News Roundup 23 September 2022
Sep 23, 2022 • 4 min Read
Only Marcos granted meeting with Biden; maritime dispute, other key issues tackled — Palace | INQUIRER.NET – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is the only world leader to have met with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations 77th General Assembly, Malacañang said Thursday (Friday Manila time). Both leaders also discussed, among others, the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said 48 world leaders have requested to meet with Biden, but he only met with President Marcos. “We understand that a lot of requests have been made to the US President, that it is significant that he spoke only with Marcos on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly,” she told reporters in a press briefing here. The two Presidents held a bilateral meeting, the first so far between the US and the Philippines. According to the readout of the meeting released by the White House, President Biden reaffirmed the US’ “ironclad” commitment to the defense of the Philippines. Marcos and Biden also discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including energy security, climate action, and infrastructure. The White House said Russia’s war against Ukraine and its implications for energy prices and food security, was also discussed during the meeting. Other topics tackled were the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the crisis in Myanmar, and the importance of upholding human rights.
Turns out Biden met other world leaders in NY, not just Marcos; Palace sorry for ‘confusion’ | INQUIRER.NET – Malacañang has claimed that United States President Joe Biden “spoke only” with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. However, it turns out that it was not the case as the official website of the White House showed Biden met with several other world leaders after they addressed the UN General Assembly (UNGA) this week. Specifically, Biden also met with France President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Liz Truss, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday, September 21, a day before the US President’s bilateral talks with Marcos. On Friday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles apologized for the “slight confusion” caused by her earlier remark, clarifying that Biden’s meetings with the other state leaders had been previously agreed upon but that they were postponed and only pushed through along with the UNGA. She nevertheless maintained that Marcos’ request to meet with Biden on the side of the UNGA was the only one granted by the US President.
Taiwan to resume visa-free entry for Filipinos | PHILSTAR.COM – Filipinos can travel again to Taiwan without need for a visa as the self-governing island is set to lift its suspension on visa-free travel for Philippine nationals on September 29. Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs announced Thursday that nationals from the Philippines, along with nationals from 10 other countries, would again enjoy visa-free privileges as part of the island’s moves to reopen borders which it shuttered at the onset of the pandemic, state-run CNA reported. While Filipinos may start entering Taiwan for 14 days without a visa, they and other travelers to the island are still expected to follow its quarantine scheme, which involves quarantining for three days and self-monitoring for four days. Beginning September 29, travelers arriving in Taiwan can quarantine in a residence occupied by other people as long as they have a room of their own with its own bathroom. This quarantine scheme will remain in place until October 13 as long as the COVID-19 situation in Taiwan improves. Travelers arriving to Taiwan would also no longer be required to take an RT-PCR test upon arrival and instead will be given four rapid antigen self-test kits beginning Sept. 29. Taiwan has been easing up on pandemic restrictions, with a first set of countries — excluding the Philippines — having been allowed visa-free entry into the island early this month. Along with Philippine nationals, holders of passports from Japan, South Korea, Chile, Israel, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei will also enjoy visa-free privileges starting next Thursday.
