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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.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gesturing as he delivers his state of the nation address at Congress in Manila. Photo: AFP
International Criminal Court

Duterte’s lawyer says ICC case ‘a kidnapping’, has grounds to throw out case

Duterte’s lawyer called for the ICC case to be dismissed, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal, and labelled Duterte’s detention a “political hit job”.

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Malaysia

Opinion | Why Duterte drama should inspire Malaysia to reconsider joining ICC

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South China Sea

Can Manila become Beijing’s ‘plus one’ amid South China Sea tensions?

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Is Duterte’s ‘capable’ daughter reshaping her image for a 2028 presidential run?

Showcasing a kinder image to overseas Filipinos, Sara Duterte-Carpio appears to be positioning herself for a future presidential bid.

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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio speaks to Filipino workers at an event in Hong Kong on March 9. Photo: Sam Tsang
Climate change

Opinion | Asia can’t afford to wait for the US to wake up to its climate duty

As the US walks away again, Europe, China and others need to fill the climate reparation funding gap, not out of charity but responsibility.

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Rodrigo Duterte

What Duterte’s downfall means for Marcos – and the Philippines

Ex-president Duterte is behind bars in The Hague and his daughter is fighting for political survival. But don’t discount a comeback in 2028.

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South China Sea

As Hegseth visits Manila, Beijing warns against meddling in South China Sea

‘Those who willingly become pawns will inevitably be discarded,’ Chen Xiaodong, foreign vice-minister, tells Boao Forum panel.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner salute on arriving at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP
Asean

Philippines pulls Asean card on East Timor over extradition row. Will it work?

Manila is seeking the extradition of Arnolfo Teves Jnr, a former politician, who is facing murder and other charges.

China-Philippines relations

US bolsters Philippines defence with ‘game-changer’ missiles to deter China threat

During a visit to the Philippines, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed alliance, deterring Beijing’s ‘aggression’ in the South China Sea.

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US immigration

Trump’s immigration crackdown hits Filipino green card holder, sparking fears

The detention of a Filipino who has lived in the US for 50 years shows the huge shift in immigration enforcement under Trump, observers say.

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A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer talks to a group of undocumented immigrants detained in Kansas. Photo: TNS
WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Video | Philippines' Eala heads to semi-finals in Miami

The wild card player knocks out her third grand slam champion of the tennis tournament in the US state of Florida

Philippine wild card Alexandra Eala beats world No 2 at Miami Open tennis quarter-finals
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WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Filipino teen Eala stuns Swiatek to reach Miami Open semis, Pegula stops Raducanu

Wild card knocks out her third grand slam champion of the tournament and will now face the American fourth seed in the semi-finals.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Why the US could lose more ground in Southeast Asia

While the US remains Asean’s biggest investor, its investment in core infrastructure is limited. Meanwhile, China makes its presence felt.

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South China Sea

Philippines set to host second Typhon unit, signalling Trump’s defence pledge

The second Typhon unit will allow more Philippine troops to train with the system and enhance the country’s sovereignty, analysts say.

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US and Philippine troops prepare the Typhon missile system for a drill in Northern Luzon last year. Photo: 1st Multi-Domain Task Force
Rodrigo Duterte

Brewing justice: Philippines cafe offers healing and hope after Duterte’s ICC arrest

The coffee shop, dedicated to victims of the former president’s drug war, described his arrest as ‘the first step’ towards justice.

Silingan Coffee employs mothers, wives, daughters, sisters who have lost loved ones to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Photo: Sam Beltran
Social media

Filipinos find a new way to earn extra pesos – as virtual assistants

Driven by a desire for better pay and flexible hours, a million Filipinos hungry for opportunity are powering a virtual-assistant revolution.

Luxury cruises

Piracy threat prompts dark sail for cruise ship in Philippine waters

For passengers aboard the Queen Anne, their cruise holiday took a dramatic turn as they approached the Philippines.

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South China Sea

Philippines’ nuclear advocacy faces reality check after statement recall

As Manila’s attempt to act as a middleman in nuclear disarmament falters, analysts question its ability to influence smaller nations.

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Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaks to military officials in Manila on Saturday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

US military seen as stretched but South China Sea activity rose: paper

SCSPI think tank says US may adopt primary approach of drones or autonomous weapons to address ‘quantity anxiety’ in the contested waters.

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SCMP Highlights

Thais reject ‘dark skin’ stigma, Singapore payouts: 7 Asia highlights

From Singapore offering unemployment payouts to a slap heard around Malaysia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Rodrigo Duterte

Opinion | In handing Duterte to ICC, Marcos stirs up Philippine hornets’ nest

Too many questions surround the abrupt U-turn on cooperation with the International Criminal Court, from sovereignty to political persecution.

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Police block protesters as they try to march towards Malacanang palace in Manila, Philippines, on March 17 to call on the government to rejoin the ICC after the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: AP
South China Sea

Philippine defence chief labels Beijing’s South China Sea claims ‘fiction and lie’

Gilberto Teodoro denounced Beijing’s South China Sea claims urging stronger defence and alliances amid rising tensions.

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A Chinese coast guard ship in the South China Sea in December 2023. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
South China Sea

Philippines eyes Subic Bay islands as South China Sea ‘sentinels’

Experts say it might be legally and logistically difficult to repurpose Grande and Chiquita Islands but political will might hold sway.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Supporters of Philippine’s Duterte call on God, Trump to bring him home

Experts say there is little chance of the 80-year-old gaining early release due to a lack of legal avenues to challenge his ICC detention.

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Asia housing and property

The View | Why the future looks so promising for luxury property in Asia

With clear benefits for stakeholders, the region’s branded residences are poised to boost liquidity and set high transparency standards.

A woman poses for a photo at a gold plated infinity pool of a luxury hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2020, after the government eases a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Reuters
United States

‘Mission accomplished’: US-Philippines drills return in full battle mode

As 16,000 troops gear up for the 40th Balikatan, one Philippine general says he ‘doesn’t care’ how China reacts: ‘if they’re angry … good’.

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US and Philippine troops conduct battle drills at Fort Magsaysay during last year’s Balikatan drills. Photo: US Army
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines’ crackdown on Duterte disinformation may backfire, analysts warn

Investigation of vloggers accused of spreading falsehoods may further entrench his supporters’ beliefs and deepen the country’s political divide.

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Defence

Hegseth’s Manila visit ahead of Balikatan signals strong US-Philippines ties

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s visit is seen as an important step in strengthening Washington’s alliances in the Asia-Pacific.

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