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Barack Obama re-election: But the Philippines remains a third-rate copycat democracy

November 7, 2012 benign0 41 Comments

As the presidential elections in the United States draw to a close, Filipinos who closely followed it can only sigh and treasure the moments that they felt they were participating in something truly big. The United States after all is the daddy of Philippine “democracy”. And in this age of social media, ‘citizen journalism’, and…

Media, Politics, Society

Murderous batang hamogs and Filipino politicians: Is there really a difference?

November 7, 2012November 7, 2012 benign0 19 Comments

It’s the rallying cry of the “Pro-Life” mob: The right to life. The thinking there is that it is a heinous crime to the the heavens to deprive a brainless embryo floating inside the body of poor teenage girls of the “right” to be conceived, or to be born. Missing in this half-brained conceptual formula…

Politics, Religion, Society

Philippine President Noynoy Aquino leads like a dim light shining in a darkened room

November 6, 2012November 6, 2012 benign0 34 Comments

Rather than spell out absolute measures of what his recent series of overseas trips aim to achieve, Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III justifies these by highlighting how much less mileage he’s so far racked up compared to former President Gloria Arroyo. That’s like a drunkard justifying the latest bottle of whisky he polished…

Government, Media, Politics

Looking to the United States for lessons? Why bother?

November 6, 2012August 14, 2013 FallenAngel 49 Comments

In light of the recent hurricane Sandy that struck New York, and the upcoming presidential elections in the United States, it seems that our political leaders here in the Philippines are now suddenly striking up platitudes of “looking to the United States for lessons” on how to do this or that, what not to do,…

Culture, Government, Media, Politics

Observing the US Presidential Elections boils down to ‘Tanghod’ Journalism

November 5, 2012November 5, 2012 P. Farol 23 Comments

Hmmm… If it’s actually the first time you’re learning about the US Presidential Elections, a trip to the US at this time would certainly be an eye-opening experience and will probably be worth years of intensive education in all things American. But if you’re going to the US as a journalist of any sort, certain…

Politics

Do the US presidential elections really matter to Filipinos THAT much?

November 5, 2012 benign0 27 Comments

I mean, really. What relevance does the outcome of the presidential elections in the United States have on the future fortunes of the average Filipino schmoe? If an entire raft of Philippine presidents have themselves exhibited pratically zero influence on the fortunes of entire generations of Filipinos, what impact can the very miniscule difference between…

Politics, Society

Filipinos do not know it yet but dynasties may actually be good for the country

November 4, 2012 benign0 57 Comments

It’s been glaringly obvious that the Philippines is a feudal society and has been ruled by dynasties since time immemorial. Dynasties, after all, are essential in a society renowned for its Heritage of Smallness. Nick Joaquin in that seminal essay observed: However far we go back in our history it’s the small we find–the nipa…

Culture, Politics, Society

Grace Padaca’s indebtedness to Noynoy Aquino could compromise Comelec’s independence

November 2, 2012October 23, 2013 Ilda 87 Comments

The new Commissions on Elections Commissioner, Grace Padaca has reportedly asked “the Sandiganbayan to junk the graft and malversation cases filed against her, saying her position in government has vested her with immunity from such suit.” Well, well, well. Who is Padaca trying to fool? It seems she is playing a trick on peoples’ memories….

Crime, Government, Politics