday dawn, March 21, (11:47 p.m. Monday, March 20 Philippine time), accompanied by members of […]
President Duterte meets with Myanmar President Htin Kyaw and state counsellor Suu Kyi
(Eagle News) — Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte met with Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw at the Presidential Palace in his first official visit in Myanmar, which is expected to forge deeper bilateral ties between the two countries. The President also met on Monday with state counsellor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi for 30 minutes, where he presented $300,000 as humanitarian support for the persecuted Rohingya people, capping his two-day official […]
PH shows the best of MSME products at ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meet
CENTRAL VISAYAS, March 17 (PIA) — The Go Lokal store project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showcased outstanding Filipino products from 18 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings on March 8 to 10 in Pasay City, Manila. DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez is hoping that this initiative will continue and will also be visible in the succeeding ASEAN-related events in the different […]
President Duterte set to go to Myanmar, Thailand
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to go to two neighboring Asian countries. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Duterte and his entourage will first leave for Nay Pyi Daw in Myanmar on Sunday. There he will meet with President U Htin Kyaw and Nobel Peace Prize awardee Aung San Suu Kyi. On Monday, they will then proceed to Bangkok, Thailand. In a statement, the Presidential Communications Operations Office said during Duterte’s two-day official […]
China says it “fully respects” Philippines’ rights on Benham Rise
(Eagle News) — China said it “fully respects the Philippines’ rights to the continental shelf of Benham Rise” and clarified that it has no intention of challenging these rights. This was China’s latest statement on the issue of Benham Rise coming from its foreign ministry amid various reports on the issue that seemed to try to put the Philippines and China at odds over this. “I’m willing to reiterate that China fully respects the Philippines’ […]
PH secures economic priorities in ASEAN
PARAÑAQUE CITY, March 11 (PIA) — The Philippines successfully advocated its trade priorities in ASEAN as the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings ended on March 10. The Department of Trade and Industry led by Secretary Ramon Lopez secured endorsements from ASEAN Economic Ministers on the timely realization of Philippine priority deliverables for 2017. “Aside from championing our trade agenda as a country, we are also able to advance […]
ASEAN-EU free trade agreement back; better trade relations seen by EU trade envoy
The European Union is seeing increased impetus around the world to move forward with Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the bloc, which will make the most of uncertainty over future U.S. trade policy, the EU’s trade envoy said on Friday (March 10) “We are willing to do good trade agreements. There’s rising protectionism across the world today and those of us who believe in other solutions, so we feel a need to stand up,” […]
Najib: Malaysia has no plans of cutting diplomatic ties with North Korea
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) — Malaysia has no plans of cutting diplomatic ties with North Korea after a rise in tensions that led to reciprocal travel bans, soon after the half-brother of the North’s leader was killed in Kuala Lumpur. North Korea barred Malaysians from leaving the country on Tuesday (March 7), sparking tit-for-tat action by Malaysia in a growing row over the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim […]
DepEd, PCOO campaign for ASEAN community awareness
PASIG CITY – Around 1,800 elementary and high school students have participated in the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) information drive led by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in Malay, Aklan. This ASEAN information drive aims to raise the awareness of students about the ASEAN community and the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017. Aside from the students, Heyograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika (HEKASI) and Araling Panlipunan (AP) […]
Malaysia PM says citizens ‘effectively hostages’ in N. Korea
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysian citizens are effectively being held hostage in North Korea, the prime minister said Tuesday after Pyongyang banned them from leaving the country in a row over the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam. “This abhorrent act, effectively holding our citizens hostage, is in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms,” Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a statement. © Agence France-Presse