Party-lists. One can argue that there’s just too many of them. Too many, in fact, that they occupy an entire page of the ballot. And yet, of the gazillion party-lists registered in every poll since the passing of Republic Act (RA) 7941 in 1995 (although it was the 1987 Constitution that created...
Just when the country appears headed toward a return to pre-pandemic levels of business activity, another serious natural disaster disrupted an otherwise serene weekend. Taal Volcano erupted last Saturday and Sunday, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) to raise anew Alert...
Three months before the completion of its term, the Duterte administration could point with justifiable pride to the enactment of three vital economic liberalization laws that would boost the Philippine economy’s global competitiveness — and cushion the impact of external shocks such as those...
Water is life. So, if water is life, then easy access to fresh water is a basic right that each and every person in this world must enjoy. The reality, however, is far from it. United Nations data revealed that 2.2 billion people in the world have no access to safe water. It is an alarming number...
Today, March 25, 2022, marks the start of the campaign of candidates for local positions such as for governor, representative, mayor, and councilor. Today is the official start yet it feels, to a lot of citizens, that the campaign started way back last year with back-and-forth accusations from...
Ten petitions for wage increases have been filed in six regional wage boards according to a report this week of the Department of Labor and Employment’s National Wage and Productivity Commission (NPWC). The petitions have been filed in the National Capital Region - NCR, Region 3 - Central Luzon,...
Should there be a debate whether a debate is important or not? Based on the outcome of the recent debates shown on television and live streamed online, it seemed there is. The ones who were present say that debates are a chance to “court” the voters; the other side said otherwise, saying that...
Just as the country is easing toward a possible nationwide enforcement of the least restrictive Alert Level 1 response, shock waves from the Ukraine-Russia war have disrupted the economy. The rapid surge in oil prices has brought on increases in prime commodity prices. Three hard-hit sectors —...
The world celebrates happiness today. If that made you smile and feel happy, good! Spread happiness through smiles and acts of kindness – you will certainly make someone happy. The observance of International Happiness Day goes beyond smiles and fleeting happy moments. Happiness is a serious...
There are situations in life when the most complicated matter can be addressed with the simplest of solutions. This is, perhaps, the same mindset when it comes to addressing the dire effects of climate change — find a simple solution first, which could easily be followed by everyone and...
As a Filipino soldier, former President Fidel V. Ramos (who was president 1992-1998) made a record of sorts for holding every one of the 100 ranks in the Philippine military — from second lieutenant to Commander-in-Chief. That speaks a lot about his longevity in the military service, in...
As the nation marked the second anniversary of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was announced that Metro Manila and 47 other areas will remain under the least restrictive Alert Level 1 until March 31. This move is beneficial to economic recovery. The full operation of...
