Marcoses meet Charles at Buckingham Palace WHO’s declaration on COVID-19 to help sustain PH economy’s growth – Romualdez

President’s trip to US shows PH has ‘powerful friends’ – expert

by HeleN Flores Philstar.com

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos was among the world leaders who witnessed the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom on Saturday, May 6 highlighting the deep ties between the Philippines and the European nation.

Marcos, who was accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, arrived at the Gatwick Airport on Friday, May 5 from Washington D.C.

The president and his u PAGE 2

by FaitH argosiNo Inquirer.net

MANILA — The World Health Organization (WHO) declaring that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency would help the country boost its economic activities and sustain its growth, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Sunday, May 7.

“The decision shows that countries around the globe, including the Philippines,

by FraNCes MaNgosiNg, JeroMe aNiNg Inquirer.net

THE reaffirmation of Manila’s ties with Washington during President Marcos’ visit to the United States last week sends a “stronger message” to China that the Philippines has “powerful friends” it could count on, a maritime law expert said at a government briefing on Monday, May 8.

“Of course, China will be concerned because they will see that we are not just a small country, but a country with many powerful friends. And, hopefully, because of that, they might think a bit that we cannot just be cast aside, especially when it comes to the West Philippine Sea,” lawyer Jay Batongbacal said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

Yet China is still “expected” to continue testing the Philippines’ resolve in defending its maritime claims, said Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines-Institute of Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea.

“But because the message has become stronger that we have powerful friends, maybe they will change a little in their u PAGE 7