Tag Archives: duterte

The War Against the Philippine Press

By admin | October 2, 2019

If the aim of the media attacks is to distract and mute the opposition, so far it is not succeeding. But it sends a dangerous message about how far this government is capable of doing to stretch the limits of the law to run after its critics. Written for The Diplomat Magazine Why Philippine Politics […]

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What the Neverending Imelda Marcos Case Means for Philippine Politics

By admin | August 17, 2019

Published by The Diplomat The consequences of Imelda’s conviction continue to spark the realignment of political forces and it could end up in a duel between a Duterte-backed alliance of pro-Marcos groups against an opposition coalition supported by a battle-tested anti-Marcos movement. That is further testament to a broader trend in Philippine politics, where the past […]

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Philippine Midterm Elections: Is Duterte’s Win Democracy’s Loss?

By admin | July 13, 2019

Candidates belonging to the coalition endorsed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won in the senate amid reports of widespread vote tampering and other irregularities documented on election day. Election monitoring groups said there were more cases of faulty vote counting machines this year compared to the 2016 election. Local poll officials solved the issue by […]

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Will Duterte Finish His Term in the Philippines?

By admin | May 28, 2019

Speculation is running rampant in the Philippines regarding Duterte’s health, not to mention political forces aiming to see him removed. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year single term is scheduled to end in 2022, but there has been speculation about his capability to finish his mandate. In the past 30 years, two of five Philippine presidents […]

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From Portland to the Philippines: A call to ‘stop the killings’

By admin | April 22, 2019

Published by Pinoy Weekly, 12 May 2018 The ‘Stop the Killings’ caravan organized by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – United States chapter conducted a rally in Portland on May 5, 2018. Speakers of the rally included community leaders, human rights, activist, a representative of Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and […]

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Tokhang, trolls and Arroyo generals

By admin | January 22, 2019

Published by Bulatlat The UP Third World Studies Center organized a research workshop on ‘Violence, Human Rights and Democracy in the Philippines.’ I submitted a short essay in response to the workshop question: “Based on your knowledge of and experience in your locality, do you think that the Duterte administration is violent?” President Rodrigo Duterte […]

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#StandWithRappler: Philippines revokes license of news group critical of Duterte

By admin | December 11, 2018

Written for IFEX Amid the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines, an online news group has been ordered by a government agency to stop operating — a move which many denounce as an attack on press freedom. Rappler assured its readers that it will not back down in the fight for truth and democracy.  “We intend […]

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Politics of ‘Independence’ in the Philippines

By admin | December 8, 2018

Written for The Diplomat Magazine June 12 will be known in history as the day when United States President Donald Trump met North Korea leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore. But for Filipinos, June 12 is significant because it is the day when revolutionaries declared independence from Spain in 1898. June 12 is an official holiday […]

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Duterte and the rising attacks against the Catholic Church

By admin | October 7, 2018

Written for The Diplomat magazine Church leaders are among the victims of extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses in the Philippines. Some bishops are now speaking about a bankrupt moral leadership in the country and they warned that Duterte is preparing to impose a dictatorial government. If the attacks and killings of priests continue, […]

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Duterte’s Unraveling and the Surging People’s Resistance in 2017

By admin | August 22, 2018

Published by Manila Today President Rodrigo Duterte thinks that he can usurp more power by using the machineries of death and destruction. In 2017, this fascist approach led to greater disorder as Duterte completely exposed himself as a rabid human rights violator, corrupt trapo [traditional politician], protector of oligarchs, and puppet of imperialist powers. But […]

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