Manila Times

1. PH 'not going to war' over Taiwan 'unless they involve us'— Palace

   MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said the Philippines has no plans to go to war in the event of a Taiwan invasion "unless they involve us."

   Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued the statement after Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner Jr. urged Philippine troops to prepare for China's possible invasion of Taiwan, amid tension over the large -scale exercises the Chinese military has been conducting in the East China Sea.

   Speaking to reporters in Malacañang, Bersamin said that these preparations have long been discussed as a contingency measure in case of an invasion.

   "This is nothing new since we have been discussing it for a long time due to the strong possibility of Mainland China crossing the channel between them and Taiwan to reclaim Taiwan," Bersamin said during an ambush interview.

   "This is just part of the preparedness that we as a country should be put into," he added.

   The Palace official assured the public that there was no cause for concern as "we are not going to war."

   "Filipinos shouldn't be surprised because we've been doing this for a long time—preparedness for evacuation. There's nothing to worry about... We are not going to war. Unless they involve us, of course," he said.

   Bersamin said it was also important for the Philippines to be prepared for any possibility, even if there was no actual invasion.

   "We're not saying when that invasion will take place, whether it will take place at all but what is important is we will not be caught off-guard. That's the context of General Brawner's statement," he said.

   Bersamin also said there would be no main agency to be involved in the preparation, adding that the priority, if any, was the repatriation of the approximately 250,000 Filipinos currently residing in Taiwan.

   The Palace official assured the public that government assets were in place should Filipinos there need to be repatriated.

   "It's a whole of nation, whole of government approach. There will be no main agency to be involved there, there will be only one response which is to give priority to the repatriation of our fellow countrymen natin na 200,000 plus," Bersamin said.

   "We have every asset that is needed for that, maybe large evacuations, we need the confluence of air and water assets. We have ships and airplanes if needed," he added.

   On Tuesday, during the anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command, Brawner called on the troops to "prepare for any eventuality" amid growing regional tensions over China's aggression.

   "Do not be content with securing just the northern hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan," Brawner said in his speech.

   "So we will extend our sphere of operations because, if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved," he added.

   The Philippine government does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it maintains a de-facto embassy in Taiwan called the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.

   Taiwan broke away from the Chinese mainland in 1949 following its takeover by Mao Zedong's communist forces.

2. Marcos 'glad to be of help' in mending ties between Sara, dad

   MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos said on Thursday that he was "glad to be of help" to Vice President Sara Duterte who thanked him for "ironically" helping restore her relationship with her father,Rodrigo Duterte, after he was detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague in Netherlands following his arrest for alleged crimes he committed against humanity.

   In a briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro claimed talking to Marcos to get his reaction regarding the vice president's statement that the fallout of their "uniteam" led to the rebuilding of her relationship with the former president.

   In an interview this week, the vice president said although it was "ironic," she thanked Marcos because she and her father had achieved "forgiveness" for all that has happened to them these past several months.

   "I relayed this to the President and his response was 'glad I could help'," Castro said in Filipino.

   It would be better, however, if the younger Duterte also thanked her father because whatever time they have together now in the Netherlands was a result of the former leader's arrest and detention for his drug war.

   "Had the war on drugs did not happen and no one filed a complaint, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to go to The Hague. So, it's better she thanks him first," Castro said.

3. Dela Rosa wants to subpoena absent govt officials in Senate inquiry on Duterte arrest

   MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa urged the Committee on Foreign Relations to subpoena all government officials involved in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and require their presence in the next committee hearing.

   Dela Rosa expressed disappointment at the absence of key resource persons during Thursday's hearing.

   "What we have right now in front of us are empty chairs. What these government officials did from the executive branch is a total snub, a blatant disregard for the doctrine of checks and balances of our government," Dela Rosa said.

   "So, what will happen to this? I believe we are now on the verge of a constitutional crisis if they continue to disregard the invitation of this committee. I want to move that we issue a subpoena to these government officials to require their presence in the next hearing," he added.

4. Go, Tulfo brothers top Arkipelago Analytics survey

   MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bong Go topped the latest Arkipelago Analytics Senatorial Preferences Survey held from March 15 to 21 with a 64 percent voter preference.

   Go is seeking reelection under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino.

   He was followed by former Social Welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo (59.8%) who is running under Lakas–CMD, and independent candidate Ben "Bitag" Tulfo (57.7%).

