Mong Palatino

Spent several summer vacations in the 1990s in grandpa's hometown in Pangasinan, north part of the Philippines.

In the town plaza, a statue honoring World War II veterans. My grandpa was a war veteran

Never thought I'd be returning and biking my way to revisit these memorable places

Grateful for the opportunity to promote the book at the Pampanga Regionall Book Festival. I gave a brief talk about some of the geopolitical dynamics in Southeast Asia, and the thrill of self-publishing 😊

Massive Protests Condemn Corruption in the Philippines The anti-corruption protests, which took place across Manila and other cities, are the largest to take place since the “Million People March” in 2013.

The trigger, context, meaning, and impact of the massive anti-corruption protests across the Philippines. We gathered 100,000 people in Manila on September 21. My latest piece for @thediplomat.com

thediplomat.com/2025/09/mass...

From registration to dissolution: Draconian laws hamper civil society in Asia - IFEX Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Asia face significant challenges. In countries under authoritarian regimes, they endure harassment, persecution or even outright bans. Colonial-era sedition and d...

These laws are used to target the critical work of civil society in Asia. In the end, the people suffer when civic space is eroded, diminished, or dismantled. My latest piece for @ifex.org

ifex.org/from-registr...

From Bandung to Disko Afrika: Establishing connections between Asia and Africa in Indonesia The 1955 Bandung conference launched a global non-aligned movement that brought Asian and African nations together. Eighty years later, Indonesia and Africa meet again in a musical phenomenon: Disko A...

How is the Bandung Conference being remembered in Indonesia

globalvoices.org/2025/09/17/f...

Philippines Creates Independent Panel to Probe Infrastructure Corruption President Marcos has created a new Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to examine “misuse of funds in government flood control and related projects.”

An independent commission to probe corruption

Legislators implicated in corruption

Public uproar over nepo babies, piles of cash for officials, ghost projects

Where will all these lead to in the Philippines

My latest piece for @thediplomat.com

thediplomat.com/2025/09/phil...

Run for accountability

With four days preparation, around 2,500 joined a run for accountability amid the widespread corruption involving flood control projects and other big ticket infrastructure projects of the Philippine government

Book now available at ChapterIX bookstore in Sta Maria, Bulacan, north of Metro Manila

Book mentions the Red & Yellow shirts, 2014 coup, 2020 student-led protests - all of which can help explain Thailand's current political crisis and the frequent ouster of Thaksin's relatives and allies from power

GV Fundraiser: Announcing gifts for donation milestones As a thank you for supporting Global Voices, we're sending out exclusive gifts to those who hit certain donation milestones!

Support @globalvoices.org

Help us continue our mission of amplifying local stories and explaining narratives that are often underreported

globalvoices.org/2025/08/12/g...

Today, PEN International President Burhan Sonmez reaffirmed our association’s commitment to writers everywhere.

Built on the defence of free expression, PEN International continues to stand firm against threats that silence voices around the world.

Available sa Popular Bookstore in Quezon City

The book also tackles the rise of Jokowi, the legacy of Suharto, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis - all of these can help contextualize the Prabowo presidency and the ongoing protests across Indonesia

www.facebook.com/share/p/17GF...

How Credible is President Marcos’ Anti-Corruption Drive in the Philippines? Like several of his predecessors, the Philippine leader is seeking to preempt opposition and manage rising public outrage over elite graft.

Understanding the anti-corruption stance of the Philippine president. Why is he exposing corrupt contractors of politicians? My latest piece for @thediplomat.com

thediplomat.com/2025/09/how-...

NEW BOOK

A guide to understanding Southeast Asia’s recent history, geopolitical dynamics, the people’s pushback against authoritarianism, and the impact of global events in the region

How to order: forms.gle/5SMyzFKw29aG...

Global ‘8888’ protests highlight continuing resistance against junta rule in Myanmar "This revolution is being carried forward by all kinds of people: frontline protesters, participants in the Civil Disobedience Movement, workers, students, and everyone who refuses to accept military ...

The legacy of 8888 protests in Myanmar. What is also the difference between the 1988 and 2021 uprisings in Myanmar? My latest piece for @globalvoices.org

globalvoices.org/2025/08/28/g...

Death March marker in Bataan province, Philippines. Thousands of Filipino and US soldiers were killed during the forcible transfer of prisoners of war in 1942 during WWII. Bataan fell in the hands of Japanese forces in April 1942.

