Advertisement
Advertisement
-
The Philippines
TOPIC
 / location

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.
The Jobsdb poll also found 44 per cent of local respondents reported burnout at work and that about 66 per cent were dissatisfied with their stress levels. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

47% of Hong Kong employees happy at work, lowest among 8 Asia-Pacific economies

Less than half of local employees report feeling happy at work, compared with 56 per cent from Singapore, according to Jobsdb Hong Kong.

Jeffrey Epstein

Did Philippine gig workers help Jeffrey Epstein clean up his online image?

China-Middle East relations

Is China flexing its intelligence muscle by tracking US military moves near Iran?

videocam
20
South China Sea

Can China and Philippines ‘swap disputes with cooperation’ in disputed waters?

Senator says the two sides might start joint patrols in the South China Sea by the end of next month.

videocam
7
There have been repeated confrontations involving the two sides in recent years. Photo: AFP
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

On This Day | Turmoil in Philippines as People Power ends Marcos rule in 1986 – SCMP archive

On this day 40 years ago, a series of massive protests in Philippines ended the decades-long rule of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Snr.

LGBTQ

Philippine Supreme Court ruling adds momentum to same-sex marriage debate

Advocates hailed the ruling as a breakthrough, though observers said its reach remains limited without congressional action.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Rodrigo Duterte

ICC prosecutor says Duterte bragged about drug war as ‘bodies piled up’

Edward Jeremy alleged that the ex-president drew up ‘death lists’ and children were strangled with wire and ‘sold’ to funeral homes.

videocam
A protester holds a cut-out of Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Monday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Chinese maritime militia in South China Sea hit ‘record high’ in 2025: US report

Deployments averaged 241 vessels per day, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative report says, notes waning role for civilian fishing fleets.

videocam
9
China trade

US-Indonesia deal threatens China’s ‘entrenched position’ in nickel market: analysts

A new deal gives America unrestricted access to Indonesia’s nickel – and challenges China’s ‘preferential’ position in the market, analysts say.

5
Rodrigo Duterte

Video | From drug tsar to ICC detainee: the rise and fall of Rodrigo Duterte

The former Philippine leader has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

dfghfjgmjfd
05:18
International Criminal Court

Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say

He has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

videocam
People protest in favour of the detention of former Philippines’ president Rodrigo Duterte outside the International Criminal Court where he will be questioned on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on Monday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

The government-backed drive is the latest in a series of creative campaigns aiming to shape public narrative around the maritime dispute.

videocam
UK Labour Party

Letters | How sincere is Labour’s narrative of compassion on the BN(O) pathway?

Readers discuss a route for Hongkongers wishing to acquire British citizenship, the US-Philippine military alliance, and a mass shooting in Canada.

Corruption in Asia

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.

7
Protesters wearing face masks depicting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice President Sara Duterte take part in an anti-corruption rally in Manila in November. Photo: AFP
China trade

As high-speed railways saturate China, how far can their global reach extend?

As Chinese giants eye Eurasia for new infrastructure, analysts speculate on what it will take to keep overseas projects from going off the rails in different host nations.

videocam
15
A high-speed train leaves Tegalluar Station, located along the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia. Photo: Xinhua
Rodrigo Duterte

Families of Philippine drug war victims seek ICC justice as Duterte trial looms

A hearing that begins in The Hague on Monday will determine whether the ex-president will stand trial over at least 76 of those deaths.

videocam
Scams and swindles

Water prisons, torture: UN urges crackdown on brutal Southeast Asia scam centres

The agency’s latest report documents torture, sexual abuse, forced abortions, food deprivation and solitary confinement in the centres.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
South China Sea

US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region

Analysts said the move bolsters the First Island Chain strategy and deepens Manila’s role in regional defence planning.

videocam
4
A US M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, fires during the Balikatan joint military exercises at a naval station in Zambales province, northern Philippines, on April 26, 2023. Photo: AP
China’s coastguard

Chinese coastguard reveals growing reliance on drones at Scarborough Shoal

Lunar New Year post gives rare look at the role of uncrewed aircraft in training and operations near disputed South China Sea reef.

Japan

‘Knowing your friend’: Japan to join US-Philippines drills for first time

Australia also joins the fray as the US and its allies shift away from simple bilateral deals towards tighter regional security networks.

Sara Duterte-Carpio

Philippines’ Sara Duterte declares early 2028 run amid mounting legal pressure

Analysts say the vice-president’s timing aims to deter defections and harden political lines ahead of a prolonged contest.

videocam
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte at a press conference in Metro Manila on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
SCMP Highlights

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino attacked in Singapore mall: 7 Asia highlights

From scrutiny over Indonesia’s tourist visa to workplace pranks in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Tourists walk through a shopping area in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: EPA
China's military weapons

Why the growing network of American MQ-9 drones is a challenge for China

Reapers can carry out both reconnaissance and strike missions and an increasing number of US allies and partners are buying them.

72
Rodrigo Duterte

ICC naming of Duterte’s allies sharpens Philippines’ political fault lines

Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Go named as alleged ‘co-perpetrators’ in the former president’s crimes against humanity case.

videocam
South China Sea

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

China and the Philippines are both signalling openness to diplomacy alongside continued military flexing, but this may not be sustainable.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

ICE releases detained Filipino after ‘unreasonable failures of care’

Greggy Sorio, a Filipino green card holder who lost a toe and part of his foot to a bone infection, wins release following medical neglect.

Greggy Sorio. Photo: Tanggol Migrante Movement
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine senators Go, Dela Rosa helped Duterte wage drug war: ICC prosecutors

The two sitting senators are among eight officials linked to the ex-president’s crimes against humanity charges, an ICC document says.

Asean

Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election

Asean should not discard the Five-Point Consensus, but translate it into a politically astute strategy of conditional engagement.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement