PEACE-MAKER In a period marked by climate change and environmental challenges, planting of trillions of trees worldwide is a visionary solution to combat the climate crisis. The planting of trillions of trees is a practical and essential strategy to mitigate climate change and secure a...
OF TREES AND FOREST The nation lost an outstanding public servant last week. Susan “Toots” Ople, champion of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Migrant Workers Secretary, protector of workers’ rights and friend to us all, passed away to join the Lord and her father, Ka Blas Ople, in heaven. It...
FINDING ANSWERS When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended reclamation projects in Manila Bay early this month, the reason he gave mirrored what many people have been worried about. “Kung matuloy lahat ‘yan, maraming ilog mababara eh. Wala na pupuntahan talaga ‘yong tubig. (Because if they...
PEACE-MAKER Vietnam is where we spent our initial foray in international relations, as a 30-year-old presidential assistant, concurrently assigned as minister, economic and press counselor at the Philippine Embassy in Saigon, the South Vietnam capital then (now Ho Chi Minh, capital of the united...
OF TREES AND FOREST The country received some sobering economic news last week. During the first quarter of the current year, the Philippines was able to sustain its economic recovery and expansion with a GDP growth of 6.4 percent, a growth rate that actually exceeded forecasts. But the second...
FINDING ANSWERS As the nation marked yesterday the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, President Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to “set aside political differences and unite for the country’s welfare and progress.” Referring to love of country as the “compass” that will...
PEACE-MAKER After some 50 years in Philippine partisan politics and 20 years in political party- and parliamentary diplomacy in Asia and the international community, this columnist, now almost 87, has spent these past three years just observing political events and developments. Indeed, the last...
OF TREES AND FOREST Last week, we inaugurated Villar Avenue, a 10-kilometer, 10-lane road that we envision will help decongest traffic and reduce travel time from Las Piñas City to portions of Bacoor and Dasmariñas in Cavite province. In addition, we see this road as an important component in...
FINDING ANSWERS As a lawyer whose career started in the field of human rights, it always pains me to watch TV news about instances of injustice, abuse, or blatant disregard for human life by those who are supposedly sworn to serve and protect. Last week’s ABS-CBN news account about the anguish of...
PEACE-MAKER Cambodia has broken a historic ground with the imminent election of the Khuon Sudary as the first woman president of the National Assembly. A veteran parliamentarian, she currently serves as vice president of her country’s lawmaking body. She is also one of our steadfast allies...
Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Presidential Photo/Manila Bulletin) Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the leading potential senatorial candidate for the 2025 elections, based on the results of a survey released by big data research firm Tangere on Friday, Aug. 11. Duterte received 61...
FINDING ANSWERS Not only is it deemed righteous indignation; it’s morally justified, highly principled, and a reflection of the honorableness of our Senators. In unanimously adopting Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 718 last week, the esteemed men and women of the Philippine Senate undoubtedly...
