Politics

Sending Development Experts to the Ceasefire Monitoring Team — J-BIRD and “Unarmed Peacekeeping” (Part 2)

Why did Japan send JICA development experts, not soldiers, to the Mindanao International Monitoring Team? An explanation of J-BIRD, the peace dividend, support through schools, wells, and farm roads, and why Japan didn't withdraw even after the 2008 collapse of the peace talks.

2026年8月9日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsOkinawaPhilippine NewsPoliticsSeries

Why Did Japan Engage in the Bangsamoro Peace Process? — From the MNLF Peace Agreement to the Launch of J-BIRD (Part 1)

Why did the Japanese government and JICA become involved in the Bangsamoro peace process in the southern Philippines? A timeline covering the MNLF peace agreement, human security, Sadako Ogata, the Mindanao Support Package, and the launch of J-BIRD.

2026年8月8日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsOkinawaPhilippine NewsPoliticsSeries

What Is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government? — How It Differs from an Ordinary Philippine Local Government (Part 1 of 4)

How does BARMM differ from an ordinary local government? A detailed look at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government's fiscal system, including the 75% national tax-sharing exception, the Annual Block Grant, and the 50-billion-peso Special Development Fund.

2026年8月8日

Intergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPolitics

BARMM’s First Parliamentary Election

The Philippine government will deploy 8,299 police officers for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region's first parliamentary election on September 14, 2026, after 12 arrests for gun-ban violations during the campaign period.

2026年8月5日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPolitics

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial, Day 11 — 15 Boxes of “Confidential Funds” Documents as Hearings Turn to Whether the Money Was Properly Used

Day 11 of Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial saw 15 boxes of confidential fund documents and testimony from a former COA auditor, as the proceedings moved from tracing the money's movement to whether it was used for its intended purpose.

2026年8月4日

Philippine NewsPolitics