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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Group petitions SC on political dynasties

Social and political criticisms

A group filed a 24 page petition with Supreme Court regarding political dynasties precisely that this practice is unconstitutional (culpable violation of Sec. 26 of Art II) of the constitution.

This post wish the petitioners good luck.  The SC has no course of action since there has been no enabling law to enforce the said constitutional provision.  How would the legislators legislate against their status quo?

All they can do is issue a TRO...

Or we can impeach;   no RA to talk about.

Or let our votes just speak.

It is better that way.  It is important we know who are violating the constitution and simply vote them out. Este boot them out.

We thought Newsweek was timeless

Social and political criticisms

From inquirer.

Newsweek had to end its printed issue.  And we thought it was timeless.

Its print circulation is one half of what it used to be.

Newsweek a victim of digital age?

Why there was fire in one of the interisland ferries in 2002

Social and political criticisms

Yesterday, I rode an inter island ferry.  It was loaded with about two dozens large vehicles bound for Batangas city.

The whole ferry reeked of:   copra oil, feedstock (fuel of the diesel engine) and other lubricants. The ferry was spewing what looked like excess fuel (or leaking fuel)

I noted however that despite huge signs on the boat, "NO SMOKING", IT WAS OBSERVED:

l.  That the crew was happily smoking;

2.  That drivers of the vehicles were smoking as they lounged on top of their vehicles.

It was a tinderbox waiting for catch fire.

The general maintenance of the ferry:  5s leaves much to be desired:    poor housekeeping:   parts littered everywhere, rusty parts, slippery floors, busted plumbing, leaking pipes etc.   How come MARINA ALLOWS THIS?  OR BFP DOES NOT ENFORCE THE NO SMOKING ABOARD THE FERRIES?

It is no wonder that one of the ferries caught fire some years back

We never learn...from MV Maria Carmela fire tragedy

Heavy traffic last night?!!#

Social and political criticisms

Last night was a rush hour time and it was maybe by default a traffic fraught night.

A major thoroughfare was jammed last night.  However lo and behold, when we reached the intersection, the traffic was merely caused by jeepneys who used the intersection as their terminal.

What in the world?

Since the traffic enforcers or policemen were all ready off, the drivers can violate the traffic rules/laws with impunity.

Can we not have enforcers on staggered duty even late at night?  It is good income for them anyway.  With overtime and.....

Just get rid of those unruly drivers.

Improve our mass transport.  Guys at DOTC. MMDA (please)  PNP  (Manila City hall)

Let us help our country move forward.  Traffic wastes health and gas.

Drivers do not know what pedestrian lane is?

Social and political criticisms

There are now too many vehicles passing by on the road fronting the municipal building and office where we work.  The DPWH and LGU have thoughtfully installed signs:  pedestrian crossing, pedestrian lane, and Public Safety personnel.

But the following:  jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, motorbike drivers do not give way to pedestrians despite the fact that this is the only haven for safe passage.

The PNP and traffic enforcers are of no help either.

When can we even obey pedestrian lane rules.  No wonder there are so many traffic accidents involving pedestrians and MV?

Why is this so?

How can we ever make this country, a govt of laws?

Saturday, October 13, 2012

What do you think of the Obama ad vs Romney using Big Bird

Social and political criticisms

From Huffington post

It was clear from last week's week debate that Obama lost.  Comes the retaliation by Pres Obama - an ad of Big Bird assailing the cutting off of funding for PBS which runs sesame street.

What do you think of this change in the trend of the political campaign?  Are the voters school children?

Is it a winning strategy?

Romney to cut off funding for the Big Bird/ Sesame St.

Cyber bullying, is it real? Why did Amanda Todd commit suicide

Social and political criticisms

From Huffington Post

Do we need Anti Cybercrime after all?  (But modified very well so as not to have broad definition of libel)

This post mentions of cyberbullying of certain Amanda Todd in Vancouver;   she eventually committed suicide.  She flashed topless in a cyberencounter, and eventually she was forced to repeat the same at the risk of blackmail, ie her pictures to be released to the public at he social media.

Do we need the anti cybercrime bill after all;

Do we need to reveal all at our profile?

