Activist and former 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 from September, 2012
Vietnam: Government Jails Three ‘Dissident’ Bloggers
Three Vietnamese bloggers have been convicted by a local court for allegedly spreading anti-government propaganda. One of them will serve a prison term of 12 years. Human rights groups immediately condemned the verdict and warned against the creeping online repression in the country.
Laos: Low Power Rates but Many People Still in the Dark
Despite the presence of several large hydro power plants in Laos, electricity access remains a problem for many people in the country. Power rates, however, are lower compared to other countries
Urban Malaysian Dictionary
Amir Muhammad's Urban Malaysian Dictionary features commonly used words in urban Malaysia. The online project started in 2008.
Cambodia: Human Rights Situation
The Special Rapporteur also noted the use of the criminal justice system against human rights defenders and those peacefully exercising their right to express opinion freely This was part of the report of the UN Human Rights Council after it conducted a dialogue in Cambodia about the human rights situation...
Malaysia: New Lacewing Species Discovered with Online Help
Malaysian photographer Guek Hock Ping blogged and posted photos of a lacewing species he found in Selangor, Malaysia. Readers saw it in his blog and Flickr page and eventually scientists confirmed that it's a new species of lacewing. It's now called Semachrysa jade
Brunei: e-Darussalam Government Portal
e-Darussalam is Brunei's official web portal which aims to facilitate government transactions and delivery of services. The website also offers the contact details of the country's major government agencies.
Thailand: Historic Cigarette Cards Now Digitized
Historically 176 sets of cards, totaling around 9000 individual cards, representing 42 tobacco companies, were made for the Thai market. Of these some 60 sets were Thai specific designs. To many people, these cards are simply beautiful; collectable as artistic or decorative objects… Through its online catalog, New Mandala has...
Thailand’s Lese Majeste Law: ‘A Strange Legislation that Needs Reform’
Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code is often described as the world’s harshest Lese Majeste (anti-royal insult) law. The controversial law is often invoked to censor web content and shut down websites. A contributor of Global Voices went to Bangkok and interviewed a former staff of the Committee to Investigate Lese Majeste Cases in the Royal Thai Police.
Philippines: ‘Anti-Cybercrime Law Threatens Media Freedom’
The Philippines has recently passed an anti-cybercrime law which aims to protect the security and rights of internet users. But journalists and bloggers fear that the new law could lead to the curtailment of internet and media freedom in the country.
East Timor: Contact Details of Government Officials
La’o Hamutuk links to a page containing the contact details of East Timor's Parliament members and ministry officials.
Thailand: Mobile App for Traffic Reports
Thailand's National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre has released a mobile application called FM91BKK which helps users to access specific traffic reports in their areas.
Philippines: Senate President Wants Law to Regulate Blogs
Philippine Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile admitted that he doesn’t know anything about blogs and blogging but he still proposed a law to regulate blogs after one of his colleagues in the senate complained of being a victim of cyber bullying. Many people think it is an attempt to restrict online freedom in the country.
Cambodia: Mandatory Internet Surveillance Cameras
The Cambodian government is enforcing a circular drafted earlier this year which requires internet cafes to set up surveillance cameras and to register callers. The circular is seen by some netizens as a threat to internet freedom.
Singapore: Media Literacy Council to Curb Internet Freedom?
To promote ‘public education on media literacy and cyber wellness’ the Singapore government has set up a Media Literacy Council. But bloggers are worried that the council could be a tool to restrict internet media freedom
Malaysia: Discrimination Against Women Workers
We want the guarantee of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of gender, etc for everyone in Malaysia. It must be a guarantee enjoyed by all workers, both in public and private sector. Gender discrimination still persists in Malaysia, according to blogger Charles Hector.
Cambodia: Living Memory of the Khmer Project
The Southeast Asia Digital Library has a project called ‘Living Memory of the Khmer’ which highlights the modern history of Cambodia.
Southeast Asia: Government Online Media Projects
Southeast Asian governments have been maximizing the internet space by establishing various social media profiles, one stop public service portals, and online transparency tools.
Philippines: Plastic Ban Map
A google map page shows the cities and municipalities in the Philippines which have banned the use of plastic in commercial establishments.
