Last June 15, in the latest blow to press freedom, Maria Ressa, the founder of an award-winning Philippines-based news site was convicted of cyber libel in a Manila court. The court found Ressa, editor and chief executive of online news site Rappler, and former researcher-writer Rey Santos Jr. guilty of libeling a businessman. The case is about a… Read More »
The pandemic is absolutely far from over. COVID-19 is still up, about and around. A breathe of permanent relief will only happen when the deadly virus is gone and aground. ***** Momentarily, all hands are regularly and persistently urged to go back to the basics. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds more often. Help prevent a viral… Read More »
Fighting for Our Right to Know By Tess Cusipag In the last 14 months or so Balita has been seeking answers to many questions about how some individuals and organizations seduce the Filipino community with sweet-talk and appeal to our sense of compassion. On the issues of accountability and transparency that Balita has been raising, in particular directed… Read More »
For the first time in the United States’ birth as a nation 231 years ago, the President of the United States used armed personnel outside the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces. On June 3, 2020, armed men in green paramilitary uniforms with face coverings and wearing no identification and insignias — some wearing tennis shoes —… Read More »
Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo boastfully said that there is nothing wrong if the government used the gas-rich Recto Bank (Reed Bank) as collateral for a $62-million loan agreement with China. “China seizing Recto Bank, should there be a default in the repayment of the loan, is not a possibility because we never reneged,” Panelo… Read More »
President Donald Trump kicked off “Operation Warp Speed” a month ago. As the name suggested, it is an attempt to fast track the coronavirus vaccine development to be completed by the end of 2020. It’s never been done before but Trump is adamant; he wanted it done at “warp speed,” which reminds me of the Star Trek series… Read More »
In an effort to stem an incoming viral tsunami, President Donald Trump is busy forging a sword to cut the Gordian Knot that has wrapped around the coronavirus that’s causing deaths and miseries to millions of Americans. In Greek mythology, the Gordian knot was an extremely complicated knot tied by Gordius, the king of Phrygia in Asia Minor. Located in the city… Read More »
History has taught us, time and time again, that your enemy attacks when you are unprepared. As Sun Tzu wrote in his “Art of War,” some 2,500 years ago, “Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.” Indeed, Sun Tzu was a master of deception and a strategist sans rival. Currently, China occupies seven… Read More »
On May 5, 2020, the Philippines’ premier broadcast network shut down under the orders of the government. The shutdown of the free TV and radio network sent shudders throughout the country, as it was the country’s number one source of news. In an announcement, the network management said, “This is in compliance with the cease and desist order… Read More »
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed more than 130,000 victims – the highest by country — and more than 2,200 deaths, President Donald Trump declared himself as “wartime president” and vowed the U.S. will achieve “total victory” over the coronavirus (a.k.a. COVID-19) threat. He sought $2.2 trillion stimulus bill, which Congress approved overwhelmingly. But as he basked… Read More »