Insanity

The American author Rita Mae Brown likened insanity to ‘doing the same thing over and over expecting different results’ and she could not have articulated her point better. Indeed it is insane to expect a different result out of a habit we constantly do, but consistently fail us. And if this is indeed how insanity is diagnosed, then […]

Siding with the Enemy

Almost five years ago we witnessed the most heinous crime in our country’s modern history. Fifty-eight people: supporters, family members and accompanying journalists of an election candidate, were slain in broad daylight by armed men loyal to the incumbent mayor.

Priorities

When a foreign journalist does more to help typhoon victims than their own president, you know something is wrong. In a third world country, a calamity the scale of Typhoon Haiyan would have devastating results – and it did. The scenes in the cities hardest hit by the typhoon were so moving that in less […]

Modernizing the Philippines

The Philippines has traditionally been a nation based on agriculture. It comes as no surprise that when Philippine exports are being discussed, the most familiar examples you would hear are pineapple, banana or coconut. A more complimentary response would be tourism, citing the dozens of world-class beach resorts in the country. While an example Filipinos […]

The New Enforcer

In his 2nd State of the Nation address, President Noynoy Aquino announced the appointment of former Chief Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales as Merceditas Gutierrez’ successor as ombudsman. The former administered the incumbent President’s inauguration last June 30 after PNoy refused to be administered by Chief Justice Renato Corona, whose appointment PNoy had opposed. Carpio-Morales is a […]

A Case of Wrong Timing

The benchmark agendum in the platform of incumbent-President Noynoy Aquino’s government is the noble promise not to impose any new taxes amongst the cash-strapped Filipinos. Taxes are the lifeblood of a government, a huge chunk of their spending power relies on their income from taxes. In the Arroyo era, then-President Gloria Arroyo risked the wrath […]

Preparing for War

It was reported this week that hundreds of fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have undergone combat training in the rough terrains of the Lanao del Sur province. The reports came after news surfaced that the Aquino government and the 11,000 strong MILF were willing to resume peace talks. The talks are of course, aimed at the dearming of […]

The Real State of the Nation

Newly-sworn in President Noynoy Aquino delivered his first State of the Nation Address three days ago. In a speech the entire nation, as well as a number of overseas Filipinos looked forward to, Noynoy revealed anomalies that happened during the reign of his predecessor. A saga of extravagance and funds mismanagement, he explained how our […]

The Spirit that Lived On

After 26 years of incarceration, all remaining ten of the 14 soldiers convicted for the Aquino-Galman double murder case have been released after their sentences were communed by the President. Much to the disappointment of the Aquino family and Ninoy Aquino supporters all over the world. For them, it was Arroyo’s way of getting back […]