Makes as much sense as declaring Martial Law in Maguindanao over what ought to have been a straightforward investigation. The Ampatuans just might be able to paint themselves as underdogs here.
Danton Remoto sa Senado!
The Philippine zeitgeist has hardly had time to forget how the Commission on Elections denied gay rights group Ang Ladlad party-list accreditation for basically being gay, but its president Danton Remoto is already exploring other means to get to Congress, this time as a senator.
Promising reform and a departure from traditional politics (and one could argue that he’s definitely not traditional, being gay and everything), Remoto is running on a platform of education and human rights for all.
That’s cool, right? Our first openly-gay senatorial candidate (that I know of) is advocating politics of change! Maybe being discriminated against has made him realize the need to get rid of corruption and money politics!
And then you read this actual quote from an actual interview:
“As of today, I am running as an independent. Baka bukas iba na ang kulay ng paru-paro (The butterfly may change colors tomorrow),†Remoto said, jokingly referring to shifting political alliances.
Asked which presidential candidate or party he wants to align himself with, Remoto said: “Kung sino ang magbigay ng campaign funds (Whoever will provide campaign funds).â€
So, yeah. I guess the moral of the story is gays are just like everyone else.
Public clamor: political scapegoat
From hinting at retiring into the academe a few months ago, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now keeping us in suspense on whether she’ll go for a congressional seat in Pampanga, or turn into sea foam at the end of her term.
What is up with VP Noli De Castro?
It’s hard to tell where Vice President, and radio commentator, Noli de Castro stands nowadays.
Manila Vice Isko Moreno wants reporters to pack heat
With the entire staff of a local Mindanao paper wiped out (along with many other reporters) in the Ampatuan massacre, Manila vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso wants journalists armed during the 2010 elections.
Campaign of Compromise
With magic man, and senator, Francis “Chiz†Escudero’s decision not to run for president (or at all) in 2010, our hopes of a perfect tandem have forever been shattered. Indolent Indio had been waiting to throw our support behind a superhero team up of Senator Richard Gordon with Escudero as his VP if for nothing else but to be able to say Dick-Chiz with a straight face.
Too soon?
Life imitating art?
Powerful families operating above the law, and using violence to get what they want sounds like something out of an HBO TV-movie. Unless you’re in the Philippines, where the Sopranos have nothing on your friendly neighborhood political warlord.
What fuel shortage?
Motorists who have been turned away from gas stations with no gas, and those who have been left with no choice but to stock whatever was available (suspiciously, the more expensive Shell V-Power) will be glad to know that the past few days were all just a bad dream.
Villar’s NP has no sense of irony
The Nacionalista Party, led by Senator Manuel Villar, Jr., wants Senator Benigno Aquino III investigated for allegedly lobbying for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Said project allegedly benefited his properties, you see.
Joker Arroyo: Cunning Linguist
Years after being turned into a cartoon, or, ahem, a caricature of his former self, Senator Joker Arroyo tries to show us that he’s still a nationalist by attacking the go-to guy for instant patriotism points, the United States of America.