Thursday, October 20, 2016
We want to continue this relationship with PHL’ — US Ambassador
SEEKS CLARIFICATION
US Ambassador Goldberg: We want to continue this relationship with PHL
US Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Friday said the US wants to continue its relationship with the Philippines and would like clarification on what President Rodrigo Duterte meant by breaking alliance.
The ambassador was reacting to a statement Thursday by Duterte while he was in China that he was breaking the Philippines' military and economic alliance with the US, the country's longtime ally.
"Quite frankly, I don't know what he means by a separation... Our relationship on the economic side is very strong so we need further clarification on that," Goldberg said in an interview on Unang Hirit.
"The US has a very strong commitment to the Philippines. We have a defense treaty. We consider it to be a solid and solemn commitment. But we can't say what is the case on the Philippine side... We have to clarify exactly what this means in policy terms," he said.
Goldberg said the US wants to continue its ties with the Philippines because it is "mutually beneficial for both countries."
"So the real question is, what does it all mean? We have a large assistance program here," he said, citing for instance a 200-km road in Samar constructed with assistance from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, humanitarian assistance, scholarship offerings, and disaster relief operations.
"We worked very hard in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. Those are the things allies do together," he added.
"I don't know what separation means because we're inextricably linked... What I see is that we are working very much with our Philippine colleagues. Nothing but friendly relationships on a working level," Goldberg said.
"We're committed to an alliance between the two countries... From our point of view, we're not suing for divorce," he said.
Military exercises
On the issue of US military exercises in the Philippines, Goldberg also said they have received no official notification on the pulling out of US military troops in Mindanao.
"The deployment in Mindanao, where we work on counterterrorism, is somewhat separate from the exercise issue. But we haven't received any official notice. We've only heard of these public pronouncements," he said.
The US State Department on Thursday said it will seek an explanation from the Philippines for Duterte's announcement of a "separation" from Washington, Reuters reported.
"We are going to be seeking an explanation of exactly what the president meant when he talked about separation from the US," said State Department spokesman John Kirby. "It's not clear to us exactly what that means in all its ramifications."
Inconsistent
In a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Friday, Goldberg said the pronouncement was inconsistent with the strong ties the Philippines and the US have had for many years.
“We're all tied together, so I don't know what it means to separate economically,” Goldberg said.
The US ambassador said he also talked to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who said he had no prior knowledge about Duterte’s pronouncement.
“Secretary Lorenzana said that in his confirmation meeting that he didn’t know. So, if he doesn’t, I certainly need further clarification,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg believes, citing results of public opinion surveys, that most Filipinos are also not in favor of breaking ties with the US.
“This is something that the Filipino people support as well in terms of our relationship. Seventy-six percent of people have a great trust in the US,” he said.
However, if the current administration wants to push through with its separation, Goldberg said there should be constructive talks to discuss about it.
“This is not our doing. We want to continue this relationship. If the people of Philippines want to end this relationship, then we have to talk about it,” Goldberg said.
“Our ties are unbreakable regardless of President. I think that in some ways that will go on,” he added. “If the President of the Philippines wants to change that, then we have to talk.”
Goldberg also clarified that the US is not breaking ties with China.
“The rebalance in Asia is very important to the US, because we recognize that the rise of China, the rise of Southeast Asia is very important to the prosperity, to the future well-being of US,” Goldberg said.
“All I’m saying is that all countries in this region should have good relations with China; it benefits us too. But it shouldn’t necessarily be a zero-sum game,” he added. —with Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News
Andrea Torres, bridesmaid sa Rochelle-Arthur wedding
Andrea Torres, bridesmaid sa Rochelle-Arthur wedding
Ang "Alyas Robinhood" star na si Andrea Torres ang magiging bridesmaid sa gaganaping kasalan nina Rochelle Pangilinan at Arthur Solinap.
Sa Chika Minute report ni Nelson Canlas sa GMA news "24 Oras" nitong Huwebes, sinabing isa si Andrea sa mga naging saksi sa pag-usbong ng pag-iibigan nina Rochelle at Arthur.
