How Alice Guo saga exposed gaps in Philippine institutional safeguards: ‘prone to abuse’

By Sam Beltran Alice Guo, the controversial former mayor linked to a raided scam hub and accused of faking her Philippine citizenship, is facing 70 new criminal complaints along with her relatives, including document fraud and violations of laws barring foreigners from owning property or running businesses. Analysts say the case highlights how foreign syndicates have […]

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Fake coup and CIA plot rumours in Philippines fuelling real political turmoil

By Alan Robles A wave of fake news and conspiracy theories has taken aim at the Philippine military, with viral claims of coup plots, foreign interference and high-level defections spreading rapidly on social media. Observers warn the campaign is fuelling political instability by exploiting public outrage over recent major corruption scandals. Several trace the effort […]

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Philippines steps up future warfare defence with 3D-printed drones, stronger alliances

By Raissa Robles The Philippine military is now 3D-printing drones in preparation for future warfare and strengthening foreign partnerships, with Manila recently being recognised by Indo-Pacific defence ministers as a “frontliner” in keeping the region “free and open”. Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr told the Foreign Correspondents Association on Friday that the 3D […]

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Unrest in Philippine military? Ire of old guard could spell trouble for Marcos

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (right) rides beside military chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr as he reviews troops during the 89th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at military headquarters Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on December 20, 2024. Photo: AP Raissa Robles Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is facing growing unrest from […]

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How will the Philippines use its share of US$55 million maritime aid?

By Jeoffrey Maitem The Philippines is among Asian nations to be covered by a US$55 million maritime defence funding from the United States, but Manila is not expected to buy any significant game-changing security assets with its share. Analysts say while the funding signals Washington’s focus on pulling mid-sized states into its orbit to counter […]

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In conservative Philippines, Quezon City becomes a trans healthcare trailblazer

By Geela Garcia In a country where LGBTQ rights remain politically contentious and progress is often stalled by deep-rooted conservatism, a small clinic in Quezon City has become a quiet symbol of change. Tucked inside a car park north of Manila, Klinika Eastwood is now offering free gender-affirming health consultations – a direct result of […]

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ICC charges against Duterte expose scale of drug war killings, but road to trial uncertain

By Sam Beltran The release of charges against Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has provided the most detailed public account yet of the killings tied to the former Philippine president’s bloody drug war, but the path to a full trial remains uncertain amid claims of his cognitive decline and his lawyers’ push […]

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Philippine protests: finger-pointing over violence, as hackers, political rivals blamed

By Sam Beltran The finger-pointing over violence purportedly initiated by a black-clad group during Sunday’s protests in the Philippines has led to critics accusing officials of trying to divert attention from mounting outrage at corruption-ridden flood control projects. During demonstrations that stretched from Luneta Park in Manila to the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon […]

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Crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Duterte detailed by court

THE HAGUE: The crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte allege his involvement in the killings of at least 76 people while he was president and earlier a southern mayor, the International Criminal Court has revealed. The first charge cites 19 victims killed while Duterte was mayor of Davao City between 2013 […]

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