Monthly Archives: May 2025

What’s Old and New in the Midterm Philippine Elections?

Written for The Diplomat The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) says that that it has received 43,033 applications for the midterm elections scheduled for May 2025. Each voter will select 12 senators, a district representative, a partylist representative, and local officials in each province, city, and municipality. A total of 18,280 elective posts will be […]

Posted in election, nation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Politics of ‘Ayuda’ in the Philippines

Written for The Diplomat Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2025 national budget with a provision for the “conditional implementation” of some items, including a controversial “ayuda” (aid) program for the poor. It is unfortunate that “ayuda” has earned a negative connotation when it is an emergency lifeline that could make a difference in […]

Posted in nation | Tagged , | Leave a comment