PERRYSCOPE

One of the most — if not the most — despised royal advisors in history was Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin.  Known as the “Mad Monk,” Rasputin was a Russian mystic who was an advisor to Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra during the tumultuous years of Imperial Russia under the Romanovs.  Rasputin became close to the Tsarina because he was said to possess healing powers, which the Tsar and Tsarina believed gave relief to their only son and heir to the throne, Tsarevich Alexei, who was suffering from hemophilia, an incurable disease.    Continue reading →

I watched the “Godfather” movie — for the umpteenth time — last week and loved every scene just like when I saw it the first time 42 years ago.  Yes, forty-two years and the movie is still popular – indeed, very popular — and the No. 1 movie of all time.  It had brought criminal enterprise and the violence and corruption that it brews into a level of acceptability – and even respectability — in people’s lives.  Continue reading →

Recently, China confirmed that construction work is ongoing at the Mabini Reef (Johnson South Reef) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). However, she declined to say what she’s constructing. She told the Philippines that it’s none of her business because the area is “Chinese territory.” Continue reading →

At first there was none.  Then there was one.  Then there were two.  Then there were three, four.  And then there were five!   Who knows there might even be a sixth or a seventh… or an eighth! Continue reading →

In the aftermath of the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the United States and the Philippines, China unexpectedly took a conciliatory stance.  Continue reading →

Not too long ago, former President Bill Clinton appeared on the American late night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and told Jimmy Kimmel in front of millions of viewers that he thought Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao would make a good public servant. Continue reading →

Since 1999, a World War II-era navy ship lay aground off Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), an uninhabited atoll near the Kalayaan group of islands in the Spratly archipelago.  Continue reading →

A series of events that led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea have made many to wonder: why didn’t the western powers do anything to stop Russia from grabbing Crimea?   And when Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law that formalized the annexation of Crimea, President Barack Obama stressed that there will be no “military excursion” into Ukraine.   That was like telling Russia: “Go ahead, invade Ukraine.  We will not intervene.”  Continue reading →

With the 2016 presidential elections still two years away, presidential and vice-presidential wannabes have already started jockeying for positions to succeed President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay.   Among the presidential hopefuls, Binay has been promoting himself for the presidential job since his election as Vice President in 2010.  Continue reading →

Ruby Chan Tuason opened a can of worms when she testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) implicating Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile in Janet Lim Napoles’ pork barrel scam.  Indeed, never in the history of the Philippine Congress had someone testify before the legislative body accusing incumbent lawmakers for accepting kickbacks. Continue reading →