Vietnam’s accelerating maritime construction in the South China Sea is shifting the balance of power in one of the world’s most contested waterways, with direct consequences for the Philippines as it confronts increasingly assertive Chinese actions in waters it claims. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported on August 22 that satellite images […]

The Philippines — long a supplier of raw mineral-rich soil — is finding itself in the crosshairs of a brewing U.S.-China struggle over the rare earths that power modern technology and weapons systems. The shift came into focus on July 10 in Kuala Lumpur, when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Philippine counterpart […]

In urban Philippine households, the hum of YouTube notifications now competes with the evening news broadcast—signaling a sea change in how Filipinos consume information. Across Southeast Asia’s “social-media capital,” creators, not institutions, are becoming the most visible voices in news. Mainstream outlets still command influence, but the reach of influencers is accelerating. Filipinos spend nearly […]

Former president Rodrigo Duterte may soon be released and allowed to return to the Philippines, his lawyer said, raising the prospect of a temporary homecoming amid ongoing legal proceedings overseas. The possibility hinges on a petition for interim release currently under consideration by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating Duterte over alleged crimes […]

By combining a public shaming with a sweeping promise of prosecution, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered one of the most scathing moments of his presidency during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), warning that corrupt officials and their private sector collaborators behind failed or fake flood control projects will be criminally charged. “Makakasuhan […]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood before Congress for his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) with a clear and urgent message to the world: “The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino.” The line, delivered in English and emphasized in both tone and timing, was more than a slogan. It served as the thematic […]

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 […]

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize 20 key legislative measures in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting reforms aimed at digital transformation, infrastructure planning, and regulatory modernization to boost the country’s global competitiveness. In a formal communication sent to Malacañang ahead […]

As the global community searches for ways to accelerate climate action while balancing economic demands, China is offering its own blueprint: a detailed, case-driven report that blends policy insight, on-the-ground practices, and a vision for inclusive international cooperation. In a rare collaboration between academia and state-affiliated media, the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development […]

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, is calling for stricter enforcement of rules in the country’s electricity spot market and greater billing transparency by power retailers. The group warned that persistent payment defaults by some members of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) are distorting market operations and […]