Category: Crime

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

Why is it so hard for Filipinos to just obey the law?

August 19, 2011May 30, 2013 Ilda 31 Comments

What is the million-dollar question that has been haunting most Filipinos everywhere in the world? No, it’s got nothing to do with the Philippine football team, the Azkals or boxer, Manny Pacquiao. It has a lot to do with the difference in behavior of Filipinos here and abroad. It’s a question that keeps popping up…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Society

The Mendoza bus hostage massacre: Remembering the victims of a preventable tragedy

August 14, 2011 benign0 51 Comments

Ill-equipped, ill-trained, ill-prepared, and ill-thought-out. These are words that can easily describe anything to do with the Philippines across the board — from its politicians, to its law-enforcement officers, to its Media, and ultimately to the very people they serve (and are consequently reflections of). The propensity to fail consistently is ingrained into the very…

Crime, Media, Politics, Society

Rioting in London: How it could happen in the Philippines

August 12, 2011August 12, 2011 Ilda 33 Comments

Rioting. Looting. Mugging. Stealing. These are activities people would normally associate with street gangs. But the recent mayhem in London that involved all those activities has baffled every expert in every society. They are baffled because the people involved didnâ€™t just come from the â€œalienated poor, those without hope, lashing out in rage and despair.â€…

Crime, Culture, Education, Society

Senator Zubiri resignation: Is it an admission of guilt?

August 5, 2011 Ilda 22 Comments

Quite a number of Filipinos were shocked by the news that Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri had filed his resignation following allegations of electoral fraud during the 2007 senatorial elections. The move was a first in Philippine political history. There has been no Filipino public official on record who resigned out of delicadeza or shame in…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Government, Politics, Society

What makes men like Anders Behring Breivik?

July 26, 2011 benign0 6 Comments

People who believed they were right, continue to believe that they are right, and then go on to make people believe they are right, and then proceed to surround themselves with people they have successfully persuaded to see this self-conceived righteousness… Perhaps this is one of many ways a psychopath is made, and from which…

Crime, Politics, Society

Election fraud did not just happen in 2004, it happened in other elections too!

July 24, 2011May 11, 2016 Ilda 31 Comments

“Pinpoint the mastermind behind the Hello Garci scandal and prosecute all those who participated in this shameless act”. These are the exact words of deposed former president and convicted plunderer, Joseph “Erap” Estrada regarding allegations of cheating in the 2004 Presidential elections. His statement reeks of vendetta. It seemed like a good idea then, but…

Crime, Government, Politics