News
Philippine Truth Commission launches registry to unify death toll from Duterte’s drug war
The Philippine Truth Commission, an independent body led by civil society groups, has begun building a comprehensive registry of victims killed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs.” The initiative, which aims to harmonize conflicting...
Anti-Money Laundering Council flags Sara Duterte’s bank accounts
Banks have raised flags regarding several of Vice President Sara Duterte's accounts, suspecting them of involvement in graft and corruption, drug trafficking, and the improper use of public funds. This information was given by Ronel Buenaventura, Executive Director of...
EU and Philippines reach “substantial agreement” in talks over free trade pact
The Philippines and the European Union (EU) reached a “substantial agreement” on a landmark bilateral free trade agreement they plan to formally sign by next year. Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Philippine Secretary of...
Cagayan Valley activists arrested on terrorism financing charges
Six activists, including leaders of peasant, youth, and religious organizations, were recently served subpoenas after being accused of violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act. Among them is Renato Gameng, a farmer and leader of the peasant...
Cebu human rights defenders face charges of alleged attempted murder
Police authorities arrested John Tabada Ruiz, vice president of Makabayan Visayas and a prominent Central Visayas activist, at his residence in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City on August 31, 2026. The arrest was carried out based on a warrant for attempted murder issued...
ICC: Rodrigo Duterte fit for trial, two bids of his defense rejected
The Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) denied a request from former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyers to amend the court’s electronic evidence management system, or “E-Court Protocol.” The requested system would have required an...
UN expert calls for review of activist Jude Fernandez killing
Mary Lawlor, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, is calling on the Philippine government to reopen the investigation into the killing of labor organizer Jude Thaddeus Fernandez, citing serious concerns about wrongful...
IP communities protest overhauled FPIC guidelines
Indigenous leaders, human rights advocates, and legal experts are raising concerns after the Philippine government overhauled the guidelines for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) approved new FPIC guidelines...
Truth Commission hears families’ appeals for justice
Mariza Hamoy spoke about the killing of her 17-year-old son, Darwin, during the Philippine Truth Commission’s second hearing on August 27, 2026. The Truth Commission is an autonomous initiative led by members of civil society, formed to investigate and record...
Senate court presents evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte
The Philippine Senate court began presenting evidence for Article II of the impeachment complaints, which charges Vice President Sara Duterte with accumulating unexplained wealth, filing incomplete or false Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) from...
Rodrigo Duterte defense team seeks dismissal of ICC charges
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team filed a motion before the International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III to dismiss the charges against him and require the prosecution to file them again. Duterte faces charges for crimes against...
SONA 2026: Rights groups give Marcos Jr. failing marks on human rights, governance
Amnesty International (AI) Philippines has again given President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a “failed” mark, criticizing his administration’s approach to human rights and social justice ahead of his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). AI highlighted three major...
EU-Philippines free trade agreement: Lawmakers, civil society groups call for legally binding safeguards for human rights and the environment
Lawmakers and human rights groups pressed for strong human rights and environmental safeguards as the European Union pushed forward with the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the Philippines during its seventh round of negotiations from June 29 to July 3,...
Court dismisses charges against bishop and indigenous rights advocates in Nueva Vizcaya
A municipal court in Nueva Vizcaya has dropped the charges against Bayombong Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao and other anti-mining advocates who had been opposing a mining exploration project in the province. The charges were filed after Indigenous communities, joined by...
Cordillera activists challenge terrorist designation
Four leaders of the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (CPA) filed an appeal at the Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on June 1, 2026, contesting the court’s earlier dismissal of their challenge to their terrorist designation. This appeal comes after the RTC’s April...
Civil society report highlights ongoing human rights challenges in the Philippines under President Marcos Jr.
A new report by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a collaboration between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has brought renewed attention to persistent human rights...
Senate opens impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte
The Philippine Senate began the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6, 2026, with Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero as the presiding officer. According to the pre-trial order from June 29, 2026, sessions are set for 2:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and...
Rodrigo Duterte waives ICC hearing appearance; Senator Dela Rosa remains fugitive
Former president Rodrigo Duterte waived his right to attend the second status conference of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III for his crimes-against-humanity case on June 23, 2026. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner stated that Duterte's absence was...
Joint Statement by EU CSO | EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement: Trade Must Not Be Built on Human Rights Violations
Joint Statement by European Civil Society Organisations EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement: Trade Must Not Be Built on Human Rights Violations The European Union (EU) is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Philippines, presenting it as part of...
Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC trial starts November 30
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will open the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on November 30, 2026. ICC judges scheduled the trial date after the first status conference, held on May 27, 2026. During the status conference, case-related...