What the latest poverty data tell us
The Duterte administration must be congratulated. The latest poverty estimates, based on the 2018 Family Income and Expenditures Survey , show that the percentage of families who fall below the poverty threshold fell from 17.9 percent to 12.1 percent,
What’s needed for education to improve?
The news that the Philippines is No. 79 out of 79 countries in reading literacy, and number 78 in mathematics and science literacy—the bottom in one and second to the bottom in the other two—brings a sense of déjà vu.
Thank you, John and Elizabeth Gokongwei
Having been out of the country for four weeks, I have missed many landscape-changing events. One of these is the death of John Gokongwei, followed within the week by that of his wife, Elizabeth.
Takeaways from Trump impeachment hearings
Having been glued to the television set for five days watching the public impeachment hearings against US President Donald Trump, live and in full color, I cannot resist sharing my three takeaways from the experience.
Sen. de Lima: 1000 days of incarceration
On Nov. 20, four days from now, Sen. Leila de Lima will have spent 1,000 days under incarceration on charges which can be described, in the kindest of terms, as trumped-up. Why should we care? Gut reaction: If it can happen to her, it can happen to us.
Duterte versus Trump: an update
Yours truly is in the United States, Reader, although I had sworn never to set foot here again until Donald Trump was out of office. But a family reunion trumps (I couldn’t resist that) that vow, so here I am.
Weaponizing the rule of law
Permit me, Reader, to comment on two recent events that I passed up because of my concern for the University of the Philippines.
UP Beloved is in trouble
Is the University of the Philippines going to pot? Not as in marijuana, Reader. Rather, as in losing all its good qualities, because no one is taking care of it.
What’s the truth about Duterte’s health?
The question: How do these ailments, in their entirety, affect the way President Duterte is presiding over our country? Is he fit to run it?
Why should Albayalde resign or be fired?
It brings to mind a picture of hyenas circling around their prey for the kill—or a crowd turned into a mindless mob rushing over anyone in their way. I am talking about this get-Albayalde movement, this insistence that he resign as chief of the Philippine National Police.
The fair and fearless General Magalong
Well, Reader, I am glad to say that Magalong showed up Ragos for what he was—someone up to his neck in the corruption and drugs that were going on (and apparently still are) in the New Bilibid Prison.
Intellectual dishonesty: let the faculty decide
“Honor and Excellence” is the University’s motto, and it is not by accident or literary standards that honor comes first. For without honor, excellence can be totally useless, if not misused.
