In the Philippines, a growing political dispute between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte could reignite secessionist sentiment on the Mindanao island and potentially derail government efforts to open the country to foreign investment and keep close ties with the United States. In early January, the Philippines House of Representatives began a nationwide signature campaign to initiate a People's Initiative to amend the 1987 constitution, distributed mostly through local mayoral offices but also through private activist efforts. Specifically, the petition asks voters whether they support amending the constitution to require both chambers of Congress to vote jointly on constitutional changes. Congress would then vote on lifting caps on foreign ownership of businesses and Filipino natural resources. The Senate, which totals 24 members to the House's 316, is against the initiative, given that it would effectively take away its voting power on such matters. Former President Duterte agrees...
