On July 14, the Philippine National Police (PNP) established a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to probe the fatal shooting of an American marine scientist Kent Carpenter and the alleged sexual assault of his Filipina partner at their home in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Category: Philippines
Philippines Balances Myanmar Peace Plan and South China Sea Strategy
The Philippines, as the current chair of the ASEAN will hold an informal consultation dialogue between the bloc and Myanmar’s foreign minister, Tin Maung Swe, on July 12. This marks the first of its kind since the junta seized power back in 2021.
Philippines’ Marriage Rate Falls as More Couples Delay Weddings
On July 7, the Philippines’ Commission on Population and Development (CPD) announced that the number of registered marriages in the country has continued to fall over the past decade, suggesting that more Filipinos are changing how they build families. Instead of marrying early, many couples are choosing to delay marriage or live together without formalising their relationship.
Philippines Introduces 2026-2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan
On July 10, the Luzon leg of the 2026-2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) Roadshow commenced in Makati City, the Philippines. It served as the official venue for presenting Manila’s newly revised fiscal incentives and high-value investment paths.
Sara Duterte’s Trial Is A Test of Philippine Political Status Quo
In early July, The Philippine Senate officially opened the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, marking the start of a historic political and legal process in the country. As the first sitting vice president in the country’s history to face an impeachment trial, Sara Duterte stands accused of misusing millions of dollars in confidential government funds and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She has firmly denied all allegations, with her legal team arguing that the case is politically motivated and aimed at removing her from office.
‘Prepare for Typhoon Inday’, Warns Philippine Vice President’s Chief of Staff
Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, visited the Senate upon being subpoenaed on July 9. When door-stopped by journalists, Lopez enigmatically remarked, “prepare for Typhoon Inday,” a statement that immediately raised suspicions among policymakers and analysts.
The South China Sea Arbitral Award, Ten Years On
“The Department of Foreign Affairs has already undertaken appropriate diplomatic action with the government of the People’s Republic of China in connection with the illegal presence of this floating structure,” read a statement by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on June 9, following Manila’s diplomatic lodgement against China over a floating structure discovered inside Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine Vice President Skips Impeachment Hearing, Vows ‘Bloodied but Unbowed’
Vice President Sara Duterte appeared before the Senate as her trial entered its second day on July 7. However, she later skipped the proceedings, declaring, “In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed.”
BINI Named Philippines’ Newest Tourism Ambassador
On July 3, The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the Filipino girl group BINI will serve as its newest tourism ambassador, marking a fresh effort to promote domestic travel through the country’s growing entertainment industry.
The Philippine Bourse Advances on Cooling Inflation, Peso Weakens
On July 6, Manila’s local bourse concluded positively with the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rising by 0.58% to close at 6,223.99, marking its fourth consecutive day of gains, while the general All Shares index advanced 0.53% to 3,388.97 points.