Category: Development

The Philippines is too big a country for Filipinos to govern on their own

February 26, 2015 benign0 22 Comments

It’s no wonder the government fatally screwed up to the tune of 44 dead Special Action Force police officers last January — and even more baffling that Filipinos are actually shocked that such a monumental foul up could actually occur in the Philippines of all places. The operation involved lots of coordination, up-to-the-minute planning, and…

Development, Society

Why democracy does not work in the Philippines

February 26, 2015February 26, 2015 Ilda 118 Comments

The 1986 EDSA “People Power” revolution has been credited with bringing democracy back to the Philippines. However, three decades after the historic event, it seems majority of Filipinos still do not understand what democracy is about. The system of government is there in principle but Filipinos do not know how to use it properly. Worse,…

Crime, Development, Government, Politics, Society

The sad 29th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA people power ‘revolution’

February 26, 2015 benign0 9 Comments

Another EDSA “people power” anniversary, another traffic jam. These commemorations of that now-debatable “revolution” have become bigger and bigger national cringes with each passing year. But this year’s “celebration” was particularly noteworthy as it features a government that is now on the run from its own “bosses”. Police in anti-riot armour were out in full…

Civics, Development, Government, Politics, Society

How EDSA ‘people power’ ‘revolutions’ have become the Philippines’ biggest national embarrassment!

February 25, 2015February 21, 2022 benign0 4 Comments

The following is an article I wrote way back in 2001 following the ouster of former President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada via a multi-million-strong street revolution that would go on to be known as “EDSA 2” (or EDSA Dos). The ouster of Estrada paved the way for the ascent to power of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who would…

Civics, Culture, Development, Politics, Society

The Philippine ‘Opposition’: A movement in search of a credible cause

February 24, 2015 benign0 3 Comments

There used to be an old 1970s-1980s term often used to describe the “politically passionate”. Cause-oriented groups or COGs as they were once called was the collective term used for activists and rabble-rousers alike. They had real “causes” at the time — many of which were focused on achieving “freedom”, because Filipinos were supposedly not…

Crime, Development, Politics, Society

It is time Filipinos learn to understand what it means to be truly MINDFUL

February 24, 2015 benign0 22 Comments

Your stuck with it so you might as well defend it. That’s the sort of loser attitude that’s at work in a lot of the apologism we see nowadays. I’m fat. Deal with it. I’m poor. Deal with it. I’m a Catholic. Deal with it. I can’t speak English. Deal with it. I voted for…

Culture, Development, Education, Lifestyle, Society

The 1986 EDSA people power ‘revolution’ has irreparably damaged the Philippines

February 18, 2015February 20, 2022 benign0 44 Comments

Back in the heady days leading up to the 1986 EDSA “people power” “revolution”, the top slogan of supporters of then incumbent Philippine president Ferdinand E. Marcos was, what else, “Marcos pa rin!” (roughly translated: “Still Marcos!”). Fast forward to today and, guess what, the incumbent’s slogan that “trended” in recent days (presumably to counter…

Development, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

BBL: An agreement with just one Muslim rebel group will not bring peace to Mindanao

February 15, 2015May 21, 2015 Ilda 109 Comments

Philippine President Benigno Simeon (BS) Aquino would like us all to believe that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law will bring peace to Mindanao. This is probably what some people around him like Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles and Miriam Coronel-Ferrer head of Government Peace Panel (for peace talks with the Moro…

Crime, Development, Featured, Government, Politics, Religion