Anger after university cuts funds supporting dictionary of Australianisms "Australian National University's recent announcement to slash three full time positions at the Australian Dictionary of Biography and “disestablish” the Australian National Dictionary ... represent c...

Dictionary of Australianisms. I hope to get a copy someday. @kevinrennie.bsky.social

globalvoices.org/2025/08/21/a...

Gambling and Philippine Politics The country is currently grappling with the social effects of gambling, in particularly the surge of online gambling among the youth.

The scourge of online gambling and the reactions of various stakeholders in the Philippines, my latest piece for @thediplomat.com

thediplomat.com/2025/08/gamb...

Pacific communities celebrate World Court’s Advisory Opinion on climate change “This milestone reaffirms what the Pacific has always known: that our voices, cultures and futures matter! That international law can, and must, protect people and the planet.”

Voices of Pacific communities celebrating the World Court's advisory opinion on climate change. A big win for the Pacific and humanity. My latest piece for @globalvoices.org

globalvoices.org/2025/08/15/p...

Start your day with coffee and a Global Voices story "Amid the crisis we face today, our collective solidarity is what truly matters."

What does the work of @globalvoices.org mean as we navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape? Support the work of this community. Consider giving a donation gift.

globalvoices.org/2025/08/11/s...

Philippine Legislators Clash Over the Impeachment of Vice President Duterte The Supreme Court will soon decide whether to affirm or reverse its controversial July 25 ruling that nullified the impeachment.

The Philippine Supreme Court nullified the impeachment case of VP Sara Duterte, the Senate subsequently archived the impeachment. What's next for Philippine politics? My latest piece for @thediplomat.com

thediplomat.com/2025/08/phil...

Despite being behind bars, Echanis continues to write, and her words echo far beyond her cell.

PEN International calls for Echanis’ right to a fair trial and an independent investigation into the circumstances of her arrest, including allegations of evidence planting.

IFEX | Freedom of Expression | Access to Information | Digital Rights IFEX is a global network of over 100 member organizations across 70 countries, dedicated to promoting and defending freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. We talked with their Executive D...

The campaign projects of @ifex.org highlighted in this article

www.digitalrights.community/blog/communi...

Reflections after two decades of blogging for @globalvoices.org

Your support will enable Global Voices to continue its mission

#KeepGVStrong

mongpalatino.com/2025/08/star...

Taguig lakeshore park

Laguna Lake is the biggest lake in the Philippines, threatened with pollution, dredging, reclamation. Government wants to build an expressway here. Floating solar panels displace fisherfolk

Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, a Ramsar site within a metropolis.

A wetland of global importance. Migratory birds from East Asia stop over here before heading to Australia.

It is under threat because of the extensive reclamation in Manila Bay

The Flooding and Corruption Crisis in the Philippines President Marcos spent the last portion of his State of the Nation address railing against corruption-tainted flood control projects.

Marcos' 4th state of the nation address, why the silence on the impeachment of VP Duterte? Is he serious about fighting corruption when he lambasted legislators' budget insertions? My latest piece for @thediplomat.com

thediplomat.com/2025/08/the-...

CPJ found the death tolls in Mexico, Pakistan, India, Philippines, Somalia and Iraq have experienced repeated killings over decades. Government must establish, or strengthen, protection mechanisms and preventive measures to save the lives of journalists.
➡️CPJ’s #2024KilledReport: cpj.org?p=451429

Displaced residents and concerned citizens appeal for peace amid the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict "De-escalation is crucial to preventing a broader humanitarian crisis and restoring stability for communities on both sides."

Displaced residents and migrant workers appeal for peace amid the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, my latest piece for @globalvoices.org

globalvoices.org/2025/07/31/d...

#Philippines: RSF was the first NGO to visit journalist #FrenchieMaeCumpio in detention, where she has been held for over 5 years. A verdict on her case is expected in the coming months — and our recent investigation reveals that evidence was blatantly planted against her.
rsf.org/en/cumpio

This week in #FreeExpression:

🔹 Rising journalist killings reported in Latin America by RSF

🔹 Calls to end Tunisia’s misuse of Decree-Law 54 to criminalize dissent

🔹 Malaysia media council must uphold press freedom, says CIJ

📬 Read more #IFEXThisWeek: buff.ly/XyPGRm5