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
10 November 2018
Is Jair Bolsonaro another Rodrigo Duterte? It's more complicated than you think
As Brazilians prepare for a Bolsonaro presidency, they’d do well to look at the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte’s two and a half years in office.
8 November 2018
Life after Manus: Talking to Iranian cartoonist Eaten Fish about life in and out of Australia's detention camps
"I had to steal papers from workers and it took me more than two years to send my drawings out. It is the only reason why I am still alive."
25 October 2018
No more photos of sleeping MPs? New rules restrict what media can cover in Tasmania Parliament
"Who do these politicians think they are? They are elected by the public, and the public is absolutely entitled to see how they behave."
11 October 2018
‘Gabbie’ chatbot helps victims of sexual harassment in the Philippines
"Gabbie provided an additional platform for victims who want to keep a level of anonymity, or when Facebook is more accessible to them compared to phone or face-to-face counseling."
3 October 2018
This wiki is helping to keep the Balinese language alive in Indonesia
Basa Bali–which means "Balinese language" in Balinese–has an online dictionary, a library of Balinese culture, word games, translation materials and videos.
25 September 2018
A new indie film festival features the struggles and triumphs of indigenous Papua, Indonesia
The film festival "highlights the issues of the indigenous people of Papua through documentary films as well as to build public awareness of the important issues impacting them.”
13 September 2018
‘Bien Chabacano’ blog preserves and promotes Asia's only Spanish-based creole language
"Unless more aggressive preservation efforts will be implemented, the day will come when Chabacano will only be spoken inside the home."
23 August 2018
The artist ‘Headache Stencil’ uses graffiti to criticize military rule in Thailand
"If people see my work and start noticing that things aren’t fair, I’ve achieved my aim."
21 August 2018
Facebook admits it has been slow in addressing hate speech in Myanmar
"The ethnic violence in Myanmar is horrific and we have been too slow to prevent misinformation and hate on Facebook."
7 August 2018
As Malaysia's new government marks 100 days in office, is free speech still under threat?
"We hope to see a genuine departure from the old oppression, and a transition into a Malaysia where all ideas can be discussed peacefully and our constitutional rights exercised maturely."
24 July 2018
Cambodia’s ‘clean finger’ campaign urges voters to boycott ‘sham’ election
"No #CNRP, no real #election! No voting, no dirty finger!"
13 July 2018
Nauru bans the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from the Pacific Islands Forum
"If we allow ourselves to get into a situation where our ability to report is predicated on how positive our coverage is, then we can’t do our job."
3 July 2018
Cambodia's government claims upcoming election will be free, fair and plural—but civil society says otherwise
The government has dissolved the main opposition party, placed restrictions on election observers, expanded its control of the internet and social media, and filed tax charges against critical media outlets,
25 June 2018
Vietnam’s new Cybersecurity Law could further undermine free speech and disrupt businesses
"Despite the government’s claims, control is at the heart of the new legislation."
8 June 2018
Whether or not Papua New Guinea bans Facebook, critics say free speech still under threat
"If the government is serious about protecting its citizens, then creating an environment where they can safely use the internet should be the goal, not blocking parts of it altogether."
27 May 2018
Acquittal of Fiji Times sedition case hailed as victory for press freedom in Oceania
"It has become quite obvious that the government of Fiji has continued to charge people with sedition to suppress freedom of speech and also political dissent."
24 May 2018
Malaysia’s new government urged to implement media reforms
"These are the principles that have now evolved after much pain and argument in most modern democracies and Malaysia would do well to join them."
18 May 2018
Was Bangkok Post editor Umesh Pandey fired for mismanagement or political pressure?
"I rather lose my position than to bow my head."
17 May 2018
Yangon police and a group of ‘nationalists’ violently dispersed a peace march in Myanmar
"Who were those self-proclaimed “citizens” and why did the police officers present turn a blind eye when they attacked?"
12 May 2018
A new era for Malaysia after voters end six-decade reign of ruling party
"Barisan Nasional is no longer our ruler. A few hours from now, the sun will begin to rise over the horizon. How poignant.. we'll see a new Malaysia greeting us."
