Sunday last week found me on a fast ferry to Bataan. Like most natives of Central Luzon, I am totally unaccustomed to approaching Bataan from the sea. It was therefore exhilarating to discover that the boat trip from Manila to Limay takes only an hour, whereas it normally takes at least 3 hours by land. … Read more
Crisis, say the Chinese, is both danger and opportunity. One must accurately read the danger, and seize the opportunity to do something extraordinary. In the last few months, many thoughtful Filipinos have asked whether the present national situation is a time of crisis. I am one of those who believe that a crisis is upon … Read more
President Ramos said something very disturbing at his last Ulat sa Bayan speech. He would make more trips abroad, he said in pique, defying calls that in a time of crisis he must lead in conserving precious foreign exchange. He tried to soften this verbal tantrum by adding that he would also travel as often … Read more
In an ideal democracy, citizens form parties in order to realize a shared vision of the tasks of government. On this basis, they choose the most capable among their leaders and offer them to the electorate as their candidates. Because the candidates must personify the party, their selection is dictated less by popularity than by … Read more