Manila, April 23 -- The Philippines has yet to receive a formal offer and proposal from the United States regarding the possible sale of the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Wednesday.

"Wala pa kaming natatanggap na formal offer o proposal hanggang sa ngayon (We are still to receive any formal offer or proposal up to now)," he said when asked for an update on this matter during an ambush interview at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

The defense chief did not elaborate further.

The Philippines is looking for advanced fighter jets or multi-role fighters (MRFs) to beef up its fleet of FA-50PHs, described as light combat aircraft, that were acquired...