Leila de Lima, the Philippines’ most prominent political prisoner, has walked free on bail after nearly seven years behind bars. A former opposition senator and justice secretary, de Lima has been detained since 2017 on drug charges she says were ginned up in order to halt her Senate investigation into then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent “war … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia The case, filed by Representative France Castro over threats made Rodrigo Duterte on his TV program, will offer a crucial test to the country’s judicial system. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at the Duterte Golf Cup 2023 in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines, on September 29, 2023. Credit: Facebook/Bong Go Advertisement An opposition … Read more
Advertisement The Philippines will no longer seek Chinese financial support for three railway projects that were brokered under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Speaking to a forum of German and Philippine businesspeople in Manila on Wednesday, Philippine Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that China had apparently lost interest in the projects, which included a symbolic … Read more
Advertisement Allies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are squabbling over the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), which could undermine the “unity government” that rose to power in 2022. CIFs are not subjected to normal auditing rules because it is assumed that law enforcement agencies use them for sensitive national security matters. During … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia Maria Ressa and her publication Rappler have once again scored a legal victory against charges brought under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and her legal team await the start of a court hearing in Pasig, Philippines, September 12, 2023. (Twitter/Maria Ressa) Credit: Twitter/Maria Ressa Advertisement A Philippine … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia The ruling opens the way to an investigation of extrajudicial killings, but trials of Philippine officials remain a remote prospect. Advertisement Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have rejected an attempt by the Philippines to block an investigation into the thousands killed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.” In … Read more
Detained ex-senator Leila de Lima reacts as she goes out of the Muntinlupa trial court to attend her trial on May 12, 2023 in Muntinlupa, Philippines. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File Advertisement A Philippine court yesterday rejected a request for bail by Leila De Lima, the country’s most prominent political prisoner, despite the mounting evidence … Read more