inside Philippine politics and beyond
By Raïssa Robles This Year 2012, or the Year of the Black Water Dragon, one Chinese horoscope predicts that “something unexpected will happen.” That’s putting it mildly if applied to rapidly unfolding political events in the country. Long before the dragon sets foot on the celestial plain this February 4, two events have already occurred that would affect the [...]
By Raïssa Robles Catholic Archbishop Onesimo Gordoncillo gave this unsolicited advice to Catholic President Benigno Aquino: Don’t attack your former college teacher and predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when delivering your State of the Nation Address (SONA) this Monday The Monsignor admonished him: That is not the real meaning of SONA… not to attack a person. Let’s not center on the [...]
Here’s my proof By Raïssa Robles If the Aquino government believes Zaldy Ampatuan’s version of the massacre, it will have to throw away one vital state witness who has consistently said he not only heard and saw Zaldy Ampatuan, his dad Andal Sr. and younger brother Andal Jr. plan the massacre together. This witness also said he was part of [...]
By Raïssa Robles It was a personal encounter with one of Mrs Arroyo’s closest aides that made me realize that she cheated her way to a six-year term that ended last year. I will not name that aide but I will say I had known him for years and years. Which is why what he said to me struck me [...]
He’s giving future presidents a bad example By Raïssa Robles Presidents after him will be forced to scrimp and save to match President Benigno Aquino’s niggardly ways of making do with US$46,350 for a 55-member delegation. (The dollar equivalent is calculated using P43.15 to US$1.00 as exchange rate.) I say niggardly, compared to his ex-college teacher and [...]