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UPI
11 hours ago
- Business
- UPI
Philippine President Marcos meeting with Trump at White House
July 22 (UPI) -- Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Tuesday to discuss U.S. tariffs and threats from China. The first such meeting by an Association of Southeast Asian Nations head of state with Trump since his return to the U.S. presidency, Marcos is expected to utilize his nation's strong relationship with the United States to improve the trade deal between the two countries. "The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States alliance, to proactively engage the U.S. in all aspects of the relations, and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation," said Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano in a press release. The Philippines, one of the many countries who face a tariff hike on Aug. 1, will be subject to a 20% levy as per the letter Trump sent out earlier this month. "We hope, of course, to arrive at a bilateral trade agreement or a deal on reciprocal trade that is mutually acceptable, mutually beneficial for both our countries," Solano added. Marcos' visit has also focused on defense and security, which was discussed Monday as he visited the Pentagon. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Marcos, and in a Defense Department press release, it was stated the two "reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and discussed shared security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as recent advances in the long-standing U.S.-Philippines alliance." "Our storied alliance has never been stronger or more essential than it is today," said Hegseth in the release. "Together, we remain committed to the mutual defense treaty." "And this pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our Coast Guard, anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea," continued Hegseth. Marcos also met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said in an X post Monday that they discussed "how the [United States] and the Philippines are strengthening our ironclad Alliance to advance our shared safety, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific." As for any meeting with representatives of the American Filipino community, the press release notes Marcos won't be able to, due to his tight schedule.
Filipino Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
China sanctions former senator Francis Tolentino over West Philippine Sea stance
China has announced sanctions on former Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino, citing what it described as his 'egregious conduct on China-related issues,' the Chinese foreign ministry said Tuesday. The move comes just one day after Tolentino's term in office officially ended. The specific details of the sanctions were not disclosed by Beijing, but such measures typically involve travel bans, asset freezes, or restrictions on doing business with Chinese entities. The announcement marks a new flashpoint in the already tense maritime dispute between the two countries over the West Philippine Sea, part of the broader South China Sea conflict. The Philippine embassy in Beijing has yet to issue a statement on the matter. In a swift and defiant response, Tolentino issued a statement rejecting China's sanctions and reaffirming his commitment to defending the Philippines' maritime rights. 'I acknowledge the sanctions imposed on me by China for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea,' Tolentino said. 'I have fought — and will continue to fight — for what rightfully belongs to our nation. I stand firmly with the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and our brave fishermen who depend on these waters for their livelihood.' He added that the sanctions serve as a 'badge of honor' and a testament to his 'unwavering commitment' to protect the national interest. 'No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty. I am, and will always be, proud to be a Filipino,' Tolentino concluded. The sanctions come amid renewed tensions in the disputed waters, where China has continued to assert sweeping territorial claims, often clashing with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. The Philippine government has repeatedly protested Chinese incursions, and Tolentino had been a vocal figure in supporting maritime patrols and condemning aggressive actions by Chinese vessels. This latest development adds to growing concern in the region over China's use of diplomatic and economic pressure to influence domestic politics in neighboring countries. Analysts suggest Beijing's move may be intended to send a warning to other politicians in the Philippines who are critical of China's maritime activities. As of Tuesday evening, there has been no official response from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs or the Office of the President.
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, Chinese diplomats play sports in rare display of camaraderie amid sea disputes
"Every act of sportsmanship and every shared victory have brought us closer," Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said. (Photo from the FB post of Ambassador Huang) Filipino and Chinese diplomats played badminton and bowling Sunday in a rare display of camaraderie amid simmering tensions between the Philippines and China over years-long disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea. The day-long sports festival hosted by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in Tagaytay, a popular holiday destination south of Manila, was attended by several Chinese embassy staff and diplomats led by its Ambassador, Huang Xilliian, and more than a dozen from the DFA's Asia-Pacific Division headed by its Assistant Secretary, Evangeline Ong-Ducrocq. 'Glad to attend the ASPAC Friendlies together with my colleagues commemorating the 50th anniversary of CN-PH relations,' said Huang on Facebook. 'The bowling lanes and badminton courts were not just venues for friendly competition, but also arenas where joy was shared and friendship was deepened. Every act of sportsmanship and every shared victory have brought us closer. Let's work together for a better future. Mabuhay!' XXX (Photo from the FB post of Chinese Ambassador to PH Huang Xilian) June 9 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China. Several activities and cultural events in the Philippines and China were held this month to commemorate the occasion. Chinese Coast Guard, Navy and suspected militia ships have had an alarming number of confrontations with Philippine Coast Guard, Navy and Bureau of Fisheries patrol ships in the disputed waters, where Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei lay claims. China claims the South China Sea virtually in its entirety and has deployed much larger fleets of coast guard, navy and suspected maritime militia ships in the past years to assert that extensive claim against smaller claimant states. In 2012, former President Benigno Aquino III signed an administrative order renaming the stretch of waters in the South China Sea closer to the Philippines' western coast as West Philippine Sea. An international arbitration decision in 2016 ruled to invalidate China's territorial claims, but Beijing did not participate in the proceedings initiated by the Philippines and ignored the decision. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has developed closer military and defense ties with the U.S., its treaty ally, and other 'like-minded' states to strengthen the country's external defense, including in the West Philippine Sea. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
4 Filipinos in Israel injured amid retaliatory air strikes from Iran
Emergency personnel operate after missiles were launched from Iran to Israel, in Haifa, Israel, on June 15. PHOTO: REUTERS MANILA - At least four Filipinos were injured and brought to a hospital in Rehovot, Israel, following Iran's retaliatory air strikes, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on June 15 . 'Except for one, they are not in severe condition, however,' Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, citing information from the Philippine Embassy in Israel. Another Filipina is being sheltered in a hotel with her Israeli partner after her house in Ramat Gan sustained damage from an Iranian missile, he added. According to the DFA official, the embassy has sent teams to check on their condition and so far there are no new requests for repatriation from Filipinos in Iran. 'But there were already awaiting in the pipeline about 60 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Israel hoping to go home even before the current conflict with Iran. The DMW is in charge of them,' Mr De Vega said, referring to the Department of Migrant Workers. Filipinos in Israel, Iran According to data from the Philippine Embassy in Israel, there are about 31,000 Filipinos legally working and living in Israel, one of the largest groups of immigrant workers there. But estimates suggest that the number of Filipinos, including undocumented individuals, may reach 50,000. Many of them live in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, but sizeable numbers work in Beersheba, Netanya, Rehovot and Rishon LeZion. Over the weekend, Israeli rescue teams combed through the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by Iranian missile strikes, using flashlights and sniffer dogs to look for survivors after at least 10 people, including children, were killed, authorities said. According to the DFA, there are about 2,000 Filipinos living in Iran, mostly Filipinos married to Iranians. There were also around a dozen Filipino local government officials who were on a group visit when Israeli missiles struck on June 13 , but there has been no word yet about them. The Philippine government has repeatedly said it is on 'heightened alert' to assist Filipinos in warring countries, but has not announced steps to evacuate those who want to leave. THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Qatar Tribune
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar, Philippines hold round of political consultations
MANILA: The second round of political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Philippines was held in the Philippine capital, Manila. Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi chaired the Qatari side, while Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs HE Maria Theresa Lazaro, chaired the Philippine side. During the consultations, the two sides discussed relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to a number of topics of common interest. The round of political consultations was attended by Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Philippines HE Ahmed bin Saad Al Hamidi, and Acting Director of the Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Johara Yousef Al Obaidan Fakhro, along with the accompanying delegation.
