Michael Beltran

Posted: 85

Author Profile

Michael Beltran is a journalist based in Metro Manila.

  • Confirm
  • .

2018/07/27 | Michael Beltran

OPINION: Former President Gloria Arroyo Resurrects to Inflict More Terror

As the former Philippines president is elevated to the role of Speaker of the House, the Philippines reflects on her painful legacy.

2018/07/09 | Michael Beltran

The Duterte Doublespeak: Exploring the Philippine President’s Long List of Lies

From backpedaling on promises to resign to ceding ground against China, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is becoming known for playing fast and loose with the truth.

2018/06/14 | Michael Beltran

A Gospel for the Barrios: The Philippines' Unshakable Sister Patricia Fox

The Australian nun's story of state-led persecution at the hands of the president himself throws into sharp relief what it means to be a missionary and a Filipino.

2018/05/08 | Michael Beltran

PHILIPPINES: Trust, Sincerity, the Rebels and Duterte

Is the need to arrest a slide in the polls pushing Duterte back to negotiations with communist guerrillas?

2018/04/09 | Michael Beltran

OPINION: Duterte Bets on Chinese Corporates over Locals with Boracay Shutdown

President Duterte's order to close Boracay rides roughshod over local business and indigenous rights.

2018/03/08 | Michael Beltran

Philippine Government Contemplates a Cha-cha with the Devil

Proposed constitutional changes could pave the way for a return to dictatorship in the Philippines and remove provisions aimed at safeguarding the country's integrity

2017/12/25 | Michael Beltran

OPINION: President Duterte's Same-sex Marriage Stance Flips and May Still Flop

The Philippine president's support for LGBT rights waxes and wanes, but his opposition to other minority rights groups remains consistent.

2017/12/05 | Michael Beltran

OPINION: Trains on Track for Disaster in the Philippines

Riding the MRT in Manila is becoming more expensive, difficult and dangerous, yet the government is set on repeating the public-private partnership arrangements that led to the problems in the first place.

2017/11/18 | Michael Beltran

Post Mortem: The ASEAN Summit and Trump’s Visit to the Philippines

Michael Beltran argues that Duterte wants to validate his drug war amidst the criticisms and casualties; it sees continued subservience to American interests as the answer.

2017/10/26 | Michael Beltran

Meet Ka Inday: Activist, Warrior and Defender of San Roque

Estrelieta “Ka Inday” Bagasbas has lived a storied life, but it is for her passionate activism in defense of the urban poor in San Roque, a community in the Quezon City area of Metro Manila, for which neighbors and fellow residents are truly thankful.

2017/09/28 | Michael Beltran

5 Signs the Philippines is Drifting Toward Dictatorship

Filipinos are accustomed to chaotic periods in politics, but the killings of several young boys by police brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets. As tension between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and the public escalates, the threat of martial law and a repeat of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos is all too real.

2017/07/19 | Michael Beltran

Filipino Film Makes Class Division Relevant Again

'The politics of identity suppose that minorities bear the brunt of social exclusion, which is true in many cases. But there is always an underlying class element.'

2017/06/30 | Michael Beltran

FEATURE: A Sound to Strike With: Political Music Growing in the Philippines

'This music, for all intents and purposes, can never be confined to itself. It, alongside the creators, needs to be projected outward and engaged in serving the oppressed.'

2017/03/03 | Michael Beltran

The Last Days of the Philippine Jeepney?

It is less a question of modernity and more about profiting from the plight of millions under the disguise of 'progress.'