By all accounts, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman is redefining what it means to be a government leader. She not only steers the DBM toward better fiscal management but also empowers internal operations to embody practicality, efficiency,...
On Friday, Oct. 18, I had the privilege to attend the Girls’ Rights Forum co-organized by Spark! Philippines, the US Embassy, and the local government of Quezon City. Themed “Transforming the Future,” the event celebrated Girls Month 2024 and the International Day of the Girl Child,...
During the recent press briefing at Malacañang for the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah "Mina" Pangandaman delivered a message that resonated deeply with me. She stated, "The participation of various nations...
GUEST COLMUNIST Whether through medical missions in remote areas, disaster relief efforts, or life-saving initiatives like blood donation campaigns, the commitment to health and helping others is deeply embedded in Filipino culture. It’s within this context of shared responsibility and...
GUEST COLUMNIST When President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged that no teacher should retire as Teacher I during his State of the Nation Address, he emphasized the need for a system that allows teachers to progress beyond entry-level positions. Last Friday, July 26, marked a triumphant day for...
GUEST COLUMNIST Public service is often romanticized as a noble endeavor, a calling for the greater good. The reality of being a public servant, however, is far from simple or ceremonial. Government work entails navigating complex bureaucratic processes, balancing diverse stakeholder interests, and...
GUEST COLUMNIST On May 22, 2024, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 9349, the Absolute Divorce Bill, on its third and final reading. Senators, however, are divided on the bill, with an informal survey by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada revealing at least six senators in...
GUEST COLUMNIST Last weekend, while I was taking a stroll through a park, an unusual yet touching scene caught my attention. I found myself drawn into a passionate exchange by a couple. The woman, with a hint of concern in her voice, said, “Are you not ashamed of this? People are looking. I am...
GUEST COLUMNIST Last Tuesday, May 14, was a night steeped in heartache, nostalgia, and the haunting melodies of Filipino alternative rock at the 12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub at Estancia, Capital Commons, Ortigas, in Pasig. My dear friend, Champ Lui Pio, lead of the band Hale and co-owner of the 12...
GUEST COLUMNIST Giving back especially to the country and to the people in need is a fundamental act we should do as good citizens and humans. But trust a mother to give something more because it is in her core to care, protect, and defend her loved ones. I believe, and as I have seen with fellow...
GUEST COLUMNIST Toward the end of April, I had the immense pleasure of joining the initial drafting of the fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4) organized by the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) at Malacañang, Manila. As representative of Department of Budget and...
GUEST COLUMNIST On March 30, I had the honor of witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Declaration between the municipality of Bacnotan in La Union, and Alpas owner Champ Liu Pio, famous singer of the Filipino band Hale. The declaration officially designates the Elyu haunt as a...
