Category: Politics

Filipinos need to end their love affair with mediocrity and ‘pwede na yan’ mentality

Posted on By Ilda 118 Comments on Filipinos need to end their love affair with mediocrity and ‘pwede na yan’ mentality
Filipinos need to end their love affair with mediocrity and ‘pwede na yan’ mentality

My views are not very popular with Filipinos. I guess it’s partly my fault because I like posting topics that some might consider taboo and boring. But it’s not like I discuss religion or make fun of other people’s religious beliefs. Granted, I like talking about Philippine politics and society in general but I really…

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Civics, Culture, Development, Economy, Featured, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Society

#NeverAgain? Was former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos really that awful a leader?

Posted on By benign0 67 Comments on #NeverAgain? Was former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos really that awful a leader?
#NeverAgain? Was former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos really that awful a leader?

The whole brouhaha surrounding the stink raised by Ateneo students and alumni over a photo of their fellows schmoozing with fomer First Lady Imelda Marcos in an Ateneo Scholarship Foundation (ASF) social event brought to light renewed debate over whether or not former President Ferdinand Marcos really was that bad. Was the former strongman a…

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Crime, Media, Politics, Society

Are Ateneans making too much of a big deal over the Imelda Marcos photos?

Posted on By benign0 47 Comments on Are Ateneans making too much of a big deal over the Imelda Marcos photos?
Are Ateneans making too much of a big deal over the Imelda Marcos photos?

I do regard with wonder the virulent and militant nature with which Ateneans today raise their fists in quaint anger over photos of Imelda Marcos schmoozing with their fellows in an Ateneo Scholarship Foundation (ASF) social event. Yet hardly an organised peep had been heard from the collective community of alumni and students over the…

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Civics, Culture, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Society

Filipinos desperately need a shared sense of belonging

Posted on By benign0 11 Comments on Filipinos desperately need a shared sense of belonging
Filipinos desperately need a shared sense of belonging

At the coffee shop where I routinely get my morning fix, customers mill around the counter in a way that often makes it difficult to distinguish those who are (a) in the process of ordering and paying, or (2) waiting for a concluded order to be served. So it is a normal and routine courtesy…

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Civics, Culture, Development, Politics, Society

Ateneo students in provocative ‘selfie’ poses with former First Lady Imelda Marcos

Posted on By benign0 24 Comments on Ateneo students in provocative ‘selfie’ poses with former First Lady Imelda Marcos
Ateneo students in provocative ‘selfie’ poses with former First Lady Imelda Marcos

A photo of what looks like several Ateneans posing beside former First Lady Imelda Marcos has been making the rounds. The photo clearly shows the seal of the Ateneo in the background and students assuming various provocative poses while flashing the “V” (‘victory’) hand gesture. That hand gesture came to be associated with loyalty to…

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Education, Lifestyle, Politics

Recall: President BS Aquino was crowned ‘Filipino of the Year’ by the Inquirer in 2010

Posted on By benign0 5 Comments on Recall: President BS Aquino was crowned ‘Filipino of the Year’ by the Inquirer in 2010
Recall: President BS Aquino was crowned ‘Filipino of the Year’ by the Inquirer in 2010

For old times’ sake, let us revisit how the Inquirer back in 2010 crowned President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III “our Filipino of the Year” after just six months in power. This honour was bestowed on the incumbent Philippine president supposedly for being “the living Filipino who made the most positive impact in 2010”. And,…

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Crime, Government, Media, Politics

4 memes that illustrate all the wrong arguments about the #DAP

Posted on By benign0 7 Comments on 4 memes that illustrate all the wrong arguments about the #DAP
4 memes that illustrate all the wrong arguments about the #DAP

The Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) is a fund created by the administration of Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III that serves as a vehicle for transferring unused appropriations from one project to another. It has since been deemed unconstitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court because it was ruled that the President does not have…

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Crime, Politics

Ph President BS Aquino doesn’t care if he broke the law while handling taxpayers’ money

Posted on By Ilda 33 Comments on Ph President BS Aquino doesn’t care if he broke the law while handling taxpayers’ money
Ph President BS Aquino doesn’t care if he broke the law while handling taxpayers’ money

According to Philippine Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr., President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino won’t apologize for the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP after it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He insists that “the executive branch ‘exercised good faith and due diligence’ in accordance with existing laws and relevant auditing…

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Crime, Development, Economy, Government, Politics