It now appears that the Marcoses are unstoppable in monopolizing power in Ilocos Norte. On May 9, they will hold the three highest selective positions: Matthew Marcos Manotoc, the governorship; Sandro Marcos, the first congressional district; and Angelo Marcos Barba (the province’s vice governor when Imee Marcos was governor and Marcos Manotoc was the province’s … Read more
‘While we don with pride and puffed chests these pink shirts, red wristbands, and green shoes, we are not actually displaying our own power but the power of the people who assign meaning to these colors’ Last Easter Sunday, I came across a Facebook post that showed the archbishop and a priest donning a pink … Read more
Editor’s Note: Political dynasties currently occupy 29% of local posts, up from only 19% in 1988. They hold 80% of the country’s gubernatorial posts, compared to only 57% in 2004. In Congress, they now control about 67% of seats from 48% in 2004. This means that most of our provinces are governed by leaders who … Read more
‘As long as it is consensual sex between two adults, sex and expressions of it should be treated as an individual prerogative – not a public spectacle’ Just when we did not need another display of misogyny and sexism, we were treated to a week of the debasement of women. First, there was the sex … Read more
The Florentine-Italian political philosopher and writer Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) suddenly burst onto the stage of the presidential campaign. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. proudly described himself as Machiavellian. The adjective now floods social media. With members of the public quick to point out that “Machiavellian” meant “cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics,” Clarita Carlos, the UP … Read more
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo played to her strengths in the second presidential debate hosted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), showing consistency in her deep understanding of the problems hounding the political system and what she can do to help address them. On Sunday, April 3, the lone female presidential candidate used … Read more
‘As previous election results have shown, the so-called Catholic vote has remained a pipe dream’ The 2022 national and local elections have resurfaced the dynamic but tense relationship between religion and politics in the Philippines. In this context, one may reasonably ask those enthusiastic about this relationship: is religion a part of the problem or … Read more
‘Calling a campaign volunteer-based is no indication of the class character of the volunteers themselves. An organic campaign is not the same as a people’s campaign.’ As someone surrounded by supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo in the household, at school, and even where I live, it is difficult not to get caught up in … Read more
Editor’s Note: Political dynasties currently occupy 29% of local posts, up from only 19% in 1988. They hold 80% of the country’s gubernatorial posts, compared to only 57% in 2004. In Congress, they now control about 67% of seats from 48% in 2004. This means that most of our provinces are governed by leaders who … Read more
SEOUL, South Korea – Conservative South Korean opposition candidate Yoon Suk-yeol rode to victory in the country’s tight presidential election on a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals, and gender wars, reshaping the political future of Asia’s fourth-largest economy. His victory in Wednesday’s bitterly fought election means a remarkable turnaround for the main conservative … Read more