Tag: Elections

Why London’s anti-homeless spikes are a great idea Filipinos should take note of

June 10, 2014June 10, 2014 benign0 10 Comments

A public uproar has erupted over a photo of metal studs installed on floors at the entrance of luxury apartment buildings in London to deter homeless people from sleeping in these areas. No less than the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has reportedly joined the social media indignation frenzy condemning these fixtures as “ugly, self…

Civics, Politics, Society

The underlying simplicity of Philippine Elections

April 13, 2014 benign0 6 Comments

The Philippine Media, both old and new, whether traditional or trend-setting, is abuzz yet again with the usual discussions and “analyses” that tend to proliferate in value-crushing volumes. So I thought it’d be a good time to re-visit the fundamental process that underlies this hyped-up political exercise that is pitched to vacuous minds as some…

Media, Politics

Security, empowerment, and access: Why the lack of these hobbles progress in the Philippines

April 12, 2014 benign0 17 Comments

Oftentimes it is the most mundane of things going on around us — things we take for granted as business-as-usual that, when regarded from the point of view from a lateral thinker so effectively highlight some the most disturbing aspects of our society. Picture these scenes, for example: – The ubiquity of heavily armed uniformed…

Civics, Culture, Development, Society

Metro Rail Transit crisis gripping Manila a result of long-term failure in thinking

April 11, 2014March 24, 2022 benign0 16 Comments

The “increase in population” that has been made the excuse du jour of Malacanang to wash its hands off the appalling mass transport crisis paralysing Metro Manila today is something that the government cannot absolve itself of any responsibility for. Facing mounting calls for the head of Al Vitangcol General Manager of the Metro Rail…

Crime, Development, Government, Lifestyle, Politics, Society

Honor is not a strong part of Filipino tradition

March 14, 2014January 15, 2022 benign0 42 Comments

You don’t need to look far. The current political tele-dramas that have rivetted Filipinos lately point to it. Thievery on such an unprecedented vast scale perpetrated by the elected officials of a society are proof in itself. Many of them were not elected once but twice — and their offspring and kin elected despite all…

Civics, Culture, Development, Government, Society

Just because Kris Aquino denies it does not mean she may not end up a winner in 2016

March 5, 2014March 5, 2014 benign0 8 Comments

If you read carefully what Kris Aquino says on record regarding this matter, that “It has never been discussed,” and that such a concept is “not on the table” you will find that she basically deferring the decision to other people, whether that decision comes from the President himself or his sidekick Mar. In this…

Culture, Glitz and Glamour, Politics

Nothing Speaks To Pinoy Dysfunction Than These Two Pictures On This Ash Wednesday

March 5, 2014March 6, 2014 Gogs 41 Comments

A wise man learns from his mistakes. Well the Philippines is not known for producing wise men let alone electing them. In fact it is the other way around. The more morally/legally deviant you are, the better chance you have of being elected . To me that speaks more to the essence of the…

Culture, Government, Politics

Electioneering the 2016 Philippine presidential elections: will Filipinos continue the ‘bobotante’ tradition?

March 4, 2014 benign0 38 Comments

With just a little more than two years to go, electioneering for the 2016 Malacanang power grab is starting to get into the swing of things. As in the past, showbiz celebrities, unqualified politicans’ offspring, and dynasty heirs and heiresses persist as the banes of “activists” championing a more “intelligent” vote. As expected, the usual…

Crime, Culture, Politics, Society