News

PH foreign policy 'based on national security', says Palace after new China deals

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 28 10:17 AM

The Philippine foreign policy is "solely based on our national security and interest," Malacañang said Sunday following the signing of P633 billion worth of new deals with China.    Read more »

Duterte vows to defend international order as PH joins Belt and Road

Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 26 05:11 PM

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte vowed Thursday to uphold the Philippines' independent foreign policy as the country sought deeper involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative. Read more »

Estratehiya ng Pilipinas sa West PH Sea dapat nang baguhin: eksperto

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 24 09:27 PM

Ayon sa isang batikang political scientist at defense analyst, kailangan nang ibahin ng Pilipinas ang estratehiya at mga hakbang nito sa West Philippine Sea. Read more »

Alejano warns Chinese money might influence elections

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Feb 25 12:02 AM

MANILA - Senatorial candidate Gary Alejano on Sunday warned of possible Chinese meddling in the country’s elections as Beijing seeks to retain its closeness with Manila after gaining President Rodrigo Duterte as an ally. Read more »

Duterte spokesperson labeled China puppet

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Feb 01 05:58 PM

MANILA - The spokesperson of President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn flak for saying that the Philippines should perhaps “be thankful” to China for the “maritime rescue center” it claims to have built on Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef), one of the maritime features being claimed by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. Read more »

US still most trusted by Pinoys; Russia, China least - poll

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jan 14 11:57 AM

Filipinos trust the US more than its strategic rivals Russia and China, according to a Pulse Asia survey released Tuesday.   Read more »

Democrats to probe Trump money ties to Russia, Saudis: lawmaker

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Nov 26 07:43 AM

Democrats intend to probe US President Donald Trump's financial ties to determine whether they are the "hidden hand" driving US foreign policy on Russia and Saudi Arabia, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday.  Read more »

OPINION: China announces operation of weather station in Spratlys prior to Xi’s Manila visit

Ellen T. Tordesillas
Posted at Nov 05 12:49 AM

As Manila prepares for the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping two weeks from now, Beijing steps up its control of the Spratly islands in the South China Sea. Read more »

New DFA chief says no 'switching masters' in pursuing independent foreign policy

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 28 06:35 PM

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. on Saturday vowed to pursue President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy. Read more »

OPINION: The Rule of Law

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario
Posted at Sep 27 08:59 PM

The future may be unclear and uncertain today. But fidelity to the Rule of Law and believing that right is might would buttress a truly independent foreign policy. Read more »

Duterte meets US envoy

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 13 11:58 AM

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday met with United States Ambassador Sung Kim in Malacañang, as Washington seeks to bolster ties with Manila in the face of China’s growing influence in the region.   Read more »

Duterte arrives in Israel for 4-day visit

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 03 01:40 PM

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Israel for a four-day visit, making him the first sitting Filipino president to visit the Jewish state.  Read more »

Palace: Duterte consistent about China

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 23 03:31 PM

MANILA - Malacañang on Thursday stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte has been consistent in his policy towards China, as the chief executive has been issuing increasingly combative statements against Beijing in the past days. Read more »

Duterte: CIA could be listening to my conversations

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 21 08:21 PM

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) could be listening to his phone conversations, as he revived his allegations that the agency was out to kill him.   Read more »

OPINION: Duterte knows China’s ultimate goal is control of  South China Sea

Ellen T. Tordesillas
Posted at Aug 19 11:59 PM

Has President Duterte realized the folly of his subservience to China? Read more »

More distressed OFWs from UAE arrive

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 25 10:00 PM

MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday welcomed 65 more distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  Read more »

'They have aircraft carriers, what do we have?' Enrile backs Duterte on China policy

Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 13 11:37 AM

Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Friday refused to grade the performance of President Rodrigo Duterte but agreed with most of his policies, specifically on crime, on China, and the economy. Read more »

OPINION: Aside from loans, what support can Xi Jinping give Duterte?

Ellen T. Tordesillas
Posted at May 18 09:57 PM

President Duterte takes pride in his being smart in matters of geopolitics. After all, as he more than once told his captive audience, he is a graduate of Foreign Service at the Lyceum University. Read more »

Thanks to Duterte foreign policy shift, Russian, Chinese carmakers pivot to PH

Dominic Menor, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Apr 06 04:13 AM

A year ago, seeing a participant from Russia and another from a state-owned Chinese car manufacturer at an auto show in the Philippines would’ve been unlikely, but this is the by-product of the drastic pivot in foreign policy under President Rodrigo Duterte. Read more »

With eye on US, China to revamp top tier of diplomats-sources

Benjamin Kang Lim and Ben Blanchard, Reuters
Updated as of Feb 27 02:56 PM

China is expected to announce a reshuffle of its top diplomats at an annual meeting of parliament in March, aiming to deal with US President Donald Trump's growing suspicion of Beijing, several sources familiar with the plan said. Read more »