politics + tech + advocacy
Roundups
#PapalVisitPH: Full texts, highlights and videos of Pope Francis’ speeches
In his Jan. 15-19 state and pastoral visit to the Philippines. Pope Francis spoke to Filipinos on his thoughts about issues and concerns that confront the country and the world. He called for an end to corruption and for fair treatment for the poor, and personally consoled with the survivors of supertyphoon Haiyan. This post gathers the full transcripts, highlights and videos […]
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Fact-checking Aquino’s SONA claims
In his fifth state of the nation address, President BS Aquino made many claims to prove that he deserves the public’s continued “trust” and to bolster his record as Chief Executive. Let’s take a close look at some of those claims.
MorePrimer on pork barrel: PDAF, DAP and presidential pork
More and more people want to unite and act against the plunder, misuse and abuse of public funds through the controversial pork barrel. Citizens are outraged by the PDAF scandal involving lawmakers, Janet Napoles and fake NGOs. President BS Aquino himself has been put on the defensive for his own pork barrel, its misuse for […]
MoreChallenge is to solve poverty, not just to hide it
Few days ago, as debates raged on the question of the urban poor and how we should solve the issue, I wrote a Note on Facebook. Here it is, improved and extended a little bit. When I was growing up, my family moved from one apartment to another because the parents could only earn so […]
MoreHow is social media changing ASEAN?
Together with colleague Delwin Keasberry, a.k.a. @BruneiTweet and the man behind Projek Brunei, we led a master class with the same title at the ASEAN100 Leadership Forum on Sept. 29, 2011 at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati City, Philippines. Here is the presentation I shared at the master class:
MoreWhat you need and want to know: Aquino-Binay inaugural
To mark the inaugural of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino and Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Cabauatan Binay, here are complete links on the ceremonies, the personalities, the citizen journalism and mainstream media coverage and other pertinent you may need:
MoreThe Philippines’ social media, internet and mobile statistics
More and more Filipinos are going online and forming their social networks and here are the numbers that show this reality.
MoreMaguindanao massacre: The nation and the world reacts
As soon as details started to come out from the terrible carnage in Maguindanao, the national and international reactions have been unanimous in the level of mourning and anger. They are a warning to President Arroyo that the nation and the world are watching:
MoreThe day after: Newly-weds Mar, Korina grab newspaper frontpage
Today’s newspapers appear to have one thing on common: They are all happy for newly-wed couple Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Sen. Mar Roxas II and ABS-CBN chief correspondent Korina Sanchez. Photos from yesterday’s wedding rites dominate most today’s frontpages:
MoreWanted: One million new, young voters for 2010
The deadline for new voter registration is fast approaching. But many have yet to get listed to ensure that they can vote in next year’s elections. Enter Kabataan Partylist and the National Union of Students of the Philippines with their “Isang milyong kabataan, isang milyong panata” new voter registration drive to be launched on August […]
MoreFilipino blogs, tweets honor Corazon Aquino (1933-2009)
Filipino bloggers quickly took on the task of honoring former President Corazon Aquino, the country’s first female leader, who died today from cardiorespiratory arrest. She was 76.
MoreMy picks for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009
Bloggers read other blogs to be updated and just like ordinary blog readers, also to engage in discussions and to be entertained or enlightened. We have grown to love some of the new blogs and I really wish they are recognized. Good thing we have the writing project Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 […]
MoreBring it on, Mrs. Arroyo. Filipinos raring to kick your #conass.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is said to be preparing to use her state of the nation address tomorrow to raise anew the call for charter change. It is thus a good thing that bloggers and Facebook users took on this issue with Cyberprotests and a Blog Action Day. If Arroyo would indeed announce a renewed effort […]
MoreWorld Press Freedom Day 2009
Today is World Press Freedom Day. It should be a happy day for the Philippines, considering that we always boast of having the freest press in Asia, but
MoreStudies and statistics on the internet in the Philippines
Internet use in the Philippines is growing with more and more Filipino using the internet for various purposes. This post, which I would update regularly, seeks to make available reference materials, studies, researches on the Philippine use of the internet.
MoreFilipino journalists reject ‘right of reply’ bills
I’ve joined more than a hundred journalists in signing a “unified statement” against bills seeking to impose a “right to reply” to the detriment of our press freedom and our free expression. The proponents are hiding behind notions of “balance” and “fairness” to bamboozle the press into accepting a legislated form of terrorism. What is […]
MoreThe Philippines in the middle of the global economic crisis
While various state governments, led by the ones that championed and proselytized about laissez faire capitalism just before the terrible economic events last year, are so busy crafting stimulus packages and bailouts, many people in their respective countries worry that their leaders are salvaging only the big businesses and doing nothing about poor and the […]
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