Philippines

A Filipino traffic enforcer checks passengers of a jeepney at a checkpoint at the border between Las Pinas city and Cavite province in 2021.
Economy

Philippine jeepney drivers strike over soaring fuel prices

Government says high costs due to global forces, but analysts say it can do more

25 March 2022
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Indo-Pacific

U.S., Philippines to hold massive military exercises from next week

Balikatan drills in South China Sea will be 'one of the largest ever'

23 March 2022
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed amendments to the Public Service Act, which lift the 40% foreign ownership limit in industries such as telecommunications, airlines, domestic shipping, railways and railways.
Economy

Philippines allows foreigners to own telcos, airlines and railways

Duterte signs law easing investment rules months before stepping down

22 March 2022
The backing by the party of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for May's presidential election is a boost for the son and namesake of the late dictator. (Source photo by Reuters)
Philippine elections

Duterte's party backs front-runner Marcos for Philippine president

Fresh endorsement for late dictator's son comes as Robredo gains ground

22 March 2022
People wearing face masks wait in line during the reopening of an amusement park in Pasay City, Metro Manila, on Feb. 24.
Philippine elections

Philippine presidential candidates ring alarm over COVID surge threat

Front-runner Marcos snubs debate on economy, pandemic response

20 March 2022
Buy now, pay later payment platforms are proving a harder sell with consumers in Asian compared with other markets, despite early investor excitement over the latest financial technology trend.
Finance

From Hong Kong to Philippines, 'buy now, pay later' a tough sell

Much-hyped consumer financing method lags behind mobile wallets in Asia

19 March 2022
A rail car covered by the contract is displayed at an event celebrating the deal. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
Business deals

$600m Philippine rail car order won by Japan's Sumitomo, JR East unit

Manila commuter line intended to reduce traffic, pollution

18 March 2022
Philippine call centers have been ordered to return to full office operations, like before COVID-19, starting next month.
Business trends

Philippines' back-to-office order unsettles call centers

Work-from-home program for over a million outsourcing workers set to end

18 March 2022
The Philippines opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from over 150 countries in February.
Economy

Philippines, Indonesia to revamp tourism sector amid reopening

Southeast Asia pushes for a more resilient industry to deal with future crises

17 March 2022
People wear masks against COVID-19 in Jakarta on March 15. A new ADB report says Indonesia should speed up connections across the archipelago and push technology transfers in order to hasten recovery from the pandemic.
Economy

Digital, trade infrastructure key to Southeast Asia recovery: ADB

As pandemic-hit economy faces risks of inequality, bank urges strong protections

16 March 2022
Wildlife for sale last year at a market in Khammouane Province, Laos. (Courtesy of WWF-Greater Mekong)
16 March 2022
Policemen guard an area of Navotas City during a visit by Sara Duterte, presidential daughter and Davao City mayor, earlier this month.
15 March 2022
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks to supporters at the Philippine Arena, Bulacan province, north of Manila, on Feb. 8, 
Philippine elections

Marcos keeps big lead in latest Philippine presidential poll

Late dictator's son has support rate of 60%, vs 15% for Robredo

14 March 2022
Passengers wearing protective face masks check-in at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, in October 2021. The Vietnamese government will reopen its borders from Tuesday despite a surge in infections driven by the omicron variant. 
Your Week in Asia

U.S. court decision on ZTE, Vietnam reopens, Philippine presidential debate

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

13 March 2022
Philippine Airlines will boost flights to shore up earnings, now that foreign tourists are allowed to enter the country again.
Transportation

Philippine Airlines to add 1,500 flights as nation reopens for tourism

Carrier increases service to North America, Southeast Asia, Japan and Middle East

10 March 2022
An affiliate of Cerberus, a U.S. fund, is about to get a 50-year lease on the 300-hectare shipyard at Subic Bay, the former U.S. naval base turned economic zone. (Photo courtesy of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority)
Business deals

Cerberus to take over Subic Bay shipyard near South China Sea

US fund nears deal on strategic Philippine facility that stirred China interest

7 March 2022
Maria Ressa told Nikkei Asia that "no one knows the reality at the time of war" and that disinformation "can change and shape reality."
Interview

Philippines' Ressa says Russia uses dual tactics to 'destroy truth'

Nobelist says lies spread 'bottom up and top down,' urges laws to fight back

3 March 2022
From period poverty to menopause, women's health issues have historically been sidelined by the medical industry. Ahead of International Women's Day, we take a look at some of Asia's femtech startups that are addressing women's unmet health care needs. 
The Big Story

Asia's femtech revolution: the quest for better women's health

Underserved by mainstream health care, women from India to Japan turn to technology

2 March 2022
America's long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber B-52H Stratofortress seen here in Nevada. South Korea's presidential hopeful Ahn Cheol-soo questioned the effectiveness of U.S.-based weapons to deter nuclear threats from North Korea. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force)
Ukraine war

From Manila to Tokyo, defense debate heats up amid Ukraine war

Call for nuclear-sharing emerges as countries revisit deterrence measures

1 March 2022
Filipinos mark the anniversary of 1986 People Power movement in Manila on Friday. (Photo by Jilson Tiu) 
Philippine elections

Marcos return looms large as Philippines remembers 'People Power'

Dictator's son appears poised to retake power 36 years after father's ouster

25 February 2022
ASEAN is caught between Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Opinions within the block vary, but the conflict's effects will be felt by all. (Source photos by AP)
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces fallout from Russian invasion of Ukraine

Conflict to increase food prices, experts warn; responses from bloc members vary

25 February 2022
Citicore Energy REIT plans to develop more solar farms after a $124 million initial public offering. (Photo courtesy of the company)
IPO

Philippines' first solar power REIT makes hot stock market debut

Citicore Energy REIT opens 9% higher and plans expansion beyond solar

22 February 2022
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's staunch critic Sen. Leila de Lima was jailed in February 2017 on drugs charges she says are false. Five years later, she is still behind bars as her trial drags on.
Philippine elections

Philippine Senator Leila de Lima's campaign from prison

Arch-critic of President Rodrigo Duterte marks five years in jail

20 February 2022
Vice President Leni Robredo trailed Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the presidential race 60% to 16%, according to a January opinion poll.
Philippine elections

Trailing Marcos, Philippine presidential hopefuls court anti-Duterte vote

Robredo and Pacquiao seek to tap frustration over war on drugs, corruption

17 February 2022
Philippine peso bills sent by a Filipino working abroad are pictured being received by a relative at a money remittance center in Makati City, Metro Manila, on Sept. 19, 2018. 
Economy

Philippines 'modern-day heroes' sent record remittances last year

Virus variants, supply chain disruption, and U.S. tightening pose risk to growth

15 February 2022