Randy David | PUBLIC LIVES 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
Outside my house, the yard is thick with dry mahogany leaves. They fall continuously, carpeting the entire garden, reminding me of an inescapable truth—that decay precedes death, and death awaits all living things. “But to what end?” I often catch myself asking. The comforting message of Easter—that death is but a passage to eternal life—has … Read more
Donald Trump’s rise in American politics has rested largely on his image as a savvy businessman who claims to know how to make America great again. That vision continues to strike a deep chord with many Americans who lived through the collapse of American manufacturing. But the America they long for—the one of humming factories … Read more
By now, Filipinos are well acquainted with Philippine offshore gaming operators, better known as Pogos, particularly after President Marcos Jr. banned them to loud applause during his 2024 State of the Nation Address. Although Pogos catered mainly to foreign gamblers, they became synonymous with criminal activities—money laundering, human trafficking, fraud, and financial scams. Most have … Read more