Balancing the budget
IN congress, it was proposed that P1.64-trillion be alloted for the national budget for 2011. Prior to the budget hearings, Malacañang, directly stating that the government under a tight national…
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The price of justice
The presence of an effective judicial independence, especially in a constitutional democracy such as the Philippines’ is imperative in making sure that the fundamental rights of every citizen of this…
A bright spot in the global landscape
DESPITE of what we normally see or hear in the news about other countries’ economic woes, the Asia-Pacific region continues to stand out in the global landscape. The International Monetary…
More than just statistics
As of July 2010, the Philippines is the 12th most populated nation in the world with an estimate of 99,900,177 next to Mexico, according to the CIA World Factbook. Despite…
A new high
IN A latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations, it was reported that the number of Filipinos “who expect their lives to get better in the next 12 months”…
Fighting the good fight
ALL eyes are on the Philippines right now after the devastating tragedy that happened last August 23 where former police officer Rolando Mendoza held 25 people captive in his efforts…
Invest in flood control
AFTER the tragedies of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, is the Capital Region (NCR) better prepared this year for the rainy season? Perhaps a review of the measures adopted this year…
Flying the friendlier skies
THE ongoing labor disputes of the county’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has open the possibility of considering an open skies policy to reveres civil aviation policies. According to the…
Step one: Awareness
The effect of climate change is slowly presenting itself today. Undoubtedly, this phenomenon poses a great threat to humanity, something that every person is dreading to foresee. Like any other…
The ties that bind
ACCORDING to Capt. Rudy Lupton, USS Blue Ridge commanding officer, about 120 of the 650 sailors of the US command ship in the Pacific are Filipinos. The USS Blue Ridge…
The ‘bone’ of our existence
IT could be evidence that humans first settled in the Philippines 67,000 years ago, thousands of years earlier than what archaeologists thought. A foot bone, found in an extensive cave…
Miscommunication
Last Saturday, July 31, national air carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) canceled five flights (one destined forHong Kong, the others to domestic destinations) due to the sudden resignation of at least…
International support
IN an effort to help reduce risk should another disaster hit the country, the European Union (EU) has approved yet again an additional grant of P125M for projects to be…
Acknowledged
“In him was vindicated the greatness of real goodness and the goodness of real greatness.” – Phillip Brooks ON July 29, President Barack Obama signed House Resolution 4899 or the…
Another mark in (Fil-Am) history
THE Filipinos here in the United States have something to be proud of again. Last July 21, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye to the California Supreme Court….
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…
(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…
Changing separate property to community property for estate planning purposes, and its consequences upon divorce
SPOUSES during both before and during marriage may agree to change the character of any of their property—from separate property to community property, from community property to separate property, and…
Teeth tips for teens
I WOULD like to share with you teeth tips for teens from the Academy of General Dentistry. 1. Limit soda drinking. Whether at school, home or on the weekends, teens…
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…
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. They can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth….