Category: Government

To Trillanes: You did not complain when BS Aquino broke his promises

November 5, 2016 Ilda 34 Comments

Convicted mutineer and now Senator Antonio Trillanes is appealing to the public not to turn a blind eye to current President Rodrigo Duterte’s habit of breaking his promises. According to Trillanes “there’s something wrong with the Filipino people when support for the President remains strong despite his frequent turnarounds from official pronouncements.” He cited Duterte’s…

Government, Politics

Mambo Duterte or Huling El Bimbo?

October 31, 2016 Charles Englund 31 Comments

It does not help that you think I’m a blind follower, an apologist, a rude and crude supporter of a bloodthirsty maniac. You think I am a troll. Worse, you suspect I am a paid troll, or even, a bot. For how can anyone in their right mind support such a foul-mouthed monster? On the…

Government, Politics

New path charted by Duterte prompts Filipinos to rethink their place in the world

October 30, 2016 benign0 46 Comments

If there is one thing Filipinos learned so far about their country it is this: The Philippines is, it seems, an important country in global politics. Up until now, Filipinos have seen their country as some sort of diplomatic third wheel — one that is in a perpetual crisis of relevance; a mere afterthought. It…

Development, Government

A response to the question “What have you done for the country?”

October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 Ilda 16 Comments

“What have you done for the country?” That was the last question a former friend and colleague asked me before he blocked me on social networking site Facebook. I didn’t even get the chance to answer because he already muted me. I thought it was such a lame question anyway. I was shocked he would…

Civics, Government, Society

Philippines finally comes home to Asia following Duterte’s groundbreaking trip to China

October 22, 2016October 22, 2016 benign0 66 Comments

Senator Leila de Lima was on a rampage following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s reported shift of the country’s foreign policy to one that involves a cosying up to China and a “separation” from the United States. De Lima described Duterte’s move during his official visit to China this week as a “whole level of betrayal”….

Government, Politics

Rashomon Effect: The Self-serving Interest of Mainstream Media and the People

October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 Marcus 46 Comments

This is in response to Maria Ressa’s comment on a post dated October 5, 2016. John, sino ba’ng hindi gustong magkaisa? Understand we all live in the Philippines, and every policy affects each and every Filipino. I think we differ in critical thinking and the role of journalism: we believe that no matter who’s in…

Government, Media, Politics, Technology

Duterte leaves Al Jazeera reporters stumped by his elegantly simple answers

October 16, 2016 benign0 120 Comments

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte faced Al Jazeera‘s Jamela Alindogan and Wayne Hay in an interview conducted the 15th October 2016 in Malacanang palace. The first of two instalments of the video recording of the interview made available on YouTube is shown below. The key topics raised by Alindogan and Hay revolved mainly around two issues…

Crime, Government, Media

Why ousting Duterte will be disastrous for the Philippines

October 15, 2016October 15, 2016 benign0 113 Comments

What’s up with all this talk about ousting sitting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte? That’s a no-brainer. There are certain people and parties so hungry for power that the campaign to seize Malacanang had not ended in May 2016. So it is hardly surprising that, rather than work with the incumbent Duterte administration, the Opposition seek…

Government, Politics