   At fourth place was former Senate President Tito Sotto (49.0%) of the Nationalist People's Coalition, followed closely by Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (48.4%, PDP–Laban).

   Trailing them were Senator Pia Cayetano (48.0%, Nacionalista Party) and actor-politician Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. (46.0%, Lakas–CMD). At 8th place was television host and businessman Willie Revillame (39.5%, Independent).

   Senator Lito Lapid (38.7%, NPC) and Makati Mayor Abby Binay (38.4%, NPC) rounded out the top ten.

   In the 11th and 12th spots were Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar (37.9%, Nacionalista Party) and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (37.7%, PFP).

   Former senator Ping Lacson (37.5%, Independent) ranked 13th, followed by actor and administration ally Phillip "Ipe" Salvador (31.5%, PDP–Laban) and Rodante Marcoleta (30.0%, Independent). Senator Imee Marcos (29.9%, Nacionalista Party) was in 16th place, followed by Jimmy Bondoc (29.5%, PDP–Laban) and Gringo Honasan (27.9%, Reform Party).

   Liberal stalwarts Bam Aquino (27.7%, KNP) and Kiko Pangilinan (25.1%, Liberal Party) ranked 19th and 20th, respectively, followed by Benhur Abalos (23.9%, PFP), Francis Tolentino (23.2%, PFP), and Raul Lambino (21.0%, PDP–Laban).

   Despite his lead, Go said there is no room for complacency.

   "For me, the survey is a reminder that you need to return the trust given by the people with genuine care and service," he said.

   "Once again, I sincerely thank my fellow Filipinos for their continued trust in my ability to serve the people. I will offer our fellow Filipinos diligence, care, and more service. I will not waste your trust, and I will not waste time," the senator said.

   The survey employed a quantitative research approach, using a structured questionnaire administered to a nationally representative sample of 670 registered voters. The sampling design followed a proportional stratified random sampling method, ensuring alignment with the demographic profile of the Philippine electorate based on gender and geographic distribution. The resulting data has a ±3.79% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.

5. Sandiganbayan junks Jinggoy Estrada's plea to dismiss graft cases

   MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan's Special Fifth Division denied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's plea for the dismissal of the graft charges filed against him in 2014 in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

   "Estrada in his defense, claims that the DDRs of [Benhur] Luy are unreliable as they are mere printouts and can nowadays be easily manufactured. The Court is not persuaded," the court said in a resolution promulgated last March 26.

   DDRs stand for daily disbursement reports

   The court said that "the contents of the DDRs were also testified by Luy during his exhaustive examination in Court."

   The court, which denied Estrada's demurrer to evidence as well as his Motion to Dismiss and Supplement to Demurrer to Evidence, set the presentation of defense evidence on April 22, 2025.

   In January 2024, the Sandiganbayan found Estrada not guilty of plunder in connection with PDAF but found him guilty of bribery and indirect bribery.

   In an Aug. 22, 2024 resolution, the court granted his motion for reconsideration and acquitted him of the one count of direct bribery and the two counts of indirect bribery.

6. PH natural park keeper among 2025 International Women of Courage

   MANILA, Philippines — The US State Department has chosen a Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park keeper, popularly known as "Mama Ranger," as one of its 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC), the US Embassy in Manila said.

   Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area superintendent Angelique Songco was named among this year's IWOC for her leadership in protecting and conserving marine biodiversity in Palawan.

   US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady of the United States Melania Trump recognized Songco and seven other awardees during the annual IWOC Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 1, the embassy said.

   "At the State Department and under President Trump, we try to take every opportunity to defend and to promote women and girls across the world," Rubio said at the ceremony.

   "And let me reaffirm the importance of protecting women and girls and promoting their well-being are American goals. So to our honorees, congratulations, and thank you for your work to create a safer and more secure and just world," Rubio said.

   Songco received the award for leading a team of marine park rangers who protect the 97,030-hectare Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Philippines' largest protected area, the embassy said.

   She has managed the park since 2001, working with the rangers to protect the reefs from illegal fishing, poaching, and unsustainable tourism practices, it added.

   "This award is not just about my work. The efforts of the Rangers to conserve and protect Tubbataha ensures the food security of the Philippines," Songco said in accepting the award.

   "Even if we are just a very, very small part of the ocean, to have a place that is no-take where fish and corals can thrive is critical to our livelihoods," Songco said.

