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Philippines hopes hosting brings Asean closer to Filipinos

Philippines hopes hosting brings Asean closer to Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Resetting the Philippines’ global image is the key priority for this year’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, but for business leaders, dispelling the notion that the event is only for the elite is just as important. Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) chair Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III […]... Keep on reading: Philippines hopes hosting brings Asean closer to Filipinos

Go confident on BOC hitting P1-trillion revenue goal in 2026

Go confident on BOC hitting P1-trillion revenue goal in 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Frederick Go expressed confidence that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) will finally reach its P1.003-trillion target this year, a long-elusive goal that the agency says it is ready to tackle. The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) trimmed the BOC’s revenue target for 2026 from P1.013 trillion. This followed […]... Keep on reading: Go confident on BOC hitting P1-trillion revenue goal in 2026

Including the private sector in governance

Including the private sector in governance

MANILA, Philippines — For agriculture to succeed, private-sector participation in governance is necessary. This was demonstrated last Feb. 10 to Feb. 11 during the meeting of the elected 19 regional and 13 sectoral committee chairs of the legislated public-private Philippine Council of Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF). These chairs discussed the results of the monitoring […]... Keep on reading: Including the private sector in governance

Carpio urges gov’t to sustain West PH Sea transparency push

Carpio urges gov’t to sustain West PH Sea transparency push

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has called on the government to sustain its transparency initiative in addressing China’s maritime actions, arguing that only consistent global exposure can build the international backing the Philippines needs in the South China Sea. Carpio made the remarks when asked to comment on differing statements from the military and the Philippine Coast Guard and those from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding developments in the West Philippine Sea. While security agencies have openly backed the transparency initiative, the DFA has leaned toward a more traditional diplomatic approach. READ: Hontiveros to […]... Keep on reading: Carpio urges gov’t to sustain West PH Sea transparency push

