In review and in prospect
As if failing to step up to the job of being a true Philippine Opposition in the lead up to this year's national elections wasn't enough, it seems this very same Opposition camp is also failing to play the role competently under the current administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Still stuck in the old anti-Marcos and anti Martial Law rhetoric, the Opposition continues to fail to deliver a compelling alternative to the incumbent — both from a philosophical and personality perspective. How would they do things differently if they were in power? More importantly — particularly within the context of the Philippines' political culture — who do they propose could do better?
It's been 100 days since the elections and the Opposition have not even begun to answer those two important questions. They presume to judge the Second Marcos Presidency on the occasion of this notional milestone but conveniently forget to turn a critical eye on their lot and take stock of what they have so far achieved in terms of becoming the better and more intelligent opposition that is an important player in any healthy democracy.
For now, the May 2022 elections seems to have spelt the end of the Philippines' national political debate. There are no ideas being challenged and no alternative leaders being put forth to lead this challenge. All the Opposition are doing is creating noise. The media, for their part, are neither reporting nor analysing events — merely parroting and amplifying the personalities their mediocre newsroom staff monitor on social media.
There can only be good stories in politics where there are equally sound theses and anti-theses to fuel healthy conflict and competent statesmen to articulate these for the public to unpack.
Last month's blog posts
Critical Race Theory and Other Critical “Theories:” Snakes in the Grass
October 2, 2022 by ChinoF
"They believe that even a woman has no right to call herself a woman. At least one interviewee even said that one should consult an expert. But is that expert a biologist? No, it should be a gender expert."
The Marxist-Hegelian Religious Cult and Wokeness
September 23, 2022 by ChinoF
"...all these wokes and Neo-Marxists can create is a pseudo-reality. What they want will never become real, although they’ll try and force it to be. Since their ideas are pre-scientific, they are detached from reality and, therefore, dangerous."
A Philippine parliament holds a better future for Philippine politics
September 20, 2022 by The Unpopular Opinion
"When the eventual great powers of Britain, Germany, and Japan adopted a parliamentary government, did these nation-states have a significant educated or literate populations from the beginning?"
To Parents and Educators: Support our kids and help them get back on track!
September 7, 2022 by Moduli
"The original pre-pandemic curriculum, educator wife explained, was reduced to the MELC (most essential learning competencies) where the previous modules were based upon. And it was further reduced by some teachers..."
Philippine transportation is a microcosm of the country’s socio-economic disarray
September 1, 2022 by The Unpopular Opinion
"With such a chaotic situation in the Philippines, reforms in Philippine transportation is long-overdue. A passenger-friendly transport system will create a more efficient economy, as it also generates new businesses and employment opportunities."