Tag: democracy

The Philippines says goodbye to the Haiyan ‘issue’ as it welcomes 2014

January 3, 2014 benign0 22 Comments

Is the Philippines, as a society, really concerned about the huge humanitarian crisis that continues to fester in its central region following the devastation left by super-typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. Yolanda)? Or is it, as is becoming quite evident, simply moving its focus to more interesting and intriguing issues? Fact is, the poor are not the…

Civics, Culture, Government, Politics

Nelson Mandela cannot be compared to Filipino ‘hero’ Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr

December 6, 2013December 6, 2013 benign0 100 Comments

I think the relevant thing of note to Filipinos on this day of the death of revered champion of human rights Nelson Mandela is that he cannot be compared to “national hero” Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. While Nelson Mandela, like Ninoy Aquino, endured imprisonment (though Mandela’s 27-year term dwarfs the latter’s), Mandela unlike Ninoy went…

Civics, Society

President Noynoy Aquino acts like he is above the law and spends public funds without Congress approval

November 1, 2013November 1, 2013 Ilda 36 Comments

Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino has so far been very good at playing the “victim card” and the “blame-game” during his term. In fact, he comes from a long line of Aquinos who make it a point to emphasize that they are being persecuted. They do this to get public support. The victim-mentality could…

Crime, Government, Politics

Vote buying is a win-win transaction for the average Filipino voter

October 29, 2013 benign0 17 Comments

You gotta love free enterprise. Filipinos will steal and sell anything that isn’t bolted to the floor. So no surprise in these recent reports following the latest barangay elections. Votes are certainly not the heaviest of objects to make off with. And there are lots of buyers. Why do Filipinos sell their votes? There’s really…

Civics, Culture, Politics

Three fundamental principles about the pork barrel that ordinary Filipinos will NEVER understand

October 25, 2013 benign0 8 Comments

So the Philippine intelligentsia are scratching their heads; baffled as to why Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III remains “popular” despite outrage over pork barrel thievery rippling across their society. Wonder no more! It’s always been obvious that it is Filipinos “resilience” that is at work here. Filipinos, after all, are renowned for their…

Crime, Education, Government, Politics

The Filipino Vote has failed the Filipino people

October 22, 2013 benign0 19 Comments

So according to the latest Pulse Asia “survey”, “three out of five” Filipinos reportedly believe pork barrel funds are routinely misused — even under Mr Daang Matuwid himself, President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III. This just illustrates the fundamental issue with Filipinos. Problems — and their obvious solutions — stare Filipinos in their faces year…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Government, Politics

Zoned Out On SONA 2013: Four Things I Might’ve Missed Hearing

July 28, 2013 John Bay 31 Comments

To say that nothing positive ever happened during the Aquino administration would be unfair both to the administration and even more so the Filipino citizen who has resiliently, despite odds continue to press forward towards personal and national progress. With this I’d like to congratulate the tax paying and remitting citizens, who by the sweat…

Development, Economy, Government, Politics

Political, economic reform: Best left to the grown-ups

June 1, 2013 BenK 10 Comments

(From The Manila Times, Saturday, June 1. Apparently, the link to this article has been giving some readers a bit of trouble, which is probably attributable to the Times’ website upgrade being only a couple days old. Please bear with us.) While President Aquino and the presumptive new Senate President Franklin Drilon have both expressed…

Charter Change, Government