Philippines

The government did not provide any explanation for the replacement of Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, who was supposed to serve until August 2025.

The start of 2023 should have been triumphant for President Marcos. Instead, domestic and international attention was monopolized by the chaos unfolding at the country's airports.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Xi Jinping agreed to restart joint oil and gas exploration and set up a direct channel of communication on South China Sea issues.

The new Philippine president is promising to shift relations to a “higher gear.” But his administration’s swift re-engagement with the U.S. is likely to pose problems.

Alluding to the two countries' territorial dispute in the South China Sea, Marcos said he looks forward to discussing bilateral and regional political and security issues.

Historic summit not helped by ASEAN disunity and its peculiarities.

Many of Southeast Asia’s major currencies came under pressure this year but are ending the year strong.

The planned Maharlika Investment Fund has attracted controversy, with critics claiming that it is unnecessary and is open to abuse.

The Philippine capital, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, has long struggled to supply clean water to its 12 million people.

Jose Maria Sison had lived in self-exile in The Netherlands since his release from prison in 1986.

The retired foreign correspondent, who has lived in China since 1971, has vowed to build trust with Beijing, while standing up for Philippine interests.

Such funds are usually set up in smallish commodity exporting nations that run large current account surpluses. The Philippines is neither of these.