@mongster is a Manila-based activist, former Philippine legislator, and blogger/analyst of Asia-Pacific affairs.
A motorcade is an efficient, effective, and entertaining form of campaigning. Compared to a campaign rally, it requires less logistical preparation. If well-planned, it can reach a big number of voters. It can amplify a candidate’s public image. It creates an impression that a candidate has ample resources and strong machinery to conduct a winning […]
The Philippines is one of the 191 member states of the United Nations which signed the September 2000 Millennium Declaration. The declaration features eight specific goals that should be achieved by signatory countries in 2015. The eight goals, now known as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), are as follows: 1) Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; […]
*Text of my speech delivered at the Yahoo Philippines forum on social media. I prepared a speech because sometimes politicians talk too much, sometimes bloggers rant too much, and sometimes activists are carried away by their emotions. Since I’m an activist, blogger, and politician, I’m worried that I might speak for more than an hour…. […]
The word sortie is associated with military operations. But it is an election term in the Philippines. It refers to province-wide, region-wide, and city-wide campaign activities of a party in one day. It is a traditional election ritual, a tried and tested campaign tactic. It tests the efficiency of a party’s election machinery; it measures […]
In 2007 Kabataan Partylist started the campaign by launching a promotional video featuring young people from different backgrounds. Popular young showbiz icons also starred in the video. This year we started our re-election bid by using new and old forms of campaigning. Aside from revamping our party website, we also launched an online postering campaign. […]
Poctoy is the official literal center of the Philippine Islands. It is located in Odiongan, Romblon. I always thought Marinduque is the center of the country. I was wrong. That Poctoy is the midpoint of the republic is a legacy of Spanish colonialism. If Spain didn’t invade these islands, Luzon could have been part of […]
Let us mention the obvious: the proposed ‘Renewable Marriage’ bill will not be given serious attention in the 15th Congress. We can’t even pass a divorce law. A miracle is needed to convince lawmakers that shock laws are needed to reform the marriage institution. It is easy to dismiss the ‘Renewable Marriage’ proposal as a […]
If a solon is not inside the plenary hall during session days, he/she could be… a. absent (nasa district? nasa isang official trip? nagbabakasyon?) b. late (dumarating ang marami after 5pm) c. somewhere in batasan (inside the office entertaining guests and constituents, speaker’s office receiving or asking for official instructions, mitra hall participating in an […]
