President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) this Monday, marking the midpoint of his six-year term. As the administration moves into its latter half, expectations remain high—but so do the questions surrounding transparency, political cohesion, and whether his leadership is delivering progress or entrenching power. Elected on a […]

Despite being the top recipient of China’s aid commitments in Southeast Asia, the Philippines saw only a fraction of the $30.5 billion Beijing pledged between 2015 and 2023, as political rifts, derailed projects, and maritime tensions gutted one of the region’s most hyped development partnerships. A new report by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute reveals Beijing […]