Alexander Bonifacio

The arrest and transfer of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is nothing short of a state-sanctioned kidnapping. Stripped of his rights and forcibly taken from his homeland, Duterte’s extradition was not about justice but about political convenience. It was an act of betrayal, orchestrated by an administration too eager to please foreign powers rather than uphold national sovereignty. However, the United States will not intervene to rectify this injustice—because doing so does not serve its interests. With President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. proving to be weak and easy to manipulate, the U.S. is already getting everything it wants from the Philippines without lifting a finger for Duterte. Why the U.S. Won’t Intervene To understand why Washington will not step in to aid Duterte, one must recognize the fundamental principle that guides U.S. foreign policy: national interest. While the U.S. has a long history of suppor...

The Philippines, a nation with an exceptionally high rate of social media usage, has become a crucial battleground for political discourse, with Facebook holding a dominant position. This influence brings with it significant responsibility, and recent concerns have been raised about the platform's role in potentially suppressing the voices of government critics, particularly under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. Globally, Facebook has faced accusations of inconsistent content moderation, with examples ranging from the censorship of pro-Palestine content to the suspension of researchers investigating disinformation in the US. These instances raise questions about the platform's ability to consistently and fairly apply its community standards, especially in politically charged environments. In the Philippines, the issue of "red-tagging" – the labeling of activists and critics as "Communist rebels" or "terrorists" without evidence ...

Recent survey data from PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. paints a dire picture for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., whose trust rating has plummeted to an alarming 14%, down from 23% in the previous quarter. Equally striking is the surge in his distrust rating, now standing at 63%, signaling the lowest level of public confidence since he assumed office. This drastic decline is a clear reflection of growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, marked by economic stagnation, policy failures, and internal political discord. Conversely, Vice President Sara Duterte has managed to strengthen her public perception, with her trust rating climbing from 31% to 39%, while her distrust rating remains at 39%. Notably, she is the only national leader whose ratings have improved in the first quarter of 2025. Her growing support suggests that Filipinos see in her a leader with a firmer grasp on governance and political strategy compared to Marcos Jr.'s floundering administration. A Political...

Only in the Philippines can a former president turn a supposed detention center into a tourist spot. The International Criminal Court (ICC) may have envisioned a high-profile prosecution, but what they didn’t anticipate was their facility becoming an extension of the Filipino diaspora—complete with selfies, pasalubong requests, and an impromptu meet-and-greet session. It’s almost poetic. The ICC, an institution designed to intimidate, now finds itself hosting Filipinos eager to catch a glimpse of a leader they still revere. Even the guards, trained to handle hardened criminals, are now dealing with a different challenge: politely declining endless photo requests. Has The Hague ever seen anything like this? A man so vilified by Western institutions yet so celebrated by his own people that even his detention becomes a pilgrimage site? This isn’t about Duterte alone; it’s about the cultural disconnect between foreign legal institutions and the will of the people. To the ICC, he’s a defen...

The recent New York Times article detailing a Pentagon briefing on China’s strategic war plans—with the notable involvement of Elon Musk—provides insight into the broader mechanisms of power and influence in contemporary geopolitics. Beyond the headline, the implications for regional players like the Philippines are deeply troubling. As tensions escalate between the United States and China, the Philippines risks being thrust into the center of a conflict where it serves not as a participant with agency, but as collateral in a superpower struggle. Geopolitical Context and the Pentagon’s Role The briefing described in the article reflects a long-standing pattern in which military-industrial and political establishments shape narratives that both warn of external threats and justify expansive defense postures. By incorporating figures like Musk into these discussions, the Pentagon amplifies the illusion of an innovative and urgent strategy while, in reality, reinforcing the continuity of...

The Philippines stands at a crossroads. Decades of systemic corruption, political dynasties, and historical revisionism have entrenched an elite that governs with impunity while millions struggle with poverty, injustice, and misinformation. As Filipinos, we deserve transparency, accountability, and good governance—yet what we see today is a government that prioritizes power over people, self-interest over public welfare. This blog exists to counter that. It is a service to my fellow Filipinos, a platform dedicated to unveiling the realities of our nation—especially the corruption and abuses of Bongbong Marcos Jr. and his cabal in government. The Return of the Marcoses and the Whitewashing of History Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ruled the country with an iron fist, leaving behind a legacy of human rights abuses, cronyism, and an economy that was gutted by plunder. His ouster in 1986 was a statement from the Filipino people: never again. And yet, through decades of disinformation, revisionist na...

Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, born on March 28, 1945, left an indelible mark on the Philippines through his decisive leadership and ambitious reforms. His presidency (2016-2022) was defined by a commitment to infrastructure development, social welfare, economic growth, and peacebuilding—transforming the nation in ways that continue to shape its future. Revolutionizing Infrastructure with “Build, Build, Build” One of Duterte’s most enduring legacies is the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program, an unprecedented infrastructure push designed to modernize the country and boost economic progress. Under his administration: Over 40,000 kilometers of roads and 6,800 bridges were built, upgraded, or rehabilitated. Key projects such as the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, NLEX Harbor Link, and BGC-Ortigas Link Bridge drastically improved connectivity. Airports like Bicol International Airport and New Clark Airport were completed, expanding domestic and international travel access....

Throughout history, infrastructure has served as both the foundation of economic prosperity and the battleground of political struggle. It is not simply about roads and bridges—it is about the political will to defy stagnation, the strategic vision to connect fragmented communities, and the challenge of dismantling bureaucratic inefficiencies that have long stifled national progress. In this context, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s "Build, Build, Build" (BBB) program stands as one of the most ambitious and transformative infrastructure undertakings in Philippine history. While critics sought to reduce Duterte’s presidency to controversies and political rhetoric, the tangible legacy of BBB remains indisputable. The roads, bridges, airports, and railways built under this program are not abstract concepts—they are lived realities, altering the daily experiences of millions of Filipinos. They represent a rare instance in Philippine governance: a promise that was, at least ...

When a government official resorts to threats instead of reasoned diplomacy, the implications extend far beyond a single extradition case. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s warning that Timor-Leste’s refusal to extradite former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. could jeopardize its ASEAN membership application is not a demonstration of strength—it is a display of arrogance, a microcosm of how power operates when it is unrestrained by principle. Timor-Leste is not a Philippine province to be dictated upon, nor a subordinate entity that must comply with Manila’s demands. It is a sovereign state, one that has endured the weight of colonial rule, brutal occupation, and a hard-fought struggle for independence. For the Philippines—a nation that has itself suffered under foreign intervention—to now employ coercion against a smaller state is not only hypocritical but fundamentally antithetical to the very principles of ASEAN, which supposedly emphasize mutual respect and non-interference. Re...

History has shown that those intoxicated by power eventually overstep their bounds, mistaking their momentary control for invincibility. The administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has now demonstrated precisely this folly, trampling on legal principles and constitutional safeguards in a brazen display of political opportunism. In its reckless pursuit of consolidating authority, the Marcos regime has blatantly violated the rights of former President Rodrigo Duterte, exposing both its authoritarian tendencies and its profound ignorance of international law. The Illusion of Unchecked Power Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The current administration’s actions suggest a dangerous detachment from reality, a belief that the Office of the President is above scrutiny. It is reminiscent of the cognitive decay induced by illicit substances—once the mind is affected, there is no telling what reckless behavior will follow. Marcos Jr. and his allies have g...

In a society where power is concentrated in the hands of the elite, transparency becomes an illusion, and public trust erodes into cynicism. The recent revelation that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has sold off a portion of the country’s gold reserves raises urgent and disturbing questions. At a time when corruption remains rampant and accountability is little more than a hollow promise, the sale of a nation’s wealth without clear public disclosure is not just an economic misstep—it is an act of betrayal. The BSP justifies this liquidation as part of an “active management strategy” designed to generate additional income while taking advantage of high gold prices. At face value, this explanation appears rational, even strategic. However, behind the technical jargon lies a far graver reality: when a country sells its gold, it is essentially selling its sovereignty, trading long-term stability for short-term gains. The question that looms over this transaction is simple but cruci...