   The embassy said under her leadership, the Tubbataha Reefs received multiple global recognitions, including being one of the first Platinum Global Ocean Refuge Systems, now known as Blue Parks.

   "As the reefs flourish, Songco and her rangers have become an example of what is possible when a strategic leader successfully combines natural resource protection with community engagement," the embassy said on Thursday.

   Joining Songco as 2025 IWOC awardees were: Henriette Da (Burkina Faso), Amit Soussana (Israel), Major Velena Iga (Papua New Guinea), Georgiana Pascu (Romania), Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit (South Sudan), Namini Wijedasa (Sri Lanka), and Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj (Yemen). Women student protest leaders of Bangladesh also received the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award.

7. Trump slaps 17% tariff on Philippine exports

   MANILA, Philippines — US President Donald Trump slapped a 17 percent tariff on Philippine exports starting April 9, a move expected to hit the country's economy especially its electronics sector.

   The reciprocal tariff, part of Trump's "Liberation Day" policy, was announced via table posted on his social media account, which also outlined a 34 percent tariff on US imports.

   While the Philippines faces a steep tariff, other Southeast Asian neighbors have been hit with even higher duties, such as Cambodia with 49 percent; Vietnam with 46 percent; Thailand with 36 percent; Indonesia with 32 percent and Malaysia with 24 percent.

   Analysts warned that the tariffs will make Philippine goods less competitive in the US market, reducing demand and dealing a major blow to the country's export-driven economy.

   "It was disappointing that the Philippines was not included in the list of countries that were served a baseline 10 percent tariff increase, given that it has a relatively low trade surplus with the US and has been an ally of the US for some time," Moody's Analytics Sarah Tan told The Manila Times.

8. Marcos Cabinet officials snub Senate panel probe on Duterte arrest

   MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet secretaries who were invited by a Senate panel to shed light on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March snubbed the resumption of its inquiry on Thursday.

   Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in his letter to reelectionist senator Imee Marcos on March 31, informed her that the executive department would not participate further, citing executive privilege and the sub judice rule as reasons and the pending petitions with the Supreme Court questioning Duterte's arrest last March 11.

   Marcos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on Wednesday, appealed to Bersamin to reconsider his decision for transparency, saying she needed clarification on the involvement and the roles of the ICC, the International Criminal Police Organization and the various government agencies in the arrest of the former president.

   The following confirmed their attendance though: Luigi Gonzaga (from the Department of Justice); RJ Bernal, chief counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Ferdino Santiago, SEC securities review counsel; Alexis Medina (from the academe); and Alex Monteagudo, former director General of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

   The following Cabinet officials were a "no show" in the inquiry: National Security Adviser Eduardo Año; Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.; Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo; Interior Secretary Juanito Remulla; Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac; Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil; Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director; Phil Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura; and retired general Anthony Alcantara, Philippine Center on Transnational Crime executive director.

   Marcos sought confirmation that measures were taken to "ensure that the rights of Duterte under domestic laws and relevant treaties were properly protected throughout the process."

   "Such other matters that may aid the Committee in crafting necessary legislation on the coordination between Philippine authorities and international tribunals and law enforcement organizations," she said.

9. Russian vlogger arrested for viral posts on pranking, harassing Filipinos

   MANILA, Philippines — A Russian vlogger was arrested on Thursday after a viral post on social media platforms showed him pranking and harrassing Filipinos at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

   Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was arrested after a security guard assigned to BGC filed a police blotter, claiming harassment.

   Foreign tourists are expected to respect local customs and adhere to Philippine law, even though Filipinos are known for their hospitality, said Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado who issued the order to the Southern Police District in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration.

   "The Philippines welcomes visitors from all over the world, but those who abuse our hospitality and violate our laws will be held accountable," Viado said.

   "Harassment and disruptive behavior have no place in our society, and we will take swift action against offenders," he said.

10. No winner in Grand, Megalotto draws for April 2

    MANILA, Philippines — There were no winners in the Grand lotto 6/55 and Megalotto 6/45 draws on Wednesday night, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said.

    The winning combination for Grand lotto 6/55 was 20-08-52-24-05-25 which had a jackpot prize of P178,398,282.80.

    There was also no winner for the Megalotto 6/45 draw, which drew a winning combination of 40-34-08-29-39-35 for a jackpot prize of P40,048,054.20.