Acting DPWH Sec. Oging Mercado Booted Ahead of BBM’s June 30 Inauguration

Posted on By P. Farol 2 Comments on Acting DPWH Sec. Oging Mercado Booted Ahead of BBM’s June 30 Inauguration
Acting DPWH Sec. Oging Mercado Booted Ahead of BBM’s June 30 Inauguration

Department Secretaries “leaving” before the end of the term of the President that appointed them usually isn’t newsworthy or even noteworthy. However, in the case of acting DPWH Secretary Oging Mercado, it seems he was booted out of office right after the wash of controversies that started plaguing his appointment almost from day one. No…

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Government, Politics

Communist publications @PinoyWeekly and @Bulatlat BANNED; discredited Opposition “journalists” scramble to their defense

Posted on By benign0 8 Comments on Communist publications @PinoyWeekly and @Bulatlat BANNED; discredited Opposition “journalists” scramble to their defense
Communist publications @PinoyWeekly and @Bulatlat BANNED; discredited Opposition “journalists” scramble to their defense

Following an order issued by the Philippines’ National Security Council to block Internet access to “news sites allegedly linked to communist rebels”, various media groups and “journalists” associated with the Philippine Opposition and its communist allies are up in arms again invoking that all-too-familiar “attack on press freedom” trope. The cast of characters in this…

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Crime, Media

What is national security, and why is it misunderstood?

Posted on By The Unpopular Opinion 1 Comment on What is national security, and why is it misunderstood?
What is national security, and why is it misunderstood?

Renowned, retired professor Clarita Carlos from the University of the Philippines has been chosen by incoming President Marcos Jr. as his national security adviser. Filipino netizens generally responded positively with her appointment in the aforementioned position, which is usually offered to retired military personnel. Initially, the image of national security has been equated with national…

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Development, Government, Society

Incoming PCOO Head Trixie Cruz Angeles is Showing She’s Way Above Her Pay Grade and Other Emerging Appointment Booboos

Posted on By P. Farol 12 Comments on Incoming PCOO Head Trixie Cruz Angeles is Showing She’s Way Above Her Pay Grade and Other Emerging Appointment Booboos
Incoming PCOO Head Trixie Cruz Angeles is Showing She’s Way Above Her Pay Grade and Other Emerging Appointment Booboos

On the matter of getting appointed to a cabinet position or government agency under the incoming second Marcos administration, it does well to behave with the humility and restraint of my best friend’s Aunty, Dr. Clarita Carlos. Yes, that one. When I came across an excel sheet that had the name of a government agency…

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Government, Media, Politics

Traditional “journalists”, suck it up: You no longer hold a monopoly over mass communication.

Posted on By benign0 19 Comments on Traditional “journalists”, suck it up: You no longer hold a monopoly over mass communication.
Traditional “journalists”, suck it up: You no longer hold a monopoly over mass communication.

One can quite understand why traditional “journalists” are going all shrill about the prospect of having to compete with bloggers for the privilege to reach a mass audience. After all, they once enjoyed a monopoly over that space. Before the advent of the Internet and, particularly, social media, mass communication was a capital-intensive activity. You…

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Media

Three highly influential appointments of the incoming Marcos Jr. administration

Posted on By The Unpopular Opinion 7 Comments on Three highly influential appointments of the incoming Marcos Jr. administration
Three highly influential appointments of the incoming Marcos Jr. administration

The Uniteam ticket of the Marcos-Duterte tandem cruised to power when they successfully won their respective positions astoundingly. This unprecedented moment is historical in a sense that they’ve gained a supermajority that gives the incoming administration a powerful mandate not only to continue the gains of the outgoing Duterte presidency but also to materialize their…

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Development, Economy, Government

Hospitality and Hospital Industries: Pillars of Philippine Economic Growth

Posted on By zaxx 10 Comments on Hospitality and Hospital Industries: Pillars of Philippine Economic Growth
Hospitality and Hospital Industries: Pillars of Philippine Economic Growth

Entertaining tourists and guests, and making them feel welcome and at-home make up a crucial pillar of the Philippine economy. Our national-pastime-turned-industry of singing, dancing, cracking jokes, and playing basketball provides our valued international and local visitors a good time to sit back and relax over San Miguel light and chicharon bulaklak pulutan while the…

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Culture, Development, Economy, Society

Why Rappler should be BANNED from covering Malacañang

Posted on By benign0 71 Comments on Why Rappler should be BANNED from covering Malacañang
Why Rappler should be BANNED from covering Malacañang

President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ran under a “unity” platform and it seems he is making good on this. He is now putting together a diverse team to help run the new Philippine Government and has even included a strong economic team with a good number of noted and highly-qualified technocrats. This is contrary to…

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Media