Author Archives: admin

The ‘Chaos and Confusion’ Inside the Marcos Government

By admin | April 9, 2023

Written for The Diplomat Asked about his achievements during his first 100 days as president of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said he was able to put up a “functional government.” But a resolution passed by his party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), hinted at several irregularities inside the presidential palace. Throughout the campaign […]

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Keywords, sound bites, and newsmakers of 2022

By admin | March 30, 2023

Published by Bulatlat Since this was an election year, the most notable newsmakers were presidential candidates led by the frontrunners Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Leni Robredo. Decades or even years from now, historians will also recall the historic candidacy of labor leader Leody de Guzman. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant in January […]

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Mga tula ng pagpanig, paglaban, at pag-ibig sa bayan

By admin | February 9, 2023

Rebyu sa aklat na ‘Sa Aking Pagkadestiyero/In My Exile’ ni Joi Barrios. Sinulat para sa Bulatlat Bilang dating migrante, ramdam ko ang kakaibang tipo ng lungkot na pinapahiwatig ng mga linyang ito: Dito, taglay ko ang pilat na nasa noo ng bawat dayo,Markado ngunit hindi nakikita,na parang may tagabulag O ang pangungulilang kapareha ng pananabik […]

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The First 100 Days of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte

By admin | January 31, 2023

Written for The Diplomat The Philippines recently marked the first 100 days in office of both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. Global news reports highlighted the key issues that Marcos has tackled since July but the work of Duterte has usually not been mentioned. In the Philippines, the vice president is […]

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Freedom of Expression Declines Further Under Marcos

By admin | January 20, 2023

Written for The Diplomat Three months after coming to power, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has failed to reassure the media community and the public that he will promote freedom of expression and reverse the impunity that worsened during the term of his predecessor. To be sure, there was little expectation that the son of […]

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What Philippine President Marcos Said in New York

By admin | January 16, 2023

Written for The Diplomat The speech of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and his bilateral meeting with United States President Joe Biden could be the highlight of his recent six-day working visit in New York, but his talks in other less prominent public activities also […]

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Indifference allows the powerful to oppress the weak

By admin | December 30, 2022

Published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer The court order granting a three-hour furlough to Reina Mae Nasino was narrowly interpreted by the police and jail authorities to deprive a grieving mother of a decent moment to bury her dead child. Authorities will probably inform the court that they complied with the order by bringing Reina […]

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IFEX Regional briefs: January, February, March 2022

By admin | December 23, 2022

January 2022. Winter Olympics in “a sea of repression”, anniversary of a coup, and a new law against workplace harassment. Will there be ‘sportswashing” of China’s human rights situation during the Winter Olympics? Myanmar’s crackdown on journalists and dissenters continues ahead of coup anniversary. Pakistan enacts a new law that aims to protect women from […]

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A Look at Philippine President Marcos’ ‘Unity Budget’ for 2023

By admin | December 17, 2022

Written for The Diplomat The government of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. this week submitted a record 5.268 trillion pesos ($94 billion) 2023 budget to the House of Representatives. This is the highest-ever spending proposal sent to Congress. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman described the proposed bill as “proactive […]

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Overkill deployment of troops for a grieving mom

By admin | December 12, 2022

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The police displayed utter disrespect towards the Nasino family for deploying dozens of armed troops when they escorted Reina Mae Nasino to attend the wake of her child Baby River. Authorities lied when they claimed that they lacked the personnel who can guard Nasino for the three-day furlough originally granted […]

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