Author Archives: admin

Charter Reforms in Southeast Asia: The Good, The Bad, and The Half-Serious

By admin | September 15, 2014

Published by The Diplomat The good: Five million people in Myanmar signed a petition asking Parliament to remove the undemocratic provisions in the 2008 Constitution. The bad: Thai military authorities enacted an interim constitution that gives sweeping powers to the army. The half-serious: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III hinted that he is open to the […]

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10 myths destroyed by the People’s Initiative campaign

By admin | September 12, 2014

Published by Bulatlat 1. President Noynoy Aquino is sincere in abolishing the pork barrel system. PDAF (legislative pork) was abolished but the funds were embedded in the national budget. DAP (presidential pork) was discontinued but the unconstitutional principles that sustained it were maliciously inserted in the 2015 General Appropriations Bill. Aquino adopted and expanded the […]

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10 Things to Know About the World’s Longest Communist Revolution

By admin | September 9, 2014

1. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was reestablished on December 26, 1968 in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), was formed on March 29, 1969 in Capas, Tarlac. The revolutionary alliance, National Democratic Front (NDF), was founded on April 24, 1973. The CPP-NPA-NDF view armed revolution as the effective […]

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Malaysia Threatens to Block Facebook

By admin | September 2, 2014

Written for The Diplomat The Malaysian government revealed that it is studying a proposal to ban Facebook, in response to the rising number of abuses reported on the popular social network. Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek made the announcement after a Facebook user posted a doctored photo of a road accident […]

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The Sona speeches of Macapagal and Marcos that will take you back to the future

By admin | August 31, 2014

Written for Bulatlat The annual state of the nation address is a must read for all citizens who are eager to know the president’s self-rated accomplishment report and priority programs. It is also relevant for what it fails to mention or what the president refuses to acknowledge. It is both a historical document and a […]

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Mensahe sa pagpapalabas ng pelikulang “Blackfish” sa UP Film Center

By admin | August 28, 2014

May breaking news kaninang umaga at binulabog nito ang buong mundo. Apektado rin ako ng balitang ito. Biruin ninyo, naglabas ng pahayag ang Sanrio na si Hello Kitty raw ay hindi pusa. Tama po ang inyong narinig, hindi pusa si Hello Kitty. Siya pala ay isang batang babae. Kaya kung noong bata kayo ay inisip […]

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Bangsamoro Peace Deal in Danger of Collapse

By admin | August 19, 2014

Written for The Diplomat The peace deal signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could soon collapse, as the draft law that would give autonomy to Muslims in the southern part of the country has yet to be submitted to Congress. Aside from the delay, the MILF is accusing the […]

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What activists want: A world without rallies

By admin | August 9, 2014

Written for Bulatlat Have you ever wondered why there are rallies calling for land reform but none that advocate for women’s right to suffrage? The answer is obvious: The first is a demand by landless farmers which is being virulently opposed by the powerful landed class while the latter is already a political victory achieved […]

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Why college is better than congress

By admin | August 7, 2014

Written for The Diplomat I was a congressman for four years (2009-2013) which equaled the number of my undergraduate years at UP Diliman (1996-2000). When asked about my two-term stint in Congress, I often claim that it’s like college but not quite like college. Of course it’s a joke since my college life was many […]

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The Meaning of the Mandalay Riots in Myanmar

By admin | July 29, 2014

Written for The Diplomat More rioting between Buddhist and Muslim groups erupted in Myanmar early this month, killing two people and injuring 14 others. The fatalities included a young Buddhist man who was riding a bike and a Muslim bicycle shop owner. The riots – which took place over four days in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second […]

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