Southeast Asia Insights

Malacañang has firmly rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest challenge for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take a drug test. Duterte publicly dared the President, saying he cannot refuse.   This dramatic exchange took place just days after Marcos' sister, Senator Imee Marcos, shocked the country by accusing him of being a “long-time drug user.”   Palace Fires Back: “Did She Ask Her Own Father?...

The Presidential Palace of the Philippines, known as the Malacañang, is trying to calm public concern after rumors spread that the entire Cabinet is under investigation for alleged corruption in flood control projects.   Palace officials insist there is no internal probe underway and that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is already leading the investigation. Still, speculation is running high because several Cabin...

A long-running dispute between the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu and Malaysia has become one of the biggest legal battles in Southeast Asia. The dispute centers on Sabah, a Malaysian state, and an old agreement signed in 1878.   Today, self-proclaimed Sulu heirs from the Philippines are demanding almost $15 billion from Malaysia, based on an arbitration decision that many courts in Europe have already rejected. A final ruling is expected on ...

The Philippines is rushing to finish long-delayed rules for the South China Sea as China becomes more aggressive in the West Philippine Sea region. Manila hopes the long-awaited Code of Conduct can finally be completed when it leads the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.   Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines will make the agreement a top priority next year.   Why the Philippines I...

The Marcos family feud just went nuclear.   President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is denying explosive claims made by his own sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, who shocked the country by accusing him of being a “long-time drug user” and blaming it for corruption and chaos in government.   The Palace blasted the allegations as “baseless drama” and said the senator was trying to distract from a massive flood-control corruptio...