Among Filipinos in social media: Trending: Mindanao’s Islamic City of Marawi beseiged by Maute terrorists. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte places Mindanao under martial law. Breaking News: Earthquake hits many parts of the Philippines. First post: Woke up. Disunited nation. Back to dreaming. Another post: My bed rocks. Hi, ho … nightmares away! ATM: Blasts, firefight between military… Read More »
For the umpteenth time, Malacanang spokesmen had to explain and tone down what President Duterte had casually told soldiers just a few days after declaring martial law in Mindanao. The President said he would ignore the Supreme Court and Congress if they meddled with his decision to declare martial law in Mindanao. “Until the police and the… Read More »
THE tradeoff looks rather obvious. After Solicitor General Jose Calida appealed to the Court of Appeals to overturn the conviction of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles in January, the appellate court suddenly found no evidence establishing beyond reasonable doubt that Napoles abducted and kept hostage her cousin, Benhur Luy, and acquitted her. That… Read More »
MANILA Some congresspeople here think impeachment complaints are a nuisance because “they hold back development” and that they take time away from Congress’ main work, legislation. At the recent House hearing on Rep. Gary Alejano’s impeachment complaint against President Duterte, several members expressed annoyance because, they said, impeachments are a waste of time. But isn’t an impeachment complaint… Read More »
CHICAGO (JGL) – Vice President Leni Robredo grudgingly paid 8-million pesos (US$160,000) for her elections counter-protest while her losing vice presidential rival former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. gingerly parted with his 36-million pesos (US$720,000) for his elections protest. Either way, you look at it, there is something wrong – very wrong– with the Philippine political system that… Read More »
Donald Trump is finding the US presidency a complicated job. Our own President Duterte says he doesn’t need or relish the office. The first is naive to think the presidency would be a picnic. The second’s reaction is mystifying; why run for the office if you don’t need it in your life? The presidency is the toughest job… Read More »
No apologies. The “Nothing!” below that you are about to see – and perhaps, read – is a product of just one of those bad hair days that creeps me when I dare to write. Before “Wala lang!” burst out, the 16 paragraphs — that claim to be poetry without… Read More »
Dalawang magulang ang dumalo sa isang university commencement exercise. Kumpare 1: Sa wakas, nagmartsa din ang aking panganay. Magna! Kumpare 2: Inggit ako sa iyo, Pare. Kumpare 1: Magna-nine years na sana sa college kundi pumasang-awa! Teka, bakit tila malungkot ka? Kumpare 2: Summa kasi ang anak ko. Kumpare 1: Wow, ang galing. Ano ‘yan, luha ng tuwa?… Read More »
More than a half century after United Airlines launched its famous slogan “Fly the Friendly Skies,” the giant airliner has become a paradox on how to treat its passengers properly and in a friendly manner. After the brutal and bloody removal of Vietnamese doctor David Dao, a paying passenger who had confirmed booking and seat, last Monday to… Read More »
The plan of the University of the Philippines (UP) to confer an honorary doctorate degree on President Rodrigo Duterte has created quite a stir. What is the significance of the ruckus? As soon as word got out that UP was going to give Mr. Duterte an honoris causa, an uproar erupted, not only among UP students and alumni… Read More »