Category Archives: nation

Congress Hearings Reveal Sordid Details of Duterte’s Drug War

By admin | September 9, 2025

Written for The Diplomat While the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the role of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the bloody enforcement of the “war on drugs,” the House of Representatives has decided to also look into the matter and establish linkages between the drug-related killings and the use of illicit money for […]

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The Marcos-Duterte Rift is Getting Nastier and More Personal

By admin | August 26, 2025

Written for The Diplomat The political rivalry of the Marcos and Duterte families has become fiercer, nastier, and more personal. The two powerful dynasties formed a coalition and clinched a landslide victory in the 2022 elections, but this so-called “uniteam” imploded in the last quarter of 2023 until the rift intensified and led to an […]

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No peaceful retirement for Sinas, a notorious human rights violator

By admin | July 29, 2025

Published by Bayan Metro Manila General Debold Sinas should be held accountable for his bloody human rights legacy instead of being appointed to a civilian position in the bureaucracy. His ‘mañanita scandal’ should at least make him ineligible from getting a new post in the government. He has bigger sins that should warrant an immediate […]

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What’s Next for Philippine Politics After Duterte’s Arrest

By admin | July 2, 2025

Written for The Diplomat Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of accountability and justice for the extrajudicial killings perpetrated by state forces during his bloody campaign against illegal drugs. How will Duterte’s arrest in Manila and detention […]

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Coup Plot Dismissed in the Philippines

By admin | June 30, 2025

Written for The Diplomat Retired and active officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the leadership of the House of Representatives have expressed support to Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after former President Rodrigo Duterte called for military action against the incumbent government. The Marcos-Duterte rift might appear to be a mere […]

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What’s Old and New in the Midterm Philippine Elections?

By admin | May 16, 2025

Written for The Diplomat The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) says that that it has received 43,033 applications for the midterm elections scheduled for May 2025. Each voter will select 12 senators, a district representative, a partylist representative, and local officials in each province, city, and municipality. A total of 18,280 elective posts will be […]

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The Politics of ‘Ayuda’ in the Philippines

By admin | May 1, 2025

Written for The Diplomat Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2025 national budget with a provision for the “conditional implementation” of some items, including a controversial “ayuda” (aid) program for the poor. It is unfortunate that “ayuda” has earned a negative connotation when it is an emergency lifeline that could make a difference in […]

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Sara Duterte Decries ‘Political Harassment’ Against Her Family

By admin | March 6, 2025

Written for The Diplomat Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte has described the decision to remove 75 police personnel from her security detail as “political harassment.” “Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is – a clear case of political harassment,” Duterte said in her four-page open letter […]

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Midterm Elections and the Prospect of Impeachment in the Philippines

By admin | February 14, 2025

Written for The Diplomat Election season has officially begun in the Philippines, with the filing of candidacies of prospective candidates for the midterm polls scheduled for May 2025. But aside from election-related activities, the prospect that Vice President Sara Duterte could face impeachment is expected to dominate the local news and political scene until the […]

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The Marcos-Duterte Rift Widens in the Philippines

By admin | January 21, 2025

Written for The Diplomat The Marcos and Duterte political families in the Philippines have been publicly criticizing each other over the past four months, threatening to further undermine the “unity government” headed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. As the two dynasties maneuver for influence, an increasing number of Filipinos are outraged that these political […]

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