March 2019
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Chinese sea militia swarms around Pag-asa Island – military
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has monitored an extraordinary surge of vessels from a Chinese fishing fleet around Philippine-occupied islands in the West Philippine Sea this year. More than 600 Chinese fishing vessels have been recorded surrounding the sandbars of Pag-asa Island (Thitu) for the first quarter of 2019 alone. “Foreign […]
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Analyst: PH should separate economic ties, sea dispute with China
MANILA – The Philippines should separate its economic relations with China from their maritime row, an analyst said Saturday. Lyle Morris, a senior policy analyst of the RAND Corporation, said geopolitics and economics are not mutually inclusive. He said Manila can afford to have a stronger stance in the maritime dispute at the same time […]
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Duterte’s ‘soft stance’ vs China amounts to impeachable offense: opposition bets
Two opposition senatorial candidates at a forum Friday accused President Rodrigo Duterte of committing impeachable offenses for “letting China have its way” in the disputed South China Sea. A former presidential spokesperson present in the same forum was quick to defend the chief executive. https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/30/19/dutertes-soft-stance-vs-china-amounts-to-impeachable-offense-opposition-bets
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Patriot games
Antonio T. Carpio is arguably the most patriotic Filipino of the 21st century. His bona fides in nation building are unassailable. The esteemed career in the legal profession; in the Executive branch where, for his exemplary services, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit; and in the Judiciary with his long and distinguished tenure […]
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Diminished sovereignty
I DECIDED to support President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the fact that I did not vote for him and even if I have fundamental differences with his war on drugs. This is simply because I saw in his bravado, all captured in his crass, vulgar hyperboles, a man who had the courage to stand up to […]
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China is using debt traps to control the South China Sea
China’s One Belt One Road project and massive infrastructure loans are helping to weaken opposition to its claims in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is of critical importance to China which has created new islands through dredging for military bases, and consistently defended its claims despite protests and legal battles with other […]
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America Changes The Tone In South China Sea Disputes
America has assured the Philippines that it would come to that nation’s defense if it comes under attack in the South China Sea. That’s according to reports in early March, when Washington reaffirmed a defense code that Manila has sought to revise. And it’s something that could deter China’s aggression in the South China Sea, […]
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Yes, the Chinese loans are onerous
The Department of Finance (DOF) recently uploaded on its website a summary of infrastructure flagship projects funded in part through official development assistance, with signed agreements. It also uploaded all the loan agreements involved. Don’t roll your eyes just yet, Reader. This week a “controversy” arose between Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (whom I consider […]
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What about US war crimes?
I PROPOSE the question as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s counter charge against former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Morales-Carpio. The two erstwhile top officials of the Philippine government have lodged against the Chinese president a charge of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Fanned by the notorious […]
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Carpio just joking — Panelo
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Salvador Panelo yesterday downplayed the statement of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that China was monitoring his phone calls and emails. Panelo was among those who attended the 17th national convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Iloilo City on Thursday where Carpio delivered a lecture on the South […]