Philippines 

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Latest news on the Philippines, covering politics, the West Philippine Sea, typhoon and weather updates, the peso, the economy, Manila and Filipino culture.

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago of more than 7,600 islands and over 110 million people, spread across the island groups of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Its capital is Manila, while Quezon City, Davao, Cebu City and Makati are major urban and commercial centres. The economy leans on household consumption, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), remittances and the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, so Philippine news today often spans politics, the peso to dollar rate, the PSEi and decisions by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Politics is dominated by the rivalry between President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. She has faced impeachment proceedings in the Senate, which she denies and describes as politically motivated, while her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is at the International Criminal Court over his anti-drug campaign. Separately, the flood control corruption scandal, involving alleged ghost and substandard projects, has led to mass protests, arrests, plunder cases against lawmakers and contractors, and a long-running debate over accountability in public works.

The West Philippine Sea remains a constant focus, with the Philippine Coast Guard and Chinese vessels clashing repeatedly near Scarborough Shoal ("Bajo de Masinloc"), Second Thomas Shoal ("Ayungin") and Sabina Shoal. Manila relies on the 2016 arbitral ruling and on defence ties with the United States, including the Mutual Defense Treaty and joint patrols with allies. Efforts to conclude a South China Sea Code of Conduct through ASEAN continue to test regional diplomacy.

Few countries live with natural hazards as closely as the Philippines. Typhoon updates from PAGASA, earthquake alerts from Phivolcs and volcanic activity at Mayon and Taal are part of everyday life, and floods and landslides regularly test disaster response. Beyond the headlines, Filipino culture is defined by family, faith, hospitality and festivals such as Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and Pahiyas. Basketball, boxing, "teleseryes" and a vast diaspora are also part of everyday life.

The islands were named after King Philip II of Spain, whose rule began in the 16th century and lasted more than 300 years. The revolution of 1898, American colonial rule, Japanese occupation in the Second World War and independence in 1946 followed. The Marcos martial law years and the 1986 People Power Revolution still shape debates on democracy, memory and political dynasties. Today's tensions with China, the Bangsamoro peace process in Muslim Mindanao and the push against corruption all draw on this history.

Our NewsNow feed on the Philippines gathers the latest headlines from trusted sources, from Manila politics and court rulings to the economy, weather alerts and sport. Follow it to stay informed on one of Asia's most closely watched nations.