INQToday: China’s chopper harasses PH researchers; DFA says 2016 arbitral award ‘final and binding’

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

 DFA: 2016 arbitral award ‘final and binding’, backed by int’l community

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday addressed China’s disapproval of the landmark arbitral ruling, maintaining that the award is “final and binding.”

In a press conference, Manalo was asked how the Philippines intends to “fix [the] dilemma” surrounding Beijing’s persistent refusal to recognize the historic July 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Netherlands.

China’s chopper harasses PH researchers near Pag-asa

A Chinese Navy helicopter harassed Filipino researchers conducting a survey at sandbars off the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island on Saturday, the same day that China Coast Guard (CCG) ships assaulted a Philippine supply boat with water cannons near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopter with tail No. 57 hovered above at a close distance of 20 meters while the researchers were conducting a survey at Cays 3 and 4, part of the four sandbars off Pag-asa, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told the Inquirer on Sunday.

VP Duterte’s ‘silence’ on China’s hostility in West Philippine Sea hit

What is Vice President Sara Duterte’s stance on China’s aggressive actions against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea?

A “deafening silence,” according to Akbayan Party head Rafaela David, as she challenged the country’s No. 2 leader to speak up and make her position known amid the persistent hostility of China in the disputed waters.

DOST: El Niño to affect more provinces as extended dry season likely

El Niño is expected to affect more provinces by May as there may be a longer dry season this year amid the strong weather phenomenon and the anticipated occurrence of its antithesis, La Niña.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that while La Niña is expected to bring in more tropical cyclones at the end of the year, the preconditions leading to it indicate lower-than-average rainfall.

Senate rules out before sub-panel ends Cha-cha discussion

The Rules of the Senate on Charter change (Cha-cha) will be out before the discussion on the issue ends at the committee level, according to Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, who heads the Senate Committee on Rules.

“We’re definitely on the right track, and we’ll be ready before the culmination of the sub-committee hearing,” Villanueva said in a message to reporters on Tuesday.

MMDA: Number coding rule suspended from March 27-29

The number coding scheme in Metro Manila will now be lifted from March 27 to 29, as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) added Holy Wednesday to its memo suspending the implementation of the rule.

The MMDA updated its previous announcement suspending the number coding scheme in the capital region on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in anticipation of a likely Holy Week travel rush after Malacañang announced that government work would be on a half-day, or only until noon, on March 27.