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The Philippines

The Philippines
The Philippines
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on the Philippines, covering politics, economy, society, and Manila’s relationships with China and its Southeast Asian neighbours.
Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance performs during the opening night of the band’s “Long Live the Black Parade” tour on July 11 in Seattle. Photo: AP
Music

Welcome to the black parade: how Southeast Asia’s Gen Z is reviving 2000s music

From My Chemical Romance to Blue, early-2000s acts are selling out venues across the region as younger fans seek raw, emotional music.

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South Korea

73 South Koreans repatriated from Cambodia face online scam probe

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South China Sea

Chinese coastguard rescues Filipino sailors near Scarborough Shoal

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippines’ Marcos says ‘rumours of my death are highly exaggerated’

The president, who was diagnosed with diverticulitis, assured the public that it is not a life-threatening condition.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: EPA
Energy

Philippines’ new gas find fuels energy diversification hopes

With gas supply at a current well set to run out by 2027, potential new sources could help avert an energy crisis in Luzon.

South China Sea

Beijing and Manila working on South China Sea talks ‘road map’: ambassador

Jing Quan says ‘best option is to sit down for talks’ aimed at ending long-running territorial dispute between China and Philippines.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

‘He’s the head of this corruption’: Marcos faces new impeachment complaint

‘The president’s involvement in the grand scheme of corruption makes impeachment necessary to hold him accountable,’ petitioners say.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for January 22-24

It’s guest shifts galore as The Aubrey and Lobster Bar – and Macau’s Wing Lei Bar – host top mixologists from across Asia.

Asean

As more nations block Grok for obscene content, calls for Asean-wide curbs mount

The Philippines should push the fight against deepfakes high on the Asean agenda as the bloc’s chair, analysts say.

Asia travel

Cebu’s quirkiest luxury resort and the former Hong Kong-based banker behind it

Plantation Bay has been a hotspot in Cebu, the Philippines, since 1996. Owner Manny Gonzalez shares why his independent property is special.

A section of Plantation Bay, an 11-hectare luxury resort in Cebu, in the Philippines. Its owner, Manny Gonzalez, says that his property is for those after “something with personality”. Photo: Andrew Sun
Defence

‘Game changer’: Philippines eyes French boost for maritime defence

The project is expected to significantly expand the coastguard’s fleet at a time of growing operational demands in Philippine waters.

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Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra sails during a maritime drill in disputed waters of the South China Sea in June 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

In light of recent US actions, Anjani Sinha’s call could be deemed as the embassy trying to ‘shake down businesses’, an analyst says.

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Brazil

Brazil beef exports seen as stable in 2026 as industry pivots beyond China

Beef lobby Abiec said volumes not sold to China could be redirected other markets.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Is first impeachment bid against Philippines’ Marcos an ‘inoculation’?

Observers said the filing could trigger procedural limits that would block more substantive impeachment bids.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr of the Philippines attends a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra on February 29, 2024. Marcos is facing an impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Trump reacts to China-Canada deal, ‘messy’ year for Philippines: 5 weekend reads

From China’s attempt to shut out US tech to Japan being urged to return relic, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

While US President Donald Trump said on Friday it was a “good thing” that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed a trade deal with China, his trade chief cautioned that Canada could regret the decision. Photo: AP
South China Sea

Philippines’ new gas find offers lifeline as Malampaya field starts to run dry

The discovery of a natural gas well near the island of Palawan suggests the potential to produce even more, Marcos says.

Malaysia

How a crop of young farmers is reshaping agriculture in Southeast Asia

Young people across Southeast Asia are using city spaces and new technologies to improve on traditional farming methods to grow produce.

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US-Venezuela conflict

How US actions in Venezuela and beyond could spell opportunity for China

Beijing is trying to present itself as a more responsible power, but analysts say concrete actions will be needed to win over its neighbours.

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US actions are fuelling fears that the Donald Trump administration is dismantling the rules-based global order. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Defence

French ‘intimacy’: Philippines, France near deal for Indo-Pacific strength

The visiting forces deal comes on top of similar pacts with other nations and could help the Philippines attain a ‘muscular defence arsenal’.

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SCMP Highlights

Chinese ‘rising star’ leaves MIT, woman prays to Shrek for 4 years: 7 highlights

From Chinese solar makers facing monopoly probe to woman praying to Shrek for four years, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping the animated character Shrek. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@thetropixs
Natural disasters

Philippines’ Cebu residents cry foul over mounting garbage, health risks

The fatal collapse of a garbage landfill in Cebu has also exposed lax enforcement and poor waste management.

Family members of missing workers react as rescue operations continue at a collapsed landfill in Binaliw, Cebu, Philippines, on January 11. Photo: AP
China-Philippines relations

Philippines offers 2-week visa-free stays to lure Chinese tourists

The waiver will apply to travellers arriving in Metro Manila and Cebu and will be in place for a year.

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Asean

Asean urged to rethink stance as Myanmar election risks normalising junta rule

The bloc should encourage Indonesia’s approach of engaging key stakeholders in efforts to resolve the Myanmar crisis, observers say.

China-Japan relations

New deal eases logistics for Japan-Philippines drills amid China tensions

The agreement removes taxes on military supplies, including weapons and fuel used in joint exercises.

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A Japanese naval ship docks at the Manila Port, Philippines, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

Philippines ‘comfort women’ demand apology during Japan foreign minister visit

Analysts say Manila is unlikely to back the surviving victims of sex slavery, fearing it could jeopardise billions in infrastructure funding.

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Protesters display placards and portraits of former Filipino “comfort women” during a rally in Manila last year. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Philippine minister’s ‘premature’ Myanmar visit casts doubts over Asean’s role

Critics say the visit may be viewed as the bloc’s new chair endorsing a controversial junta-led election in Myanmar.

South China Sea

‘Strategic patience’ key for Beijing in South China Sea and other disputes

SCSPI’s Hu Bo said maritime disagreements with Manila and Tokyo would continue but that Beijing had ‘overwhelming advantages’.

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