Three news articles that appeared in the past week highlighted the sorry state of our political system – the prevalence of political dynasties all over the country. One news item reported that 542 candidates in the local elections are assured of victory because they are running unopposed. Most, if not all, of these unchallenged candidates are members of… Read More »
MANILA (JGL) – I am not a mind reader nor a clairvoyant. But when former Censors Chief Grace Poe filled up her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for senator in 2013, qualifying for senator was all that mattered to her. Winning for senator was the farthest thing from her mind. That is why while she was accomplishing her… Read More »
Something is very wrong with the Philippines’ Commission on Elections. After failing to submit its comment to a petition by former Senator Richard J. Gordon to compel the Comelec to issue receipts to voters after casting their votes in the May 9 polls, it now blames the tribunal for not giving them a chance to give its side.… Read More »
By Butch Galicia In the next 50 or so dawns-to-dusks and another three great 80-page thick issues of Balita, an expected 75 percent of some 55 million registered Filipino voters will go out and cast ballots in nearly 93,000 clustered polling precincts spread across the Philippine archipelago (7,641 islands on last count, depending on whether the tide is… Read More »
It is a source of wonder why 30 years after Filipinos staged a peaceful revolt to oust a dictator, many of them now seem eager or willing to embrace a presidential candidate who threatens to impose a strongman rule and a vice presidential aspirant who is the namesake son of the supposedly hated leader they deposed in what… Read More »
MANILA Like lookouts at the edge of a valley, concerned Filipinos are rushing to rouse the village: “The Marcoses are rising to power, the Marcoses are rising to power! To take over again as they did in the 1970s and 80s. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s attempt to rise from senator to vice president is just the start. Imelda… Read More »
MANILA Vice President Jojo Binay and Sen. Grace Poe have been playing musical chairs at the top of the presidential surveys here. Former senator and interior secretary Mar Roxas and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte do the same for the Number 2 spot. Miriam Santiago trails badly, with only a single-digit share of the poll numbers. She should… Read More »
CHICAGO (JGL) – Most of the popular sports that end up in a draw or tie are usually extended until the tie is broken by a toss coin or by any means by prior agreement. But in chess, if there is a stalemate, no amount of extra period can end the game. And the Philippine Supreme Court will… Read More »
By Butch Galicia While whiling winter blues away with peers in a mall’s fastfood zone, someone asked: Sino ba talaga ang tama? Is it Manny or Boy and Vice? Somebody replied: Pare, ang dapat itanong: “Sino ba ang may tama?” After a hearty laugh, panandaliang dumaan ang anghel as the group hushed. ***** So much was said and… Read More »
By: Butch Galicia On Feb. 25, 1980 in Cotabato City, a beautiful sunset was at its edge. The sky started to dim. Stars peeked and teased for a fervent wish. People milled and strolled in and around the plaza to relax and enjoy the cool air. Tired bodies trekked to the plaza’s corners, where passenger jeepney and tricycle… Read More »