As in the old times, as our parents tell us, do not talk to strangers, even at the internet.  If you do;  maintain strict privacy and secrecy.


Sad story of Amanda Todd

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

From Askmen - World's Most Unethical Corporation

Social and political criticisms

From AskMen

The article is based on the hypothesis that corporations are predicated on profit alone.  For them, the article asserts, it brute capitalism knocking competition off.  However some companies go beyond ethics and what is proper with ten commandments:  Thou shall not kill or alter what is natural.

Some of the worse corporations are:

1.  Cuadrilla Resources.  It has caused artificial earthquakes.  It is engaged in hydraulic fracking to extract more oil from shale oil fields;

2.  Monsanto - artificial selection

3.  Nestle -  artificial nutrition (breast feeding vs. commercial milk infant formula)

4.  ACT -  involved in cloning

Read more on Ask men unethical corporations

What do you think of this article?

What do you think of the four corporations mentioned?

Do you know of other corporations engaged in unehical activities?

Monday, October 8, 2012

Cebu Cardinal wants NatGeo author banned from PHL

Social and political criticisms

From Rappler.com

Retired Cardinal Ricardo Vidal proposed that NatGeo author Brian Cristy be banned from PHL for writing stories re Msgr. Cristobal Garcia being involved in illegal ivory trade, and deceiving people whom he interviewed for the story.

The Cardinal criticized Cristy for alleging that the good Msgr. gave tips on how to smuggle ivory out  of the country.  Msgr. Garcia did not give such at tip;   it could have come from a woman.

Msgr. Garcia is being investigated by NBI for such an allegation.  He was also suspended by Vatican for alleged child abuse

Watchdog Dallas news on Msgr Garcia

50 Shades of grey of Liability for Cybercrime

Social and political criticisms

From Rappler.com

Dean Ernest Maceda of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila described "50 layers of liability "  in the just made into a law RA 10175. The law covers borderless territories and may result in closure of website.

Before internet lib pel cases were dismissed because of absence of internet libel.   However, in the new law, who is liable and what is libel are ill defined, giving rise to possible abuses.  Are reposts and retweets punishable offenses?   In the case of newspapers, the editor and publisher can be held liable.  The websites may hold itself not liable because of certain terms and condition for the use of websites, and lack of knowledge;   however, for those who repost, retweet or share?

Some general objections are:

l.  From the publisher to the retweeter?

2.   The journalists and the media

3.  Borderless crime

4.  Against freedom of speech

A dangerous law?

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Be careful with your posts now, as the sites are!

Social and political criticisms

I noticed that when I post comments on anticybercrime, the posts disappear at FB (they could not be posted) or if via email, the daemon email comes back.

Maybe, the  carriers:   fb, google have deemed it wise that in order to protect the account owner, and themselves, it is better not to post comments of the netizens who are protesting.

That is freedom of expression:  the freedom to post without being seen, arrested or jailed.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Angara: lawmakers should have studied cyber law first??!!

Social and political criticisms

From ABS-CBN news

As reelection time is coming,  Pilates washing their hands are making a run for pointing the responsibility for approving the controversial Anti Cybercrime law which has taken effect.  The PNP, the NBI has another excuse for shakedown.

The young Marcos, Escudero  are washing their hands for the oversight.

Sotto, Lacson are unrepentant.

 Sen Angara, whose son Sonny is running, the author of the law is now singing a different tune;  it is now a collective effort and those who worked on this  have studied cyberlaw first.  Why didn't they?

That is very correct;  that is their job.  That is why they have large staff spending millions,  and public hearings (which they did not have)

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Group slams scandalous Political Dynasties

Social and political criticisms

From Inquirer

 A civil society based in QC named CENPEG (Center for People Empowerment in Government) the  emergence of more blatant  and scandalous political dynasties in the Phil.  The group refers to the dynasties being formed especially in the legislature by Estrada, Enrile, Cayetano,  and Magsaysay families which may have two each in the Senate.  Even the  President seem to be benefit from this growing trend. (How about Angara?)

Only few families now own Phil. government. (Government of the families, for the families, and by the families)  The Maguindanao phenomenon is not unusual.

Less and less people have opportunities to be elected in government elective positions. The group observes the absence of real democracy;  only growing oligarchy.

