Rights group flags arrests, red-tagging as Philippine civic space remains ‘repressed’

Rights monitors cite arrests, red-tagging, protest crackdowns and threats to journalists as civic freedoms remain under sustained pressure

Equality & Justice

Energy groups renew call for DOE chief to quit over rising power costs, outages

LiCAS News - September 30, 2026

Coalition says repeated outages and rising generation charges are squeezing households already struggling with stagnant wages and costs

News Alert

Salesians vow to preserve 300-year-old convent as museum

Norman Dequia, CBCP News - September 30, 2026

The Salesians plan to promote the site ahead of the 75th anniversary of their presence at the former San Carlos Seminary in 2028

Commentary

Small hands can still hold the world together

John Singarayar SVD - September 30, 2026

Thérèse of Lisieux is sometimes softened into greeting-card sentimentality—flowers, gentle smiles, easy comfort

NEWS ALERT

Salesians vow to preserve 300-year-old convent as museum

September 30, 2026

Consumer groups warn gas auction could drive up power costs nationwide

August 24, 2026

Vatican’s first woman dicastery chief to address Philippine religious leaders

August 13, 2026

Manila exorcism office to host conference on spiritual warfare

July 17, 2026

UN chief calls for global AI safeguards amid security, child protection...

July 7, 2026

German priest who ministered to Mary Jane Veloso on death row...

June 10, 2026

INTERNATIONAL

Small hands can still hold the world together

John Singarayar SVD - September 30, 2026

‘Paying attention in age of clickbait’ – 2027 World Communications Day theme

Devin Watkins, Vatican News - September 30, 2026

Civil society presses AIIB to tighten climate, community safeguards

LiCAS News - September 29, 2026

Pope: Wars are senseless; Russia and Ukraine should sit down to talk

September 29, 2026

Pope to pilgrims in Lourdes: ‘You will leave as missionaries of hope’

September 28, 2026

Conservation projects lead documented rights violations against Indigenous Peoples

September 25, 2026

DIOCESAN REPORTS

Bishop urges laity to ‘bring the Church into the world’

September 28, 2026

New Tagbilaran bishop to be installed next month

September 17, 2026

New book chronicles Cardinal Advincula’s pastoral journey in Manila

September 16, 2026

Bishop: Church must confront failures to build safe communities

September 4, 2026

Bishop calls reforestation ‘a big lie’ as 57,000 trees face cutting...

September 2, 2026

Archbishop Soc marks 25 years as bishop, says ministry is ‘dangerous...

September 1, 2026

FEATURES

Philippine tribe in limbo over US-led tech hub

Agence France Presse - September 21, 2026

The Aetas remain uncertain if the government would help them build new homes or provide land to cultivate for income if they are moved

Thai missionary in Taiwan sees God’s hand from childhood prayers in Teochew to parish in Hsinchu

Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, Thailand - September 10, 2026

Fr. Bosco Phulsap Leelanurak reflects as Thai Missionary Society marks 375 days until 10th anniversary of its Taiwan mission

‘The ber months’: Christmas arrives early in the Philippines

Agence France Presse - September 8, 2026

Welcome to the "ber months" – a months-long countdown to the most anticipated holiday on the calendar in the deeply Catholic country

Sisters of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

SPOTLIGHT: Hope to Ride, Ride to Hope

Mark Saludes and Sr. Mary Catherine Hop Pham, FMSR - August 26, 2026

Isolated communities in Vietnam receive lifeline and hope from the most unexpected of motorbike convoys

Beyond echo chamber, Asian sisters bring mission stories to mainstream media

Mark Saludes, Rwanda - August 10, 2026

Religious women from India, Thailand and the Philippines are building media ties to bring overlooked community stories wider attention

New bishop to Urdaneta flock: ‘I am yours’

CBCP News - July 29, 2026

Inside, he offered the congregation the four words that have guided his priesthood: “Domine, Tuus Sum” — Latin for “Lord, I am yours.”

Support LiCAS.news

We work tirelessly each day to tell the stories of those living on the fringe of society in Asia and how the Church in all its forms – be it lay, religious or priests – carries out its mission to support those in need, the neglected and the voiceless.

We need your help to continue our work each day. Make a difference and donate today.

