Philippine politics needs to break free of dynasties

Last week’s proclamation of the top six winners of the Philippines’ senatorial race might as well have been the rite of passing the mantle to the next generation. Top-notcher Grace Poe came with her mother, the widow of movie star Fernando Poe, a presidential aspirant said to have been robbed of victory almost 10 years [...]

Catholics not only vote, they rule

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, who is also the vice chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the faithful to use the “Catholic vote” in choosing their leaders in the 2013 elections. But first, he should have been clear on the definition of [...]

Slow-paced trial makes moving on difficult for widow of Maguindanao massacre victim

For Ramonita Salaysay, there is very little to note in the Maguindanao massacre case in the last couple of months as far as progress in the hearing is concerned. Instead of a fast-paced trial that everyone — from the victims’ families to the general public — want, what was seen in the last 365 days [...]

HRW slams Aquino over paramilitaries

Little has been done to disarm and demobilize militias and paramilitary forces three years after the massacre of 58 people in the province of Maguindanao, Human Rights Watch said today. “Three years since the horrors of the Maguindanao massacre, the trial crawls along, half of the suspects remain at large, and the victims’ families still [...]

Women and the bishops in US polls

Who made Barack Obama win a second term, what many called a “second chance,” as US President? A wire report attributed his victory to a coalition of “Hispanic, African-American and young voters.” But Nancy K. Kaufman, a blogger for “Politics Daily,” wrote a day before the elections that the “deciding demographic of this year’s election” [...]

South Korea: Bishops make pre-election policy plea

Bishops sent policy proposals to candidates running in South Korea’s upcoming presidential elections, asking them to reflect Catholic values in their campaigns. The 31-page booklet contains recommendations on everything from press freedom to the environment and economy, said Father Hugo Park Jung-woo, secretary of the Korean Bishops’ Committee for Justice and Peace. “[The church has] [...]

Aquino predicts swift jail return for Arroyo

President Benigno Aquino Thursday predicted his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would soon return to jail on corruption charges, a day after she was released on bail on lesser charges of voting fraud.

Mukherjee elected Indian president

Former finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee has been elected as the country’s new president.

Timor Leste president calls for calm

Timor Leste President Taur Matan Ruak met with leaders from four major political parties Monday to ask for help after a civilian was killed, four policemen injured and more than 50 vehicles destroyed in post-election violence.

Voter drive ‘new dawn’ for Muslim region

Eligible citizens in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) started re-registering to vote on Monday, after the region’s voter list was nullified by Congress last month.

Don’t fear the Catholic vote, says senator

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago urged her colleagues in the Senate, particularly those running for reelection next year, to approve the proposed reproductive health (RH) bill and not to fear the Catholic vote because it does not exist.

Search on for new Pakistan PM

The ruling Pakistan People’s Party was expected to announce a successor later Wednesday to replace former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was disqualified from holding office Tuesday by the Supreme Court.

Next Page »