Randy David | PUBLIC LIVES In the opening paragraph of his sixth and final State of the Nation Address last July 27, President Aquino reminded his listeners of how, in the five years he has been in office, his administration put a stop to the culture of privilege (“wang-wang”) not just in the streets but everywhere in society, how he … Read more
In the opening paragraph of his sixth and final State of the Nation Address last July 27, President Aquino reminded his listeners of how, in the five years he has been in office, his administration put a stop to the culture of privilege (“wang-wang”) not just in the streets but everywhere in society, how he … Read more
“All should know that the Iglesia is not a family corporation. It is a religion that follows the teachings of God found in the Bible.” As unexpected as it came, this declaration, issued by the top leadership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) a few days ago, is perhaps the most modern statement ever to … Read more
“All should know that the Iglesia is not a family corporation. It is a religion that follows the teachings of God found in the Bible.” As unexpected as it came, this declaration, issued by the top leadership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) a few days ago, is perhaps the most modern statement ever to … Read more
Sen. Grace Poe’s rise in politics has been, by any measure, meteoric. Not even the opinion surveys—those modern instruments that cultures like ours piously consult as oracles of what the gods favor—gave any hint of its phenomenal trajectory. In 2010, when she first thought of running for the Senate, no political coalition could give her … Read more
Sen. Grace Poe’s rise in politics has been, by any measure, meteoric. Not even the opinion surveys—those modern instruments that cultures like ours piously consult as oracles of what the gods favor—gave any hint of its phenomenal trajectory. In 2010, when she first thought of running for the Senate, no political coalition could give her … Read more
The Senate blue ribbon and health committees, both headed by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, are conducting an inquiry into “highly suspicious” payments made by PhilHealth to private healthcare providers who have extended medical services to its members. The investigation has been prompted by PhilHealth’s own finding of a sudden increase in government health insurance claims. … Read more
The Senate blue ribbon and health committees, both headed by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, are conducting an inquiry into “highly suspicious” payments made by PhilHealth to private healthcare providers who have extended medical services to its members. The investigation has been prompted by PhilHealth’s own finding of a sudden increase in government health insurance claims. … Read more
Asked if he had anything to say about candidates for public office who give away religious items to enhance their public image, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, current head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, admonished these politicians not to “abuse and misuse” sacred objects to gain political mileage. He said: “If we speak of … Read more
This week, “Public Lives” marks its 20th year. My first piece for the Inquirer saw print on July 9, 1995, a Sunday. I remember choosing a rather pretentious title, “In search of anonymity,” for a column that dealt with a trivial event, the arrest of the British actor Hugh Grant “for lewd conduct” while having … Read more