We beg to differ.
In what at first seemed like a surprising – and potentially disturbing – acquiescence by the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno’s unusual unilateral issuance of a temporary restraining order against the COMELEC preventing them from removing Emmanuel “Manny†Maliksi from his contested seat as the mayor of Imus, Cavite was upheld by the…
After being exposed to some of the inner workings of Philippine politics and having worked for a string of politicians over the past decade, I’ve become somewhat skeptical of Philippine political parties — especially new ones. Old parties like the Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, PDP-Laban, Lakas-CMD, and others are basically used like…
Read More “File Under Oddities (FUO): Philippines knows how to part-tayh! (Part One)” »
I’ve been seeing a lot of views being aired about the emerging sameness in how the coming 2013 elections is being shaped by traditional Philippine politics. This time, the buzzword is “dynasties” — how the sons and daughters of aging politicians are stepping up to claim the offices and realms held and ruled respectively by…
Read More “Dynasty politics in the Philippines: why the outrage only now?” »
A 2012 World Happiness Report has reportedly ranked the Philippines “among the least happiest in Southeast Asia, or 103rd out of 155 surveyed countries worldwide.” That bit of news should be as welcome as a skin rash to advocates of the Philippine tourism slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines”. It could actually lead them…
Read More “Reports say Filipinos are sad and depressed in the Philippines” »
There is a saying: “Never trust anyone who says ‘trust me’.” Recent events have proven this statement true. On the mere basis of his pedigree and family name, then presidential candidate Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III repeatedly assured the electorate that he could be trusted. And they did. The man is now President of the…
Peace at last in Mindanao — or so people hope in the advent of greater autonomy granted by the government of President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III to rebellious Muslim groups there. The Framework Agreement covering the terms of this autonomy is set to be signed on the 15th of October this year between the…
I don’t buy this whole freedom of expression thing when it comes to speaking up about the RH Bill — not if I were employed by an institution of learning that affiliates itself with the Roman Catholic Church. Those outspoken professors enjoy the great pay (as far as educators go) in schools like the Ateneo,…
Read More “Educators who are EMPLOYED by Catholic schools should make a CHOICE” »
Filipino-American community leader Rene Ballenas was arrested early last week on charges of burglary and grand larceny after being caught on video taking more than USD7,000 worth of items that were to be auctioned off for the benefit of sick children. According to investigators, the items Ballenas allegedly took were likely to be ultimately destined…
Read More “Prominent Filipino New Yorker arrested for stealing from cancer foundation” »