US: Talks in details of...

Manila to meet his counterpart, Carlito Galvez Jr., in February.

A month later, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the government already kickstarted creating guidelines for combined maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea. DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza told reporters in March that “operational details, including on the possibility of engaging other regional partners, will be part of Philippine-U.S. discussions within the framework of the [Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagements Board].”

The DFA has yet to respond to Philstar.com’s request on Tuesday for an update on the guidelines. Officials have floated that a trilateral mode of cooperation may be pursued for joint maritime activities, engaging countries such as Japan and Australia.

The U.S. Embassy on Tuesday pointed out that the end-goal of the planned combined maritime activities “would be to support the Philippines [in] exercising its lawful sovereign maritime rights under international law.”

Among key issues faced by Manila is Beijing’s constant harassment in the West Philippine Sea. China considers a 2016 ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration “illegal, null, and void” as it invalidates its claims over areas within its so-called nine-dash line, which includes parts of Philippine waters. (Philstar.com)

WHO’s declaration on COVID-19 to help...

He also urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to prescribe health protocols to help WHO strengthen its move to lift the global health emergency declaration.

DOH and IATF-EID on Saturday said they would meet to discuss and reassess pandemic policies and guidelines.

“I think our people have learned to live with the virus. Though there is no wear-facemask mandate, many of them continue to wear masks and observe physical distancing.

They are aware of the residual threat, and they are not letting their guard down,” he said.

Romualdez also pointed out that WHO’s move “should pave the way for us to sustain our economic growth or even take the economy to a higher growth path for the benefit of our people, especially the poor.”

“It should translate to increased mobility, more economic activities, and therefore additional job and income opportunities for our workers and their families,” he explained.

Romualdez added that the decision could also result in more tourist arrivals in the country.

“Let the concerned government agencies and sectors of the economy prepare for this possibility, which will benefit tourist destinations and local communities,” he said. g

Vice President Kamala Harris headlines...

“My message is: walk in with your chin up, shoulders back, knowing that you are representing the voices of so many people who are proud that you’re in that room.”

“We are all in that room with you. You are not walking in that room alone,” she said, to cheers from the audience of more than 1,300 people. United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who also delivered remarks onstage, noted that the gathering was the largest participation of AANHPIs of any administration. “Bigotry and violence have threatened to ravage our communities for decades. Many of us feel like we are invisible. But our administration sees you. Your voices help drive our agenda,” she said.

Before beginning her onstage conversation with Harris, actress Poorna Jagannathan — who plays a doctor coming to terms with the unconventional lifestyle of her teenage daughter in Mindy Kaling’s hit television series “Never Have I Ever” — shared her story of invisibility. “My heritage always made me feel like a bit of an outsider, yet suddenly it is a thing. So many incredible stories of the diaspora come from it. And it has brought me all the way to you today. So what a gift.”

Also sharing the stage was Jerry Won, producer of the popular podcast “Dear Asian Americans.”

Many of the most visible members of the community attended the star-studded event, including actors Daniel Dae Kim — Lost, Hawaii Five-O — and Kevin Kreider, whose credits include The Ugly Model and Bling Empire. Singer Eric Nam shared a videotaped conversation with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: in a lighthearted moment, the two pondered the name of their possible Indo-Korean fusion band.

Other singers included MILCK — who sang her emotionally-raw anthem “I Can’t Keep Quiet,” which focuses on sexual abuse — Wolftyla, Sonny Singh of the Red Baarat Band, and Keilana.

News anchors Lisa Ling of CNN and Richard Lui of MSNBC moderated panels during the daylong event. Several members of the Biden-Harris administration were also featured, including Neera Tanden; two days later, President Joe Biden announced that Tanden will serve as the next head of his domestic policy council, replacing Susan Rice, who is stepping down June 1.

The crowd also went wild as Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, spoke of the need to confirm Julie Su as Labor Secretary. Su — who would be the first AAPI woman to serve in that role — is facing an uphill battle for confirmation. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia has said he will not vote for Su, who has faced opposition from several corporations for her pro-worker stance.

Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, appeared via video. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra took to the stage to advocate for disaggregated data, and inlanguage access for all public documents. “On behalf of all of us working in this administration, we want you to understand that, with you, we will make a difference,” he said.

“Thanks to President Biden, our community has become more visible than ever before. We have an unprecedented AANHPI representation in the Administration,” said Erika