From left to right: Former presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte (Wikipedia, Rep. Arroyo's office, Malacañang photo) All three living past presidents of the Philippines have confirmed their attendance to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of...
OF TREES AND FORESTS Just this weekend, the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. inaugurated the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign by releasing Memorandum Circular No. 24 ordering the executive branch to adopt it as part of “the national government's branding and...
FINDING ANSWERS It’s been seven years since that momentous time in 2016 when the Philippines showed the world that a tiny and poor country can stand up to a rich giant and win a historic arbitration case. Last week’s anniversary of the landmark ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in...
PEACE-MAKER In the course of our modest ventures into political party and parliamentary diplomacy in Asia and the international community, we consistently spoke about the need to develop a system of ideas and ideals that will make globalization work for all our peoples. In our view, the East Asian...
OF TREES AND FOREST What is going on with the weather? A few weeks after PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season in the country, soaring and searing temperatures have been experienced not just locally but also the entire world. In the past few days, the heat has been particularly brutal even...
FINDING ANSWERS Valenzuela City is going all-out against gambling — from jueteng and other grassroots gambling activities, to e-games and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs). Three local ordinances were recently passed by the city council and approved by Valenzuela City Mayor Wes...
PEACE-MAKER Since the bloody conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in Khartoum in the middle of April this year, nearly three million people have been displaced, including some 650,000 who have fled to neighboring countries. About 3,000 people have been...
OF TREES AND FORESTS I like the fact that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. candidly admitted that his administration still has a lot of work to do. He also echoed the rating an economist gave his first year of administration as “incomplete.” It is really unfair to give a full review of his...
FINDING ANSWERS The Supreme Court is absolutely correct in its recent ruling declaring unconstitutional RA 11935 which postponed the 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). “RA 11935 violates the freedom of suffrage as it failed to satisfy the requisites of the substantive aspect...
PEACE-MAKER The lingering conflicts and potential flashpoints in Asia, with possible wide-ranging catastrophic consequences, obstruct our region’s progress and peaceful development. While there exists a number of mechanisms to promote peace and resolve conflicts, we believe there is a need to...
OF TREES AND FOREST Nope, it does not mean “bring your own bottle.” It means “be your own boss.” Well, in a sense both meanings refer to you taking charge and making your own choices. This was also the major findings in a lesser known survey conducted by OCTA Research. In their Tugon ng...
FINDING ANSWER The United States request for temporary shelter in the Philippines of some 50,000 Afghans seeking refuge from the Taliban in Afghanistan is beset with controversy. Citing sovereignty and security concerns, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has raised “vehement...
