Opinion and Commentary

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

Ledesma: The prize of a death wish

August 18, 2020, 10:46 pm

PILO Hilbay and Erin Tañada exemplify the irrational behavior of today’s opposition and their propaganda machines. Pitiful, for by all indication, they had been nosing around and keeping track of President Rodrigo Duterte who flew quietly to Davao City last weekend. Obviously they were caught… Read More

Tabije: PH performance in global fight against Covid-19

August 16, 2020, 1:49 am

OF late, there have been so many commentaries saying, in so many words, that the Philippines has been a failure in the fight against Covid-19. What is the real score? There are so many factors that can be used to gauge the performance of countries in the fight against Covid-19: (a) no. of tests,… Read More