President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, May 24, said he was happy with his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
China on Monday, May 22, sidestepped claims by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte that it had threatened to go to war over the disputed South China Sea.
Read more: China sidesteps Duterte claim of war threat over sea row
MOSCOW -- Bilateral agreements between the Philippines and Russia will still be signed despite President Duterte’s abrupt departure to attend to terror attacks in Marawi City, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two countries can deal on trade, energy machinery, transport infrastructure and military, Putin said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, May 22, showed off a Filipino-designed watch, which he will be wearing during his official visit to Russia.
Read more: Duterte urges gov’t officials to wear Filipino-made products
From now on, Benham Rise will be known as Philippine Rise. President Duterte, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, signed last week an executive order (EO) changing the name of Benham Rise, a resource-rich submerged landmass off the eastern coast of the Philippines, to Philippine Rise.
Philippine authorities have banned hanging rosaries and religious icons off car dashboards because of safety concerns, prompting an outcry from the Catholic Church which insists they offer divine intervention on the nation’s chaotic roads.
BEIJING -- A framework agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea marks a potentially significant step toward cooling tensions in the strategic waterway, analysts said Friday, May 19.
Read more: Draft a sign of progress on South China Sea code of conduct
UN children’s agency Unicef joined the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela campaign with a message to ensure that all children enjoy their right to learn. This year’s Brigada Eskwela theme calls for a united effort and shared community responsibility in making schools ready and safe for children.
Read more: Unicef pushes bid for kids’ right to learn during Brigada Eskwela kick-off
President Duterte’s forging close relations with Russia, which opens the door for improved defense and economic partnership between the two countries, shows he is a pragmatist who would cultivate ties with any country that would help the Philippines, according to political analyst Clarita Carlos.
The government would need an initial P5 billion to kick-start efforts to protect and conserve the country’s vast marine resources at Benham Rise, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.