Political Analysis

The ASEAN's continuing claim to “centrality” in helping dene the region's security architecture faces two important contrasting developments in the region: a strongly consolidated political leadership in China under President Xi Jinping and the unilateralist, divisive leadership style of President Donald Trump that has upended many of the established practices of American foreign policy. A continuing crucial test of ASEAN's centrality lies in its ability to push through a bi

After 80 years of independence, the Philippines is struggling with economic growth and security challenges. Today, the country is trapped in a multipolar world. It is caught between colliding global and regional powers - primarily the United States and China, alongside rising middle powers and shifting economic blocs, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) bloc.

Genocide or mass, indiscriminate killings has been in the forefront of America’s history since the beginning – within the founding of America in the 18th century until today. America’s firing line has sent hundreds of millions of people to their graves. Symbolized by the “eagle”, this culture of impunity based on the so-called “Manifest Destiny” and white supremacy, is not without basis.

September 2026 marked a significant moment in Philippine politics, as domestic political maneuvering, fiscal decisions, and international strategic partnerships converged under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. These developments point to efforts to strengthen the administration’s political position ahead of the 2028 elections, alongside deeper integration into U.S.-aligned military and commercial frameworks through initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor.

Corruption - a grave problem in the government bureaucracy - is borne out of a bigger and more complex issue – malgovernance, which arises from the political elite’s malicious intent or self-aggrandizement. In the Philippines, malgovernance is the protectorate of private family interests.

The US persists in provoking a war with China by toughening its military bases in the Palawan Islands. Defense alliance with America is dragging the Philippines into such provocations – as it already does by hosting US war drills sharpening war capabilities against Washington’s existential enemy. Such acts endanger the Filipino people’s sovereign rights as well as Southeast Asian countries’ resounding voice for peace, stability, and non-interference. This is another issue tha

The Xi-Trump September summit may have stabilized momentarily their countries’ relationship. But it does not make the Philippine situation any better. The room of competition is big only for the two powers but small for a country like the Philippines to wriggle its way from the main contenders.

Political families have grown cumulatively in recent years. The Philippines’ political families - often called "fat dynasties" where multiple relatives hold public office at the same time - grew from 19% to 29% between 1988 and 2019. Political dynasties today dominate a vast majority of elected positions.

The Marcos administration’s claims of reform and economic development are increasingly undermined by selective anti-corruption efforts, worsening economic conditions, and the continued repression of communities resisting state and corporate projects. At the same time, its deepening alignment with the United States, particularly amid intensifying great-power competition, further constrains Philippine economic and foreign-policy independence.