By Nicole Smolinske & Lance Jackson — Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte begins a four-day official state visit to China on October 18 in which he is betting that his increasingly strident statements of independence from the United States will help…
As President Rodrigo Duterte completes his first 100 days as leader of the Philippines, the former mayor has caused ripples by questioning the foundation of the alliance between the United States and its former colony. He’s known as a “colorful”…
Who is he? Ambassador Sung Kim most recently served as special representative for North Korea policy and deputy assistant secretary for Korea and Japan at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to that appointment in November 2014, he was the…
Who is she? Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo currently serves as the representative to the Philippine House of Representatives from the Camarines Sur Third District in the northern Philippines, a position she has held for three years. Earlier, she was…
By Richard Javad Heydarian — After months of grueling and highly polarizing election campaigning, the Philippines has finally chosen its next set of leaders. Rodrigo Duterte, the firebrand and highly controversial mayor of Davao City, appears to have won a…
By Conor Cronin — Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter’s trip to the Philippines on April 13-15 was an affirmation of U.S. support for its treaty ally amid the simmering South China Sea maritime disputes. The timing of his visit —…
By Zachary Abuza — The United States and the Philippines held their annual Balikatan military exercises from April 4 to 15. While the exercise identified no threat, the symbolism of training exercises that included retaking an oil platform and an…
By Conor Cronin & Norashiqin Toh — On May 9, voters in the Philippines will head to the polls to pick a new president. Outgoing president Benigno Aquino III leaves his successor with a nation hoping to balance economic ties…
Who is he? Jose Rene Almendras most recently served as Philippines cabinet secretary, a post revived by President Benigno Aquino in November 2012. Prior to that appointment, he was secretary of energy from 2010. Before entering government, Almendras spent 29…
By Norashiqin Toh – President Benigno Aquino’s plan for lasting peace in the southern Philippines came to its long-anticipated end on February 3, as the Philippine Congress adjourned for election season without having passed his legacy peace agreement. The Bangsamoro…
