Religion and politics
How do we explain the people’s fanatical participation in new religious formations? Why are evangelical leaders enjoying high popularity these days? It’s not enough to describe the religious nature of Filipinos. The revival of interest in religion has something to do with the dislocations of the Philippine economy in the past decades.
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Conjugal dictators
I suggest that we name the following as the conjugal dictators of the country: Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos (1965-1986); Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos (1986-1998); Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo (1998-present).
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Bombastic!
The investigation may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the Batasan bombers. The masterminds behind the blast may never be known. Meanwhile, four people are dead, thirteen people are wounded and the rest of the country is still looking for answers.
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October scandals
To understand the impeachment complaints filed against Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it is necessary to review the political upheavals which rocked the nation last month. October is usually an uneventful month in Philippine politics. But last month, a series of unfortunate, unbelievable and explosive events triggered a political crisis which continues to hound the Arroyo presidency today.
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Child-friendly governments
There are numerous laws and programs that promote the welfare of children. But children remain the most vulnerable sector in Philippine society. They are the most affected during natural and man-made calamities.
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Malling republic
Why are malls surviving in a poor country like the Philippines? Why do Filipinos flock to malls despite the rising cost of living? Can somebody please check the indicators? We may be a rich country pretending to be poor.
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Debt conversion
The Automatic Appropriations Act and the government policy to resort to foreign borrowing have led to less spending for productive social and economic services.
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All power to the barangays
Political forces are contesting for hegemony in barangays throughout the country. Right now, traditional politicians have the upper hand since they control the economic pie. Didn’t Malacañang distribute cash gifts to allow governors and congressmen to finance the candidacies of their purok leaders?
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Reforming the aid process
In March 2005 the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness was signed by 35 donor countries, 26 multilateral agencies and 57 partner country governments. Initiated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris Declaration is an “unprecedented global consensus to reform the delivery and management of aid.”
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In other words
For the past week, the money received by politicians was called cash gifts, cash allowance, goodwill measures, charity funds and bribe money. Which one is the correct term? Whatever label politicians assign to the “gift-giving” in Malacañang, it must be emphasized that taxpayers’ money was distributed under dubious circumstances. In our vocabulary, this constitutes a crime.
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