Philippines

A drone view show of an oil lick in the waters off the coast of Manila Bay in the Philippines on July 29.
Natural disasters

Philippine oil spill threatens livelihoods in fishing village

Fishermen of Tanza in Cavite province distraught as slick washes ashore

29 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
A man pushes a hand cart equipped with benches as he ferries passengers along a railway in Manila.
Economy

Philippines seeks Japan, U.S. funding for Subic-Clark railway

$850m plan, part of Luzon Economic Corridor, on hold after China pulls out

29 July 2024
Bini has quickly won fans at home in the Philippines since its official debut in 2021. (Photo from Bini's website)
Media & Entertainment

Philippine girl group Bini bursts onto the global stage

Members grow from local reality show sensation to worldwide hitmakers

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
Half the top 10 listings in Southeast Asia in terms of amount raised were from Malaysia. (Photo by Norman Goh)
IPO

Southeast Asia IPO fundraising down 60% in first half as Indonesia slumps

Higher interest rates dampen listings in region with fewer big-ticket debuts

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
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, an aerial survey is conducted as part of an oil spill response operation in Manila Bay on July 25. The sinking of a tanker raised fears over a possible spill. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
Natural disasters

Taiwan and Philippines lashed by typhoon, oil tanker sinks

Dozens killed in flooding and landslides as storm moves toward China

25 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
Containers are offloaded from the freighter Alula Express at South Korea's Busan Newport International Terminal, one of the largest container ports in the world.
Economy

Developing Asia's growth revised up by ADB as tech exports grow

Regional lender keeps forecasts for ASEAN economies, China, India unchanged

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
Staff from housekeeping services provider Bears. While a severe labor shortage in Japan means many companies are keen to hire from overseas, comparatively low wages and the historically weak yen are blunting the country's appeal. (Photos by Yuji Murakami and Ryosuke Matsui)
Asia Insight

Japan's new enemy in fight to lure immigrant workers: The tumbling yen

Visa rules eased, but currency weakness tarnishes Japan's appeal for overseas hires

16 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
Philippines' Nesthy Petecio, right, in action against Indonesia's Ratna Sari Devi in the women's 57kg category at the Southeast Asian Games  in Phnom Penh on May 14.
Sports

Post-Pacquiao, Philippines chases first Olympic boxing gold in Paris

Nation sending 5 fighters amid push to revitalize the sport, get private funding

14 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