President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—the son and namesake of the Philippines’ late dictator—has floated the idea of holding a national vote to amend the Southeast Asian country’s constitution at the same time as its upcoming midterm elections in 2025. “If possible, we can have the plebiscite in the local elections to be held in May … Read more
MANILA — At least 55 people died and 32 were injured in one of the southern Philippines’ deadliest landslides in recent years, the government of Davao de Oro province said Monday. Search and retrieval operations are still underway for dozens more missing after the landslide that took place Tuesday night on the southern island of … Read more
MANILA, Philippines — Combat exercises between the United States and the Philippines involving thousands of forces each year will not be affected by America’s focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, a U.S. general said Thursday. The Biden administration has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to … Read more
The Philippines has been butting heads with China for years over the disputed South China Sea, but increasingly the Southeast Asian country appears to be preparing for another potential battleground: Taiwan. Earlier this week, defense chief Gilberto Teodoro visited a naval detachment and ordered a military buildup on Mavulis, the northernmost island of the province … Read more
MANILA, Philippines — The government of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken steps to to address human rights abuses in the country, including the killings of journalists and rights activists, a U.N. expert said Friday. However, more needs to be done, she said, including ensuring accountability. The remarks by United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene … Read more
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. just laughed off allegations that he’s a user of illegal drugs—a charge recently leveled at him by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. “I think it’s the fentanyl,” Marcos, 66, told local reporters on Monday, turning the accusation back on Duterte. “After five, six years, it has to affect him; that’s … Read more
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. struck back on Monday at his firebrand predecessor Rodrigo Duterte who called him a “drug addict”, saying the former leader’s fentanyl use could have affected his judgment. “I think it’s the fentanyl,” Marcos told reporters shortly before leaving for Vietnam in response to claims made by Duterte … Read more
2024 may be the world’s biggest-ever election year, but in the Philippines, voters are already looking ahead to 2028. While current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., elected in mid-2022, hasn’t even reached his second year in office yet, the country’s constitution currently permits only a single presidential term of six years, opening up early speculation … Read more
The Philippines is temporarily halting its onion imports until May—and possibly even up until July—in a bid to control prices from getting too cheap. It’s a complete 180 from the Southeast Asian nation’s problems a year ago—when dwindling supply of the staple vegetable was causing prices to become more expensive than beef. In January 2023, … Read more
January 12, 2024 5:00 AM EST A Philippine prosecutor has dismissed a criminal complaint of grave threats against former President Rodrigo Duterte due to lack of evidence. Read More: Philippine Prosecutor Subpoenas Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte Over Alleged Death Threat Quezon City Deputy City Prosecutor Leilia Llanes approved the dismissal of the complaint filed by House … Read more