The Philippines and China have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on the long-awaited ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea this year as both countries sought to sustain dialogue despite continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The commitment was made...
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "serious concern" over the evolving situation in the Middle East, following renewed hostilities involving the United States and Iran. In a statement, the ASEAN foreign ministers highlighted the regional bloc’s...
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro encouraged fellow ministers to continue cooperating with each other, stressing that it is no longer just a choice, but a necessity. In her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers '...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers ' Meeting (AMM) in Manila this week, days after the Philippines formally protested China Daily 's publication of...
The Philippines has rejected criticism that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s engagement with Myanmar 's military-backed government marked a departure from the regional bloc 's peace efforts, insisting its approach remains firmly anchored in ASEAN 's Five-Point...
Local government units (LGUs) showed a significant jump in the number of loan requests in May 2026 compared to a year ago, with the total financing amount increasing to ₱4 billion as borrowing efforts—which were put on hold during the 2025 midterm election period—surged back. The latest...
A legal victory may be handed down in a courtroom. Ensuring that it continues to shape international discourse requires diplomacy. That was the message behind the Philippines’ commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. Rather than simply marking the...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro brushed aside Chinese academics ' claims that Batanes belongs to China, saying the Philippine government deals with official state positions rather than the views of individual scholars. Responding to questions about the...
The Philippines firmly declared that the landmark 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is "not subject to negotiation or compromise," as it marked the ruling 's 10th anniversary and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the country 's maritime rights through international law. Speaking at...
The Philippines and Canada are set to elevate their bilateral relations through a strategic partnership that will deepen cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said. In an interview...
Filipinos are known for taking hygiene seriously, and science backs it up. According to a recent study by Seasia Stats, a digital-focused media company, the Philippines ranks fourth among countries whose citizens shower the most frequently, with Filipinos averaging 11 showers per week. Considering...
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro reaffirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) remains the primary agency responsible for implementing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 's foreign policy, stressing that the Philippines must "speak with one voice" in its engagement with...