DILG-Chinese Embassy talks aim to defuse row

DILG-Chinese Embassy talks aim to defuse row

(UPDATE) THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has begun discussions with the Chinese Embassy in Manila to explore ways to ease mounting tensions between the Philippines and China. Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he met Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Feb. 12 to exchange views on strengthening peace and order, with a particular focus on ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens in the country and expanding cooperation in law enforcement and cultural exchanges. Remulla made it clear that the talks were confined to confidence-building measures, and did not include territorial disputes involving the Kalayaan Group of Islands. “We did not discuss Kalayaan. What we talked about was how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries, and a lot of that has to do with cultural exchanges,” Remulla said. “There are many areas where we can help each other in law enforcement and in maintaining peace and order. That was the extent of our discussion. As far as Kalayaan is concerned, we did not talk about it,” he said. Remulla, however, reiterated the Philippines’ position on the disputed maritime features. “It is within Philippine territorial waters. It is our sovereign right to occupy those islands. Plain and simple,” he said. The diplomatic engagement came as former diplomat and geopolitical analyst Adolfo “Ka Ado” Paglinawan warned that flawed interpretations of international maritime law by prominent legal figures could weaken the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea. Speaking at a forum organized by the based Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, Paglinawan accused retired Supreme Court justices Antonio Carpio and Adolfo Azcuna of misrepresenting key provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) by promoting what he described as a misleading theory of “automatic” maritime entitlements. Paglinawan was reacting to recent online remarks by Carpio and Azcuna, where they dismissed Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s legal arguments and reiterated that a coastal state does not need to publish geographical coordinates to assert its exclusive economic zone. Paglinawan said Carpio’s reliance on Articles 76 and 77 of Unclos — which recognize inherent rights over the continental shelf — was incomplete without reference to Articles 74 and 75, which require states with overlapping maritime claims to negotiate boundaries and publish official coordinates. “Automatic entitlement alone is not enough,” Paglinawan said, stressing that Article 74 obliges states to pursue delimitation agreements or provisional arrangements where claims overlap. Without formally defined and publicly deposited coordinates, Philippine maritime claims remain legally weak, diplomatically vulnerable and difficult to enforce, he said. “Without defined coordinates, a claim cannot be objectively tested, peacefully contested, or credibly defended,” he said, quoting Washington-based international lawyer Arnedo Valera. Paglinawan also rejected Carpio’s assertion that satellite-based GPS measurements are sufficient, saying this oversimplifies enforcement and ignores Unclos requirements for official charts and published boundaries. Linking the legal debate to recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea, Paglinawan said the Philippines’ assertion of “automatic” rights without negotiated delimitations has contributed to confrontations at sea, including blockades, water cannon incidents and boarding operations. He defended Marcoleta’s call for a legislative review of maritime laws, saying it was intended to strengthen enforcement and diplomacy, not to score political points. Paglinawan also questioned Republic Act 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, authored by former senator Francis Tolentino, claiming it contains internal contradictions and may conflict with both Unclos and the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines. Failure to address these legal gaps, he warned, could further weaken the country’s maritime position and expose it to greater external pressure from major powers involved in regional disputes. While Remulla’s meeting with Chinese officials focused on de-escalation and cooperation, Paglinawan said long-term stability would ultimately depend not only on diplomatic engagement but also on the Philippines’ ability to anchor its maritime claims in clear, precise and internationally defensible legal boundaries. In a related development, the Chinese Embassy on Friday clapped back against calls by some Filipino lawmakers to declare a Chinese diplomat persona non grata. In a sharply worded statement, embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng questioned the motives behind the “posturing” by certain senators who have been pressing for the recall of what they termed an “aggressive and sensitive” Chinese ambassador. Ji did not name the senators, but Senate President Vicente Sotto III has been quoted as saying, “When someone triggers you to react, and you do not, it’s annoying!” Ji said it was unclear who was truly “triggering” whom. He noted that while there was an “anti-China resolution” and public calls to declare a Chinese diplomat persona non grata, the embassy’s response was consistent with how diplomatic missions normally address issues concerning their country. “But when the Chinese Embassy responds as any normal embassy would, some senators can’t get over that,” he said. He cast doubt on whether the senators advocating the diplomat’s recall even had the authority to carry out such a move. Under Philippine law and diplomatic practice, the power to declare a foreign envoy persona non grata rests with the executive branch, not the legislature. “Who do they think they are? Do they even have the capability?” Ji said, adding that repeated calls for recall amounted to “always posturing, always bluffing.” He questioned whether the lawmakers believed their statements would intimidate Beijing. “Who exactly are they trying to intimidate and threaten? Do they really think anyone is scared? Is this supposed to be impressive? Does anyone actually buy it? Is that what they call ‘respect’?” Ji said. He warned that any serious downgrading of diplomatic relations between Manila and Beijing could impact on trade, tourism and employment. “Any serious damage to diplomatic relations, including downgrading of those relations, would cost millions of jobs,” he said. China remains one of the Philippines’ largest trading partners and a major source of imports, infrastructure financing and pre-pandemic tourist arrivals. Ji concluded his statement with a pointed appeal for what he described as a more responsible approach to foreign policy. “When it comes to serious diplomatic affairs, some politicians behave like children playing house,” he said. “Could they at least try to act like adults? If they don’t understand how diplomacy works, they can learn. Spouting nonsense only exposes their ignorance and arrogance that seems to come from nowhere.”

Padilla: Duterte bloc in Senate minority solid

Padilla: Duterte bloc in Senate minority solid

SEN. Robinhood Padilla on Thursday brushed aside speculation that he and fellow lawmaker Bong Go may cross over to the Senate majority, saying that such a move is “unlikely.” Padilla made the statement when asked if anyone from the majority bloc had approached him and Go about switching sides. The senator responded rhetorically, questioning how they could join a group that includes senators with whom they have long-standing political differences, such as Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan. Padilla said he has no personal issues with them, but their divergent political views make a coalition improbable. “We simply have different political positions,” he said He reiterated that he, Senators Go and Ronald Dela Rosa remain firmly aligned with former president Rodrigo Duterte, describing their group as “solid Duterte” within the minority bloc. Padilla also downplayed persistent rumors of a leadership shake-up in the Senate. He said no one has approached him regarding a coup, adding that as a neophyte senator, he may not yet be in a position to be consulted on sensitive political maneuvers. “I am new here. Perhaps I have not yet reached the point where I would be advised about such matters,” Padilla said. Padilla also disclosed that minority senators in the Blue Ribbon Committee will not sign the panel’s partial committee report on the controversial flood control projects. The draft report is still going through revisions, including the removal of the phrase “to be charged” in reference to senators implicated in the alleged anomalies. According to Padilla, the minority bloc has its own report, “and that is what we will sign.” He stressed the importance of unity within the bloc, noting that they will stand by the position of minority floor leader, Alan Peter Cayetano. An earlier “minority report” on the flood control inquiry released by Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Imee Marcos was dismissed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III as a “PR or media report.” The controversy over the flood control projects has further exposed divisions within the Senate, as the majority and minority groups come up with their own narratives.

