Democratic Blogger

Next month, February 25, 2018 is the 32nd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the 20 year rule of the ruthless Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy and freedom on our nation and its people. This article is my thoughts about the revolution itself. Yes, democracy and freedoms including freedom of expression was restored to our nation and its people. But one fredom is not fully restored and the elite take advantage of it to seize it for themselves and to deprive the poor. What I meant is economic freedom. Thus, there is still a gap between the rich and poor. Ika nga sa Tagalog, mas yumanan ang mga mayayaman at mas humirap ang mga mahihirap. Then, the political dynasties emerged across the country and these dynasties continue to rule our nation from national and local governments up to the present as if they are ruling a monarchical nation like the Netherlands, Belgium etc, our political party system is dysfunctional, thus making our democracy inept. ...

I have posted sometimes in Facebook, the need for a regionally-elected Senate here in the Philippines for various reasons and since talks of reforming the present 1987 Constitution is gaining ground despite some opposition. On this blog, I shall reiterate the reasons why there has to be a regionally-elected Senate; 1.) For the regions to have representation in the Senate and legislation. In the present nationally-elected Senate, most senators are from Luzon, only one are from Visayas and three from Mindanao, hence, the disparity in representation; 2.) Any candidate for senator will only have to campaign in a region he or she wants to represent in the Senate. Less costs in campaigning unlike in a nationally-elected Senate wherein a candidate for senator would have to go around the country to campaign and it has many costs; 3.) So that unknown people can be candidates for senator. In the past and present nationally-elected Senate, most senators belong to political and business clan...

As for me, to raise consciousness on the Filipino people about nationalism and on the issues facing the country, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on December this year, 2018 must show movies that has nationalist themes and issue-based. Issue-based meaning, it will discuss an issue the country is encountering like on the economy, peace and order, national security, social concerns, etc. The reason why I am advocating this is because the Filipino people need to be further educated on nationalism and awareness on the issues. To strengthen the Filipino citizenship and identity and to raise patriotism also amongst Filipinos. I am sure that the MMFF Executive Committee will agree to this proposal to enhance the qualitity of the Filipino movies it will show this year and on the future. It is for the good of the country and people. And that, in order for the Filipino people know about the history of the country, more. There is also for the foreigners to know also what is all about the...

Some people would say that the EDSA 2 which commenced from January 16-20, 2001 that removed then President Joseph Estrada from power and installed then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as his successor is not truly a people power revolt unlike the EDSA 1 of Feb. 22-25, 1986 that ended the 20-year long repressive Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy and freedom on our land. In this case, I shall dwell only on EDSA 2 on this Note. I agree with such observation. EDSA 2 was a conspiracy of the corrupt officials who are being endangered of being removed from office and be prosecuted under the strict anti-corruption program of then President Joseph Estrada, those who were allied with Former President Fidel Ramos, who were at that time being investigated for the alleged anomalies he committed during his regime like the PEA-Amari scam, Centennial Expo scam etc, the ultra-conservative sector of the Catholic Church headed by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, the late Former President Co...

This short blog will discuss today a word that is not in the vocabulary of all us, Filipinos that is why our country cannot move forward and remain divided and that is: UNITY. Our country have experienced deep divisions until now, which is being intensified due to social media and abuse on the Internet usage. Our past leaders failed to exercise determined political will to unify us and our country. That's why we cannot deal with the problems and challenges our country is facing. We still doing furthering the wounds of division on each other, on national, international and personal issues. We are doing this crab mentality wherein we want ourselves to be highest at the expense of others. We lack sense of common good, genuine concern to build a spirit of community and keen look at justice. As Former Senator Francisco Tatad once said, ours is a "crisis of our times." Look at our neighbors, they are developed well politically and economically because their governments and th...

The news of China being invited to be a third player in the telecommunications industry of the Philippines, is a good news to everyone. Since it will break the chains of the Globe-PLDT duopoly in the said industry, particularly in the Internet to speed it up since it is one of the slowest in the world. But critics says that it might compromise the country's national security given the fact that the Philippines and China have territorial dispute in the Spratlys for decades, until now in spite of the warming of friendship as instituted by the Duterte administration's independent foreign policy. China has selected China Telecom to be its representative, in entering the country's telecommunications industry and in fact, in accordance with the 60-40 rule of the economic provisions of the present 1987 Constitution, it has chosen a Filipino partner for that purpose. In due time, perhaps, the Government will be able to address the national security concerns of this matter, even if ...