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....