ARTICLES

10 Mar 2020

Duterte’s ‘Independent’ Foreign Policy: Independence from Criticism

Malcolm Cook

The Duterte administration has stressed the independent nature of its foreign policy. Apparently, this has been equated to freedom from foreign criticism.

17 Feb 2020

Manila’s VFA Termination: A Win for China and Russia

Ian Storey

Manila’s decision to withdraw from the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States will benefit China and Russia. Russia’s attempt to cozy up to the Philippines, however, might not be wholly welcomed by Beijing.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

6 Jul 2018

Philippine Federalism: More National-Level Politicians

Malcolm Cook

Philippines seeking to review the 1987 Constitution from a unitary to a federal system. But a leaked copy of the Committee's draft constitution supported critics' argument that it will benefit the political interests of the current national-level politicians than to contribute to a more efficient and devolved political system.

Philippine Philippine Consitution

5 Apr 2017

President Duterte: The Centralizer

Malcolm Cook

President Duterte's war on illegal drugs has claimed mounting death tolls and widespread human rights abuses. The drug war is used as the blanket reason to delay elections and centralize political power in the person of the president and reduces the checks and balances on this power.

Philippine Philippine Politics

9 Feb 2017

Checking and Balancing President Duterte

Malcolm Cook

Please note that it is the anti-drug crusade which has been extended to the end of Duterte's term in June 2022, not Duterte's term, which will end as scheduled in that month.

Philippine Philippine Politics

13 Jul 2016

Arbitral Tribunal Award Represents Legal Victory for Philippines, Massive Defeat for China

Ian Storey

The Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea has ruled in favour of the Philippines. But China may adopt a hardline response. It could increase its naval presence in the South China Sea or commence reclamation work at Scarborough Shoal.

China Philippine South China Sea

13 Jul 2016

Duterte’s Aquino Legacies

Malcolm Cook

The ruling by the Arbitration Tribunal on the South China Sea and the U.S.-Philippine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are two foreign policy legacies left by the Aquino administration. They will be stumbling blocks to the Duterte administration if it seeks to revise its foreign policy with China and the US.

China Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations South China Sea U.S.

10 May 2016

Duterte, Jokowi and ASEAN

Malcolm Cook

The political ascensions of Jokowi and Duterte is a significant challenge to ASEAN unity and centrality. As political outsiders with minimal international experience, their foreign policies are nationalistic and unilateral - focusing more on supporting the administration's domestic infrastructure and nation-building agenda.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Indonesia Philippine