News Update As of March 15, 2017
(Wednesday)
1. Manila Bulletin
Dominguez warns of international suits if mines are shut without due process
Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez warned yesterday that the Philippine government faces protracted international arbitration suits should Malacañang shut down big mining operations with foreign partners.
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/15/dominguez-warns-of-international-suits-if-mines-are-shut-without- due-process/
2. Philippine Star
Rody on Cayetano as DFA chief: Senate needs him
President Duterte has hinted that he may not appoint his ally Sen. Alan Cayetano to the Cabinet after the ban on the appointment of losing candidates ends.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/03/15/1681262/rody-cayetano-dfa-chief-senate-needs-him 3. Daily Inquirer
China respects PH rights over Benham Rise — official
China welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s friendly remarks on the Chinese presence of research vessels, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/153326/china-respects-ph-rights-benham-rise-official#ixzz4bMLjIyIQ
4. Manila Times
PH has sovereign right over Benham – analyst
ONLY the Philippines has the right to explore and exploit the natural resources in Benham Rise although the country cannot claim the area as its own territory, a political analyst said Tuesday.
Professor Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER) explained that although Benham Rise belongs to the Philippines, it is not considered part of the country’s territorial waters.
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-sovereign-right-benham-analyst/317297/
