In Context Archives | Page 3 of 12

Quiboloy and political allies: Connections and cut-offs

FOR WEEKS, Apollo Quiboloy has been in the news, but not for his preaching or pastoral activities. As a special adviser to then President Rodrigo Duterte, Quiboloy’s worldly activities seemed above attack or threat. His power to endorse and command the vote of his flock made it easy for...

Declining public trust: Long list of problems in PCSO

FOR THOSE willing to play the odds, the small price of a lottery ticket holds up the magic power of possibility, the freedom from financial worries and deprivation, the dream of a different life come true. The little bit of chance enlivens with its promise of relief from the...

Media miss possible conflict of interest in Comelec deal

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) and the joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. signed on March 11 a PHP17.9 billion contract for the lease and use of the latter’s automated election system in the 2025 midterm elections.

EDSA as commemorated by Marcos, Duterte, and the media

FEBRUARY 25, 2024 marked the 38th year of the EDSA People Power anniversary as Ferdinand Marcos Jr. moves through his second year as president. As the dates continue to resonate with the power of remembrance for many Filipinos, the milestone continues to pose a challenge to him and his...

Education’s old problems, new stop-gap measures: Why media need to look at the bigger picture

THE CRISIS in education may not be the only serious challenge facing the new year. But it has certainly captured media coverage and more public attention engaging stakeholders, not just students, teachers and parents but also business and industry leaders.

Pros and cons of rejoining ICC: In the end, it’s about justice

PRESIDENT FERDINAND Marcos Jr., in a seeming reversal of an earlier statement that the Philippines will not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), announced during a media interview on November 25 that rejoining is now “under study,” but also noted that “there are still problems in terms of jurisdiction...

Under the budget gun: Rights body falls victim to pressure politics

THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) succeeded in having its budget for 2024 approved by the Senate but did not emerge from it unscathed. Its proposed PHP1.9 billion was cut down to PHP934 million. It was also forced to modify its positions on decriminalization of abortion and SOGIE equality.

A week of cases: Legal actions cast more doubt on ‘dangerous’ anti-terror law

THE ANTI-TERRORISM Act (ATA) is one of the most contested laws in Philippine history. Since it was signed into law in 2020, the ATA has been repeatedly challenged before the Supreme Court. This week, the law continued to hog the headlines of some of the media.

Media Ignore the Pattern of Political Violence

WHEN THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) released a statement on September 12 raising concerns about the spate of attacks against officials in the run-up to the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30, it barely scratched the surface of the increasing violence.

A week of ‘isolated cases’: Teenager’s killing fits pattern of police misconduct

THE NAVOTAS City police, in an apparent attempt to mollify public outcry over the killing of another teenager, described the killing of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar on August 2 as an “isolated case.”