As global attention focuses on China and Japan, Tokyo and Manila are quietly deepening their economic and “defense” ties.
Tag: Constitution of the Philippines
PH: 3-day rally set to push for impeach trial start
3-day rally set to push for impeach trial start
Militant groups, civil society organizations, and members of religious congregations will mount a three-day major rally and vigil from June 9 (Monday) to June 11, (Wednesday) to call on the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
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Due Process on Trial: The Duterte Arrest, the Rule of Law and Sovereignty + More
The recent release of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ preliminary report on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte has sent ripples through the Philippine legal and political landscape. Chaired by Senator Imee Marcos, the report outlines what it calls “glaring violations” of constitutional rights, procedural lapses, and questionable coordination between the Philippine government and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Due Process on Trial: The Duterte Arrest, the Rule of Law and Sovereignty
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Can Philippine President Marcos Survive the Wrath of the Dutertes? by Mong Palatino
As for President Marcos, he may have a solid plan to neutralize the Dutertes but it is the anguish of ordinary citizens reeling from high prices and low wages that he should be worried about. Even Vice President Sara Duterte is aware that the concern of the average voter is the economic crisis, which is why her arrival statement at The Hague when she visited her father focused on the need to address poverty, hunger, and joblessness in the Philippines. In other words, the most serious threat to the Marcos presidency is its own failure to fulfill the campaign promise of bringing down the price of rice and other goods, uplift the conditions of working families, and provide adequate and affordable services to the people.
Document: Arrest of Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte’s Arrest: Interpol Red Notice and ICC Procedural Implications
The recent arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sparked discussions about the legal processes involved, particularly concerning the roles of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Interpol. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial in assessing the implications for Duterte’s case.
Duterte’s Arrest: Interpol Red Notice and ICC Procedural Implications
(Primer) A Decade of EDCA: US military bases and its expanding war games in the Philippines
The outright re-establishment of US military bases in the country and its relentless and escalating war games on land, sea, and air are flagrant manifestations of US imperialist domination of the Philippines. This further tightens the grip of US imperialism on the Philippine neocolonial state, especially on the puppet Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
(Primer) A Decade of EDCA: US military bases and its expanding war games in the Philippines
Politics at a critical juncture in Philippine history
For so many years, we have complained and howled against political dynasties.
Ever since we established ourselves as a republic and began electing leaders in government, it has become a given, even deep-rooted and thus an innate limitation. Ever since, only a few, and therefore the same people from the same families are always elected into office.
Philippines’ Congress to prioritize EPIRA changes as Senate junks ‘Cha-cha’
Congress to prioritize EPIRA changes as Senate junks ‘Cha-cha’
THE PHILIPPINE Senate would put proposals to change the 1987 Constitution on the back burner and would instead focus on measures to boost the military amid growing tensions with China, according to the Senate president.
The chamber would also pass bills that seek to boost healthcare and jobs while easing hunger, Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero said in a speech as Congress resumed sessions on Monday.
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At the weekend, he said they would tackle a proposal to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) amid blackouts.
The Senate will also push changes to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE), particularly lower taxes on domestic and foreign companies.
Mr. Escudero said Congress should go beyond laws that only benefit big business, and find solutions to problems with healthcare, joblessness and poverty.
“We will take peaceful measures to defend our people’s right to sail in our seas and fish in our waters, as what our ancestors had done, and what our children and grandchildren shall do,” he added.
The Senate in December passed a bill that seeks to boost the country’s defense program through investments in local defense equipment manufacturing. The measure will give the Department of National Defense P1 billion in seed funding.
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Also on Monday, Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the House of Representatives would also seek changes to EPIRA.
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He said changes to EPIRA, which liberalized the power industry, would bring down electricity prices and ease inflation.
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It would now fast-track changes to EPIRA and a bill that seeks to extend the lease period for foreign investors. Other pending measures include amendments to the Agrarian Reform law and another that will modernize national defense.
“We have to continue building roads, highways, ports, school buildings and climate change-proof structures to maintain and expand economic growth,” Mr. Romualdez said. “I emphasize our commitment to pass the remaining priority bills before the end of the third regular session.”
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Jose Enrique “Sonny” A. Africa, executive director of think tank IBON Foundation, said it is wrong to equate economic progress with growth given the increasing number of poor Filipino families.
“Most Filipinos haven’t become better off because of this growth,” he told BusinessWorld. “The number of self-rated poor families has soared by 3.4 million since the start of the Marcos administration from 12.6 million in June 2022 to 16 million in June 2024.”
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Read More »Debunking: Biden to warn Beijing against meddling in South *China* Sea 🤦🏼♀️
China exposes Philippines’ reneging on South China Sea commitment
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China exposes Philippines’ reneging on South China Sea commitment
Wang pointed out that the Philippines has made a solemn promise to tow away the military vessel illegally grounded at Ren’ai Jiao, noting that 25 years have passed, and the Philippines has still not towed away the warship.
Noting that the Philippines has violated the understanding reached between the two sides on the proper management of the situation on Ren’ai jiao, the spokesperson said despite the Philippines’ commitment not to reinforce the grounded warship and to notify China in advance of any plans to resupply it, China, out of humanitarian considerations, has made temporary special arrangements for Philippine vessels transporting necessary supplies to the warship multiple times.
“However, the Philippines continues to send government vessels and warships to forcibly enter Ren’ai Jiao, attempting to transport construction materials for large-scale repairs and reinforcement of the warship in order to achieve permanent occupation of Ren’ai Jiao,” Wang said.
PH did promise to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin
Philippines Budgets for a Permanent Base at Second Thomas Shoal
It’s Time to Build Combined Forward Operating Base Sierra Madre
SCS Tension Affecting Entry Of Foreign Investors In Philippines
The heightening tension between the Philippines and China over the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS) could impede the entry of foreign investors into the country.
WPS Tension Affecting Entry Of Foreign Investors In PH
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US, European Companies pour Investments to Neutral Malaysia instead of Western-ally Philippines
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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