Politics

Left to right: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, and Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro pose for a photo after their joint press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City, Metro Manila on July 30.
Defense

U.S. to boost Philippine defense capability with $500m investment

Hopes for bilateral intelligence-sharing agreement to be finalized by end of 2024

30 July 2024
The education sector will get the lion's share of next year's budget, with an allocation of $16.7 billion.
Defense

Philippine defense budget to rise 6.4% amid South China Sea tensions

Coast guard to receive $536.5m to carry out Second Thomas Shoal missions

29 July 2024
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on July 22.
Opinion

Marcos's annual address shows steely resolve on maritime rights

Rising South China Sea tensions prompt Philippine leader to strengthen rhetoric

29 July 2024
Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries pose for a photo on the day of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane on July 25.
International relations

ASEAN ministers at loggerheads over Israel-Hamas conflict

Malaysia pushes line condemning violence, as Singapore, Thailand cause 'some discord'

27 July 2024
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, meets with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane on July 26.
South China Sea

Philippine, Chinese top diplomats agree to ease South China Sea tensions

Foreign ministers hold 1st meeting in 2 years as Manila conducts resupply mission

27 July 2024
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the ASEAN post ministerial conference with China at the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Vientiane on July, 26.
South China Sea

China says Philippine allies meddling in South China Sea dispute

Foreign minister Wang slams U.S, Japan, South Korea, EU at ASEAN-China meeting

26 July 2024
Rescuers assist residents in the Metro Manila city of Marikina on July 24 amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon Gaemi.
Natural disasters

Typhoon Gaemi dumps heavy rain in Manila; 114 flights canceled

More than 600,000 people displaced, with 16 cities asking for emergency funding

24 July 2024
ASEAN's headquarters in Jakarta. This year's meetings of foreign ministers take place at a critical juncture as unrest in Myanmar threatens the bloc's unity and tensions in the South China Sea rise. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN ministers seek Myanmar breakthrough with 'troika' model

Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia to hold 'informal consultation' as regional talks begin

24 July 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation address on July 22. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Politics

Marcos says South China Sea claim isn't 'imaginary,' urges diplomacy

Philippine president also orders online casinos closed in State of the Nation

22 July 2024
A Taiwanese fishing boat sets sail to Taiping Island, Taiwan's sole holding in the disputed Spratly Islands, in protest against a tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea on July 20, 2016. 
Opinion

The tragic cost of Taiwan's silence on its South China Sea claims

Pressure from Washington undermines Taiwan's sovereignty and self-advocacy

22 July 2024
Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons toward a Philippine resupply vessel on its way to a mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea during March.
South China Sea

China, Philippines reach deal seeking to end South China Sea clashes

Manila says Beijing dropped inspection demand for supply ships to Second Thomas Shoal

22 July 2024
Vice President Sara Duterte, left, resigned from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s cabinet last month and has made it clear she won't attend this year's State of the Nation Address. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
Opinion

Marcos-Duterte war is a battle for the soul of Philippine democracy

Annual speech gives president chance to rally elite, pin down rival family

21 July 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping will try to de-escalate their South China Sea disputes by making it easier for their foreign ministries and coast guards to talk.
South China Sea

Philippines and China bet on hotlines to avoid South China Sea clashes

Talks focus on opening three lines of communications between the nations

17 July 2024
Chinese and Russian warships conduct maritime drills in July. (China PLA Navy)
South China Sea

China and Russia extend military cooperation to South China Sea

Activities follow increased drills among Japan, U.S. and Philippines

17 July 2024
Members of the China Coast Guard approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on June 17.
Opinion

Philippines and Vietnam's South China Sea strategies have failed

Manila's 'transparency' and Hanoi's 'opacity' are outdated approaches to deter China

15 July 2024
Japan Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, left, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., right, shake hands alongside Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, center, following the signing of the reciprocal access agreement, at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, July 8. (Pool/Getty Images)
International relations

Philippines-Japan troop pact 'launchpad' for more defense ties

Experts expect extension of Manila-Tokyo deal to counter Chinese aggression

14 July 2024
An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea.
South China Sea

China rebukes EU for backing Philippines on maritime ruling anniversary

Arbitration decision in 2016 rejected Beijing's expansive South China Sea claims

12 July 2024
The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in April 2023: The warship passed close to the Philippines on its way to drills in the Pacific, Taiwan's defense minister said on July 10. (Handout via Reuters)
South China Sea

Chinese carrier passes near Philippines on way to drills: Taiwan

Shandong, J-16 fighters and H-6 bombers head to western Pacific

10 July 2024
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa shook hands with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looked during a signing ceremony at Malacanang Palace in Manila on July 8.
International relations

Philippines, Japan sign defense pact to seal South China Sea ties

Filipinos talk of 'instrument of trust,' Japanese of changing 'status quo'

8 July 2024
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a written interview with Nikkei Asia that peace and dialogue are key to resolving maritime disputes with China. (Photo by Takuya Fujisawa)
South China Sea

Philippines to seek diplomatic solutions in South China Sea

Secretary Enrique Manalo tells Nikkei that peace and dialogue 'must prevail'

8 July 2024
The office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  said the country and Japan will sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement on July 8.
International relations

Philippines and Japan to sign defense agreement, says Manila

Ceremonial signing set to come ahead of '2-plus-2' talks between countries

7 July 2024
The defense and foreign ministers of the Philippines and Japan are holding a "two-plus-two" meeting in Manila on July 8. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Kyodo)
International relations

Philippines-Japan meeting to eye defense pact, may bud more 'coalitions'

Experts see multiple implications beyond potential reciprocal access agreement

5 July 2024
A Chinese Coast Guard member wields an axe as he and other forces approach Philippine Navy service members on a resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal on June 17.
South China Sea

Philippines demands China pay $1m over South China Sea clash in June

Head of armed forces says Manila-Tokyo troop access deal is close to being signed

4 July 2024
Chinese Maritime Militia vessels are pictured near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, on March 5.
South China Sea

Philippines to be 'relentless' in protecting South China Sea rights

Beijing-Manila dialogue sees 'substantial progress': Foreign Ministry

2 July 2024
Manila and Washington have scheduled a 2-plus-2 meeting as tensions mount in the South China Sea.
28 June 2024