PBBM tackles Aussie pact

The partnership, signed last year, was an enhanced bilateral of the two countries from a Comprehensive Partnership in 2015 when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the country.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to visit Australia and will address its Parliament next week, a rare occasion for any global leader, Malacañang said on Saturday.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said Marcos will be a guest of the Australian government during his visit scheduled from 28 to 29 February, where he will discuss the vision for the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia before the Parliament.

The partnership, signed last year, was an enhanced bilateral relationship between the two countries from a Comprehensive Partnership in 2015 when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the country.

Marcos will also meet with Australian senior officials to tackle issues on defense and security, trade, investments, people-to-people exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and other regional concerns.

New pacts set

During his visit, Marcos will sign new agreements in common interest “to complement the already robust cooperation with Australia and expand engagements for mutual capacity-building.”

The Philippines and Australia will mark the 78th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in November this year.

There are 408,000 Filipinos and Australians of Filipino descent staying in Australia, making them the 5th largest migrant community in the country as of 2022.

Australia is one of the two countries with a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement or SOVFA with the Philippines.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEY SANCHEZ MENDOZA FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE@tribunephl_joey Untangling chaos Amid a web of 'spaghetti' cable wires on San Marcelino Street in Ermita, Manila, a worker navigates through potential hazards on Saturday. These jumbled wires are not just an eyesore but a safety concern, too.