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Philippines
Philippine President Links Budget Petition to ‘Destabilization’ Plot
By Mong Palatino
Concerns about corruption in budget allocations have been drawn into the intensifying political war between the Marcos and Duterte clans.
Philippine Sex Education Bill Is ‘Woke and Abhorrent,’ President Says
By Ben Sturt
The proposed Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act has come under fire from President Marcos, despite the country’s alarming teenage pregnancy rates.
Philippine Troops to Train With US Missile System Next Month, Army Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The Typhon intermediate-range missile system has been present in the country since joint military drills in April 2024.
Churches, Protests, and Policymaking in the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
Recent interventions by Catholic organizations are set to shape the course of this year's mid-term elections.
The State of the South China Sea: Coercion at Sea, Slow Progress on a Code of Conduct
By Carl Thayer
Major developments in the South China Sea in 2024 do not augur well for 2025.
Japan ‘Gravely Concerned’ About South China Sea Tensions, FM Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Speaking in Manila, Iwaya Takeshi said that his country's partnership with Southeast Asia was "vital for regional peace and stability,”
The Politics of ‘Ayuda’ in the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
Government funds intended for the poor are often used by politicians as a form of political patronage.
Philippines Protests Fresh Chinese Deployments at Disputed Shoal
By Sebastian Strangio
2025 is shaping up as another year of friction and contention in disputed parts of the South China Sea.
How the Exit of US Banks From the Net-Zero Banking Alliance Threatens Climate Finance in Southeast Asia
By Ardhi Rasy Wardhana
Without the participation of U.S. banks in the NZBA, the already limited pool of climate finance may shrink further.
What to Expect in Philippine Politics in 2025
By Mong Palatino
The mid-term elections and the ongoing feud between the Marcos and Duterte families are set to dominate the headlines this year.
Philippines Defends Plan to Acquire Typhon Missile System From US
By Sebastian Strangio
China has condemned Manila's planned acquisition, which it says poses a "substantial threat to regional peace and security."
Philippine Congressional Committee Recommends Filing of Criminal Charges Against Duterte
By Mong Palatino
The former president's "war on drugs" was marked by "abuse of power and institutional impunity," lawmakers say.