Author Archives: admin

IFEX Asia brief: January, February, March 2021

By admin | December 26, 2021

New year in Asia-Pacific: Crackdown, state of emergency, and harsh prison convictions. Positive developments in the region such as prison releases and the outlawing of the “virginity test” were overshadowed by mass arrests in Hong Kong, an absurdly long prison term handed out to a Thai elderly woman for “insulting” the king, the silencing of […]

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The Nobel Peace Prize and Free Speech in the Philippines

By admin | December 19, 2021

Written for The Diplomat The awarding of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov highlighted the role of independent media outlets in challenging authoritarian governments around the world. In the case of the Philippines, it put a spotlight on how truth-seekers like Ressa have stood their ground in the face […]

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Activism as cure to information disorder

By admin | December 4, 2021

Published by Bulatlat When the Dolomite beach scandal trended online, there was speculation that authorities deliberately planned it to distract public attention from the bigger PhilHealth corruption mess. It is plausible given our history of government manipulation of public opinion for insidious ends. But if this was the work of a fixer, he or she […]

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Our ‘Panatang Makabayan’: Resisting tyranny and fighting for freedom

By admin | November 27, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila We recall and salute the heroic struggles and sacrifice of our ancestors against colonial rule. More than a century after the declaration of Independence, we continue to aspire for true freedom and democracy in our society. Today, we are confronted with a new tyranny as the Duterte government is laying […]

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Duterte’s Forgotten Federalism Agenda is Dead

By admin | November 26, 2021

Published by The Diplomat The Philippine Congress adjourned its sessions this month without tackling bills on federalism, a key legislative proposal of President Rodrigo Duterte since his campaign for president in 2016. It is Duterte’s prerogative to name the priorities of his government as he enters his last year in office. Today, he can afford […]

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IFEX Regional Briefs: November and December 2020

By admin | October 29, 2021

November 2020: Media killings, zines promoting women’s empowerment, and the dangers of criticizing monarchies. Six journalists were killed in November across the Asia-Pacific. The past month also saw the further erosion of civic space in Thailand and Malaysia where citizens faced persecution for speaking out about the royal family in their respective countries. Opposition legislators […]

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The rich not the poor should stop playing the victim

By admin | October 22, 2021

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 […]

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On fake Facebook accounts

By admin | October 9, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The proliferation of fake Facebook accounts is meant to derail the growing public opposition against the draconian Terror Bill. It is a crackdown targeting critics of the bill, activists, and Facebook users who are tagged in the arbitrary cyber dragnet unleashed by state operatives. Those whose accounts were duplicated either […]

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A Brief History of Charter Change Attempts in the Philippines

By admin | October 4, 2021

Written for The Diplomat Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has reportedly instructed allies in Congress to begin proceedings aimed at amending the country’s constitution, fueling immediate speculation that he is aiming to extend his term beyond 2022. Unlike in Myanmar and Thailand, where proposals to amend the constitution are often aimed at eroding the power of […]

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On the proposed extension of emergency powers

By admin | September 14, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila Instead of deliberating the extension of the BAHO Law, Congress should spend its last session week by conducting an emergency probe on the bungled COVID-19 response of the government. Congress should not simply accept the weekly reports of Malacanang without questioning its content. But even if these reports are used […]

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