This year’s ‘biggest ever’ Balikatan exercises kicked off as Manila took delivery of a state-of-the-art missile system from India – and had hopes for US$2.5 billion in US military aid.

The first lady’s comments come after the president on Monday said his relationship with his vice-president was ‘complicated’ and ‘hasn’t really changed’.

Up to 17,000 participants are expected to take part in the exercises, including 16,000 members of the Philippine and US military forces.

The Philippine leader says the US has given its commitment to honour the Mutual Defence Treaty with Manila.

Joint statement by the three leaders makes it clear the Washington summit was aimed at opposing China’s recent maritime activities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has expressed outrage over a “secret agreement” on the South China Sea that threatens the Philippines’ sovereignty.

Activists slam President Marcos Jnr for allowing the US to use Philippine military facilities, and call for a ‘demilitarised zone’ for local fishermen to fish peacefully.

The unit is said to be the ‘secret weapon’ of the Philippine Coast Guard, which is often involved in dodging Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

Marcos Jnr’s meeting with President Joe Biden and PM Fumio Kishida in the US could be a springboard for him to boost his approval ratings.

An F&B businessman has offered US$1,770 in cash to whoever would tattoo his brand’s logo on their foreheads.

In a country with the third-largest Catholic population in the world, the seven days from March 24 holds special significance till Easter Sunday.

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

Amid unclear guidelines on the protection of natural attractions in the country, activists fear more developers could gain approval to access protected sites.

The high seas pocket in the centre of the South China Sea would be good for setting up a marine protected area but could be difficult due to territorial claims.

Popular Filipino actress Mariel Padilla has whipped up a storm of criticism with an Instagram photo appearing to show her receiving a controversial skin-whitening intravenous therapy inside her senator-husband’s office.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has been trying to put a positive spin on his father’s dark legacy since assuming office in 2022.

Manila’s strategy has swayed regional views against China’s “blatant disregard for international law”, an official says.

The ex-president’s call for Mindanao’s independence could reignite internal ‘hatreds’ on an island with long-running communist and Islamist insurgencies.

With Marcos Jnr and Duterte now ‘at each other’s throats’, analysts fear their feud could spill over to the economy or result in civil war.

Apollo Quiboloy, 73, heads a sect in Davao City where it is alleged he repeatedly assaulted young women. He has close ties to Rodrigo Duterte and is on the FBI’s wanted list.

Critics suspect that the amendments are a backdoor for Marcos Jnr’s cousin Martin Romualdez to become prime minister.

Many Christians identify with the idea of ‘Israel being the promised land’, but economic reasons are also behind their support for the country, observers say.

Jeepney drivers across Manila went on strike on Friday to protest the government’s phase-out plan, fearing job loss and financial burden.

Other Philippines business leaders back vigorous assertion of the country’s maritime sovereignty with the US as close partner

The policy has raised ‘activity and presence’ of military exercises from the US, India, Germany and even Russia, in the South and East China seas, stirring up a ‘South China Sea conflict vortex’.

While military officers hope the move will bring ‘lasting peace’, Duterte supporters describe Marcos Jnr’s surprise bid to resume talks as ‘stupid’ and ‘unpatriotic’.

In addition to long-time ally the US, the Philippines is expanding its military alliances with Japan, Australia and Germany.

A top general has warned of ‘destabilisation efforts’ instigated by former officers against President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr.

Kamandag 7 marks heightened US interest in troop deployment in the region according to perceived challenges.

Filipinos have been warned against investing in schemes claiming to be linked to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s proposed state fund.