Martin Romualdez

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized China in his state of the nation speech, vowing to defend a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s South China Sea claims. He also announced charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, his cousin, in a corruption scandal. The Philippines condemned a Chinese state-owned media outlet for publishing racist content depicting Filipinos as monkeys, which Marcos addressed in his speech.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his State of the Nation Address amid a major corruption scandal implicating key allies, an impeachment trial for his estranged vice president, and heightened security due to bomb threats in Manila. Marcos is expected to address new programs to mitigate the Middle East war's economic impact following a declared energy emergency.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his state of the nation speech amid a major corruption scandal implicating key allies, his vice president's impeachment trial, and security threats including a bomb explosion in Manila. The speech follows a flood-control corruption investigation that exposed kickbacks involving multiple officials and ongoing tensions over uncharged allies like former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial on charges including threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others. She declared she would be 'bloodied but unbowed' during the trial, which began in the Senate and includes accusations of making violent threats in a 2024 online news conference.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial on charges including threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others. She declared she would be 'bloodied but unbowed' during the trial, which began in the Senate. The charges include threats made in a 2024 online news conference and unrelated legal issues involving three pro-Duterte senators.