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Raissa Robles
Raissa Robles has written for the SCMP since 1996. A freelance journalist specialising in politics, international relations, business and Muslim rebellion, she has contributed to Reuters, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Daily Mail, Times of London, Radio Netherlands and Asiaweek. She runs the award-winning investigative and opinion blog, raissarobles.com. Her book, Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, a brief history of the dictatorship won the 2017 National Book Awards for Non-Fiction. Her Twitter handle is @raissawriter.
As the ramming of ships and use of water cannons dominated discussions, questions arose about the legality of China’s actions.
Rodrigo Duterte taunts lawmakers that they might ‘miss the pleasure’ of seeing him in the International Criminal Court due to his age.
The French deal also promises local vessel production and technology transfer – as Manila plans to add 7,000 coastguard personnel by 2026.
Indonesian experts agree that the deal will legitimise China’s ten-dash line and create a border dispute for Indonesia where there is none.
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Analysts say the Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act don’t expand Manila’s claims in the waterway, but China is unconvinced.
Senator Imee Marcos and a group of retired generals have separately demanded accountability for flood control funds.
The coastguard’s US$537 million budget for next year is mostly allocated for personnel-related expenses.
Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he also ordered the police to ‘encourage’ arrested suspects into fighting back so that they could be killed.
‘Quiboloy aimed to acquire 1,000 women anchored on the biblical story of Solomon,’ a top police official testified before a senate hearing.
Ex-senator Leila De Lima tells Congress RA 9851 recognises ICC jurisdiction over crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines.
Analysts warn the bitter fight between the two powerful political clans could undermine efforts to address growing hunger and economic woes.
Duterte-Carpio holds press conference to set the record straight, recounts incident when she realises her ties with Marcos Jnr turned toxic.
A lawyer aiding the ICC probe into extrajudicial killings during the former president’s drug war says the new evidence could be critical.
Marcos Jnr cites recent South China Sea incidents, warns economic cooperation alone will not ease security concerns in the region.
Besides the Duterte and Marcos families, the Nograles, Cayetano, Estrada, Villar and Tulfo clans are also contesting in the 2025 elections.
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act and Maritime Zones Act aim to bolster enforcement against unauthorised foreign vessels.
The 2025 race is set to be fiercely contested, with Marcos’ slate of candidates including his sister Imee, who is running as an independent.
With Guo accused of soliciting funds from a gaming kingpin and confessed Chinese ‘asset’, concerns grow over foreign infiltration via Pogos.
Senate President Francis Escudero, who has proposed removing the word, says divorce proceedings should be accessible to all Filipinos.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr has called for legislative changes to enable ‘buy-now-pay-later’ schemes with extended grace periods.
The budget for Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s office has been slashed as she alleges an impeachment ‘plot’ against her.
Facing a hostile senate inquiry following her return to the Philippines, the former mayor accused of being a Chinese agent revealed little.
Critics of the former president say the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy is a sign the ‘Dutertes’ walls of impunity are crumbling’.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has sought to play down the controversy, insisting his country is just the ‘selfie capital of the world’.
The Philippines said its vessel was on a ‘peaceful and lawful’ patrol ‘within its own maritime jurisdiction’, when it was rammed on Saturday by a Chinese coastguard vessel.
Both countries sign letters of intent to strengthen engagement on disaster response and military medicine, with agreement expected by year-end.
The vice-president has been in the spotlight since she resigned in June from President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s cabinet, turning the two families’ alliance into bitter rivalry as both sides seek to strengthen their coalitions.
Marcos Jnr’s moves against the shadowy Duterte-linked Pastor Quiboloy have collided with a surging anti-graft movement demanding reform.
A book written by Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte sparked controversy after a senator questioned the use of taxpayer funds for its printing.
Decision to move the August 21 holiday a bid to downplay events leading to downfall of Marcos Snr’s dictatorship, analysts say.
