Author Archives: admin

IFEX Asia brief: April and May 2025

By admin | July 18, 2026

Written for IFEX April 2025. “Lifesaving necessities”, censorship, media safety, and Asia’s exiled media. Information blackouts during disasters, artists facing censorship, attacks against journalists during protests, promoting media safety, and spotlighting the work of exiled media. Read more May 2025. Information warfare, World Press Freedom Day, and a prison letter from China. The India-Pakistan tension […]

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Gambling and Philippine Politics

By admin | July 9, 2026

Written for The Diplomat A specter is haunting Philippine politics today: the specter of gambling, which is being linked to youth addiction, unethical use of public funds, money laundering, kidnapping, and murder. It is unlikely that online gambling will be totally banned by a government desperate for revenues. This means gambling money will continue to affect governance […]

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Ferdinand Castillo: Five years of fighting for freedom and justice

By admin | July 5, 2026

Published in February 2022 by Bayan Metro Manila Today marks the fifth year after activist Ferdinand Castillo was arrested in Caloocan by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group based on trumped-up charges. His continuing detention reflects the notorious human rights record of the Rodrigo Duterte administration. But despite his incarceration, Castillo remains defiant. We are […]

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What Does It Means to be ‘Pro-China’ in the Philippines?

By admin | June 11, 2026

Written for The Diplomat Philippine lawmakers have hurled accusations against some of their colleagues for allegedly taking a pro-China stand on the issue of the South China Sea. China’s repeated harassment of Filipino fisherfolk will continue make the “pro-China” label a potent political weapon to demonize those who are critical of the decision of the […]

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Binhi at agos ng paglaya

By admin | June 2, 2026

Sinulat para sa Bulatlat *Rebyu sa librong “Binhi ng Paglaya” ni Amanda Socorro Lacaba Echanis Hindi madali para sa mga political detainee o poldet ang matagumpay na paggiit ng karapatang makapagbasa at makapagsulat sa loob ng piitan kaya marapat itanghal ang publikasyon ng aklat ni Amanda Socorro Lacaba Echanis. Higit na mahirap ang lumikha ng […]

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Disunity Within the Philippines’ First Family

By admin | May 31, 2026

Written for The Diplomat After the collapse of the political alliance between the Marcos and Duterte families in the Philippines, it seems that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. now has to contend with the fallout from his elder sister Senator Imee Marcos’ decision to team up with Vice President Sara Duterte in denouncing the shortcomings […]

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IFEX Asia brief: January and March 2025

By admin | May 29, 2026

January 2025. Asia’s jailed journalists, internet shutdowns, cybersecurity laws, and proposals on media freedom. China, Myanmar, and Vietnam are among the most notorious jailers of journalists in the world. Internet shutdowns undermine India’s economy and the people’s right to information. New laws threaten to further erode digital rights in Myanmar and Pakistan. How can Asia’s […]

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UN Rapporteur Highlights Continuing Restrictions of Civic Space 

By admin | May 19, 2026

Written for The Diplomat A United Nations special rapporteur report highlighted the continuing civic space restrictions in the Philippines under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s government, which marks its third year in office this month. Khan’s report confirmed the severe restrictions imposed by the previous Duterte government, which led to the curtailment of civil liberties. The Marcos government has […]

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Rodrigo Duterte’s Other Crimes in the Philippines

By admin | April 19, 2026

Written for The Diplomat Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is now under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he has been accused of crimes against humanity related to his government’s brutal “war on drugs,” known locally as “Tokhang.” Duterte’s arrest agitated his supporters, who organized protest assemblies and flooded social media with […]

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Meta changes the rules: IFEX members respond

By admin | March 29, 2026

Written for IFEX IFEX network members are sharing their insights into how Meta’s overhauling of its content moderation policies could impact users around the world. The response to Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement about changes to Meta’s content moderation policies, including ending its contracts with fact-checkers in the United States, was swift. Here, we pull together the […]

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