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Alan Robles
Alan Robles
Alan Robles has been a journalist for more than 30 years and has written for the SCMP since 2002. A freelance foreign correspondent specialising in politics, development, foreign affairs, science, environment and IT, he has a humour column at abs-cbnnews.com and runs the political satire site hotmanila.ph. He lectured for 12 years on digital media at the Internationales Institut fuer Journalismus in Berlin.

President Marcos Jnr recently described his country as a frontline state, in remarks that recalled the Philippines’ dark chapter of being colonised by Japan.

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It’s a far cry from 2022, when supporters from both sides worked together for the campaign of Marcos Jnr and his vice-presidential running mate, Duterte’s daughter Sara.

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Manila and Washington are united in their opposition to China’s ‘maritime expansionism’, analysts say – but some in the Philippines fear mounting provocations could tip over into war.

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Opponents call Marcos ‘shamelessly entitled’ and ‘callous’ for having fun in Singapore barely two weeks after Typhoon Noru left death and destruction on Luzon island.

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Bongbong Marcos has indicated he’s keen to adopt the Duterte administration’s stance of appeasement towards the South China Sea dispute, while Robredo has criticised Beijing’s ‘bullying’ behaviour.

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The history and lack of international influence of the Philippines is examined in The Making of the Modern Philippines: Pieces of a Jigsaw State, by Philip Bowring.

The people’s campaign for Leni Robredo has reached a fever pitch as the May 9 election nears, with supporters turning out in droves to grow the ‘pink wave’.

Son of brutal late dictator avoiding media interviews and taking opponents on, while a recent viral video showed him recoiling at a fan’s touch.

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Three-month campaign period is now under way, with a 13-page list of prohibitions aiming to ensure fair election takes place on May 9, and different views on how to deal with South China Sea dispute.

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Plan, launched on Monday in Manila area, accused of being ‘draconian’; government tries to clarify new rules while mentioning ‘reason to apologise’.

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Just under half the country has been double-vaccinated, while the Duterte administration has ruled out another punishing lockdown ahead of polls in May.

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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.

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 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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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