Corruption is stealing, period
Corrupting government funds intended for flood control is stealing people’s money intended to protect their lives and livelihood.
Celebrating despite our doubts
For as democracies around the globe today falter, we can draw strength from our country’s shining moment in the past and let it shed light on the directions we must take.
Realpolitik
Where these experts and political actors fail is precisely in realpolitik.
Sectoral Politics
Rent-seeking is the bane of Philippine politics, and it must be expunged if we hope for a different future.
Are we corrupt because we are Christians?
Does faith fuel corruption — or is the problem deeper than religion?
Missing arms transfers to Ukraine may end up in rebels’ hands
There have been reports that Western and Russian small arms and other armaments have found their way to rebel and Islamist militants around the world.
NATO wants to remain relevant, sails to the South China Sea
The British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is heading to the Indo-Pacific region to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining maritime security and freedom of navigation as China expands its coercive activities.
US missile systems in the Philippines
The Philippines still lacks a modest credible defense capability. It cannot fund and sustain an offensive and anti-missile system.
Philippines prepares for armed drones, missile attacks
In the future, the Philippines and its oldest security ally, the United States, will stop holding large-scale joint and combined exercises to test their operational readiness.
A tourism slogan for Islas Ladrones
We rebranded alright, but as world-class copycats, and worse as thieves. It is only right that the Japanese will have the last word in pronouncing Love the Philippines.
Vitaliano Aguirre’s embroidery work for Rodrigo Duterte
By obstructing justice for his love of Duterte, Aguirre was included in the complaint in the International Criminal Court.
The mistreatments Leila de Lima got
Now is the time for the Marcos Jr. government to clean itself of the damage before the world of Duterte’s “bottomless pit of impunity.” We must defy government when it fails that.
The lunacy that is ROTC
At the rate senators are mouthing absurdities, rationalizing the return of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) or the mandatory physical military training in college has become an act of sheer idiocy.
Does he have what it takes?
The designation “President” does not assure anyone that business will come running to the one bearing the title. Business leaders can smell leaders who know their business. Making a quick buck is easy. It’s making a difference in life and in business that makes the work truly mind-blowing.
Coup d’état: The elephant in the chatroom
Chatrooms rife with rumors of a military coup. That was last week.
Life’s a glitch: New Year’s Day snafu
For one, a huge amount of money is spent on these systems. How and why the systems fail so miserably and at the most unholy hour – New Year’s Day, for cryin’ out loud – is a question we must insist on being answered. As truthfully as they can make it. Crisis management BS we don’t need.
Viruses
There are no coffins for them.
They are buried in distant shallow graves
Martial Law: Never Again or Oh no, Not Again!
Never Again! This has been our mantra every time we commemorate the declaration of martial law that started the dictatorial rule of Marcos which lasted over thirteen years.
Ninoy Aquino: Apostle of non-violent resistance
“I have returned to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence.” This was part of the statement Ninoy Aquino wanted to deliver upon his arrival from exile thirty-six years ago.
Between the good and the best
In a recent piece online, I wrote of certain groups that are trying to use the Philippine Catholic Church to work for or against certain presidential candidates in the May 9 election. This, I said for the nth time, is contrary to the express teaching of the Catholic Church.
Cleaning up the mess
The 2022 Philippine presidential campaign has so polarized and divided the nation that whoever wins on May 9, the task of unifying and rebuilding the socio-political, economic order will have to take first priority.
Retooling the “debates”
Since the 90-day official presidential campaign period kicked off in February, Filipinos have been treated to a series of presidential “debates.” These are but media forums, rather than “debates,” strictly speaking, for a “debate,” as we know it, is a formal public discussion in which two opposing sides argue against each other the validity or invalidity of a particular proposition.
Ningas-kugon
Are Filipinos that forgiving or are we simply forgetful?
Living the ‘holiness of normality’
At an age when people, especially millennials, seem to seek personal fulfilment through high-profile accomplishments, one woman has just been recognized as a model of sanctity through devoting her life to teaching chemistry—without fanfare.
How do we solve the problem of Duterteeeeee?
EIGHTEEN months into office and still, Rodrigo Duterte escapes identification…
Who is St. Thomas More?
Very little is known about St. Thomas More, the patron of statesmen and politicians as declared by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. He lived a very inspiring life and is a model of firmness of conscience to the end.
Bridging the gap: Faith into action
I recall a question articulated by our former Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez many years ago.
Looking at Elections from the Eyes of Faith
We have been taught in CFC to live out our faith, to consider our faith as an integral part of our being, not merely as a separate compartment of our life.
Time to Love
The Holy Book says: “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” (Eccl. 3:1) Thus “there is a time to love.” (Eccl. 3:8)
Coronavirus Silver Lining
Black clouds signify dark and even stormy times are coming.
Fasting: A Discipline of Lent
Fasting now is a growing trend, but for different reasons.
Eyes on the Ice: Human rights diplomacy
Last week’s vote by United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the Iceland-backed resolution exasperated the sensitive Duterte administration and the DDS community.