Getting a grasp of Philippines politics

[JD]

I think I'm beginning to understand Philippines politics. It's essentially "teleserye": a lot of drama with a little bit of comedy, very little substance and no one really wants the good shows to end.

Unsigned affidavits, cakes in the hearing rooms, wheelchairs, neck braces, teary-eyes daughters...

Right now I'm following the Makati carpark story where the former Vice Mayor of Makati has claimed that if he got kickbacks, the former mayor (now VP, Binay) must have gotten kickbacks, too. The former Vice Mayor isn't providing any proof of even himself getting kickbacks but the press reports it all so very seriously.

I, of course, can't pass judgement on any decisions that come out of any hearings but the process is fascinating to watch.



JD

[Gray Wolf]

JMHO, but to me it's about as fascinating as watching a dog urinate        

I'd rather drink a few Red Horse and eat balut... or watch grass grow       

[JD]

JMHO, but to me it's about as fascinating as watching a dog urinate        

I haven't had the chance to compare the two. As soon as we get a dog, I'll report back.


JD

[Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am]

Been living in the Philippines for 17 years now! I never watch the news on TV when it concerns Philippine politics, crimes of any sort, accidents and or the poor showing their extreme sad illnesses and poverty living conditions! I've already seen most of that stuff growing up in the U.S., because I do not take any pleasure/joy or just to be curious in watching those kinds of headline news! I just watch the weather, the economy and all of the shows that interests me by surfing the channels, since their weekly pre-scheduled TV guides aren't too reliable here in the Philippines!
Besides, all forums have rules if politics or religion are allowed to be disused and this forum does not allow it! So, let's move on to other topics!   
It's all about each to their own TV watching pleasure and that goes for the internet too!   

[Shewmake]

JMHO, but to me it's about as fascinating as watching a dog urinate        
I'd rather drink a few Red Horse and eat balut... or watch grass grow       

Agreed!
It appears that is exactly what is going on in the halls of government, and not just here in the Philippines.  Joke-joke-joke

[Gray Wolf]

If someone posts about something he saw on TV, as JD did, that's fine.  Simply posting about something viewed on the news is not an infraction of any forum's rules, as far as I know.  What we do not allow however is political debate between those with differing political views, conservative versus liberal for instance.  I hope this makes sense to everyone.

[Gray Wolf]

JMHO, but to me it's about as fascinating as watching a dog urinate

The effect is about the same.  The people get p**d on by the politicians   
Hahahahahahahaaaaa!!!    Joke lang!   

[coleman2347]

Politics here is just like the soap operas without the pretty girls

[piozam13]

What can you expect? 
Politicians were in the movies:  Estrada, Revilla, Poe, Soto - even Aquino has a sister who's a high profile TV personality. 
Theatrics must be second nature to many more. 
The smart and honest leader does not always win. 
Re allegations of corruption,  I'd say,  when there's smoke, there's fire.

[JD]

If someone posts about something he saw on TV, as JD did, that's fine.  Simply posting about something viewed on the news is not an infraction of any forum's rules, as far as I know.  What we do not allow however is political debate between those with differing political views, conservative versus liberal for instance.  I hope this makes sense to everyone.

Thanks, GW. I thought it kind of weird that a topic called Languages, Learning History, Politics etc. would not allow any mention of politics in it.

I wasn't trying to debate anything, I was expressing my interest in being aware of how politics and the government works (or doesn't work) and current issues affecting the people in the country I wish to live in.

I believe that trying to understand these things, especially with me coming from the U.S., is  a path to better understanding the culture of the Filipinos who will be my neighbors and friends.

Not that watching Eat Bulaga! doesn't have its merits, too, mind you.



JD

[Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am]

There just maybe some unscrupulous and dishonest Filipinos lurking on forums and if a post catches their eye that could be construed as Filipino bashing, it could just be enough grounds for the Filipino reader or the Politician's and or influential relatives to file a suit of "defamation of character" against the poster of the article on any forum no matter how slight the contents were expressed. It's not all too far fetch, because this could happen and it does happen! So, as a foreigner in a foreign land, it behooves not to mention any names of politicians and or influential people on any forum!
JD's post below mentioned a politician's name with an accusation/assumption statement even if it's hearsay/2nd hand news already in the news media and should be deleted for just self protection to avoid a complaint of "defamation of character" charges, but still a complaint that is now considered a criminal offense!
So, take it for what it's worth to those on here reading this post of mine! It's just to let members to be aware of this Cyber Crime Law in the Philippines, which just went into effect two years ago!
So, don't shoot the messenger even if anyone on here do not agree with MHOs and or POVs even though I've provided reliable links to backup my comments!   

Right now I'm following the Makati carpark story where the former Vice Mayor of Makati has claimed that if he got kickbacks, the former mayor (now VP Binay) must have gotten kickbacks too. The former Vice Mayor isn't providing any proof of even himself getting kickbacks, but the press reports it all so very seriously.

http://www.techinasia.com/philippines-cybercrime-law-effect-punishing-online-libel-constitutional/

Philippines’ Cybercrime Law now in effect, punishing online libel is constitutional

The Philippines’ Supreme Court today ruled on the CyberCrime Prevention Act of 2012, or RA 10175, and the constitutionality of most of its provisions. Punishing online libel was declared constitutional. But despite being constitutional, it will be on the condition that only the original author will be held liable. It will not penalize the receiver of the post, or those who react to the post. In September 2012, President Benigno Aquino signed the Cybercrime bill into law. Following this, citizens went to social media sites to express their outrage about the online libel provision, which they argue would force citizens to limit what they post on social media sites and other online platforms.

[coleman2347]

I seriously doubt you could be sued for repeating whats all over the news, or that my opinion would even count to anybody in the Philippines with the possible exception of something very local..

[Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am]

Here's the description below of the libel or oral defamation law of the Philippines, which the existing Cyber Crime Law was just implemented 2 years ago IMO just to add more to these ridiculous unreasonable/illogical/irrational/petty laws of the Philippines!
If I was an honest/practical judge, I would just consider these libel or defamation laws trivial and treat them as a nuisance cases of a misdemeanor class and not a criminal offense or just throw out the cases/claims automatically, if they do not have any merit or are non-justifiable claims and just press on with other important cases/issues!       

http://kellywarnerlaw.com/philippines-defamation-laws/

DEFAMATION LAWS IN PHILIPPINES

Under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, libel is defined “as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission , condition, status or circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.” In libel, publication is a requirement, which must be in writing or similar means. On the other hand, slander constitutes oral defamation under Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code. Libel and slander are punishable by imprisonment (prision correccional)

In a criminal offense of libel, truth may be given in evidence if it appears that the matter charged as libelous is true and that it was published with good motives and with justifiable ends (Please see 361 of the Revised Penal Code). Under Article 354 of the Penal Code, a fair and true report made in good faith without remarks or comments of any official proceedings which are not confidential in nature. If remarks and comments, under Article 354 are made with malice, such comments and remarks will not exempt the author, publisher, editor or managing editor of a newspaper from criminal liability.

In the Philippines, criminal and civil action for damages may be filed simultaneously or separately in the Court where the libelous article is printed and first published, or where any of the offended parties actually resides at the time of the commission of the offense. (See Article 360 of the Revised Penal Code).

[JD]

No solar, no dog, no politics. Got it.

[fred]

Hang on!! When I spoke about eating dogs by accident it was back in the 1980`s when it was still legal.
Since then I have never eaten one and remain a law abiding citizen(almost) in the republic of the Philippines! ..And proud.