Footage filmed by Viory shows local tour guide and environmental advocate Bonifacio Jomio snorkelling through the reef, searching for the starfish before injecting them with coconut vinegar. The method, carried out by hand, is part of a local effort to slow the damage and protect what remains of the coral ecosystem.

Jomio said the reefs were in far better condition before Typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai. Since then, he explained, growing corals have increasingly been eaten and killed, prompting him to act in order to support both the marine environment and the coastal community that depends on it.

He described the use of coconut vinegar as a crucial alternative to chemical solutions. According to Jomio, the organic substance is fatal to the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish but does not harm other marine species, allowing interventions to be carried out without further damaging the reef.

Restoring coral reefs is essential for sustaining fish populations, Jomio said, as healthy corals provide breeding grounds for many species. He noted that the recovery process is slow, making protection efforts all the more urgent.

Despite the challenges, Jomio said his work is driven by a desire to preserve the reefs for future generations. His actions have attracted attention online, drawing praise from viewers while also prompting calls for wider institutional support to address the scale of the crisis.

Chinese automaker BYD outsold Tesla in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales across 28 European countries last month, marking its first lead over the U.S. firm in the region. According to data released Thursday by research firm JATO Dynamics, BYD sold 7,231 BEVs in April, narrowly surpassing Tesla’s 7,165 units. Despite the slim margin, analysts view the development as significant for Europe’s car market. JATO analyst Felipe Munoz described it as a “watershed moment,” reflecting growing European acceptance of Chinese EVs. BYD’s April sales rose nearly 170% year-over-year, far exceeding the overall EV market growth of 17%. The brand’s price advantage, despite existing EU tariffs, continues to appeal to cost-conscious buyers.

China urges investigation after Israeli troops fire on diplomatic delegation 

China has called for a full investigation into an incident in which Israeli soldiers fired on a diplomatic delegation in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned actions endangering diplomatic personnel and urged steps to prevent recurrence. Spokesperson Mao Ning emphasised the need for all parties, especially Israel, to avoid actions that could escalate regional tensions.

China says Taiwan is not a country 

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday, May 22, rejected comments by Taiwan’s foreign minister, stating that it is "arrogant and ignorant" to call Taiwan a country. Spokesperson Mao Ning asserted that Taiwan has never been a state and reaffirmed that its future can only be determined by China's 1.4 billion people. China considers Taiwan a province with no right to statehood and has increased military and political pressure to reinforce this stance. The statement followed remarks by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, who said China lacks the authority to decide Taiwan’s status and expressed openness to dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Bill introduced to curb China’s tariff evasion through offshore production

U.S. representative for Texas and House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington introduced the Axing Nonmarket Tariff Evasion (ANTE) Act on Thursday, which targets Chinese state-backed and subsidised entities that establish production in third countries to bypass U.S. tariffs. Arrington stated the legislation addresses long-standing unfair trade practices that have negatively impacted the U.S. economy and employment. "For far too long, adversaries like China have engaged in unfair trade practices, cheated the American economy, and cost the U.S. millions of jobs," Arrington said in a statement to Fox News .

China-Philippines maritime clash escalates tensions 

The Philippines has accused China of dangerously ramming and using a water cannon against its coast guard vessel near Sandy Cay in the South China Sea. Video evidence confirms a Chinese ship’s aggressive actions, which caused significant damage. China’s foreign ministry denied knowledge of the incident, while Philippine officials labelled it a “serious violation”. Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that the country will not tolerate threats to its sovereignty. The incident has drawn international concern amid growing tensions in the disputed waters.

The Philippines is quickly becoming a global hotspot for crypto wealth , ranking 20th in the world for average crypto holdings, according to the Crypto Friendly Cities Index 2025 by Multipolitan. Filipino crypto owners now average $14,194.46 (PHP790,000) in digital assets. Originally fueled by play-to-earn (P2E) gaming, most notably Axie Infinity, which once had Filipinos make up 40% of its global user base, crypto activity in the country has since evolved. The Philippines is now part of a broader financial shift beyond gaming and speculation. In Southeast Asia, the country follows Singapore (5th globally), where holders average over $85,000, and trails Malaysia (18th) and Vietnam (19th). Slovenia, Cyprus, and Hong Kong are globally on the list, driven by concentrated crypto ownership and strong regulatory environments.

