activist and two-term member of the philippine house of representatives. blogging since 2004 at mongster's nest.
Latest posts by Mong Palatino
13 March 2016
How Cambodian Politics Became a Battle for Facebook ‘Likes’
"These instructions clearly show that the ruling party pushing to create fake Facebook accounts in order to provide artificial 'likes' to the [Prime Minister's] Facebook page."
11 March 2016
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Scored a Trending Hashtag, But Not For the Reasons He Hoped
Prime Minister Najib Razak is battling corruption charges at home, but online he's basking in a new hashtag campaign. Except the #RespectMyPM movement didn't trend for the reasons Najib hoped.
6 March 2016
New Video Hopes to Appeal to Thai Generosity to Help Myanmar Refugees
"We can’t change their past experience but, together with your Namjai (generosity), we can help them to create a better future."
Singapore’s Immortal ‘Void-Deck’ Football Tradition? Nope.
"It is a bad solution to a non-problem and a waste of taxpayers’ money. You are essentially using our funds to deprive us of a space we can use."
3 March 2016
Graphic Artists Launch Online Poster Campaign to ‘Free the Media’ in Malaysia
"We feel that the time has come for Malaysians to demand for media and internet freedom in light of the latest assault on freedom of speech in Malaysia."
28 February 2016
The Malaysian Insider News Website Blocked by Authorities for Posting ‘Unverified’ Report on Government Corruption
"Such unilateral action could also be construed as an attempt to intimidate the media against running critical news reports."
25 February 2016
An Exiled Scholar Says Thailand's Junta Is Harassing His Family
"I already found this injustice unbearable. But to go after my family who had nothing to do with me — this is absolutely unacceptable."
18 February 2016
The Racist Portrayal of the Philippines in Historical Cartoons as US Troops Invaded
The cartoons portrayed Filipinos as uncivilized people who needed to be educated by the invading United States army.
15 February 2016
Teenager's Death After Police Questioning Leads to Review of Crime Investigation Procedure in Singapore
"We find it absurd that while public spaces are heavily surveilled with security cameras, interrogation rooms are not fitted with any cameras to allow for transparency of the interrogation process."
13 February 2016
Malaysian Police Threaten Internet Users for Sharing Clown Memes of Prime Minister
"Public scrutiny is part of the democratic process that serves as the foundation of Malaysia. Satirical images and comments made against government official[s] should not be considered as a crime."
11 February 2016
The Troubling Rise of Internet-Related Arrests in Cambodia
"They do plainly illustrate a deeply troubling trend, whereby those who criticize the political elite are routinely being arrested for expressing their views on social media."
6 February 2016
These Speed Drawing Videos Promote Tolerance and Women Empowerment in Indonesia
"With the spread of extremist doctrines targeting vulnerable youth, the need for alternative messages to violent intolerance that celebrate Indonesia’s spirit of pluralism and unity in diversity is increasingly urgent."
4 February 2016
Colorized Photos Show Manila in Ruins After the Second World War
"100,000 Filipinos perished, government buildings lay in ruins—and Manila was Pearl of the Orient no more."
21 January 2016
Vintage Postcards Show Life in Vietnam in the Early 20th Century
The postcards are part of the digital collection of The New York Public Library, which recently released more than 180,000 digitized items into the public domain.
13 January 2016
This Group Exposes Social Woes and Promotes Philippine Culture Through Street Art
"Doing street art is our way of bringing 'ART' closer to the masses. It is special for us because it's where the purest intention of an artist can be seen."
9 January 2016
‘You Just Need To Be White To Win’ Ad Denounced as Racist in Thailand
"Thai advert says you can be a winner if you have white skin. This is the most racist advert I've ever seen."
8 January 2016
These Calendars Can Get You Into Trouble in Thailand and Myanmar
"Who would've thought that mere act of taking photo with calendar could be an act of resistance?"
1 January 2016
For Southeast Asia, 2015 Was a Year of Corruption Scandals
A look back at some of the biggest corruption scandals that made news in the Southeast Asian region in 2015.
30 December 2015
One of 2015's Biggest Political Scandals Ends in the Indonesian House Speaker's Resignation
"Indonesia’s public was able to witness, in fascinating and nauseating detail, the mechanics of rent seeking at the highest level."
24 December 2015
Is Christmas Really Banned in Brunei?
Yes and no. Non-Muslims can celebrate in their homes and places of worship. And as one netizen commented, "Why is the supposed Christmas 'ban' only reaching Western media now?"
