Opinion and Commentary

Ledesma: Easter reflections

HAPPY Easter! There is no doubt that Easter is one of the most important and happiest celebrations among Christians. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 3 days after his crucifixion, death, and burial. His rising gave His Disciples and believers renewed hope and... Read More

Ledesma: Everybody loves a winner

AT an average of 59 percent which all the survey firms have identically tallied from March to April it is most likely that the country will have a president elected by the majority. The survey outfits have not actually factored in the endorsement of Iglesia Ni Cristo which is known for its bloc... Read More

Ledesma: You before me 

“TRUE leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not to enrich the leader” — John Maxwell.It is just less than a month from D-Day. And as we draw near to the day when we will choose the next set of leaders who will shape and direct the course of our... Read More

Ledesma: Trouble hounds Partido Reporma

THE unceremonious ditching of Senator Panfilo Lacson as the presidential candidate of Partido Reporma by the party President Pantaleon Alvarez in favor of Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party has triggered a major disorganization and disorientation in its ranks and dwindling supporters. During the... Read More

From the Mail: Sara's mantra

By Chito Fuentes  THE desperation shot was bound to happen. A day before the campaign for local posts kicked off, former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez hugged the headlines when he declared his support for Vice-President Leni Robredo. This prompted Sen. Panfilo Lacson to resign from... Read More

Ledesma: Filipina leaders

“EMPOWERING women is key to building a future we want.” – Amartya Sen According to the latest Grant Thornton’s annual Women’s Business Report, the Philippines ranks first globally in terms of women in leadership positions. The report showed... Read More

Ledesma: The die is cast

ONE consummation devoutly wished by the presidential aspirants is to be endorsed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Even the most rabid critic of Duterte among them cannot hide her wish. Well, she may deny it but when the President said he would prefer a lawyer to be president her camp cannot suppress... Read More

Ledesma: Absence does not make heart grow fonder

WE are all familiar with the proverbial saying, "absence makes the heart grow fonder.” It means that when people we love are not with us, we love them even more. It conveys the idea that when we are far from someone, that’s the time we realize how much they mean to us, how much... Read More

Ledesma: The power opiate

AT this point in the presidential and vice-presidential race, the players already have the gut feel how each of them is faring in the derby. Strangely in our country where no candidates ever lost except when cheated, the spectacle never ceased to entertain. Let's look at the results of the... Read More

Ledesma: Comedic nightmare

WITH just two months to go before May 29 elections, the air smells of murk and campaign speeches rise to a crescendo heavy with identical promises. Debates are no longer informative and entertaining save for the incisive questions from Prof. Clarita Carlos. Watching and listening to so... Read More

Ledesma: The curse on Partido Reporma

THE campaign period for locally-elected positions starts on March 25. The trend of the voters’ preference will significantly have an impact on the local polls. This will be most pronounced in Davao Region and here’s the reason why.It was in Davao del Norte where Partido Para sa... Read More

Ledesma: Drowning in the sea of immorality

IF you think you have seen the height of political oddities in Isko Moreno - Sara Duterte tandem, then think of another strange political weirdness when a couple both heads opposing political parties. In Davao de Oro, the 4th richest province in the Philippines, 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter... Read More

Ledesma: Families and friendships over politics

ONE sound advice that I got when I was younger was to avoid discussions on politics and religion during gatherings. It’s because, almost always, the discussion will end up in this scenario: You win a point but lose a family member or a friend in the process. Since both politics... Read More

Ledesma: Spare the PWDs 

THE campaign of Partido Reporma in Davao took a bad turn when its President, Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez went berserk, cussing a vice gubernatorial candidate of Hugpong Ng Pagbabago and describing him as a “special and autistic child”. The person he is referring to is De... Read More

Ledesma: Proclamation rallies

IF the number of attendees on political proclamation rallies was to be the barrometer of who will likely win in the May 9, 2022, presidential elections it is indubitable that Bongbong Marcos and Inday Sara Duterte are the clear winners. In and out of the huge Philippine arena, were teeming with... Read More

Ledesma: Sara, a tough act to follow

VICE Presidential bet Inday Sara Duterte is simply a hard act to follow. She is way ahead of her adversaries in all poll surveys but she too is singularly the only candidate who can withstand the rigors of a national campaign, hopping from one island to another not in an air-conditioned van but on a... Read More

Ledesma: New Year’s financial resolutions 

HOW fast time flies! Today is the last day of January 2022. One month has already gone in the new year. By this time, plans have been drawn and laid down for 2022. In fact, some are already being implemented.  And from my talks with some family members, friends, and colleagues, I... Read More

Ledesma: Micromanaging

PRESIDENTIAL wannabe Leni Robredo just proved to the world that she is not the kind of leader the Philippines deserves. In an interview with the country’s “King” of talk show, Boy Abunda, the Vice President emphatically insisted that in times of emergencies she has to be... Read More

Ledesma: Walden could never be like Sara

WALDEN Bello has carved his name in various issues that range from economy, environment, human rights and politics all anchored on communist ideology. With that credentials he thought he is good enough to be Vice President of the Philippines. Walden has always been a critic of any... Read More

Ledesma: Robredo’s vow

DID I hear it right? Presidential aspirant Leni Robredo was quoted as saying she vows “to restore the people’s trust in government”. This is both an insult to President Rodrigo R. Duterte and a proposition that we install the Aquino brand of leadership in the government with... Read More