Philippines to lead World Health Assembly

For the first time in history, the Philippines will preside over the World Health Assembly (WHA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced. “The Philippines is elevating its role in global health diplomacy by serving as President of the World Health Assembly this year,” the DFA stated.

Brazil poultry imports to be halted

The Philippines will temporarily halt poultry imports from Brazil following the country’s first confirmed bird flu outbreak at a commercial farm, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed. Brazil, the world’s top poultry exporter and the Philippines’ main supplier, especially of mechanically deboned meat (MDM), has seen nearly 7,400 breeders die in Rio Grande do Sul due to the outbreak. Several nations, including China and Mexico, have already imposed bans. While the ban is expected to impact local MDM supply used in processed foods like hot dogs, alternative suppliers such as Poland, Russia, and Germany may fill the gap. The Department of Agriculture plans to fast-track regionalisation to limit the ban to affected Brazilian states. Brazil's animal health authorities are taking necessary measures and remain transparent with trade partners.

Violence and 'credible' vote-buying claims mar Philippines midterm polls — EU observers

The Philippines’ May 12 midterm polls saw high turnout and active media coverage but were marred by vote-buying, political dynasties, and deadly violence, EU observers reported. EU EOM chief Marta Temido highlighted "credible indications" of vote-buying and "unacceptable levels" of election-related violence, warning of deep-rooted democratic challenges despite voters' strong civic engagement. The Commission on Elections was criticised for only partially addressing these issues, despite stricter regulations.

Philippines gears up to join new trans-Pacific trade network

The Philippines will formally apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in the f irst half of 2025 , giving it a six-week window to finalise its bid, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced. The timeline was shared with Chilean officials during the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jeju on May 15. Joining the CPTPP is part of the Philippines’ broader strategy to expand trade ties and access new markets. The CPTPP evolved from the original Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which the U.S. exited in 2017 under President Trump.

A South Korean national abducted in the Philippines last Friday was safely released on Monday, May 5, according to South Korea's foreign ministry. The individual was kidnapped while travelling by car to Nasugbu, near Manila, for a fishing trip with two Chinese and two Philippine nationals. A group of seven to ten armed individuals intercepted the vehicle. The South Korean was recovered by Philippine police on Monday morning and is reportedly in good health. The two Chinese nationals have also been released. 

Fitch affirms Philippines' 'BBB' rating with stable outlook

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Philippines' long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at 'BBB' with a stable outlook. The agency projects a 5.6% economic growth rate for 2025, consistent with the pace in 2023 and 2024. Growth is expected to be driven by public infrastructure investment, services exports, and remittance-backed private consumption. Easing inflation and interest rates are likely to support private demand. Fitch cautioned that domestic political uncertainty may impact investment, while global trade tensions could indirectly weaken growth through reduced external demand.

Philippines, U.S. officials discuss strengthening trade relations

Amid the wave of sweeping tariffs , Philippine trade and economic officials met with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on May 2 in Washington to explore ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations. The Philippine delegation included Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque, and Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez. 

Filipino government urged to take swift action on Nuclear Regulatory Bill 

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has urged the Filipino government to prioritise the passage of a proposed bill establishing a nuclear regulatory body, warning that further delays could hinder the country’s energy development goals. Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stated that the Philippines is “running out of time” as the Marcos administration aims to integrate nuclear power into the national energy mix by 2032. He emphasised that postponing the bill’s enactment could significantly disrupt efforts to meet the administration’s energy targets.

Philippines launches first 10-year labour market strategy

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) officially launched the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan 2025–2034 on May 5. This marks the Philippines’ first decade-long labour market development strategy. The TPB Plan outlines a framework for job creation, labour market transformation, and inclusive workforce development. The launch follows the enactment of Republic Act No. 12145, which restructured the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into DEPDev. The institutional reform aims to enhance strategic planning and policy coherence. DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan stated that the agency will actively support the creation of policies and programmes promoting inclusive growth, quality employment, and workforce competitiveness.

The Philippines announced on January 22 that the Southeast Asian nation is set to host the prestigious Miss Tourism International pageant in November 2025. Established in 1994, Miss Tourism International is the world's oldest tourism pageant. 45 to 50 contestants from around the world will vie for the coveted title in the 28th edition. 

