Philippine Senate shake-up signals tougher line on China
Alvin Camba is a critical materials specialist at the Associated Universities Incorporated, where he specializes in China-Southeast Asia relations and critical resources.
The results of the 2025 midterm elections in the Philippines are in. They revealed a notable increase in senators who are either openly critical of China or advocate a more cautious, balancing approach to foreign policy. An analysis of past statements and legislative actions by the 12 newly elected senators, along with those who will serve until 2028, on key issues such as the West Philippine Sea, China's assertive behavior in the region and Chinese-linked scam compounds, reveals a division into three distinct camps.
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