By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Following recent defense agreements with the United States and Australia, and ongoing talks for a similar pact with Japan, France has signaled its determination to forge a new partnership with the Philippines.

The commitment was made on Saturday, with France pledging to explore an accord that would enable both nations to deploy troops to each other’s territories.

This development aligns with France’s strategic goal of reinforcing its role in the Asia-Pacific region, amidst the ongoing power dynamics between China and the United States.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro highlighted the shared values and cooperation between France and the Philippines, emphasizing a collaborative approach not only in the South China Sea but also in the broader Pacific area. The aim is to enhance defense cooperation and presence alongside other Oceanic nations.

The defense chief added that he and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu agreed to seek authorization from their respective presidents and relevant agencies to start negotiations for a visiting forces agreement (VFA).

Lecornu, the first French defense minister to make an official visit to the Philippines, also disclosed that the French navy already had a “high number of operations and training in the region”.

“We are working on an agenda of strengthening our presence in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

With this latest development, political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration to be “friend of everyone and enemy to none” seems to be working in the country’s favor against foreign aggression.

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By Junex Doronio

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has sustained a significant backlash in the most recent survey and for a ranking member of Sanlakas-Cebu, this might be due to his inability to deliver on his campaign pledge to reduce the cost of rice to P20 per kilogram.

This issue has become a glaring weakness for him, leading to disillusionment among the vast majority of the 31 million Filipinos who cast their votes in his favor during the May 2022 election, the socialist-leaning official said.

“Ang tinatahak na landas ni PBBM ay taliwas sa inaasahan ng mayoryang nagluklok sa kanya. Ang bigas na pangunahing pagkain na mahalaga sa mamamayan ang naging batayan ng pagboto sa kasalukuyang administrasyon. Ang pangakong gawing 20 pesos ang kilo ng bigas at ‘di niya kayang pangatawanan ang siyang magiging daan upang masiphayo ang mga umaasa sa kanya. Ito rin ang magiging daan upang dumausdos ang kanyang popularidad,” Sanlakas -Cebu secretary general Teodorico “Ka Teody” Duran Navea told Maharlika Nu Media in an exclusive interview Friday.

Known as one of the RJ factions of the leftist groups, Sanlakas-Cebu rooted for then-presidential candidate labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman of Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) in 2022.

RJ is the shortened term for the “rejectionists” or those who reject the “protracted people’s war” or prolonged armed struggle advocated by the RA or “reaffirmists.”

The RAs adhere to armed revolution by encircling the cities from the countryside — a concept that was copied from China’s Mao Zedong by the late Jose Ma. Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in 1968.

Most recent survey

According to a recent survey conducted by Publicus Asia, there has been a decline in favorable sentiments towards the administration of President Marcos, accompanied by an increase in sentiments opposing the administration.

In the third-quarter survey by Publicus, released recently, it was found that 43 percent of respondents expressed support for the administration, a decrease from the 48 percent recorded in the second-quarter survey. Publicus noted that this decrease suggests a reduction in alignment with the current administration and its priorities compared to the previous quarter.

Conversely, anti-administration sentiments rose from 18 percent in the first quarter to 23 percent in the third quarter, indicating that a greater number of respondents are now opposed to or dissatisfied with the administration’s leadership. This trend suggests an ongoing increase in dissatisfaction with the administration.

Notably, the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed a significant drop in pro-administration support, falling from 47 percent to 35 percent, while anti-administration support in the NCR increased from 17 percent to 30 percent. Southern Luzon also experienced a decline in pro-administration support, from 41 percent to 36 percent, although Mindanao continued to strongly support the Marcos administration, with 56 percent favoring it.

Despite these shifts, respondents’ political leaning toward the opposition or the Liberal Party remained stable at 45 percent. Pro-opposition support remained statistically constant at 20 percent, slightly higher than the 18 percent recorded in the previous quarter, while anti-opposition support decreased from 35 percent to 33 percent.

Publicus noted that some respondents may be adopting a “wait-and-see” approach, cautiously awaiting improvements from the current administration while refraining from full commitment to the opposition until concrete changes are observed.

The survey was conducted from September 7 to 12 and involved 1,500 respondents selected from a market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace. Respondents were divided into five geographical areas: NCR, North Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (ai/mnm)

IN PURSUIT of adopting alternative fuels in the transport sector particularly in the aviation industry, the Department of Energy (DOE) is collaborating closely with the country’s aviation sector and international partners to decarbonize commercial aviation industry through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

SAF is an environmentally sustainable and chemically identical alternative to fossil fuel-based aviation fuel.

SAF can be processed from plant and used oil feedstock such as forestry and agricultural waste and used vegetable oils.

In the Philippines, one potential feedstock for SAF is coconut oil (CNO), which is also used for biodiesel production.

Alongside this, the DOE acknowledges international initiatives such as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which offers a harmonized way to reduce emissions from international aviation.

CORSIA allows the use of SAF derived from biomass or waste resources in order to reduce the carbon offsetting requirements of airlines.

Under the CORSIA’s timetable, participating ICAO Member States are mandated to comply with the CO2 off-setting requirements by 2024-2026 while the mandatory compliance was set for 2027-2035.

The Philippines as ICAO member joined CORSIA in December 2018 through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Likewise, Section 9.2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006 which establishes the National Biofuels Board (NBB) is mandated to recommend to the DOE the use of biofuel blends in air transport considering the safety and technical viability.

In February 2023, a stakeholders meeting was conducted among the DOE, CAAP, Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to discuss the potential advantage of exploring SAF in the country in preparation for CORSIA’s compliance by 2027.

EASA has also prepared a proposal for the SAF readiness evaluation for the Philippines, and it is expected to be completed by December 2023.

“The use of SAF is intended to reduce the carbon footprint associated with aviation operations. This alternative fuel source, derived from renewable feedstock, holds the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while ensuring the highest safety and performance standard,” Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said.

“As a commitment to creating a sustainable aviation transport sector that will contribute to the broader national efforts towards a low-carbon future, the DOE is working to establish the necessary framework and regulations to support the adoption of SAP,” Undersecretary Sales added.

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