Hey, everyone! The COC filing is happening, and the image below says it all. (We won't get into who's who, though.)
News from the Past Week
National (Election-Less Related) News
🚔 PNP to reopen 2020 slay case of PCSO official | Inquirer
🧑🏼⚖️ SC denies Harry Roque’s protective writ request | Inquirer
🚨 NBI nabs ‘dead’ woman in 1999 textbook scam | PhilStar
Metro News
🚇 Metro Manila Subway: When Right of Way Gets in the Way | GMA News
🧑🏼⚖️ Court finds fratmen guilty over Atio Castillo’s death | Inquirer
Regional News
☪️ BARMM passes bill protecting people displaced by conflicts | Inquirer
Marcos distributes 219 hectares of Hacienda Luisita land to farmers | Inquirer
International News
2024 US Election & Politics
Debate proper between Walz and Vance
🌆NYC Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Bribery
Other Elections
Czechia: In the recent two-day Senate elections, the opposition party led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babis won eight of 27 contested seats, marking their best performance yet. This success positions Babis' ANO party favorably ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. However, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala retained a majority with 15 seats. These results are significant as the Senate is key for constitutional amendments and judicial appointments.
Austria: In parliamentary elections last Sunday, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) won a historic 29.1% of the vote, surpassing the ruling Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) at 26.2%. This marks the first time a far-right party has led national elections in post-war Austria, driven by public discontent over immigration and living costs. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) recorded their lowest ever at 20.4%, while liberal NEOS and the Greens each received around 8-9%. Potential coalition talks may involve the FPÖ and ÖVP, though Chancellor Karl Nehammer is hesitant to partner with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl. This result reflects a broader trend of rising right-wing populism in Europe amid economic and immigration concerns.
Scheduled Elections (October 4 to 10)
6 October
Kazakhstan, Referendum
Tunisia, President
9 October: Mozambique, President and Parliament
Other International News
💶 Albania has potential to be accession ‘frontrunner,’ EU ambassador says | Euro News
From pager blasts to Nasrallah’s killing: 12 days that transformed a bloody conflict | NPR
Hurricane Helene latest: At least 84 people dead across several states
🚍 School bus catches fire in Thailand, with 25 feared dead | CNA
🕵🏼♀️ Germany arrests Chinese woman accused of spying | BNC
Israel says Iran ‘will pay’ for launching a major missile attack against it | CNN
Business
📈 Soon, Filipino investors can trade foreign stocks through PSE | Inquirer
🏦 Marcos signs law imposing 12% VAT on foreign digital services | PhilStar
🔋 Marcos inaugurates PH's first lithium iron phosphate batteries factory | Manila Bulletin
🧑🏼🌾 Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act: What you need to know | SunStar Manila
Sports
🏀 2024 MPBL Playoffs Bracket (game begins on October 5)
North Division
(1) San Juan vs (8) Rizal
(2) Pampanga vs (7) Abra
(3) Nueva Ecija vs (6) Pasay
(4) Manila vs (5) Caloocan
South Division
(1) Quezon Province vs (8) Negros
(2) Batangas City vs (7) Davao Occidental
(3) Binan vs (6) South Cotabato
(4) Zamboanga vs (5) Paranaque
⚾ 2024 MLB Postseason (as of October 2, PHT)
American League Wild Card: Detroit and Kansas City lead
National League Wild Card: New York Mets and San Diego lead
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo couldn't care less about rocking a crop top in Seoul. He's landed a deal with a bank, graced the cover of a magazine, and now he's even a Navy reservist.
Showbiz
International
Lana Del Rey reportedly marries alligator tour guide in Louisiana | BBC
Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma marry in Italy | USA Today
Local
David Licauco hopes Boy Scouts learn love of country, family from Hiroshi in ‘Pulang Araw’ | GMA News
Mass Media
Scripps News to close on November 15, cuts 200 jobs | Newscast Studio
CNN, Reuters launching digital paywalls | The Hill
Op-Ed from the Outside
Liberalism vs conservatism | Inquirer
What happens now? | PhilStar
Obituaries
Timow’s Weekly Editorials
🕵🏼⚖️ [General] Amend the espionage law
Last Monday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s call to amend the Philippines’ espionage law marked a pivotal moment in the country's national security strategy. His proposal to apply the law during peacetime arises from serious allegations against Alice Guo (Guo Hua Ping), a former Bamban, Tarlac mayor with ties to illegal activities (POGO) and claims of involvement with Chinese intelligence. These circumstances underscore the limitations of the current law, which is only enforceable during wartime under Commonwealth Act No. 616. In a world where geopolitical tensions increasingly transcend traditional wartime boundaries, Teodoro's call to action could not be more timely.