Kaya naman flattered at tuwang-tuwa raw si Andrea na maging bridesmaid sa kasal ng kaniyang bestfriend na si Rochelle.
"Si Rochelle kasi para ko na 'yang nanay na ate, na bestfriend. Talagang napakalaki nang naitulong niya sa buhay ko," ayon kay Andrea.
Samantala, labis naman ang pasasalamat ni andrea sa mga tumatangkilik ng kanilang primetime series na "Alyas Robinhood."
Umaani ng papuri sa mga manonood ang kanyang pagganap bilang si "Venus," na bukod sa pagiging sexy ay palaban din.
Bagama't ang hangad lang daw nila ay mapasaya ang mga manonood, labis nilang ikinatuwa na nangunguna pa sila sa ratings.
Kaya naman labis ang pasasalamat nila ng mga kasama niya sa serye na sina Dingdong Dantes, Megan Young at iba pang bumubuo sa programa sa patuloy na pagtangkilik ng mga tao sa "Alyas Robinhood." -- FRJ, GMA News
US STOCKS-Wall St falls as weak earnings dent optimism; oil drags
US STOCKS-Wall St falls as weak earnings dent optimism; oil drags
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3856190/US-STOCKS-Wall-St-falls-weak-earnings-dent-optimism-oil-drags.html#ixzz4NdwMfKsf
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US STOCKS-Wall St falls as weak earnings dent optimism; oil drags
Oct 20 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell sharply on Thursday as weak earnings from index heavyweights such as Verizon dented optimism about the earnings season and as a drop in oil prices weighed on energy stocks.
Verizon fell 2.3 percent, dragging the most on the S&P, after the wireless carrier reported a drop in quarterly revenue. Rival AT&T fell 2 percent.
The telecom services sector tumbled 1.9 percent, the most among the 11 major S&P 500 indexes.
The next biggest loser was the energy index, which was off 1.1 percent. Oil prices fell the most in four weeks on profit taking and the dollar's rise.
The biggest drag however was the technology sectors' 0.65 percent decline. Earnings of tech companies have been a spot of bother in the latest quarter.
EBay tumbled 10 percent after a disappointing current-quarter forecast. Microsoft, scheduled to report after the bell, fell 1.3 percent, weighing the most on the Nasdaq.
The top drag on the Dow was Travelers, which fell 4.28 percent after the insurer posted a steep drop in profit.
The mostly dour reports could dent the chances of S&P 500 companies having snapped a four-quarter earnings recession in the third quarter.
Helping the Dow and the S&P cut some losses was American Express's 8.9 percent jump following its strong results and forecast.
Of the 70 S&P 500 companies that had reported results until Wednesday, about 80 percent beat profit estimates. Earnings are expected to have risen 0.5 percent in the quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
"There hasn't been a rash of earnings misses, but when you are in-line and you have lukewarm forward guidance, the market doesn't get very excited about that, especially considering that expectations are already low," said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer for Cornerstone Financial Partners.
"With valuations on the higher end of historical averages, you want to see strong earnings across the board and I think the market's a little bit underwhelmed right now."
At 10:52 a.m. ET (1452 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 66.19 points, or 0.36 percent, at 18,136.43.
The S&P 500 was down 9.02 points, or 0.42 percent, at 2,135.27 and the Nasdaq Composite was down 25.11 points, or 0.48 percent, at 5,221.31.
Nine of the 11 major S&P 500 indexes were lower, with the healthcare and utilities sectors posting marginal gains.
Stock futures were higher earlier in the day after a poll showed more people perceived Hillary Clinton won the third and final U.S. presidential debate than her rival Donald Trump.
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by 1,960 to 799. On the Nasdaq, 1,551 issues fell and 910 advanced.
