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.
Jing Quan (centre), China’s new ambassador to the Philippines, has vowed to safeguard Beijing’s national interests while serving as a bridge to stabilise China-Philippines relations. Photo: QQ.com
South China Sea

China sends seasoned ‘America hand’ to serve as top envoy to Philippines

New ambassador arrives in Manila as South China Sea tensions flare and the Philippines draws closer to Washington on defence.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Probe links Philippines flood corruption to Pogo crypto schemes

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Extreme weather

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Is the Philippines vulnerable to another military-triggered political crisis?

Analysts said an alleged plot by retired generals to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr appears inspired by 2001’s EDSA Dos uprising.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr walks with armed forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City in July 2024. Brawner has since confirmed that the military is investigating alleged destabilisation efforts involving retired officers. Photo: AP
Consumers

Anger boils in Philippines over official’s US$8.50 Christmas feast budget

Critics call the Philippine trade chief’s 500-peso Noche Buena price guide for a family of four a ‘fantasy’ that insults the poor.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Domestic helpers deserve praise for heroism in Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s domestic helpers should get equal attention for their recent heroism and daily efforts that help hold the community together.

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South China Sea

China ramps up surveillance equipment at Spratly Islands bases: US think tank

Satellites detect new radars and electronic warfare gear at South China Sea outposts, CSIS says.

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New satellite images reveal upgrades at Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea, according to Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Photo: CSIS/AMTI
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Filipino helper on her second day of work when Tai Po fire hit; escapes with baby

Rhodora Alcaraz, who is still in intensive care, has been hailed as a hero among Filipino workers in Hong Kong and by her own country.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippines’ first family says financial scrutiny welcome amid graft allegations

A spokesperson for the president said his family was open to lifestyle checks after questions emerged over funds sent to his son’s district.

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Corruption in Asia

Why the Philippines’ anti-flood control corruption movement could be receding

Analysts warn the government’s anti-corruption drive could stall if public mobilisation continues to thin.

A protester holds a chain linked to an effigy of a crocodile, which represents corrupt officials, during anti-corruption rally along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA, in Quezon City on Sunday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

‘Strategic’: why are drones taking off among South China Sea claimant states?

Experts weigh the merits and limits of growing pivot in the region to uncrewed aircraft and the potential for 24/7 patrols.

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China-controlled Scarborough Shoal is about 600km (373 miles) from the closest Chinese military base. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Judge-led panel to probe deadly blaze as Hong Kong goes ahead with election

Death toll from Wang Fuk Court inferno rises to 156 after five more bodies found.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire will not deter Filipino helpers from working in city: minister

Philippines Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac says his government will also provide financial assistance to affected helpers.

South China Sea

Chinese involvement stalls Manila Bay bridge project due to security fears

Philippines delays US$124 million infrastructure project after a maritime group raised concerns against China Harbour Engineering Company.

Illustration of Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge Project. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Families of domestic helpers killed in Hong Kong blaze to get nearly HK$800,000

Labour chief Chris Sun says government will work with the Philippine consulate to make sure money distributed to right people.

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Filipino Secretary for Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac visits the family of a deceased worker. Photo: Handout
SCMP Highlights

‘Schrodinger’s Pakistan’, Chinese travellers eye Singapore: 7 Asia highlights

From election loss for Malaysia’s Anwar to Pakistan’s young feeling sidelined, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

China-Japan relations

China bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines

Japan’s possible sale of Type 03 missiles to Manila comes as Tokyo moves to loosen arms-export rules, raising fresh concerns in China.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Did Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s jailbreak ‘joke’ keep her dad in ICC detention?

Observers said the ruling may energise loyalists but is unlikely to sway undecided voters or ease the rivalry shaping Philippine politics.

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Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte appears via video link during an ICC hearing in The Hague in March 2025. Photo: Reuters
Russia

Why Russia is targeting the Philippines with Ukraine mercenary claims

As Moscow wages an information war far from the battlefields of Ukraine, an improbable front has opened up in Southeast Asia.

India

India’s looming BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia challenges US-China binary

New Delhi is emerging as a serious alternative security partner for Southeast Asia, offering hi-tech arms without ‘hegemonic baggage’.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

17,000 police deployed as protests erupt in Philippines over flood control scam

‘Put them in jail now,’ protesters chant even as Marcos promises more arrests to come from investigations into the scandal.

Protesters display an effigy of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio during an anti-corruption rally in Manila on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Trending in China

Explainer | What is ‘second-hand fried chicken’; how snack became popular in Philippine slums

Videos of Chinese bloggers sampling recooked, seasoned leftovers in run-down Filipino neighbourhoods go viral on social media.

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A video showing a Chinese influencer trying pagpag, a dish made from discarded fried chicken in the Philippines, has raised awareness of its importance as a protein source for struggling families. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Portraits of courage: helpers who stayed with their wards during Hong Kong fire

More than 200 domestic helpers worked in Wang Fuk Court, with nearly 80 missing and many more displaced along with employers.

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South China Sea

China gives disputed Scarborough Shoal a clean bill of health

The Philippines also claims the atoll and has accused Chinese crews of using cyanide to catch fish in the area.

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Rodrigo Duterte

ICC rejects Philippines ex-president Duterte’s request for release

The court dismissed defence arguments that the 80-year-old should be released due to his advanced age and alleged declining health.

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Rodrigo Duterte addresses troops during the 82nd anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces in December 2017. Photo: AP
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Marcos’ sister says Philippines has leadership ‘vacuum’ in new jab at president

Imee Marcos said they ‘kind of boxed me out’ when she raised her brother’s alleged cocaine addiction with the family.

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Senator Imee Marcos (right) with Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte. Photo: Facebook/ImeeMarcos
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

What happens if the Philippine president and vice-president both resign

Allegations of a multibillion-peso scam and misused funds have legal experts dusting off the constitutional rules for a total power vacuum.

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Myanmar

Political show? Why Myanmar is again cracking down on cyber scammers

Myanmar’s junta has been under pressure to raid fraud hubs by China as its citizens have been badly affected by these scammers, analysts say.

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