COMMENTARY

Small hands can still hold the world together

John Singarayar SVD -

Thérèse of Lisieux is sometimes softened into greeting-card sentimentality—flowers, gentle smiles, easy comfort

Real-world needs must be prioritized over ‘artificial’ wants

John Leo Algo -

Duty-bearers also have the mandate to ensure that the basic necessities of their citizens are met, including water; these are among universal human rights

AI, Technology, and Violence

Father Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, C.M. -

Because “a world in which machines, albeit sophisticated and faster than us, are the ones to decide to bomb defenseless people, would be truly frightening"

Child-abuse challenges for Zameco II, telcos, Church

Father Shay Cullen -

Nothing could be more positive and life-affirming than the church biting the bullet and making sure that sexually abusive priests are made to pay for their sins

MOST RECENT

Energy groups renew call for DOE chief to quit over rising power costs, outages

LiCAS News -

Coalition says repeated outages and rising generation charges are squeezing households already struggling with stagnant wages and costs

Rights group flags arrests, red-tagging as Philippine civic space remains ‘repressed’

LiCAS News -

Rights monitors cite arrests, red-tagging, protest crackdowns and threats to journalists as civic freedoms remain under sustained pressure

Salesians vow to preserve 300-year-old convent as museum

Norman Dequia, CBCP News -

The Salesians plan to promote the site ahead of the 75th anniversary of their presence at the former San Carlos Seminary in 2028

Small hands can still hold the world together

John Singarayar SVD -

Thérèse of Lisieux is sometimes softened into greeting-card sentimentality—flowers, gentle smiles, easy comfort

‘Paying attention in age of clickbait’ – 2027 World Communications Day theme

Devin Watkins, Vatican News -

The Dicastery for Communication releases the theme for the 2027 World Communications Day, which is “A New Gaze: Paying Attention in the Age of Clickbait”

Real-world needs must be prioritized over ‘artificial’ wants

John Leo Algo -

Duty-bearers also have the mandate to ensure that the basic necessities of their citizens are met, including water; these are among universal human rights

Church groups say Veloso pardon should renew fight against human trafficking

LiCAS News -

nterfaith leaders say Veloso’s freedom should renew efforts against trafficking and address poverty and exploitation driving migrant vulnerability

VIEWFINDER

IN PHOTOS: Protest greets Marcos Jr.’s 5th State of the Nation Address

July 27, 2026

Protesters marched toward the Philippine Congress, demanding lower prices, higher wages and relief from rising public service costs

PHOTOS: Philippine Church, civil groups mark global prayer call with peace vigil, protest

April 12, 2026

Faith leaders warn rising tensions abroad are worsening economic hardship, exposing vulnerabilities and deepening inequality across Filipino communities

PHOTOS: Philippine bishop calls Church to act on rising costs, crisis in Easter message

April 5, 2026

Amid rising costs and uncertainty, a Filipino bishop calls parishes to act together in the spirit of Easter

Faith and homecoming mark Good Friday in rural Philippines

April 4, 2026

Filipino Catholics return home for Good Friday, where faith, family, and economic pressures intersect in a centuries-old tradition

PHOTOS: One in five priests struggling, Manila cardinal says at Chrism Mass

Survey findings revealed during Holy Week liturgy highlight growing emotional strain and need for stronger support among clergy

PHOTOS: Urban poor turn Lenten rites into call for housing justice in the Philippines

The action underscored housing as a fundamental human right and pressed for a more responsive and accountable government

Photos: Palm Sunday in the Philippines

Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him with palm branches, marking the start of Holy Week

SILENCED VOICES

Rights group flags arrests, red-tagging as Philippine civic space remains ‘repressed’

Barangay disaster funds still favor relief over long-term risk...

Oxfam found barangay disaster funds favor relief and equipment while prevention, climate adaptation and community priorities remain underfunded

Environmental group flags risks in Philippine critical-minerals mining push

Policy brief raises concerns over mining approvals, Indigenous rights, environmental safeguards and community participation under Executive Order 122

Church groups urge stronger migrant protections after Veloso pardon

Church groups welcomed Mary Jane Veloso’s freedom while pressing for stronger migrant protections, trafficking justice and recruiter accountability

Energy groups renew call for DOE chief to quit over rising power costs, outages

Coalition says repeated outages and rising generation charges are squeezing households already struggling with stagnant wages and costs

Church groups say Veloso pardon should renew fight against...

nterfaith leaders say Veloso’s freedom should renew efforts against trafficking and address poverty and exploitation driving migrant vulnerability

Civil society presses AIIB to tighten climate, community safeguards

Civil society groups say AIIB’s next decade should give affected communities greater protection, participation and access to remedy

Philippines pardons migrant worker Mary Jane Veloso after 16...

A Filipina once sentenced to death in Indonesia is set for release as advocates demand stronger trafficking protections

Sri Lankan Church seeks full truth after Easter bombing...

Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church welcomed the convictions but said investigators must still establish who facilitated the deadly 2019 attacks

LiCAS.news PhilippinesLIGHT FOR THE VOICELESS

Support LiCAS.news

MOST RECENT