Philippines News Highlights of 2020

By: Bob Boyer

 

December is a good time to refl ect on the current year as we approach the holidays. In recent years I have used this column to refl ect on the articles I wrote in the past eleven months or on news clippings that I did not end up using here but that deserve a mention and at a least a brief word. This article will survey those news clippings going back to this past June. I regularly save clippings from several online news sources. I ‘allow’ these sources to send me notices, which are sometimes irritating because they interrupt whatever I happen to be working on at the moment. Still, the clippings are useful and even fun news samples. I hope you agree.

“Locsin: Pandemic, superpower tensions led to Duterte’s change of heart on VFA”: This headline caught my attention because of the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) that gives special privileges to the U. S. military to use Philippine ports while on duty in the Asian Pacifi c region. Duterte had informed the U.S. that this agreement would not be renewed after this year. Duterte reversed the announcement through Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Locsin did not take questions. (Bernadette Tamayo, “The Manila Times,” June 3, 2020).

“What’s behind Duterte’s strong Hague ruling assertion before UN?”: The International Court had earlier ruled in favor of “the Philippines’ exclusive rights in the West Philippine Sea,” at the time that China was claiming those rights for itself. Initially Duterte had avoided criticizing China so that he could work directly with President Xi Jinping, but Duterte had apparently been rebuffed. So Duterte decided to back the Hague ruling at a meeting of the UN; and not to end the Visiting Forces Agreement. (Pia Ranada, “Rappler,” Sept. 23, 2020).

“Maria Ressa found guilty of cyber libel”: I attached the following note when I clipped this news item: “ouch!” I had read about the coming trial a few weeks earlier. The consensus at that time was that Ressa, editor of Rappler, and her news researcher would be acquitted of the libel charge because of fl imsy evidence. The sentence was a shock; a minimum of six months to a maximum of six years in prison, as well as a substantial fi ne. Ressa and her researcher are both out on bail, pending an appeal. (John Eric Mendoza, “The Manila Times,” June 15, 2020).

“Int’l media groups launch global campaign to support Maria Ressa, PH press freedom”: This headline, not unsurprisingly, refl ects a pushback from the global press to the Philippine court’s sentencing of Maria Ressa and her researcher. I have not seen that a fi nal decision has been handed down. (“Rappler,” July 10, 2020).

“Cardinal Tagle tests positive for COVID-19 locally”: Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle tested positive, but without symptoms, apparently upon returning from Italy (the Vatican). I kept this clipping mainly because the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila is one of my favorite people, although I wonder why he has not tangled with Prsident Duterte more often. (Platziel San Juan, “Philstar.com,” Sept. 12, 2020).

“On Martial Law anniv, ‘masked media’ show public why press freedom is personal”: ‘Masked Media’ refers to COVID-19 masks worn by “journalists, artists, and activists” who have posted selfi es on their social media accounts protesting the libel decision against “Rappler” editor Maria Ressa and her assistant. All are wearing COVID masks that show a hand being pressed against the mask, thus over the mouths of the protesters. It’s a memorable picture, recalling Ferdinand Marcos’s repression of the free press. (“Rappler,” Sept. 22, 2020).

“Duterte places Luzon under state of calamity”: The headline refers to Duterte’s declaring an emergency to enable the “national and local governments [to] deal faster with widespread devastation” caused by the “three successive typhoons” in recent months. Having seen the destructive power of even a “half-typhoon” when I taught for a semester in Manila, I am reminded that I need to make a donation (Oxfam Philippines) to help relief efforts. (Staff, “The Philippine Inquirer,” Nov. 19, 2020).

“Duterte blasts Robredo, calls her a liar”: Someone had informed Duterte—incorrectly—that Robredo had accused Duterte for being away during the typhoon that ravaged Luzon. Robredo stated publicly that he was misinformed, but then she added, “what do you expect from a misogynist.” How disappointing, after Robredo and Duterte had been effectively supporting each other for month. Hopefully Christmas can restore peace and cooperation. For all of us, everywhere.

Bob Boyer welcomes your comments at Robert.boyer@snc.edu.