Latest from Alan Robles
Just under half the country has been double-vaccinated, while the Duterte administration has ruled out another punishing lockdown ahead of polls in May.
Just under half the country has been double-vaccinated, while the Duterte administration has ruled out another punishing lockdown ahead of polls in May.
Philippine presidential hopeful TVM wants people to believe the ‘real’ Bongbong Marcos died years ago. The claim is one of various conspiracy theories surrounding the colourful election.
Philippine presidential hopeful TVM wants people to believe the ‘real’ Bongbong Marcos died years ago. The claim is one of various conspiracy theories surrounding the colourful election.
Fans describe Leni Robredo’s choice of campaign colour as “a masterstroke visual metaphor of resistance against toxic masculinity”.
Fans describe Leni Robredo’s choice of campaign colour as “a masterstroke visual metaphor of resistance against toxic masculinity”.
In intellectual circles, the talk has turned to the possibility of a ‘Manchurian candidate’. The CIA once steered the pro-American ‘Amboy’ Ramon Magsaysay into office but Beijing’s attention on Bongbong Marcos has raised eyebrows.
In intellectual circles, the talk has turned to the possibility of a ‘Manchurian candidate’. The CIA once steered the pro-American ‘Amboy’ Ramon Magsaysay into office but Beijing’s attention on Bongbong Marcos has raised eyebrows.
The Philippine president claims one of the candidates to replace him is a drug user and ‘weak’ leader. Whatever can he mean?
The Philippine president claims one of the candidates to replace him is a drug user and ‘weak’ leader. Whatever can he mean?
The deadline to enter has passed and among the big names in with a shot are Panfilo Lacson, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, Ronald dela Rosa and Leni Robredo.
The deadline to enter has passed and among the big names in with a shot are Panfilo Lacson, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, Ronald dela Rosa and Leni Robredo.
In the Philippines’ free and open elections, it’s easy to vote a political family out of power – vote another one in. Welcome to the ‘world capital’ of political dynasties.
In the Philippines’ free and open elections, it’s easy to vote a political family out of power – vote another one in. Welcome to the ‘world capital’ of political dynasties.
Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque is vying for a spot at the International Law Commission.
Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque is vying for a spot at the International Law Commission.
After years of anti-American vitriol and repeated threats to scrap a deal that allows US troops to operate in the country, the Philippine leader has turned on a dime. Is it all part of a deep game?
After years of anti-American vitriol and repeated threats to scrap a deal that allows US troops to operate in the country, the Philippine leader has turned on a dime. Is it all part of a deep game?
The weightlifter made her stance on the South China Sea clear, saying ‘what’s ours is ours’, and thanked her Chinese coach, Gao Kaiwen.
The weightlifter made her stance on the South China Sea clear, saying ‘what’s ours is ours’, and thanked her Chinese coach, Gao Kaiwen.
Filipinos are ridiculing officials over their plans to pin down a recipe for adobo, a dish every family has a different take on.
Filipinos are ridiculing officials over their plans to pin down a recipe for adobo, a dish every family has a different take on.
An analyst says such a prospect would have been ‘unthinkable’ two decades ago following Japan’s legacy of conquest and occupation in the region.
An analyst says such a prospect would have been ‘unthinkable’ two decades ago following Japan’s legacy of conquest and occupation in the region.
Aquino, who died on Thursday, has been hailed for his legacy of economic growth and Manila’s 2016 arbitral victory over Beijing in the South China Sea dispute.
Aquino, who died on Thursday, has been hailed for his legacy of economic growth and Manila’s 2016 arbitral victory over Beijing in the South China Sea dispute.
The termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows US soldiers to train in the Philippines, has been put off multiple times.
The termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows US soldiers to train in the Philippines, has been put off multiple times.
The International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has asked for an investigation into the Philippine government, saying there is reason to believe it ‘deliberately’ killed up to 30,000 Filipinos in the crackdown between 2016 and 2019.
The International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has asked for an investigation into the Philippine government, saying there is reason to believe it ‘deliberately’ killed up to 30,000 Filipinos in the crackdown between 2016 and 2019.
Phone footage shows master sergeant Hensie Zinampan grabbing Lilibeth Valdez by the hair and shooting her.
