Category: Politics

Philippines

The Philippines Wants ASEAN to Unite in Space—But What Marcos Is Building Could Go Far Beyond Satellites

MANILA — The Philippines is trying to move Southeast Asia’s space ambitions from scattered national programs into something much bigger: a coordinated ASEAN strategy that could shape how the region uses satellites, protects orbital assets, responds to disasters and competes in the rapidly expanding global space economy. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Manila is pushing for an ASEAN Declaration on Space Co

August 22, 2026

Business

Trump Just Opened the Door to 300,000 Tons of Cheaper Beef — But There’s a Catch

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is moving to temporarily open the U.S. market to more imported ground beef in an effort to bring down stubbornly high grocery prices — but the move is already triggering backlash from American cattle producers who fear cheaper imports could undermine the domestic beef industry. Trump said Friday that the United States would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to enter the country over a 90-day period without the higher out-of-quota tariff. The Whi

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Philippine Poverty Just Fell Below 10% for the First Time—But 11 Million Filipinos Are Still Below the Line

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has crossed a milestone that once seemed years away. The share of Filipinos officially classified as poor dropped to 9.7% in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the country’s official poverty statistics and the first time the national poverty incidence among individuals has fallen below 10%, according to new data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. That translates to roughly 11.08 million Filipinos still living below the official poverty threshold in

August 22, 2026

Politics

Japan’s Inflation Picks Up as Iran War Fuels Energy Shock—What Happens Next Could Hit the Global Economy

Japan’s inflation story is heating up again—and the next move by the Bank of Japan could be the part markets are watching most closely. Japan’s core consumer inflation accelerated to 1.8% year-on-year in July, up from 1.6% in June, according to government data released Friday. The reading matched economists’ expectations but remained below the Bank of Japan’s 2% inflation target for a seventh consecutive month. But beneath that headline figure is a more complicated warning: energy costs, highe

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Kerwin Espinosa Gives Up Loose Firearms and Says He’s “Law-Abiding” — But What Happens Next Could Be Bigger

Albuera Mayor Kerwin Espinosa has surrendered his loose firearms to authorities, saying he wants to demonstrate that he is now committed to being a law-abiding citizen. ALBUERA, LEYTE — Albuera Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa has turned over his loose firearms to police, in what he described as a step toward proving that he is now choosing to follow the law. The development comes as Espinosa attempts to move forward from years of controversy surrounding his name, including previous allegations i

August 22, 2026

Business

Kita Just Raised $4.5 Million to Let AI Judge Borrowers in Seconds—But the Bigger Story Is Who Banks Could Start Lending To

A young artificial intelligence startup with Filipino roots has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to tackle one of lending’s oldest problems: figuring out whether borrowers with limited traditional credit histories are actually creditworthy. Kita, an AI-powered credit assessment company co-founded by Carmel Limcaoco and Rhea Malhotra, secured the fresh capital in a round led by BoxGroup, with participation from Y Combinator, Golden Gate Ventures, BEENEXT, Kaya Founders, U.S. News Digital Vent

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Lacson Wants Harsher Penalties After Flood-Control Witnesses Recant—But the Bigger Question Is Who Made Them Change Their Stories

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is pushing for tougher punishment not only for people who lie under oath, but also for those who allegedly pressure, pay or persuade witnesses to give false testimony—a move triggered by the increasingly tangled battle over witnesses in the country’s controversial flood-control investigation. Lacson said he intends to propose heavier penalties for what is commonly called subornation of perjury, or inducing another person to commit perjury, fol

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Gatchalian Vows Tighter Watch Over Billions in Infrastructure Funds—But the Spending Slump Reveals a Bigger Problem

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has pledged tighter congressional scrutiny of the government’s massive infrastructure program as the Marcos administration attempts to accelerate public works spending without reopening the door to questionable projects and misuse of taxpayers’ money. Gatchalian said the Senate would continue exercising strict oversight over infrastructure expenditures, putting accountability at the center of the government’s effort to revive spending on

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Hontiveros Wants Tighter Gun Rules After Zamboanga Shooting—But One Question Could Change Everything

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is pushing for tougher firearms regulation and stricter gun-safekeeping rules after the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University raised a disturbing question: How did a child gain access to firearms connected to a government employee? Speaking at a press conference in Iloilo on Aug. 21, Hontiveros said Congress should revisit Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, particularly provisions involving the access, storage an

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Says Garbage Is Worsening Metro Manila Floods—But What Investigators Found Inside the Flood-Control System Raises a Bigger Question

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s renewed warning that garbage is worsening Metro Manila’s flooding has reopened a much bigger and politically sensitive question: after billions of pesos spent on flood-control infrastructure, why do communities continue to go underwater? The debate intensified after a Manila Times opinion column accused Marcos of “gaslighting” Filipinos by repeatedly emphasizing garbage clogging waterways while government agencies themselves remain responsi

August 22, 2026