People lose faith in their institutions first, when those in charge of them exploit them for their personal benefit, and second, when they do not produce definite and useful results. Institutions are the established means by which a society conducts and regulates its collective affairs. When they fail to do their work, people feel justified … Read more
At one point in the Senate hearing on the alleged money-laundering and criminal activities of Senator Panfilo Lacson, Colonel Victor Corpus, head of the military intelligence unit and Lacson’s chief accuser, found himself being accused instead of undermining our society’s institutions. The senators pinned him down on his statement that judges, media people, and public … Read more
In trying to pin down Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on drugs, kidnapfor-ransom and money-laundering charges, AFP Intelligence Chief Victor Corpus has clearly picked a formidable target. Lacson is a senator who has achieved one of the fastest role transformations in our political history. Yesterday he was just a policeman, today he is a senator, tomorrow … Read more
The resignation of Vitaliano Nanagas as president of the Social Security System has become for many thoughtful Filipinos one more occasion to reflect on the wisdom of people power and to warn against its dangers. The prevalent view is that a reform-minded official has been sacrificed to appease a mob bent on resisting any change … Read more