Socio-economic fact file on the Philippines (AFP)
Tag: philippines
How the world sees the Philippines
Graphic showing how the Philippines fairs on major international rankings on business, economic freedom, competitiveness, corruption and gender gap. (AFP)
Philippine Airlines income jumps more than six-fold
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Once-troubled flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday announced a 560 percent jump in its “comprehensive income” for 2015, signalling a remarkable recovery after a huge loss in the fiscal year 2013. Low fuel prices and an increase in destinations and aircraft numbers boosted “comprehensive income” to $134.42 million for the period, the airline said in a statement. Comprehensive income refers to the airline’s net profit and other sources of income, a […]
Beijing to reject Hague ruling on South China Sea case
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing will reject any ruling by an international tribunal in a contentious case brought by the Philippines over the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said, as tensions mount over the disputed waters. The United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) said Wednesday it will rule on July 12 in a closely watched case challenging China’s claims to much of the strategic waterway. Beijing has consistently rejected the tribunal’s right to […]
Duterte to take historic oath as first Mindanaoan President
MANILA, Philippines – President-elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be sworn into office on Thursday in a historic feat as the country’s first president hailing from Mindanao. Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes will administer the oath in English as the President’s children — Paolo, Sara and Sebastian — stand in witness. His youngest daughter Veronica will hold the Bible to be used for the ceremony that will take place at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan […]
Leni Robredo takes her oath as VP, vows to accomplish “many things” in 6 years
Vice-President Leni Robredo delivers her speech in Filipino after her oath-taking at the Quezon City Reception House. (Eagle News Service screengrab photo) (Eagle News) — Vice-President Leni-Robredo took her oath of office at the Quezon City Reception House at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, and delivered her speech afterwards. This was the first time that a Vice-President had a separate inauguration from the Philippine president. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will take his oath at 12 […]
Philippines’ Duterte defends war on crime, death penalty stance
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Incoming Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday hit out at “stupid” human rights campaigners, as he defended his imminent war on crime and emphasized the death penalty was for retribution. Duterte gave a lengthy speech in his southern hometown of Davao to outline his vision for the nation once he takes office on Thursday, with a heavy focus on his controversial plans to fight crime. “These human rights (groups), congressmen, how […]
Seven Indonesian sailors kidnapped, held hostage: govt
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Seven Indonesian sailors have been kidnapped at sea in the southern Philippines, the government in Jakarta said Friday, the latest in a spree of abductions by armed gangs in the strife-torn region. The crew were towing a coal barge in the Sulu sea on Monday when their tugboat was hijacked by armed groups, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said. Seven sailors were taken hostage in two separate attacks on the vessel […]
South China Sea: Facts about Asia’s maritime flashpoint
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Competing claims to the South China Sea have for decades been a source of tension in the region. The Philippines filed a case before an international arbitration tribunal at The Hague to challenge China’s claims to most of the waters, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. Below are key facts on the sea and the territorial disputes: Geography The South China Sea covers more than 3 million square kilometres […]
Cambodian PM denies role in ASEAN U-turn on South China Sea
PHNOM PENH / AFP- Cambodian Premier Hun Sen lashed out Monday at claims his government had bowed to Chinese pressure to help scupper a joint statement by Southeast Asian nations on the South China Sea. In an angry speech Hun Sen also accused an international court of political bias as it prepares to rule on a sea dispute between the Philippines and China. The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration is widely expected to rule […]
Southeast Asian countries retract statement expressing concerns on South China Sea
(REUTERS) Southeast Asian countries withdrew a statement that expressed the region’s deep concerns over tension in the South China Sea, where China is involved in protracted territorial disputes with some of its neighbors. The strongly-worded statement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), released by the Malaysian foreign ministry, did not name China directly but warned against raising tension in the waters, where Beijing has been building artificial islands and increasing its military presence. […]
Chinese spy ship shadows U.S., Japanese, Indian naval drill in the Western Pacific
(REUTERS) A Chinese observation ship shadowed the powerful U.S. aircraft carrier, John C. Stennis, in the Western Pacific on Wednesday, a Japanese official said, joining warships from Japan and India in drills close to waters Beijing considers its backyard. The show of American naval power comes as Japan and the United States worry Beijing will look to extend its influence into the Western Pacific with submarines and surface vessels as it pushes its territorial […]
