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.
Philippine lawmakers grilled influencers over spreading false information about Duterte’s ICC arrest, revealing deeper disinformation issues. Photo: Reuters
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine influencers grilled over Duterte ‘fake news’ admit errors amid tears

Some critics welcomed the accountability for social media figures, while others felt the hearing focused more on settling scores than addressing structural issues.

videocam
Earthquakes

Deaths from future big quake in Philippines may surpass 50,000: seismologist

videocam
US-China relations

China-US summit hopes fade as Trump 2.0 goes hard on tariffs, Taiwan: analysts

videocam
55
Taiwan

Philippine military chief warns troops to prepare in event of Taiwan conflict

Manila’s involvement ‘inevitable’ given large presence of Filipino workers in Taiwan and Philippines-US defence ties, analysts say.

videocam
18
A Philippine soldier guards a US military hovercraft during an annual “Balikatan” bilateral military exercise in May 2024 in the Philippines. Photo: Kyodo
SCMP Highlights

Singaporeans rediscover China, what Duterte’s downfall means: 7 Asia highlights

From rescuers’ battle in Myanmar quake to Japan’s ‘major disaster’ action plan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

South China Sea

South China Sea: poor diplomacy and deep mistrust may spark crisis, expert warns

Region is in ‘stable tension’, analyst tells Boao Forum. ‘We already have so many actors in the region … It’s so crowded, this place’.

videocam
9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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”.

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

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

If Malaysia is serious about its global legal credibility and commitment to justice, it must take this chance to return to the Rome Statute.

videocam
South China Sea

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

The Philippines’ economic zones chief says Manila is being eyed as ‘the next preferred destination’ for China’s ‘plus-one’ strategy for firms dodging US tariffs.

videocam
5
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
7
Elephants wade through flood waters to help bring relief supplies to villagers in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, on October 6, 2024. Photo: AP
Rodrigo Duterte

What Duterte’s downfall means for Sara, 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.

videocam
5
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.

videocam
7
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.

Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmao (far right) poses for a photo at the 14th Asean-UN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, last year. Photo: Reuters
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.

videocam
9
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP
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.

videocam
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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates her victory over Iga Swiatek at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo: AFP
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
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.

A still from a TikTok video promoting becoming a virtual assistant in the Philippines. Photo: TikTok
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.

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.

videocam
4
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.

videocam
31
The US military sent three carrier strike groups, including the USS Carl Vinson, for eight activities gaining access to the South China Sea last year, according to a Beijing-based think tank report. Photo: AP
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.

Miss Thailand Anna Sueangam-Iam 2022 walks onstage at a Miss Universe contest. While some beauty pageants now celebrate more diverse aesthetics, Thailand’s most popular television shows still star fair-skinned leads. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
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.

videocam
6
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.

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