Duterte wants drug war victims’ lawyers disqualified

Duterte wants drug war victims’ lawyers disqualified

THE defense team of former president Rodrigo Duterte has requested the disqualification of the three lawyers for drug war victims in his International Criminal Court case, citing their failure to disclose prior association with Philippine government entities constitutes conflict of interest that undermines the fairness of proceedings. In a public redacted filing dated Feb. 11, Duterte lawyers asked Pre-Trial Chamber I to revoke the appointments of Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres and Nicolene Arcaina — the latter recently appointed as case manager for the victims’ legal team. The defense argues that Arcaina’s previous employment at CenterLaw Philippines, where she worked alongside Butuyan and Andres, overlapped with a period in which the organization had contact with the government official whose name has been redacted in the filing. According to the filing, Butuyan and Andres were given access to the official’s case materials before the defense raised inquiries on Jan. 30. The defense also alleged that the two lead representatives gave “evasive” responses when asked whether they or their associates had been in contact with the official or had represented individuals who may have been connected in the case against Duterte. Butuyan replied on Feb. 3 that he was “not under any obligation” to answer. The defense argued that even if no formal impediment to representation is found, Arcaina’s simultaneous roles as case manager for victims and the official create an inherent conflict. The filing contends that the arrangement allows individuals outside the prosecution’s disclosure framework to access potentially exculpatory material. “The resulting web creates an objective appearance of bias incompatible with the integrity of the proceedings,” the filing stated. The defense noted that neither Butuyan nor Andres informed the Chamber of the relevant facts, nor did they take steps to terminate Arcaina’s appointment — instead actively promoting it. All three lawyers were appointed by the Chamber on Jan. 26, alongside a counsel from the Office of Public Counsel for Victims, following a Registry report whose proposed names were initially redacted. The defense had previously voiced concern about Butuyan’s involvement, citing public comments they said demonstrated preconceived views on Duterte’s guilt. The Chamber rejected a defense request on Feb. 6 seeking disclosure of the Common Legal Representatives of Victims’ (CLRVs) full team composition. Butuyan confirmed Arcaina’s appointment on the evening of Feb. 10 notifying the Chamber the following morning. The defense has requested that the Chamber immediately suspend the CLRVs’ access to the case record pending a determination on the disqualification request, and that their appointments be revoked.