The S&P 500 index showed four new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 36 new highs and 38 new lows. (Reporting by Yashaswini Swamynathan in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3856190/US-STOCKS-Wall-St-falls-weak-earnings-dent-optimism-oil-drags.html#ixzz4NdwMfKsf
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Watch the world go by live from the ISS.. Comment when you spot your house
Watch the world go by live from the ISS.. Comment when you spot your house 
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PBA Finals: Durham believes Meralco capable of overturning Ginebra’s 3-2 lead
Updated 18:15 PM PHT Mon, October 17, 2016
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| Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Meralco Bolts fell into a dangerous 2-3 hole after dropping Game 5 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors' Cup Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Add caption |
The defeat saw Barangay Ginebra move to a win away from ending an eight-year title drought.
But newly-minted Best Import of the Conference Allen Durham said his side has more to give.
"This season has been nothing but adversity for us," Durham said. "We got the type of team that can bounce back, and we can win these next two games."
If the Bolts want to take the next two encounters, Durham said they have to start out as the more aggressive team.
"We got to have better starts," Durham conceded.
In Game 4, the Bolts fell behind by as much as 42-26 in the first half. They were able to mount a sizzling 34-4 rally of their own in the third quarter, but were unable to stop Ginebra's payoff period run.
It was a different story in Game 5 as they never got a taste of the lead the entire contest.
"We can’t start like how we did tonight (Game 5) or like how we did last game," Durham said.
The Bolts will get the chance to spoil Ginebra's party plans when they take them on in Game 6 of the Finals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
PAGASA: Typhoon Lawin exits the country
By CNN Philippines Staff
Updated 19:01 PM PHT Thu, October 20, 2016
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Typhoon Lawin (international name: Haima) made its way out of the country at around 5 p.m. Thursday, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
Signal Nos. 5, 4, 3, and 2 have been lifted.
As of 5 p.m., the eye of Typhoon Lawin was located 295 km west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Signal No. 1 is up over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Abra.
Weather forecasters warned the public against sea travel over northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and western seaboard of Central Luzon.
Wrath of Typhoon Lawin
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has not confirmed any casualties.
NDRRMC Spokesperson Mina Marasigan said the agency is still verifying two reported deaths in Isabela. It said the Chico, Abra, and Apayao rivers are still at critical levels as of 12 noon.
Isabela Governor Bojie Dy told CNN Philippines early Thursday morning a 70-year-old male died from a heart attack in one of the province's evacuation centers.
"A day after or two days [a typhoon passes]... Ang nagiging problema namin iyong pagabaha sa northern part of Isabela dahil ito ay isang catch basin," he added.
[Translation: A day after or two days [a typhoon passes]... we have the problem of flooding in northern Isabela because it is a catch basin.]
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday afternoon that 18,277 families from Regions 1, 2, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and 5 have been affected by the storm.
In Tuguegarao, Cagayan the storm's strong winds blew the roofs off houses and felled trees. Some roads were rendered impassable due to debris. The local government eyes placing the city under a state of calamity. It said the storm damaged around 80 percent of the city's households and businesses.
The storm made landfall in Peñablanca, Cagayan at 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Northern Abra and Ilocos Norte were placed under Signal No. 5 at the time.
CNN Philippines' Ruth Cabal, JC Gotinga, Gerg Cahiles, and David Santos contributed to this report.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story. Please refresh page for updates.
Duterte says U.S. has lost, aligns Philippines with China
Duterte says U.S.
has lost, aligns Philippines
with China
Duterte made his comments in China, where he is visiting with at least 200 business people to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance as relations with longtime ally the United States deteriorate.
His trade secretary, Ramon Lopez, said $13.5 billion in deals would be signed
Duterte's efforts to engage China, months after a tribunal ruling in the Hague over South China Sea disputes in favour of the Philippines, marks a reversal in foreign policy since the 71-year-old former mayor took office on June 30.
"America has lost now," Duterte told Chinese and Philippine business people at a forum in the Great Hall of the People, attended by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
"I've realigned myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to (President Vladimir) Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world - China, Philippines and Russia. It's the only way," he added.
"With that, in this venue, your honours, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States," Duterte said to applause. "I have separated from them. So I will be dependent on you for all time. But do not worry. We will also help as you help us."
