Search results for "Philippines"

Analysis

Peatland, Southeast Asia’s wasted weapon to fight climate change

While Southeast Asia remains vulnerable to the effects of climate change, resource management remains poor in the region. Nowhere is this more evident than with peatlands, the region's biggest weapon against climate change, exploited and damaged in the name of profit
By Helena Taruli and Muchtazar

Philippines democracy

Loved and loathed: What is the secret behind Duterte’s enduring popularity?

With Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte marking four years since his inauguration, we look at the legacy of among the world's most divisive leaders. How is the strongman at once so passionately loathed by his detractors and resoundingly loved by his supporters?
By Wanpen Pajai

Editorial

The roving gibbons of Phnom Penh and Duterte’s legacy

This week we look into why there are roving gibbons and hornbills in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. The answer, somewhat unsurprisingly, has to do with elite privilege and nepotism. We also mark four years since Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte's inauguration by asking why the divisive strongman is so reviled by his detractors, yet so loved by his supporters.
By Alastair McCready

Editorial

We need to talk about Japan: Tokyo’s damaging role in Southeast Asia

While China is often criticised for the negative influence it wields over Southeast Asian affairs, Japan's role in backing authoritarian regimes and promoting rights abuses in the region remains far less publicised, but arguably no less pernicious
By Alastair McCready

Get your act together: Cyber security and nuclear energy in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia continues to explore the potential for nuclear energy to meet its power needs, but with cyber attacks a growing threat globally, some fear Asean isn't prepared to deal with the hostile actors who may seek to bring these systems down
By Jonathan Lim

Press freedom

HRW: Duterte attempting to silence reporting on deadly drug war

Following the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa this week on cyber libel charges, Human Rights Watch has claimed the case is part of a growing trend of Rodrigo Duterte attempting to silence those reporting on his infamous drug war
By Alex Cooper

Singapore politics

Holding Singapore polls during pandemic harms fairness, rights group says

With Singapore looking set to hold its general election in July, rights group ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights have said that going to the polls during a pandemic will only worsen an electoral process already skewed in favour of the ruling People's Action Party
By Lee Ying Shan

Opinion

Ressa’s conviction by the Duterte regime isn’t the story we should focus on

This week Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was convicted in the latest attack on press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte. But academic Tom Smith says by shining all the spotlight on this high-profile case, we're forgetting the Filipino journalists under fire at the grassroots
By Tom Smith

Press freedom

Rappler staff, attorneys to press on after conviction of CEO Maria Ressa

After the criminal conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on charges of cyber libel, the staff and attorneys of the embattled independent Filipino news outlet have no intention of giving up their mission says Managing Editor Glenda Gloria
By Andrew Haffner

History

The day the world went dark: Mount Pinatubo eruption, as told by survivors

When Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15 1991, it proved to be the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, devastating communities and shrouding the Philippines in darkness for several days. Almost three decades on, survivors speak of the horrors of that day's events, and how it banded the country together
By Lee Ying Shan