Planner helps pop-up marriage proposals

Planner helps pop-up marriage proposals

FOR many couples, the question “Will you marry me?” is no longer delivered in private and left at that. It has become an immersive event — personal, intentional and often theatrical. This was the observation Carmela Denise Alcordo — founder and creative of M Proposals MNL — shared with The Manila Times in an interview ahead of Valentine’s Day. “Proposals today have become more personal and experience-driven,” she said. “It’s no longer just about how grand the surprise is. It’s about how meaningful it feels.” Alcordo established her full-service proposal-planning company in 2017 after noticing a gap in the local industry: while weddings were meticulously planned, proposals were often left to chance. From grand public spectacles to intimate, private setups, the company works closely with clients — most of whom are men, though LGBTQ+ partners are also served — to design proposals that reflect each couple’s story. “The process begins with consultation and a detailed onboarding questionnaire that extracts specifics about the relationship: how the couple met, shared interests, milestones and dynamics,” Alcordo said. Roughly 70 percent of clients, the creative director noted, come in without a clear plan. They rely on the team’s expertise to conceptualize and execute a proposal aligned with their relationship. The remaining 30 percent arrive with highly specific ideas, ranging from flash mobs to public mall activations. In both cases, the emphasis remains on narrative. “Every proposal now tells its own love story — raw, genuine and intentional,” she said. The experiential turn gained momentum after the Covid-19 pandemic. Alcordo observed a surge in organic inquiries once restrictions eased, attributing it to a broader cultural shift. For many partners, investing in a well-planned proposal is a visible expression of gratitude and commitment. The effort itself — sometimes months in the making — becomes part of the message: a demonstration that the moment was carefully considered. At the same time, modern proposals reflect changing attitudes toward consent and communication. M Proposals MNL asks clients directly whether marriage has been discussed and mutually agreed upon. The element of surprise remains, but not at the expense of clarity. “It should be mutual,” Alcordo said. “We don’t want to damage the relationship.” Yet tradition persists. Many clients still seek parental blessing before confirming a proposal date, blending contemporary personalization with long-standing Filipino customs. Geographically, proposals have expanded beyond Metro Manila. While based in the capital, the company now maintains teams in Cebu, Boracay and Palawan, catering to local and foreign couples who incorporate vacations into their engagement plans. December through February marks peak season, coinciding with anniversaries, holiday gatherings and Valentine’s celebrations. Alcordo said proposal packages start at P30,000 and can include setup, documentation and, just recently, engagement ring acquisition. The amount might surprise others, but Alcordo said, clients themselves would often tell her: “You cannot put a price on love.” Some concepts push creative boundaries. One recent proposal unfolded underwater, with a floral setup arranged for a couple who shared a passion for scuba diving. The scene — conceived and executed by the team — transformed a hobby into a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Beyond private bookings, M Proposals MNL stages Valentine’s pop-up activations in major malls, allowing the public to step into fully styled proposal environments. The installations are less about sales and more about access, Alcordo said — an advocacy rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a version of a fairytale moment. “The pop-up activations are very personal to me because they come from advocacy. Not everyone has the luxury of experiencing a beautifully planned proposal, but I believe everyone deserves their version of a fairytale. Through the pop-up, people can step into a space, feel a little bit of magic, and be reminded that love is still worth celebrating. And for some couples, that moment becomes real — they choose to say yes right there, and that’s always the most beautiful part for me.” Asked what these modern proposals say about how Filipinos celebrate love today, Alcordo finally answered, “Love today is celebrated not just privately, but as an experience. Even in a fast-paced city, people are making time to slow down for something meaningful.”

Sara sees ‘broken govt’ by 2028

Sara sees ‘broken govt’ by 2028

(UPDATE) VICE President Sara Duterte sees the Philippines having a “broken government” before the 2028 presidential elections. Duterte’s statements come after several opposition figures loom as probable presidential contenders, including Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo. In an interview after the burial of her uncle, Bong Duterte, in Davao City on Thursday, Duterte said: “We are mired in trash, floods, our economic indicators and in corruption, we are down. No one is saying that the government is doing well. There are no development projects, nothing. So I am scared that one day, when we wake up, there is no more stable government and the nation is messy, assuming that we have a country in 2028.” She also believed that the 2028 elections may not happen under the Marcos administration, citing its “sinister” motives. Duterte reiterated she would reveal her decision to run by the end of this year. She also blasted Malacañang spokesman Claire Castro for describing her as a “liar,” after Duterte said she is no longer talking to the senators supportive of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. “She is only bringing embarrassment to the nation as she is called as the Spokesman of the Office of the President, and if the Office of the President speaks like that, the world listens, not only our countrymen. And when someone speaks and her statements are like that, she brings shame to the country, that’s why she should not be listened to and noticed,” Duterte said. She said she did not watch the House justice committee’s impeachment hearings against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but she believes that Marcos committed an impeachable offense after he signed the 2025 budget where it contained blank items and insertions, as well as his questionable competency and his use of illegal drugs. “For me, as Vice President, if someone challenged me on my fitness, I think I should not decline, because I took an oath, and I said that I will preserve and defend the Constitution. How can you defend the Constitution if you are not in your right mind?” Duterte said. She did not comment on the ongoing word war between Filipino officials and the Chinese Embassy, but said the government must fix its relationship with its neighbors and other countries across the world.