China has pulled out all the stops to welcome Duterte, including a marching band complete with batton-twirling band master at his official welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People, which most leaders do not get.
Red carpet welcome
President Xi Jinping, meeting Duterte earlier in the day, called the visit a "milestone" in ties.
Xi told Duterte that China and the Philippines were brothers and they could "appropriately handle disputes", though he did not mention the South China Sea in remarks made in front of reporters.
"I hope we can follow the wishes of the people and use this visit as an opportunity to push China-Philippines relations back on a friendly footing and fully improve things," Xi said.
Following their meeting, during which Duterte said relations with China had entered a new "springtime", Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said the South China Sea issue was not the sum total of relations.
"The two sides agreed that they will do what they agreed five years ago, that is to pursue bilateral dialogue and consultation in seeking a proper settlement of the South China Sea issue," Liu said.
China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.
In 2012, China seized the disputed Scarborough Shoal and denied Philippine fishermen access to its fishing grounds.
Liu said the shoal was not mentioned and he did not answer a question about whether Philippine fishermen would be allowed there. He said both countries had agreed on coastguard and fisheries cooperation, but did not give details.
Sea row takes 'back seat'
Duterte's tone toward Beijing is in contrast to the language he has used against the United States, after being infuriated by U.S. criticism of his bloody war on drugs.
He has called U.S. President Barack Obama a "son of a bitch" and told him to "go to hell" while alluding to severing ties with the old colonial power.
On Wednesday, to the cheers of hundreds of Filipinos in Beijing, Duterte said Philippine foreign policy was veering towards China.
"I will not go to America anymore. We will just be insulted there," Duterte said. "So time to say goodbye my friend."
The same day, about 1,000 anti-U.S. protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Manila calling for the removal of U.S. troops from the southern island of Mindanao.
Duterte on Wednesday said the South China Sea arbitration case would "take the back seat" during talks, and that he would wait for the Chinese to bring up the issue rather than doing so himself.
Xi said issues that could not be immediately be resolved should be set aside, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
China has welcomed the Philippines' approaches, even as Duterte has vowed not to surrender any sovereignty to Beijing, which views the South China Sea Hague ruling as null and void.
China has also expressed support for his drug war, which has raised concern in Western capitals about extrajudicial killing.
Duterte's overtures to China have been accompanied by signs of improving business ties with the world's second largest economy.
China's Liu said Beijing will restore Philippine agricultural exports to China and provide financing for Philippine infrastructure.
No word on Panatag at Duterte-Xi meet; bilateral talks to follow
No word on Panatag at Duterte-Xi meet; bilateral talks to follow
China claims historic rights over the shoal even if it is located 124 nautical miles from the nearest point in Zambales, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the issue surrounding Panatag Shoal, which China calls Huangyan, was not discussed during the meeting between Duterte and Xi.
“The two presidents did not mention the issue of the Huangyan Island but they did talk about the cooperation in fisheries. They agreed that the two countries will strengthen fisheries cooperation in the South China Sea and also cooperation in terms of fishery products, industries,” Lui told reporters in an interview here.
“The two sides will have a more exchange of views on the fisheries cooperation and China will make proper arrangements,” he added.
Liu said China would also support the Philippines in developing aquaculture and fishery products processing “to help deliver a better life for the fishermen of the Philippines.”
The Philippines and China have also agreed to hold dialogues on the South China Sea, a move that Liu said signaled the “full recovery” of the friendship between the two countries.
“The two presidents agreed that China and the Philippines will return to track of dialogue and consultation to properly handle the South China Sea issue. This, in itself, signifies a new stage of maritime cooperation between the two countries,” Liu said.
“China is ready for discussions with our friends in the Philippines on maritime cooperation and cooperation in many other areas. And the details will be further discussed by the responsible authorities of both sides following this visit,” he added.
Philippine officials have yet to issue a statement on the bilateral meeting.
The Philippines’ decision to hold dialogues with China on the maritime dispute is a departure from the policy of the Aquino administration, which insisted that the issue be settled through multilateral channels.
