Marcos, Japan PM Takaichi hold phone talks ahead of Asean Summit

Inquirer.net - Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a telephone conversation on Tuesday ahead of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional cooperation. In a press release, the Presidential Communications Office said the two leaders discussed preparations for the summits in November, which will bring together Asean leaders and dialogue partners. Marcos and Takaichi also discussed the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting, which the Philippines and Japan are scheduled to co-chair next month. READ: PH, Japan relations elevated to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ AZEC is a Japan-led initiative aimed at promoting clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable economic growth while strengthening energy security across the region.  During the AZEC Plus One Online Summit on April 15, Japan announced its US$10-billion Partnership on

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Oct 20, 2026
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Oct 20, 2026
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Updated at 2:23 P.M MANILA, Philippines — A total of 99 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been repatriated from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following missile attacks claimed by Yemeni Houthi rebels, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced on Tuesday. In its latest repatriation efforts, 50 OFWs arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on

Atong Ang has left the Philippines – Remulla
Oct 20, 2026
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MANILA, Philippines — Gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has already left the country through the “backdoor,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Tuesday. “He used the backdoor,” Remulla said in a chance interview on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in Makati City on Tuesday. Remulla declined to provide

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Oct 20, 2026
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What's behind Egypt's move towards possible military involvement in Saudi-Yemen conflict?
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