Philippine-US relations under Trump presidency

Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez, has reassured citizens that the Philippines’ interests remain secure under the current US administration. He underscored the robust partnership rooted in mutual defence treaties and emphasised the US’s value for the Philippines regarding contentious issues in the South China Sea. However, Romualdez expressed concerns over Donald Trump’s immigration policies affecting undocumented Filipinos, suggesting an exodus to mitigate potential deportation risks—especially pertinent as the Philippines ranked as the sixth-largest source of undocumented immigrants in the US, with an estimated 309,000 individuals in 2021. 

Tourism agreement with India

The Philippines' Department of Tourism (DOT) is poised to implement a strategic tourism agreement with India. This initiative aims to enhance air connectivity to crucial destinations, such as Manila. During a bilateral discussion with Indian Tourism Minister Shri Gajendar Singh Shekhawat at the ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Meeting, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco elaborated on plans to enact the implementation programme stemming from a 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation. This programme is centred on improving air connectivity and collaborative marketing to stimulate tourism figures, accounting for the mere 79,000 Indian tourists who visited the Philippines out of five million arriving in Southeast Asia. 

Religious organisations stage political rallies ahead of midterm elections

Ahead of the May 12, 2025, midterm elections, religious organisations in the Philippines amid the public rivalry unfolding between Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., are staging sizable political rallies—one reportedly amassing an attendance of one million. Analyses suggest a lukewarm potential for these faith-driven demonstrations to genuinely impact voter behaviour, having observed prior elections where endorsements yielded negligible results. Religious groups such as Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) are uniting in support of Duterte, while the Catholic Church, alongside evangelical and civil society entities, is orchestrating an “indignation rally” against both political figures. Scholars argue that rallying efforts should effectively merge moral messaging with a cogent political critique to retain engagement and credibility. 

Death penalty for corruption 

In a bid to tackle endemic corruption within governmental institutions, a newly proposed legislative measure in the Philippines, known as the Death Penalty for Corruption Act, initiated by Khymer Adan Olaso, representative of Zamboanga del Norte, one of the three congressional districts of the Philippines, is seeking a firing squad execution for public officials found guilty of severe corrupt practices. The bill is applicable to all government officials and emphasises a stringent adherence to due process, necessitating Supreme Court ratification and an automatic appellate review of convictions. 

The complaint claims that Duterte's threats reflect her "mental incapacity" and lack of fitness to hold the office of Vice President. It argues that her actions not only betray public trust but also constitute a "high crime" that warrants her immediate impeachment.

"The Vice President has reduced public office to a platform for violent rhetoric, personal enrichment, elitist entitlement, and a shield for impunity," Teresita Quintos Deles, one of the complainants, said in a statement.

Duterte, a 46-year-old lawyer, is also accused of accumulating unexplained wealth and facilitating extrajudicial killings during her tenure as mayor of Davao City, which was previously led by her father, Rodrigo Duterte.

On November 23, 2024, she made an online statement in which she appeared to threaten the lives of Marcos, his wife, and Speaker Romualdez, saying she had contracted an assassin to kill them if she were killed. She later attempted to clarify that she was merely expressing concern for her safety and not threatening them.

The impeachment complaint will now undergo scrutiny in the Philippine Congress, which is controlled by Marcos' allies. The process is expected to take weeks or even months, with Congress scheduled to begin its Christmas recess on December 20, resuming on January 13, 2025. Many legislators will soon be preoccupied with campaigning for the May 12 midterm elections.

Duterte is also facing an investigation into the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.3 million) in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to her offices as Vice President and Education Secretary (a post she has since vacated).

Despite the impeachment proceedings, President Marcos has downplayed the matter, stating that an impeachment would be a waste of time, given the country’s other pressing issues. However, Duterte’s opponents argue that the process is necessary to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.

The signing took place at the start of Austin’s visit to Manila, which will also include a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

While Austin and Teodoro did not make public statements at the ceremony, the Philippine Department of Defense emphasized that the agreement is a crucial step in boosting information-sharing capabilities and improving interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces.

The GSMIA aims to streamline the exchange of sensitive defence information that could enhance national security for both nations and facilitate the sale of specific classified technologies. It comes at a time of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where China’s territorial claims have been widely contested.

Beijing has ignored an international ruling that its claims have no legal standing, continuing to deploy naval and coast guard vessels in the disputed waters. The Philippines has accused China of harassing its vessels and blocking access to critical reefs and islands in the region.

In recent months, these confrontations have turned violent, leading to injuries among Filipino personnel and damage to Philippine vessels. The ongoing tensions have raised concerns that the United States could be drawn into a conflict due to its mutual defence treaty with the Philippines, particularly if hostilities escalate in the South China Sea.

