activist and two-term member of the philippine house of representatives. blogging since 2004 at mongster's nest. joined global voices in 2006.
Latest posts by Mong Palatino
15 August 2019
On activism and the self
"Behind the instagrammable image of the fierce-looking individual with a clenched fist is a person who is constantly rationalizing and reaffirming their fidelity to radical politics."
11 August 2019
Cambodia reduces number of public holidays to attract jobs, but activists are concerned it could undermine democracy
"Omitting the Paris Peace Agreement and Human Rights days from the public-holiday list reflects that the government is unwilling to promote democracy any longer."
30 July 2019
New book presents rarely researched aspects of Myanmar's political and media transition
"But as many of the contributors noted, while the space for expression did open up, the threats against journalists and activists did not reduce."
21 July 2019
Philippine vice president and other Duterte critics charged with sedition
"The charges are meant to silence and persecute human rights lawyers, opposition leaders, and the church, and to send a message to anyone who dares to criticize this administration."
17 July 2019
Cambodian activists arrested for commemorating the anniversary of political analyst Kem Ley's death
"The accusation that a peaceful gathering merits a prison sentence is a serious and systematic threat to the little remaining space left for freedom of expression in the country."
15 July 2019
#MeToo in Myanmar: Two documentaries on how the global movement has inspired women to speak out
A major challenge in advancing women’s welfare is resisting feudal thinking like the concept of hpon which promotes the supposed superiority and positive spiritually of men over women.
5 July 2019
French expat forced to apologize for making a music video which mocks the Thai junta
"…criticizing a government and a regime does not equate to hating a country. I love Thailand, I just don't love dictators and military coups."
27 June 2019
What will it take to combat digital authoritarianism in Southeast Asia?
"Applied to the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, digital authoritarianism refers to how the internet has been weaponized in aid of existing authoritarian regimes."
22 June 2019
New documentary explores the roots of Myanmar’s persecution of the Rohingya community
"I wish people in Myanmar see this film, since it is not only about Rohingya, it is about all ethnic minorities, who have faced persecution for years."
25 May 2019
Papua New Guinea PM pushes proposal for social media regulation, citing need to stop ‘fake news’
"The fact is you can't control platforms were information is circulated, attempts to do such undermines the role of democracy and freedom that is enshrined under the constitution."
15 May 2019
Singapore parliament approves ‘anti-fake news’ law — will this curtail free speech?
The law gives broad, unchecked powers to government ministers to determine what online information is "false" and should thus be censored or corrected.
8 May 2019
Despite the release of detained Reuters reporters, free speech remains under threat in Myanmar
"...the case of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo is proof that journalists are in constant risk of political reprisal for keeping power in check."
24 April 2019
Malaysian activist under police probe after LGBT speech at the United Nations
"The police investigation into Numan’s statement merely serves to highlight the harassment, bullying and discrimination faced by LGBT persons in Malaysia."
4 April 2019
Animated film explains how Myanmar's Telecommunications Law undermines free speech
"The law is frequently used by the powerful to silence dissent, and with more than 100 cases filed, its chilling effect on free expression is widespread."
28 March 2019
Facebook comment about throwing an egg at Singapore minister triggers police probe
"To be honest, I don't feel much regret. I feel it's a matter of freedom of speech, and that we have a right to voice such opinions."
22 March 2019
Controversy at Malaysia’s Women’s Day march leads to its organizers being probed for sedition
"The government must not take the side of the bullies. Denying a group of marginalised groups their right to participate in democracy is truly an abuse of democracy."
12 March 2019
Groups denounce continuous cyberattacks against independent media in the Philippines
"The goal is to deny a public hungry for information the reports and stories it needs to understand what is happening in a country besieged by lies and disinformation."
6 March 2019
How sports groups rallied for the release of a Bahraini footballer detained in Thailand
"We think that this campaign showed what sport can be, and our job as former players or athletes is to ensure that all sport becomes the vanguard for human rights."
22 February 2019
Samoa arrested blogger ‘King Faipopo’ accused of defaming prime minister
"New legislation, based on old criminal libel laws from colonial times, forces Samoa leaders to look backwards, not forwards."
14 February 2019
Athan: A youth group promoting freedom of expression in Myanmar
"All lawsuits filed against journalists must be withdrawn. All journalists staying under detention including Reuters journalists must be released unconditionally. Defamation must be decriminalized in accordance with international standards."
