Another hurdle
ON JULY 26, President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is scheduled to deliver his first State of the Nation Address before a joint Congress session. Before the watchful eyes of the…
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(Un)calm after the storm
ON HIS first disaster management briefing last Wednesday, it was reported that P-Noy “berated” PAGASA (the country’s weather bureau) for “its failure to notify the public that Typhoon Basyang would…
The Green Effect
IT IS typhoon season once again in the Philippines, and most are still reeling from the tragedies brought about by last year’s typhoons. Two months from now, it will be…
The real score
PRESS freedom is being jeopardized as Filipino journalists are constantly subjected to threats and intimidations – mostly involving politics. As former Chief Justice Reynato Puno said, “Like water seeking its…
A Battle of Wits
AND so it begins. Only a few days after the Aquino-Binay inauguration and already, a bevy of activities has ensued – the appointment of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr….
Change is Coming
LAST June 25, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the tourist volume rose 5.4 percent to 3.65 million in the first five months of the year compared from the…
Old and new
A DAY before his inauguration as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines, President-elect Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III named the nearly 30 the official members of his…
Quintessence
“DO not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Harold R. McAlindon On June 30, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo…
On June 8 we must vote YES on Proposition 16 – the Taxpayers Right to Vote Act.
Prop 16 would require a two-thirds voter approval before local government can spend or borrow taxpayer dollars to go into the retail electricity business. Currently there is no public vote…
The waiting game
NORMA Sotio has every reason to grieve. Her husband, Gaudencio Sotio died on January 2010 without realizing a long-term dream – the promised monetary recognition made by the US government…
Validation
Finally, Filipinos will appear as a separate race category in the US 2010 national census. On November 28, during a partnership program between The National Federation of Filipino American Associations…
Christmas offering
FOR most Filipinos who have been away from home, the season brings loneliness, wanting to be with their families and friends, and missing the traditional Pinoy Pasko – the masses at dawn,…
It’s always the thought that counts
With the faltering economy and cash-strapped consumers, most are now wondering if the spirit of gift-giving will still be alive this holiday season. In fact, kids will probably be a…
Silver lining
ACCORDING to the New York-based think tank, Global Source, resilient remittances and post-typhoon rebuilding efforts are sustaining the momentum for a rosier economy for the Philippines. The report also stated…
Priorities
EVERYONE wants to get a piece of the action when Manny Pacquiao, RP’s pound-for-pound king goes into the ring with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on November 15. Therefore, it’s not…
Small victory
THE much-awaited $5.5 million funding from US Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) was fi nally bestowed to the Philippines, MCC’s “model partner.” The memorandum of understanding between the Philippines and the…
Walking on water
THE aftermath of twin typhoons, Ondoy and Pepeng left the Philippines devastated, with hundreds of people dead and others, still missing. Millions of pesos have been spent for damages and…
In pursuit of truth
CORRUPTION seems to be a fi xture in the headlines these days, and the numbers are increasing. Last February, the World Bank released a study that rated the Philippines as…
To ‘Protect and Serve’
TWO weeks ago, the Ombudsman cleared the Arroyos from any involvement with the $329-million NBN-ZTE contract, dismissing the evidence as “weak” and giving merit to Mike Arroyo’s counter-affidavit which states…
On debt row
IT is not surprising to hear that the Philippines is in serious debt. During the post-Marcos era, it became very evident how the nation’s fi nances were mismanaged by the…
Horror Roll
THE Arroyos seem to be on a roll these days — in the hall of shame, that is. First were the lavish dinners in Le Cirque in New York and…
A hard-earned right
ACCORDING to an announcement made by the Department of Foreign Affairs, only 159,100 newabsentee voters have registered for the past six months for the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registration which…
Lessons from Tita Cory
“I don’t have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people. It’s always the…
Old ties, new opportunities
THE much-anticipated historic meeting between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US President Barack Obama fi nally took place on July 30. Arroyo is the fi rst Southeast Asian leader to visit…
Healthcare for all: Boon or bane?
ALONG with food, shelter and education, healthcare is imperative for anyone. However, the cost of healthcare in the United States has risen dramatically. For the past two decades or so,…
Speak no evil
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is all set to deliver her State of the Nation Address on July 27. Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. alleges that the Chief Executive will use this…