MARITIME SUMMIT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023 at The Manila Hotel, Manila on Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2023). Marcos underscored the need to make the maritime industry "once again a top priority." (PNA photo Alfred Frias) MANILA - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he believes that the country's maritime sector should be given greater importance. "Given that the Philippines is a maritime nation, I believe that it is time for us to make the maritime industry once again a top priority," he said in his speech during the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023 at the Manila Hotel in Manila. Marcos said he recognized that the Philippines already holds a dominant position in the world of global shipping, but believes the country can "do more" in terms of harnessing seafarers' potential. "We already hold the most vital ingredient to success which is our seafarers. All we n
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo) MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte wants to visit the United States to personally thank their government for their donation of vaccines against Covid-19. In a prerecorded public address on Thursday night, Duterte bared that the Philippines will be receiving an additional 5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines. "Kasasabi lang ni Secretary Galvez at Secretary Duque na ang America nagbigay ng bago, 5 million [doses] (Secretary [Carlito] Galvez and Secretary [Francisco] Duque just informed me that America is giving us new doses, 5 million doses)," he said. He did not mention the brand of the vaccine. "Ang bait ng America. Baka pupunta ako doon (America is so generous. I might go there) just to thank the American government and the people," he added. Citing government data, Duterte said the country has received more than 71 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. Of this number, around 46 million doses were purchased by the government, 16