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The Philippines
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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.
Cars and motorbikes sit in a long queue to refuel at a petrol station in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 6. Photo: Reuters
Renewable energy

Opinion | Hormuz crisis a chance to spur Asia’s shift to clean, secure energy

The US war on Iran should be a catalyst for governments and industries to accelerate the transition to renewables.

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South China Sea

‘A big deal’: military drills show Tokyo’s growing focus on deterring China

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Food and agriculture

Asia’s ‘panicked farmers’ brace for a looming rice crisis post-Iran war

South Korea

In South Korea, you can order online deliveries for almost anything – even drugs

The number of teenagers arrested for drug-related crimes in the country has surged from just 30 in 2005 to 1,477 in 2023.

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A delivery man makes his way on motorbike through Seoul’s busy Hongdae neighbourhood. Photo: Shutterstock
Rodrigo Duterte

Sara Duterte faces impeachment, but leads Philippine presidential survey. Why?

New polling shows the vice-president with a clear lead, even as impeachment proceedings against her are ongoing.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

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South China Sea

Philippines strengthens South China Sea grip with permanent base on Thitu Island

The island, known locally as Pagasa, is home to about 400 Filipinos, whom China accuses of living there illegally.

The Philippine Coast Guard command centre on Thitu Island is unveiled on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Heat is on: Singapore turns up air-con thermostat in public spaces to save power

Singapore had earlier warned of costlier power bills in the coming months as fuel prices are expected to remain high in the short term.

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Diplomacy

Can Philippines become critical minerals powerhouse with help from US, Japan?

To curb China’s dominance in the sector, Manila has to cut red tape and fight corruption to draw US and Japanese investors.

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South China Sea

Philippine lawmakers’ call for oil deals with China prompts warnings of ‘a trap’

However, some analysts say that if both sides can agree on equitable oil and gas production, Filipinos could benefit from lower prices.

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Workers maintain well-drilling facilities on a Chinese offshore oil platform in the northern waters of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Wake-up call: Philippines’ declining literacy risks outsourcing business

A three-year review of the country’s education system shows that nine in 10 children cannot read and understand a simple text by age 10.

Filipino call centre personnel attend to their US clients at a business process outsourcing office in Manila. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

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Asean

Most in Asean prefer China over US in survey, Trump cited as biggest concern

Support for China was stronger in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, according to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Filipino farmers leave crops to rot as fuel prices drive up cost of harvest

It costs farmers 30 US cents to produce a kilogram of cabbage, which sells for as little as 5 US cents.

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A farmer harvests cabbages at a farm in Atok in the Philippines on March 31. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

Filipino taxi driver suspended after overcharging K-pop star Soobin in Cebu

Footage from the TXT member shows the driver demanding more than triple the usual price of a trip from the airport.

Choi Soo-bin is a member of K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, or TXT. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Why high fuel costs could accelerate the Philippines’ EV boom

Vietnam’s VinFast is seizing the moment by offering incentives for drivers to make the switch from petrol-powered vehicles to electric.

Fame and celebrity

Style according to ... TV presenter and entrepreneur Georgina Wilson-Burnand

The TV presenter and Sunnies entrepreneur shares her style icons including Carolyn Bessette, Manila hang-outs, and love for gifting locally woven pieces.

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Hong Kong society

1 ticket wins HK$81 million in Hong Kong’s Mark Six Easter snowball draw

Winning numbers drawn were 20, 28, 32, 35, 40 and 45.

The outlet on Stanley Street is considered one of the luckiest by Mark Six players. Photo: Jonathan Wong
US, Israel war on Iran

Asian Angle | Hormuz is sending Southeast Asia a warning – and we can no longer ignore it

The crisis has shown we must invest in renewables rather than staying in a fossil fuel comfort zone.

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Asean

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

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Scams and swindles

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
Social media

‘Defining truth’? Worry in Philippines over controversial anti-fake news bills

Critics warn the proposals risk turning legitimate reporting, public-interest speech and fast-moving online discussion into criminal exposure.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has called for a “balanced” anti-disinformation law that fights fake news while maintaining freedom of expression. Photo: Shutterstock
War and conflict

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

States like China and Russia that can provide energy, industrial inputs, strategic reassurance or room for manoeuvre are gaining weight.

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Social media

Philippines weighs social media ban for minors, but will it be enough?

Analysts warn that restricting access alone will do little to fix the algorithms that expose young users to harmful content.

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South China Sea

Why China and Vietnam are shifting from confrontation to calm in South China Sea

Disagreements continue, but the two sides are showing notable restraint in contrast with Beijing’s fierce exchanges with Manila.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, in Hanoi on March 17. They co-chaired a meeting on bilateral cooperation. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

Granting Southeast Asian vessels safe passage through the strait allows Iran to come across as a diplomatic good guy, analysts say.

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An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia earthquake kills 1, triggers tsunami waves

The 7.4-magnitude quake hit at a depth of 35km in the Northern Maluku Sea off ⁠Indonesia’s Ternate island.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘Matter of survival’: Philippines seeks safe Hormuz passage for vessels

Philippine and Iranian officials met on Wednesday to discuss ‘key avenues for cooperation’, amid Tehran’s blockade of the strait.

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