Category Archives: nation

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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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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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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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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Maharlika Investment Fund Bill Draws Criticism

By admin | February 7, 2024

Written for The Diplomat Late last month, the two houses of the Philippine Congress approved the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill amid persistent criticisms from opposition leaders, lawyers, economists, and civil society groups. It took the House of Representatives only 17 days to pass the MIF bill in December. Responding to the concern of […]

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