Makati, Metro Manila

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Makati, Metro Manila




Image by Storm Crypt

The Philippines' main financial district. This is the city of Makati in Metro Manila. The wide street that snakes into the middle of the buildings is Ayala Avenue. If you click on the photo, you'll see a note, of where the Oakwood buildings are. Just an additional information, to those who are not familiar with Philippine news or politics, this building was held hostage a few years back by a band of military personnel, part of the Philippines' armed forces. Soldiers ransacked some food in the mall(the building beside it), placed bombs around the buildings, and held a press conference with red armed bands on their shoulders. The conflict was resolved peacefully with the intervention of politicians. The band of soldiers were asking for the resignation of the president and some other politicians. What follows next was the filing of charges against the officers and the politicians who supported them into it. In the months that followed, the officers appeared on TV at the president's office sort of a reconciliation stuff along with some politicians. A few months later, something changed again, and the soldiers, along with some politicians are demanding the resignation of the president along with her politicians and generals -- again. With the charges being filed on one officer, which was not bailable, that officer remained in detention. However, that officer soon joined some politicians and ran for senator(despite facing charges and in jail) and won in the recently concluded May 2007 Philippine elections. A few days ago, there was a big issue on whether that officer-senator-elect will be temporarily released(from jail) for the senatorial proclamation along with all the other politicians who won. In the end, that officer was allowed, and his comrade politicians were delighted and criticized the government even more. politicians from different parties had something to say. I'd say I love this country, but I can't be proud of it with the state of the politicians we have. Now, if you think there's not enough politicking in this country, just count the word politicians in this post.

While the Philippines is a nice country, it seems that its people and its politicians are not yet mature enough for democracy.

Here's the million dollar question. politicians in the Philippines ran for office and spend say Million for the campaign(that's a even a conservative estimate). If they won, they would get roughly 0 a month for the next 3 or six years. Don't you think its a losing business if you're not into corruption. You do the math, and let me know.

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Image by Photochiel