OFFBEAT MAIL

Delicadeza is a word that doesn't bother any politician at all. In some developing countries like the Philippines,  many people, especially the voters, don't understand why they continue to ignore proper ethics when it comes to electing public officials that can be trusted. Instead, they are after candicates, even without qualifications or experience on public administration, who have the money to buy their votes. This problem is no longer new to most Filipinos. Because of the voters couldn't care less, politicians continue to take advantage of the situation by either ignoring them or buying their votes even if the offer is against their will. For many decades, vote-buying is a practiced.  I don't have the slightest idea how it started? As to which administration in the past it proliferated, I don't have the perfect answer. As had been observed, elections in the Philippines are becomeing a big business. Every time there is election, consumer-spending habits pi...

As the deadline for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) is closing in, the Philippines Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been transformed into a chaotic arena where many celebrities scamper to run for public office. As if they are the ones who could alleviate the sad plights of the poor from poverty. Now, it is up to the people as to whether to vote for them or not. But can the popularity of these celebrities really push them to the edge of victory? This is a big question that could be gauged once the national elections in May 2012 come to reality. In Metro Manila alone and some cities in the suburbs like the Calabarzon area, scions of political kingpins have been launched into the political limelight, thinking that they are the cream of the crop whose extra political talents could solve the economic and social problems of their constituents. How come all this development is coming into the picture? Why the rush to join the political bandwagon when they are still yo...

Really, it's more fun in the Philippines. As the national elections come closer, the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has intensified. Hence, creating chaos and confusions in the process. Amid all this, politicians and members of their immediate families are gearing up to make a headway by jumping into the political spotlight. Why not? For as long as there is no law that will prohibit the practice of political dynasty in the Philippines, sons and daughters, and even grandchildren of politicians, will join the fray, if only to enjoy the perks and privileges that a politician enjoys when he is elected into public office. The question now is how come immediate family members of politicians are joining the political race? Is it because they want to be recognized? Or simply they wanted to help introduce developments in their communties? There are no specific answers to these questions. However, if you will ask me, I can say tha...

Enrile notes lack of prosecutors’ trial savvy Despite the tantrums made by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on the Senate floor, Wednesday's resumption of the impeachment trial against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona had at least made a headway after a private prosecutor succeeded in convincing the Impeachment Court to allow the commissioner from the Bureau of Internal Revenue to take the witness stand. But this didn't happen in a flash as even the Impeachment Court's presiding officer--Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile --and the defense team were adamant against the idea of the prosecution team's move to present and cross examine Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto Henares as the first witness of the prosecution. Private prosecutor Atty. Arthur Lim had insisted, after consulting with his colleagues and reaffirming the defense team and the presiding officer that the questioning will not delve outside articles 2.2 and 2.3 of the Impeachment complaint ...