Mandatory vaccination for kids? What people are saying
THE resurgence of measles in the past year has revived the debate over the need and the urgency for the government to use its police power and require parents to…
Category: Opinion & Editorial Columnists
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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…
Should the government obligate all parents to have their kids vaccinated?
IN light of the current measles outbreak in the United States, Americans are debating: Should children in the nation be required to be vaccinated? What should prevail – parental choice…
Protecting children from modern day slavery
MOST Americans are unaware that modern day slavery exists in the form of human trafficking. To many, the phrase “human trafficking” elicits connotations of a tragedy present only in far…
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…
#NasaanAngPangulo
#NasaanAngPangulo has been a trending topic among Filipinos all over the world on social media, asking where Philippine President Benigno Aquino was, and why he was not at Villamor Airbase…
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…
Band-aid remedy to poverty – Philippine style
THE thought that hundreds of poor street children in Manila could have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of having a vacation at a resort — complete with comfortable lodging facilities, good food…
The Pope, the Pharisee and the Publican
ALONG with the outpouring of affection for Pope Francis came a flood of self-righteousness and hypocrisy. When the Pope called for a rejection of corruption in government and society, pretenders…
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…
Obama: The shadow of crisis has passed
IN his sixth State of the Union address delivered to the American people before the joint session of Congress last January 20, President Barack Obama declared that after coming from…
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…
President Obama’s rising approval rating ahead of the State of the Union Address
PRESIDENT Barack Obama must be feeling upbeat and positive ahead of his State of the Union Address (SOTU) on Jan. 20, 2015. After a dip in the polls following major…
The perils of the Papacy
BY the grace of God, Pope Francis is back safe in the Vatican. But could 25,000 policemen and soldiers posted at various public venues have ensured the safety of His…
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…
Fil-Ams join Kababayans : Viva Pope Francis! Welcome to the Philippines!
WE may be thousands of miles and an ocean away from the Philippines, but many Filipinos in America share the excitement and the blessedness as the beloved Leader of the…
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…
ABS-CBN News and The Filipino Channel become newsmakers in 2015
WE at ABS-CBN News, whether it be in Manila or here in the United States, follow the journalistic principles that the stories we cover and the issues that we follow…
Finally: Driver’s licenses for qualified undocumented immigrants in California
2015 marks the year when qualified undocumented immigrants are now given the privilege to have a state issued driver’s license and to drive freely in the Golden State, without any…
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…
Pope Francis fever reaches epidemic proportions in the Philippines
LESS than a week before Pope Francis’s visit to the Philippines, excitement and faithful anticipation have spread among Filipinos, not only in the Philippines but around the world. Grateful for…
How to straighten out tuwid na daan
WITH less than two years left on the term of Noynoy Aquino, I think he can use some help in straightening out the liko-liko and smoothing out the baku-bako on…
What 2015 has in store for many undocumented Filipinos in California
THE NEW YEAR may be the beginning of the end of so many sleepless nights and uncertainties for many undocumented immigrants. Many of our kababayans may be eligible to benefit…
Is Binay the most corrupt or the most efficient?
THE past few months have seen news headlines in the Philippines, rerun in FilAm media across the US, screaming about the corruption and unexplained wealth of Vice-President Jejomar Binay. Binay,…
Happy New Year!
The history behind the tradition BAGONG TAON for us Filipinos in America will always remind of of the deafening paputok of superlolo, machine guns, lucis, bawang, and the burning of…
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…
Our family Christmas party tradition
MY husband and I almost always host a family reunion Christmas party at our home, especially this year when my Mother is celebrating her first Christmas in America after my…
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…