A Business Graduate's Reviewing History Blog

Philippine Japanese Journal Some advocates against charter change often cite that some countries have an older constitution. One example is the USA. The other example, surprise for some, myself included, is Japan. Some may say that a new constitution isn't needed because some countries have an older constitution. However, reading through the Constitution of Japan and comparing it with the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines , one can think about quality over quantity. The Philippines had changed its constitution from 1935, to 1973 (which I believe was illegal), and the 1987 version (which sprang out of a desperate need). I recommend reading both links that I just sent, to understand my point! Can a shorter vs. longer constitution be the reason? As I read both, the Constitution of Japan is  surprisingly  not-so-complicated. The Constitution of Japan would only be composed of  16 pages  (printed on short bond paper). Meanwhile, the 1987 Constitution of the Philippine...

I've observed several anti-constitutional reform pages on Facebook. Whether it'd be Change Scamming, Silent No More PH, Mahal Ko Ang Pilipinas, La Verite (and Pinocchio ironically represents this page), Rule of Law Sentinel, We Are Millenials, etc.--the argument tends to quote the framers (or the Catholic Bishops' Conference in the Philippines) more than anything. Most of them tend to echo the same idea, echo the same sources, etc. In fact, one foolish old man I met said he wouldn't believe anything about the constitution if it's not from Filipino constitutionalists.  In short, I'm dealing with a group of broken records. Why do I say that they're broken records? It's always repeating the same ideas over and over again. It may not be the same words over and over again. However, one can look at the idiomatic meaning of broken record, as a person  who keeps repeating the same ideas or statements, over and over again , without offering anything new. In fact,...

Some people on Facebook are posting, "No to parliamentary system because we had it during Marcos' time." For the nth time, do I need to keep pointing out the facts that we never had a real parliamentary system? As for those anti-reform advocates who say, "The parliamentary system will worsen the Philippines", I would like to ask, "How is the Sara Duterte impeachment going?" The complaints were passed last December 2024 and again, I would like to ask in Tagalog, "How's the Sara Duterte impeachment going"?  If we look at the definition, the Encyclopedia Britannica gives this definition of impeachment: impeachment, in common law, a proceeding instituted by a legislative body to address serious misconduct by a public official . In Great Britain the House of Commons serves as prosecutor and the House of Lords as judge in an impeachment proceeding. In the federal government of the United States, the House of Representatives institutes impeachm...

There's no questions asked that fat political dynastes are problematic . Some people say, "No need to change/amend the constitution, just pass the anti-dynasty law." Well, it's really stupid when you've got netizens who are still fixated over political dynasties (for the sake of it) than what gave birth to the fat dynasties (which are indeed, problematic). However, a lot of Filipinos are obsessed with the idea, "It's not the system, it's the people!" Come on, basic psychology tells us that the system tells us what to do. An outdated operating system will be a huge disadvantage, sooner or later.  The first problem has to do with passing the anti-dynasty bill, but the one wrote the idea is still from a political dynasty It's crazy to say, "No to political dynasties." while supporting Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno and Paolo Benigno A. Aquino-- both members of political dynasties! Don't tell me that Bam couldn't be part of...

Two days ago, I voted during the Midterm Elections. Of course, I'm not allowed to post my ballot online. I'll address people who believe the nation is "healing" because Atty. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino have won the senatorial race. Okay, congratulations to Kiko and Bam for winning. The nuisance candidate Apollo C. Quiboloy had lost the elections, thankfully. Some say that success is but a step-by-step process. However, you can be taking the wrong steps. To say that the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is the "best in the world", has made us ignore Article XVII, and even think that the Filipino First Policy is good. Here's a screenshot I took from Butthurt Philippines' Facebook page. Is it really "healing" for the country as claimed by this person, whose name I blocked out? I usually block out the names of people who are private citizens, to protect their identity. However, I may not b...

Here's a picture from TV-5's Facebook page showing former senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino's campaign. If I'm not wrong, he's the youngest great-grandson of Servilliano Aquino (who was a general under Emilio Aguinaldo), as his age gap with the late Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III is born in 195,8 and Bam was born in 1977. As I look at the billboards, Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan apparently uses his marriage to actress Sharon Cuneta to endorse his candicacy. Looking at Bam's campaign reminds me of how actors and athletes are often hired to endorse candidates. That makes me ask, "What's the use of complaining about Robinhood Padilla in the Senate when your favorite candidates are endorsed also by actors and athletes? Isn't that still showbiz politics?"  A shame that Bam should be caught in the act doing what he did--because of his fine intelligence as a businessman . Bam's business achievements are someth...

Inquirer There's always the obsession with political dynasties. There's also the obsession with term limits . Back in the 1990s, I remembered fearing charter change . I was afraid that the late Fidel V. Ramos might become a dictator. The talks that if a president would rule for more than six years--would be considered "frightening" or "nakakatakot" in Tagalog. I wrote an article where I wrote one staggering truth-- a  long reign isn't necessarily tyrannical and that a short reign isn't necessarily benevolent . In my discussion, I highlighted both Pol Pot and Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.--both deceased dictators. Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge dictatorship murdered millions in contrast to Marcos' regime. Of course, some people will say Pol Pot would've caused Cambodia to go extinct if he rhad eigned longer. I remember the logic that I was told back in elementary school. I was told that the reason why term limits are imposed is to prevent another Marcos-...