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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.
The deal strengthens defence ties between the nations, but analysts warn it could entangle the Philippines in Japan’s regional security role.
Delaying impeachment proceedings, which can be highly politicised, is likely to bolster Duterte-Carpio’s 2028 presidential run, observers note.
The Philippines has the ‘sovereign prerogative’ to retain the Typhon for its security needs given the threat posed by China, analysts say.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement is ‘not a military’ pact but could allow Japanese forces to access existing defence bases.
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The US president-elect’s interest in containing China militarily and supporting the Philippines’ defence remains an open question.
Arrest and detention may not be enough to curb Duterte-Carpio’s ability to wrest control of the government, observers say.
The deployment of US soldiers in Palawan enhances intelligence gathering for Second Thomas Shoal, underscoring the Philippine stance in the dispute, analysts note.
While shared values may underpin Marcos Jnr’s stance, observers say it could also indicate calculated deference to US influence in the region.
The president said threats against him would not be taken lightly after the vice-president said she had hired someone to eliminate him.
The Mantas T-12 unmanned surface vessels can be used for stealth spying, resupplying BRP Sierra Madre or retrofitted for combat, analysts said.
Analysts say the Philippines’ transparency initiative is spotlighting China’s actions and rallying global allies in the US and Europe.
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.
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.
