Editor
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Philippines 2016: Regional Party Building and for Women in Politics
April 25, 2016
Written by Rosalie Arcala Hall Following the anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in March 2015, the matter regarding the stymied passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) bill was suddenly thrown in the Philippine Presidential campaign limelight. Liberal Party candidate Mar Roxas made an appearance at Moro Islamic …
Philippine Elections 2016: Much Ado About Nothing?
April 21, 2016
Written by Vladimir Guevarra. Well that’s awkward. Some of my friends on Facebook have started attacking each other in defence of their preferred candidate for President of the Philippines. Some of the arguments are rather formal and more measured (“I choose X because of his achievements, including…”), some are moralistic (“I’m surprised some ‘Christians’ would …
On the Second Presidential Debate: Discourses and the Appeal to Voters
April 20, 2016
Written by Bonn Juego. One could only hope that what happened during the second presidential debate between candidates Jojo Binay, Rody Duterte, Grace Poe, and Mar Roxas was the kind of debate that the Philippine society seriously needs. But it did not seem so. Instead of being educational so as to provide voters with ideas …
The Bangsamoro Peace Process Beyond May 2016
April 19, 2016
Written by Julia Palmiano Federer. The current peace process between the Government of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was dealt a large blow in late January 2016 with the non-passage of a diluted version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The BBL is a bill slated to transform central elements of the …
The Philippines, Environmental Politics and the Challenges Ahead
April 18, 2016
Written by Pauline Eadie. On 9 May 2016 Philippine voters go to the polls. They will elect leaders that range from the national presidency down to the local barangay (village). Election campaigns in the Philippines enjoy a carnival type atmosphere that intensifies as polling day draws near. Motorcades cruise around the streets conveying politicians at …
Are Filipino Children Still at the Margins?
April 14, 2016
Written by Jay A. Yacat. The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As a State Party, the Philippines is subject to review by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and feedback on its progress in ensuring that the rights of Filipino children are …
In the footsteps of Freda Bedi
April 13, 2016
Written by Andrew Whitehead. Over Easter, with the support of a small grant from the IAPS, I was in India on the trail of Freda Bedi. You may not have heard of her – but her life was remarkable for the way in which she challenged and crossed boundaries of race, religion and nationality. Freda …
Missiles Not Rifles: The Significance of Military Modernization for the Next President
Written by Francis Domingo. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is gradually regaining its prestige after decades of incapacity. However, these efforts may be diminished if the next president is unable to provide a clear direction and follow through in terms of military capability management. So far, it seems that only two presidential candidates …
What Hope for Integrity?: Philippines Election 2016
April 12, 2016
Written by Barry Naylor. “If rampant cheating and violence ensues in the elections, let us guard the true will of the people by announcing and denouncing the mockery that has happened by taking to the streets and shaking the foundations of traditional politics ruled by Guns, Goons, and Gold.” (NCCP). On May 9th the people …
Philippine Fanfare and the Frailty of Philippine Foreign Policy
April 11, 2016
Written by Amador IV Peleo. In the 2016 Philippine electoral theatre, an international relations (IR) issue has proven to be a point of agreement for the candidate-players who are accustomed to gaining political acclaim through antagonistic behaviour over issues that are predominantly domestic in scope. The issue of life in the space where two world …
