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 …
Security Dilemma in South China Sea: China, US and the choices for Philippines
April 7, 2016
Written by Sumantra Maitra. As Philippines elections approach in May, the primary foreign policy choice facing the country is how to manage the rise of China, and the growing militarization of the South China Sea. This comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, as Chinese coast guard vessels took over a portion …
Philippines 2016: The Political Spectacle and the Frustrated Vote
April 6, 2016
Written by Anthony Lawrence A. Borja. In understanding what a political spectacle is I find a brawl as an apt analogy because when one breaks out in the open you will find at least six types of people. First are those who are in the fight (i.e. representatives and other citizens in the public sphere), …
Philippines 2016: The Significance of the OFW Vote
April 5, 2016
Written by Rachelle Bascara. The Philippine Daily Inquirer collated the positions of the five presidential candidates on ten key issues: poverty, economy and jobs, food security, peace and order, corruption, health care, foreign policy, traffic, climate change, and interconnectivity. Reading through the profiles and action points, there was no mention of Overseas Foreign Workers (OFW). …
Challenging Oligarchic Politics in the Philippines
March 23, 2016
Written by Roland G. Simbulan. Electoral candidates in national and local positions who mostly come from the elites, always promise to carry out a ‘good governance’ initiative. Our response to this must be to widen participatory governance. That is, to broaden the participation of the marginalized sectors and progressive organizations and civic groups in the political …
