Philippines

Duterte’s back-down on US forces in Philippines
Duterte’s back-down on US forces in Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has finally put an end to uncertainty regarding the fate of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States…
The politics of PacMan
The politics of PacMan
Boxer and Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao knows how to pick his fights. For weeks, the champ has engaged President Rodrigo Duterte in a word war. First, Pacquiao jabbed Duterte…
Whatever happened to the South China Sea ruling?
Whatever happened to the South China Sea ruling?
Five years ago on this day, an international tribunal in a landmark ruling dismissed Beijing’s claim to much of the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The…
Philippines: Aquino’s death marks another democratic turning point
Philippines: Aquino’s death marks another democratic turning point
With the passing of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, the country’s political future becomes even more uncertain in the run-up to an election next year.   …
How strong is Duterte the strongman?
How strong is Duterte the strongman?
The 2016 presidential race in the Philippines looked like the perfect time for Rodrigo Duterte to come to power. The country was coming off of Noynoy Aquino’s soft and ineffectual…
Duterte the defier
Duterte the defier
On 20 March, the Philippine government’s National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels, with suspected members of China…
 Philippines community pantries give help – and send a message
Philippines community pantries give help – and send a message
A handwritten slogan can be spotted on cardboard posters at stalls across the Philippines: “Give according to your means, take according to your need.” These are makeshift…
Lockdown déjà vu in the Philippines
Lockdown déjà vu in the Philippines
It’s hard to tell whether the Philippine government intentionally sought to mark exactly one year since 15 March 2020 Metro Manila Covid lockdown by tightening…
A Duterte dynasty?
A Duterte dynasty?
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term is drawing to a close in 2022, and under the current constitution, he isn’t eligible for re-election. Incumbent leaders have…
In the Philippines, a label can take your life
In the Philippines, a label can take your life
A civil war has been going on in the Philippines for over 50 years, waged by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) with the armed guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA)…