Democratic Blogger

The position of the President of the Senate is the third highest position in the country. It is also third in line of succession to the Presidency of the country. The election for the said post is held every beginning of every Congress. Anyone who could muster the votes of at least thirteen (13) of his fellow Senators or higher, got elected Preside nt of the Senate and he would use the official plate number 3 on his car. A Senator can be elected also unanimously as the President of the Senate, but this happened rarely a few times, in case of then late Senator Neptali Gonzales, Sr., on 1998 and of incumbent Senator Franklin Drilon on 2000, for his first term in the top post of the Senate. The President of the Senate is the presiding officer of every session in the Senate and supervises all its standing committees. That's why every hearing of every committee, he attends. He has also the control of the session hall, the ante chambers and offices of the Senate, particularly the offices...

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...