Is this growing oligarchy unstoppable?

We really need to amend the constitution to ensconce this reality?

What happened to the Section 26 art II of the Constitution on political dynasties?


Section 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.cralaw


Growing and expanding political dynasties in PHL politics

Article II of the Constitution on Political Dynasties

Nothing wrong with political dynasties? Look at Art II Sec 26 of 1987 Constitution

Social and political criticisms

From yahoo news

Is nothing wrong with political dysnasties?

I thought it was  the intention of the l987 constitution to end the perpetuation of power in one person or one family.  I could be wrong.   Hence the limited term of office, and only 3 consecutive reelection.

However, political dynasties are the norm rather than the exception.

What do you think?  Is nothing wrong with political dynasties?  Is the PHIL govt a democratic institution or monarchial...

Is it all in the family?

Look at Sec 26, Article II of the Constitution which prohibits political dynasties ???!
(What is the alibi again, no enabling law?  How many years since l987 have passed? No one would be a leader enough to pass an enabling law?  Or is it enough that every one what the Sec says?)

Is Pacquiao building his own political dynasty

Senator -" let us scrap libel law and start mudslinging"

Social and political criticisms

From PDI

The senator who was alleged to have inserted the controversial libel law provision into RA 10175, said in an interview that he is ready to file a bill amending the controversial libel law provision.  This he said, "para puwede ko na silang murahin." (Is he a goon?)

This statement plus the other regrets from other senators over the oversight in the passage of the controversial anti cybercrime law makes us reflect on the following:

l.  How could a distinguished senator make such a rude unstatesmanlike comment.?  Dont the Filipino voters who put him into this throne deserve something better?

2.  What is the quality of law making process in the PHL legislature?

3.  For all the pompous parliamentary procedure, big staff, august halls, big budget, how can supervision and review of lawmaking be loose?

Netizens, let our votes speak this coming election. Let us vote real leaders, not just popular people. Let us be wise. Let us not suffer this absence of leadership and wisdom.

"Let us scrap libel law and start mudslinging"   Can you believe the good senator said that.

Are you still indifferent about RA 10175? Anti cybercrime law?

Social and political criticisms

From GMA news

Brother, are you still a fence sitter on the RA 10175 (the anti cybercrime act of 2012)?  Think again.

How could such a law be passed without close scrutiny by the Senators, and even by the large staff of the office of the President?  How come the libel clause was inserted without the benefit of public hearing?

And you know what, your penalty could be up to Pl,000,000 and up to 12 years in jail?  Even if you just liked a post that is deemed libelous?

One of the things that you can do is to remember the author of the bill:   Sen Angara, and the one who inserted the libel provision, and those who voted for the law.  Even the Prez voted the questionable law hastily?

Sen Guingona objected to the law.

Scary provisions for the citizens in the Anti cybercrime law of 2012

Change of heart by senators; can not afford lose votes?

Social and political criticisms

From yahoo news

The senators, including the author of the Anticybercrime law of 2012, seem to have flipflopped.  They plan to amend the law, including the offensive libel insertion. The opposition to the law, both local and international seems to be overwhelming.

Sen Marcos said that free speech must be upheld;  Sen Escudero said that the libel clause was a mistake. He said that the committee version he signed did not contain the libel provision (There was really insertion which Sen Sotto denies?)

Sen Pia Cayetano said she did not object to the libel provision when it was brought on the floor.  The solons were pre occupied with impeachment proceedings (the impeached CJ must be laughing at his tormentors for such a work?)

Many think that it was a case of retarded if not sloppy lawmaking.

Only Sen Guingona voted vs the said law. Majority guilty

Voters take note.   Senators who voted for RA 10175.   That is judgement day for senators.  The Prez is guilty too?! This is a grave oversight, if that how they are now beating a hasty exit/alibi

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Libel provision in RA 10175 was inserted into the bill without public hearing?

Social and political criticisms

From electronic frontier foundation

The Philippine internet which has been free from censorship suddenly faces trouble with the passage of RA 10175, or the  Phil. anti cybercrime law.  The law covers such things as cybersex and hacking, but what is troubling is the insertion of the  provision of Libel Law, RA 355, into the law.  It was alleged by a well known blogger that such was inserted into this anticybercrime law by a lawmaker who was apparently irked by cyber attack on him on his deragatory remarks to blogger in 2 plagiarism issues There was no public hearing....

