Category: Crime

Does the Eraserheads’ song ‘Spolarium’ tell of the rape of Pepsi Paloma?

March 6, 2014February 26, 2022 benign0 25 Comments

What is it about the words in the Eraserheads’ song “Spolarium” that continues to intrigue urban legend mongers? Speculation surrounding how the underlying meaning of its lyrics points to the sensational 1980s rape case that links Philippine Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto to the alleged rape of 1980’s starlet Pepsi Paloma have finally made it to…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour

Electioneering the 2016 Philippine presidential elections: will Filipinos continue the ‘bobotante’ tradition?

March 4, 2014 benign0 38 Comments

With just a little more than two years to go, electioneering for the 2016 Malacanang power grab is starting to get into the swing of things. As in the past, showbiz celebrities, unqualified politicans’ offspring, and dynasty heirs and heiresses persist as the banes of “activists” championing a more “intelligent” vote. As expected, the usual…

Crime, Culture, Politics, Society

Zombie panic! When will Philippine Media own up to the routinely irresponsible journalism it feeds to Filipinos?

February 27, 2014 benign0 26 Comments

The Philippine province of Pangasinan continues to reel from the aftermath of a fatal scoop propagated by giant media conglomerate ABS-CBN through its tele-tabloid Bandila. The “scoop” involved reports that victims of a “terrible flesh-eating disease” were found in Pangasinan and that the disease as “prophesied” would engulf the rest of the planet and cause…

Crime, Media

Decriminalisation or repeal of libel law: It’s about time the Philippines becomes a modern country

February 21, 2014February 21, 2014 benign0 49 Comments

It is not surprising that Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III wholeheartedly supports criminal libel in the Philippines. Luis Teodoro, BusinessWorld columnist and former dean of the College of Mass Communications of the University of the Philippines, wrote in a 2003 article about how the spectre of harassment-by-libel emerged in the Philippine scene so…

Civics, Crime, Government, Media, Politics

Whistleblower galore: Philippine pork barrel scam is becoming a sad trial-by-snitch circus!

February 20, 2014December 8, 2018 benign0 15 Comments

As expected, more pork scam snitches are coming out. And why wouldn’t they? Seeing how much of a celebrity treatment and the generous immunity to justice they are being showered by the government with, it makes complete sense to turn squealer. I’d hazard a guess that every other Philippine Senator and House representative is now…

Crime, Government, Politics

Anonymous woman named ‘Roxanne’ files new rape charges vs Vhong Navarro!

February 20, 2014 benign0 8 Comments

Embattled Filipino celebrity Vhong Navarro will reportedly be battling another rape complainant. The complainant, according to her lawyer, Virgilio Batalla, chooses to remain anonymous for now. According to “breaking news” posted by “respected” journalist Tony Calvento on his Facebook page, the woman’s name is “Roxanne”, and has filed her case with the Department of Justice…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour

Filipino netizens on edge as online libel criminalized under RA 10175 (the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012)

February 19, 2014February 19, 2014 benign0 42 Comments

The Philippine Supreme Court reportedly upheld the libel provisions of Republic Act 10175 or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” which Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III signed into law in 2012. As expected, online hysterics have erupted over Philippine social media space with many online “activists” expressing loud indignation over what they perceive…

Crime, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Society, Technology

Raymond Fortun resignation as Cedric Lee mouthpiece highlights Pinoy dysfunction

February 17, 2014 benign0 32 Comments

Law practice in the Philippines quite simply is not that straightforward. Ask lawyer Raymond Fortun who recently resigned as spookesman for alleged Chinese mafiosi Cedric Lee who, together with starlet Deniece Cornejo, are accused of viciously mauling variety show host Vhong Navarro and framing him for rape. But Fortun has apparently been increasingly frustrated over…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour, Media, Politics, Society