The 1941 law aimed to safeguard national sovereignty during wartime, but its exclusive focus on war limits the country's capacity to address current espionage threats. These activities now occur outside traditional wartime scenarios as foreign powers adapt their infiltration methods—utilizing cyber-attacks, intelligence operations, and economic strategies.
Teodoro’s call for reform acknowledges this reality. In his statement over Camp Aguinaldo that day, he highlighted the need for the government to be equipped to address espionage threats, regardless of whether the country is at war or peace.
The Case of Guo
Teodoro’s proposal gains urgency amid the investigation into Guo, a former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, accused of falsifying documents to pose as Filipino and linked to illegal activities for a few months in Congress. Reports indicate her ties to Chinese intelligence, with a recent documentary from Al Jazeera highlighting a detained Chinese individual’s claims of her involvement in espionage for China.
This case has raised alarm about foreign agents infiltrating Philippine society, especially in influential roles like local mayors. Guo's ability to operate freely suggests serious vulnerabilities in the country’s espionage defenses. Teodoro emphasizes the need for laws that empower the government to respond quickly and effectively to these threats.
Espionage in the 21st Century
Modern espionage is far removed from the conventional image of spies in trench coats and secret handshakes. Today, it’s largely conducted through cyber-infiltration, data theft, and the covert manipulation of political and economic systems. In the digital age, both state and non-state actors can execute remote operations without ever setting foot on foreign soil. Sensitive information can be stolen or manipulated from halfway across the world, and the effects can be just as severe as physical warfare.
The Philippines, like many nations, faces this new breed of espionage. Whether through hacking of government databases or the strategic acquisition of key industries by foreign entities with hidden agendas, posing complex national security threats. These actions can undermine the economy, compromise defense, and destabilize the government without formal warfare. Consequently, the espionage law's wartime limitation appears increasingly outdated and inadequate.
Teodoro’s push for legislative reform reflects a global acknowledgment of modern espionage's complexity. Countries like the US, UK, and Australia have enhanced their espionage laws to tackle peacetime threats, especially cyber-espionage and foreign interference. The Philippines must take similar actions to strengthen its defenses against these evolving risks.
Legislative Action: The Road Ahead
Teodoro urged lawmakers to prioritize amending the espionage law to prevent the country from being vulnerable, stressing the need for updates to address both peacetime espionage and evolving tactics.
Amending the law presents several challenges. First, legislators must balance national security with civil liberties, ensuring that amendments do not infringe on citizens' rights or create a culture of fear. Public trust is crucial, and reforms need clear safeguards to protect constitutional rights while enabling government action against legitimate espionage threats.
Second, the definition of espionage needs clarity. What constitutes espionage in the digital age? Should the law cover economic espionage, in which foreign entities seek to undermine key industries or steal intellectual property? What about cyber-attacks that target critical infrastructure? Lawmakers must these in the scope of the amended law.
Economic Integrity and Espionage
Teodoro has highlighted the economic risks of espionage, urging local officials to be cautious with investments from questionable foreign sources. He warned that such funds could facilitate espionage or illicit activities, potentially compromising sensitive industries and government contracts, and threatening the nation's economic and political independence.
China’s increasing influence in Southeast Asia, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, raises valid concerns about the long-term strategic implications of its investments. While foreign investment is essential for economic growth, it must not compromise national security.
A Timely Call for Reform
Amending the Philippines’ espionage law goes beyond the Alice Guo case; it addresses the complex security challenges of the 21st century. As espionage evolves, so must our legal protections. His call for legislative action is timely and essential for enabling the Philippines to defend itself in war and the increasingly ambiguous peacetime of modern geopolitics.
Lawmakers—current or aspiring—must balance government action against espionage threats with protecting civil liberties. Though challenging, the stakes are high. The Philippines can enhance its defenses and protect its sovereignty in a volatile world with effective reforms.
🎪 [The Filipino Decides 2025] The big tent is up
The filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 elections is here, and as usual, it’s a spectacle filled with ambition, absurdity, and the occasional outlandish dreamer. From seasoned politicians to unexpected celebrities, everyone’s eager to toss their hats into the perpetual chaotic ring of Philippine politics. Who will rise to the challenge, and who will simply provide the entertainment?
📧 Before You Go…
Last Tuesday, I received an email from a well-known educational publishing company asking for permission to use a photo from a WordPress blog post I made five years ago. While I was flattered by the request, I realized that the image in question came from a famous historian’s blog, published six years before my post (thanks to Google Lens). As much as I’d love to feel honored, I knew it was important to clarify that the photo wasn’t mine to avoid any issues with copyright infringement.
This situation is a valuable reminder, especially for teachers this coming Teacher’s Day this Saturday (October 5). It's crucial to emphasize to students the importance of proper attribution and respect for intellectual property.
By setting a good example, we help nurture a culture of honesty, responsibility, and respect for the work of others.
👩🏫 With that, I wish everyone a very happy Teacher’s Day!
~Timow