@arjaguirre
PhDing in Political Science at Dept. of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh 🇺🇸 | Assistant Professor (on study leave) at Dept. of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University 🇵🇭 | MA (Ateneo) / MSc (LSE) as Chevening Scholar 🇬🇧
Here’s my latest opinion piece, this time publishing with Esquire PH, revisiting the intended purpose of “electoral coalitions” as distinct from, though fundamentally linked to, the governing arrangements that emerge afterward.
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/opi...
Here's my latest Rappler opinion piece with Mr. Jess Pasibe--on why political dynasties must step aside. www.rappler.com/voices/thoug...
In a DZMM Radyo Patrol interview this morning (Philippine time), I explained why an alliance—or coalition of forces—between Marcos & Robredo is highly improbable. I argued that at the level of policy commitments & political principles, the two camps hold fundamentally irreconcilable positions.
I said here that VP Sara Duterte "is already considering resignation, especially if the trajectory of the impeachment proceedings points clearly toward conviction." This needs to be communicated in advance so the public is properly informed.
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/sar...
I said here that "the House has strong institutional incentives to demonstrate procedural rigor & constitutional fidelity,” to reclaim credibility after what many viewed as missteps by the admin and a poorly calculated response to the earlier impeachment effort.
www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I said here that this is a "carefully calibrated move" & this “establishes herself as the principal contender & preemptively frames any subsequent criticism–esp. from the admin–as premature partisan offensives or black prop aimed at derailing her bid.” sc.mp/ldtrd
I said here that “this shouldn’t be seen as an isolated legal episode. Whatever moves emerge from the Duterte bloc–particularly as these developments overlap w/ confirmation hearings & other institutional proceedings–are likely to be strategic & coordinated.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
I said here: between the two (first on Marcos' corrupt acts), the “complaint... which centers primarily on Duterte’s arrest, is likely to face greater difficulty in establishing sufficiency in substance, notwithstanding compliance w/ formal requirements.”
www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
Grateful for the opportunity to contribute as one of the resource persons (together with Dean July Teehankee of DLSU) to this important documentary on the Flood Control mess in the Philippines by ABS-CBN News Documentaries (host: Ms. Katrina Domingo).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs7h...
I said here that the committee handling the impeachment complaints vs Marcos Jr “need[s] to at least appear as though they are acting in good faith and doing the right thing.” “We should not expect them to campaign or actively mobilize votes in its favor.”
www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I said here that Marcos should keep his promise to pursue reforms & "this requires a deliberate use of integrative power—actively managing the legislative coalition through clear and unequivocal prioritization of bills, certification of urgent measures…”
www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I said in the interview that “there is a real risk that such [anti-corruption] efforts could alienate key allies, particularly political families and dynasties with entrenched interests in sectors that are highly prone to graft and corruption.”
www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I said here that ICI was “fundamentally flawed” from its inception, it was “never granted the legal authority required to ensure true independence or to effectively carry out its mandate – whether to compel cooperation, secure full access to evidence…”
share.google/OB8yTVg8Uz7b...
I said in the interview that “President Marcos should take the project of building his legacy more seriously” and he must confront his “credibility problem.” “Restoring public trust requires more than rhetoric; it demands concrete action.”
www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
In a DZMM interview this AM (PH time), I discussed the trajectory of PH politics after 2025, noting that political conflict is likely to intensify in 2026 with the lifting of the ban on filing impeachment complaints against VP Sara Duterte on 6 Feb.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwgH...
I said in this interview that "the admin will need far more than sporadic arrests or announcements" “Only when individuals with real political backing, or those close to influential families, are held accountable will the public begin to view the probe as credible".
www.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
I said in this interview that for the movement to grow "they must have clear messaging. The must already have demands." “There should be demands directed at the government, and those demands must be met with bigger protests if unmet.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
I said in this interview that "the administration squandered an early chance to show impartiality by appointing a political ally rather than an independent expert as Ombudsman, immediately casting doubt on the integrity of the process." www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I said in this interview that this development “will inevitably raise questions: Why only now? And why begin with Co – along with some Sunwest figures and selected DPWH officials – when the alleged network appears much broader?”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
I said in this interview that “the numbers seem to show that Marcos is the main casualty of this year’s political issues”. This decline can be attributed to the “mobilization of political resources from the Duterte camp” and numerous missteps. amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
In my DZMM interview, I discussed what to expect in the coming months regarding the ongoing flood control crisis, and why it’s crucial for citizens to continue mobilizing to hold officials accountable and push for genuine government reforms. www.youtube.com/watch?v=duGi...
I said in this interview that the statement “is an obvious coordinated move from the Dutertes … especially now that the US still enjoys a high trust rating among Filipinos.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
I said in this interview that “it is logical to assume that -[PH govt] will use the same approach in dealing with the typhoon – thinking of government responses that are meant to project that Marcos is also in control of the disaster response work”.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/he...
I said in the interview that this would be the “beginning of something big” & urged groups to put up a united front to make the govt agree to their demands—“investigating all involved, prosecuting them & pushing for the passage of reform bills on FOI & anti-dynasty”. amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
In this interview, I emphasized that "since the replacement is an ally, it is safe to assume that this move is just to preempt Romualdez's ouster." “This may be just a 'proxy leadership'." www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new... #Esquiremag.ph via @EsquirePH
In this interview, I said that 'resignation' (and just hand over the Speakership to an ally) might be better for them than being ousted by a real rival (from the Duterte bloc). A mere preemptive move because of the flood control mess.
www.bworldonline.com/breaking-new...
I said in this interview, that Pres. Marcos' "independent commission for infrastructure" is not that independent at all & has 'capability deficiency'. Thus, it may be used to protect personalities & allies. My apologies for being pessimistic about this :(
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
In this interview, I said that Marcos’ anti-corruption drive “unfortunately is being done haphazardly or carelessly.” “The issue seems to have backfired on them since even their [House allies] are now being implicated by those flood control contractors.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
In this interview, I said that Discaya’s silence about the involvement of people other than the elected officials can be construed as “a clear political manoeuvre that may lead to a distorted view of the real score… story behind the flood control mess.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
In this interview, I said that “Senate President Sotto will be tested for his stands and political disposition at the start of the 20th Congress, where he was just competing for the Senate President position with then-Senate President Escudero.”
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new...