During his visit, Austin is expected to travel to Palawan, a western Philippine island that lies near key South China Sea flashpoints. There, he will meet with Filipino forces tasked with patrolling the waters and defending remote outposts.

With a population of 120 million, the Philippines generates approximately 1.7 million metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste annually, according to the World Bank .

Of this, a significant portion ends up in landfills, dumpsites, or discarded in open areas. The EPR law seeks to achieve "plastic neutrality" by requiring large businesses to reduce their plastic pollution through improved product design and waste removal efforts.

Initially, companies must manage 20% of their plastic packaging footprint, which will increase to 80% by 2028.

The law covers various types of plastics, including those that are often non-recyclable. However, it does not impose a ban on popular single-use plastics, such as sachets, which pose significant recycling challenges.

So far, about half of the eligible companies have launched EPR programs, while over a thousand others must comply by the end of December or face fines of up to 20 million pesos (approximately $343,000) or even the revocation of their operating licenses.

According to Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, the EPR law removed 486,000 tons of plastic waste from the environment last year, exceeding the initial target. The legislation is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the Philippines' environmental impact from plastic pollution.

Companies can outsource their responsibilities to "producer responsibility organizations" that utilize a system of plastic credits. This allows companies to purchase certificates indicating that a metric ton of plastic has been either recycled, upcycled, or processed for energy recovery.

PCX Solutions, a leading player in the market, offers local credits ranging from around $100 for mixed plastics to over $500 for ocean-bound PET plastic.

For individuals like Marita Blanco, a widowed mother living in a low-income area of Manila, this initiative has provided new economic opportunities. Blanco collects plastic waste, selling it to charities that partner with PCX Solutions for processing.

“I didn’t know that there was money in garbage,” AFP quoted her.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was part of the nationwide event dubbed "KAWAYANIHAN." The event brought together various government agencies and institutions with a shared goal: to promote bamboo planting as a critical step toward a sustainable, climate-resilient, and circular economy, according to local media outlet Inquirer .

DOST regional director Romela Ratilla emphasised the future benefits of the planted bamboo, stating, "The planted bamboo was geotagged to ensure that growth is monitored, as it will, in the future, become a potential source of raw material for various high-value products."

The Philippine government has actively promoted bamboo planting due to its numerous environmental benefits. Bamboo is known for its ability to sequester carbon, control floods and soil erosion, and serve as a renewable source of material for various everyday products. It has the capacity to store hazardous CO2 in its root system and can absorb up to 35% more greenhouse gases than trees.

The Philippines recognised as one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, is home to a wide variety of species and plays a key role in the global biodiversity landscape. It serves as the centre of diversity for crops such as rice, coconut, and bananas in Southeast Asia. However, despite its ecological richness, the country faces significant environmental threats, ranking among the top ten nations with the highest number of species threatened with extinction.

Conservation efforts in the Philippines are ongoing, with the establishment of national parks and protected areas aimed at preserving its unique flora and fauna.

The Philippines government has fast-tracked the development of the "world's largest" solar and storage project, with a capacity of 3,500MW of solar PV and a 4,500MWh battery energy storage system. The project, being developed by Terra Solar Philippines, Inc., has received a green lane certificate from the Board of Investments, allowing it to proceed at a quicker pace. According to Energy Project News , the project is expected to cost PHP185 billion (US$3.2 billion) and span 3,500 hectares of land in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija provinces. The certificate is hoped to help the project reach commercial operations by 2026 and 2027.

Paris Olympics

Philippines celebrates Olympic gymnast Carlos Yulo's victory with a parade in Manila. Yulo won two gold medals, bringing the country's total Olympic gold medal haul to three. His success has inspired hope for many Filipinos. Yulo overcame obstacles and trained in Japan to pursue his gymnastics dream. President Marcos met the athletes and awarded Yulo with a presidential citation and a significant cash reward, along with other gifts and offers of support, Gulf News reported.

Foreign Direct Investment

FDIs in the Philippines fell to a 16-month low in May 2024, due to high inflation and geopolitical tensions. Despite the decline, the five-month FDI net inflows grew by 15.8 per cent year-on-year. Factors such as global economic uncertainties and regional competition may have contributed to the potential slowdown. Realizing the projected $9.5-billion FDI net inflow for 2024 will require sustained investor confidence and a favourable economic climate. The report also indicated a decline in equity capital placements, but a bright spot in intercompany borrowings between multinational firms and their Philippine units, Asia News reported.

