By Cliff Potts, Editor-in-Chief, WPS News

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, Philippines — This WPS News Week in Review summarizes five leading stories from the Philippines, five from around the world, and five from the United States.

Reporting cutoff: 10:26 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2026, Philippine Time. Because several stories remain active, circumstances may change before this article is published on Wednesday.

Philippines

1. Marcos Prepares to Deliver His Fifth State of the Nation Address

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was scheduled to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress at 4 p.m. Monday. Filipinos were looking for concrete action on corruption, prices, economic recovery, employment, public services, and the remaining two years of his administration (Laqui, 2026; ABS-CBN News, 2026a).

2. Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial Remains a Political Flashpoint

Vice President Sara Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial remains one of the most consequential political proceedings in the country. Duterte faces allegations including unexplained wealth and threats against President Marcos, while her attorneys describe the case as politically motivated (Associated Press, 2026a).

3. China Uses Water Cannons Against Philippine Vessels

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese vessels used water cannons against Philippine government ships near Scarborough Shoal for a second consecutive day. Philippine officials condemned the actions as dangerous, while China claimed it was enforcing sovereignty over waters that an international tribunal ruled were not subject to Beijing’s sweeping claims (Reuters, 2026a).

4. Severe Flooding Strikes Davao City

Heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and flooded several Davao City communities, forcing evacuations and emergency rescues. Homes were damaged, vehicles were swept away, and residents in some areas were forced onto rooftops while awaiting help (MindaNews, 2026; The Philippine Star, 2026a).

5. ASEAN Confronts Regional Wars and Energy Insecurity

ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Manila expressed serious concern over the Middle East conflict, threats to global energy shipments, Myanmar’s civil war, and South China Sea tensions. Southeast Asian governments also discussed accelerating a regional oil-sharing system to protect energy-importing countries from supply disruptions (Reuters, 2026b).

World

1. United States-Iran War Continues to Escalate

The United States completed a thirteenth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets as Iran warned that further attacks could produce retaliation against regional energy and civilian infrastructure. The expanding conflict has killed thousands, displaced millions, and raised fears of a wider regional war (Reuters, 2026c).

2. Oil Routes Face Pressure at Hormuz and the Red Sea

Iranian pressure around the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea threaten two of the world’s most important energy-shipping routes. Continued disruption could restrict oil supplies, increase transportation costs, and push consumer prices higher worldwide (Reuters, 2026d).

3. Oil Prices Revive Fears of Global Stagflation

Oil’s return to approximately $100 per barrel has renewed fears of stagflation—a combination of weak economic growth and persistent inflation. Rising energy prices, tariffs, higher borrowing costs, and geopolitical instability are placing particular pressure on energy-importing economies (Reuters, 2026e).

4. World Bank Warns Global Growth Could Fall Sharply

World Bank modeling indicated that a worsening Middle East war could reduce worldwide economic growth to approximately 1.3 percent during 2026. Developing countries and nations dependent on imported energy would face the greatest risks from higher fuel, food, transportation, and borrowing costs (Reuters, 2026f).

5. China’s Maritime Actions Increase Asian Security Tensions

China’s confrontations with Philippine vessels and its first reported live-fire naval exercise inside waters claimed as Japan’s exclusive economic zone have increased regional anxiety. The incidents also demonstrate that maritime pressure is spreading beyond any single dispute or location (The Guardian, 2026a; Associated Press, 2026b).

United States

1. House Approves $95 Billion for the Iran War and Other Priorities

The Republican-controlled House approved a $95 billion budget proposal supporting the Iran war and several Trump administration priorities. Democrats opposed the measure, while divisions within the Republican Party and uncertainty in the Senate left its final passage unresolved (Associated Press, 2026c).

2. Trump Imposes New Tariffs on Imports From 60 Countries

President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 countries, with exemptions for several essential commodities. The administration connected the tariffs to forced-labor enforcement, but businesses and consumers face the possibility of additional price increases (Associated Press, 2026d).

3. Gasoline, Mortgage Rates, and Household Costs Rise

Average U.S. gasoline prices moved above $4.11 per gallon as Middle East hostilities drove crude-oil prices higher. Mortgage rates also climbed to approximately 6.58 percent, increasing financial pressure on households already dealing with elevated food, housing, healthcare, and energy costs (Associated Press, 2026e).

4. Democrats Launch Affordability Campaign With 100 Days Until Midterms

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries introduced a “Fighting for an Affordable America” agenda as the country reached 100 days before the November midterm elections. Democrats are emphasizing healthcare, living costs, government accountability, and opposition to the Iran war as they attempt to regain control of the House (Associated Press, 2026f).

5. Both Parties Face Disorder Ahead of Midterm Elections

Republicans and Democrats are entering the midterm campaign with divisive primaries, candidate scandals, ideological conflicts, and uncertainty in several important Senate and House races. Control of Congress may depend on which party can move attention back toward household economics and voter concerns rather than internal warfare (Associated Press, 2026g).

References

ABS-CBN News. (2026a, July 27). Solving corruption and economic woes expected to shape Marcos’ final two years. ABS-CBN News.

Associated Press. (2026a). Philippine Senate opens the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Associated Press.

Associated Press. (2026b, July 2026). China coast guard uses water cannons on two Philippine vessels as top diplomats meet in Manila. Associated Press.

Associated Press. (2026c, July 2026). House adopts $95 billion budget proposal to fund Iran war and other Trump priorities. Associated Press.

Associated Press. (2026d, July 2026). Trump issues new double-digit tariffs on 60 countries. Associated Press.

Associated Press. (2026e, July 2026). America in focus: New tariffs, soaring gas, mortgages and a down week for Wall Street. Associated Press.

Associated Press. (2026f, July 26). House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries kicks off 100 days until midterms with affordability agenda. Associated Press.

Associated Press. (2026g, July 2026). Messy primaries plague both major political parties, causing chaos and confusion in the midterms. Associated Press.

Laqui, I. (2026, July 27). Marcos to deliver fifth SONA today. Philstar.com.

MindaNews. (2026, July 25). Upstream rains flood parts of Tugbok and Talomo districts in Davao City. MindaNews.

Reuters. (2026a, July 24). Philippines accuses China of using water cannon on its vessels for a second day. Reuters.

Reuters. (2026b, July 20). ASEAN’s top diplomats meet in shadow of U.S.-Iran conflict. Reuters.

Reuters. (2026c, July 24). U.S. military says it completed thirteenth consecutive night of strikes on Iran. Reuters.

Reuters. (2026d, July 23). Houthis claim attacks on Saudi tankers in Red Sea, raising threat to oil supplies. Reuters.

Reuters. (2026e, July 24). Stagflation talk returns to rattle markets as oil rebounds to $100. Reuters.

Reuters. (2026f, July 22). Escalating Middle East war could slash global growth to 1.3% in 2026, World Bank chief economist says. Reuters.

The Guardian. (2026a, July 21). Chinese warship holds live-fire drills inside Japan’s economic waters for first time. The Guardian.

The Philippine Star. (2026a, July 26). Heavy rains cause severe flooding in Davao City; 300 rescued. The Philippine Star.

WPS News Information

For additional social and election coverage of the 2026 United States midterm elections, visit Occupy 2.5 at Occupy25.com.

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