Philippines

Protesters hold posters calling for protection of Indigenous lands amid growing number of development projects in the Philippines.

The Philippines is among the most dangerous places in the world for environmental activists

The international nonprofit Global Witness has ranked the Philippines at the top of its list of deadliest countries to be an eco-activist. Dozens of environmentalists and land defenders also die each year or end up on government watch lists.

The Philippines is among the most dangerous places in the world for environmental activists
Men place their hands over their heads as they are rounded up during a continuing "war on drugs" police campaign of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2016. 

A rare murder conviction in the Philippines reveals a 'broken' justice system

A rare murder conviction in the Philippines reveals a 'broken' justice system
A worker fills up a plastic container with gasoline at a gas station in Pasay, Philippines, Oct. 11, 2022.

Record-breaking inflation rates in the Philippines are pushing people to take on extra jobs

Record-breaking inflation rates in the Philippines are pushing people to take on extra jobs
White Sand beach on Boracay Island, in the Philippines.

The return of Chinese tourists restores hope in the Philippines' tourism industry

The return of Chinese tourists restores hope in the Philippines' tourism industry
Pakistanis shops in a weekly pet market in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 13, 2022.

As Earth surpasses 8 billion people, 'the planet can feed and sustain billions more,' demographer says

As Earth surpasses 8 billion people, 'the planet can feed and sustain billions more,' demographer says
Three men huddle around their outrigger while waiting for passengers as flood waters continue to rise due to rain and high tide Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in Navotas City, north of Manila, Philippines. 

Rebel alliance: Part I

Critical State, a weekly foreign policy newsletter from Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into how rebel groups survive when natural disasters strike.

Rebel alliance: Part I
Bongbong Marcos holds up his hand in a celebratory pose as his wife and children look on

A member of the Marcos family is returning to power — here’s what it means for democracy in the Philippines

The son of the Philippines brutal dictator Ferdinand Marcos has won election to the presidency, showing how wedded the country is to dynastic politics — and image manipulation.

A member of the Marcos family is returning to power — here’s what it means for democracy in the Philippines
Boxing legend and presidential candidate, senator Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao greets the crowd in Pasay city, Philippines Monday, March 14, 2022. 

Candidates go ‘green’ on the campaign trail for Philippines national election

Climate change is taking center stage on the campaign trail in the Philippines as candidates talk about renewable energy more than ever before.

Candidates go ‘green’ on the campaign trail for Philippines national election
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his team wave Philippine flags on stage during his proclamation rally promoting his presidential bid for the 2022 national elections, at Philippine Arena, Bulacan province, north of Manila, Philippines.

The dramatic jingles of election season in the Philippines

With the upcoming election in May, it can sometimes feel like a “circus” of huge, enthusiastic crowds, awe-inspiring performances and, of course, catchy, upbeat jingles.

The dramatic jingles of election season in the Philippines
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, center, gestures as he greets his supporters during a motorcade promoting his presidential bid in the 2022 national elections in Manila, Philippines, Feb. 8, 2022.

Campaign season in the Philippines ramps up 

The 2022 campaign season in the Philippines officially kicked off on Tuesday with presidential campaign rallies across the country. It’s the start of a 90-day sprint to Election Day on May 9. Ten candidates are running to replace current president Rodrigo Duterte, who is term-limited. 

Campaign season in the Philippines ramps up 
Teachers wearing face mask and face shield behind plastic barriers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus use computers during online classes at the Senator Renato "Companero" Cayetano (SRCC) Memorial Science and Technology High School in Taguig city, P

Remote learning in the Philippines has no end in sight

The Philippines is one of several countries that have kept students out of the classroom the longest since the start of the pandemic. Lacking critical resources to sustain virtual learning, the situation leaves teachers, students and parents across Metro Manila exhausted and frustrated. 

Remote learning in the Philippines has no end in sight
Medical Technologist Erika Alvarado performs a COVID-19 test on a patient who just delivered a baby outside a hospital in Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 24, 2021.

Health care workers in the Philippines reject new COVID-19 rules as 'inhumane'

Many front-line workers and organizations immediately condemned the new rules, calling them “not safe, not fair” and not a solution to the “chronic and accute problem of understaffing.”

Health care workers in the Philippines reject new COVID-19 rules as 'inhumane'
In this Oct. 17, 2014, photo, a worker walks at power plant area in Cirebon, Indonesia. 

Indonesia poised to ease export ban on thermal coal

In an effort to protect Indonesia’s thermal coal supply, the country imposed an export ban in early January. But after several countries in Asia that depend on the crucial commodity lamented the move, the country has indicated an imminent ease of the ban.

Indonesia poised to ease export ban on thermal coal
Supporters of Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo gesture as they wait for her to declare her bid to run for president in next year's elections in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. 

A star-studded list of candidates files for president in the Philippines

Friday marks the end of the weeklong window for candidates to file paperwork to run for president of the Philippines in next year’s general elections. The list includes a world-renowned boxer and two children of former presidents.

A star-studded list of candidates files for president in the Philippines
Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa, right, stands in front of reporters as she arrives at the Court of Tax Appeals in Metro Manila, Philippines

Nobel Peace Prize is 'a testament to how truth prevails,' Rappler journalist says

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has given the Nobel Peace Prize to journalists for the first time since 1935. Sofia Tomacruz, who works at Rappler with one of this year's two winners, Maria Ressa, joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss the significance of the announcement.

Nobel Peace Prize is 'a testament to how truth prevails,' Rappler journalist says