By Sam Beltran Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s state visit to India has culminated in the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, marking a symbolic high point as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. Beyond the ceremony, analysts say the trip reflects a growing convergence between Manila and New Delhi […]
Read MoreThe Philippine and Indian navies have sailed together for the first time in the South China Sea, officials said on Monday, as President Ferdinand Marcos left Manila for New Delhi for a state visit. The Philippines has conducted “maritime cooperative activities” with foreign navies since late 2023 as part of its push to counter China’s […]
Read MoreMANILA: The Philippines launched on Friday a month-long health-screening program for Filipino workers in Bahrain, as Manila seeks to promote wellness among its citizens abroad. Gulf countries have for years been the main overseas destination for Filipinos, with some 57,000 currently living and working in Bahrain. The “Healthy Pinoy” campaign, a project spearheaded by the […]
Read MoreAn activist holds up a cardboard cutout depicting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s face with the body of a dog during a demonstration in front of the US Department of State in Washington on Monday. Photo: Reuters By Sam Beltran Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is facing a wave of criticism from migrant advocates and […]
Read MorePhilippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets US President Donald Trump this week, hoping Manila’s status as a key Asian ally will secure a more favorable trade deal before an August 1 deadline. Marcos will be the first Southeast Asian leader to meet Trump in his second term. Trump has already struck trade deals with two […]
Read MoreBy Sam Beltran The Philippines is taking part for the first time in Australia’s largest bilateral military exercises with the United States, joining thousands of troops from across the region for war games running until July 27. Analysts say the move reflects Manila’s broader strategy of reinforcing defence ties, not just with Washington but also […]
Read MoreBy Sam Beltran A scheme to traffic Filipinos into Pakistan to work for gaming firms formerly based in the Philippines has exposed the latest evolution of online scam networks linked to the controversial Pogo industry, immigration officials and analysts warn. The case – the first known incident involving Filipinos being trafficked to Pakistan – suggests […]
Read MoreBy Sam Beltran A Filipino documentary spotlighting the daily struggles of fishermen, naval cooks and coastguard personnel in the contested South China Sea has earned international recognition, with its director telling This Week in Asia that the award was a validation of honest storytelling in the face of political pressure from Beijing to cancel its […]
Read MoreBy Sam Beltran The move by US President Donald Trump to impose a higher-than-expected tariff on the Philippines signals his unwavering determination to pressure Washington’s trade partners to do their part in reducing the US deficit in tandem with its intensifying rivalry with China, according to analysts. Trump announced on Wednesday that the tariff on […]
Read MoreBy Sam Beltran The stranglehold of political dynasties on Philippine democracy risks deepening public disillusionment and limiting political pluralism, the European Union’s election mission has warned, as it called for sweeping reforms to the country’s “outdated” election code and party-list system. In its final report released on Thursday, the EU Election Observation Mission said political […]
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