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The expected attendance of US President Donald Trump and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila on November 16-18 presents the Philippines with a diplomatic opportunity it cannot afford to waste. With the Philippine government hosting the gathering, massive street protests are likely to accompany the high-profile event. Trump can expect demonstrations from critics of his policies, while …

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans to summon Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to clarify remarks suggesting China could easily defeat the Philippines in a military conflict, describing the statement as sounding like a threat. Marcos said Friday that the ambassador’s comments were inappropriate for a diplomat, stressing the need to discuss what Beijing intended to convey. The President made the remarks …

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro During his working visit to Singapore, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. openly expressed disappointment over the closure of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) four decades ago. His remarks come at a time when Filipinos are grappling with some of the highest electricity rates in Asia, juxtaposed against the looming threat of an intense El Niño crisis.  The …

The government is stepping up efforts to complete the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), with the first phase targeted to begin partial operations by the end of 2027 as authorities work toward a rail network that could serve 800,000 passengers daily. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), lawmakers and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the project …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez The Bureau of Customs (BOC), under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, is pursuing reforms aimed at improving revenue collection, accelerating legitimate trade, strengthening border protection, and modernizing government services. These initiatives deserve public attention, particularly as the agency works to rebuild confidence in an institution whose performance directly affects national revenues and business competitiveness. Nepomuceno reported …

The European Union (EU) and the Philippines have reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security and a rules-based international order during their second Security and Defence Dialogue held in Manila on Oct. 8. Both sides discussed regional security developments, focusing on maritime security, the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and freedom of navigation. They also emphasized the importance of the United …

ASEAN energy ministers are stepping up regional cooperation on electricity connectivity, fuel security and clean energy investments as geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global energy supplies threaten prices and availability. The discussions took center stage at the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in Manila, where member states tackled measures to strengthen the region’s energy resilience under the ASEAN …

The Philippines has secured €212.7 million, or approximately ₱14.98 billion, in World Bank financing to improve water supply, sanitation, and water security in underserved communities. The Department of Finance (DOF) said the funding from the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development will support the Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project in Selected Areas (AWSPSA), to be implemented by the …

Japan’s Toshiba Corp. plans to invest billions of pesos over the next three years to expand its hard disk drive production capacity in the Philippines, a move expected to generate around 3,000 jobs and strengthen the country’s role in the global technology supply chain. The Department of Finance (DOF) said the planned investment was discussed during a meeting between Finance …

The Senate majority’s deafening silence over the prosecution’s withdrawal of three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte is as mysterious as the decision itself. After weeks of presenting evidence and witnesses, the prosecution suddenly abandoned three charges, leaving senator-judges and the public wondering what happened behind the scenes. The explanation appears straightforward: concentrate on the …