Category: Politics

Changed situation in Golan Heights renders UN peacekeeping mission there irrelevant

September 5, 2014 benign0 20 Comments

It seems the real question that needs to be asked with regard to the role of Filipino troops deployed to United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Middle East is this: Is it our war? As the term “peacekeeper” implies, UN “peacekeeping” missions protect peace within their respective areas of responsibility. When there is no longer…

Government, Politics

Noynoy Aquino cannot take all the credit for the Philippines’ economic gains

September 5, 2014 Ilda 27 Comments

Can the Philippines Afford a Single Aquino Term in Office? This was the question posted by The World Post blogger, Daniel Wagner recently and a question a lot of Aquino supporters have been passing around lately. Not only is the question idiotic, it is also pointless. It is idiotic because it assumes that President Benigno…

Development, Economy, Government, Media, Politics

Continued loss suffered by Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 FIBA Wold Cup mirrors Philippine history

September 4, 2014 benign0 73 Comments

Regard for sport mirrors society. And nowhere is this more evident than in the Philippines. Last night, Gilas Pilipinas was handily beaten by Puerto Rico in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain after literally dropping the ball — losing an early lead it enjoyed over the first half of the game. The game was…

Culture, Development, Economy, Government, Media, Politics, Society

The Philippines As Hacienda Luisita and Why Kris Aquino Loves Jojo Binay

September 1, 2014 P. Farol 23 Comments

All that really matters to the political and economic elite is that they continue to be the political and economic elite for as long as possible. The Philippine Constitution (pick any of one of them), the government (it doesn’t matter what form), the legislature, the court system, and all other institutions are there precisely to…

Development, Economy, Government, Politics

DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya’s epic MRT public relations fail

August 29, 2014 benign0 14 Comments

Not surprising. Political observers gave Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya a unanimous Fail in his most recent public relations stunt. Yesterday, the 28th August, Abaya stepped up to a self-imposed challenge to prove Manila’s decrepit Metro Rail Transit was “safe”. The MRT has been beleaguered by recent high-profile mishaps, among them…

Development, Government, Lifestyle, Politics

Senator Pia Cayetano: Some proper perspective is due the whole Torre de Manila brouhaha

August 28, 2014 benign0 10 Comments

While I find a bit justified the whole stink being raised around the way the Torre de Manila highrise condominiums being constructed in Manila by developer DMCI Homes is supposedly “ruining” the view of the Rizal Monument, I think we are missing the bigger picture. Metro Manila is an ugly city. And that ugliness did…

Civics, Crime, Development, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Society

Why do Filipinos keep voting for crooks?

August 26, 2014August 26, 2014 benign0 36 Comments

What’s in Filipinos’ heads everytime they go to the polling booth on election day? That’s the million dollar question every politician wants the answer to. For that matter, it’s the question that’s flumoxed political analysts for decades. And it is specially relevant now that much of the Executive and Legislative branches have been revealed for…

Crime, Culture, Government, Politics, Society

Noytard Free Zone

August 26, 2014 Gogs 16 Comments

I am a repeat offender. I went to last year’s abolish the pork barrel protest and as you may guess by now, things have gotten worse in the last 12 months. My one year old thoughts are found here. I am not a journalist by any stretch of the imagination. I just develop ideas and…