Category: Politics

Philippines

Prosecutors Want Their Own Cameras Inside Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial—But the Real Fight Is Over Who Controls What Filipinos See

MANILA, Philippines — The battle inside Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is no longer just about witnesses, confidential funds and financial records. A new fight is emerging over who gets to control what the Filipino public actually sees. House prosecutors are pushing the Senate impeachment court to give accredited news organizations greater independent access to the proceedings, including permission to operate their own cameras inside the chamber instead of relying almost entire

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Teodoro Says Chinese Embassy Is Acting as Tony Yang’s ‘PR Firm’—But the Sanjia Raid May Be Only the Beginning

MANILA, Philippines — The increasingly bitter war of words between Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and the Chinese Embassy has entered a new and potentially more explosive phase, with the defense chief accusing Beijing’s diplomatic mission of effectively acting as a “public relations firm” for businessman Tony Yang while refusing to confront allegations surrounding his business interests in the Philippines. The confrontation centers on Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corporation, a steel

August 21, 2026

Philippines

ICC Hands Duterte Defense 6,909 Evidence Items—But 57 of Them Could Matter in a Very Different Way

MANILA, Philippines — The criminal case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is entering a more consequential stage, with International Criminal Court prosecutors disclosing 6,909 evidence items to his defense team in just the first seven months of 2026. But the headline number tells only part of the story. The materials do not consist solely of evidence prosecutors intend to use against Duterte. They include thousands of items available for defense inspection — and dozens class

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Imee Marcos Tells DICT, CICC and NTC to ‘Do Your Jobs’—But the Zamboanga Shooting Exposed a Problem Regulators Can’t Solve Alone

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos has delivered a pointed message to the government agencies tasked with policing the country’s digital space: enforce the rules already under your mandate as fears grow over young Filipinos’ exposure to violent and potentially dangerous online communities. Marcos called on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to step up

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Orly Guteza Took Back His Story—But the Ombudsman Says 28 More Witnesses Could Keep Romualdez in the Hot Seat

MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez remains under scrutiny in the massive flood control controversy despite the withdrawal of testimony by a key witness, with the Office of the Ombudsman insisting that its investigation is far from dependent on a single account. The latest twist came after retired Marine Orly Guteza, who had previously linked Romualdez to alleged deliveries of cash connected to questionable flood control projects, recanted his earlier clai

August 21, 2026

Philippines

NO CONSPIRACY? Remulla Says Zamboanga School Shooter Planned Attack Alone—But Investigators Are Still Digging Into His Digital Trail

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigators have found no evidence of a conspiracy behind the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, saying the young shooter appeared to have planned and carried out the attack on his own. But while authorities have ruled out an organized plot based on their initial findings, the investigation is far from over. Officials are still examining the student's online activities, gaming and messaging hist

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Zubiri backs 7 global deals — but the Senate vote could change how Filipinos travel, study, do business and fight crime abroad

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Senate is moving to deepen the country’s international cooperation after Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri endorsed a package of seven international treaties and bilateral agreements covering aviation security, space activities, taxation, higher education and cross-border criminal justice. Zubiri, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, presided over the committee hearing on Thursday, August 20, where lawmakers reviewed the agreements a

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Marcos honors Ninoy Aquino 43 years after his death — then warns Filipinos about threats that could weaken democracy

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked the 43rd death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Friday, August 21, honoring the late opposition leader’s courage while urging Filipinos to protect democracy from threats that have evolved far beyond the political battles of the past. In a message commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day, Marcos described Aquino’s legacy as a reminder of the courage Filipinos have shown in standing by their convictions and defending pri

August 21, 2026

Philippines

DOT Has a Bigger Vision for Aurora—And It Starts With Manuel Quezon’s Legacy

BALER, Aurora — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is calling on Aurora to turn its rich cultural identity and history into a stronger tourism asset, with the legacy of former President Manuel L. Quezon serving as an important inspiration. DOT Central Luzon Regional Director Richard Daenos made the appeal during the commemoration of Quezon’s 148th birth anniversary in Baler on August 19, held alongside the Akkaw Baler Coco-Sabutan Festival. Rather than treating Quezon’s legacy as something confin

August 21, 2026

Politics

UN’s Next Chief Is Taking Shape — But One Hidden Vote Could Change Everything

NEW YORK — The race to become the next United Nations secretary-general is entering a critical new stage as the UN Security Council prepares to hold its second informal straw poll on Friday, August 21, testing whether the early frontrunners can build enough support to survive the highly political selection process. Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, the current head of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a former vice president of Costa Rica, emerged as the early leader in the first Security Counc

August 21, 2026