Southeast Asian studies professor Leloy Claudio talks to political analyst Richard Heydarian about the Philippines’ potential for growth in the global arena, as well as its pitfalls.

Watch this episode of Basagan ng Trip on Rappler. The podcast version will be available on Thursday, September 8, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. – Rappler.com

The pandemic was – and continues to be – a polarizing issue. Why is this so?

Southeast Asian studies professor Leloy Claudio talks to medical anthropologist Gideon Lasco to make sense of society’s response to the pandemic. They also talk about how this polarization is not very different from the public’s divided opinion on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Watch this episode of Basagan ng Trip on Rappler. Click below for the podcast version, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. – Rappler.com

Fast forward to 36 years, and his son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is the sitting president of the Philippines. It wasn’t a simple case of forgive-and-forget; the heirs of the late dictator played the long game to return to the pinnacle of power.

What happened between 1986 and 2022? What are the events that led to this Marcos restoration?

Southeast Asian studies professor Leloy Claudio talks to historian and writer Manuel Quezon III to backtrack on key events that led the Marcoses back to power.

Here’s the podcast version of the show. Get it on Spotify, Apple, or wherever else you get your podcasts:

– Rappler.com

Since 2016, Rappler has been documenting and tracking the data and influence operations in the country. This has resulted in several attacks targeted towards Rappler, its reporters, and its CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa. In June 2020, Ressa was convicted of cyberlibel for a story published 8 years ago.

Southeast Asian studies professor Leloy Claudio sits down with Ressa as they talk about disinformation and its effects on local and global spaces.

In this interview, they discuss how social media has become a behavior modification system, and online users are Pavlov’s dogs. Ressa calls on real accountability in online spaces, most especially Facebook, and urges the younger generation to act and rebuild an information ecosystem that will give a sense of a working democracy. (READ: [ANALYSIS] As democracy dies, we build a global future)

Bookmark this page to watch the episode. – Rappler.com

Experts and analysts say the government’s cash subsidy program is the main reason for the public’s favorable view of the President. (LISTEN: [PODCAST] 4 reasons why Duterte’s survey ratings are still high)

Basagan ng Trip host and Southeast Asian studies professor Leloy Claudio talks to Pulse Asia president and political science professor Ronnie Holmes about the survey that goes against the hunches and instincts of the most seasoned political observer.

Watch the premiere of the episode on Sunday, October 11, at 7 pm. – Rappler.com

Two months ago, on June 4, the House of Representatives passed the P1.3-trillion stimulus package designed to help the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic in the next 4 years. This is House Bill (HB) No. 6815 or the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy of the Philippines (ARISE Philippines).

It is said to offer various forms of assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other key sectors affected by the COVID-19 crisis, while at the same time rebuilding consumer confidence. It is also expected to generate some 1.5 million jobs through infrastructure projects and financial assistance for small businesses between 2020 to 2023.

Now, according to data from the Department of Finance (DOF), the Philippines’ loans from multilateral lenders, bonds, and grants have so far reached over $7.76 billion or around P388 billion as of July 21.

The economic managers expect lower tax collections or at least P90 billion in revenue shortfall, as businesses posted losses during the pandemic. The budget deficit would have to be covered by government’s loans.

Experts say if we borrow too much, we may risk the economy falling into a debt trap. If we borrow too little, the economic interventions might not be enough to jolt the economy back to life. (READ: Duterte’s loans for coronavirus and why PH might need more)

In this episode, Southeast Asian Studies professor Leloy Claudio talks to economist Stella Quimbo, now Marikina City 2nd District Representative and ARISE bill primary author, on why Filipinos need to stop worrying about the country’s growing debt. – Rappler.com