In the 2025 elections for senators, representatives to Congress, and local government officials, Philippine democracy faces another critical test. The persistent issues of vote buying and vote selling continue to undermine the integrity of our electoral process, eroding public trust and...
It’s Sunday and many households will likely meet a delivery rider who will bring food, drinks, snacks, or gifts to their gates. Because of delivery riders, many of us will be able to stay home and rest, yet still enjoy the usual weekend treats like gourmet coffee, traditional...
Election offense charges and even disqualification from running in the May 2025 elections await candidates found to have campaign materials illegally posted. While the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warning is crucial to maintaining electoral integrity, it raises important questions about...
The May 2025 election is fast approaching; and with it is the political atmosphere that is increasingly becoming charged with divisive rhetoric. Amid the messages of change and reform, a troubling pattern has emerged: the campaign discourse seems more focused on personal attacks,...
The recent promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 12009, known as the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), marks a pivotal advancement in the ongoing battle against entrenched corruption. Building upon the foundations laid by the Government Procurement...
Tourism has long been a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, serving as a vital engine for growth and development. In 2024, the sector achieved a historic milestone, generating an unprecedented ₱760.5 billion in revenues, a 126.75 percent recovery rate from pre-pandemic levels. This...
“What the world needs now is love… it's the only thing that there's just too little of,” so goes an old song whose message remains relevant until today. According to report from Our World in Data, “at least 150 ongoing armed conflicts have been recorded each year recently... There...
The announcement of First Lady Lisa Araneta Marcos of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine government and the UAE-based nonprofit Clean Rivers to rehabilitate the Pasig River is good news that should be shared to strengthen awareness on the significance...
The Government Revenues Optimization through Wealth Tax Harmonization (GROWTH) bill proposed by the Department of Finance — a measure that seeks to increase estate tax, donor’s tax, and capital gains tax from six percent to 10 percent — is causing quite a stir. One of the most...
A bill seeking to extend the term limit of barangay (local village) officials from three to six years has received the penultimate approval in the House of Representatives. The move has sparked a debate on whether such an extension would benefit local governance or simply provide an undue...
As the nation prepares for the 2025 midterm elections, the Manila Bulletin launches Matalinong Boto 2025: Balitang Tapat Para sa Payapang Halalan, a campaign anchored on three essential pillars: facts, not fake news; peaceful elections, not violence; and respectful discourse, not...
Bullying remains a nagging issue in our schools, adversely affecting the well-being and academic performance of countless students. Defined as repeated aggressive behavior intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate a student, bullying can take many forms, including verbal abuse, physical...