Who inserted that offending libel law provision.?  The senator's chief of staff Villacorta confirmed this.  The blogger criticized the cut and paste method used by the lawmaker (his staff) in attaching the RA 355 provision

How could the Senate Leadership have allowed that?  Many hearings are conducted in the interest of legislation, but not for this important law that affect so many.  In a way, without the hearing, the law is defective from the start because it did not follow the correct procedure to my mind (It is very possible that I could be jailed for this post)

The scope of libel law is increased with the passage of this law.  The Phil libel law is called excessive and draconian, that no less than UN Human Rights Council called for its review, wrote the National Union of Journalists.

In the Philippines, libel is not determined by what the writer means but by what the  words mean. EFF supports Phil journalists stand.

How come the law was not reviewed well by the office of the President?

How come, after  the pledge that "Never again..." statement last Sept 21, 40 years of Martial Law anniversary, could a more repressive law be passed?

How could Senate staff and leadership have overlooked such an important law?

Is there a certain sloppiness in PHL lawmaking process?  (Only Sen Guingona voted against the measure)

Quo vadis Phil freedom of expression with cybercrime act of 2012?

Social and political criticisms

From Digital Journal

The Phil Cybercrime of 2012, which was just recently passed into law by Congress has angered many netizens for its retarded stand on freedom of expressions.  The 80 year old law on libel and provision of penal code is just i being applied to the cyber crime law.  According to a post, a notorious senator involved in two cases of plagiarism, inserted the provision of libel law (RA 355) without public hearing  (How could he and the Senate allow that?)

The law is intended to cover pornography, identity theft, spamming and lately libel.  Libel via the social media covers a 12 year jail sentence plus $25,000 fine.  My this is stiff. The law allows the state to monitor the account of the user (which is invasion of privacy and Gestapo like?)

The netizens signified the protests by filing  a petition at Supreme Court and was led by Prof Harry Roque and Ellen Tordesillas.

Meanwhile, the FB users started showing protests by blackening their profile pictures.  Several govt webtsites, apparently in protest of the said law were hacked:   that of IPO (under DTI), BSP, American Chamber of Commerce, and Phil Anti Piracy Team. The anonymous hacker demanded the repeal/ amendment of the said law.

Is the fear of the netizens justified"

Is the state justified in passing the law?

What needs to be amended in the cybercrime law?

What are your suggestions?

Read more on cybercrime law

Full text of RA 10175, the Cybercrime Law

Scary provisions of the Anticybercrime Law of 2012

Is PHL under threat to pass such a law?  

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Unemployment in Euro at its highest at 11.4% or 25 million

Social and political criticisms

From business insider

Unemployment at Eurozone rose to its highest level in August at 11.4% which means 25.464 million are unemployed mostly young people;  18.967 are from the Euro area.

Unemployment is lowest at Netherlands (5.3), Germany (5.5%), Austria (4.5%) and Luxemborg (5.2%).  It is highest at Spain at 25.l% and Greece at 24.4%.  No wonder there are rioting in this countries -  lack of jobs and extreme austerity measures.  Of the 27 countries 20 experienced increases and the rest decreases

What is the impact of this unemployment to world peace?  To the PHL?  To PHL economy


Unemployment highest at Eurozone at 11.4%

Are the political parties in the PHL real? Or are they a joke as Comelec chief says?

Social and political criticisms

It is filing of candidacy time at COMELEC in PHL and we see raising of hands of candidates, of new political parties and affiliation.  Same names, different parties, allegiances and opponents.  It is a sort of political merry go round and rigodon.

I do not think that parties stand for anything at all;  in different places abroad, the Labor party stands up for the rights of labor, Communist Party stand up for communist principles.  Democrats stand for the masses in USA, Republicans stand for the elite and wealthy.  They represent principles and interests.

I would like to think that political parties here are expedient organizations to win an election (they do it elsewhere under a coalition)

Yes we have multiparty system here but they seem to have short shelf life...

Now COMELEC chief says the PHL party list system is a joke.

Wiki on political parties in the PHL

What do you think?