Tag Archives: COVID-19

Use NTF-ELCAC funds to give relief during extended ECQ

By admin | January 28, 2025

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The government should tap the funds intended for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and instead use it give urgent relief to families affected by the extended enhanced community quarantine and other lockdown restrictions across the country. The emergency situation should compel the Duterte government to […]

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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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A year of surviving the pandemic and Duterte’s misgovernance

By admin | December 17, 2023

Published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer This week marks the first year since the Duterte administration imposed harsh lockdown measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The failure of the militarist approach is reflected in the surging COVID-19 cases, livelihood losses caused by unnecessary restrictions, and worsening human rights abuses. The remorseless incompetence of the […]

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The Philippines in 2022: Elections, Omicron, and a Delayed Recovery

By admin | September 26, 2022

Written for The Diplomat The year 2021 ended tragically for the Philippines as Typhoon Rai (known locally as Odette) battered the southern part of the country, including prime tourism destinations. Recovery had barely begun when the Omicron variant once again plunged the country into panic, in addition to triggering a new set of mobility restrictions. […]

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Duterte, Duque, and the IATF generals

By admin | June 18, 2022

Published by Bayan Metro Manila As health workers press for a two-week timeout, we assert that it’s time to go for Duque, IATF generals, and even President Rodrigo Duterte. We share the observation that the government’s COVID-19 response has been largely ineffective in containing the spread of the virus. We blame the inept leadership of […]

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On the proposed extension of emergency powers

By admin | September 14, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila Instead of deliberating the extension of the BAHO Law, Congress should spend its last session week by conducting an emergency probe on the bungled COVID-19 response of the government. Congress should not simply accept the weekly reports of Malacanang without questioning its content. But even if these reports are used […]

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Duterte’s Pasaway Gang

By admin | April 24, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila Contrary to the self-serving government spin which blames citizens for the continued spread of COVID-19 infections, the notorious cabal of pasaways are to be found in Malacanang Palace. They are responsible for the bungled response to the public health crisis. Rodrigo Duterte Leading the gang is Rodrigo Duterte, the chief […]

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Tokhang approach in handling the pandemic

By admin | April 21, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The police which enforced Tokhang and terrorized our communities want us to feel safe and cheer ‘arrests without warning’, intensified troop deployment, and repressive lockdown restrictions.General Archie Gamboa warned the public that police are now ordered to arrest quarantine ‘violators’ without warning as part of the government’s campaign to flatten […]

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Walang Ambag: Duterte’s late night speeches dangerous to public health and democracy

By admin | April 18, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila The confirmation by military and police authorities that state forces are preparing for a Martial-Law type of lockdown is proof that President Rodrigo Duterte’s late night speeches pose a great danger not only to public health but also to our democracy. Police and military officials told media that they initiated […]

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The COVID-19 pandemic exposes bankruptcy of neoliberal political economy

By admin | April 15, 2021

Published by Bayan Metro Manila After decades of privatizing health care, millions are left untreated despite the rapid spread of COVID-19. Hospitals and other public health facilities are managed to raise profits which undermined access to health services. Government subsidies to health and education are slashed. Universal health insurance is oriented to serve the interest […]

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