National

PCG says China Coast Guard acts vs PHL vessel on resupply mission to Ayungin unprovoked, a violation of int’l law

(Eagle News)–The Philippine Coast Guard condemned what it said were the Chinese Coast Guard’s “unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine supply Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.” PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil L. Gavan issued the statement as it released a video of a CCG vessel directing a water canon towards a resupply vessel on Nov. 10. The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said CCG vessel 5203 did […]

Chinese vessels in high-seas chase of Philippine boat with media

By Pam Castro and Jamillah Sta Rosa SOUTH CHINA SEA, Nov 11, 2023 (AFP) – As a Philippine Coast Guard rubber boat carrying journalists sped towards Filipino troops on a grounded navy vessel in the disputed South China Sea, three Chinese speed boats gave chase. The high-seas pursuit near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands on Friday ended when Philippine Navy inflatable speed boats deployed from the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre and blocked the […]

Maharlika Fund IRR revision made to give Board more independence: IRR review group member

(Eagle News)–The specific qualifications of Maharlika Investment Corp.’s officers were removed from the MIF implementing rules and regulations to give the Board of Directors “more independence.” This is according to Monetary Board Member and former Treasurer of the Philippines Rosalia De Leon, a member of the review group of the Maharlika Investment Fund Act’s IRR. President Bongbong Marcos had ordered the review of the Act’s initial IRR to ensure that safeguards are in place in […]

PBBM appoints new PRA general manager, two board members

(Eagle News)– The Presidential Communications Office has announced three new appointees to the Philippine Reclamation Authority. The PCOO said Cesar S. Siador Jr. has been appointed as general manager and chief executive officer. Apart from Siador, Alexander T. Lopez and Anthony Peter D. Crisologo shall serve as members of the board of directors. The PRA, formerly known as the Public Estates Authority, serves as the clearing house of all reclamation projects in the Philippines.

PHL, Timor-Leste agree to collaborate in fields of civilian commercial aviation, education

Also agree to work on social security pact for professionals (Eagle News) — The Philippines and Timor-Leste have agreed to work together in the fields of civilian commercial aviation and education,  and on a social security agreement for professionals. President Bongbong Marcos announced the agreed-upon reconvening of policy consultations to be hosted by Timor-Leste in the near future  in a joint press briefing following a bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta on Friday, Nov. […]

Philippines accuses China of ‘dangerous’ actions in South China Sea

  MANILA, Nov 10, 2023 (AFP) – The Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard Friday of “dangerous harassment” of Filipino boats in the disputed South China Sea, including firing a water cannon. The latest incident near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands comes nearly three weeks after two collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to the same tiny garrison. The countries, which have a long history of maritime disputes in […]

President Bongbong Marcos: 56 more Filipinos have left Gaza

(Eagle News) — Fifty-six more Filipinos have left Gaza amid the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. According to President Bongbong Marcos, this “brings the total to 98 out of the 137 originally in Gaza, now en route to Cairo.” He said of the 98 Filipinos, 34 have boarded their flight to Qatar and will arrive in Manila later at 4:30 p.m. “The safe journey of our nationals is of utmost importance, and […]

PHL economy posts 5.9% growth in third quarter of 2023

(Eagle News) — The Philippine economy posted a growth of 5.9 percent in the third quarter of 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Thursday, Nov. 9. According to the National Economic and Development Authority, this makes the Philippines the fastest-growing economy among major emerging economies in Asia that have released their third-quarter Gross Domestic Product data. Vietnam’s growth for the same period was at 5.3%, Indonesia’s and China’s at 4.9%, and Malaysia’s at 3.3%, […]

Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta arrives in PHL for official visit

(Eagle News) — Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta arrived in the country on Wednesday, Nov. 8, for his official visit. According to the Presidential Communications Office, he was warmly welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Belinda Ante and Manila International Airport Authority Assistant General Manager Manuel Gonzales upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) around 2 p.m. The PCO said Ramos-Horta will meet President Bongbong Marcos on Friday, November […]

President Bongbong Marcos to attend APEC Leaders’ Summit in US from Nov. 15-17

(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Summit in San Francisco, California from Nov. 15 to 17, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. “As we all know, the Philippines is a founding member in 1989. APEC is important to the Philippines because it is the primary forum for our engagement with the other economies on the Asia Pacific region,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles Jose said. Jose added that 11 of the […]

PHL inflation eases to 4.9% in October

(Eagle News)–Overall inflation in the Philippines eased to 4.9% in October, slower than the 6.1% reported the month before,  the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Tuesday, Nov. 7. According to the PSA, with the figure,  the national average inflation from January to October 2023 is 6.4 percent. “The downtrend in the overall inflation in October 2023 was primarily brought about by the slower year-on-year increase in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 7.0 percent […]

Killing of Philippine radio broadcaster caught on camera

MANILA, Philippines, Nov 5, 2023 (AFP) – A radio broadcaster was fatally shot inside his studio in the Philippines on Sunday, police said, the latest in a long list of journalists killed in the country. Juan Jumalon, 57, was in his home-based studio on the southern island of Mindanao when a gunman shot him in the head, said Captain Deore Ragonio, police chief in Calamba municipality. Jumalon is the fourth journalist to be slain since […]