Categories
Politics

PADILLA: COMPENSATE FISHERS IN WPS COLLISION

Senator Robin Padilla pushed for early compensation for victims of the collision between a commercial vessel and a fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea. At the Senate hearing that tackled the collision, Padilla stressed the government must speed up the process of giving compensation to the victims as they and their families are very […]

Categories
Government

BFAR: CONFIDENTIAL FUND TO BOOST WPS SURVEILLANCE

Reallocating confidential funds to the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) would significantly enhance its monitoring, control, and surveillance efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and other fishing grounds across the country, according to the Agency. While the decision rests with Congress, DA-BFAR National Director Atty. Demosthenes Escoto expressed gratitude to […]

Categories
Politics

SOLON SLAMS MOVE TO USE WPS FISHERS FOR INTEL WORK

House Deputy Majority Leader Alfred Delos Santos does not favor giving any Filipino fishermen any intelligence and evidence-gathering roles in the seas of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Ang Probinsyano Part-list representative said he rejects putting Pinoy fishermen in danger. “Let soldiers, professionals, and trained reservists do the job, not the fishermen,” the […]

Categories
Politics

STOP WPS MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESTRUCTION — ZUBIRI

Senate President Migz Zubiri expressed outrage over the destruction of the marine ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea, saying the continued intrusion of Chinese vessels into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone threatens global food security. Zubiri was referring to the reported damage to coral reefs in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where dozens of Chinese maritime militia […]

Categories
Politics

HIKE BUDGET FOR PH DEFENSE, SAYS DELA ROSA

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa questions China’s recent claims it has allowed the recent successful resupply mission of the Philippines to BRP Sierra Madre due to “humanitarian consideration.” In an interview recently, Dela Rosa was asked whether or not the Philippines needs China’s go signal with regards to exercising its sovereign rights in the West […]

Categories
Politics

JOINT PH PATROLS WITH ALLIES IN WEST PH SEA URGED

National Unity Party (NUP) president LRay Villafuerte has “high hopes” that the naval drills of the United States (US) with Japan and Australia in the South China Sea (SCS) could be the prelude to the Philippines’ joint sails with these three allies, plus possibly South Korea, in the West Philippines Sea (WPS), which has been […]

Categories
Politics

PADILLA, WIFE VISIT PAG-ASA ISLAND IN WEST PH SEA

“Atin po ito (Pag-Asa is ours),” Senator Robin Padilla stressed this after visiting Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea recently. During his visit, Padilla pushed for the implementation of projects that will benefit residents living there, so they need not leave the island. “Atin po ito. Huwag po nating hayaang maangkin ito ng kung […]

Categories
Politics

GOV’T URGED TO ASSERT PCA RULING ON WPS AS LAW

Senator Chiz Escudero suggested the Marcos administration may opt to file a “Special Action for Recognition of Foreign Judgment” before the Supreme Court to formally recognize the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as part of the law of the land. The Arbitral Ruling in 2016 bolstered the government’s territorial claim as it […]

Categories
Politics

SENATE ADOPTS RESO CONDEMNING HARASSMENT IN WPS

The Senate adopted a resolution strongly condemning the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels and the persistent incursions of China into Philippine territory. Philippine Senate Resolution No. 718, which is principally authored by Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senator Risa Hontiveros, also urged […]

Categories
Politics

DFA URGED: SPONSOR UNGA RESO TO BOOST PH WPS CLAIM

A reaffirmation of the Philippines’ claim of sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) before the United Nations General Assembly through a resolution will solidify and rally international support against China’s military and political incursion into Philippine territory. This was stressed by Senate President Migz Zubiri in his sponsorship speech of a Senate resolution urging […]