PH files diplomatic protest over China Daily ‘racist’ depiction of Filipinos
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs has lodged a diplomatic protest against China over what it described as the racist depiction of Filipinos in AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons published by state-run China Daily in connection with the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award. In a statement issued Friday, July 17, the DFA said it formally protested a series of opinion videos and editorial cartoons, particularly an AI-generated video posted on the outlet’s Facebook page on July 10. The department said it first raised its objections directly with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan at a July 16 meeting. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim demanded the immediate removal of the materials. The DFA said Herrera-Lim stressed that the content was inconsistent with the mutual respect expected between states and did nothing to promote the sound and stable management of Philippine-China relations. The department later filed a formal diplomatic protest…
Palace doubts Duterte will sign waiver on financial records
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang cast doubt on whether Vice President Sara Duterte would sign a waiver authorizing the release of her financial records, saying no member of the Duterte family has done so. The remarks were in light of the vice president’s defense team opposing the House prosecution’s request for the Senate impeachment court to subpoena Duterte’s bank, Anti-MoneyPalace briefing on Thursday, July 16, , press officer Claire Castro responded to the defense argument that while no one is above the law, no one should also be denied its protection. Castro said the most important principle in impeachment proceedings is truth. “Ang sabi niya, ang magic word – hindi magic word ang impeachment, hindi magic wand ang impeachment. Pero ang magic word ay ‘truth,’” she said, referring to the word used by defense counsel Michael Poa. [Translation: He said impeachment is not a magic word or a magic wand.…
Alex Eala seen as possible Southeast Asia’s first Grand Slam champion – Singapore PM
Metro Manila, Philippines – Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong believes Filipino tennis star Alex Eala could become the first Southeast Asian to win a Grand Slam singles title, Malacañang said Wednesday. Wong made the remark during his meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Istana in Singapore, where the two leaders also discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. Palace press officer Claire Castro said Wong congratulated Eala for her breakthrough performance at Wimbledon. “Tiwala ang prime minister na si Alex Eala ang magiging kauna-unahang Southeast Asian na mag-uuwi ng Grand Slam title sa Wimbledon,” she said. [Translation: The prime minister is confident that Alex Eala will become the first Southeast Asian to win a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.] Castro said Marcos shared Wong’s optimism. “Kapwa nagpaabot ng paghanga ang dalawang lider sa tagumpay na dala ni Alex Eala sa Southeast Asia,” she said. [Translation: Both leaders expressed admiration…
Singapore PM lauds PH’s ‘respectable growth’ despite Middle East tensions
Metro Manila, Philippines – Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has congratulated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the Philippines attained upper-middle-income country status, describing it as a sign of the country’s resilient economic growth despite global challenges. Wong conveyed his congratulations during his meeting with Marcos at the Istana on Wednesday, July 15, as part of the Philippine leader’s working visit to Singapore. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Wong described the Philippines’ transition to upper-middle-income status as “respectable growth” despite the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. “Sa kanilang meeting, nagpaabot ng pagbati si Prime Minister Wong kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa pag-angat ng Pilipinas bilang upper-middle-income country,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Thursday, July 16. (Translation: During their meeting, Prime Minister Wong congratulated President Marcos on the Philippines’ transition to upper-middle-income country status.) The World Bank recently classified the Philippines as an upper-middle-income economy after…
PH sees progress in South China Sea code talks; Batanes not on ASEAN agenda
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines remains confident that negotiations on a long-awaited South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) are making progress, while clarifying that concerns involving Batanes will not be part of discussions during next week’s ASEAN ministerial meetings. Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and ASEAN-Philippines National Secretariat spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said ASEAN and China continue to make headway in negotiating the regional code. “We’re happy to say that there is continuing progress in terms of the number of meetings that have happened so far,” Imperial said during a briefing on Thursday, July 16. He said the Philippines remains optimistic that negotiations can be completed this year. The target stems from a 2023 agreement by ASEAN foreign ministers to conclude the negotiations within three years. Imperial acknowledged that negotiators are still tackling key “milestone issues.” “When we say there’s progress, one by one we are able…
