Category: Politics

How the Miriam Santiago vs Ping Lacson circus mirrors the Philippines’ bakla culture

February 14, 2013 benign0 51 Comments

Funny that just as soon as Senator Miriam Santiago threatened to reveal the “truth” about Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson’s sexual orientation, the latter senator in a way kind of validated what many people have been speculating by going on a rampaging counter-attack himself. For one thing, this all supposedly started after Lacson was accused by…

Civics, Culture, Government, Media, Politics, Society

Noynoy surpasses Gloria? The Force is strong with him…NOT!

February 11, 2013August 14, 2013 FallenAngel 22 Comments

Former president Gloria Arroyo praised president Benigno Simeon Aquino III (BS Aquino) for the 2012 reported 6.6% GDP (gross domestic product) growth. There was a “but”, though: In her statement, Arroyo said she “shares the commitment of President Aquino to integrity and opposition to corruption.” “But the campaign against corruption must uphold the rule of…

Government, Media, Politics

Success is relative in Philippine politics

February 11, 2013 benign0 29 Comments

What’s the big deal with political dynasties? Why try to legislate their existence from the face of Philippine politics? That’s the same as trying to pass a law banning bad manners. Try that and ninety five percent of Filipinos will end up in jail. You wonder why such ironies as hate campaigns against political dynasties…

Culture, Politics

Is Edcel Lagman starting a veiled campaign for pro-RH Bill candidates?

February 8, 2013 benign0 8 Comments

Not surprisingly, a few of the very people who spearheaded the implementation of reproductive health law in the Philippines are having a bit of a post-fiesta reflection on just how big (or small) of a win they copped in practice. Looks like Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of “the main architects of that victory” is feeling…

Culture, Development, Politics

Are we over-governing political campaign activities?

February 7, 2013 benign0 12 Comments

In recent days we’ve been seeing a few new “movements” and “advocacies” emerging (or being repackaged) as dominant topics amongst the chattering classes. Many of these involve one or another form of implementing some sort of “governance” around the way the Philippines’ wondrous cacophony of activity and voices that is its “democracy” work their way…

Civics, Government, Media, Politics

Sleeping with the enemy: Carlos Celdran fails to notice Church and Media partnership in crime

February 2, 2013 benign0 9 Comments

Perhaps if self-styled shock activist Carlos Celdran weren’t too busy posing for self-portraits and posting these on Twitter, he’d notice that the bigger institution that needs a bit of spanking is Philippine Media. Much of what makes the Church powerful today is owed to the handiwork of “creatives” like now-Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (ironic!)…

Crime, Culture, Media, Politics

Carlos Celdran may indeed be a bad influence on the Filipino

February 1, 2013February 1, 2013 benign0 33 Comments

Maybe it is true — that Carlos Celdran is a bad influence on the Filipino. After all, hasn’t one of the biggest issues with us Filipinos always been about our lack of ability to think things through properly and act consistently upon said thinking within some sort of rules-based framework — such as the Law?…

Crime, Culture, Education, Politics, Religion

President Noynoy Aquino forgives Carlos Celdran like other allies but not his enemies

January 31, 2013January 31, 2013 Ilda 25 Comments

Philippine President Benigno Simeon â€œBSâ€ Aquino has weighed in on the â€œDamasoâ€ dilemma and has showed his inconsistency yet again. He â€œurged the Church to follow the Popeâ€™s example and forgiveâ€ tourist guide and part-time activist, Carlos Celdran. The latter was found guilty of violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code (for “offending religious…

Crime, Politics, Religion