COMMENTARIES

12 Mar 2021

Bangsamoro Elections: Choosing Between Two Bad Options

Malcolm Cook

The much-anticipated polls for the Philippines’ new Bangsamoro regional region has been in the works for more than two years. Given a slew of challenges, however, it might be better for them to be delayed.

a protest in front of the presidential palace in in Manila

1 Dec 2020

Duterte the (Economic) Liberal

Malcolm Cook

The fact that Philippine strongman Rodrigo Duterte remains popular at home befuddles some observers. One can glean some clues to this if one examines the president’s economic record.

Philippine Philippine Politics

27 Apr 2020

Covid-19 in the Philippines: Star Mayors, Malacanang Material?

Malcolm Cook

A number of star mayors who have acted effectively during the country’s Covid-19 pandemic might well be in the presidential race come 2022.

COVID-19 Philippine Philippine Politics

5 Apr 2017

President Duterte: The Centralizer

Malcolm Cook

President Duterte's war on illegal drugs has claimed mounting death tolls and widespread human rights abuses. The drug war is used as the blanket reason to delay elections and centralize political power in the person of the president and reduces the checks and balances on this power.

Philippine Philippine Politics

9 Feb 2017

Checking and Balancing President Duterte

Malcolm Cook

Please note that it is the anti-drug crusade which has been extended to the end of Duterte's term in June 2022, not Duterte's term, which will end as scheduled in that month.

Philippine Philippine Politics