Category: Politics

Philippines

Robin Padilla’s Alias Defense Sparks Firestorm: Palace and Groups Ask—Can Heroes Really Be Compared to Confidential Fund Recipients?

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Robin Padilla’s attempt to draw a parallel between aliases used by Filipino heroes and historical figures and the unusual names appearing in documents tied to the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds has triggered a growing political backlash, with Malacañang and civil society groups arguing that the comparison misses a crucial distinction. The controversy unfolded during the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte, where Pa

August 28, 2026

Politics

Singapore Is Giving Every Child Almost S$70,000 — But the Bigger Change Could Be What Happens After Baby Bonus

SINGAPORE — Singapore is making one of its biggest changes to family support in a generation, replacing the long-running Baby Bonus and Large Families schemes with a new system designed to support children financially well beyond their first years. Under the new SG Child Support Package, every Singapore Citizen child will receive the same core level of support regardless of birth order, with assistance spread from birth through age 17. The Government says the broader package of financial suppo

August 28, 2026

Philippines

A Mother Heard the News Every Parent Fears—Nearly a Decade Later, She’s Still Searching for Answers

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly a decade after her son was killed, a mother is once again recounting the night that changed her life forever—this time as families of victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs continue their long search for truth, accountability and justice. Luzviminda Siapo’s son, Raymart, was killed in March 2017 at the height of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. His case has now become one of the stories being examined by an independent, civilian-led Truth Com

August 28, 2026

Politics

Qatar Makes a Bold Move to Revive US-Iran Talks — But Trump Says Washington Isn’t Talking

TEHRAN/DOHA — Qatar has stepped into the middle of the escalating US-Iran standoff, sending its prime minister to Tehran in a fresh attempt to revive diplomacy — even as US President Donald Trump says Washington is not currently talking to Iran. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani traveled to Tehran on August 27 as Doha sought to create conditions for renewed dialogue and reduce tensions that have persisted six months into the conflict. The diplo

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Loren Legarda’s Absence Explained? Gatchalian Reveals She Is Battling a ‘Serious’ Illness

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda remains on medical leave and is dealing with what Senate President Win Gatchalian described as a “serious” illness, shedding new light on the veteran lawmaker's continued absence from Senate proceedings. Gatchalian told reporters that he was aware of Legarda's condition because of their personal friendship but stressed that details about her illness should remain private. According to the Senate leader, Legarda herself had previously told him that sh

August 28, 2026

Politics

Japan Heads to G20 With the Yen Back in the Spotlight—Will Tokyo and Washington Move Again?

Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama is set to attend next week’s G20 finance leaders’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, putting the battered Japanese yen and Tokyo’s increasingly close currency coordination with Washington back under the international spotlight. Katayama said Friday that she plans to participate in discussions on the global economy and international financial conditions. The meeting comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Japan after the United States and Japan c

August 28, 2026

Politics

Dollar Holds Near One-Week High—But Warsh’s Jackson Hole Debut Could Change Everything

HONG KONG — The U.S. dollar held close to a one-week high on Friday as investors paused major bets ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s closely watched debut at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium. The greenback’s calm appearance masks a much bigger question confronting global markets: Will Warsh give investors a clearer signal on where U.S. interest rates are heading—or leave markets guessing? The dollar index was around 99.13, up roughly 0.3% for the week, although it r

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Jinggoy Estrada’s Hospital Visit Sparks ‘Special Treatment’ Outcry—But BJMP Reveals What the Court Ordered

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has pushed back against accusations that detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada received special treatment when he was brought to a private hospital for a knee examination, stressing that the medical visit was authorized by the Sandiganbayan. BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said the agency was simply carrying out a lawful directive issued by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division—not granting the senator privileges unavailable under th

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Honors Japan’s Outgoing Envoy—But What He Helped Build Between Manila and Tokyo Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has conferred one of the Philippines’ highest diplomatic honors on outgoing Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, recognizing his role in deepening ties between Manila and Tokyo at a time when cooperation between the two longtime partners continues to expand. During Endo’s farewell call at Malacañang Palace, Marcos awarded him the Order of Sikatuna, Grand Cross with Distinction, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen Philippines-Japan rela

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Caught in the Crossfire? Why the Philippines Could Be Drawn Into a US-China Showdown

MANILA, Philippines — As the rivalry between the United States and China deepens across the Indo-Pacific, a troubling question is becoming harder for the Philippines to ignore: Could the country become caught in the crossfire of a conflict it did not start? The warning comes as tensions continue to build around two of Asia’s most dangerous flashpoints—the South China Sea and Taiwan—with the Philippines sitting at a strategically critical location between them. For lawmakers and security observ

August 28, 2026