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Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the chair of the Senate national defense and security panel, on Wednesday said “Red-tagging,” or the branding of government critics and activists as communists, or enemies of the state, could be declared a criminal act. “As a matter of fact, I am seriously considering the recommendation to criminalize Red-tagging as long as such legislation will not infringe on the Bill of Rights involving freedom of speech and expression,” Lacson told reporters in a Viber message a day he had wrapped up hearings on the issue. He did not say what may be the penalties. Many activist groups and the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives say Red-tagging is largely used by the military and the police and their supporters to harass and intimidate them and in many instances has led to the assassination of some of their members. President Duterte himself escalated enemy-branding on Monday when he directly identified the Makabayan bloc as a front of the Communist Party of … [Read more...] about Lacson: ‘Red-tagging’ may be declared a crime

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Southeast Asia had made huge advancements and was forecasted to be the fourth biggest economy by the year 2030. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in economic devastation for ASEAN countries. Arguably, the pandemic has posed the greatest challenge since ASEAN’s formation. However, there are positive signs that ASEAN can make an economic recovery in 2021. It is of paramount importance for ASEAN countries to work together to mitigate the negative health and economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic . The ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework was developed by ASEAN to specify Southeast Asia’s Covid-19 recovery strategy, including improving quality of healthcare and medical infrastructure, and to achieve greater trade integration and collaboration regionally. During last month’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, diplomats emphasised the importance of economic solidarity and integration. They also reaffirmed their commitment … [Read more...] about ASEAN Economies Work Together to Recover from the Covid-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON — Six weeks into Joe Biden ’s presidency, there are new signs filibuster reform might happen. After a marathon overnight voting session last week, the Senate voted along party lines to pass the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill supported by Biden. The American Recovery Plan Act of 2021 now heads to the House for a final vote. From there, it will likely land on Biden’s desk in the next week. When he signs it, the first major legislative accomplishment of the Biden presidency will be done. So will the easy part of Biden’s policy agenda. The biggest reason for why everything is about to get much harder? The filibuster, a procedural tool that gives a minority of senators the ability to block bills that don’t affect the federal budget or tax code. In other words, without reforming or abolishing the filibuster, any new legislation to expand voting rights, address gerrymandering, fight climate change, and overhaul the country’s immigration system faces a brick wall … [Read more...] about Joe Manchin Offers a Glimmer of Hope for Filibuster Reform