The appointment of Francis Tolentino as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) comes at a crucial moment for the Philippine labor sector. Inflation continues to erode household incomes, workers are demanding higher wages, businesses fear rising operational costs, and...
The Philippine economy enters the second half of 2026 with mixed prospects. Recent analyses by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development and forecasts made by the Institute of International Finance paint a cautiously optimistic picture. The Philippines remains among Southeast Asia’s...
The state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Japan from May 26 to 29 carries significance far beyond diplomatic ceremony. It reaffirms the enduring strength of Philippine-Japan relations at a time when both countries confront complex geopolitical, economic, and energy security challenges....
The Supreme Court’s razor-thin 9-5-1 vote denying Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s plea for a temporary restraining order against a possible International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest is a critical turning point for institutional independence in the Philippines which has long been haunted...
Washington’s latest proposal for a new artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City resembles an extraterritorial arrangement. The United States (US) is asking Manila to grant diplomatic immunity and US common law jurisdiction to the 1,600-hectare industrial zone—an unprecedented request....
The appointment of Kim Robert C. De Leon as the new secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) comes at a time when public confidence in government spending is dangerously fragile. The lingering outrage over the flood control scandal, coupled with frustrations over delayed services,...
The fate of major mass transport projects in the Philippines is shaped not only by engineering expertise or access to foreign financing. More fundamentally, it is determined by the quality of governance that guides these undertakings from conception to completion. The contrasting experiences of the...
At a time when wars, territorial disputes, and geopolitical rivalries are redefining the global order, the peacemaking initiative undertaken by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the recent 48th ASEAN Summit deserves far greater attention than it has thus far received. On the sidelines of the...
Tragic, shameless. These may aptly describe the gunfire that disrupted the halls of the Senate on May 13, depending on what political spectrum you belong to or believe in. No matter what, it further weakened public confidence in institutions entrusted with preserving order, upholding the rule of...
The Philippines finds itself navigating an increasingly difficult global environment. Even before the outbreak of war in the Middle East sent oil prices surging, the country was already grappling with slowing foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, elevated inflation, and weakening economic...
The gunfire inside the Senate on Wednesday night should not be dismissed merely as a security breach. It was an assault on the nation’s democratic institutions and a chilling reminder of how dangerously polarized the Philippines has become. The halls of the Senate are meant to be an arena for...
The proposal of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to dilute the General Education (GE) curriculum beginning School Year 2027–2028 has sparked serious concern among educators, parents, and industry leaders. While the intention may be to streamline academic programs and align college...
