China continues to push its narrative that it controls Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea by demanding that the Philippines remove its manned outpost there, but Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is having none of it.
In a statement, Lorenzana echoed the Philippine government's assertion that Ayungin Shoal is well within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone or EEZ.
“Our EEZ was awarded to us by the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas) which China ratified. China should abide by its international obligations that it is part of,” he said.
The Philippine outpost that China wants removed is the BRP Sierra Madre. The repurposed World War II-era vessel was intentionally ran aground in the shoal in 1999 to mark the country’s territory.
Earlier this week, the Philippines successfully managed to resupply its troops aboard Sierra Madre by sending supply boats. The resupply mission was halted last week when the boats were "blocked and water cannoned" by Chinese Coast Guard vessels in what the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila has described as an "illegal act".
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) has refused to declare the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country as "under control", saying that more evaluation is needed.
This, despite the huge plunge in new daily COVID-19 cases, especially when compared to the previous quarter. The country has also recorded fewer than 1,000 fresh cases of COVID-19 for the past two days.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a longer period is needed to assess the local COVID-19 situation.
These are among the top stories this busy Thursday afternoon, November 25, 2021.
1) PH COVID-19 Update: 975 new cases; 1,029 new recoveries; 193 new deaths
2) ELECTION 2022
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/65-5-million-registered-voters-so-far-comelec/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/comelec-to-hold-mock-polls-in-december/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/refurbishment-of-vcms-almost-done-comelec/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/vp-leni-inspired-lugaw-trucks-will-go-around-cavite-lugaw-a-symbol-of-unity-says-robredo/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/go-having-second-thoughts-on-his-presidential-bid/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/sara-uniteam-alliance-built-on-friendship-trust-and-commitment-to-serve/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/marcos-unity-among-parties-potent-tool-vs-political-tumult-national-crisis/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/mayor-isko-launches-official-campaign-website-tayosiisko-com/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/all-blue-wave-caravans-postponed-during-holiday-season-team-isko/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/pdea-restricted-by-law-to-release-political-bets-drug-test-results/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/mayor-isko-says-he-took-voluntary-drug-test-in-support-of-dutertes-drug-war/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/four-political-parties-forge-uniteam-alliance-pact-for-bongbong-sara-tandem/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/lacson-sotto-tandem-strongest-pair-among-2022-national-elections-aspirants/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/comelec-stands-by-extension-given-to-marcos-camp-petitioners-firm-on-objection/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/mayor-isko-tests-negative-for-illegal-drugs/
3) Ayungin Shoal issue
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/leni-kiko-want-ph-govt-to-stand-firm-on-ayungin-west-ph-sea/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/senators-slam-china-for-demanding-removal-of-ph-ship-from-ayungin-shoal/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/lorenzana-rejects-chinas-demand-for-ph-to-remove-ship-at-ayungin-shoal/
4) Booster shots update
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/can-fully-vaccinated-individuals-who-had-breakthrough-infections-receive-covid-19-booster-shots/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/ph-already-administers-over-100k-covid-19-vaccine-booster-shots-doh/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/vaccine-expert-explains-why-she-chose-sinovac-vaccine-as-booster-shot/
5) DepEd is most trust agency amid pandemic
6) Environment Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/denr-ensures-forest-protection-to-fight-climate-change/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/ecowaste-flags-sale-of-baby-wipes-containing-hazardous-chemical/
7) Weather Update
8) Judiciary Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/human-rights-group-lauds-couples-acquittal-of-illegal-possession-of-firearms-explosives/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/ex-presidential-adviser-michael-yang-asks-sc-to-nullify-senate-committees-arrest-orders/
9) Lawmakers' Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/hontiveros-sponsors-bill-reinforcing-law-vs-human-trafficking/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/go-says-duterte-always-has-final-say-in-senators-suggestions/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/gatchalian-calls-out-suc-rejection-of-qualified-students-to-free-college/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/hontiveros-maintains-senate-powers-well-settled-in-law-and-jurisprudence/
10) Taal Volcano Update
11) Fuel subsidy expansion?
12) Stop terrorists from arming up
13) Business Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/spnec-to-attract-investors-and-partners-with-vast-landholdings/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/doe-asked-to-rescind-approval-of-malampaya-stake-sale-to-udenna/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/fgens-contest-draws-interesting-climate-change-solutions/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/yvonne-yuchengco-hailed-as-woman-leader-at-2021-asia-insurance-awards/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/mexican-president-names-first-woman-cb-chief/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/ph-israel-boosting-two-way-tourism/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/dti-launches-flexphridays-to-support-local-businesses/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/govt-budget-deficit-widens-in-oct/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/airasia-ph-activates-15-of-workforce-in-dec/
14) Metro Manila Round-up
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/fire-hits-ship-at-navotas-fish-port/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/valenzuela-city-govt-starts-giving-booster-shots-to-senior-citizens-immunocompromised-individuals/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/mayor-emi-gives-financial-assistance-to-kin-of-tricycle-drivers/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/2000-frontliners-get-covid-booster-shots-in-pasig/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/nearly-20000-minors-vaccinated-in-muntinlupa/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/san-juan-lgu-leads-barangay-hall-groundbreaking-distributes-year-end-bonus-to-employees/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/sana-all-bacoor-working-student-returns-p7900-left-at-atm/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/taguig-lgu-starts-giving-booster-shots-to-senior-citizens-persons-with-comorbidities/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/bulacan-logs-zero-covid-death-declining-cases/
15) Provincial Round-up
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/family-in-mindoro-settles-bbm-leni-tarpaulin-dispute/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/cebu-offers-rice-vitamins-to-vaccinees-during-3-day-natl-vax-drive/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/5-year-old-boy-getting-invites-to-play-piano-at-weddings/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/yellow-warning-alert-up-in-agusan-sur/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/sara-we-have-a-moral-obligation-to-ensure-a-safe-world-for-women-and-girls/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/biff-field-commander-5-followers-yield-in-maguindanao/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/non-essential-gatherings-remain-prohibited-in-davao-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/25/worker-dies-as-passenger-van-plows-homes-in-maguindanao/