The Philippine government is investigating China’s part ownership of the national grid amid claims Beijing can plunge the country into darkness.

Risa Hontiveros vows to push for an investigation by the Senate into claims that Beijing can remotely control the electricity network, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry said were ‘completely groundless’.

The US presidential hopeful has accused the Philippine government of carrying out an ‘abhorrent’ crackdown on activists and labour groups.

Engineers in China could plunge the country into darkness using a remote operating system supplied by a firm based in Nanjing.

Fujian-born John Gokongwei Jnr, best known as the founder of Cebu Pacific, dies two days before 53-year-old PAL Holdings president Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jnr.

The Philippine president was angered by the vice-president’s criticism of his war on drugs, saying: ‘You’re brighter? You try it’.

The president is set to become the first Russian leader to make a state visit to the Philippines for more than 40 years, according to a former envoy.

Beijing in 2016 pledged to fund an array of major construction jobs for the president’s infrastructure programme, but three years on, many projects remain on the drawing board.

Russia proposes manufacturing light arms and small weapons in the Southeast Asian nation using Russian know-how after meeting between presidents Duterte and Putin this month.

Gamboa has been accused of only suspending the team leader of the disgraced policemen, despite a recommendation for his sacking. The term ‘ninja cops’ refers to 13 officers accused of stealing and reselling drugs seized in a 2013 bust.

Attempt by the Philippine president to reconcile film star family rift between Gretchen Barretto and sister Marjorie ends in scuffle and the intervention of his bodyguards.

Lieutenant General Noel Clement says the military supports diplomatic efforts to prevent an escalation of tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed waterway.

The Philippine president has invited the Russian oil giant Rosneft to explore for oil in the disputed waterway. Experts warn that could put the Philippines in the middle of a three-way tug of war between the US, China and Russia

China has attempted to entice the Philippines into closer security ties since Duterte became president in 2016, but stand-offs over the South China Sea and a US defence treaty are among the reasons its overtures have been ignored.

‘Do I have to fly home to file the goddamned diplomatic protest myself?’ Teodoro Locsin Jnr tells staff after Chinese vessels seen at shoal guarded by Filipino soldiers in the South China Sea.

Chinese companies will soon be able to bid for the 71km Subic-Clark Railway Project, under President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, build, build” infrastructure initiative.

The exercise was not directed at China despite being staged on a beach facing the South China Sea, where Beijing has built several military installations on artificial islands.

Chinese loan sharks have found a talented pool of Filipinos, including police officers, who provide services such as snatching victims and guarding them until ransom is paid.

Benjamin Magalong’s other revelations on police corruption include ‘recycling’ crystal meth seized in raids and ransoming off newly arrested Chinese drug kingpins.

Dito Telecommunity Corporation has signed an agreement with the Philippine armed forces to build mobile phone towers inside military facilities, although the country’s defence secretary says he knew nothing about it.

Despite firing prisons bureau chief Nicanor Faeldon last week, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says his close ally is an ‘upright man’.

Rash of casino-related abductions sees Chinese pair and two Filipinos held hostage but eventually rescued by country’s dedicated anti-kidnapping police.

The Philippine leader says he will ignore an international court’s ruling and plough ahead with joint oil and gas exploration with Beijing. Experts say he’s either breached the constitution, or made a very smart move.

Nicanor Faeldon, director of the Bureau of Corrections, had attracted controversy by releasing 816 convicts in a nine-month span.

Philippine police will be sent to Beijing to take an anti-kidnapping course, while China wants to send police to Manila, where there has been a rash of cases of Chinese nationals abducting compatriots.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who presided over President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, insisted the ROTC scheme was needed in case ‘ China attacks us’.

Perfecto Yasay Jnr, a long-time ‘loyal friend’ to President Rodrigo Duterte, was Philippine foreign secretary for eight months and helped smooth ties between Manila and Beijing in 2016.

Philippine president says he will discuss 2016 tribunal victory in South China Sea dispute during coming visit ‘whether you like it or not’.

Bian Xiaoguo’s father was sent a video of his son being tortured and asked for a ransom of US$42,500. The rash of kidnappings come as Chinese nationals flock to the Philippines to work in casinos or offshore gaming operators.

President Rodrigo Duterte is under pressure to make good on an election promise to cut congestion, but poor public transport, politics and traffic experiments that favour the rich have made the task a tall order.