China or Philippines? Paolo Ortega questions Sara Duterte’s loyalty

By Billy Begas House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V questioned whether Vice President Sara Duterte’s loyalty lies with China or the Philippines, citing her silence on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea. “Where does her loyalty really lie? …

S. Korean national released 3 days after being kidnapped in Philippines

SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean national was safely released Monday, three days after being kidnapped in the Philippines, Seoul's foreign ministry said. The kidnapping happened early Friday as the individual was traveling by car with two …

Philippines awards $451mn T-bill offer

State of media freedom in the Philippines

Media watchdogs have documented 184 cases of attacks targeting journalists under the incumbent government. This statement was originally published on cmfr-phil.org on 3 May 2025. THE STATE of media freedom in the Philippines presents the continuing paradox …

Power outages threaten election integrity, safety of poll workers in the Philippines: climate and energy rights groups

The Philippines is set to hold its midterm elections for 12 members of the Senate, more than 300 seats in the House of Representatives and nearly 18,000 local officials. Energy security has emerged as a key electoral issue.  A report by the Philippine …

Fitch Ratings affirms Philippines at 'BBB'; outlook stable

Fitch Ratings recently affirmed the Philippines' long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at 'BBB' with a stable outlook, expecting the economy to expand by 5.6 per cent this year, broadly in line with 2023 and 2024.The expansion …

Philippines rises in World Press Freedom Index

THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) welcomed the Philippines' highest ranking in the World Press Freedom Index in 21 years, crediting it to the present administration's boosted efforts to enhance the safety and security of media …

Cardinal who embraced Philippines' gay Catholics could be the Francis continuity candidate for pope

MANILA — On a balmy night outside Manila’s Baclaran church, Gerald Concepcion, 32, and his fellow devotees were decorating a float of the Virgin Mary with fragrant lilies and pink carnations. He added artificial white doves to the arrangement, saying they …

The Philippines: ICT Planning Standards for Digital Governance

In a significant move towards streamlining digital transformation across the public sector, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has announced a groundbreaking policy mandating the adoption of unified standards in Information …

Philippines confronts Chinese ship’s ‘unlawful activities’ amid South China Sea tensions

The Philippines has deployed a coastguard vessel and an aircraft to challenge and escort a Chinese research ship it said was conducting illegal marine scientific research activities within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Chinese Research …