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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · 1d

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

Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · 8d

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 😊

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · 14d

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...

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.

thediplomat.com

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · 16d

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 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...

ifex.org

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · 21d

How is the Bandung Conference being remembered in Indonesia

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

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...

globalvoices.org

Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · 26d

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...

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.”

thediplomat.com

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Sep 7

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

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Sep 6

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

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Sep 3

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...

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!

globalvoices.org

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Reposted by Mong Palatino

PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · Sep 3

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.

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Sep 3

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...

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Sep 1

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-...

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.

thediplomat.com

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 30

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...

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 28

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...

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 ...

globalvoices.org

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 24

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.

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 22

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

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

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...

globalvoices.org

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 17

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...

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.

thediplomat.com

Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 17

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...

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.”

globalvoices.org

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 12

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...

Start your day with coffee and a Global Voices story

"Amid the crisis we face today, our collective solidarity is what truly matters."

globalvoices.org

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 8

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...

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.

thediplomat.com

Reposted by Mong Palatino

PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · Aug 7

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.

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 5

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

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

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...

www.digitalrights.community

Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 4

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...

Start your day with coffee and a Global Voices story

Blogging about the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific since 2004

mongpalatino.com

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Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 3

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

Mong Palatino @mongpalatino.bsky.social · Aug 2

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