Opinion and Commentary
Lu: Gov’t response to the crisis abroad
October 20, 2023, 9:00 am
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has displaced millions of people, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). There are more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and 150 in the Gaza Strip. Filipinos in Israel work mostly as caregivers, and they are loved by their employers and… Read More
Samonte: The oddities of 1st barangay polls in May 1982
October 19, 2023, 1:11 pm
As the 10-day official campaign period for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) began Wednesday in more than 42,000 barangays nationwide, this writer was reminiscing on the uniqueness or oddities of the first barangay polls held in 1982, a year after then President… Read More
Lauengco: Barangay Elections: Last minute campaign guide (Part 2)
October 18, 2023, 2:46 pm
“Every election is determined by the people who show up.” - Larry Sabato. Tomorrow (Oct. 19) is the start of the official campaign period for the 2023 Barangay Elections. As stated in the previous article (see part 1), the candidates at this point should have completed the requisite… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Powering a brighter, sustainable future with solar
October 16, 2023, 12:44 pm
As more industries normalize their operations, global focus has shifted to economic growth from economic recovery and one key aspect that has become more pronounced especially after the pandemic is the importance of embracing sustainability. Industry movers and shakers worldwide are going green in… Read More
Lu: Policing social media: Navigating complexities of digital expression
October 13, 2023, 9:00 am
In recent weeks, a piece of news has seized my attention, revealing a significant development in the ever-evolving landscape of social media. The “Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas” (KSMBP) has taken a bold stance, initiating legal proceedings against certain personalities… Read More
Samonte: FM first thought of collective or cluster farming idea in 1970
October 12, 2023, 2:30 pm
Believe it or not, the collective or cluster farming idea or approach in rice production to make the Philippines sufficient in rice without importation was broached as early as 1970 by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., more popularly known by his acronym FM. Yes, FM disclosed that in his… Read More
Lauengco: Barangay Elections Last Minute Campaign Guide (Part 1)
October 11, 2023, 5:56 pm
“How do you win an election? Get more votes than your opponents” - Anonymous In eight days, the official campaign period for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will begin. Candidates for the various positions involved will officially have 10 grueling days to convince voters… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Strengthening Philippine tourism
October 10, 2023, 9:40 am
With the accelerating shift towards greater normalcy after the pandemic, new opportunities for recovery and growth are opening across different industries—particularly those badly hit by the global crisis. Here in the Philippines, tourism is among the sectors that have steadily recovered with… Read More
Samonte: The 'New Society' parliaments of 1976-1985
October 5, 2023, 12:56 pm
In my column last week, I partially discussed the niceties, in my view, of the modified unicameral federal system of government introduced through the 1973 Constitution under the "New Society or Bagong Lipunan" concept of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. (Dec. 30, 1965-Feb. 25, 1986). I… Read More
Lauengco: Cults: Thoughts and Theories
October 4, 2023, 12:56 pm
“Culture and cult derive from the same word; what a culture worships defines it.” – Michael Knowles Lately, we have seen several news headlines about a series of Senate hearings on an alleged cult based in Surigao del Norte. Since the Senate investigations started, several “horror”… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Consideration in customer service communications
October 3, 2023, 1:01 pm
For the past months, tourism has seen a strong recovery—both locally and globally with leisure travel regaining its momentum after the pandemic slowdown. The Department of Tourism over the weekend reported that tourism arrivals in the Philippines have breached the 4-million mark, putting the… Read More
Samonte: Federalism and the 1973 Constitution
September 28, 2023, 1:50 pm
When President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pitched for federalism during a recent gathering of his party mates in the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), he might have been thinking of a new fundamental law of the land somewhat similar to the 1973 Constitution. "The Philippines has taken the first… Read More
Lauengco: Remembering Mayor BF's unique management style
September 27, 2023, 11:31 am
“The right way is not always the popular and easy way” – Margaret Chase Smith When I first met then-Marikina City Mayor Bayani Fernando (BF) back in 1998, I was a newly minted City Administrator of the neighboring Antipolo City under, then first-term Mayor Angelito Gatlabayan. Since it was… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Realizing growth, economic development, sustainability through mining
September 25, 2023, 11:21 am
With the vast mineral resources of the Philippines, mining has immense potential to become a major economic driver for the Philippines. However, we have yet to fully develop this industry. Challenges such as policy issues, and environmental and safety concerns have hindered the growth of the local… Read More
Lu: Rising to the rice challenge: Ensuring PH food security
September 21, 2023, 5:33 pm
On September 1, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a price ceiling for rice, ranging from P41 to P45. This announcement comes as a relief to consumers who have been grappling with soaring prices, not only for rice but also for essential commodities. The President's directive is a response to… Read More
Samonte: Memories of the Sept. 21, 1972 martial law
September 21, 2023, 4:19 pm
Exactly 51 years ago on this day, or on Sept. 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. signed Proclamation No. 1081 that placed the entire country under a state of martial law which, he said, "was a final recourse to combat two principal sources of grave danger to the Philippine society… Read More
Lauengco: Restoring Hinulugang Taktak
September 20, 2023, 12:49 pm
"Tayo na sa Antipolo at doo’y maligo tayo, sa batis na kung tawagin ay hi-hi- hinulugang taktak…” - German San Jose. Last Sept. 14, a simple ceremony was held at the Hinulugang Taktak Nature and Adventure Park. The activity commemorated the “strengthening of the partnership” of Manila… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Towards a sustainable energy future
September 19, 2023, 12:35 pm
As the Philippines moves towards achieving its target of becoming an upper middle-income country in the future, the need to ensure energy security has become more prominent to power economic growth and national development. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a speech during the US-ASEAN… Read More
Delos Reyes: Running on grassoline
September 19, 2023, 12:07 pm
IN doting fondness, one can look back at how the horse-drawn calesa was king of the road, braving chest-deep floodwaters of Espana Blvd. ages back, while even SUVs and similar smoke-belchers were stalled or towed. If my memory serves right, calesa fare was cheaper than a taxicab's. If only for… Read More
Lu: Addressing the alarming surge in road rage incidents
September 15, 2023, 10:58 am
In recent times, a spate of violent road rage incidents has dominated headlines, prompting both chambers of Congress to conduct investigations in aid of legislation. These distressing episodes, often captured by vigilant citizens and swiftly disseminated on social media platforms, have garnered… Read More
