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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.
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
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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United States

Forgotten no more: Filipino folklore finds footing on global stage

Asean

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

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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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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The parents of Mary Jane Veloso holding placards demanding clemency for their daughter during a protest in Manila in November 2024. Photo: EPA
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.

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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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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US President Donald Trump walks on a new helipad to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP
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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People walk at Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, in Manila, the Philippines, in August. Photo: Reuters
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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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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Representatives from Pax Silica signatory countries attend its first summit in Washington in December 2025. Photo: Handout
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.

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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The ASEAN flag flies alongside the flags of member countries ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

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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People cross a road in Manila, the Philippines, on September 8. Photo: EPA
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.

(From left) Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bernard Chan, Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun display the signed protocol in Manila. Photo: ISD
Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong

Video | Hong Kong’s Filipino domestic helpers get second chance at university degree

NGO FullPhils was established in 2023, offering overseas Filipino workers a tertiary education to boost their career prospects.

Asia travel

Escape Manila’s heat for northern Luzon’s pine-scented hills and Sagada’s hanging coffins

They may not make for a typical Philippine holiday, but the highlands of northern Luzon are a world apart from Manila and the tropical lowlands, finds Thomas Bird

US, Israel war on Iran

Saudi oil pipeline closure puts Asia’s economic resilience to the test

Experts say the loss will hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region.

A satellite image shows a closer view of the damage at the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline, located across the Arabian Peninsula, after a strike that hit it on September 11. Photo: Vantor/Handout via Reuters

Video | Three killed in Philippines school shootin

The attack marks the third Philippine school shooting since June.

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South China Sea

Collision near Sabina Shoal sparks fresh escalation between China, Philippines

Two sides blame each other for deliberate ramming near the contested atoll in the South China Sea, fuelling tensions over strategic waterway.

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International Criminal Court

Why the ICC is cracking down on ‘fake news’ as Duterte trial looms

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner warns parties to ‘avoid speculation’ and urges prosecutors to trim their witness list and evidence.

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