Category Archives: Government

West Philippine Sea In (Parenthesis)?

President Donald Trump, through an Executive Order, has renamed the Gulf of Mexico “Gulf of America”. Certainly, he can change the name for official U.S. purposes, but he can’t dictate what the rest of the world calls it.

Google Maps began using “Gulf of America” for users in the U.S., saying it had a “longstanding practice” of following the U.S. government’s lead on such matters. But “Gulf of America”appears only as a parenthetical to “Gulf of Mexico.” Users in Mexico will see Gulf of Mexico, and maps will display both names for those logging in from other countries.

In 2012, President Noynoy Aquino renamed parts of the South China Sea “West Philippine Sea.” While many Filipinos now use West Philippine Sea, it is, like Gulf of America, technically for internal purposes. For Google Maps users, “West Philippine Sea” appears as a red “pin” superimposed against the vast South China Sea.

Ultimately, it is the International Hydrographic Association which has the final say in renaming bodies of water while underwater feature names are within the purview of the U.N. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

For now, all Trump gets is the name Gulf of America in parenthesis, after Gulf of Mexico.

As for the West Philippine Sea, the name can appear on Google maps, not in parenthesis but as a red pin.

A Tulfo Dynasty In The Making

Ex-Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo appears to be riding the well-trodden runway of career portability, as she transforms her former post into a launchpad for political ambitions. 

Under the banner of “Tulfo Para sa Turismo,” her campaign reminds us that the Department of Tourism already champions travel, yet apparently the nation still craves another tourism spokesperson—this time, one whose itinerary includes Congress. With a nod to the familiar allure of name recognition, her strategy smacks of a cleverly disguised attempt to weave a Tulfo dynasty into the fabric of Filipino politics. 

Picture the spectacle: three Tulfos gracing the Senate and another embellishing the House of Representatives. It seems her vision of representation is less about promoting travel and more about orchestrating a family affair. 

In a performance where her former title becomes a luggage tag for political baggage, the Tulfo train chugs steadily toward an inevitable destination—an overcrowded Congress station. Unquestionably.

Dateline Zürich: Genius Stroke?

By Maria Bratikova

Was it a pre-emptive move for fPRRD to distance PH from ICC?

Long range planning was Marcos, Sr.‘s by-line, hence the ML years – which put discipline in the markets of education, governance and daily living.

So here‘s a little twist:

Aug. 2022 – Marcos, Jr. said PH will NOT
rejoin ICC.


Jan. 2024 – Marcos, Jr. said he will NOT lift a finger to help the ICC. . .


Nov. 2024 – Marcos, Jr. said he will NOT
block ICC if. . .


This is a lesson in the evolution of provocation. Man up to face consequences, if you‘re man enough. If your slate is clean, nothing to bitch about. If your slate is not clean, nullify
the blotches with legal procedure and justification. Leave nothing to bitch about.

Apropos. . .
Learning from the genius is never a bad thing. It can be useful for your own deeds!