Philippines

(Newser) - Disgraced Philippine ex-president and former movie star Joseph Estrada was sentenced to life in prison today for plundering  $85 million from the nation's treasury. Estrada, 70— still popular despite his 2001 ouster amid corruption charges—returned under house arrest to his villa near Manila until his appeals are heard.

(Newser) - While much of the world focuses its attention on oil, 1,000 people in a lab outside Manila are worrying about the other staple the modern world depends on: rice. Because of drought, floods, and overproduction, Asian rice yields are flatlining, the Journal reports; as a result, the price of...

(Newser) - Violence, feuds and corruption charges have marred midterm elections in the Philippines. Three people were killed on election day yesterday, bringing the death toll  for the three-month campaign to 110, the BBC reports. Opponents of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are trying to win enough seats in parliament to impeach her...