Category: Politics

Is there hope in reforming the lazy presidency of President Noynoy Aquino?

November 21, 2012 benign0 66 Comments

In a statement marking the 30th Anniversary of his business forum, consultant Peter Wallace pretty much delivered an indictment on the very essence of the capital base of President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III’s political power — popularity. In calling on BS Aquino to make “tough, unpopular decisions”, Wallace is essentially offering the antithesis to…

Government, Politics

What is this ‘balanced’ reporting you speak of?

November 17, 2012November 17, 2012 a 26 Comments

Following the apparent death of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill due to certain technicalities and delays (which are, interestingly, totally absent during the governmentâ€™s relentless assault towards former Chief Justice Renato Corona), President Benigno Simeon â€œPNoyâ€ Aquino III attempts to sidetrack the tension caused by his administrationâ€™s neglect by once again raising the issue…

Government, Politics

Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill another casualty of the Noynoy Aquino administration

November 14, 2012November 14, 2012 benign0 24 Comments

We recall back when President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III was in campaign mode (as if the President ever got over such an operating mode) that the President reportedly put up the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill as an absolute priority of his administration… Presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno â€œNoynoy” Aquino III said last Sunday that…

Government, Media, Politics

Can social media ‘activism’ force Tito Sotto to apologise to Kerry Kennedy and Sarah Pope?

November 13, 2012 benign0 36 Comments

It seems to be becoming a showdown between the much-vaunted “power” of social media “activism” and the traditional institutional power of a Senator of the Republic. The most recent news report on the brouhaha over allegations of plagiarism being directed against Philippine Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III screamed “Netizens refuse to let Sotto off the…

Culture, Media, Politics

Should the Philippines consider becoming a state of the Union?

November 10, 2012March 12, 2014 FallenAngel 130 Comments

I mean, think about it. Filipinos worship virtually everything American. They follow American showbiz, American sport (NBA in particular), mimic American accents, and bicker socially and politically, in a manner similar to Americans. Filipinos copied the American style of government and the concept of democracy wholesale. Filipinos are using (but hardly maintaining) what remains of…

Culture, Economy, Government, Politics, Society

Philippine Elections will stop being a sham when voters wisen up

November 9, 2012October 11, 2013 Ilda 31 Comments

Filipinos can only stand back and watch in awe at how the Americans conduct their successful Presidential election. Less than a day after the US Presidential election, the winner could be declared without a hitch and without much contention from the losing candidate. Months of campaigning from both candidates come to an abrupt halt as…

Government, Politics

What the victory of US President Barack Obama means to Filipinos

November 8, 2012November 8, 2012 benign0 22 Comments

Filipinos follow American showbiz, American sport, American fashion, parrot American accents, ape American attitudes and, yes, act out American politics. Indeed, Filipinos were all but carried away by US election fever trooping to “mock US elections” organised by the US Embassy in Manila and whooping it up after the victory at the polls of re-electionist…

Culture, Media, Politics

Barack Obama re-election: But the Philippines remains a third-rate copycat democracy

November 7, 2012 benign0 41 Comments

As the presidential elections in the United States draw to a close, Filipinos who closely followed it can only sigh and treasure the moments that they felt they were participating in something truly big. The United States after all is the daddy of Philippine “democracy”. And in this age of social media, ‘citizen journalism’, and…

Media, Politics, Society