Phone footage shows master sergeant Hensie Zinampan grabbing Lilibeth Valdez by the hair and shooting her.
President Duterte has moved to stop people choosing what brand of jab they receive after a clinic giving Pfizer jabs was swamped. Meanwhile people are missing appointments at centres offering Sinovac shots.
President Duterte has moved to stop people choosing what brand of jab they receive after a clinic giving Pfizer jabs was swamped. Meanwhile people are missing appointments at centres offering Sinovac shots.
The Philippine president has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from a contested maritime area near a Chinese military installation.
The Philippine president has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from a contested maritime area near a Chinese military installation.
Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin Jnr says there are now 300 Chinese boats in the disputed waters, up from 200 in March.
Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin Jnr says there are now 300 Chinese boats in the disputed waters, up from 200 in March.
The Philippines’ top diplomat has long refused to censor himself on social media, culminating in a recent expletive-laden Twitter rant at China. But the 72-year-old foreign secretary has not always been so pugnacious, say those who know him.
The Philippines’ top diplomat has long refused to censor himself on social media, culminating in a recent expletive-laden Twitter rant at China. But the 72-year-old foreign secretary has not always been so pugnacious, say those who know him.
War of words as Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr calls China an ‘ugly oaf’ in foul-mouthed Twitter outburst over Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal.
War of words as Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr calls China an ‘ugly oaf’ in foul-mouthed Twitter outburst over Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal.
Dr Rodrigo Ong of the independent OCTA Research Group think tank said the country was at the ‘same crosspoint’ in its fight against the virus, with the health care system in a ‘delicate balance’ as hospitals risk being overwhelmed.
Dr Rodrigo Ong of the independent OCTA Research Group think tank said the country was at the ‘same crosspoint’ in its fight against the virus, with the health care system in a ‘delicate balance’ as hospitals risk being overwhelmed.
Ana Patricia Non, 26, recently set up a shelf with groceries for those who have been jobless and hungry during Covid-19, sparking a nationwide trend.
Ana Patricia Non, 26, recently set up a shelf with groceries for those who have been jobless and hungry during Covid-19, sparking a nationwide trend.
The Philippines has summoned Beijing’s top envoy in the country to a meeting, but analysts say Manila may be forced to pick a side between the US and China.
The Philippines has summoned Beijing’s top envoy in the country to a meeting, but analysts say Manila may be forced to pick a side between the US and China.
The president had not been seen for two weeks, prompting speculation over his health, as people take to social media over the lack of hospital beds in the country.
The president had not been seen for two weeks, prompting speculation over his health, as people take to social media over the lack of hospital beds in the country.
The swarming of Chinese vessels in the Whitsun Reef could signal a shift in the pro-Beijing position that Manila has cultivated for five years.
The swarming of Chinese vessels in the Whitsun Reef could signal a shift in the pro-Beijing position that Manila has cultivated for five years.
The growing row sparked by Chinese vessels in the Whitsun Reef is causing a headache for Philippine President Duterte, who has been nurturing ties with China since 2016.
The growing row sparked by Chinese vessels in the Whitsun Reef is causing a headache for Philippine President Duterte, who has been nurturing ties with China since 2016.
Foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr says the Philippines might invoke its defence treaty with the US to deal with presence of Chinese ships in its waters, while duelling statements from the Chinese and American embassies have also fuelled anxiety and speculation.
Foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr says the Philippines might invoke its defence treaty with the US to deal with presence of Chinese ships in its waters, while duelling statements from the Chinese and American embassies have also fuelled anxiety and speculation.
The Philippines has lodged a formal protest with Beijing after spotting what it says is a militia of more than 200 Chinese vessels around Whitsun Reef. But it has also played down the friction.
The Philippines has lodged a formal protest with Beijing after spotting what it says is a militia of more than 200 Chinese vessels around Whitsun Reef. But it has also played down the friction.
Manila this month signed a deal to buy the world’s fastest cruise missile from New Delhi, while it could also secure up to 38 million doses of Covid-19 inoculations made in India.
Manila this month signed a deal to buy the world’s fastest cruise missile from New Delhi, while it could also secure up to 38 million doses of Covid-19 inoculations made in India.