China claims about 90 percent of the resource-rich South China Sea but this is being contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
In 2013, the Philippines under Aquino questioned the legality of China’s expansive claim before an international arbitral tribunal, further straining the ties between Manila and Beijing.
The tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in July, declaring China’s territorial claim as without legal basis. China is not recognizing the decision, saying the “illegal” ruling did not affect its territorial rights.
The Philippines’ relationship with China warmed up when Duterte assumed office in July and expressed readiness to hold bilateral negotiations to resolve the West Philippine Sea row.
Duterte has given assurances that he would not bargain the Philippines’ maritime claims and would stick to the arbitral tribunal’s ruling when talking to China.
He said, though, that he would not impose on China for now and that issues that cannot be resolved immediately can be set aside.
Duterte also expressed intentions to improve ties with China following a spat with the US over his brutal crackdown on narcotics, which American officials have criticized for supposedly encouraging extralegal killings.
'Historic visit'
Liu said Duterte’s four-day state visit is a “historic one” because it brought the Philippines-China relations “back to the track of friendship.”
“It marks the new stage of the practical cooperation between the two countries that it means that a new page is now open between the two countries in addressing the South China Sea issue through bilateral consultations,” the Chinese foreign ministry official said.
“The two sides have agreed to fully recover the interactions between the two countries including the diplomatic consultation, the defense security consultation and recover the work of various bilateral working mechanisms such as the joint committee on commerce and trade, on agriculture, on science and technology,” he added.
Political parties and legislative bodies of the Philippines and China are also expected to hold interactions in many areas.
“China will also take an active part in the infrastructure development in the Philippines and provide financing support to the Philippines in this aspect,” Liu said.
The Presidential Communications Office in Manila said in a statement Thursday that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has also committed $9 billion in low-interest loans to the Duterte administration, which has set aside territorial disputes in a bid for Beijing's help.
The money will go toward funding development projects. The Presidential Communications Office said about a third of the $9 billion loan offer will come from private banks.
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CHINA, RUSSIA, PHL AGAINST THE WORLD' After split with US, Duterte wants deal with Putin too
After split with US, Duterte wants deal with Putin too
BEIJING - After declaring a military and economic split from the United States in Beijing, President Rodrigo Duterte said he wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next to forge closer relations.
Duterte made the remark before Chinese government officials and business leaders who attended the Philippines-China Trade and Investment Forum.
"I realign myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin. There are three of us against the world. China, Philippines, Russia," Duterte said.
The pronouncement is the latest in increasingly hostile remarks against the US by Duterte, who has bristled at criticism of the rising death toll of his administration's crime campaign by Western countries.
He has previously said he wanted to open economic ties with China and Russia.
He seemed to accomplish part of that in his state visit to the Chinese capital, with trade secretary Ramon Lopez saying $13.5 billion in deals would be signed.
Duterte has also expressed an openness to hold war games with the two countries, after earlier declaring the end to joint military exercises with American soldiers. —Trisha Macas/JST, GMA News
Duterte declares break from US in military, economics
Duterte declares break from US in military, economics
BEIJING—President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday indicated that he was also breaking the Philippines' military and economic alliance with the United States.
Duterte made the remark before Chinese government officials and business leaders who attended the Philippines-China Trade and Investment Forum.
With the "separation" from the US, Duterte said he would now be relying on the Chinese officials and businessmen.
"I announce my separation from the United States both in the military but economics also. So please you have another problem of economics in my country," Duterte said.
"I have separated from them so I will be dependent on you for a long time but don't worry we will also help," he added.
Duterte said he also planned to visit Russia and firm up ties with Moscow.
"I realign myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin. There are three of us against the world. China, Philippines, Russia," Duterte said.
Duterte over the past months stepped up his anti-US rhetoric after US officials, including US President Barack Obama expressed concern over the alleged extrajudicial killings blamed on his war on drugs.
The President also announced that October's joint military exercises with the US would be the last under his term. —NB, GMA News
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