Latest from Alan Robles
Unexpected warning by Manila’s foreign secretary over Chinese naval exercises comes as US and Chinese forces gather in the disputed waters, so close they can see each other.
Unexpected warning by Manila’s foreign secretary over Chinese naval exercises comes as US and Chinese forces gather in the disputed waters, so close they can see each other.
There were more than 5,500 Covid-19 cases there as of Monday, along with some 150 deaths.
There were more than 5,500 Covid-19 cases there as of Monday, along with some 150 deaths.
The warrantless arrest of Ronnel Mas, who tweeted he would pay anyone willing to kill Duterte, is ‘unlawful’, says a judge.
The warrantless arrest of Ronnel Mas, who tweeted he would pay anyone willing to kill Duterte, is ‘unlawful’, says a judge.
Cuneta’s daughter, Frankie Pangilinan, earlier this month criticised rape culture and victim-blaming in the Philippines.
Cuneta’s daughter, Frankie Pangilinan, earlier this month criticised rape culture and victim-blaming in the Philippines.
The Philippine capital has relaxed its coronavirus lockdown but most public transport is still banned and many commuters are unable to get to work.
The Philippine capital has relaxed its coronavirus lockdown but most public transport is still banned and many commuters are unable to get to work.
Cloned accounts have been sending death threats to their real owners, many of whom are students and journalists opposed to the Duterte administration’s anti-terrorism bill.
Cloned accounts have been sending death threats to their real owners, many of whom are students and journalists opposed to the Duterte administration’s anti-terrorism bill.
The Philippine capital has endured one of the world’s longest lockdowns, which has hit the livelihoods of millions but not halted a steady stream of new infections.
The Philippine capital has endured one of the world’s longest lockdowns, which has hit the livelihoods of millions but not halted a steady stream of new infections.
Delays with testing and the issuing of health certificates have left up to 24,000 repatriated workers stuck aboard cruise ships or in hotels and crowded health facilities.
Delays with testing and the issuing of health certificates have left up to 24,000 repatriated workers stuck aboard cruise ships or in hotels and crowded health facilities.
The warrantless arrests come a month after Duterte appeared to give police permission to ‘shoot dead’ violators of the Philippines’ coronavirus lockdown.
The warrantless arrests come a month after Duterte appeared to give police permission to ‘shoot dead’ violators of the Philippines’ coronavirus lockdown.
A wave of returning workers could upend a long established fact in the Philippines: that it can count on remittances from abroad to bolster its economy.
A wave of returning workers could upend a long established fact in the Philippines: that it can count on remittances from abroad to bolster its economy.
Philippine offshore gaming operators, or Pogos, were allowed to resume operations on May 1 subject to certain conditions.
Philippine offshore gaming operators, or Pogos, were allowed to resume operations on May 1 subject to certain conditions.
Duterte’s spokesman prompted outrage by saying people over 60 would need to stay at home even after measures were lifted. Angry seniors pointed out Duterte is 75.
Duterte’s spokesman prompted outrage by saying people over 60 would need to stay at home even after measures were lifted. Angry seniors pointed out Duterte is 75.
‘If you have a best friend and you always argue over basketball, you don’t discuss this when you want to promote harmony’.
‘If you have a best friend and you always argue over basketball, you don’t discuss this when you want to promote harmony’.
Analysts said the shooting could cause friction between the two forces charged with managing the quarantine of some 60 million people on Luzon island.
Analysts said the shooting could cause friction between the two forces charged with managing the quarantine of some 60 million people on Luzon island.
Heavy handed police tactics and a leaked military memo have conjured the spectre of martial law, which President Rodrigo Duterte is not averse to imposing.
Heavy handed police tactics and a leaked military memo have conjured the spectre of martial law, which President Rodrigo Duterte is not averse to imposing.
Some 8,200 containers – many containing much-needed supplies – are lying unclaimed in Manila’s ports due to transport restrictions and lack of personnel.
