@mongster is a Manila-based activist, former Philippine legislator, and blogger/analyst of Asia-Pacific affairs.
Published by Bulatlat The 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was supposed to showcase the post-pandemic recovery and resurgence of the economy but it only put into spotlight its notorious legacy amid the raging crisis in the multipolar world and genocidal occupation in Palestine. News narratives hyped the United States – China rivalry without calling out […]
Written for The Diplomat Late last month, the two houses of the Philippine Congress approved the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill amid persistent criticisms from opposition leaders, lawyers, economists, and civil society groups. It took the House of Representatives only 17 days to pass the MIF bill in December. Responding to the concern of […]
Written for The Diplomat Asked about his achievements during his first 100 days as president of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said he was able to put up a “functional government.” But a resolution passed by his party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), hinted at several irregularities inside the presidential palace. Throughout the campaign […]
Written for The Diplomat The government of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. this week submitted a record 5.268 trillion pesos ($94 billion) 2023 budget to the House of Representatives. This is the highest-ever spending proposal sent to Congress. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman described the proposed bill as “proactive […]
Published by Bulatlat A group of researchers and activists from across Asia gathered during the first week of April in Thailand to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the region’s marginalized communities and how people’s movements are putting forward an alternative model of development. The gathering was organized by the Asia Pacific Research Network […]
Published by Manila Today Everybody suffers during an economic downturn. Less profit for the rich, reduced luxuries for the middle class, and precarious living for the poor and minimum wage workers. But when the troubling indicators of the economy are replaced by what is often referred to in mainstream media as ‘strong fundamentals’, the rich […]
Published by Bayan Metro Manila The government’s emergency Social Amelioration Program might end up as a cash transfer scheme from consumers to big corporations if bills continue to be collected during the pandemicThe cash aid is supposed to give immediate relief to displaced workers, the jobless, and those who belong to the informal economy. But […]
Published by Bayan Metro Manila After decades of privatizing health care, millions are left untreated despite the rapid spread of COVID-19. Hospitals and other public health facilities are managed to raise profits which undermined access to health services. Government subsidies to health and education are slashed. Universal health insurance is oriented to serve the interest […]
Published by Bayan Metro Manila We are asking utility companies to waive the collection of bills from customers whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The enhanced community quarantine has prevented many from going out to work and earn a living. The hardest hit are those who belong to the informal sector. Minimum […]
Published by Bulatlat In 1917, Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin published “Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism,” which provided the working class with a theoretical tool to understand the capitalist crisis, the great war in Europe, and socialism as a feasible alternative. Since then, the book has become a standard Marxist reference in analyzing the […]
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