Category: Crime

Moving to the next circus act: COMELEC finally filing charges against Arroyo

November 18, 2011November 18, 2011 benign0 18 Comments

It gets interesting for us who chronicle Pinoy dysfunction now that the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (COMELEC) have approved the filing of electoral fraud charges against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA). After many years of hearsay reporting from the Philippine Media and haka haka “debate” among the chattering classes of the self-described Philippine “civil society”,…

Civics, Crime, Government, Media, Society

The Dominican Republic dragged into the latest Aquino Government gaffe

November 13, 2011November 13, 2011 benign0 24 Comments

This is looking to be another of those astounding gaffes that the government of Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has become world-renowned for since taking power in July, 2010. In recent months, the lastest “issue” making the rounds of the chattering classes is the travel ban slapped by MalacaÃ±ang on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo…

Civics, Crime, Media, Politics

It’s amazing how many of the Revillas of Cavite are named ‘Ramon’

November 2, 2011November 3, 2011 benign0 23 Comments

Killed over a Php 1 million (USD20,000+) monthly allowance. That was what seemed to have been the motive for the killing of showbiz personality Ramgen “Ram Revilla” Bautista who was murdered apparently in cold blood on the 28th October in his home. The two prime suspects are his younger siblings Ramon Joseph â€œRJâ€ Bautista and…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour, Lifestyle, Politics

Road rage and the Filipino ego – like navigating a bubble through a forest of pins

September 12, 2011 benign0 17 Comments

Any motorist who’s spent enough time negotiating Manila’s potholed streets will attest to how the Philippines’ surreal complex of culturally-ingrained bad manners, ill-thought-out road layouts, inconsistent law enforcement, and the overall unsightliness that blankets the Philippines’ capital cities contributes to an experience like no other. At the root of the banal dysfunction of Philippine-style motoring…

Civics, Crime, Culture

The 11th September 2001 terrorist attack – ten years hence: What have we learned?

September 10, 2011 benign0 4 Comments

History’s worst terrorist act against Americans within and outside of their borders will be remembered on Sunday, the 11th September this year. Exactly ten years ago on that date (now known simply as â€œ9/11â€), more than three thousand people died in separate suicide attacks against high-profile targets within the United States, culminating in the total…

Crime, Politics, Religion

Recalling Senator Tito Sotto’s Pepsi Paloma connection

September 5, 2011March 5, 2016 benign0 67 Comments

Pepsi Paloma was best known as one of the “softdrink” beauties along with starlets Coca Nicolas and Sarsi Emmanuel in Philippine Cinema of the early eighties. Her career and life were tragically cut short after an unfortunate alleged crossing of paths with comedy stars and noontime variety show personalities Joey de Leon, Richie d’Horsey, and…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour, Media, Politics

The Philippines and the ICC: The Right Sort of Foreign Intervention

August 28, 2011 BenK 7 Comments

Writing in yesterdayâ€™s Manila Standard, columnist Rod Kapunan demonstrates exactly the sort of violent, misplaced nationalism that is the best reason for the Philippines to join the International Criminal Court. If I was writing this for my own blog, Iâ€™d probably call Kapunan a tinfoil hat-wearing conspiracy freak and an uncivilized thug, but since this…

Crime, Politics

Ninoy Aquino’s assassination: Another year in the Philippines’ journey of progressive disillusionment

August 21, 2011 benign0 34 Comments

The death of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr is being commemorated today the 21st of August. The fact that this event, which happened 28 years ago today, is so revered illustrates a fundamental problematic aspect of the Filipino Condition. The issues that the Philippines faces in its journey through time — presumably towards that much aspired-for…

Crime, Development, Media