Author Archives: admin

Walang Ambag: Duterte’s late night speeches dangerous to public health and democracy

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The confirmation by military and police authorities that state forces are preparing for a Martial-Law type of lockdown is proof that President Rodrigo Duterte’s late night speeches pose a great danger not only to public health but also to our democracy. Police and military officials told media that they initiated […]

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The COVID-19 pandemic exposes bankruptcy of neoliberal political economy

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 […]

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LGU response to COVID-19

Published by Bayan Metro Manila We support pro-active LGU response to COVID-19 amid the slow roll-out of mass testing and inadequate delivery of aid by the national government We support the initiative of several Local Government Units to proceed with localized mass testing as an emergency but essential measure to contain the community transmission of […]

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What Is Bogging Down the Philippines’ COVID-19 Response?

Published by The Diplomat More than a month after imposing a lockdown in mainland Luzon, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the order to stay at home will be extended for another two weeks to contain COVID-19. But as more cases of infection continue to be reported, the authorities have hinted at the possibility of a […]

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Pedagogy of the digitally oppressed

Published by Bulatlat Under the ‘new normal’ of internet-based learning, those at the margins of society could find themselves struggling against further exclusion. The concept of access needs further exploration beyond the popular understanding that it is mainly about the installation of broadband networks and distribution of gadgets to the community. More than the means […]

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IFEX April 2020 regional briefs

Pandemic exacerbates digital gap and media censorship in Asia-Pacific An important component in the global campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic is upholding and promoting access to information. Unfortunately, this is severely undermined across the Asia-Pacific region. How can people get reliable data if they are disconnected from communication networks? What happens to media credibility if […]

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Bayan Metro Manila decries intensifying police harassment of community relief campaigns and peaceful protests

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The police should immediately stop its trolling and terror tactics targeting activists and community leaders who are in charge of grassroots relief efforts. We condemn the rising cases of harassment by state troops in our communities. Officials identifying themselves as DILG and intelligence operatives have repeatedly harassed our members and […]

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What it means to be a lockdown protester in the Philippines

Published by Bulatlat Hint: It has nothing to do with far-right ‘covidiots’ and anti-vaxxers. Lockdown protests are derided in many parts of the world because of the threat they pose to public health. The deliberate disregard for social distancing rules provokes not just the spite of authorities but also the paranoia of quarantined residents. The […]

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A woman’s place is in the resistance: From the Aurat March to Shaheen Bagh

Written for IFEX Women challenging patriarchy in Pakistan, fighting for democracy in Hong Kong, defying the communications blockade in Kashmir, and leading the sit-in against the CAA in India’s Shaheen Bagh. Read more

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Love and life lessons from watching Korean TV dramas

Published by Bulatlat The best moments in ‘Hotel del Luna’ showed us why letting go may be difficult but more important in demonstrating what it means to love. It is not how long we attach ourselves to an ideal other that defines our commitment but also when we finally muster the courage to accept that […]

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