By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) MANILA, Philippines – Nine in 10 Filipinos do not want to go back to manual elections, according to a survey conducted last month by Pulse Asia Research Inc. In a press briefing organized by Democracy Watch, Pulse Research director Ana Maria Tabunda said 88 percent of 1,200 respondents covered by… Read More

by Angelica Mangahas and Luke Lischin  In his first State of the Nation Address, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte spoke a great deal about peace—peace that can be attained by “vigorously” addressing the historical injustices experienced by the (the predominantly Muslim and multi-ethnic population of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago), by indigenous Filipinos, and by other marginalized groups. He… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President of the Stratbase-Albert del Rosario Institute (ADRi) for Strategic and International Studies Image Source: The Philippine Star The Philippine electoral landscape—once notoriously marred by slow manual counting, rotational blackouts, vote rigging, and gun violence—has drastically improved. The continued adoption of the automated polling system, particularly the Vote Counting Machine or VCM (formerly… Read More

The complexities of the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea disputes encompass not only the legal and geopolitical challenges faced by the Philippines and China, but also they extend to the environmental damage wrought by destructive fishing and construction practices in the contested areas. Yet, despite the importance of the preserving the health of… Read More

August 16, 2016 Sen. Panfilo Lacson said allegations that quarrying and smuggling in Zambales are part of China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea should be investigated. Armed Forces Philippine soil used for South China Sea reclamation?  MANILA, Philippines – The Senate blue ribbon committee will conduct an inquiry into Chinese mining operations and illegal excavations… Read More

By Patricia Lourdes Viray FILE – In this May 11, 2015, file photo, an aerial photo taken through a glass window of a military plane shows China’s alleged on-going reclamation of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool Photo via AP, File MANILA, Philippines — Environmental advocates recently called for… Read More

By Pia Lee-Brago and Louise Maureen Simeon MANILA, Philippines – Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario believes that the Philippines can engage in a friendly dialogue with China but a multilateral approach must be made with countries that supported the legal track to bring the South China Sea dispute before the Arbitral Tribunal. He… Read More