Author Archives: admin

Are the Dutertes the New Opposition in the Philippines?

By admin | September 13, 2024

Written for The Diplomat The quick answer to the question posed in the title of this article is no. They are criticizing members of Congress and even Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but their party is still part of the ruling coalition. If the split becomes irreconcilable, the Dutertes are expected to mobilize their […]

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Philippine Legislators Mull ‘Economic Charter Change’

By admin | September 1, 2024

Written for The Diplomat The plan to amend certain economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is proceeding, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announcing his preference to hold a plebiscite during the 2025 midterm local election. Both Houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, are already conducting public hearings about the […]

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Relentless resistance against APEC

By admin | August 20, 2024

Published by Bulatlat The 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was supposed to showcase the post-pandemic recovery and resurgence of the economy but it only put into spotlight its notorious legacy amid the raging crisis in the multipolar world and genocidal occupation in Palestine. News narratives hyped the United States – China rivalry without calling out […]

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Marcos Allies Quarrel Over Confidential Funds

By admin | July 30, 2024

Written for The Diplomat Allies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are squabbling over the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), which could undermine the “unity government” that rose to power in 2022. CIFs are not subjected to normal auditing rules because it is assumed that law enforcement agencies use them for sensitive national […]

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Stop the surge in demolition and anti-poor restrictions

By admin | July 10, 2024

Published by Bayan Metro Manila While COVID-19 cases are surging, authorities are brutally demolishing houses in urban poor communities. As residents adopt safety measures during the pandemic, the DILG treacherously lifted the ban on demolitions which quickly led to the destruction of houses in some barangays in Quezon City and heightened the tension in some […]

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My experience as a folding biker and bimodal commuter in Metro Manila

By admin | June 30, 2024

Published by Bulatlat Biking became necessary during the first month of the pandemic lockdown in 2020 when the government prohibited even jeepneys and tricycles from being out in the streets. It became a lifesaver for frontliners and convenient option for those who needed a faster and safe way to move around the city to access […]

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IFEX Asia brief: July, August, September 2023

By admin | June 24, 2024

July 2023: Journalists and activists from China and Pakistan targeted by transnational repression, prolonged internet shutdown in Manipur hides extent of communal violence, Cambodia blocked websites after disqualifying the opposition, and defiant Afghan women protested against repressive Taliban policies. Read more August 2023. Taliban marks its second year in power amid worsening repression targeting women […]

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Philippines Allows ‘Barbie’ Film Screening Amid ‘9-Dash-Line’ Controversy

By admin | June 8, 2024

Written for The Diplomat The Philippine government will allow the screening of the Hollywood film “Barbie” after arriving at a conclusion that it does not clearly show China’s controversial “nine-dash line.” Perhaps Filipino legislators should focus on responding to the provocative words of Chinese diplomats instead of interpreting doodles, crayon drawings, and fictional maps in […]

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‘Destabilization’ and Disunity in the Philippine Government

By admin | May 24, 2024

Written for The Diplomat The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff has disclosed that some retired officers have been agitating against the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., while in Congress, the House Speaker lashed out against key allies of the president. The realignment in the House leadership and even the […]

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Ship of State

By admin | May 12, 2024

Published by Bulatlat In the opening pages of Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo, the steamer Tabo was likened to the ship of state where the presence of the ilustrado classes at the upper deck and the indios at the lower deck alluded to inequality in society. The Tabo was slow like the progress of the country […]

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