Oil spillage

The Philippines has started transferring 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil from a sunken tanker off Manila Bay to prevent an environmental disaster. The tanker sank on July 25 and it took three weeks to control the spillage. The release of the cargo was warned to cause an environmental catastrophe and fishing zones have been affected, media agency Hindustan Times reported. The country has experienced a devastating oil spill in the past, causing contamination of waters and beaches.

Consumer Electronics

VS Industry's subsidiary in the Philippines has secured RM1.5bil in new orders to manufacture consumer electronics products for a key customer. The expected revenue contribution for FY25 and FY26 is RM0.3bil and RM1.2bil respectively. This development is expected to strengthen the company's earnings and geographical exposure, according to reports by media agency The Star .

The Council for the Welfare of Children has issued a warning to parents and guardians regarding the growing use of artificial intelligence to create abusive material involving children, urging them to refrain from posting unnecessary photos of minors online. Angelo Tapales, the Executive Director of CWC, made this statement during the Safer Internet Day conference, emphasizing the organization's collaboration with government agencies and the private sector to combat violence and sexual abuse against children, including emerging forms of exploitation, local media Philstar reported. Tapales emphasized the high vulnerability of Filipino children to being exploited for the production of sexually abusive material, with UNICEF previously identifying the country as a significant hub for such activities.

Landslide accident

A tragic landslide hit Maco, Davao de Oro on February 6, burying two buses carrying employees from Apex Mining Co. Seven fatalities have been confirmed, with 31 individuals rescued but injured, and 48 still missing. The landslide struck around 7:30 p.m. in a mountainous area outside the mining site, worsened by heavy rainfall that has persisted in Mindanao since January 28, attributed to a low-pressure area. Alongside those directly impacted by the landslide, 758 families were evacuated as a precautionary measure, local media Manila Bulletin reported.

  Unemployment drops

The Philippine Statistics Authority announced on February 7, that the number of unemployed individuals dropped to 1.6 million in December of the previous year, marking the lowest figure in nearly two decades. According to the PSA's Labor Force Survey of 11,235 households, the unemployment rate stood at 3.1 per cent, a decrease from 4.3 per cent in December 2022, indicating a decline of 617,000 unemployed individuals, reports local media Inquirer . The employment rate surged to 96.9 per cent, representing 50.52 million employed individuals, up from 95.7 per cent in December 2022.

Cyberattacks traced to China

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has revealed that recent cyberattacks targeting several government servers have been traced back to IP addresses originating from China. According to DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy, unidentified hackers attempted to breach servers used by overseas Filipino workers and Google Workspace, which hosts the Philippine government's email and storage for non-confidential data, local media Philstar reported. Jeffrey disclosed this information during a House hearing on Tuesday.

US-Philippine Health partnership

The USAID has reaffirmed the partnership between the United States government and the Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines to strengthen the Philippine health system and tackle health challenges, including combating tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. During the visit of the Assistant Administrator for Global Health Dr. Atul Gawande in Manila, he engaged in discussions with Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and key government stakeholders to explore avenues for strengthening primary health care in alignment with the Philippines' Universal Health Care objectives, local media Sunstar reported.

It conducted flight operations first in the South China Sea over the weekend, a move that drew objections from China. In a report from China's Global Times, the aircraft carrier's presence sent an "incorrect signal" to the Philippines, which “violates China's sovereignty,” adding that the US is a "troublemaker.”

Gangopadhyay also emphasized that the said carrier had been scheduled to visit the Philippines several weeks in advance.

"These visits are a regular part of our alliance, occurring at planned intervals…we maintain an unwavering alliance with the Philippines, and we are delighted to host these visits as they genuinely highlight the strength of our relationship.”

The USS Ronald Reagan is set to make a port call in Manila in the upcoming days. This visit will provide an opportunity for the ship's crew, including a significant number of Filipino-Americans, to rest and relax and potentially reconnect with family and friends.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is operated by approximately 5,000 sailors, with 150 of them having Filipino heritage.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden condemned the actions of Chinese vessels as reckless and in violation of the law.

Biden affirmed the unwavering US defense commitment to the Philippines, stating that their commitment to the security of the Philippines is unyielding.

"Any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines," he emphasized.

USS Ronald Reagan will continue its mission to patrol the Asia-Pacific region.