Randy David | PUBLIC LIVES

In the heyday of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), long before former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo became the poster face of institutional rot, most Filipinos saw little harm in hosting gambling operations that catered exclusively to foreigners. From a revenue standpoint, it all looked like a net gain. The government raked in unprecedented income … Read more

If we fail to view recent events in their historical and global context, we risk falling into the trap of dividing nations into good or evil. A complex geopolitical situation is thus reduced to the simplistic binary of “bad guys” and “good guys.” These moral labels, nothing more than self-descriptions, prevent a deeper understanding of … Read more

Watching how the current Senate leadership tried to sidestep its constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court in the case against Vice President Sara Duterte, I found myself wondering: would we be better off with a permanent Constitutional Court? The 1987 Philippine Constitution, following American practice, assigns this role to the Senate. But unlike … Read more

Last Monday, June 9, nearly every broadsheet came wrapped in a loud, four-page promotional cover. “MegaFUNalo! has arrived!” declared the headline in bold letters. A cheerful lion mascot wearing a crown invited readers to “Games! Shows! Prizes!” and to register at their website. It was unmistakably the launch of another online gambling platform. I wondered: … Read more

At the resumption of their session last Monday, June 2, senators debated what to do with the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. The House of Representatives had transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate just before Congress adjourned in early February to make way for the midterm elections. That was three months … Read more

Fresh from attending the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. faced the Filipino press. In the question-and-answer portion, little was said about Mr. Marcos’ key concerns at the meeting—the South China Sea Code of Conduct and United States tariffs. Reporters instead focused on the fallout from … Read more

Much of the analysis of the recent midterm elections has been retrospective. But to truly grasp the Filipino voter’s behavior, what we need are carefully designed postelection surveys using in-depth interviews. Unfortunately, no political party or candidate seems willing to fund exit polls. What for? They ask. And so we are left to speculate. Speculation … Read more

A social media exchange on the outcome of the recent papal conclave caught my attention the other day. It went like this: A: “Sayang, hindi Filipino ang napiling susunod na Santo Papa! (Too bad, a Filipino wasn’t chosen to be the next pope.)” B: “‘Te, hindi ito Miss Universe, at hindi ikaw ang Holy Spirit! … Read more

While much attention in the 2025 midterm elections has centered on control of the Senate, it is at the local government level where the most critical governance issues are painfully clear. Local officials have increasingly exploited the expansive powers provided by the Local Government Code, notably the authority to levy taxes and approve or block … Read more

Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy (2013-2025) was, in many ways, a continuation of his immediate predecessors’ most memorable legacies. Like the beloved John Paul II, he actively engaged with the world, seeking to influence its direction. And, like the intellectual Benedict XVI, he aimed to redefine the Church’s role within modern society. Yet, this is where … Read more