China warns Philippine-US base deal ‘endangering regional peace’

CHINA warned on Tuesday, April 4 that Washington was "endangering regional peace" in a new deal with the Philippines that will see four additional bases be used by U.S. troops, including one near the disputed South China Sea and another not far from Taiwan.

"Out of self-interest, the U.S. maintains a zero-sum mentality and continues to strengthen its military deployment in the region," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Manny Villar tops list of Filipino billionaires in Forbes’ world’s richest list

REAL estate mogul Manuel Villar Jr. topped the catalog of 14 Filipino billionaires who landed in Forbes Magazine’s 2023 World’s Billionaires List.

Villar, the founder of property developer of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., Allday Marts supermarkets and Vistamalls Inc., has a net worth of $8.6 billion, making him the 232nd richest person in the world.

The No. 2 richest Filipino is Enrique Razon Jr., owner of ports operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. and casino company Bloomberry Resorts.

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"The result will inevitably be increased military tension and endangering regional peace and stability," she added.

Longtime treaty allies Manila and Washington agreed in February to expand cooperation in "strategic areas" of the Philippines as they seek to counter Beijing's growing assertiveness over selfgoverned Taiwan and China's construction of bases in the South China Sea.

The 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation

 PAGE 2 interoperability of our armed forces to collectively better respond to threats, including those requiring close cooperation and coordination for more rapid and effective humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

“EDCA will lead to the construction of facilities and infrastructure upgrades that directly contribute to the enhancement of

Bongbong Marcos, First Lady to attend King Charles III’s coronation in London

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will attend the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 in Westminster Abbey, London, Malacañang confirmed Monday, April 2.

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President and First Lady had accepted the invitation to attend the coronation and the reception at Buckingham Palace, as invited by the Master of the Household on May 5. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos have accepted the invitation to attend the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort at Westminster