This year we celebrate the 40th year anniversary of EDSA People Power, the movement that ousted the Marcos Sr. dictatorship after years of unchecked crimes, human rights violations, and corruption.

Millions came together to demand justice and accountability from his crooked regime and we, as freedom loving Filipinos, must continue this legacy today.

Duterte may not show up in court but the world, and especially the loved ones of his 30,000+ victims will be paying attention. We welcome the revelation of eight co-perpetrators in Duterte's deadly scheme and swift action must be taken to ensure they are held to account. With the critical addition of at least 500 claimants in the trial, we remain cautiously optimistic that the trial will bring justice and Duterte would be held accountable for his crimes against the Filipino people.

The Spanish-American War, which resulted in U.S. colonial relationships with Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines via annexation, is referred to as the “first media war” in some quarters and was also a watershed moment in the history of mis- and disinformation.

Epitomizing what came to be known as “yellow journalism,” the sensationalist reporting of U.S. newspapers owned by rival publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst rose to a fever pitch as their respective outlets fought for market share and oftentimes played fast and loose with the facts on the ground in their coverage of Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain.

It’s been 2 months since Malaya USA’s immersion trip concluded, where we met community members impacted by the Marcos-Duterte regime’s fascist policies. We integrated with the loved ones of victims of Duterte’s deadly drug war, peasant farmers in Negros where multiple high profile extrajudicial killings have happened in recent years, and Lumad indigenous people of Mindanao who have been subject to harassment and intimidation by state forces.

Since the trip, there have been significant developments in these communities.

Hear their stories.

This International Human Rights Day, we want to recognize the contributions of human right defenders around the world and especially those fighting for human rights in the Philippines. 

1. In September and November, thousands took to the streets in the Philippines against corruption and hundreds were arrested and faced vicious cruel police brutality.

2. Throughout the year, we’ve seen the release of 8 Filipino migrants, through the efforts of their loved ones, advocates, and Tanggol Migrante Movement. 

3. In November, Julie Jamora, Malaya USA’s Secretary General,  was denied entry into the Philippines in November 2025 and was placed on the blacklist due to her role as a community leader and human rights activist.

Bonifacio Day memorializes what’s not only foundational to Filipinos but a beacon for the world: our continuing and fierce resistance against odds is a model for world resistance against fascism, impunity, and corruption. Mabuhay ang protesta ngbayan laban sa Marcos-Duterte regime.