Category: Society

Are Filipinos REALLY offended by Duterte’s quip on how to shoot female NPA combatants?

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 benign0 22 Comments

At one level, the remark made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte about what part of the anatomy state forces should aim for whenever they get a female member of the New People’s Army (NPA) within their sights is deeply offensive. As the Inquirer Editor pointed out today, it is Not Funny. Mr. Editor also further…

Culture, Media, Society

What discipline?

February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 joeld 14 Comments

Discipline has been on a downhill trend since the evil dictator left, we all know that for a fact. Much to the approval of older people like me, Rody is elected as someone who might be able to bring back self discipline and consequently, respect to our country. All well and good. Well….nope. You see…

The whole trouble with being a former Leni Robredo supporter

February 2, 2018November 27, 2021 benign0 2 Comments

Undersecretary for Presidential Communications Lorraine Badoy has gotten herself into a hell of a pickle recently. After asserting in a Senate probe on “fake news” that “vice president” Leni Robredo is a “purveyor of fake news”, she is now being taken to task on two fronts. Firstly, as an officer of the presidential communications machine,…

Culture, Politics, Society

Change comes and goes, but the lack of a Filipino common, greater good remains the same

January 31, 2018February 1, 2018 FallenAngel 8 Comments

It’s not hard to observe everything that’s been in the public consciousness recently, and come to one unavoidable conclusion: the cultural inertia of Filipinos will outlast any presidency. Even the current administration under Rodrigo Duterte. Politicians will always be politicians. In times where public sentiment has tipped against the incumbent, the people are easy to…

Civics, Culture, Development, Society

“Wisdom of the crowds” and “power to the people” debunked: What’s next for democracy and social media?

January 31, 2018 benign0 5 Comments

You’d think the Senate probe on “fake news” would be an undertaking in aid of legislation. Thus the presumption underlying such a probe is that some sort of legislation will be proposed to address the “problem” of “fake news”. So what exactly is the “problem” with “fake news”? One thing that could be noted in…

Media, Politics, Society

You can’t destroy Mocha Uson by dragging her through the mud — because she’s already been there

January 23, 2018June 6, 2018 benign0 8 Comments

The amount of time and space being given to the “issue” that is the awarding of distinction to Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Alumni Association is amazing. I may not be a big fan of the current Philippine Opposition and, specifically, the bloc of bozos who currently lead them,…

Education, Lifestyle, Society

“Press freedom” was killed by Filipino LAZINESS and not by the Philippine government

January 21, 2018January 21, 2018 benign0 20 Comments

The so-called “Black Friday Defend Press Freedom” rally organised to re-package Rappler‘s corporate compliance issue into a “press freedom” issue turned out to be a mere fart in the wind. The rally, held at a Quezon City roundabout commemorating boy scouts who died in a plane crash, did not attract enough participants to fill even…

Media, Politics, Society

The notion that “fighting for Rappler” equals “fighting for press freedom” is stupid and DANGEROUS

January 17, 2018January 17, 2018 benign0 7 Comments

The game is up for Maria Ressa. As CEO of embattled “social news network” Rappler, she should have been on top of her company’s risk exposure to the business environment — including the regulatory framework in the country within which her business operates. She and her cheering squad used the argument that the Securities and…

Media, Society