Here鈥檚 a quick roundup of today鈥檚 top stories:
A recent collision of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea is not the time or reason to invoke a Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
But the continuing dangerous maneuvers and actions against the Philippine coastguard is viewed with great alarm, Marcos told reporters in Australia. The 1951 treaty between the Philippines and United States binds them to defend each other if under attack.
President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the recent reported presence of聽聽was a 鈥渃lear intrusion鈥� into Philippine territory and a matter of 鈥済reat concern.鈥�
鈥淥nce again, this is a clear intrusion into our Philippine maritime territory and it is, as usual, of great concern,鈥� he said said in a video statement released by the Malaca帽ang Presidential Communication Office on Wednesday before his return flight to Manila Wednesday night.
Australia鈥檚 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that maritime security, trade and clean energy will shape the country鈥檚 future with the ASEAN bloc as Beijing looks to increase its presence in the contested South China Sea.
Australia is hosting the ASEAN summit in Melbourne, which marks the 50th anniversary of its ties to ASEAN even as differences remained across the 10-member bloc on China鈥檚 plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he personally told President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. that passing proposed amendments to the Constitution may face a problem and is, in fact, a challenge in the upper chamber.
In a press conference, Zubiri maintained that he did not ask Marcos鈥� help to convince senators who are against economic Charter change (Cha-cha).
Senator Imee Marcos has formally joined Senator Robin Padilla in his bid to block the Senate panel on women鈥檚 contempt order against alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Marcos said she already talked with Padilla regarding the matter, adding that other Senate panel members are likely to join their call.
Two transgender Filipinos are currently facing charges for assault and battery after a fight involving around 20 Filipino and four Thai transwomen in Bangkok, Thailand, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Wednesday.
The fight occurred at a restaurant in Soi Sukhumvit 11 near Nana BTS station on Monday night, resulting in one Thai being injured.
Cannes Film Festival is among those grieving the death of, the first Filipina to win the best actress award in the prestigious film fest in France.
The film festival paid tribute to Jose, showing a photo of her with her award through its official聽聽on Wednesday, March 6.