Category: Media

Online libel, freedom of information, and what Filipinos have done with their freedom

February 24, 2014February 25, 2014 FallenAngel 35 Comments

Outrage in the citizenry continues erupting over the recent ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the online libel clause in Republic Act 10175, A.K.A. the Cybercrime Law. Due to the online libel clause not being declared unconstitutional, social media is abuzz with discussion that the end of “freedom of speech” and “freedom of expression” draws…

Civics, Culture, Government, Media, Society

Absolute MUST READ: Can We Survive A Kris Aquino Vice Presidency?

February 24, 2014February 24, 2014 P. Farol 75 Comments

It used to be that when it comes to what will be on the television on any given Sunday afternoon, the voting that goes on around my house has me beaten by three (the wife and two housemaids) in favor of watching a showbiz oriented and one (my kid) in favor of Baby TV or…

Government, Media, Politics

The 1986 EDSA Revolution’s legacy: Three key aspects of the 1987 Constitution that hobbles Philippine progress

February 24, 2014 benign0 21 Comments

It’s that time of the year again when we celebrate that supposedly seminal event in Philippine history when, according to the local lore, the forces of evil (porportedly the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos) were vanquished by the forces of good (supposedly the Aquino-Cojuangco feudal clan). Marcos removed. Game over. The 1986 “People…

Charter Change, Civics, Development, Government, Media, Politics, Society

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

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

Typhoon Haiyan in hindsight: Romualdez could have been set up for blame had PNoy been a bit shrewder

February 18, 2014November 8, 2021 benign0 20 Comments

So it’s been 100 days since the disaster wrought by super-typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. Yolanda). A one-hundred day anniversary is an arbitrary point following a seminal event where the average talking head observes the tradition of dipping into that fountain of useless wisdom called hindsight to tell a story. Here we go, then. First, the facts….

Civics, Government, Media, Politics

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

Why pork barrel whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Ruby Tuason should go to jail

February 16, 2014 benign0 9 Comments

The fact that there are many whistleblowers and that the entire case the Department of Justice is mounting against several Philippine senators accused of plundering their pork barrel funds rests on these whistleblowers highlights the profound dysfunction of the country’s criminal investigation and criminal justice system. How many whistleblowers are needed to support the case?…

Crime, Media, Politics