Fifty-three years ago, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., seizing upon a little-known provision of the 1935 Constitution, placed the entire country under martial law. He justified it as the only way to save the republic from a supposed leftist-rightist conspiracy. But it soon became clear that the threat was only a pretext. Marcos used the emergency powers … Read more
We are in the midst of a political crisis whose outlines are still forming. What began as the usual whispers about corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has now burst into the open, with names and faces attached. Public anger is rising, and what is at stake is not only the … Read more
Nations have always watched one another. What happens in one becomes a mirror for the other. In that sense, peoples of different countries often see themselves through the lens of their neighbors’ experiences and actions. What they take from these mirror images, however, and how long it will take them to change the course of … Read more
Why do some people, particularly those who have become suddenly rich, flaunt their wealth? It’s a question one may ask after watching video clips where owners share glimpses of their opulent houses, their vehicles, jewelry, designer bags, shoes, and latest acquisitions. Aren’t they afraid of inviting scrutiny from customs and tax officials? Aren’t they worried … Read more
The current uproar over ghost, overpriced, and substandard flood control projects has again put corruption at the center of public outrage. But when I hear officials and commentators describe it as “systemic,” my ears perk up. In the social sciences, the term has a precise meaning: it refers to behavior that persists because it plays … Read more
To stand up to words means, first, to recognize the hidden agendas lurking behind harmless-sounding words, and second, to resist the allure of euphemisms that creep into everyday usage. One obvious example is “gaming”—a euphemism for gambling. Casino operators are now rebranded as “gaming merchants,” whose business is to package and sell “fun” or “entertainment.” … Read more
If Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen had not been the author of the much-criticized ruling declaring the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional, the firestorm that greeted the decision might have been even more ferocious. Unlike the other justices who concurred, Leonen was an appointee of the late president Benigno … Read more
When the three branches of government — the executive, legislative, and judiciary — disagree over their roles, we are often warned about a looming constitutional crisis. The Constitution, everyone agrees, should settle such disputes. But who gets the final say on what the Constitution means? That role belongs to the Supreme Court. But what if … Read more
We have long nurtured the illusion that, because history once bound our fates, the United States and the Philippines share a special relationship that confers mutual obligations. That romantic notion was bluntly shattered during President Marcos’ recent visit to Washington. Mr. Marcos had framed the trip this way: “The United States is our oldest and … Read more
Waking up from a short afternoon nap the other day, I thought I had overslept. I reached for my phone to check the time, only to be greeted by a Viber notification cheerfully announcing: “Karina David is new on Viber! Say ‘hi’ and get a free sticker pack!” A wave of confusion and sadness at … Read more