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Is President Noynoy Aquino breaking his promise to ‘abolish’ pork?

September 25, 2013 benign0 26 Comments

Seems like a campaign is being mounted by Malacanang to backpedal on prior calls to “abolish” most forms of discretionary funds within the budget — such as Congressional pork barrel and “special funds” at the President’s disposal which many have described as Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III’s personal pork barrel. It has, indeed,…

Crime, Government, Politics

Modern trendy Manila’s primitive underbelly

September 24, 2013 Kate Natividad 20 Comments

Now that paralyzing floods are an almost weekly occurrence in Metro Manila, I now view what were once considered “improvements” on the city differently. Often, some balikbayan friends visiting Manila would gaze in wonder at the gleaming highrises that tower above the city skyline and gush about how modern it all looks now. The presence…

Development, Lifestyle

8 reasons why the pork barrel funds and other Presidential funds should be abolished

September 24, 2013July 7, 2022 Ilda 59 Comments

Rumor has it that there will be a campaign to try and convince the public that members of Philippine Congress need the priority development assistance funds (PDAF) or pork barrel funds to help continue the nationwide scholarship and medical assistance programs initiated by some members of Congress. True enough, two of President Benigno Simeon “BS”…

Crime, Development, Government, Politics

Enrile former aide Gigi Reyes hung out to dry!

September 23, 2013 benign0 14 Comments

What are we to learn from former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s “betrayal” of his former chief-of-staff and right-hand-person Gigi Reyes? The lesson, for me, is perhaps one that escapes most Filipinos’ common sensibilities: that in any line of work one should be loyal not to any one person but to the job and the…

Crime, Politics

The senselessness of Kae Davantes’s murder

September 21, 2013 benign0 91 Comments

The case of murdered advertising executive Kae Davantes has riveted the nation for days. In a country where crime is rife and, often, goes unpunished, there is something about Davantes’s case that makes it stand out. Perhaps it is her place in society, a successful young professional, the way her fortunes changed in the blink…

Crime

Project Save 182 Adrift in Ennui After SM Baguio Revises Its Expansion Plan

September 19, 2013September 19, 2013 P. Farol 74 Comments

The most recent word about SM Baguio City is that has revised its expansion plans and this will result in a lower number of pine trees affected. Apparently, just like the way they harked to Olivier Ochanine’s petition to save the Philamlife Theatre, SM seems to be showing that it is listening to and responding…

Development, Environment

President Noynoy Aquino’s extensive history of suppressing the Truth

September 19, 2013 benign0 21 Comments

My colleague Paul Farol, on the mark in his usual form, had earlier cited what is likely the most recent case of the underhanded manner with which the administration of Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III deals with revealing information circulating amongst its constituents. An article published by Francisco S. Tatad earlier this week…

Crime, Government, Media, Politics, Technology

Something Fishy About the Department of Agriculture’s Extra Rice

September 18, 2013 P. Farol 13 Comments

(Last week, I pointed out that there is an ongoing rice scam at the Department of Agriculture and National Food Authority that could cost taxpayers to lose P2 Billion to corruption and waste. This post picks up where it left off, which is the enormous yearly corruption and waste that is created by the government’s…

Crime, Development, Economy