Marcos at the UN: EMPOWERING WOMEN 'CORNERSTONE OF NATION-BUILDING' @here

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr spoke before the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN HQ on March 9. Here's a few excerpts from his remarks:

- “If women are educated, safe, able to work, able to lead, able to decide the course of their own lives — then a society is moving forward. If they are not, then no level of prosperity can truly be called progress.”

- “In the Philippines, we are proud to say that we have long believed that empowering women is not merely a matter of fairness — it is a cornerstone of nation-building.”

- “Education must remain at the center of all our efforts. When a girl is educated, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. They strengthen families, uplift communities, and expand the possibilities of entire nations.”

- “Economic empowerment is equally essential. Women must have access to employment, to finance, to entrepreneurship, and to leadership.”
- "We cannot hope to solve the great challenges of our time if half of our humanity is excluded from shaping those solutions. Women must be present wherever decisions are made – in government, in business, in science, in diplomacy, and in peacebuilding. The Philippines stands ready to work with all nations to advance this cause. Because when women rise, societies rise with them. When women lead, nations move forward."

Our Ask Me Anything Session with Philippine Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad is happening at 2 pm in this chat room! @here Do you have questions for him? Send them here so our reporter @Bea Cupin - RAPPLER can ask later during their on-camera interview. You can watch the interview here: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/ask-me-anything-navy-spokesperson-roy-vincent-trinidad-march-2026/

Good afternoon

Hi! @here We're beginning our AMA Session in a few minutes! If you have any questions for Philippine Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad you may send them now so our reporter @Bea Cupin - RAPPLER can ask later during their on-camera interview.

Question for RAdm. Trinidad:

1) When did the Navy/AFP first detect the actual actors (3 + 1 who refused).
2) Were it just the 4 that were discovered so far?

Welcome, everyone! You may start sending your questions for Philippine Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad now!

Good afternoon Sir. The economic vulnerabilities of the civilians became the point of weakness that these recruiters targeted. Is the Command addressing this particular weakness in the civilian corps of the organization?

Thanks for the questions so far, guys!

@Regine C. @CA_Castro @ama. @AJDV @Vince looking forward to your questions :) You may watch the live session here: https://www.youtube.com/live/QtxwocyGk60

Hello RAdm. Trinidad:

I am Jan from the House of Representatives. Questions regarding the topic:

1. It was mentioned that the existing counter-espionage act is "outdated". However, based on the law proof of intent to leak or share military information is sufficient to prove the crime of espionage. What other parts of the law are deemed "outdated" and how may Congress help to update such law?

2. The captured suspects are young Filipino analysts, and it is clear from the article that the primary suspects are Chinese nationals. Realistically, will the AFP have the capability to capture these primary suspects? Or would that require assistance from our allies?

3. What other support may Congress provide, whether pushing for a larger budget for defense, or are there other proposed bills that may help the AFP protect national security?

Was the AFP able to take note of digital behaviors in the recruitment of these analysts? Something like use of AI, coordinated inauthentic behavior, etc? Thank you po.

Considering that modern espionage often spans cyber, communications, and physical domains, how are the Navy, DND, and AFP enhancing inter-agency intelligence sharing and situational awareness to address these challenges?

Hey, everyone! Any more follow up questions for Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad? 🤔

5. Do you think security agencies should start considering the use of FIlipino-made and verified messaging/communication/file sharing apps to improve operational security?

Were the Navy/AFP aware of the military analyst Facebook recruitment posts from 2023-2024?

Do we submit questions for Spox Trinidad here? I was wondering if he has seen the SeaLight investigation on the alleged China interference through a DepEd public school essay contest disparaging Japan. Has the security sector been able to confirm this? What are his thoughts?

Yes, please send questions here if you have more :)

Thank you everyone who sent their questions 👋

Thank you for organizing the AMA!

Thank you to Bea and Rappler team for organizing the AMA! Thank you as well to VAdm Trinidad for being open to our questions!

Thanks @Jan @jansantos54 @Carlos Nazareno @Kuro @Regine C. for your questions :) Who should we bring in for an AMA next? (Si Lawrence** at Danny** na pala mismo next time, noh?)

Update on overseas Filipinos affected by war conflicts in Middle East

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) share the latest numbers regarding assisted overseas Filipinos in the Middle East during a House joint committee briefing on their situation on Wednesday, March 11.

DFA Migration Affairs Secretary Ezzedin Tago reported that they have received 327 repatriation requests from non-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), mostly coming from Dubai, with 199 requests.  Meanwhile, over 180 have already been repatriated or assisted.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that 679 OFWs and their dependents have been assisted as of March 10, while 380 are ready for repatriation.

885 stranded OFWs ready for pre-departure in the Philippines and 526 stranded in transit hubs were also assisted, the DMW added. @here

ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet, call on 'immediate cessation of hostilities' in Middle East @here

According to ASEAN's readout of the virtual meeting, ministers "emphasised the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and called on all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint, avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation, and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region."

"The Meeting reaffirmed the obligation of all States to resolve their differences through peaceful means and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, in line with international law, including the UN Charter. The Meeting further reiterated the obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in armed conflicts consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions."