The national government's debt soared to a new record high of ₱16.63 trillion at the end of the first two months of 2025, putting pressure on its capability to repay obligations. The latest Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data released on Tuesday, April 1, showed that outstanding obligations as...
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has obtained a total of ₱65.43 billion in loans from Japan to fast-track the roll-out of infrastructure projects and provide budget support for climate change and health programs. The loan agreements for five projects and programs to be funded by Japan’s...
The Philippines declined by one notch to ninth place among the most attractive foreign destinations for Japanese investors in 2024, according to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). In a March 21 publication, JBIC said its latest survey report on overseas business operations by...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo highlighted the importance of rule of law and multilateral cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region during a discussion with Raisina Young Fellows on Tuesday, March 18. DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking up to $500 million from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to facilitate its project to reduce post-harvest losses and bolster rice production. DA Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said details on the proposed funding...
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon formally opened on Tuesday, March 11, the Slovenian Embassy in Manila, making it the first and only Slovenian embassy in the Southeast Asian region. (Seated, from left) DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac and Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon sign a...
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will be in the Philippines starting Monday, March 10, to meet with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manila to further enhance the two countries’ bilateral cooperation on various sectors, including trade and maritime cooperation, the...
(L-R) Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. hold a bilateral meeting in Makati City on Feb. 24, 2025. (Photo: Martin Sadongdong / MANILA BULLETIN) (UPDATED STORY) The Philippines and Japan committed to bring their...
The Philippines and the United Kingdom are working to conclude new agreements in maritime, defense, and trade, among others, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro said. UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific...
Members of the Philippine Army and United States Army enhance interoperability during the Balikatan exercise. (Juan Carlo de Vela/MANILA BULLETIN) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is optimistic that President Donald Trump's decision to suspend the United States’ foreign development...
FOR MONDAY Japan's aid arm is urging more job-generating and value-adding investments in the Philippines' agriculture sector so the domestic vegetable industry can meet the country's food security needs while also tapping into a wealth of business opportunities. Takema Sakamoto, chief...
(From left) Stratbase Institute President Prof. Dindo Manhit, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Australian Acting Ambassador and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Dr. Moya Collett, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Indonesian Ambassador Agus Widjojo, Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh, and European...
