Journalism Review Archives | Page 82 of 159

Jolo Cathedral Bombings: Terrorism Despite Martial Law

AFTER TWO years, Martial Law has failed to quell the violence in Mindanao. Two bombings rocked a Catholic shrine, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in the predominantly Muslim city of Jolo, Sulu. The bloody attack struck during mass on Sunday morning on January 27; killing 22 people,...

“Battle for Manila Bay:” Another Rushed Rehab?

GARBAGE ALONG the baywalk may have been removed, but the stench remains. Following the rehabilitation of Boracay island last year, the government set its eyes on Manila Bay as its new rehab project with the Environment Department leading the task. The so-called “Battle for Manila Bay,” a three-phase and possibly...

Sentiment and Science Against Labelling Children as Criminals

THE BROUHAHA over the lowering of the age of criminality — to nine, then twelve — reflected both science and sentiment about the issue which media picked up quickly as professional groups and human rights advocates protested against the idea. That children can be in conflict with the law...

CMFR Notes Exceptions to Pedestrian Coverage of BOL

A HISTORIC moment, the people of Mindanao ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21, fueling the hopes for a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao. The announcement of the referendum results on January 25 capped two decades of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation...

Making Sense of Election Surveys

ALTHOUGH SOME candidates have been campaigning since the fourth quarter of 2018, the election period only began officially this month, on January 13. In preparation for the midterm polls in May, security measures, including the setting up of checkpoints and the gun ban are in place. The official campaign...

PR Piece for PNP

JEERS TO The Philippine Star’s report for publicizing the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) claim that it is 98% in compliance with human rights standards, without an independent fact-check on its veracity. On January 18, The Star published a report based on one single source –PNP Chief Director General Oscar...

Passport Data Mess: What’s the Real Problem?

ON JANUARY 8, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. tweeted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is rebuilding its database from scratch because a former passport contractor “took all the data.” The tweet responded to a question asking why the current passport renewal process requires applicants to present...

Mindanao’s Road to Peace: Explaining the BOL Plebiscite

THE NEXT step towards ending the 50-year struggle of the Bangsamoro for self-determination, equality and peace, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is now in the hands of the people of Mindanao who will cast their vote in a plebiscite on January 21. That the vote is being held at...

Against “Red-tagging”: Media Provide Needed Context

LAST JANUARY 7, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that they were gathering intelligence on members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), a progressive organization of teachers and education workers. A leaked memorandum had ordered the police to make an inventory of those affiliated with ACT, including their...

Abolishing the Road Board: Corruption Crackdown Reveals Political Rift

THE ABOLITION of the Road Board, proposed by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte is not just about cracking down on corruption in the agency. It has also revealed a show of force among groups in the ruling coalition. The Road Board made news in December,which was not the...