Day: March 8, 2025

Taguig City: All Philippine actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are solely based on national interest, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reaffirmed on Saturday to counter claims by China that they are part of a foreign-backed agenda. Manalo issued the reaction after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the country’s actions to assert its rights over the region as a ‘plot’ in some foreign force’s ‘screenplay’ to discredit China. According to Philippines News Agency, the issue over WPS, Manalo said, is being ‘cast in the light of the strategic rivalry among the big powers, when actually the issue is

Iloilo: Iloilo province topped the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) which ended Saturday, garnering the highest number of gold medals among the six provinces in the region. Dr. Oliver Servillon, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique sports coordinator, said in an interview that Iloilo collected a total of 227 gold, 170 silver, and 121 bronze medals. According to Philippines News Agency, Negros Occidental placed second, followed by Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and Guimaras. The medal tally of the runners-up was not available yet as of posting time. Negros Occidental clinched the Cleanest and Greenest Award, while Guimaras received

Quezon City: The Philippine government’s decision to fully ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) played a significant role in the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) gray list, as revealed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday. At the Saturday News Forum, DOJ Deputy State Prosecutor Deana Perez highlighted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s direct involvement in declaring the ban was pivotal. According to Philippines News Agency, Perez emphasized the importance of leadership in enforcing the ban, stating, “It’s a very big factor considering that it started from the top. It’s a high-level commitment to

Taguig City: The Philippines and the United Kingdom have signed a significant agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration in key sectors, including defense and trade. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and British Foreign Minister David Lammy MP formalized the ‘Philippines-UK Joint Framework’ in Taguig City. According to Philippines News Agency, since the launch of the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership in 2021, bilateral trade has reached 2.9 billion pounds, with the UK remaining a top investment partner for the Philippines. Lammy highlighted that the framework will facilitate increased cooperation in defense, regional security, trade, science and technology, and climate, among other areas, in