Author Archives: admin

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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A tale of two murderous military regimes

By admin | April 24, 2024

Published by Bayan Metro Manila Myanmar’s junta and the Philippines’ Duterte government are among the worst violators of human rights today. After grabbing power on February 1, the Tatmadaw (armed forces) detained the country’s duly elected leaders and brutally suppressed the anti-coup resistance. The Philippines is among the many countries which expressed concern over the […]

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IFEX Asia brief: April, May, June 2023

By admin | April 13, 2024

April 2023. Fiji’s media victory, Vietnam’s “Kafkaesque trial”, and World Press Freedom Day in the Asia-Pacific: A historic win for the media in Fiji, a “Kafkaesque trial” in Vietnam, a Taiwanese publisher detained in China, a new law threatens free speech in India, and IFEX members across Asia-Pacific mark World Press Freedom Day. Read more […]

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Rodrigo Duterte Sued Over ‘Grave Threats’

By admin | April 6, 2024

Written for The Diplomat An opposition lawmaker has filed a criminal complaint against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for making “grave threats” against some members of Congress on his TV show. A day after the House of Representatives confirmed the removal of the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president, her father, […]

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Philippines’ Top Leaders Accused of Making Irregular Budget Transactions

By admin | March 22, 2024

Written for The Diplomat Opposition lawmakers in the Philippines are questioning the use of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte in 2022, which they claim were in some cases even allocated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. without the authorization of Congress. Naturally, it doesn’t look good that almost five billion pesos are allotted for […]

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