Economy & Resources

The arrest of former congressman Zaldy Co in Prague has pushed one of the Philippines’ most sensitive corruption cases into a new phase. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that Co is now in Czech custody after allegedly entering without proper documents. Manila is working to bring him back.   This is not just about one politician. Co was a former Ako Bicol representative and chaired the House appropriations committee, one of th...

Across Asia, the cost of medicine is rising, and recent global tensions are making the situation worse. In countries like the Philippines and Malaysia, patients are facing higher prices and growing uncertainty over supply.   The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is pushing up oil prices and disrupting shipping routes. These changes are increasing transport and production costs for medicines, which are heavily traded across borders. For m...

A major carbon credit project in Indonesia is facing growing scrutiny, raising broader concerns about how global carbon markets measure climate impact.   The project, located in Sumatra and backed by a major pulp and paper group, was designed to prevent deforestation and generate carbon credits. These credits allow companies to offset emissions while supporting forest protection.   On paper, the project is significant. Covering arou...

Thailand has entered a new political phase, but the economic backdrop is becoming more difficult. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul secured a strong election victory in February and has now been officially endorsed by parliament. His conservative bloc, supported by key allies, controls the legislature. The result reflects a public preference for stability after years of political uncertainty.   However, the transition in leadership is hap...

In recent years, Southeast Asia has become a key destination for plastic waste from wealthy nations. Rather than dealing with it themselves, the United States, European Union, and Japan ship their trash to the region, where labor costs are low and environmental regulations are weaker.   As a result, Southeast Asian countries became the dumping ground for the world’s plastic, but this may soon change.   Southeast Asia Takes Act...