Category Archives: Columns

Three things need to be done to banish the pork barrel scam: (1) identify, investigate, prosecute and penalize the scammers; (2) recover as much of the scammed public funds as possible; and (3) avoid a repetition of this mess. Today, I have space to discuss only the first item and a little of the second. I will take up the third at another time. Continue reading →

The social media have come of age in our country. The awesome people-gathering power of Facebook and Twitter has been proven beyond doubt by the Million People March (MPM) last Aug. 26. Continue reading →

Our country needs modern airports, expressways, railways, water systems, electric power and other infrastructures. However, the government does not have the funds to build them and the skill to operate them. The solution is public-private partnerships (PPP) mainly via the build-operate-transfer (BOT) system. Continue reading →

After two decades of seemingly interminable disputes including several local litigations and international arbitration cases in Singapore and in Washington, DC, Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia 3) is still mired in controversy and still unfinished both physically and legally. Continue reading →

The Philippines’ dispute with China over the islets and reefs (and their underlying resources and overhead airspace) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), also known as the South China Sea (SCS), is probably our most vexing security problem. Continue reading →

Significantly, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Philippines last week, right after the electoral sweep by his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of the upper house (House of Councillors) of the Japanese Parliament (National Diet) on July 24. Continue reading →

With the help of the US Agency for International Development, American Bar Association, The Asia Foundation and Asian Development Bank, the Supreme Court recently launched a new, system-wide but rifle-focused reform project, nicknamed “Hustisyeah.” The immediate aim is to reduce docket congestion and ultimately to speed up the dispensation of justice in the trial courts. Continue reading →

The election of Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas to the presidency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines complements the renewal of the Catholic Church in our country that began with the elevation of Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle to the College of Cardinals. Both are young, humble, prayerful and empowering. Continue reading →

“The Constitution states that the Vice President may become President only in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President. Why then was I ousted, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) installed as President when, clearly, I have not died, have no permanent disability, have not been removed from office, and have not resigned?” asked President Joseph Ejercito Estrada during our encounters. Continue reading →

Joseph Ejercito Estrada is a phenomenon. A school dropout (with no college diploma to prop him up), celebrated actor and charismatic politician, he was elected and served as town mayor (1967-1986), senator (1987-1992), vice president (1992-1998), president (1998-2001), and now mayor of Manila (2013-2016). Continue reading →