Manila and Beijing have made a big step towards consummating an agreement to jointly explore energy resources in the South China Sea, as Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte continues his quest to cement closer ties with China. The signing of the framework agreement was witnessed by Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was in the Philippines for a state visit, Bloomberg reported, citing local television coverage.

Philippines and China ink 29 deals during Xi’s Manila visit
MANILA – A total of 29 agreements signed between the Philippines and China have highlighted the first state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manila. President Rodrigo Duterte and Xi on Tuesday witnessed the exchange of agreements ceremony after the two leaders held an expanded bilateral meeting at the Malacañang Palace.

Trillanes seeks Makati court’s nod to travel to Europe, US
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has asked the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150 to allow him to travel abroad in Europe and the US. In his motion, Trillanes sought the court’s permission to travel from Dec. 11, 2018 to Jan. 12, 2019 and from Jan. 27 to Feb. 10, 2019. Trillanes’ counsel Atty. Reynaldo Robles said the senator was invited by various groups to attend several activities in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and London from Dec. 11, 2018 to Jan. 11, 2019.

Philippine Navy on the uptick with Spike-ER missile integration
ON BOARD THE BRP DAVAO DEL SUR -- The Philippine Navy (PN) is now on the upgrade with the successful capability demonstration of its newly-acquired and installed Rafael Advanced Defense Ltd. Spike-ER (extended range) surface-to-surface missile system during a live-fire exercise off Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan on Wednesday morning.

Escudero: Gov’t should at least assert rights over West Philippine Sea
If the Philippines cannot enforce the Hague’s ruling, then the government should at least assert its right over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Senator Francis Escudero made this assertion on Tuesday after majority of Filipinos reject the government’s policy of “doing nothing” about China’s intrusion” in the WPS. The people’s sentiments were reflected in latest survey of the Social Weather Stations.

What flag protocols stand for and why they mattered during Xi Jinping visit
Certain protocols in relation to the Philippine national flag and the presidential flag were breached during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the country. Historical researcher Eufemio Agbayani III of the National Historical Commission cited instances wherein the Chinese flag seemed to take precedence over the Philippine flag.