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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.
A teacher instructs students as classes open for the new school year at a junior school in Manila, the Philippines, in June 2025. Photo: AFP
Education

Inside the Philippines’ mounting ‘learning crisis’ and teacher shortage

Industry players call for transparency in the teacher hiring process and urge more concrete support for educators suffering from burnout.

SCMP Highlights

Indonesian victim of fake cash scam, Filipinos warm to China: 7 Asia highlights

China's military weapons

China deploys advanced WZ-7 drone for first time near Scarborough Shoal

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Human rights

How Mary Jane Veloso’s case exposes gaps in Filipino migrant protection

Advocates say her case spotlights the dangers Philippine workers face overseas and Manila’s inability to sufficiently protect its citizens.

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Mary Jane Veloso leaves the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Friday after being granted clemency. Photo: EPA
Mary Jane Veloso holds a copy of an absolute pardon document during her release from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Friday. Photo: EPA
South China Sea

Second Thomas Shoal stand-off sparks sharp exchange between US, China embassies

Beijing and Washington’s diplomatic representatives in Manila trade strongly worded accusations in public statements.

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Singapore

Paid to read: can cash and gamification fix Southeast Asia’s falling literacy?

Facing shrinking attention spans and ‘doomscrolling’, governments are using cash, vouchers and book drives to get citizens reading again.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Southeast Asia feels relief and caution after the Xi-Trump summit

Countries in the region could feel less pressure as the thaw in US-China ties continues but deeper disputes remain unresolved, analysts say.

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China Coast Guard personnel watch a Philippine ship near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing and Manila have competing maritime claims over the atoll and surrounding waters. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
United States

Forgotten no more: Filipino folklore finds footing on global stage

DreamWorks’ animated film, Forgotten Island, offers a rare point of recognition for Filipinos at home and abroad.

Asean

After EU-Philippines trade breakthrough, is Asean-wide deal next?

A bloc-to-bloc free-trade agreement offers Asean real economic clout, but analysts warn there is still a ‘long way to go’.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s coastguard vessel transfer to the Philippines sparks double outcry

NGO-mediated transfer of retired cutter raises concerns given Taiwan-Manila fisheries disputes, as Beijing lashes out at ‘despicable’ deal.

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Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan (right), commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, receives the formal deed of donation for the 61-metre vessel from WPS Foundation CEO Jeffrey Ordaniel, in Manila on September 21. Photo: Handout
Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

‘Never too late’: Filipino domestic helpers pursue degree dreams they put on hold

Having put personal ambitions aside for their families, domestic helpers are now earning degrees while working with support from Hong Kong non-profit FullPhils.

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Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong are earning degrees while working full time, with support from non-profit FullPhils. Photo: Handout
Discord

Philippines’ short-lived Discord ban exposes cracks in online safety strategy

The abrupt ban following recent school shootings has drawn backlash over ‘performative governance’ and free speech risks.

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Indonesia

‘So happy’: Philippines pardons death row inmate repatriated from Indonesia

Mary Jane Veloso is expected to be freed after the clemency since there are no other active cases against her.

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Sara Duterte-Carpio

Does Philippine rule change clear way to convict vice-president?

Omitting absent senators cuts the votes needed to oust Sara Duterte-Carpio from 16 to 14, setting up a clash over the court’s legitimacy.

Supporters of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio gather as she visits the Quezon city justice hall in Quezon City in September. Photo: AP
Malaysia

‘Open, close, reopen’: return of choking haze traps Malaysian schools in limbo

All 108 schools in Serian close again as API readings break 200, highlighting the limits of cloud seeding while monsoon winds persist.

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The Kuala Lumpur Tower is obscured by toxic haze from Indonesian wildfires on Monday. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump built a US$5 million White House helipad. Don’t expect Xi Jinping to use it

US president might aim to impress during Xi’s state visit, but Chinese protocol discourages its leaders from using helicopters.

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China-Philippines relations

Why younger Filipinos are warming to China despite maritime tensions

A Pew survey shows 47 per cent of Filipinos aged 18 to 34 view China favourably, with some respondents also expressing confidence in its leadership.

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South China Sea

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (left) and son Prince Abdul Mateen arrive for the Asean Summit welcome ceremony in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: EPA
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Marcos’ ‘existential battle’ with Sara Duterte intensifies in Philippines

The ⁠Senate lowers the vote threshold for conviction in Duterte’s impeachment trial as the president piles more pressure on his deputy.

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US-China tech war

Philippines races to realise Pax Silica dreams as political changes loom

Philippines’ Marcos is due to leave office in 2028 while Trump faces US midterm elections next year that could change control of Congress.

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SCMP Highlights

South Korean killer’s escape foiled, Duterte trial looms: 7 Asia highlights

From Singaporean minister’s Mandarin diplomacy to Indonesia’s Whoosh debt burden, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A person dangles from a drone in this still from footage obtained by Korean broadcaster JTBC allegedly showing a practice run for Park Wang-yeol’s escape. Photo: YouTube/JTBC_News
Style Edit

Style Edit: Fashion Asia Hong Kong 2026 explores the future of design

This year’s programme debuted the 10 Asian Designers to Watch runway, featuring labels from Hong Kong, mainland China, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines.

SCMP Hearst managing director and publisher Sophia Yu onstage with Longchamp Asia-Pacific general manager Samy Redjeb. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Opinion | Success of Xi-Trump summit lies in what happens afterwards

The real value of the Washington meeting between the presidents of the US and China is whether its understandings survive the next bilateral dispute.

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Canada

Southeast Asia supports multilateralism, wary of US or China leadership: survey

A recent Rockefeller Foundation survey shows strong regional belief in global cooperation and a reluctance to accept superpower dominance.

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Crime

Easy access to family guns fuels Philippines’ school shootings

Three fatal attacks since June have been traced back to state-linked weapons, exposing fatal flaws in official gun control.

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Workers arrange handguns displayed for sale at a defence and sporting arms expo in Manila, the Philippines, in 2024. Photo: AFP
United States

‘Listen to us’: Philippines tribe vows to stand ground against US-led Pax Silica

The Aetas have been offered just 50 US cents per square metre of land to make way for the sprawling tech hub. All have refused.

Filipino chieftain Petronila Munoz points at the proposed land where the Pax Silica Hub might be built in Capas, Tarlac province, on September 2. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Upgraded but underperforming: Philippines’ growth lags behind

High living costs and delayed public works drag growth projections down far behind regional front runners.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong secures expanded equal treatment and investment guarantees across Asean

Hong Kong authorities say signing of the protocol will bring legal certainty, enhance the investment environment and boost investment flows.

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