Tag Archives: COVID-19

What Is Bogging Down the Philippines’ COVID-19 Response?

By admin | April 1, 2021

Published by The Diplomat More than a month after imposing a lockdown in mainland Luzon, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the order to stay at home will be extended for another two weeks to contain COVID-19. But as more cases of infection continue to be reported, the authorities have hinted at the possibility of a […]

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Pedagogy of the digitally oppressed

By admin | March 22, 2021

Published by Bulatlat Under the ‘new normal’ of internet-based learning, those at the margins of society could find themselves struggling against further exclusion. The concept of access needs further exploration beyond the popular understanding that it is mainly about the installation of broadband networks and distribution of gadgets to the community. More than the means […]

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IFEX April 2020 regional briefs

By admin | March 15, 2021

Pandemic exacerbates digital gap and media censorship in Asia-Pacific An important component in the global campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic is upholding and promoting access to information. Unfortunately, this is severely undermined across the Asia-Pacific region. How can people get reliable data if they are disconnected from communication networks? What happens to media credibility if […]

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What it means to be a lockdown protester in the Philippines

By admin | February 13, 2021

Published by Bulatlat Hint: It has nothing to do with far-right ‘covidiots’ and anti-vaxxers. Lockdown protests are derided in many parts of the world because of the threat they pose to public health. The deliberate disregard for social distancing rules provokes not just the spite of authorities but also the paranoia of quarantined residents. The […]

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Duterte’s ‘tokhang’ approach in containing COVID-19 will worsen rights abuses

By admin | November 9, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila President Rodrigo Duterte’s late night spiel clarifying what he meant by the infamous ‘shoot them dead’ order confirmed our fears that he is applying ‘tokhang’ methods in addressing the COVID-19 health crisis. This is both alarming and infuriating since it could enable law enforces to commit rights abuses with impunity. […]

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China’s COVID-19 Diplomacy Backfires in the Philippines

By admin | October 16, 2020

The Chinese embassy in Manila released a music video dedicated to COVID-19 frontline workers, but it quickly drew widespread anger among Filipino internet users because of the song’s indirect reference to the South China Sea, known locally as the West Philippine Sea. The music video of the song “Iisang Dagat” (One Sea) was released on […]

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Shooting people dead is the brutal legacy of the Duterte government

By admin | October 5, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila It’s not the first time that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered law enforcers and state troops to shoot people dead but to hear him give the same directive during his press conference last night was extremely jarring, to say the least. He was reacting to the protest of some residents […]

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Stop using the emergency law to silence criticism and stifle innovation

By admin | September 4, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila After filing charges against so-called ‘quarantine and curfew violators’ authorities are now summoning innovative leaders like Vico Sotto. It confirms our suspicion that Republic Act 11469, which gives additional special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, is drafted to undermine the independence of LGUs. The […]

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Fast track delivery of social welfare programs, not mass arrests

By admin | August 12, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila We condemn the police for violently dispersing the peaceful protest of Sitio San Roque residents in Quezon City. We are outraged that the state response to the appeals for relief is terror and brutal detention. This is insensitive, repressive, and inhuman. This is the result of the national government’s ill-conceived […]

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Bayan Metro Manila to telcos, power, and water firms: #WalangSingilan

By admin | July 22, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila We are asking utility companies to waive the collection of bills from customers whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The enhanced community quarantine has prevented many from going out to work and earn a living. The hardest hit are those who belong to the informal sector. Minimum […]

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