The Philippines and Vietnam are charting a “new” and “deeper” trajectory for their defense relationship amid a more volatile regional environment, proving that rival claimant-nations in the South China Sea (SCS) can cooperate civilizedly—a feat that Department of National Defense (DND)...
The Philippines and Japan have moved closer to a landmark defense equipment deal that could see retired Japanese warships and a patrol aircraft transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This as the Philippine government pressed ahead with efforts to expand security ties with...
The United States plans to transfer a Coast Guard cutter to the Philippines to bolster the latter’s maritime security amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the vessel transfer following a high-level bilateral meeting with Department of...
Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) has urged the government to exercise caution in granting another minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, warning that higher labor costs could hurt exporters, micro enterprises, and the broader economy at a time of elevated inflation and slowing...
A pair of blockbuster, high-stakes singles finals are locked in at the P2 million Palawan Open 2026 as Fil-Am Christopher Papa survived an absolute multi-hour epic to set up a heavyweight men’s singles title clash against the Philippines ' premier player, Alberto Lim, Jr. Meanwhile, the...
The Philippines and New Zealand are moving to accelerate defense cooperation as both countries push for the ratification of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), while Manila advances a broader concept that would position the country as a venue for strategic convergence among like-minded...
A member of the House Committee on Energy is suggesting the use of fuel value-added tax (VAT) collections in a mechanism to partially subsidize electricity bill rebates. Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. made this proposal amid the complaints on social media regarding the so-called...
The Philippines’ debt as a share of economic output is expected to remain elevated above 60 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year as the government ramps up borrowings to support its response to the national energy emergency amid the prolonged war in the Middle East. Based on the...
TACLOBAN CITY – Police Col. Celerino Sacro Jr. recently revealed his plans as Leyte police chief. Sacro, who assumed the position recently, vowed to reduce criminality in the province by stepping up the campaign against wanted persons, loose firearms, illegal drugs, and illegal gambling, aligned...
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday, May 26, ordered all regional and local units to sustain aggressive anti-criminality operations and increase boots on the ground despite a major drop in crime rates nationwide. PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. issued the...
Public satisfaction with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has fallen to a new personal low, with more Filipinos expressing dissatisfaction than approval, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from March 24 to 31. The results of the March 2026 Social...
The Japanese government plans to help Southeast Asian countries diversify their crude oil procurement sources, in order to stabilize petrochemical supply chains amid the ongoing Middle East tensions. Faced with recent energy shocks following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Southeast...
