Opinion and Commentary
Ledesma: And the survey says ...
October 8 2020, 12:56 pm
I DON'T know who commissioned Pulse Asia to conduct a survey on the sentiments of the people amidst the pandemic which, like other countries worldwide, shook the foundations of every government and private institution. The Philippines is not spared and considering the density of our population the… Read More
Ledesma: Metrics that matter
October 5 2020, 5:04 pm
EVERYDAY, we are being bombarded with negative news, gloomy forecasts, and government inefficiencies and ineffectiveness. If we are to believe everything that these naysayers are saying, it looks like the Philippines and the Filipinos can no longer recover from the ill effects of the pandemic. If… Read More
Ledesma: Gap in the Davao-Samal bridge project
October 3 2020, 10:51 pm
THE proposed Davao-Samal Bridge still remains to be an elusive dream. The groundbreaking ceremony scheduled in September hit a snag and the problem seemed to have compounded. Let’s rewind the narratives years back. The first viable feasibility study was done by the Japan International… Read More
Laurel: President Duterte and Xi's visionary UNGA statements
September 29 2020, 4:53 pm
“THE future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism” is the theme of the 75th United Nations anniversary commemorated by the global institution last September 21, 2020. Stressing Multilateralism, which is commonly understood to mean “an… Read More
Ledesma: A time for everything
September 28 2020, 3:20 pm
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has been in the receiving end of debasing criticisms from the time he entered the Presidential derby. He has been called “taga bundok” and one who lacks decency by people in filmdom who themselves wallow in the murk of indecency. An ex-diplomat who felt she is the… Read More
Ledesma: The digital world of insurance
September 25 2020, 2:55 pm
THERE was a time when selling an insurance product and servicing a policyholder requires physical presence and involve tons of paperwork. My late father was an insurance agent (with then Filipinas Life) for about 3 years before becoming an OFW. I remember every night he will take out all those… Read More
Ledesma: Shock, shake, spot
September 21 2020, 2:48 pm
THE coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a great equalizer. It hits the rich and the poor, the young and the old, male and female, those from the city or the province, the popular guy, or the regular Juan dela Cruz. It chooses no one. And because of this, they say that we’re all in the… Read More
From the Mail: When Marcos announced martial law proclamation 48 years ago
September 21 2020, 8:33 am
By Severino Samonte A TOTAL of 48 years after the declaration of the controversial martial law on Sept. 21, 1972 by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, many of the Filipino people, especially the millennial ones, remain confused on the exact date of that presidential prerogative based on the… Read More
Ledesma: RED TAG?
September 17 2020, 1:01 pm
WHY are the members of Party-list Groups identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines so pregnant with the so-called “Red Tag”? For one thing, no one goes to jail now for adherence to communist ideology. It has long been decriminalized under Republic Act 7636 which was approved by… Read More
Ledesma: Future proofing
September 16 2020, 4:24 pm
“IN a time of rapid change, standing still is the most dangerous course of action.” –- Brian Tracy We are living in a world where changes are happening fast, simultaneous, and constant. The way we live, the way we work, the way we do things, and even the people we deal with and work for have… Read More
Laurel: The way to global data security – China Style
September 15 2020, 3:54 pm
THE US is in the habit of hurling accusations in China without providing any evidence to back up the allegations. They did this with the “China virus” claim with nary a scientific basis to stand it on. Incessantly, they have repeated allegation of “intellectual property theft” against… Read More
Ledesma: The pettiness of the opposition
September 10 2020, 5:20 pm
IT used to be that only monkeys have the habit of nit-picking. Before the advent of anti-tick powder and shampoo, it’s commonplace to see women helping each other in the arduous task of picking those pesky lice and nits in the long tresses of their hair. But nothing really beats a domesticated… Read More
Ledesma: The 'Now and Tomorrow' fund
September 8 2020, 4:44 pm
THOUGH the number of COVID cases continues to rise, it’s good to note that the economy is starting to recover in most parts of the country. While many are still challenged to make both ends meet, we also see people who have resumed work or resumed their business operations. But since we’re… Read More
Tabije: Water is life: The case for massive reforestation
September 4 2020, 2:40 pm
IN the national papers lately was the news that President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an administrative order that will expedite the review and approval of infrastructure flagship projects on water security in the country. It directed all agencies to prioritize and complete review and approval of… Read More
Ledesma: Watching Duterte
September 4 2020, 12:17 am
EACH time President Rodrigo Duterte disappears from the eye of the prowling media, the rumor mill churns speculations he is ill and he is somewhere seeking medical attention. Sometimes this President can be cruel to his critics. The last time, he was missing from the public’s eye, he surfaced on… Read More
Ledesma: Remembering a beloved icon
August 28 2020, 6:14 pm
I WILL deviate from my usual subject matter as I wish to give tribute to an iconic landmark that has been a second home to many, including me. Today, we remember the Philamlife Building at U.N. Avenue, Manila. My first encounter with this Icon was on April 19, 1986. It was the wedding of my sister… Read More
Ledesma: Optimism amidst Covid-19
August 28 2020, 6:06 pm
DEPENDING on one’s character and motivations, the Covid-19 pandemic can be a bane to many but a boon to those who see opportunities under the new normal. Of course, the crisis shocked and dislocated us from our comfort zones. We lost jobs, kept us un the four corners of our home, movements were… Read More
Ledesma: Make up and glasses for 2022
August 26 2020, 2:17 pm
THIS early there is a perceptible move and movements all geared towards 2022 regular elections. These rumblings bring together the political oppositions of varied ideological persuasions, rightists, and the radical left in what looks like they are having a sweetheart deal. This strategy brought… Read More
Tabije: Preserving the earth thru logging, mining
August 25 2020, 3:15 pm
“WHAT? That’s a crazy idea”, is the most common reaction to this idea. The common thinking being that, in fact, logging and mining have contributed much to the problems of climate change, environmental degradation, frequent floods and such in the country. So how can they be the solution?… Read More
Ledesma: The greatest gift of all
August 19 2020, 2:21 pm
I CAME from a middle single income family. My father was a regular employee while my mother was a full-time housewife. Despite this, they managed to send me and my 3 siblings to a local private school. But I remember, there was a time when our family faced a crisis that affected our finances.… Read More
