With the promulgation last week of the implementing rules and regulations of the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act (Republic Act No. 11523), the government has delivered a solid jab into the financial muscle of banks as prime movers of business and industrial growth that has...
‘Red tape’ is a politically correct phrase that refers to over regulation, excessive and redundant processes that delay action and make service inefficient, resulting in high cost of doing business. This is not only common in government agencies, but red tape also happens in large private...
The first known use of Calvary, according to Merriam-Webster, was in 1738. It is the modern version of Golgotha, literally “skull,” and a place outside the walls of Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified. With COVID-19 still rampant, it is humanity’s Calvary. While the arduous climb...
On the night of Holy Thursday, at the Last Supper, Jesus Christ issued a commandment to His disciples, “Love one another,” then washed their feet as an act of humility and kindness. Hence, it is also called Maundy Thursday, as it is derived from the Latin word for “command.” While the...
World Water Day, observed on March 22 of each year, seeks to create heightened awareness of the global water crisis. Some 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water resources. It calls attention to the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6): water and...
On the eve of the Holy Week observance, President Duterte placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the strictest quarantine status, from March 29 to April 4. This was prompted by a surge in COVID-19 infection: the number of new cases daily...
In a digitally wired world, turning off lights and gadgets for one hour appears a bit much of a sacrifice – but think again, because that “time window” could be the most important hour for us to reflect on what we can really do to save the planet we’re currently living in. “Earth Hour”...
Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta retires tomorrow, March 27, after serving the Judiciary for more than 34 years as a prosecutor, a trial court judge, an associate justice and later presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan, and associate justice of the Supreme Court and then as chief justice. He...
Two years ago this month, Metro Manila residents experienced a water supply crisis. President Duterte berated the two concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, and issued threats on dire consequences if the problem would not be resolved. Today’s edition of the PAGASA website reports: “La...
The exodus of overseas Filipino workers leaving their employment abroad or being displaced because of the pandemic is one major source of headache for the government, which is still battling the surging cases of COVID-19 in the country. A total of 569,462 OFWs had been repatriated last year and...
“Although the Philippines still has rooms for improvement in addressing issues concerning women, it is by-far a great place to become a woman.” This assessment, made by the Asia Society, is an auspicious commentary on the extent and scope of women empowerment in the country. Across a...
Scammers prey on those looking for an additional source of income to augment their earnings or to grow their nest egg and secure their future. They offer investment deals that guarantee huge profits for doing almost nothing. Some may be skeptical or cautious and initially invest just a small amount...
