Dysfunctional
FOUR vital agencies of the Philippine government are currently headless after three of the commissioners retired and the other one recently resigned. This February, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto…
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Blame game
“WHAT was the direct line of command between the President and the operators? It was not clear whether he just approved the operation at the very start and then let…
Moment of silence
IS peace between the government and the Muslim extremist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attainable? In a pessimist’s point of view, there might not be any remedy to the…
Neutral ground
FOLLOWING the bloodbath between the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on…
Unrequited
IT is fair to give credit to the security personnel who kept Pope Francis safe during his four-day visit to the Philippines. Unlike the previous papal visits, no suspicious forces…
Unsung heroes
IN his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis has generated positivity and raised hopes among the Church’s followers. Throughout his sojourn, the high prelate captured wide audiences and sympathies for…
Year of the poor
MILLIONS of Filipinos lined up the streets of Roxas Boulevard in Manila with their desire to have, at least, a glimpse of Pope Francis, when he arrived in the country…
Common cause
IN a historic walk for solidarity, world leaders joined French Pres. Francois Hollande on Sunday, Jan. 11 to denounce acts of terrorism. This came days after 17 people were left…
Business-friendly
WITH a growing middle class, strong domestic demand, stable economic policy and GDP growth, even doing business can be more fun in the Philippines. By providing a dynamic and mature…
Flu reaches epidemic status in US
THE flu has become a national epidemic, and the number of deaths it is blamed for—including 15 children this past year—continues to increase, as flu season begins its peak usually…
Moving forward
BEFORE we bid 2014 adieu, we are reminded to look back and reflect on all the important events that have happened in the past 12 months. Will Filipinos learn from…
Compromise
“WE should not lose sight of the bigger picture which is to get justice. And since criminal jurisdiction is with us, we would be able to try [US Marine PFC…
Holiday spirit
A THIRD of Filipinos are expecting a more prosperous Christmas celebration. According to a recent Pulse Asia survey conducted from Nov. 14 to 20, 34 percent of the 1,200 respondents…
Wonder city
IT is official. Vigan City in Ilocos Sur has been named one of the New 7 Wonders Cities of the World. Also dubbed as urban wonders, these cities are put…
Gawad Kalinga’s Genius of The Poor
By: Charisse Trinidad The Gawad Kalinga Community proudly hosted the book launch of renowned British journalist Thomas Graham’s newly published book Gawad Kalinga’s The Genius Of The Poor. The event…
Better safe than sorry
JUST when everyone thought that the worst has passed, another super typhoon is doomed to devastate parts of the Philippines once more. A year after the dreadful Yolanda (international name:…
Initiative
THE Philippine government is more driven to institutionalize good governance and continue walking the “tuwid na daan” (straight path). To achieve this, Presdent Benigno Aquino III vowed to strengthen and…
Sustaining growth
DESPITE efforts from the current administration to maintain the Philippine economic growth, this year’s 3rd quarter Gross Domestic product (GDP) have decelerated from the previous quarter’s 6.4 percent gain and…
Counterterrorism
THE Philippines is among the top 10 countries with the highest level of terrorist activity in 2013, according to the study released recently by the Institute for Economics (IEP). “Terrorism has increased…
Cutting back
GLOBALIZATION is slowly taking its toll on countries such as China and the United States, considered two of the largest consumers of fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere and cause…
Resilience
A YEAR ago, the Philippines welcomed an unwanted visitor. Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) with winds up to 235 kilometers per hour and a tsunami-like storm surge ravaged most…
SF raises minimum wage to $15 by 2018
ON Tuesday, Nov. 4, San Francisco voters approved Proposition J, a measure that will raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 by July 2018. More than 100,000 are expected to…
Overlooked
IN most modern societies, politics depend on media for publicity, to encourage supporters and votes. On the other hand, journalists rely on politics to provide them with news to keep…