Miriam Offensor-Santiago
How is Miriam Defensor-Santiago regarded by her colleagues in the Senate? No more than a sick joke. This was obvious in the way they were chuckling and exchanging mischievous whispers…
Category: Features
Covering the week’s most noteworthy feature stories impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Justice delayed
AFTER 44 days of trial, the world witnessed the guilty verdict passed for Chief Justice Renato Corona, who is now impeached. Although it took five months to deliver, the conclusion…
Paradigm shift
AS THE convoluted chapter called the impeachment trial of now ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona comes to a close, yet another one opens — and with a lot at stake. The…
The Governor’s dream of high speed rail versus the reality of homeownership
Governor Brown, facing growing pressure to fund programs necessary for California’s future growth has decided to put 2.2 million homeowners facing foreclosure in further distress. Spotting a soft target for…
Corona and the Al Capone solution
I wrote this piece on the eve of the decision that the Senate impeachment court was scheduled to hand down on the case of Chief Justice Renato Corona. It appeared…
Honorable TNTs
CHIEF Justice Corona has had his day in court. But he has left a lot of questions hanging. But rather than speculate on how he will satisfactorily explain his seemingly…
Tipping point
“WE are proud of the progress we have made, but we are not satisfied with just this. We Filipinos know just how much potential this country has and we are…
Preaching preventive measures
As one of the most disaster-prone areas in Southeast Asia, the Philippines’ efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR) did not go unnoticed. The country has recently caught the attention of…
Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa Iyo
I had a bad dream. I dreamed that the Chinese invaded the Philippines after the confrontation at West Philippine Sea finally exploded into an all-out war. I dreamed that while…
The elusive gold
ONE can win races and break world records, but an Olympic gold medal is still the biggest feat an athlete can accomplish. To conquer the Olympics is every athlete’s dream….
Scrambling for low-hanging fruits
TIME flies so fast. I can’t believe it was in 1991 (21 years ago) that I got a call from Freddie Garcia about ABS-CBN’s plan to enter the US market in…
Pressed for freedom
In a global survey of media independence (conducted by Washington-based Freedom House) the Philippines was able to raise its ranking — from a previous standing of 93, it is now…
An open letter to PH President
Apr 25,2012 His Excellency Benigno S Aquino III President of Philippines Subject: Bring Home our Elderly and Disabled Abroad Dear Mr. President: While you are focused in the economic development…
Taking on Goliath
THE current standoff with the Chinese over the Spratleys at Panatag Shoal will get worse before it gets better. What are we to do as a country and as a…
Making waves
PICTURESQUE beaches. Teeming diverse marine life in and around the Philippine waters. Marvelous dive sites. A perfect getaway, more reasons to consider why “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” While…
True independence
In the essence of camaraderie and reaffirmation of alliances, military exercises between the Philippines and the United States have begun once again through the annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises. The 12-day…
Peaceful resolution
INTERNATIONAL law signifies the essence of the progress of civilization towards a world ruled by principle and not by force. It took millions of lives, thousands of years and hundreds…
The Scarborough (Af)fair
YOU might be wondering how a foreign-sounding “group of islands and reefs in an atoll shape” can be found in Philippine waters. According to a dead-linked source from Wikipedia (Diary…
Let it all hang out
If senator-judge and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile will not allow Corona’s defense lawyers to present the SALN of legislators and cabinet secretaries, as well as that of President Noynoy…
Wanted: A Mega stroke of luck
AS WE go to press, the whole nation is in a lottery frenzy, awaiting the nerve-wracking results of the Mega Millions jackpot, which is now estimated at $640-million – an…
The battle to end child labor
Alarmed by the report of the International Labor Organization (ILO) that approximately 2.4 million minors aged nine to 17 are already working in the country, the Philippine government has recently…
Caught in the middle
WITH all the ballyhoo surrounding the North Korean rocket launch (expected to take place between April 12 and 16), the safety and security of the 50,000 Filipinos living in South…
Gaining momentum
THE Philippine government has recently expressed optimism that growth is finally within reach, citing the recent improvements in the Philippine economy. In a recent interview with the press after the…
The bandwagon defense
“JOURNALISTS are NOT the story. We tell the story. We merely chronicle our country’s comings and goings in the best way we can. This is how we serve the country.”…
Looking after the welfare of OFWs
Considered as the living heroes of the Philippines, Filipino migrant workers all over the world have long been contributing to the economic growth of the country. With their families as…
Misconstrued
IN his interview with David Letterman last week, actor Taylor Kitsch shared having a “moment” with a local customs official, when he (supposedly) came to the Philippines to shoot scenes…
Chance or capability
During the commemoration of the 26th year of the EDSA People Power Revolution last February 25, President Benigno Aquino III disproved speculations that his administration is going lax on leading…
Education for all
EDUCATION is at the crossroads for the future of Filipinos. It plays a crucial role in promoting poverty alleviation and economic growth. It reflects the aspirations of the people for…
Fight vs Faith
BESIDES the long overdue fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather (which, up to now still hangs in the air), Pacquiao’s “renewed sense of faith” has also been making headlines,…