Tag: constitution

A ‘revolutionary government’ led by the incumbent president is an insane idea

November 30, 2017 benign0 8 Comments

The trouble with Filipinos is they are shortsighted. They are focused on instant gratification and consistently fail to see the long view. This is evident today seeing all major political camps, the Yellowtards, the Dutertards, and the commies calling for measures that can only be implemented outside of the Constitution. The Yellowtards, of course, mount…

Culture, Government, Politics

The Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights is a waste of space and should be abolished

July 26, 2017 benign0 54 Comments

Put in the form of a more confronting question, the debate around the point (if any) of having a “Commission on Human Rights” (CHR) becomes a bit more clear… If the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights were to disappear tomorrow, would there be any significant consequences to the average Filipino? I posed the question several…

Crime, Government

Here is why ‘human rights’ is a weak argument against Martial Law…

May 26, 2017 benign0 14 Comments

The better question would be: Is “human rights” still relevant in the Philippines? It is, if you are a Martial Law Crybaby who is throwing a tantrum over the recent declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. For “activists” who shriek “Bloody Murder!” at the mere mention of Martial Law, “human rights” is the be-all-end-all argument…

Government, Society, The South

The rich understand poverty a lot more than the poor do

April 24, 2017April 24, 2017 benign0 13 Comments

The old familiar bleed-your-heart-for-the-poor wars are raging once again amongst members of the Philippine intelligentsia. “Awareness” of the “plight” of the poor, after all, is quite the fashion statement in the guilt-ravaged Catholic minds of members of well-to-do cliques raised on the notion that camels have better chances of going to heaven than rich folk….

Culture, Lifestyle, Society

Galit sa Gulay – A Case Study

February 6, 2017February 6, 2017 Charles Englund 3 Comments

Suppose I wanted to invest in a fancy, money-losing carinderia–Aling Maria’s Carinderia. I can either lend it money i.e. invest in its DEBT (in which case I become a creditor), or buy its shares i.e. invest in its EQUITY (in which case I become a pro-rata owner). Hmm, ano kaya? I really want to invest…

Development, Economy, Media

My Wish List For This Christmas

December 17, 2015 Grimwald 9 Comments

I’m putting this here just in case somebody out there might actually be listening… Dear Santa, I have been a very good boy this year so that means I can make a wish list that you are obliged to fulfill. If that’s the case, worry not because all you really have to do is fulfill…

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

Filipinos’ rotten politics mirror their inability to look FORWARD

October 20, 2015 benign0 11 Comments

Many Filipinos are too caught up with what the Philippines should “never” be or “never” suffer again. It’s become a popular political fashion statement. Trouble is, too few Filipinos could hardly imagine much more think about what their country could be. And this is why the Philippines does not move forward — because Filipinos are…

Crime, Culture, Government, Politics, Society

Why the Current Philippine Republic Needs to Die

October 17, 2015 MidwayHaven 13 Comments

When President Corazon Aquino established the Fifth Philippine Republic in 1987, she set forth a new constitution that in theory would eliminate the “excesses” of previous administrations. Foremost among these was the “Martial Law” clause that, in the event that a seated President would declare it, would allow it to pass through Congress first; Post-Marcos, this was…

Charter Change, Development, Economy, Environment, Government