Senator Francis Tolentino is pushing to rename the Benham Rise as the Philippine Rise or “Talampas ng Pilipinas” to assert the country's sovereign rights over the resource-rich undersea plateau. Senator Francis Tolentino (Senate of the Philippines) In the Senate Bill No. 2235 he filed Monday,...
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Tuesday, May 18, that he does not see any real tension in the maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), adding that critics of the administration are making up the issue. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)...
A fisherfolk group on Tuesday, May 18, said the “submissive and mendicant" foreign policies of the Duterte administration have encouraged China to be more aggressive on its intrusion of the country’s marine territories. Photo of Chinese vessels spotted at the Julian Felipe Reef on March 27,...
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, May 17, said that China’s “might makes it right” on the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as he conceded that the Philippines cannot compete because it is not equal to the Asian giant. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his “Talk to...
Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday, May 16, President Duterte should not use the coronavirus pandemic as an “excuse” not to fight for the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. Speaking on her weekly radio show, Robredo stressed the president must take a serious...
President Duterte is using a "new script" as a damage control after calling his jet ski campaign promise a joke, Senator Leila de Lima said on Saturday, May 15. Senator Leila de Lima (Senate of the Philippines) The detained opposition senator accussed Duterte of "trying to fool again" the public...
Only one talking head, aside from the President, should be tasked to issue statements relating to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), lest officials make a mistake about their pronouncements. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (PNA/File photo) Senators gave the observation Wednesday, May 12,...
The Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea is part of the country’s territory, a maritime law expert said on Wednesday, May 12, debunking Presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s claims that it is not part of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Professor Jay Batongbacal, director...
The Philippines has claims over Julian Felipe Reef but has never been in possession of the area where hundreds of Chinese vessels were spotted last March, according of a Palace official. Chinese vessels have been spotted at the Julian Felipe Reef located within the Philippines' exclusive economic...
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday, May 11, said that China honors the status quo agreement with the Philippines, insisting that there were no reclaimed islands under the Duterte administration. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The Palace...
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Tuesday, May 11, that he knew President Duterte was only joking when the latter said he would ride a jet ski to assert the Philippines' sovereignty. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (Senate of the Philippines) Duterte addressed on Monday, May 10,...
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, May 11 urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lead discussions with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding the prolonged presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. Hontiveros said the DFA should start actively reaching...
