Monthly Archives: November 2009

The Kick-Ass Test

Posted on November 30, 2009 by benign0

In my recent article on GetRealPhilippines.net, “The promising decline of Philippine demagoguery“, I celebrate evidence I see of small steps being taken down a different path in the way we as a people regard the coming presidential elections. That is, … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Here's a Platform, But No One's Standing On It

Posted on November 26, 2009 by bkritz

Presented here, unedited and in its entirety, is the Economic Program portion of the platform published by the Liberal Party. It is one of three parts of their platform, which bears the general title “Policies for the New Century”; the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 62 Comments

The pig wipes off its lipstick

Posted on November 24, 2009 by benign0

The trouble with swinging a pendulum hard in one direction is that it will eventually swing back in the opposite direction just as hard. In the Philippines, the pendulum has swung from one end to the other hard all within … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Mindanao | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Between Poverty and Ignorance

Posted on November 18, 2009 by ilda

I have a friend who disagrees very much with my social and political views about the Philippines. He thinks that my commentaries about the country come across as negative and therefore running counter to his own views. This deeply offends … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Society | Tagged , , , | 46 Comments

The latest Pulse Asia popularity survey

Posted on November 16, 2009 by benign0

According to the latest Pulse Asia survey relevant to the coming 2010 presidential elections in the Philippines, “presidentiable” Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III along with his sidekick “Mar” Roxas are tops in the race. Their report Filipinos’ Preferences for the May … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , | 7 Comments

The official campaign period: Does it even matter?

Posted on November 14, 2009 by benign0

[…] our political practice is more oriented towards coalitions; and the coalitions, too, require time to hammer out a common platform as the basis of uniting to support specific candidates. The broader the coalition, the longer and more complicated the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

Noynoy Aquino's vblog

Posted on November 10, 2009 by benign0

Over at Barrio Siete, a commentor issued a challenge to another commentor that illustrates an aspect of the Philippine National “Debate” that is a Filipino favourite and a cherished tradition of our “democracy” — gossipping about who thy neighbour planeth … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Noynoy's dinner with the stars

Posted on November 8, 2009 by benign0

From Patricia Evangelista’s Jesus in Yellow on the Inquirer.net: In a nation where government responsibility has shifted to the media, and calls for aid are directed to newsroom desks instead of the hotlines of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Society | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Want to Run for President? Start by Buying a Dictionary

Posted on November 5, 2009 by bkritz

Noynoy Aquino was at it again last night, describing himself as a “fiscalizer” in an interview with CheChe Lazaro on ABS-CBN’s “Probe Profiles” program. The term, which has its roots in the Spanish word fiscalizar, is described in David Chan-oong … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 19 Comments

Why be part of the mad rush?

Posted on November 2, 2009 by benign0

Again Philippine society steps up to presenting itself as a showcase of sad juxtaposition. Just a month ago, an outpouring of often well-publicised support and relief work marked the aftermath of the destruction wreaked by tropical cyclone Ondoy on Metro … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments