EDITORIAL
Scrapping the pork barrel
September 1, 2013
Thousands of Filipinos held their first biggest protest under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino Jr. on Monday, August 26, at the Luneta in Manila. The rallies or mass actions were held simultaneously in key cities in the Philippines, the United States, Asia and Europe. Continue reading
On more US troops in the Philippines
August 16, 2013
Negotiations have started on how more American soldiers, equipment, including war ships and airplanes and war materials, could be stationed on rotation basis in Philippine territory. The idea is to provide greater support to the Philippine forces in keeping with the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement as the Filipinos continue to suffer from continued bullying and aggression from China which claims almost all islands and reefs in the West Philippine Sea and the bigger South China Sea. The greater objective though is to ensure free access and passage by all tthrough international waters in the area considering that the bulk of cargoes in the region pass through it. Continue reading
Record P2.268-T Phl budget needs accountability and checks
August 1, 2013
Bouyed by the continued record economic performance of the country, President Aquino has submitted to Congress a national government budget proposal involving a record high of P2.268 trillion for 2014. Next year’s proposed budget is 13.1 percent higher than the current year’s budget of P2.006 trillion and the President explained that it is designed as a tool to maximize and fortify the foundations for inclusive development. Continue reading
Justice delayed is justice denied for Maguindanao massacre victims
July 1, 2013
Something really stinks in the Philippine justice system. Almost four years ago on November 23, 2009, 58 persons, 32 of them journalists and media workers, were massacred in an isolated area in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. The heinous crime triggered worldwide condemnation, especially from international media organizations like the Reporters without Borders, International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Project Journalists. This massacre gave the Philippines the title as the Most Dangerous Country for Journalists. Continue reading
Growth but fewer jobs
June 16, 2013
New reports made public have indicated that unemployment in the Philippines worsened to 7.5 percent in April, the highest in three years. This new jobless rate is worse than the 6.9 percent in the same month last year, and the 7.1 percent posted in January 2013. Continue reading
True assets and liabilities
June 1, 2013
One year ago this week, the Philippine Senate, acting as Senate Impeachment Tribunal, in a historic decision, convicted then Chief Justice Renato Corona on finding him guilty of improperly or fully disclosing his true assets and liabilities and net worth. Continue reading
Vote of confidence for Pnoy
May 16, 2013
It appears that the results of the Senate race in the May 13 elections in the Philippines was a vote of confidence for President Benigno S. Aquino III. As of the latest count, nine of 12 candidates of Team Pnoy, Aquino’s Liberal Party-led coalition, will win and, by the time this issue comes out, are already proclaimed. Many of the administration candidates in the House of Representatives, mostly reelectionists, were also clear winners. Continue reading
Fixating on 10-year deficit reduction targets
May 1, 2013
Given the depressed state of the U.S. economy, policymakers’ goal should be stimulating near-term economic recovery, not reaching an arbitrary 10-year deficit reduction target, a new Economic Policy Institute-The Century Foundation report finds. In Dangerous targets: Why setting a specific deficit reduction target would worsen the economic and fiscal situation. Continue reading
A boost from Brunei
Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III has just welcomed His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in Malacañang Palace. Sultan Bolkiah’s visit to the country is his first since 2009, and the first under the … Continue reading
US distances itself from Sabah
April 1, 2013
Now, it can be told: The United States does not want to be drawn to the Sabah crisis and is distancing itself from the conflict. No less than US Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Thomas Jr., made the revelation during the maiden “Kapihan sa Embahada” inside the US Embassy compound in Manila. Continue reading