OFF THE BEATEN PATH Elections are, for all its complexity, a straightforward competition mechanism. Theoretically, the process acts as both a reward and punishment device that can control politicians’ conduct. The 1987 Philippine constitution and the Omnibus Election Code nowhere identify wealth...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH In a world where attention spans dwindle with every passing TikTok video, could it be that we are unknowingly trading depth for distraction? What began in September 2016 as a platform for fleeting entertainment has morphed into a de facto search engine, reshaping how we consume...
By MYRNA M. VELASCO The Department of Energy (DOE) is scheduling this September the second round of auction for off-grid sites that will target the provision of electricity access to more than 12,200 households. In a media statement, the department indicated that the submission and opening of...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH The significance of elections is intrinsically connected to the voters’ perception of its impact on their daily lives. Ideally, the process demands the most careful reflection of the nation we intend to be as it goes without saying that the exercise of the right of suffrage...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH The live interview last May 7, 2024 with fishermen while we were in Scarborough Shoal hinted a sentiment that deserves a lookback. When Anthony Taberna asked Kapitan Efren whether the latter is satisfied with the government’s efforts on the territorial issue, the response was:...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Following the recent wave of national pride, a fitting postscript would be to examine the realities of our informal workers and the gig economy. The state, akin to a parental figure by virtue of parens patriae, is endowed with the responsibility to nurture the well-being of all...
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (left), former senator Leila de Lima (Malacañang photo, Facebook) Will there be a face-off soon between the newly-exonerated Leila de Lima and her old nemesis, Rodrigo Duterte, in the House of Representatives? ...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH To the youth graduating this year, I cannot recommend strongly enough that they should revisit two crucial and inter-related matters in our history: Proclamation No. 1928 series of 1962, which moved Independence Day from July 4 to June 12; and the ideological journey of the...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH When I heeded the call of the unfamiliar, the compass of my curiosity pointed me to Scarborough Shoal. Fully aware of our precarious situation there, I ventured forward nevertheless. This remote speck in the West Philippine Sea, a point of contention primarily because it is a...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH The Philippines. Over 7,000 islands full of wonder and beauty, just waiting to be discovered and re-discovered. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to visit almost all the provinces in the Philippines – enjoying the breathtaking scenery, sumptuous delicacies...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH While much of the conversation on El Niño dwells on its economic impacts and ways to mitigate them, a silent crisis is unfolding behind bars – one that directly contradicts our supposed commitment to human dignity. We adopted the neutral term “persons deprived of...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH They did not just ask; they demanded. Today’s Labor Day is not just about celebrating Filipino workers’ contributions, but remembering their fight for fair treatment. Back in 1903, thousands marched to Malacañang under American rule, sparking a movement that secured...
