The Philippines and Vietnam signed 19 agreements spanning defense, trade, tourism, technology, education, and energy on Monday, translating their newly elevated Enhanced Strategic Partnership into a broad slate of government and business initiatives.

The Aboitiz Group is ramping up its Vietnam expansion, leveraging investments in energy, food security, and infrastructure as economic ties between Manila and Hanoi gain momentum under a deepening bilateral partnership.

Senator Jose 'Jinggoy' Estrada on Monday maintained his innocence in the plunder charges filed against him, alleging that the case is part of a political effort to weaken the Senate bloc aligned with Vice President Sara Duterte. Estrada claimed he had received several offers to have the plunder and graft cases dropped if he agreed to leave the new Senate majority coalition but rejected them. Estrada said he cannot sacrifice the independence of the Senate to improve my personal circumstances. The beleaguered lawmaker framed the plunder case as an assault on the autonomy of the Senate, which “must remain free from political coercion, free from undue influence, and free from any scheme designed to weaken its constitutional role as a co-equal and independent branch of government.”