Editor's Pick

The South China Sea Award at 10: Law’s victory, Power’s defiance, and the Philippines’ long game

Commentary

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By Lowell Bautista

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May 16, 2026

For the Philippines, the task is not simply to remember the Award. It is to operationalise it through law, practice, diplomacy, and sustained presence. The real anniversary question is not whether Manila won in 2016, but whether it can convert that victory into enduring maritime resilience, regional leadership, and legal resistance in the face of power.That is the unfinished work of the Award.

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Due process didn’t matter then for Bato

Commentary

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By Antonio J. Montalvan II

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May 15, 2026

Bato Dela Rosa had taken sides in an internal squabble of small-scale miners in the gold-rush Diwalwal in Moncayo, Compostela Valley. Two Moro miners were first abducted, then brought to Laud Quarry in Davao City as Dela Rosa had ordered. His order was to immediately “neutralize” them without the benefit of tactical interrogation.I only have one question to ask readers: would you give the fugitive Bato dela Rosa the benefit of due process now that his warrant of arrest is out?

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Sara Duterte impeached again

Copy of the ICC warrant of arrest for Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa

News

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By Valerie Joyce Nuval

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May 11, 2026

This is a copy of the arrest warrant for Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa issued by the International Criminal Court.

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Duterte replaces Kaufman as counsel, new lawyer’s identity withheld

FACT CHECK: ‘Supreme leader’ expressing support for Bato vs ICC warrant is FICTIONAL

Following the issuance of an ICC warrant against Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, a graphics card claiming that "Supreme Leader" Admiral General Aladeen expressed support for the senator circulated online. This is fake.

News The ICC Probe

Peter Haynes is Duterte’s new ICC lawyer

Peter Haynes will represent former president Rodrigo Duterte in his crimes against humanity cases when trial begins at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.This was officially revealed by former Duterte counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, in the unredacted version of his notice of withdrawal to ICC’s Trial Chamber III.

Commentary

PGMN’s mainstream media ties

Could PGMN be a percursor of what awaits us in the next election season? Newly set up “independent” “news” organizations propping up or taking down candidates, seemingly “boosted” by legacy news organizations (that are owned by persons intimately connected to political dynasties), possibly “assisted” by generative AI? In such a landscape, which media organizations will remain trustworthy?