Some 8,200 containers – many containing much-needed supplies – are lying unclaimed in Manila’s ports due to transport restrictions and lack of personnel.
Doctors and staff quarantined after senator Koko Pimentel, who has Covid-19, violated home quarantine to take his pregnant wife to a Manila hospital.
Doctors and staff quarantined after senator Koko Pimentel, who has Covid-19, violated home quarantine to take his pregnant wife to a Manila hospital.
At least two dozen politicians and public officials as well as their relatives were tested despite showing no symptoms, whistle-blowers have revealed.
At least two dozen politicians and public officials as well as their relatives were tested despite showing no symptoms, whistle-blowers have revealed.
China has cancelled the passports of hundreds of its offshore workers, as it cracks down on illegal overseas online crimes such as gambling and fraud.
China has cancelled the passports of hundreds of its offshore workers, as it cracks down on illegal overseas online crimes such as gambling and fraud.
Jaime Morente, Duterte’s close ally, is being ‘assessed’ for links to an operation which saw officials letting in Chinese nationals into the country for bribes.
Jaime Morente, Duterte’s close ally, is being ‘assessed’ for links to an operation which saw officials letting in Chinese nationals into the country for bribes.
Even criminals could buy entry to the Philippines, says immigration officer who noticed ‘dramatic increase’ in Chinese arrivals as disgruntled staff turned to accepting bribes.
Even criminals could buy entry to the Philippines, says immigration officer who noticed ‘dramatic increase’ in Chinese arrivals as disgruntled staff turned to accepting bribes.
Immigration officials at Manila airport are taking bribes, called pastillas after a Philippine confectionery, to provide priority entry to Chinese nationals.
Immigration officials at Manila airport are taking bribes, called pastillas after a Philippine confectionery, to provide priority entry to Chinese nationals.
Filipino workers are sharing stories of lives torn apart and financial losses after being prevented from returning to Hong Kong after Manila banned travel to and from China.
Filipino workers are sharing stories of lives torn apart and financial losses after being prevented from returning to Hong Kong after Manila banned travel to and from China.
More than 1,000 Filipinos employed in Hong Kong as engineers, pilots and domestic helpers have been unable to leave the Philippines since February 2.
More than 1,000 Filipinos employed in Hong Kong as engineers, pilots and domestic helpers have been unable to leave the Philippines since February 2.
In a Supreme Court filing, the Duterte government accused ABS-CBN of greedy business practices and breaching ownership laws.
In a Supreme Court filing, the Duterte government accused ABS-CBN of greedy business practices and breaching ownership laws.
While the Southeast Asian nation has just three confirmed cases, experts say fears over the virus’ spread are threatening to become an ‘epidemic of racism’.
While the Southeast Asian nation has just three confirmed cases, experts say fears over the virus’ spread are threatening to become an ‘epidemic of racism’.
He also pledged solidarity with Beijing as it looks to curb the spread of the virus, saying ‘China has been kind to us’.
He also pledged solidarity with Beijing as it looks to curb the spread of the virus, saying ‘China has been kind to us’.
A Philippine senate committee has gained a shocking insight into the world of Chinese-run brothels, where prostitutes are priced according to nationality and sold on apps like a takeaway.
A Philippine senate committee has gained a shocking insight into the world of Chinese-run brothels, where prostitutes are priced according to nationality and sold on apps like a takeaway.
Foreign secretary Teodoro ‘Teddy Boy’ Locsin Jr is a key figure in Duterte’s ‘pivot’ from the US to China. But as his Twitter feed shows, this top diplomat is not one for diplomacy.
Foreign secretary Teodoro ‘Teddy Boy’ Locsin Jr is a key figure in Duterte’s ‘pivot’ from the US to China. But as his Twitter feed shows, this top diplomat is not one for diplomacy.
Residents of towns near Taal Volcano in the Philippines want life to return to normal, venting their frustrations against scientists for maintaining the Level 4 alert.
Residents of towns near Taal Volcano in the Philippines want life to return to normal, venting their frustrations against scientists for maintaining the Level 4 alert.