A provincial governor in the Philippines known for his pro-China views and opposition to cooperation with the US has been summarily tossed out of office, due to illegal use of funds during an election, just as joint military exercises involving Manila and Washington take place in his province. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on … Read more
“It is first lady Liza Marcos’s right to feel angry and frustrated, but her personal feelings are not related to my mandate as a government official,” she said on Monday. ‘I felt hurt’: Philippine first lady breaks silence on ties with vice-president Sara Duterte added that she would speak to President Marcos Jnr privately to … Read more
Tuesday’s rally, which took place in Metro Manila’s financial district of Makati City, was held to coincide with the Day of Valour, which commemorates the day when the provinces of Bataan and Corregidor fell to Japanese invaders 82 years ago. The protest was organised by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance), an alliance of … Read more
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce a “historic” agreement next week that will “upgrade” the two countries’ security relationship, deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell said on Wednesday. 3. Hong Kong Rugby Sevens’ nearly 50-year history – a visual guide Illustration: SCMP The rugby sevens tournament is held annually … Read more
South China Sea: Philippines fires back at ‘patronising’ Beijing as tensions escalate The Philippines is not seeking a fight or trouble in the South China Sea but will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience, its defence ministry said on Friday, in its latest show of defiance in a heated row with China. Recent … Read more
The Philippine navy has expressed alarm over the growing presence of Chinese warships and maritime militia boats around Mischief Reef in the disputed South China Sea, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr vowed to protect the country’s sovereignty and called for dialogue with Beijing. Navy spokesman Roy Vincent Trinidad said about 200 vessels, including coastguard fleets, … Read more
Supporters of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte were set to hold rival rallies on Sunday, as a battle over the country’s constitution highlighted a deepening rift between the powerful clans. In the nearly two years since Marcos Jnr was swept to victory with the help of his vice-presidential running mate … Read more
The latest Ayungin incident had prominent Filipino lawmakers loudly calling for China’s envoy to Manila, Huang Xilian, to be sent home. Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte who had pivoted the country towards China and away from the United States, even changed his tune and said the Philippine … Read more
Japan on Wednesday expressed “serious concern” about “dangerous actions” after the latest tense confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels at flashpoint reefs that included a collision and Chinese ships shooting water cannon. Tokyo added that it “concurs with the Philippines’ long-standing objections to unlawful maritime claims, militarisation, coercive activities and threat or use of force … Read more
