Author Archives: admin

Midterm Elections and the Prospect of Impeachment in the Philippines

By admin | February 14, 2025

Written for The Diplomat Election season has officially begun in the Philippines, with the filing of candidacies of prospective candidates for the midterm polls scheduled for May 2025. But aside from election-related activities, the prospect that Vice President Sara Duterte could face impeachment is expected to dominate the local news and political scene until the […]

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IFEX Asia briefs: January, February, March 2024

By admin | February 1, 2025

What’s new and old in 2024: Repressive laws, attacks, and election disinformation in Asia. New media laws in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal could negatively impact access to information. Afghanistan’s media situation remains precarious amid intensified state-backed attacks. Filmmakers in Myanmar and Malaysia face criminal charges. As political forces resort to restrictions and disinformation in […]

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Use NTF-ELCAC funds to give relief during extended ECQ

By admin | January 28, 2025

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The government should tap the funds intended for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and instead use it give urgent relief to families affected by the extended enhanced community quarantine and other lockdown restrictions across the country. The emergency situation should compel the Duterte government to […]

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The Marcos-Duterte Rift Widens in the Philippines

By admin | January 21, 2025

Written for The Diplomat The Marcos and Duterte political families in the Philippines have been publicly criticizing each other over the past four months, threatening to further undermine the “unity government” headed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. As the two dynasties maneuver for influence, an increasing number of Filipinos are outraged that these political […]

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‘Like the rain falling in torrents on a thousand raging rivers’

By admin | December 30, 2024

Book review of Jose Maria Sison’s On the Legal Democratic Mass Movement (Sison Reader Series Book 12). Published by Bulatlat “The enemy is strong, yes. But we, too, are strong. If we unite—if those who have strength contribute strength, if those who have intellect contribute intellect…like the rain falling in torrents on a thousand raging […]

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Filipino Jeepney Drivers Make Last Stand

By admin | December 19, 2024

Written for The Diplomat The year 2023 ended in the Philippines with several transport groups holding nationwide protests aimed at pressuring the government to reconsider its program that will lead to the phaseout of jeepneys. The jeepneys were World War II surplus vehicles of the U.S. military before they were modified and used by Filipinos […]

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‘Spirit of the Glass’: Aral ng kasaysayan at paghamon sa red-tagging

By admin | December 7, 2024

Sinulat para sa Bulatlat Matapang na tinalakay ng dula ang usapin ng red-tagging at kung bakit ito banta sa malayang palitan ng diskurso sa lipunan. Bukod sa napapanahon, malinaw, at maingat na tinilad-tilad sa dula ang mga pangkalahatan at partikular na ginagawa ng red-tagging sa komunidad at sa mga biktima nito. Kung pamilyar ang naratibo […]

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Looking ahead: Censorship, AI, disinformation, and repression undermining elections

By admin | November 30, 2024

Written for IFEX Internet restrictions, AI-driven disinformation, and mass arrests have intensified ahead of major elections across Asia. These attacks undermine freedom of expression at a time when elections are supposed to restore or strengthen democratic rule and counter authoritarianism in the region. A key takeaway from Asia’s election experience is the need to revisit […]

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Duterte Leads ‘Prayer Rallies’ Against Charter Change

By admin | November 22, 2024

Written for The Diplomat Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been attending “prayer rallies” in opposition to the charter change (ChaCha) planned by the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. On January 28, Duterte and his family joined a “prayer rally” in Davao. He attended a similar event in Cebu on February 25 and […]

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Environment­alists Under Attack in the Philippines

By admin | November 18, 2024

Written for The Diplomat A report by British advocacy group Global Witness highlighted the continuing attacks against environmental defenders in the Philippines. Its latest report documented 16 killings in Asia in 2022, 11 of which took place in the Philippines. Since 2012, the Philippines has been listed by the group as the worst place in […]

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