History is replete with warnings about the dangers of political apathy. Societies do not collapse overnight; they erode gradually, with each act of acquiescence, each injustice left unchallenged, and each abuse of power that is tolerated. The Philippines today stands at such a precipice. What began as isolated actions—small, strategic eliminations of opposition—has now evolved into a methodical dismantling of democracy. And yet, the people remain silent. The political maneuvers of the current administration reveal a calculated effort to neutralize dissent. The Duterte-aligned network Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) was the first to fall, its suppression met with little resistance. The targeting of its founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, followed swiftly, further demonstrating how easily the system can isolate and eliminate individuals deemed inconvenient. Then came the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte—an act of political aggression that barely registered beyond perfu...

Political communication is not simply about responding to reporters with sound bites; it requires a level of discernment, legal knowledge, and ethical responsibility. The recent statements made by PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro regarding Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s controversial photo with tobacco executives exemplify the consequences of appointing unqualified individuals to positions of influence. Rather than exercising caution, Castro dismissed concerns outright, failing to recognize—or deliberately ignoring—that her statements contradict established legal policies designed to protect public health. The issue at hand is not whether Herbosa directly accepted donations from the tobacco industry. The problem is the clear violation of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Department of Health (DOH) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-01, which explicitly prohibits government officials from unnecessary interactions with the tobacco industry. This policy is aligned with the World ...

The role of a presidential spokesperson is not simply to parrot the administration’s talking points—it is to frame the government’s narrative in a way that is coherent, persuasive, and, at the very least, grounded in some form of political strategy. Yet under Claire Castro, the function of the Malacañang spokesperson has been reduced to little more than reactionary deflections and hollow platitudes. A Crisis of Competence Where previous spokespersons—whether one agreed with them or not—displayed at least some level of rhetorical skill and grasp of governance, Castro appears to lack even the most basic ability to articulate policy positions. The likes of Harry Roque, Salvador Panelo, or even the more pragmatic Edwin Lacierda could defend their administrations with calculated arguments, strategic misdirections, or even legal gymnastics. Castro, in contrast, has managed to devolve the role into something almost unrecognizable—where responses to critical issues sound more like barroom re...

When governments seek to pursue individuals beyond their borders, they often invoke Interpol, the international policing organization. However, not all alerts issued through Interpol carry the same legal weight. The distinction between a Red Notice and a Diffusion Notice is crucial—one operates within a structured legal framework, while the other is little more than a bureaucratic request. Red Notice: A Formal Request for Arrest A Red Notice is often mischaracterized as an international arrest warrant, but it is not. Instead, it is a request issued by Interpol at the behest of a member country, urging law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest an individual. The key aspects of a Red Notice are: Legal Scrutiny – It must pass a review process by Interpol’s General Secretariat to ensure it complies with international law and Interpol’s Constitution, which prohibits politically motivated actions. Law Enforcement Obligation – While it is not a direct ...

The abduction and extradition of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the Bongbong Marcos Jr. administration raises troubling questions about sovereignty, political motives, and the credibility of the Philippine justice system. The government justified this unprecedented move by claiming that justice in the Philippines is slow, necessitating Duterte’s trial before a foreign court. But does this argument hold? If the Philippine judiciary were truly incapable of handling high-profile political cases, how do we explain the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the graft conviction of former Pagsanjan Mayor Jeorge “ER” Ejercito Estregan? The court sentenced him to up to eight years in prison and permanently barred him from public office. The ruling demonstrates that the judiciary is indeed capable of prosecuting public officials—contrary to the narrative used to justify Duterte’s removal from the country. More concerning is the use of an Interpol Diffusion notice —an informal, non-bi...

International institutions are only as strong as their legitimacy. When they allow themselves to be used as instruments of political persecution, they undermine their own authority and hasten their irrelevance. The International Criminal Court (ICC) now faces this existential test: to dismiss the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte or to risk being seen as complicit in a state-sanctioned kidnapping orchestrated by the Bongbong Marcos Jr. administration. The misuse of a mere “Diffusion notice” to justify Duterte’s arrest and transport to The Hague is an alarming precedent. Unlike a Red Notice—Interpol’s highest alert, which still does not equate to an arrest warrant—a Diffusion notice is merely a request for information-sharing. It does not carry legal weight, nor does it mandate any law enforcement action. That the Marcos administration leveraged this weak instrument to detain and remove a former head of state exposes the political motivations behind the move. This is not a ...