2017 SONA: Change is not always for the better
By Sonny Africa Among Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s idiosyncrasies is preferring a vulgar stream-of-consciousness approach in his speeches. This is even for the annual state of the nation address (SONA) at the opening of Congress which is undoubtedly the government’s highest-profile policy speech of the year. The president’s choice is a matter of style but then […]
LGBTs make voices heard at SONA protest
By Mark Kevin Reginio Rainbow-colored flags enlivened the streets as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community joined the massive protest during Monday’s second state of the nation address (SONA) by President Rodrigo Duterte. “Naniniwala kami na andaming ipinangako ni Duterte – na po-protektahan at irerespeto ang karapatan ng LGBT, ang karapatan […]
Day of reckoning in 2nd Duterte SONA protests
In a day of reckoning, tens of thousands of protesters under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) trooped outside Congress for Pres. Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2017. This was before he faced the protesters asking for more time and patience. Bayan Sec-Gen Renato Reyes states the reasons for the protest citing anti-people and […]
Building destruction? Foreign creditors gain more from Duterte’s infra plan
by Arnold Padilla #PeoplesSONA2017 / IBON Features — One of the anticipated highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) is his grand infrastructure plan dubbed “Build! Build! Build!” There are concerns that it would result in a heavy debt burden. The issue is valid. After all, the price tag of what […]
MidEast OFWs react to Duterte’s 2nd SONA
DUBAI–Filipinos in the UAE gave a mixed bag of reactions on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Manila Monday. Some praised him for his straightforward speech while others criticized his bloody war on illegal drugs; others gave him high marks while some gave him a satisfactory grade, and yet […]
OPINION: How Duterte misjudges the Left
President Rodrigo Duterte sprung another surprise tonight by addressing the protest rally outside the House of Representatives after delivering his second State of the Nation Address. It turned out though he too would be surprised by his unprecedented move. Fresh from delivering a speech in front of an overwhelmingly servile audience, Duterte should have known […]
LARAWAN: Martsa ng mamamayan sa SONA ng Bayan 2017
Cagayan police abducts farmer; AFP harasses peasants opposing rubber plantation
CAGAYAN peasant group Kagimungan condemned the abduction of farmer leader Sofronio Pascua last July 17 in Tuguegarao City. Pascua was arrested by four men in civilian clothing he suspected were police officer at one o’clock in the afternoon Monday. “They trained a gun at me while ordering me to raise my hands. They forcibly took […]
Suspected agents harass Ilocos environmentalist
By Aldwin Quitasol of Northern Dispatch for Kodao Productions BAGUIO CITY— The Ilocos Network for the Environment (Defend Ilocos) condemns and calls for a stop to the harassment and surveillance of one of its leaders by suspected state security agents. Defend Ilocos in a statement said that its regional coordinator Sherwin de Vera has been […]
OFWs worry about families in Mindanao evacuation camps
By Angel L. Tesorero, Khaleej Times DUBAI, United Arab Emirates–Two months on and fighting in Marawi City in southern Philippines between government troops and a Daesh-inspired group is still ongoing. Death toll is rising and many Filipino expats are worried about their relatives staying at various evacuation camps. Sharjah resident and former MarCom (Maranao Community) […]