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Philippines

Duterte’s enduring popularity is not just a political choice—it is also religious

Jayeel Cornelio and Erron Media explore how religious perceptions feeds into Duterte's popularity.

The worst kind of charter change

What we learn about the federalism debate from scholars of Philippine law.

Philippines: in search of a constitutional moment

An analytical summary of the proposed federal structure of government.

Abusive judicial review in the Philippines

When formal institutions designed to enforce the constitutional order are weak, the Supreme Court may reprise its role as the enabler of authoritarianism.

Constitutional reform in the Philippines: cautionary tales from Thailand

In constitution making, process matters as much as content.

A colonial cross of gold: the roots of economic conservatism in the Philippines

On colonial legacies and austerity economics.

Through Machiavelli’s eyes: on leaders, citizens, and Philippine politics

What are the challenges and lessons of translating Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ into Filipino?

The Mamasapano clash, memories of violence, and the politics of Muslim belonging in the Philippines

On the Mamasapano clash and the exclusionary narratives it reinforced.

Philippines beyond clichés series 1 #3: Tough on crime

Nicole Curato talks to Clarke Jones about what the 'tough on crime' mentality looks like from inside the Philippine prison system.

IS in the Philippines and the Battle of Marawi: a new appraisal

Whatever new form of governance emerges from the Bangsamoro Organic Law, it will still confront security challenges as serious as ever.

Duterte’s war on tongues

President Duterte’s use of Bisaya is a push back against Imperial Manila’s dominance. But it is also creating new hierarchies of language of its own.

Mindanao activists never folded their banners

President Duterte's trust rating lies at 89% in Mindanao. It's time to listen to the voice of the other 11%.

How not to make fun of Rodrigo Duterte

Satirists cannot beat Duterte in his own game of telling jokes and performing in the theatre of the absurd.

Duterte’s selective human rights record

The first in our series of perspectives from young writers from Mindanao on two years of Dutertismo.

Philippine Chief Justice Sereno’s undemocratic ouster

The Supreme Court’s ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno was not just a case of discriminatory legalism or unconstrained democracy. It is not democratic at all.

The politics of cleanliness in Duterte’s Philippines

Duterte's anti-drug and anti-loitering campaigns have weaponised a 'cleanliness' aesthetic to deadly effect.

Philippines beyond clichés series 1 #2: Dynasties

Do political dynasties hold back The Philippines' economic development? Nicole Curato investigates this question with Assoc Prof Ronald Mendoza.

Wielding the purse strings of Southeast Asian civil society

Illiberalism at home, and pro-market ideologies abroad, are putting pressure on Southeast Asian civil society organisations' financial health.

Philippines beyond clichés series 1 #1: Catholic country

Jayeel Cornelio talks to Nicole Curato about the under-appreciated level of religious diversity in the Philippines.

Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines

New Mandala's Philippines editor talks to Jonathan Miller about his new biography of the president.

Dismantling a liberal constitution, one institution at a time

We should worry that the impeachment of the Philippines' chief judge signals a new phase in the sidelining of Duterte critics.

First tragedy, then farce: unlearned lessons of reconstructing ravaged cities

The Philippines’ poor track record in reconstructing cities affected by disaster and conflict is manifest in Marawi’s case, a year since the siege.