The Five Pitfalls of Marcos that Duterte must avoid
Whether you are pro- or anti-Marocs, one thing can’t be denied. That is when Pres. Marcos fled the country in 1986, he did so because much...
Islamic State in the Philippines
The spread of IS in the Philippines will perhaps be the single, biggest challenge for Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Regardless of what his priorities were when...
Martial Law in Mindanao: Creeping authoritarianism or defense mechanism? (updated)
In a week of terror attacks, Filipinos rail against the re-imposition of Martial Law in the south, even as Western democracies put more draconian measures...
Duterte’s drug war pales in comparison to the Americas’
So much has been said about the drug war, that is being waged in the Philippines by Pres. Rody Duterte. The Guardian called it “out...
Is Leni Robredo playing into Duterte’s hands?
The current game being played by the administration of Pres Duterte and opposition led by Leni Robredo can be likened to a complicated match of...
Budget priorities: from Aquino to Duterte
Duterte’s budget priorities, and a look back at the Aquino years If I were to sum up the Aquino years in one chart, I would...
Rich kids to get free tuition courtesy of poor Muslim families
The re-distribution in the 2017 budget of Php8 billion worth of funds from poor Muslim communities to provide free tuition to state university students constitutes...
Why Trump would be more at home in the Philippines
As the saying goes in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. Donald Trump does not seem to be faring well as the nominee...
Policy 101 for PDU30 (and friends)
Nobody at first thought he’d become the leader of 100+ million Filipinos, but now that he is, he might benefit from a few lessons in...
The Promdi President
Digong Duterte’s first state of the nation address should be noted for its style as well as its substance. Those who focus on the text...
Re-Imagining the Philippines
This year could mark a watershed in the life of the nation. The election of Rody Duterte to the presidency signifies so many firsts. The...
The Pseudo Presidency of #PDiggy
In a world where the one who shouts the loudest gets heard the most, Duterte’s endless supply of meme-able quotes gave him the advantage in...
Rage Against the Regime
The rise of Digong Duterte is being fuelled by an anger from the ‘aspirational class’ against the establishment’s apathy, but is his brand of authoritarianism...
5 Transformations Needed in the Philippines
At election time, candidates like to talk of change. Sobra na, tama na, palitan na! Tunay na pagbabago! are frequently used slogans. But why is it...
Weighing up the Candidates on Food Security
Part of an #Election2016 series called “Public Choice” HUNGRY MOUTHS TO FEED The Philippines has a growing population of 102 million as of 2016, which...